C103 loses the plot
Posted on April 14, 2009, by Conor O'Neill, under Bandon, Cork, Entertainment.
You don’t need to be an economist to know that media companies are suffering hugely in this recession. Their reliance on advertising makes them incredibly sensitive to downturns.
When you have a radio show that addresses a focused engaged specific audience, you would think that it would be a gift both for the broadcaster and those advertising to that audience. Thus C103’s decision to axe David Young’s “West Cork Today” programme frankly boggles the mind.
Radio broadcast licences have been a goldmine for companies like UTV over the past few years. But at the first sign of a downturn, it looks like they take the short term view and run for the hills? With those licences come legally binding terms and conditions. Perhaps the BCI would like to use this case as an example to Comreg on how a regulator should actually conduct itself.
Having said all of that, the idea of one company having the sole rights to broadcast to a particular niche or geography belongs in the 20th century. The internet makes a mockery of this partitioning. If C103 is unwilling to meet its customers’ needs then the customer needs to take back control.
I’ll be honest, I rarely listen to “live” radio any more. I download podcasts and music in which I am interested and then listen whilst driving with them playing back to my Lidl car stereo. Everything from food to technology to politics. Many of them are actually radio shows, mainly BBC Radio 4 and 5. I’d happily pay for a daily or weekly roundup of local West Cork information that I could listen to when it suited me, not the broadcaster.
How many of David Young’s listeners would be willing to pay maybe €3 a month to subscribe to an internet version of his show (and other West Cork programming)? Both live-streamed and available for download to iPods, mobile phones or PCs? Of course traditional broadcast is the most efficient way to get to the maximum number of people but needs must when the devil vomits into your kettle (to quote Edmund Blackadder).
16 Replies to "C103 loses the plot"
macshac on April 16, 2009
Bring it back now or c103 has lost another listener
The whole of West Cork! on April 16, 2009
ok ok, i’m just the voice of one person, but every voice counts including the one that used to entertain and serve the interests of the region.
David Young was essential listening in the mornings and the radio stayed tuned to that station as a result. Turn it on and the first thing you got was C103.
Now the dial is turning – its a level field again and Newstalk, Red FM and 4FM are all players.
If you’re listening C103 you might want to consider getting one of your star players back on the pitch?
hughinbandon on April 17, 2009
Not surprisingly there is a fair amount of outrage at the decision to axe David Young, and no wonder. I have long regarded David as one of the best presenters in Irish current affairs programming and it seems there are many others who would agree with me.
There’s a protest planned for 10am Monday outside the 96FM offices in St. Patricks place Cork (above Mc Curtain street) See you all there I hope.
quentingargan on April 17, 2009
If you feel strongly about this, there is a protest at 10.00am on Monday morning 20th April outside the C103 offices on Wellington Road (behind McCurtain St.).
Ivanmcc on April 20, 2009
I’m disgusted with this and especially the way they’re acting like it hasn’t happened – no mention on air at all that I’ve heard. A massive loss to the region. What galls me even more is that on the same day they axed the show their sales team send out a letter entitled “We have found a great idea to help your business grow:” – here’s a great idea for them – give us back our show or forget about selling advertising in West Cork.
Conor O'Neill on April 20, 2009
You’ve hit the nail on the head Ivan – the one thing they do understand is revenue. If West Cork businesses remove all advertising from C103 and 96FM, I wonder how quickly they’ll bring back the show!
West Cork Today dropped by C103/UTV -- sign the online petition | Writing for life on April 21, 2009
[...] read more about the debacle on former Green Party candidate Quentin Gargan’s blog, over on Conor O’Neill’s blog, in the Southern Star and no doubt lots of other places [...]
Robert Carpenter on April 22, 2009
The manner in which David Young was treated is a disgrace. He performed an invaluable service for his listeners and then was dismissed without the opportunity to thank his audience or allow the same for the many people he entertained.
West Cork Today Radio Show axed, sign the petition - Granite Consulting on April 22, 2009
[...] West Cork Today (and Tomorrow?) – Sign Petition to Save Local Radio C103 – not on our wavelength! C103 loses the plot! The service is a vital infrastructural asset in West Cork and I urge you all to support the [...]
Mick on April 30, 2009
Hi Conor,
There’s a new website up on this issue…
Johanna O'Mahony Walters on May 9, 2009
I am relying on the good business people of West Cork to withdraw all advertising revenue from these aweful people who have treated the region and David Young with such contempt. When I visit Bandon for the publication of one of my books I have been received with the greatest courtesy and interviewed with great intelligence by him. I listen to the radio while in West Cork and it is certainly a facility to be proud of. I have the highest regard for David’s ability and inetelligence as a presenter. Please send a clear message to these “powerful” despots.
Conor O'Neill on May 9, 2009
The attitude of the Chief Executive of C103/96FM in the Bandon Opinion told us everything we needed to know. He gave two fingers to the people of West Cork because he knows best. Let’s see how his advertising numbers look at the end of the quarter.
Patrick Lee on May 9, 2009
Yes indeed Conor, it will be very interesting to see the figures. What goes around comes around Mr High and Mighty CEO, I am sure the people of West Cork will not stand by and let you get away with this despicable act.
Dec O'Shea on June 7, 2009
Yet another example of yet another company with a who cares attitude. All things happy when the money is rolling in. But as said previously, run for the hills when ths going gets tough, and abandon the people and communities that made the money for them in the first place. Maybe the CEO of UTV may consider a job in banking!!!! They show great qualities for the job!!!
C103 - Not on our wavelength - The Irish Diaspora on July 11, 2009
[...] Conor O’Neill – C103 loses the plot! [...]
Patrick Lee on April 16, 2009
I am totally in agreement, C 103 have lost the plot.
Please come to your senses UTV and reinstate this exceptional broadcaster.