djsunkid (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} djsunkid) wrote,@ 2009-04-29 01:55:00 |
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An Open Letter to The Peak, 100.5 FM
TO: The Peak, CKPK-FM 100.5 in Vancouver
SUBJECT: I love your playlist!
Bob Marley, Portishead, Moby, Massive Attack- I even heard Fatboy Slim! All in amongst great contemporary rock, and rock favourites from the last three decades.
I am very very curious to know how much of your playlist is pre-scripted, focus-grouped, or otherwise the result of a business plan... and how much do the hosts actually contribute?
I'm so skeptical of commercial radio. I come from a background in community radio, for years I used to host a show on CKDU-FM in Halifax as a hobby, and I dreaded having to listen to commercial radio. Now I've relocated to Vancouver, and my workplace plays The Peak, and I'm really enjoying it.
It actually sounds like they are really playing the music that they want to hear, on their own terms. Even if I'm just fooling myself, it is amazing to hear what sounds like actual DJs playing music for commercial radio. Am I being naive?
You dropped Cat Empire - Chariot last Friday night at exactly the right time. If there wasn't a human responsible for that selection, then thank the algorythm that chose it. If, as I would rather believe, one of your hosts thought it would be a good idea to play Chariot just then, then HUGE kudos. It was the perfect song to give me just the energy that I needed at that exact moment.
I really don't understand how most commercial stations choose their music - I sort of guess that the selection comes down from on high - record labels decree that this or that artist is now to be played X number of times per hour, and according to some formula they will sell Y number of albums and recieve Z number of awards. Never mind that the music is crap.
With The Peak, I guess I feel like drinking the kool-aid again. It really seems like you guys are playing music on its own merits. And actually listening to your listeners feedback.
Somehow, because the music is interesting, the ads seem less bothersome than most commercial radio. Yes, I'd like it if they weren't QUITE so repeditive, but some stations in this city seem to play more ads than music. Having to listen to that at work has got to be some kind of violation. I like how you guys seem to have the formula figured out: Keep the ad breaks short and sweet. You'll get all the listeners. Then you can charge more for less airtime.
Anyway, I hope you continue to surprise me. I hope one night I'll be at work and I'll hear an old Metalica song on The Peak, or The Dead Kennedys.
Until then, keep rocking it out.
My requests: Radiohead - Paranoid Android, Nirvana - Breed, Metallica - Master of Puppets, One, or Unforgiven, Dead Kennedys - Holiday In Cambodia or California Uber Alles.
Oh, further request- cut down on the "Come on baby, say your first word" ad. It's pretty worn out now.
TO: The Peak, CKPK-FM 100.5 in Vancouver
SUBJECT: I love your playlist!
Bob Marley, Portishead, Moby, Massive Attack- I even heard Fatboy Slim! All in amongst great contemporary rock, and rock favourites from the last three decades.
I am very very curious to know how much of your playlist is pre-scripted, focus-grouped, or otherwise the result of a business plan... and how much do the hosts actually contribute?
I'm so skeptical of commercial radio. I come from a background in community radio, for years I used to host a show on CKDU-FM in Halifax as a hobby, and I dreaded having to listen to commercial radio. Now I've relocated to Vancouver, and my workplace plays The Peak, and I'm really enjoying it.
It actually sounds like they are really playing the music that they want to hear, on their own terms. Even if I'm just fooling myself, it is amazing to hear what sounds like actual DJs playing music for commercial radio. Am I being naive?
You dropped Cat Empire - Chariot last Friday night at exactly the right time. If there wasn't a human responsible for that selection, then thank the algorythm that chose it. If, as I would rather believe, one of your hosts thought it would be a good idea to play Chariot just then, then HUGE kudos. It was the perfect song to give me just the energy that I needed at that exact moment.
I really don't understand how most commercial stations choose their music - I sort of guess that the selection comes down from on high - record labels decree that this or that artist is now to be played X number of times per hour, and according to some formula they will sell Y number of albums and recieve Z number of awards. Never mind that the music is crap.
With The Peak, I guess I feel like drinking the kool-aid again. It really seems like you guys are playing music on its own merits. And actually listening to your listeners feedback.
Somehow, because the music is interesting, the ads seem less bothersome than most commercial radio. Yes, I'd like it if they weren't QUITE so repeditive, but some stations in this city seem to play more ads than music. Having to listen to that at work has got to be some kind of violation. I like how you guys seem to have the formula figured out: Keep the ad breaks short and sweet. You'll get all the listeners. Then you can charge more for less airtime.
Anyway, I hope you continue to surprise me. I hope one night I'll be at work and I'll hear an old Metalica song on The Peak, or The Dead Kennedys.
Until then, keep rocking it out.
My requests: Radiohead - Paranoid Android, Nirvana - Breed, Metallica - Master of Puppets, One, or Unforgiven, Dead Kennedys - Holiday In Cambodia or California Uber Alles.
Oh, further request- cut down on the "Come on baby, say your first word" ad. It's pretty worn out now.
