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Union-Tribune's Internet Radio Will Be Off the Air Soon, Say Industry Pros and Newspaper Staffers
By Don Bauder | Posted April 8, 2008, 4:43 p.m.
The Union-Tribune's stab at Internet radio, called SignOn Radio, will be ending this month. It had been launched last October. Some staffers were told yesterday (Monday, April 7), but the company has made no public announcement. The radio industry is abuzz. "The people in the industry say it is over; the people working there know it is over. What we don't have is an announcement saying it is over," says San Diego radio veteran Ron Bain. According to people in the industry, the big problem was lack of interesting content, although Internet radio as a medium has a long way to go. SignOn Radio featured long-time radio veterans such as Charlie & Harrigan along with U-T staffers talking about their beats. SDRadio.net, an online newsletter, said yesterday the paper would pull the plug: "It was not known if this will be the last full week or next; however, an interesting chapter in broadcast stream will come to a close soon," said the newsletter. April 18 may be the last broadcast time, although there is speculation the company might do podcasts of some audio, run music all day, or try something of that nature. The experiment started with horns blaring: "No other radio station, public or otherwise, can come close to the kind of local coverage SignOn Radio can provide," the company boasted. "Our studios are located just a few yards from the newsroom" of the U-T. The company apparently spent a bundle on equipment. With Copley Press ailing financially, some industry insiders hope to buy the gear at bargain prices. Two different Union-Tribune executives did not return calls for comment.
I guess the UT found it wasn't cost effective to directly compete with the on-air radio station they already own (KPBS radio, of course)
By paul 9:41 a.m., Apr 9, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #1: What a great line. I wish I had thought of it. Actually, there were rumors that the U-T looked into buying a couple of radio stations in town -- or, at least, made some inquiries. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 1:20 p.m., Apr 9, 2008 > Report it
Finally, someone got the message that San Diego doesn't need another B.S. Radio station, especially another Kittle Show to showcase his deranged rantitorials.
By Anon92107 3:02 a.m., Apr 10, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #3: I have never listened to the U-T internet effort, but radio industry pros say the content is weak. The U-T hired some old-time radio entertainers who may be past their primes. Then there are lots of programs massaging local business: for example, having somebody like Sempra come on and talk about its green initiatives. So there has been a lot of propaganda on these shows. And the U-T reporters aren't trained in radio. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 8:29 a.m., Apr 10, 2008 > Report it
Charlie & Harrigan? Weren't they last hot back in 1978? Just more illustration of the UT's increasing irrelevance.
By HellcatCopley 11:09 a.m., Apr 10, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #5: Yeah, Charlie & Harrigan, someone named Dave Mason, Ken Copper, Clark Anthony. Plus U-T staffers. It apparently just didn't fly. I'm not surprised. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 1:20 p.m., Apr 10, 2008 > Report it
A little bit related to this topic -- Arthur Salm seems to one of the recent UT disappeareds. Don - do you have any information about why he is not editor of the book section anymore, and his current situation?
I feel he was a true treasure -- one of the two things about the UT that was not otherwise deplorable.
By goodguy 11:44 a.m., Apr 13, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #7: I am not aware that Salm has departed. But it makes sense that he would leave, voluntarily or involuntarily, because, as you say, he is very bright. The book section was shrunk and folded into the rest of the paper instead of remaining a stand-alone section. That happened a few months ago, I believe. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 6:20 p.m., Apr 13, 2008 > Report it
This is off topic, but I didn't know where to add it. The UT is now cutting back on the free obituaries. So even in death, the UT can short change you.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080421/news_mz1e21goodhu.html
By Ponzi 10:15 a.m., Apr 21, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #9: In cutting back these and other public services, the U-T is contemplating its own mortality. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 12:42 p.m., Apr 21, 2008 > Report it
They should learn their lesson. They are about to be ignored into infamy at last.
By historymatters 3:01 p.m., Apr 22, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #11: It is happening to other metro dailies, too. Demographic and technological factors are hitting the big dailies. However, the U-T is getting hit harder. I have long suspected that the content has much to do with that difference. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 4:02 p.m., Apr 22, 2008 > Report it
Re Arthur Salm: He was basically forced out (resigned) and legions of us will miss his smart, witty writing style. Another casualty of the Copley/Winner machine. Meanwhile, we get Diane Bell doling out the dull on a regular basis.
By Shadow 4:35 p.m., Apr 22, 2008 > Report it
Response to post #13: If he was indeed forced out, Salm will be missed. In re Diane Bell's column: it appeals to the same market that Burl Stiff reaches. The fact that the U-T wants two such columns pandering to this market sheds light on the paper's weak market share. Best, Don Bauder
By dbauder 7:34 a.m., Apr 23, 2008 > Report it