Radio Lady Discusses: A New Internet Radio Concept (YOUR COMMENTS GRATEFULLY APPRECIATED!)

[Radio_Lady]

I'm thinking about proposing an idea to management at the radio station where I volunteer (Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland, OR). The show would probably air from 6 AM to 10 AM Pacific Time (Please convert for your time zone.) Initially, it would be on one day a week, probably Monday or Friday.

This would involve a REAL-TIME, CALL-IN format which would operate through contact at the DU. Please note: This does NOT involve the FM or AM outlets. We are talking about a sub-channel, heard on the Internet and SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) only.

At present, my show is pre-recorded on Friday mornings and played on Mondays at 1 PM Pacific Time. We have no audience participation -- it's interviews only.

In launch of the show, the listening audience would be you... DUers who were willing and able to access our streaming audio at:

http://www.opb.org/programs/streams

On that page, choose an installed MEDIA PLAYER to hear the live stream. That's if your curious. My present show will be heard Monday 7/9/07 at 1 PM PT, but it's a pre-recorded show.

My callers on the new show would be people who are currently in the DU Lounge or General Discussion who are listening and willing to call a local Portland, Oregon telephone number. We don't have an 800 number that I know of. So the caller would have to pay -- but is that a drawback? Many of us have unlimited telephone service nationwide. At least I do.

So, based on what you know, how likely would you be to listen out of state through your computer? (Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA residents might be able to hear the program through their modern television sets, using the SAP feature, which is a whole other matter. PM me for details if you wish.)

How likely would you be to call a LOCAL show like that? I am sure the topics would be of interest to anyone worldwide, but the program may carry a local sounding name like "Oregon Speaks Up!" or "Oregon On Air! with Ellen Kimball".

I've been thinking about this all weekend. Any suggestions are welcome. If we go with this, it would have a launch date in September 2007.

Thanks so much for your time in considering this.

Warm regards,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[Old and In the Way]

1. That's great Radio Lady!

For DUer's concerned about LD rates, you can check out this site: www.onesuite.com It's pretty cheap rates with a pre-paid account.

[Radio_Lady]

3. Thanks for that link. Of course, I would hope that some sponsorship in the PBS fashion would be

forthcoming and we could get an 800 line.

All I know is that Comcast.net gives us unlimited long distance calling, because it's bundled in with Internet service.

I would also have to be sensitive to the fact that the Accessible Information Service, which has been running for decades here, has only two incoming lines. Also, we would have to consider a tape delay (what the hell do we call it now that there's no tape) to protect against decency. Maybe that would not be a problem because FCC doesn't have any sway over Internet features. At least, that's what I think.

[cosmik debris]

2. Call-in shows are a lot harder to produce

and cost more money. Live call ins are especially tricky. Get those technical/$$ issues settled before you take it to the management.

Although I support your efforts, it is unlikely that I would listen from Waco, TX.

[Radio_Lady]

5. OK, Cosmik. I'm sure you're right. I already do phone interviews with guests when they are

outside of Oregon. Just a few authors have us on their book tours -- and most are NOT available on Friday mornings. Either they are doing a TV show with one of the local outlets.

Thanks for your candor. We are all bombarded with media from all sides. I'm certainly not expecting to equal the audiences of commercial radio. But a few people each hour would be helpful. Or, I might be able to have questions submitted via PM here at the DU.

I just wonder how many people are actually on-line at the DU, able to listen and/or able or willing to call, etc. etc.

I have no idea how to test this, but I might try one Friday morning -- posting the number, just to see if anyone would respond. Not that I'd have a problem talking to myself. I've done it for years.

[cosmik debris]

9. Just another thought

You may want to start with local interest programs to test the waters. If you can establish a local base, the larger audience will not be essential to your survival. OPB has a lot of listeners on both sides of the river. They will be your core audience. Offer them what they want to talk about.

my free advice is worth every penny you pay for it.

[AndyTiedye]

4. Sounds Good to Me. Bookmarking

[Radio_Lady]

7. Hi Andy. Check my journal page through the summer if you can.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady

Directions on hearing my current program are on the right column.

Thanks for being my "special audience" --

[supernova]

6. It's an intriguing idea RadioLady

So, this show would be about topics we discuss on DU? What's the business purpose of this show? To promote the information on DU to a wider audience? That might be helpful because we often discuss stuff that doesn't show up in the MSM for months and longer.


As for long distance charges, some cell phone plans are cheaper than LD for your land line. And what's up with your station not having an 800 line? :spank: just kidding. (as far as I know, they aren't that expensive).

[Radio_Lady]

8. Currently, I talk about most everything except sports. DU topics would, of course, be welcome.

However, the show would NOT be identified directly with the DU, but I would have to tell the station about the tie-in. I expect that unlike with OPB's regular TV and FM stations, I don't know they would approve directing any money into this venture. This subchannel would not be directly aired. It's complicated, I know, but the addition of Secondary Audio Programming channel, as well as being on HD Radio's Channel 3, will increase the audience size from who knows to who knows?

Maybe that depends on my personal dynamism!!!!!???

I guess I could get picked up by a commercial station, but actually, I wouldn't want to do more than one day a week for a few hours. Been there, done that... I'm happily retired but it's been intriguing for the past six years to contribute my show to OPB.

[Radio_Lady]

10. KharmaTrain has offered to help me possibly launch this. Thanks so much.

I will be back in touch with you by PM.

[Radio_Lady]

11. A couple of people have asked for the station number. Here it is:

I'm available off and on from 7AM until about 12 noon each Friday.

You can direct dial into OPB's Accessible Information Network at 503-293-1902. Please ask for "Radio Lady" alias Ellen Kimball. I do not have a voicemail box on the system.

[Radio_Lady]

12. UPDATE: I will have to start small, because live radio requires a telephone line with a delay,

someone to screen the calls or at least direct them into the studio, a muted telephone extension, a computer in the studio to accept live emails, and more than two telephone lines.

I'll have to announce this again when I've figured out some or all of the details above.

I do have a very nice proposed guest list. That was fun!

[lligrd]

13. Keep Us Informed

I for one, am always interested in anyway we can get the message out.

[Radio_Lady]

14. I certainly will. Appreciate your comments, folks. As always, I know I'm among like-minded friends.