Posted by Alec Cumming on July 22, 2009 at 08:20:19:
In Reply to: Re: 92.3 Now: The First Example of How FM Music Radio Is In Trouble posted by Bob Smith on July 21, 2009 at 15:57:32:
"A new Dan Ingram for today's 12-34s may be too much to ask for--or is it?"
A great question. The way the radio industry operates now, it seems like a "new Dan Ingram" would never get a chance to grow and be heard. An individualistic voice would have so many odds stacked against him/her: (a) stations are so rigid on maintaining a generic and interchangable style for their DJs, (b) a bright young talent is not going to have the patience to try to grow and thrive in this industry, and as discussed here previously, (c) the farm system for radio has atrophied, if not disappeared altogether.
The only breakout CHR "star" I can think of from recent memory is Ryan Seacrest, whose monster TV hit made him a household name - not his radio skills. Without Idol, Ryan would be a perfectly acceptable generic-sounding DJ, and wouldn't get the chance to become the star-friendly Scott Shannon/Dick Clark-like host he's become.