Anorak Nation: Discussion: brian May & Investing In Caroline

Folks,

I am crossposing this message for "discussion". It also appears on "that" mailinglist too!

I feel I have to defend Mr May here.

1) Brian (and indeed his fellow band members) have always been very shrewd business men. Why oh why do you think he'd be even remotely interested in investing in a station nobody knows about, nobody can hear (in a easy or portable way)?

2) Planet Rock has at least a reasonable method of delivery, which is supported in the mainstream of the radio industry (if not by those who listen to radio!). Therefore, there is at least a platform from which to promote it and sell ad space on it which at least may allow it to break even. (not saying Brian & Co aren't in it for a profit, but there's a real interest to keep it going).

3) Even if Brian wanted to invest his hard earned in Caroline, he couldn't! Peter Moore is not interested in the furthering/expansion of Caroline in any real way. He seems to be quite happy to allow interested parties to contribute to the current running costs of what is a hobby, rather than a real business. He does not want "shareholders" that then may sell these shares onwards to the "borg". That I get, but it keeps Caroline at a certain level, at which no-one in there right mind would give vast amounts of money in return for no share in the operation.

4) Anoraks should support what Brian & Co are trying to do. If there are successful, Planet Rock will remain a privately funded operation, outside the control of the Multi-National Radio Groups that control everything else. It will maintain it's right to choose it's own format (Classic Rock) rather than taking a feed from a studio in Germany (or wherever), with automated jingles and voice-tracked presenters.

5) IS THIS NOT WHAT "FREE RADIO" IS? – given that both Planet Rock and Caroline have a UK licence to broadcast and have to adhere to the conditions therein, surely the updated definition of "free radio" is as pointed out in 4) above?

Yours
carolinenorth

carolinenorth carolinenorth <...> said:
Folks…................

So good he said it thrice, agreed by the way

Quoting a previous carolinenorth carolinenorth contribution:-

2) Planet Rock has at least a reasonable method of delivery, which is
supported in the mainstream of the radio industry (if not by those who
listen to radio!).

It also has a nicely increasing and very measurable audience via this reasonable method of delivery.

4) Anoraks should support what Brian & Co are trying to do. If there are
successful, Planet Rock will remain a privately funded operation,
outside the control of the Multi-National Radio Groups that control
everything else. It will maintain it's right to choose it's own format
(Classic Rock) rather than taking a feed from a studio in Germany (or
wherever), with automated jingles and voice-tracked presenters.

I'm slightly confused here. Surely, Planet Rock is a brand of GCap. GCap is just about to be assimilated into Global, which although privately funded, is still really just another Borg. In other words, Planet Rock is not an independent and never has been, but has always been a Borg product.

Having said that, Planet Rock is certainly a 'free radio' station in a lot of respects. Its presenters are mainly live (more so than the guys doing the Caroline Mattress broadcasts) and not voicetracked or pre-recorded.

Although the station is playlisted, presenters have a lot of free choice when it comes to what to play. So, the atmosphere is right for a good sounding little station. I'd put Planet Rock in the same category as Chill, in that is does exactly what it says on the tin. It lives and breathes classic rock and is taken seriously by the genuine ordinary classic rock fan. Proof, if it were needed, that the Borg can run personality stations if it wants to.

—
* Christopher England just said that *

Christopher England <...> said:
Surely, Planet Rock is a brand of GCap.
GCap is just about to be assimilated into Global, which although
privately funded, is still really just another Borg. In other words,
Planet Rock is not an independent and never has been, but has always
been a Borg product.

* Christopher England just said that *

I concur with that Chris:a thing that is maybe not known or has been forgotten is that both these mentioned services were spawned from a TRUE independent venture:European Klassik Rock.As a result of being stuffed by an evidently corrupt licencing system administered by the Radio Authority;January 1997 saw the award of commercial radio licences in the Dover/Deal and Canterbury areas to groups 'bought into' by Radio Services Ltd,headed up by David Lucas and (now) the CRCA's Lisa Kerr,at the time all inked to Lincs FM….

Of course section 104 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 was always bandied around as the lynch-pin paragraph in all commercial radio awards(laughably financial viability for the licence period!)Who was Head of Finance at the Radio Authority at this time?Non other than David Lloyd,ex finance man at…...LINCS FM! This is how Radio Services Ltd (RSL-(sic))managed in less than a 2 year period to bag 9 licences!Neptune Radio took the air in Dover/Deal yet all letters of support/petitions (including a letter of support from the local MP) were for 'The Sound' RSL's for which were completed by the time Radio Services Ltd bought in and formed South East Radio Ltd…..

So what was wrong with the other 54 companies that applied for the same licences…..?

East Kent Radio was one of the casualties; but un-abashed commenced as European klassik Rock/Night-Tracks from the Maidstone studio's and very soon received soothing noises from the then Capital Radio Plc that EKR would be it's prefered Classic Rock station on the up-coming Digital One multiplex.EKR was put on the trial DAB multiplex in London as a precursor,but the soothing noises and promises amounted to nothing,with Capital launching on DAB with Planet Rock! Meanwhile back at Maidstone,due to greedy individuals in Management positions,in it for themselves,the money started running out and initially Solar Radio re-placed the overnight sustaining service Night-Tracks,and history shows that Mr Moore then saw his chance sliming in with the plastic Caroline,eventually re-placing European Klassik Rock as the backers money ran out….

Therefore true independence was killed by:
1)A corrupt licencing system administered by the Radio Authority
2)Out and out lies by a 'borg' broadcaster
3)An opportunist vulture and squatter,trading on a legendary and established name,that he has no right to use for his own purposes.

So whatever way he goes, Mr May should seek out the originators of what both these services owe their existence too.The dedicated professional independent broadcasters that made European Klassik Rock a reality,and scared the pants off the 'borg' for a while.

Submitted in the interests of good order and meaningful discussion…. Regards,
Jim,
East Kent.

carolinenorth carolinenorth <...> said:
4) Anoraks should support what Brian & Co are trying to do. If there are
successful, Planet Rock will remain a privately funded operation,
outside the control of the Multi-National Radio Groups that control
everything else. It will maintain it's right to choose it's own format
(Classic Rock) rather than taking a feed from a studio in Germany (or
wherever), with automated jingles and voice-tracked presenters.
5) IS THIS NOT WHAT "FREE RADIO" IS? – given that both Planet Rock and
Caroline have a UK licence to broadcast and have to adhere to the
conditions therein, surely the updated definition of "free radio" is as
pointed out in 4) above?

I know we have been here before, but what is free radio. It seems James Whale thought we had free radio in this country, see below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7387773.stm

It seems we don't. That is what's missing in talk radio in this country, it's fine for a free press to advise who to vote for but not a speech broadcaster. He wasn't even advising on behalf of the station,

Steve

Stephen Sullivan <...> said:
carolinenorth carolinenorth <...> said:
4) Anoraks should support what Brian & Co are trying to do. If there are
successful, Planet Rock will remain a privately funded operation,
outside the control of the Multi-National Radio Groups that control
everything else. It will maintain it's right to choose it's own format
(Classic Rock) rather than taking a feed from a studio in Germany (or
wherever), with automated jingles and voice-tracked presenters.
5) IS THIS NOT WHAT "FREE RADIO" IS? – given that both Planet Rock and
Caroline have a UK licence to broadcast and have to adhere to the
conditions therein, surely the updated definition of "free radio" is as
pointed out in 4) above?
I know we have been here before, but what is free radio. It seems James Whale thought we had free radio in this country, see below
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7387773.stm
It seems we don't. That is what's missing in talk radio in this country, it's fine for a free press to advise who to vote for but not a speech broadcaster. He wasn't even advising on behalf of the station,
Steve

There is NO free radio in this country it is over-regulated to the point of strangulation by govenment(s) who are scared of any sort of free expression.

The only way to broadcast to the Uk freely is by placing your free radio station outside of the UK's borders.

Jim D. shorewayradio <...> said:
Christopher England <...> said:
Surely, Planet Rock is a brand of GCap.
GCap is just about to be assimilated into Global, which although
privately funded, is still really just another Borg. In other words,
Planet Rock is not an independent and never has been, but has always
been a Borg product.

* Christopher England just said that *
I concur with that Chris:a thing that is maybe not known or has been forgotten is that both these mentioned services were spawned from a TRUE independent venture:European Klassik Rock.As a result of being stuffed by an evidently corrupt licencing system administered by the Radio Authority;January 1997 saw the award of commercial radio licences in the Dover/Deal and Canterbury areas to groups 'bought into' by Radio Services Ltd,headed up by David Lucas and (now) the CRCA's Lisa Kerr,at the time all inked to Lincs FM….
Of course section 104 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 was always bandied around
as the lynch-pin paragraph in all commercial radio awards(laughably financial viability for the licence period!)Who was Head of Finance at the Radio Authority at this time?Non other than David Lloyd,ex finance man at…...LINCS FM!
This is how Radio Services Ltd (RSL-(sic))managed in less than a 2 year period to bag 9 licences!Neptune Radio took the air in Dover/Deal yet all letters of support/petitions (including a letter of support from the local MP) were for 'The Sound' RSL's for which were completed by the time Radio Services Ltd bought in and formed South East Radio Ltd…..
So what was wrong with the other 54 companies that applied for the same licences…..?
East Kent Radio was one of the casualties; but un-abashed commenced as European klassik Rock/Night-Tracks from the Maidstone studio's and very soon received soothing noises from the then Capital Radio Plc that EKR would be it's prefered Classic Rock station on the up-coming Digital One multiplex.EKR was put on the trial DAB multiplex in London as a precursor,but the soothing noises and promises amounted to nothing,with Capital launching on DAB with Planet Rock!
Meanwhile back at Maidstone,due to greedy individuals in Management positions,in it for themselves,the money started running out and initially Solar Radio re-placed the overnight sustaining service Night-Tracks,and history shows that Mr Moore then saw his chance sliming in with the plastic Caroline,eventually re-placing European Klassik Rock as the backers money ran out….
Therefore true independence was killed by:
1)A corrupt licencing system administered by the Radio Authority
2)Out and out lies by a 'borg' broadcaster
3)An opportunist vulture and squatter,trading on a legendary and established name,that he has no right to use for his own purposes.
So whatever way he goes, Mr May should seek out the originators of what both these services owe their existence too.The dedicated professional independent broadcasters that made European Klassik Rock a reality,and scared the pants off the 'borg' for a while.
Submitted in the interests of good order and meaningful discussion….
Regards,
Jim,
East Kent.

That's Peter Moore's style "vulture" is a perfect description!

Neil Gates
There is NO free radio in this country it is over-regulated to the point of strangulation by govenment(s) who are scared of any sort of free expression.</p><p>The only way to broadcast to the Uk freely is by placing your free radio station outside of the UK's borders.</p></body></html>

Here, Here! The broadcast industry is run by too many yogurt knitting, fanny arsed, namby pamby, new style VW Golf driving, liberal gay wanna be lesbian. wheel chaired, ethnic, one armed, two toothed, single mothered, hooded, Mcdonald eating, fat, thin, DIY Maniac, Reality TV loving, Britain's got Talent sucker, LBC Listening, Mondeo Driving, Dislexic, ASBO, ADD, benefit fraudster, illegal immigrant employing, non license fee payer, PAYE non tax return filer, wacky backy smoking naughty type person.

Bring on some free radio. I've scanned through my FM / DAB radio tonight and have been absolutley bored to tears from the same format radio played over and over again for the last 15 years.....Boring, Stale, Clinical and absolutely tear jerking brain washing crap! Radio talking about TV programmes and TV celebrebs...how original!!!!!?????!!!! Radio talking utter pc, liveral shite on LBC. Even James Whale's replacement at TS would make safe nursery rythme ranting during any playtime Session. Radio, I'm bored of of ya! I'm off to watch non stop bid up TV, theres more of an education and entertainment on that channel.

Neil, I don't know you or anything about you, but if you can prove an entertaining format, even if its based on offshore radio from the past, I'll stick 10 grand your way and everyone has witnessed me saying that here at AN. But I want proof of what you plan to do. I'm willing to burn this money just to spite the establishment, but anything less than a 50kW offshore station with a entertaining schedule won't convince me otherwise. I can't stand the thought of a hospital radio station at sea as an alternative.

Convince me before I trash all my radio's in marK of respect for death of radio entertainment in this country. And please, all the Moyles / Evans / Radio 1 & 2 fans who try to convince me otherwise.....Get a life!

*People don't like what I say, Bollox! - Guff Sed Dat Innit!*

RC Guff <...> said:
Bring on some free radio. I've scanned through my FM / DAB radio tonight
and have been absolutley bored to tears from the same format radio
played over and over again for the last 15 years…..Boring, Stale,
Clinical and absolutely tear jerking brain washing crap! Radio talking
about TV programmes and TV celebrebs…how original!!!!!?????!!!! Radio
talking utter pc, liveral shite on LBC.
*People don't like what I say, Bollox! – Guff Sed Dat Innit!*

Crumbs Guff! For 10 grand and with verbal eloquence like this,I reckon Neil should have you hosting the 9am-12 phone in show (via Inmarsat or Iridium of course!) regards,
Jim.

Combining two

There is NO free radio in this country

True, never has been. The BBC had a headphone license
Luxembourg had Decca
Caroline had Findus
The list is endless.

but
anything less than a 50kW offshore station with a entertaining
schedule won't convince me otherwise. I can't stand the thought of
a hospital radio station at sea as an alternative.

That'll be exciting for anyone who wishes to work on it who has an once of eco-friendly in them :-)

Convince me before I trash all my radio's in marK of respect for
death of radio entertainment in this country. And please, all the
Moyles / Evans / Radio 1 & 2 fans who try to convince me
otherwise…..Get a life!

The joy of radio today is that there is choice – so nobody should want to convince you about anyone you mentioned.
What you will need to do is convince potential listeners that your view of entertaining radio is that which they should tune into.

Eric

RC Guff said:

Here, Here! The broadcast industry is run by too many yogurt knitting,
fanny arsed, namby pamby, new style VW Golf driving, liberal gay wanna
be lesbian. wheel chaired, ethnic, one armed, two toothed, single
mothered, hooded, Mcdonald eating, fat, thin, DIY Maniac, Reality TV
loving, Britain's got Talent sucker, LBC Listening, Mondeo Driving,
Dislexic, ASBO, ADD, benefit fraudster, illegal immigrant employing, non
license fee payer, PAYE non tax return filer, wacky backy smoking
naughty type person.

Hang on a mo Guff, what about cyclists? – I feel left out, (sniff!) (superb contribution by the way!)

Regards,
Giles.

I still believe you need a lot more dough than some of the figures mentioned in the past.

A juicy 50 KW AM/MW with a decent ship with a broadcast fit out and lot's of barrels of oil
– my estimate would be around 1 to 2 million UKP.

Now for that kind of money or even 500K – 1M you could set up a damn good Internet/Sky/Sat station and broadcast 24/7 without the threat of being slammed into dock by the agents of misery. Plus your carbon footprint would be a hell of a lot less than something out at sea.

Offshore radio is great but the cost ain't much fun.

If you are seriously willing to put money into broadcasting and you want it to be real for more than a day then venture into either the big boys league (buy up shares in the PLC companies) or setup your own LBB (Low Budget Broadcaster).

gloworm558 . <...> said:
Hang on a mo Guff, what about cyclists? – I feel left out, (sniff!) (superb contribution by the way!)
Regards,
Giles.

Oooops, forgot about them Giles, they must be on a par with the Caravanist and the school drop 'Chelsea Tractor' Muvver'z innit (sucks teeth)!

The Guff

Quoting a previous David * contribution:-

Now for that kind of money or even 500K – 1M you could set up a damn
good Internet/Sky/Sat station and broadcast 24/7

Or…! You could set-up and maintain a string of high power pirate FM transmitters giving blanket coverage throughout some major towns and cities – far more likely to build a realistic audience. Well, dependant on the style of programming of course.

—
* Christopher England just said that *