LIVING HERE

The manager of the local radio station (96.1) writes an angry response.

I’ve thought about writing a response to several opinion columns written in the GSR many times, especially the ridiculous, fear-mongering, political ones.
However, the one titled “It’s not you “contains far too many incorrect assumptions for such a short column. Allow me to remedy that. Regarding your belief that radio stations will not pay for the good stuff,” that is not how radio works. All stations pay sizeable monthly fees to four, sometimes five, different organizations for access to the music we keep in our inventory. There is no additional cost for playing whatever you believe the “good stuff” is. Nor is there a discount for what you might believe is bad music. The fees have absolutely nothing to do with the music, they are set based on the station’s income. You stated, “Even the local station won’t play good music.” False.

While you are certainly entitled to your opinion on what good music is, this “local station” plays only music that is charting in our genre, Hot Adult Contemporary. Occasionally, when we see a song appearing in a top-rated movie or TV show that’s gaining popularity, and is suitable for our genre, we will add it even if it’s not charting, as listeners appreciate familiarity. We also add crossover music; for instance, country songs that fit our P1 listeners’ preferences.

For the record, we enjoy a very broad and loyal audience because we stay relevant yet flexible, and our listeners are the perfect mix of about 60% women, 40% men, ages 25-64. Your opinion about the “constant, never-ending ads, the smarmy voices, and talking about themselves” is wrong again – and we have the receipts to prove it.

We’ve been recognized over and over, for many years, for effective commercials, public service announcements, and promotional announcements, as well as entertaining weekday and weekend Morning, Mid-day, and Afternoon Drive shows – by professional peers in other states, who are our most critical judges. Our commercials and promotional announcements are specifically written to talk about what our advertisers can help with or do for our listeners, and do not brag about their accomplishments, except where an achievement garners additional confidence in their service or product.

If you’re bored with a commercial, you likely have no interest in what that business provides individuals, families, businesses, or the community. They are also inviting, entertaining, and effective. We enjoy long-term partnerships with clients, including a few who’ve been with us for over 30 years, because those “never-ending, smarmy voices” provide a return on their investment. Good Morning Wisconsin and Life Matters were just ranked the number one and two small market Morning Shows in the state of Wisconsin, again, for 2024. Middays with Andi and The Mike Mason Show were ranked the number one and number two small-market Radio Shows for 2024. Saturday at the 70’s and Design Coach placed first and third in Best Specialty Program, and those are just a few. We’ve also earned Station of the Year nine times – more than any of the small market stations in the state.

Sorry to brag, but our music programming and on-air talent are the best. I assume your negative opinion of this local station is due to your lack of knowledge of the broadcast industry in general, or you certainly would have never mentioned obsolete MP3s or discs as an alternative. Before you write a negative, or any, piece about a local business you have no real knowledge of, or experience in, do the research. You do claim to be a journalist, after all.

Nancy Douglass, General Manager of Lake 96.1 FM radio.

Editor’s note: On the radio show of 96.1 on Sunday, the staff there indicated that the GSR was most properly used to place at the bottom of their bird cage.  The GSR was unaware that the station had a bird.  The newspaper has also never encouraged anyone not to listen to that station.  We listen ourselves.  It is good to have three news sources in Lake Geneva. The Regional News, The GSR, and 96.1 FM. We think that’s great for the community.  The publisher was visiting the manager of the station occasionally to stay and touch and out of professional courtesy. The article was about his taste in music, not the quality of 96.1.  It’s a shame that it was misunderstood, and the GSR takes credit for making that mistake. Above is the station manager’s angry response, unedited.  The GSR will publish any other opinion piece she might submit, as well.