TERRE HAUTE —
It is embarrassing to read your paper and see such incorrect information regarding the radio broadcast world. Columnist Ronn Mott is obviously disgruntled over the end of his broadcast career and looks to live vicariously through your op-ed page.
The NAB meets every year for the purpose of discussing many aspect of our industry, including programming, convergence (digital media), to share ideas, and discuss government regulations and music industry relations. The notion that the two largest groups (Clear Channel and Cumulus) were not invited is absolutely incorrect. Many of their executives are members of panels and speeches to fellow broadcasters. The NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) is an organization that serves the broadcasters, who are an integral part of the organization.
As to the issue of “listeners leaving radio in droves,” this is also foolish and reckless. As of this year, radio still retains reach with 93 percent of the population. With the advent of so many other entertainment sources and delivery systems, that statistic is a proud banner for our industry. Look at the “choices” the public has now — hundreds of television channels, “on demand”, DVR, computers, the Internet, the advent of tablets, video gaming systems, smart phones and satellite radio. Radio has withstood the assault of other devices in the vehicle, from the days of 8-tracks and cassette decks, to the CD player and MP3 connections in the vehicle. The large TV networks, which used to command big shares and ratings just 20 years ago, now share that spotlight with the variety of cable channels and premium channels. Yet radio pushes on and delivers — because it is local.
The idea that the business is in the hands of control freaks is also patently absurd. Good programming delivers solid audience. We are a consumer-driven industry, so the way we deliver news, weather and music is from the feedback of the mass audience, not the ramblings of someone with an outdated view of how radio serves the local community.
I can’t speak for my competitor, but they are a part of the local community and now, with four stations, they are serving four very diverse audiences. In our operation, we are delivering very specific programming that is as individual as one can get. All of our stations reach a specific audience and serve them well. One of our newest formats is X 95.9 — there is no station like this for about 100 miles. Our company supports our operation but they want it local and they want it connected to the community. We do that every day — in many ways. We support all the meaningful outreach efforts of this community, from the Autism Walk, to Race for the Cure.
As for news, we have longtime local personality and anchor Frank Rush now providing news for all our stations and hosting the WIBQ Morning Newswatch each weekday morning. We provide sports coverage on WPRS in Paris for the high schools in the area. The point that Mr. Mott needs to understand is that the consolidation steps and the Telecom Act of 1996 went a long way to preserving our industry. The markets were flooded with way too many radio stations. The ability of less owners to operate multiple signals allowed those companies to share the variety the markets were craving. You wouldn’t get a station like X 95.9 if the old model was still in place. Many stations would have gone “dark” without this necessary step to keep radio moving forward, while also delivering diversity to an ever-demanding marketplace.
Radio has never been stronger, mainly because as an industry we evolved to stay in touch with a fast-paced and always changing landscape. I don’t know any operation in the radio business that has “fallen to the pages of a comptroller’s control.” What a ridiculous and outrageous statement. This business survives and thrives because of broadcasters like Duke Wright (president and CEO of Midwest Communications) who started as a DJ over 50 years ago and has built a great company with local service in every city that we have stations.
In a sea of “choices” for the consumer, radio remains strong — in Terre Haute, radio is red hot!
— Jack Swart
Market Manager
Midwest Communications
Opinion
FLASHPOINT: Radio stronger than ever
- Opinion
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RONN MOTT: Ernie Pyle
I stepped back in time last week when I visited the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana.
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RONN MOTT: Pyle museum in Dana good way to study WWII
I stepped back in time last week when I visited the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana.
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FLASHPOINT: Legislative session reflected Hoosier priorities
The 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly came to an end just a few weeks ago with the final passage of our state’s next two-year budget.
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The celebration season
Spring has been a bit elusive at times in 2013, which is its nature.
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RONN MOTT: Frustration
For those who know me well, they can say without contradiction I am not a patient man. But in this hustle and bustle world I’ve been a part of all my adult life, I’ve had to learn a little patience. On occasion, however, I find some experiences extremely frustrating.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: MVC tourney an event worth having
It’s been a long time since the Missouri Valley Conference chose Indiana State University to host its post-season baseball tournament, but Terre Haute had never been more prepared for an event such as this.
- READERS' FORUM: May 23, 2013
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
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RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
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LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
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EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
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EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
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RONN MOTT: Ernie Pyle
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