NiallPower wrote: » Hey guys, I'm never sure whether to respond to threads like this. There are a lot of issues brought up, but I feel it's probably only right to put a couple of things on the record. I am Head of Station Sound with Beat so am responsible for most of the programming output. Firstly, I should point out that Beat has very strict contractual obligations with the BAI. We have very clear details of the type of music we should play and how much of it. For example, 85% of our playlist must be from the past two years, and 50% of it from the past six months. Some posters have mentioned a Zane Lowe type show in the evening. Today FM are actually contracted to do that after 7 in the evening, and we are contracted to do the opposite - play hit music. Our high rotation of music has also been mentioned. That's always a tough one. The research suggests most people only catch 20 minutes of radio at a time. You'd be amazed how quickly after you play the big song that it's requested afterwards. We've tried to help out those who listen at work by introducing the no-repeat workday - you won't hear the same song between 10am and 4pm. It should be pointed out that other successful stations like Capital in London and the much-reminisced Atlantic 252 have/had a 90 minute repeat on songs. It's completely understandable that what we do and play is not to everyone's taste. We are the iTunes chart station. That's not choice - it's what we are licensed and contracted to do. Despite some of the comments here, it's important to point out that according to the last JNLR listenership figures, Beat is now the best performing youth or regional station in Ireland, with a higher daily listenership reach percentage and higher market share percentage than Spin 1038, Iradio, Red or Spin South West. Another illusion is that we are a station solely listened to by teenagers. Whilst we are Number 1 in the South East for 15-34 year-olds, it's also fact that we beat 2FM and Today FM in 20-44 year-olds, and we also are ahead in the same category of WLR, KCLR and South East Radio in their respective counties. The point being.... we are a successful hit music station targetting young adults. Our latest listenership figures were our highest in our nine-year history, so we're doing something right. As a broadcaster and manager, I know I have to have a tough skin and I can take the criticism levied here, once it's fair. We're not to everyone's taste, but we're never going to be. I do think that five pages of rants is probably unfair to our talented young team. We are a small company with no government funding that employs 18 people full-time in Waterford and 20 seasonal staff. 18 people in programming, management and sales to turn out 24 hours of programming seven days a week - I can assure you everyone works very hard. There has also been some criticism of new staff. Of all the stations broadcasting in the Waterford franchise area, we have a responsibility that we take very seriously in growing and nurturing new young talent. We have a strong track record in it - Darren Rice and Teresanne O'Reilly had never worked in radio before - but they were both highly commended at the PPI Radio Awards last October. We try our utmost to give full training and iron out mistakes before we put new talent on air, but like any job, the only way to really mould someone into the role is to give them flying hours and in our case, that means putting them on-air and allowing them to make some mistakes and learn from them. To finish, I appreciate any of the constructive criticism. We spend a lot of time engaging with listeners about what they want, and one of the things we want to do more is engage with non-listeners about what you feel we're doing wrong. I also hope you'll appreciate the difference between "not to my taste" and "crap". I'm not going to post again on this thread, but I'm genuinely happy to engage with anyone on a one-to-one basis about criticisms, praise, suggestions or whatever. My email is niall.power@beat102103.com Cheers.
Sully wrote: » Fair play to Niall, delighted someone can come in on a factual basis and knock the moaners of their pedestals who will quickly retreat, back track and have no return. Those who try defend it who are not official got nowhere, which is a shame for a discussion board. Its not to everyone's taste - hence why Ireland has many radio stations people can select. But it is to many peoples taste - hence the high and continually growing listenership figures. Its great to have such a successful regional radio station in Waterford employing a range of people here in Waterford, giving Waterford a good PR spin across the region while they go about their daily business making a top radio station and an award winning radio station at that.
NiallPower wrote: » I should point out that Beat has very strict contractual obligations with the BAI. We have very clear details of the type of music we should play and how much of it. For example, 85% of our playlist must be from the past two years, and 50% of it from the past six months. Some posters have mentioned a Zane Lowe type show in the evening. Today FM are actually contracted to do that after 7 in the evening, and we are contracted to do the opposite - play hit music.
abouttobebanned wrote: » You'll be a politician alright... You have some cheek calling people "moaners on their pedestals" just because, on a discussion board, they voiced their opinion about something they don't like. And they have every reason not to like it - for the most part it's a very hard to listen to station, regardless of your age and all Niall has done is explain to us the unfortunate reasons why that is the case. You were nowhere to be seen on this thread until niall appeared and then, like all "good" politicians you hop on the bandwagon and pose for pictures with the triumphant beat represetative.
NiallPower wrote: » Hey guys, The research suggests most people only catch 20 minutes of radio at a time. You'd be amazed how quickly after you play the big song that it's requested afterwards. We've tried to help out those who listen at work by introducing the no-repeat workday - you won't hear the same song between 10am and 4pm. It should be pointed out that other successful stations like Capital in London and the much-reminisced Atlantic 252 have/had a 90 minute repeat on songs.
JohnMarston wrote: » NiallPower wrote: » Hey guys, The research suggests most people only catch 20 minutes of radio at a time. You'd be amazed how quickly after you play the big song that it's requested afterwards. We've tried to help out those who listen at work by introducing the no-repeat workday - you won't hear the same song between 10am and 4pm. It should be pointed out that other successful stations like Capital in London and the much-reminisced Atlantic 252 have/had a 90 minute repeat on songs. Niall, If you had the no-repeat workday that would be fantastic. Your station is on at work all day. All day. And i feel i'm listening to the same dozen songs all day with the occasional song from the 90s/00s.
MitchKoobski wrote: » Never listened to 4fm
Sully wrote: » Fair play to Niall, delighted someone can come in on a factual basis and knock the moaners of their pedestals
7upfree wrote: » So someone who has a different opinion and hates the fare on offer is now a "moaner" Sully?
abouttobebanned wrote: » The thread went dead because the points had already been made. What was the point in going on about it? The station is rubbish. Plays the same terrible songs over and over again and some pretty amateur broadcasters on its books. If we said this over and over again you'd just lock the thread. We praised Niall for coming on and giving his perspective on things but tbh the way he announced that he wouldn't be back on the thread then just told me that he looks down his nose at forums like this so that took the shine off the post for me. But just to clarify, people not liking something is not akin to moaning. That's just a ridiculous thing to say.
I should point out that Beat has very strict contractual obligations with the BAI. We have very clear details of the type of music we should play and how much of it. For example, 85% of our playlist must be from the past two years, and 50% of it from the past six months.
abouttobebanned wrote: » I think you know me slightly better than that Sully. This is the quote that addressed the main problem I have with Beat. And, I will thank, and acknowledge anyone on boards who will shed the mask of anonymity and speak, as themselves, in defence of negativity about them or their business. Whether I agree or disagree with what is being said, I have the utmost respect for those that will engage in the discussion. I had made my point and didn't feel the need to drill it home. You on the otherhand were nowhere to be found in the thread until Niall arrived. Much like i'd imagine Claire Conway would if she was a Boards user. :pac:
abouttobebanned wrote: » I just hate when people try and hide who they are. I have defended Claire multiple times on this forum, usually when people are just attacking her for the sake of it. Niall deserved the praise he got because so many people shy away from defending themselves against the BOARDS MASSIVE.
Sully wrote: » I assume you mean Ciara?! But what if Ciara came online and put her neck out to the whole site, would you back down then?
ziedth wrote: » It's an interesting point on a wider scale though. Say we removed our anonymity from this forum and we used our facebooks or whatever do you think people would complain as much or gun for the likes of Ciara Conway?
