Local Radio Is Back!!

People on 'our side' of the world have always looked to Australia for inspiration. There's just something in the Aussie mindset that creates new and exciting radio. That's why the the ARN purchase of Grant Broadcasters can be seen as a very big deal. Not only because it's a BIG 'deal' but because of the language ARN are using when talking about it.

Ciaran Davis, chief of all things ARN (and my former boss in Dublin) says that they want to keep Grant stations local. They have no interest in custting costs or syndicating content from a central hub and losing that community feel. That is BIG!!

"We believe in hyper-local content" he says, "Local personalities who are loved in their market. The connection that they have. We're going to make sure that's our point of difference."

He also went on to compare the stations with regional TV and newspapers who have centralised content and as a result have "lost audiences". They have "no intention of doing that".

Hmm...retaining staff...understanding local markets....not syndicating from a central hub...appreciating presenters....Nah...it could never work!!! ;)

You can hear more here