I am seriously thinking about dropping the current rock/talk format and going with an all kids oriented format.
I am seriously thinking about dropping the current rock/talk format and going with an all kids oriented format.
Nothing like Radio Disney, lets face it they arent teaching kids anything useful except maybe how to grow up too fast.
I would be more than happy to drop everything from the station that i have been playing the past year and half in favor for a format exclusively for kids.
As a father I can see whats happening to todays youth.
I feel it’s time for a change.
If it takes writing letters to everyone I can think of for kid apropritate programming then that is what i will do.
I need a project and this looks like a good one to start with.
Even changing the name of the station from free radio london to radio sunshine sounds good to me.
What say you?
Great Idea
There once was a KKID in Seattle, programmed so a mother could leave it on in a young child’s room. Stories, nursery rhymes, sing alongs, etc. Radio Disney bought them out. Probably hard for a commercial station to earn any revenue on, PERFECT for a part 15!
Great Idea!
I am not a father, so it would be helpful for me if you could more specifically define what you call “a format exclusively for kids”. In my opinion, there is without question a need for programming that not only appeals to young listeners but presents something more appropriate than, as you have identified, Radio Disney. We lost a Christian radio station in Wisconsin to Disney and it severely limited the availability of that type of programming for our young folks.
I’m hoping to be on the air very soon and I’m in the process of developing the programming for my station. I would certainly include and even promote programming for kids on my station. Any ideas would be welcomed.
Small Idea
You should involve kids. NOT in programming, because kids don’t know what to do on a program and you don’t want to be a radio school, but a kids board of directors. They wouldn’t really be directors, you’re the director, but they can give feedback on what you decide to do. Do they approve of it? If so, why not? What would they suggest? The hidden, secret ingredient in the kid’s board is that THEY BECOME AN AUDIENCE IN CHARGE OF CRITICAL REVIEW!
So far so good,
You all have some good ideas, i have some good canidates for the kids board of directors. Five kids right here in my own home. lol
But if i went that direction i would have to include some kids outside of the home, some that could provide an un-biased opinion. 🙂
The music, shows etc would be hard to come up with, so far ive seen alot of podcasts geared towards kids but some of them seem to be copyright, im not sure yet.
I have alot of research to do.
Keep the ideas coming, you all are good sounding boards.
oh yeah, you think a 1 year old would be a good production assistant? lol
Good Point!
Carl,
Excellent point about kids reviewing programming but not functioning as program directors. What do you feel would be the next logical step? Obviously you would listen to feedback from young listeners, but how would you approach the incorporation of that input into revised programming? I would assume there would be some inappropriate suggestions that would not air, but at the same time they would need to feel that their feedback was in fact being evaluated and seriously considered. Thanks for your input!
All good ideas, but remember
You don’t need to follow – you can lead, too.
If you like it, and you think it might work, broadcast it! We’re not splitting the atom or doing open heart surgery, this is radio – and there are already too many ‘followers’ in what’s left of this industry.
Podcast Permissions
Podcasts are freely accessible for auditioning, as you know, and when I found some that I wanted for kdxradio.com I e-mailed the producers and received permissions by return mail to carry their shows. One case did not respond, so I waited a polite period of time and asked again, this time got permission. Some programs are licensed by Creative Commons, in which case free use is automatic for noncommercial re-broadcast. The worlds of podcast, streaming and microcasting are still a new frontier and people tend to work co-operatively. The big players hate that, because they prefer not to share their advantage. But we’re doing this toy-casting because we’re dissatisfied with their product. Summary: getting permissions is not an obstacle.
Well, the only thing I really know about children
is how to prevent them, but I think you’ve really started some remarkably good thinking here.
What an interesting role for a low power radio station – providing entertainment to a long over looked listenership that is a tough audience to measure and therefore of no interest to commercial operations.
Pretty cool!
Simulcasting on baby monitors? Also part 15, by the way…
brilliant
I love this… hmm…
What Next
Following up on gronsk’s good question as to what to do next with an advisory board. It comes down to the bottle neck of what program material there is at your disposal and whether the board approves or disapproves. If they have original suggestions, there’s a question of whether what they suggest is possible. There are two categories of programming: packaged programming (already produced by somebody) and original programming. An example of original programming would be play-by-play of a ballgame. If you have music DJs it might start to be RadioDisney. There could be a talk show, but I don’t have a clue as to what it would be like. Now I’m running on empty.
Addendum
A meeting of young people probably should include their parents. If held in the home, you may want added liability insurance, so consider a neutral spot like a library meeting room or community center. You might invite a retired school teacher to help moderate, as kids often get stuck on “cool” and “whatever.” You should get a good mixer and a lot of mics and record the meeting for broadcast! This’ll get the participants tuned in.
Childrens Programming
Timing could not be better, I have a guy who just started producing children’s programming. His first two shows are already in the mail, as soon as I get them, I will post them on Radio Brandy’s website.
My own two boys (5&6) have no problem running my all cart studio, one even likes to rewire the board when my back is turned! You might even be able to get sponsors related to children services & products like daycare etc.
If you have young people in your studio, make sure you have video cameras with time & date stamping in the studios recording your every move for your protection from being accused of something. We do in all of our studios & offices, and it has already paid for itself on more than one occasion.
Steve
Radio Brandy
existing networks
Would you be open to being a carrier for an already-existing radio network? There are a few Christian radio networks that cater specifically to young kids, teens and young adults. One such network is called Air 1. If you have Real Player (and a good enough internet connection), you could carry their live audio stream on your station 24/7. Their website is air1.com. Just one of several possibilities.
Carrier for already-existing radio network
Yes we would be interested in carrying children’s programs from other providers. The programming we mentioned has just arrived at the studios, I will make it available as soon as I go over it.
Steve
Radio Brandy
Carrying Air-1
jay2870 mentioned carrying Air1,
Good idea but… I was not able to find any clue on air1.com as to wether this is do-able or not.
I might try sending email or calling them but one thing that concerns me is that i do not have a bmi or ascap license wich is why i play music from independent artists.
Im operating this station out of my own pocket and cannot afford the stiff $200 dollar license fees for a part 15 station.
Most of what i broadcast is podcast’s emailed to me by people or organizations that have created these programs never intended for broadcast on a radio station. They are more than happy to let me play their shows or podcasts. I am however adding more science and techology programs to the mix and shifting away from most of the talk shows i have been broadcasting.
Still, i do want to devote some air time to a childrens or family oriented programming so i am still open for that.
The show Steve mentioned sounds like it might be interesting, ill be watching for that as well.
Until then , my search continues.
Thanks