-
Programmer Panel: Electronic Ratings Yea, Satellite Nay
September 20, 2006 at 8:05 AM (PT)
What do you think? Add your comment below. -
At the R&R Convention in DALLAS' "Talking Heads of Programming" panel, top group programming chiefs addressed the arrival of electronic measurement with guarded enthusiasm. "If it's more accurate," EMMIS VP/Programming JIMMY STEAL affirmed, "I'm for it." ENTERCOM' VP/Programming PAT PAXTON agreed but added "we need to make sure we do it right ... We need to move slowly."
ABC's JOHN McCONNELL said that he was pleased to see ARBITRON jump into the electronic measurement fray and called electronic measurement "a godsend, despite the cost." On radio's shrinking audience, STEAL said that the industry's widely-reported decline is "just another curve on a very long track ... I'm supremely optimistic, and I take those things in stride."
People beat up on our industry, and we sit there and take it ... It's all bullshit. We need to stand up for ourselves.
PAXTON was even more optimistic, challenging the industry on its passivity in the face of criticism. "People beat up on our industry," PAXTON said, "and we sit there and take it ... It's all bullshit. We need to stand up for ourselves." STEAL and PAXTON both took shots at satellite radio, with PAXTON saying satellite and Internet radio are "nothing ... Not happening" and STEAL noting that satellite has not developed its own successful talent yet, preferring to poach talent from terrestrial radio.

