We spent time listening to online-only stations based in the UK today. Here are our thoughts:
Nails - First impression?
Tracey - They play songs that you would definitely never hear on commercial, terrestrial radio. Fog On The Tyne for example, Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells., Tom Hark by the Pirahnas (GREAT tune!!!)...very eclectic. Whether that's good or bad, is a choice.
Nails - What about the presentation?
Tracey - Seems to be very casual. 365 Radio for example is intimate and very listener-inclusive. Dawn Parry on middays there really connects, speaking dierectly to the listener. It's seems to be ONLY about the listener. Sunshine Radio Online, the same.
Nails - We heard listeners called out by name as if they're friends and asking about their life: "How are the plants this morning Doreen?"
Tracey - "Being able to chat and get to know eachother..." that's what the presenter said on air this afternoon.
Nails - So, is that a new style of radio?
Tracey - Well, it seems to be a sort of social club. It's actually great for people on their own. It really is company. One thing they do really well is their facebook groups where listeners can chat to each other and listen in real time (generally).
Nails - Online radio gets a hard time from the industry but isn't this a great angle for them? It sounds like they have a unique way to be ultra-personal with their listeners in a way the bigger players can't.
Tracey - Yeah. If I'm alone, I can talk directly witrh the DJ (because they ARE DJs) and the other listeners. We're all sharing the same mood and it's very personal.
Nails - And it's worldwide. It's a club that forms through the music.
Tracey - Along with listener's word of mouth. It's a new thing and it's comforting. I don't think it's meant to be slick and commercial. There's definitely a place for this in the listening landscape. It's company. I can see the attraction. There's always something special about hearing your name and song on the radio, especially if it means something to you.
Nails - It's like 'Global Local Radio'.
Tracey - Exactly.
Couldn't agree more, we've been doing this at Treehouse since 2014, and our listeners are super loyal, boarding on evangelistic, if that's even a word. We love it, it's is like a little club that anyone can join if you just get in touch, we'll always give anyone. We use Whatsapp and Telegram for realtime chat between listeners and presenters.
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