What would increase the ratings of my radio show?

Question

What would increase the ratings of my radio show?

Answer 1

I may get hammered for this, and no offense meant to any of the other answerers, but your question, increasing ratings of your "show," is specific in only one workable scenario. So the inherent presumption must be that you are in a rated US market and working an airshift for a commercial radio station in that market. Otherwise, you are not being rated.

If that's correct there is nothing you personally can do to increase the ratings of your "show" particularly if you continue to think of it as "your show" rather than as part of a well-laid out plan by the entire station to generate ratings and revenue by attracting a specific segment of the available population.

Consistency is what works for commercial radio.

Once management has set that plan, then you might be able to do some things, within the format, keeping the station consistent, that will boost the ratings of the time period when you are sailing the ship. Any of those things you do would be in consultation with your program director and (if a music format) your music director and promotions director. No one sails the ship alone at a real radio station. There are others to help and guide.

Once you've reached that point, with a firm goal set, some of the other suggestions might work. But, to answer your question, the biggest thing you can do, is be consistent and give the listeners what they tune in to hear. 'Cause, in reality, it's their show ;<)

A note: If you mis-spoke and meant to say, "What can I do to increase the number of people who listen to my time period." That's a whole different question, not involving ratings, not requiring a commercial station etc. Maybe you want to re-phrase and resubmit if that's the case and you have an Internet show or are in school radio of some sort.

Many of the other answers are aimed at that sort of show, some are very good advice.

-a guy named duh

Answer 2

As a break from the doom and gloom of the everyday and all other media talk, how about a segment on ONLY THE GOOD NEWS!!   If it should be well received, you could expand upon it.  There's plenty out there, but "THEY" say that it has to be about s*x, conflict and violence to be newsworthy.  WE say - there's  more humanity to everyday life than is acknowledged.  Hope springs eternal in the human heart.

In the '30's, a popular radio program at noontime was Gaylan Drake and "Only The Good News..."

Answer 3

Less talking and more music.  And when you are talking be funny.  Music and laughter go together.  Especially in the times we are living in.

Answer 4

good format

Answer 5

content and advertising also a little controversy goes a long way

Answer 6

Controversy.  People love controversy & over the top discussions.  You'll start getting so many calls it won't be funny.  That's what I did on my show & it worked.  Try to get guests on as well.  Talk/music or a combo it doesn't matter, you need variety.  Don't talk about the same thing all the time either.  And if you get a caller that says some crazy put them on the air.  That make for good conversation.  People who agree & disagree will be calling with their opinions.

Answer 7

Is it talk or music?  Either way, you need a gimmick.  If its music, think along the lines of "90's at noon" or "attitude network",  specialty shows that play stuff not in normal rotation . . . if you cant do that due to programming regulations  i would say a good bit character, real or not, always draws fans.  And last but not least, give  ways, give aways, give aways.

Talk radio: all you have to do is say one of the following words:

1)  Immigration

2) Bush is awsome

3) Pro choice

And youll be good for the duration of that day's shift, at least.

Answer 8

I'm with Shirley KDD (wish she'd allow email).

There's so much negativity in the world, it's no wonder that depression (especially among teenage women) is nearing epidemic proportions.

Positivity sells. Look at Rush Limbaugh, for example. He's one of the most positive people I've ever listened to.