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Celtic Radio Community > Celtic Radio > Broadcast Feedback


Posted by: Macfive 27-Sep-2004, 07:52 PM
Would like to solicite all of your help in evaluating our current broadcast lineup. What do you like, what do you dislike.

A few items in the works:

1) New Music Hour - probably playing 2-3 times a week were we only play new music that we have received in the last 60 days.

2) Rebecca (Station Announcer) will be announcing the start of specialty programs. We have some of the cuts, we just need to mix and produce them.

A big question I have is our soft streaming music from 12 am to 6 am. Our numbers really drop off during this time. The question is would we be better off just having regular play of music during this time with requests? Understand that 90%+ of our listeners are U.S. based. What do our European members think?

Your suggestions and ideas are appreciated!

Posted by: birddog20002001 27-Sep-2004, 07:58 PM
Hey Mac I was thinking that mayby you could have Rebecca do a few commercials saying perhaps when the live chat is scheduled or the schedule of special features ex. join us monday-Fri at 5 pm est for the featured artist... just to help us that cant remember and are too lazy to search the schedule

Posted by: Macfive 27-Sep-2004, 08:11 PM
Excellent Idea! I actually have about 8 new cuts from her which are more housekeeping type celticradio infommericals. More will be done soon.

One thing I should mention is that we basically have 4 projects left to complete on the site. And one of these projects involves a potentially BIG and new website that could help CelticRadio.net immensely - but this will be kept underwraps until it is completely finished! wink.gif

When these 4 projects are completed, 95% of our energies are going to be focused on the broadcast, content, delivery, promotion, merchindise, etc. So big changes will be happening before the end of the year and suggestions for our broadcast will definitely be included and will be done a whole lot quicker than in the past year or two.


Posted by: A Shrule Egan 27-Sep-2004, 08:40 PM
Paul, is there a way to set it up so the entire library of songs could be randomly selected, instead of just the 15-20 (?) cd's that are in the rotation? It get's boring listening to the same songs over and over.

If the above cannot be accomplished, the songs that are in the current rotation can be evaluated by their score. There are some obvious stinkers voted on by the listeners, that need to be removed from the rotation, not from the library (all songs deserve a place in the library). Speaking of which, what ever happened to Blaq Lily??

New Music hour would be great but it needs to play twice per selected days. A selected time that most Euro's are listening and once when the America's are listening. Two days during the week should be plenty. Random selections could be played from multiple new cd's, instead of playing the full cd. This way, the listener gets to hear more new bands during that hour.

With more and more bands finding out about CR and submitting their music, this probably is a good time to start addressing these issues before it becomes overwhelming.

Posted by: Tassiecelt 27-Sep-2004, 09:03 PM
Sadly, that slack period for you (12 am to 6 am) is peak listening for me, but I realise I'm in the vast minority.

I like it when you feature an album and play several tracks from it.

Apart from that, and the idea of buying single tracks online, I'm really happy with the way it's going.

Posted by: 3Ravens 27-Sep-2004, 09:03 PM
Mac, I vote for requests 24-7 (except for specialty shows, of course) I don't think too many people use CR for sleeping music. Most people who have it on are awake at the 'puter. They won't mind the loud stuff... heck, they probably would be the ones requesting it! tongue.gif Also, it's not really fair to our European listeners when they can't request until 11AM-12noon.

Posted by: talleyrand 27-Sep-2004, 09:06 PM
I'm a night-owl myself and there's nothing I enjoy more than jamming to CR while I code into the wee hours of the morning but if I could do it less of the soft stuff, I'd like it.

Posted by: Avonlea22 27-Sep-2004, 09:17 PM
I love the idea of the new music hour (or two), and as A Shrule Egan has suggested, maybe twice a day. I also like the idea of mixing up the music from different artists, not just a single one.

I've never listened to the soft streaming music, but only because I'm not usually up that late. I would actually love to hear it. May I suggest that rather than completely getting rid of it, limiting it to only 2 or 3 days out of the week, or playing an hour here and there throughout the day. It's certainly a way to get to listen to some other music that one may not get to hear otherwise.

I think that's all I have to say. Can't improve something too much that is already so wonderful.

Posted by: VetteGal 27-Sep-2004, 09:42 PM
QUOTE (Macfive @ 27-Sep-2004, 08:52 PM)
Would like to solicite all of your help in evaluating our current broadcast lineup. What do you like, what do you dislike.

A big question I have is our soft streaming music from 12 am to 6 am. Our numbers really drop off during this time. The question is would we be better off just having regular play of music during this time with requests? Understand that 90%+ of our listeners are U.S. based. What do our European members think?

Your suggestions and ideas are appreciated!

Paul,
I know I have been very vocal about the soft streaming music from 12 am to 6am. I have been calling it sleepy time music. I have not been listening much lately since I cannot make requests, or even listen to the music that I like here on CR. I don't know if you still have the Celtic Hearts station but if someone wanted to listen to the soft celtic music, that is the place to go. Plus by not having the music that keeps me here my posts have dropped off since I don't spend as much time on the site as I usually did. I am hoping that you will put the sleepy time music to bed. Thanks for letting me give you my $.02.

Posted by: The_Spanish_Rover 28-Sep-2004, 09:07 AM
Hi there!

I'm an European user meself, but I'm a bit confursed witht he schedules and tiem zones...

I liked the Idea of the new music hour thumbs_up.gif . I normally get tired of listening to featured artist for a long time, so I think it is ok to have some requests in what I think will be our (European) listening time (while you're sleeping I think). It's good to listen to what others like!

Posted by: Madadh 28-Sep-2004, 09:17 AM
Paul,

Some of us in the US do go to work before 0600.

Posted by: Aaediwen 28-Sep-2004, 10:01 AM
Guess I'll chime right along with everyone else. I've not been listening in much recently, I admit it. Been listing to my own local playlist. I've been on nights a while now. I hope I can catch more of the Highlander Radio I really grew to love once I go back to days. Lacks energy over nights. And don't worry about providing soft music for me at night. I use music to sleep, and sometimes it's something hard. Prime example a couple days ago I couldn't sleep. Put in Magic of the Celtic Harp. Then Lisa Thiel, and remained laying there pretty much kwide awake. Figured heck with it, put in my DVDA of Metallica's black album, and was out by "The Unforgiven". Other times though, Those other two albums work well. I generally put on whatever I feel like listening to at the time...

Keep the party tunes in the mix 24x7 smile.gif

Posted by: deckers 28-Sep-2004, 10:04 AM
QUOTE (Macfive @ 27-Sep-2004, 08:52 PM)
Would like to solicite all of your help in evaluating our current broadcast lineup. What do you like, what do you dislike.

A few items in the works:

1) New Music Hour - probably playing 2-3 times a week were we only play new music that we have received in the last 60 days.

2) Rebecca (Station Announcer) will be announcing the start of specialty programs. We have some of the cuts, we just need to mix and produce them.

A big question I have is our soft streaming music from 12 am to 6 am. Our numbers really drop off during this time. The question is would we be better off just having regular play of music during this time with requests? Understand that 90%+ of our listeners are U.S. based. What do our European members think?

Your suggestions and ideas are appreciated!

I think the new music hour is pretty important, because it lets you showcase the latest music from brand new artists. I would even consider making it a 2 - 3 hour show every few days.

A show featuring an artist might be another good one.

Don't be surprised if some listeners actually listen to CR when they're sleeping. But there are others who will listen overnight. Personally, I would rather see the requests and interactive aspects of CR, since those people who listen while working are actually listening. Everyone else is just unconscious. wink.gif


Erik Deckers

Posted by: Iain 28-Sep-2004, 10:45 AM
The top ten list right now is mostly slower songs from artists that have faster music in their repertoire. Doesn't that fact speak volumes about what your listeners want to hear? If it is not broken, don't fix it!! Just add to it.

I think you should be able to request songs at night too so that if you want to hear a more up beat song as well as the slower music then you can. With that, everyone is happy...they can hear both.

As you stated, the greater percentage of listeners are here in the U.S but if Americans who work the night shift or the Europeans have the ability to request up tempo tracks too in their waking hours then the overnight numbers will probably go up. Just turn the requests on at night and see how it goes from there.



Posted by: Danann 28-Sep-2004, 12:17 PM
I'm with the enabling of requests and all music 24x7. I know when I am doing a Server Update at 2 or 3 am, I'd rather listen to lively music than slow music, or I'd like some ballads mixed with peppy music... and of course I miss the old ways of requesting without buffering... but eh!

Posted by: Macfive 28-Sep-2004, 04:19 PM
Some great feedback here and I will definitely use this while adjusting and expanding the broadcast schedule.

I agree about the "sleepy time" music and I believe we need to be mindful of our European and Australian time zones. Although based on the geo-stats, 90% of our listeners coming from the U.S.

I'd like to try and increase our listenership during the hours of 12 am to 6 am. So lets try a pilot of regular celtic mix and request during this time. Will post a seperate message on this.

Posted by: Meryat 01-Oct-2004, 07:33 PM
Why are requests disabled during "Pub Music and Requests"?

Posted by: Macfive 02-Oct-2004, 07:54 PM
QUOTE (Meryat @ 01-Oct-2004, 09:33 PM)
Why are requests disabled during "Pub Music and Requests"?

Requests should not be disabled during Pub Music & Requests! We have fixed the problem and they should be enabled now during this time. If not, please post a message here.

Thanks for bring this to our attention!

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 03-Oct-2004, 08:35 AM
My biggest complaint is the Sunday morning schedule.

From 9:00 - 11:30, when I do a great deal of work on the puter, there is nothing but snoozer music. Requests disabled, children's hour and then Civil War music. I am at the point, I don't even turn the radio on, the cd player is used.

Am I the only one falling asleep at the keyboard at this time of day???

Posted by: Monarch's Own 03-Oct-2004, 09:24 AM
I like the schedule so far. The only thing that could be changed is the American Revolution / Civil War.

I think the Children's story time is good. Since only on the weekends the kids are around to listen to it.

But for our listeners overseas it might prove good to have requests enabled during the night since it's daytime for them. Maybe some Celtic Mix and Requests.

Otherwise Keep it up!

thumbs_up.gif angel_not.gif

Posted by: Meryat 03-Oct-2004, 10:06 AM
I love the "Featured Artist" sections, but I'm always disappointed when my favorite songs by those artists fail to play.

I was wondering if it was possible to set something up where we could request our favorite songs by those artists to play during part of that time, since that would still give us an opportunity to hear songs we might not have known about before.

If not, it's still fun hearing all their other songs, especially the ones I've never heard before. walkman.gif

Posted by: Irish Stepper 03-Oct-2004, 12:37 PM
I also don't really care for the Civil War music. However, I'm sure that there are those here that do like it. I don't think it should go away entirely, but perhaps shortening the amount of time it plays?

Posted by: Macfive 03-Oct-2004, 07:56 PM
OK, excellent feedback.

So far, based on your comments here, emails, PM - I have the following jotted down.

1. Introduce a new music hour possible 6 times during the week 3 for North America times, 3 for European times.

2. More featured artists! Right now we have 5 times during the week, but I think people like to hear a musicians music. Will increase this to maybe 8-10 times during the week with North American and European times. Featured artists are tied directly to the web based featured artist section. So, I need to add more which i have about a list of 10, but it takes time. Once I add them to the web based featured artist database, they will automatically play in the broadcast. Pretty cool eh?

3. After Hours time has been removed and Standard Celtic mix is playing during 12am 6 am EST. Requests are enabled. Let me know if still a problem, but I think I got those pesty bugs! I really hope this works out and we increase our listener numbers during this time. Europe and Eastern Bloc countries represents a big and growing audience.

4. Leave children time as is on weekends, but maybe consider a change in the civil war music time. Any suggestions?

I will get to these items, but it takes time, but I always eventually get things done! I think what is great about running this site and broadcast is that **YOU** have all help guide the development and decisions that are made here. Thankyou!

Posted by: MacAibhistin 03-Oct-2004, 09:59 PM
I like the spots with Rebecca. Somehow her accent adds a little extra authenticity to the station. The more of her the better. Paul, have you ever considered having some Gaelic and Welsh spots as well? Greetings or other messages in a Celtic language would be really neat.

The new music hour a few times a week is great. Also, I think Celtic recordings have reached a stage where we could almost have a weekly "Celtic Classics" hour. I know that from an Eastern Canadian perspective, there is enough material to celebrate tunes that were recorded 10 or more years ago. Add in some classic Capercaillie, Dougie MacLean, Bothy Band, etc. and there you have it.

One more question, I haven't heard the Civil War hour, but is it Celtic?

Thanks for allowing our input.

Rory

P.S. We need more Barra MacNeils! wink.gif

Posted by: 3Ravens 03-Oct-2004, 10:08 PM
Yeah, Barra MacNeils! And Irish Dedendents too!

Posted by: 3Ravens 03-Oct-2004, 10:10 PM
OOPS! Decendents..... *blushes*

Posted by: Macfive 04-Oct-2004, 04:51 AM
A Celtic Classics is very much possible!!! biggrin.gif

What excites me is that we have spent so much time building the site so that a suggestion like this is very possible and would not take too much time. Our broadcast software actually contains its own programming script-sql language, so it would be just a matter of choosing sometimes and creating a script that would play anything before 1980.

Is there a particular date range you would like to hear?

Again, I'm considering all of these suggestions including the additional Rebecca trailers. It just will take a little time until I am completely finished with the website programming which is moving steadily and I hope to be completed by the end of the year.

Posted by: Irish Stepper 14-Oct-2004, 02:28 PM
How about a soundtrack hour? Would anyone else be interested in that? I like the instrumental songs that come from a lot of the soundtracks on here. I wonder if it would be possible to do a mix of them from various soundtracks for an hour or two. Just an idea... walkman.gif

Posted by: Snoogans 15-Oct-2004, 05:37 PM
My 2pence worth HAH we invented the decimal system! HAH! y'hear me? HAH!
Civil war music? Pah. Another pint please. Aye.
Night time lala drifty stuff?PAH
Requests 24/7? Aye please.
Mair requests than 2 an hour? Aye damn fine. Ah've no been listenin recently n that's the main thing. Ah'm in Scotland... Ah have tae wait till 1pm till the decent music comes on an ah get tae make some requests.
Want (pronouced w-ant, not w-ont) some Scottish soundin intros? Ah kin record an send ye some MP3's ay ma voice. Jit giez a script an ah'll translate it intae the dialect.
That said, we are listening the now, ma wife an her folks an me, playin cairds wi a laptoap wi wireless. How cool kin ye get? Ruth's idea, whim, spur ay the moment oan the basis we kin hae the laptop anywhere. Ma wife hus stoaped listenin since the 5 requests in 120 minutes wiz chainged. If ye need music tae get ye tae sleep pit oan a CD. Ah want kickin stuff for 8am when ah git tae work. Ah'm tired ay hearing ma mp3 collection. Gie us non US folk some consideration.
Cheers
Snoogans

PS Haud oan a minute. How come we cannae see mair than the next 5 tune coming up? I liked bein able tae see when ma choice wis comin up.

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 16-Oct-2004, 12:01 PM
QUOTE (Snoogans @ 15-Oct-2004, 07:37 PM)
My 2pence worth HAH we invented the decimal system! HAH! y'hear me? HAH!
Civil war music? Pah. Another pint please. Aye.
Night time lala drifty stuff?PAH
Requests 24/7? Aye please.
Mair requests than 2 an hour? Aye damn fine. Ah've no been listenin recently n that's the main thing. Ah'm in Scotland... Ah have tae wait till 1pm till the decent music comes on an ah get tae make some requests.
Want (pronouced w-ant, not w-ont) some Scottish soundin intros? Ah kin record an send ye some MP3's ay ma voice. Jit giez a script an ah'll translate it intae the dialect.
That said, we are listening the now, ma wife an her folks an me, playin cairds wi a laptoap wi wireless. How cool kin ye get? Ruth's idea, whim, spur ay the moment oan the basis we kin hae the laptop anywhere. Ma wife hus stoaped listenin since the 5 requests in 120 minutes wiz chainged. If ye need music tae get ye tae sleep pit oan a CD. Ah want kickin stuff for 8am when ah git tae work. Ah'm tired ay hearing ma mp3 collection. Gie us non US folk some consideration.
Cheers
Snoogans

PS Haud oan a minute. How come we cannae see mair than the next 5 tune coming up? I liked bein able tae see when ma choice wis comin up.

clap.gif clap.gif clap.gif Couldn't have said any better, Duncan. I have said it before, the European listeners deserve the same as we get here in the states.

Continue your quest Duncan!!!!

Posted by: gaberlunzie 16-Oct-2004, 12:17 PM
Snoogans...what else could I say...user posted image
*nodding in agreement*

Posted by: Macfive 16-Oct-2004, 02:45 PM
QUOTE (A Shrule Egan @ 16-Oct-2004, 02:01 PM)

clap.gif clap.gif clap.gif Couldn't have said any better, Duncan. I have said it before, the European listeners deserve the same as we get here in the states.

Continue your quest Duncan!!!!

I'm confused, we have requests enabled most of the 24 hours and we have changed our night time broadcast to regular Celtic music. Are you still hearing sleepy music during 5 am to 11:00 am in the UK?

Posted by: Sekhmet 16-Oct-2004, 04:25 PM
I'm in the US, obviously...but I'm up most of the night with CR. Yeah, a *lot* of sleepy music is still in there. I try to pick up the pace with requests, but...

Posted by: Irish Stepper 16-Oct-2004, 05:52 PM
I listen to CR all night at work, and it seems fine to me. There's no more sleepy stuff on it during the night. At least no more than makes it on there during the day. Great improvement! Of course, I'd love to see the request limit upped during the night hours. That way, us night owls can take advantage of the lack of listeners on during the night. wink.gif tongue.gif Just a thought... rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Macfive 17-Oct-2004, 04:34 AM
QUOTE (Irish Stepper @ 16-Oct-2004, 07:52 PM)
I listen to CR all night at work, and it seems fine to me. There's no more sleepy stuff on it during the night. At least no more than makes it on there during the day. Great improvement! Of course, I'd love to see the request limit upped during the night hours. That way, us night owls can take advantage of the lack of listeners on during the night. wink.gif tongue.gif Just a thought... rolleyes.gif

Your wish is our command. The request queue has been lowered to 30 minutes.

Well, thanks to Irishstepper - she started a thread in the Celtic Radio Founders forum that brought up a good point on requests.

Because we keep atleast 6 songs in the queue to play, requests where actually taking upwards of 90 minutes. So, requests will be delayed 30 minutes and then go into the bottom of the queue (as usually) so that the total delay in 60 minutes as we are required by DMCA regulations.

Posted by: Irish Stepper 17-Oct-2004, 04:59 AM
Actually, CeltWolf started that trouble....not me! wink.gif tongue.gif rolleyes.gif

I still say we should take the DCMA regulations and introduce them to a shredder. That way we wouldn't have to jump through so many hoops. laugh.gif rolleyes.gif

Posted by: Meryat 19-Oct-2004, 05:05 PM
Is there any way to indicate on the requests page when requests will next be disabled and enabled?

I listen a lot between classes and meetings, so I frequently have a limited time that I'm going to be around, and I'm always disappointed when I have to leave knowing that the song I wanted to hear won't play until I can't listen.

For example, I just requested a song somewhere around 5:15, thinking I'd be able to hear it by 8:15, but I forgot about the featured artist section at 6 (though I really can't complain about a whole hour of Heather Dale walkman.gif ) and bagpipe hour at 7.

Posted by: Meryat 19-Oct-2004, 06:24 PM
Would it be possible to partially enable requests during some of the scheduled programs, such as allowing requests for bagpipe songs through during bagpipe hour and similarly for jigs and reels?

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