Ric Chetter - From Radioland

Episode 299: The Sporting Life

Sports fans, both casual and rabid know the value of a good game on television. However, the landscape has changed over time. Since the popularity of streaming television, access to all sporting events has become a little strained for the casual fan. The true and rabid fans know how to get what they want with broadcast packages available from all the sports leagues. And that is just it, they are certainly "available" for the right price. Why the money? Broadcast rights for the games are not cheap. In this episode, Ric takes a look at how the world of broadcast and the world of sports collide with casualties. Who are the casualties? The fans.

NEXT WEEK: Reboot This

 

Episode 298: What's on TV

Network television programming is fairly straightforward. You develop a show, get the greenlight to produce and then, spend a lot of money getting it produced. After that, you hope for the best. Are people going to like it enough to spend time watching the thing? There are some other nuances at play here and in this episode, Ric takes a look at how this sort of works using the new NBC show, Bluff City Law as a prime example of just how to navigate those treacherous waters. Also in this episode, Ric gives his unpopular thought of the week. Horses in space? Really?

NEXT WEEK: The Sporting Life

Episode 297: Censor Me

There has been quite a bit of talk in the news here lately about Hong Kong. What you may not have heard is what happens when a company will censor someone over unpopular speech. In this episode, Ric takes a look at the NBA and the mess LeBron James found himself in regarding an unpopular statement. The upsetting thing about this is that it revolved around a corporate influence on someone else. Also in this episode, Ric says a few things that if said in China would probably put him in some sort of camp. He'll explain what difference is between censorship and freedom of speech. Plus, his unpopular thought of the week and more.

Next Week: Navigating network television programming.

Episode 296: Astroturfing

There is a little dirty secret among some surviving drive time radio shows. Those cute little awkward bits you would hear involving listeners being put into uncomfortable situations for the sake of a laugh are actually scripted. There was a time however, when shows would pull those stunts off entirely through organic methods. It was more difficult to do and the outcomes were generally surprising but the payoff was usually big. Not so much any more. In this episode, Ric talks about how radio consultants would push the notion of scripting an other wise naturally occurring incident for the sake of having a guaranteed payoff everytime. It came from the rise of reality TV and it is so bad now, listeners cringe over the notion. This is what astroturfing is all about. Also, Ric and The Immigrant went to the fair and spent some time with circus people. Plus, the unpopular thought of the week.

NEXT WEEK: Just exactly, what is censorship? 

Episode 295: The Vocal Allure

There are several reasons why audio on demand is so popular. Podcasts included. The basic reason would be convenience. But there is more to it than meets the ear, if you will. In this episode Ric takes a look at the implications of the human voice and why we as humans desire to have a connection with that. It doesn't seem to matter how introverted we may be, we still crave the sound of some one talking. The trick is to talk about something that may be of interest to the listener. Broadcasters know this and because of this little fact, podcasts and live broadcasts are rather popular. Also in this episode, the unpopular thought of the week. 

NEXT WEEK: Why some broadcasters like to lie to their audience.

 

Episode 294: The Keyboard Cowboys

We have all seen their comments. Filled with bravado and cowardice, the keyboard cowboys live to simply stir the pot. These are people who think that having the power of the internet at your fingertips means that everyone should not just hear what you have to say about a certain topic, but you should believe what they have to say as the gospel font of truth they think they are. Because of this mindset, the idea of some sort of civil discourse is gone. Maybe we will get that back. Maybe not. In this episode, Ric takes a second look at these people through the eyes of the single most polarized topic there is. Politics. Also in this episode, Ric has his unpopular thought and some news from Radio Memphis.

NEXT WEEK: The implication of the human voice.

 

Episode 293: Video Dizzy

You probably don't give too much thought about how your videos come to you. It's all about format. Much like last week's episode about audio format, in this episode, Ric takes you through a very abbreviated history of how moving pictures came to you. Starting with the basics of film and the transition to digital devices to the latest in video technologies. Have we reached peaked video? Not so fast, all eyes are on the one industry who have been guiding the advancement through the years and you are probably not going to believe your ears when you hear who is behind it all. Plus, Ric's unpopular thought and more.

NEXT WEEK: The Keyboard Cowboys

 

Episode 292: Death To The Disc

The Compact Disc seems to have run it's course. Or, has it? In this episode, Ric takes a look at all the various formats that led to the CD through the eyes of a radio personality. How it got here and just what is it good for now? Before you go thinking this is nothing more than some boring look at technology, there is much to be said about how far our technology have come and how much further it might go. Better yet, have we reached the end of the road for audio technology. Plus, Ric's unpopular thought of the show. 

NEXT WEEK: Who decides the picture?

 

Episode 291: Petty Bastard

You might think we as a society have become more petty about everything. Truth is, we are just as petty now as we have always been. So, what makes it seem like we are more nuanced about life's little ridiculous situations? Social media. The one thing Facebook does extraordinarily well is magnify every little thing and feeling people get from time to time. The rest of us may merely roll our eyes at these posts but for the one making that post, they are deadly serious. It's kind of like when people ask for unspoken prayers. What they are actually asking for is a little bit of attention. In this episode, Ric gets petty himself as he looks into the hypocrisy of the human condition through the eyes of social media.

NEXT WEEK: Death to the disc. 

Episode 290: The State of Fear

The media, especially social media does an exceptional job of trying to keep people in a sort of panic. It sort of starts with the whole Fear Of Missing Out or FOMO. Beyond that, though lies the interesting psychology of posting things with the sole intent of manipulating your thoughts and more importantly, your emotions. The best way to do that seems with the peddling of fear. In this episode, Ric takes a look at how that works and how best for you to handle these things. Also, Ric takes umbrage with the idea that "all middle aged podcasters are only doing this so they can say politically incorrect things." How silly. Plus the unpopular thought of the episode.

NEXT WEEK: We've always been this petty.