T-Radio: REAL crap for REAL people

[spatch]

You heard it here first, folks, and I wish you hadn't, but it's official, and here's the press release: MBTA Launches T - Radio Pilot Program.

The test is starting in North Station, South Station, and Airport. Let's see what the press release says and, I warn you, I have a very low tolerance for glossed-over PR language full of words and euphemisms and signifying nothing. Let's hope nothing like that is given to us today!

Today, T-customers at MBTA's North Station, South Station, and Airport platforms will experience a unique information and entertainment pilot program designed specifically with them in mind.

Uh oh. The last part of that sentence is pure and utter PR hogwash wrapped up in a feelgood chocolate coating. "Designed specifically with them in mind" just means "we identified our target demographic and now it's time to exploit the hell out of 'em."

T-Radio is an expertly programmed radio format where informative news, entertainment and safety announcements are seamlessly integrated with music to appeal to Boston’s multi-cultural T-rider demographics.

"Expertly programmed" means absolutely nothing other than "We'll try not to come out of a tragic news story on a house fire with Disco Inferno." And as for the multi-cultural demographics? Well... today when I strolled through South Station, I was treated to a DJ coming out of U2's "Mysterious Ways" with a story having to do with Thomas Edison and the invention of the light bulb, which was merely a setup for the punchline of "Of course, Al Gore probably said he created it first... oh chuckle chuckle, so much for the Lighter Side of the News..."

So, apparently, Boston's multi-cultural T-rider demographic (honestly, this demographic really is "people who are waiting for trains") is just begging for inane morning DJ chatter, plus innovative takes on such DJ cliches as "...and I'll be here with you..." ("...and I'll be here for the ride...") and stale jokes which are almost old enough to purchase cigarettes.

MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said, "This is a great opportunity to provide the customer with up-to-date information in an engaging and entertaining format. Providing news, sports and weather along with service alerts while also promoting destinations that can be accessed via public transportation are just a few of the many features available on T–Radio..."

Don't forget the ads, Danny! Don't forget the "seven-figure cash windfall" for the T on this! Can't forget those! And it really is a shame the T commuters don't really have any other way of getting news, sports and weather while trapped underground. If only there were these two people near the entrances of every station with bundles of news printed on foldable paper, handing them out for free or something.

And here's what the president of Pyramid Radio, Rich Balsbaugh, the guy behind Kiss 108 and the man who stands to make bargeloads of cash money for this deal, has to say in the name of spin:

"Pyramid Radio designs creative audio entertainment and blends it with pertinent information for real people..."

Oh, look! Another useless press release sentence. Good thing we weren't playing a drinking game or else we'd all be completely blotto by now. As there's no way of saying "We wanted to put in constant music and ads" without having to spin it with uselessly optimstic euphemisms, they reach for those euphemisms and come up with some real doozies. PERTINENT information for REAL people! (as opposed to useless information for replicants?) What a great slogan! What an awesome sound bite! What a complete lack of meaning altogether! That sentence right there is just glossed-over froo-frah that means "we maks radio mak musics and then mebe the nooz and ads." This ghastly writing is all so eye-rollingly transparent, I don't understand why it's such an industry standard. Who buys into it? Who goes down to the platform and thinks "...yeah! This really was designed with me in mind! This really is pertinent information for real people, and I should know, cause I'm one of them!" Why not just say T-Radio will play "the best hits of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and today, plus lyrics that won't embarass you in front of your kids?"

T-Radio encompasses music across the last five decades up to and including current chart hits.

Oh.

Frankly, here's what the T saw: Riders reading free Metro and BostonNOW newspapers. Riders listening to their own music on their iPods or listening to the buskers who truly create "creative audio entertainment." But most importantly, they saw paying riders standing idly about when they could be listening to ads. Well! they thought. Why not take over the whole shebang? We gets the money, and buskers get the shaft, and mainstream media was on its way out anyway and everybody was making fun of the Metro to begin with, so no big loss. Suddenly the lottery lady's "cha-ching! cha-ching!" catchphrase takes on a whole new meaning. Thankfully, there's hope, however potentially falsely given, at the end of the press release:

...customers will soon be able to leave feedback directly via MBTA.com. Customer feedback will determine whether T-Radio is kept at the three stations and the possibility of it being expanded throughout the system.

Here's the link to provide feedback. While I hope there's enough public outcry to make them reconsider, honestly it's going to take a lot of outcry for them to drop this potential cash cow that they've already sunk a lot of money into.

Still, they can't consider it if they don't get enough yelling. Time to yell (well, at least, time to yell politely, I mean.)

Comments

[celestial-axis.livejournal.com]

This sucks for the buskers and I'm going to tell them so. I would MUCH rather hear the flute guy in the morning or the guitar guy in the evening than that STUPID radio!

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

You think they'll play Dire Straits' "Walk of Life?"

[pushupstairs.livejournal.com]

here's what I sent to the MBTA (feedback form and also via email to as many executives' emails I could think of):

T-Radio is horrible. Make it stop. The Metro and BostonNOW hawkers every 15 feet in the vicinity of T stops are bad enough (and I've told them so, as well), but having to be bombarded with music, news and last but not least ADVERTISING that I have no means to escape if I'm waiting for a subway train? That's insulting.

If T-Radio is still being played in any MBTA station two weeksfrom now, I will leave the T and never come back. The horrible service, delays, getting trapped on subway cars for 45 minutes, being berated, sworn at, almost run over and quite nearly assaulted by MBTA employees, having the cost of a fare increase while service degrades even further, all while my "Written To The Top" complaints have fallen on deaf ears... these things have driven me to the brink of sanity, but T-Radio is the last straw.

[acsumama.livejournal.com]

Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh.

[bostonista.livejournal.com]

Please cross-post to b0st0n, if you haven't already.

[marphod.livejournal.com]

My feedback:

I'm greatly disappointed to read about the T Radio pilot program.

While I understand that the MBTA is looking for new sources of income, and the potential advertising income is a large windfall, this seems to be a step entirely in the wrong direction.

Ignoring the cost of setting up the infrastructure, should this plan fail, there seems to me to be many other priorities that would garner good will and consideration from the riding public, that do not involve invading my personal space with unavoidable announcements and music and so-called entertainment targeted at the riding audience.

Not to mention that this is competition with the Busker program, which actually provides entertainment and exposure for new talent. Also, this system will ultimately fail if the MBTA's ability to maintain speakers for emergency announcements remains as poor as it has been.

Perhaps you should focus on providing actual rider services (like people in the help booths, which I've found empty more often than not, since the Charlie Card transition). Or, perhaps, improving infrastructure such that if there are power outages or fire, there is actual support for trapped riders.

The MBTA has enough embarrassments. Please do not add another.

I, personally, will be avoiding purchases at any advertiser I hear on T Radio, and will endeavor tell them why.


Sincerely,

Galen G Silversmith

[archangelsk.livejournal.com]

I want a goddamn concerted effort to come out of an exit, that isn't a — a fucking entrance exit, every time I do a goddamn trash fire near a station! This is the last goddamn time. I want somebody to use his fucking brain to not come out of a goddamn platform that is a — Red Line, and I gotta talk about a fucking train stopping! What is this? This is fucking ponderous, man.

This is American Top 40, right here on the radio you grew up with, T-Radio Pilot... oh, fuck.

[spatch]

I know Ron Newman posted the link to the press release there yesterday. Would my (admittedly hilarious and well-written PR deconstruction) dissertation deserve a second post on the subject?

[spatch]

That's the letter U, and the numeral 2.

[bostonista.livejournal.com]

Just post the link for complaining as a post rather than a comment. The b0st0nians will be all over it. It'll spread like a bitchy virus.

thanks for the direct link

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

I commented:
I have not yet heard this "radio" station and I hope I don't. Who needs more audio when there's already more than enough noise in the average T station? Who needs more ads when the T cars, stations, floors, etc. are already covered with them? And what will happen when, as inevitably will, the audio system craps out and sounds like the current notification systems (which rarely work or supply useful information when they do). Please reconsider this policy and concentrate on providing clean, safe and timely transportation. No gimmicks, no more visual and audio clutter than already exists. Thanks.

[archangelsk.livejournal.com]

A lot of wasted names that don't mean diddly shit!


--
How is the content delivered to the stations? Is it a signal that could be sabotaged or hijacked?

[ron_newman]

yes

[genarti]

Blergh.

I don't know what if any good it'll do, but I did leave feedback:

T-Radio is a terrible idea. Please reconsider, and get this intrusive pablum out of the stations.

If I want music in the T station, I'll listen to the buskers. I'm glad to have the chance to listen to and support local talent that way. Or, like most people, I'll bring along an iPod or cd player so that I can listen to my own music, selected to suit my own tastes. I don't want to have mediocre pop hits and painfully meaningless DJ chatter piped in to "entertain" me. If I want news on the T, I'll read the Metro; if I want entertainment, I'll read a book or listen to my own music. T-Radio is enough to make me want to invest in a set of earplugs for the ride.

Please don't foist this on your customers. Providing a "service" that nobody wants is not customer service; it's intrusive advertising and annoyance, and I resent and dislike it. I plan, in fact, to avoid purchasing any products I hear advertised on T-Radio. Annoying me and intruding on my travel is not a way to entice me to buy anything, nor a way to endear me to the MBTA.

Thank you for listening to your customers, and taking T-Radio off the air.

[chadnfrood.livejournal.com]

Your recent spate of posts about the shortcomings of the T have really made me appreciate the NYC subway system. The other day police had to investigate a crime at the 86th street stop. So the 1 train I was on stopped at 79th. We waited less than 5 minutes, and every minute or so the conductor explained the delay to passengers getting on the train. Also, we're getting cell phone reception in our stations, not bad radio.

[kevin-church.livejournal.com]

Here's what I wrote:

Fuck you fucking cockfuck bitch sluts.

Also, play some fucking Skynrd, fucktards

I hope it gets to the right people.

[spatch]

MORE ROCK, LESS TALK
GET THE "LED" OUT ON T-RADIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[allicat42.livejournal.com]

I -love- your posts.

On a completely RANDOM note... a friend of mine on LJ is lusting after http://www.ecookbooks.com/p-20821-the-bacon-cookbook.aspx?affiliateid=10097 I thought you might find it entertaining. *grynz*

[pushupstairs.livejournal.com]

These guys are from England, and who gives a shit?

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

COMMENT'D!

Nice that they get to sell your name and email address though.

[joenotcharles.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, in Montreal we get our metro cars turned into art installations.

[zhym.livejournal.com]

You just know this is all the fault of someone using the phrase "marketing synergies.

You also know that MBTA will look at the money, look at the overwhelmingly negative comments on the feedback page, then pull the three positive comments and publish them as "Overwhelming support for T-Radio!"

Cynical? Me?

[lpsmith.livejournal.com]

On the feedback page, I told them that they were becoming the laughingstock of the nation, and that a movement was afoot to boycott advertisers on T-radio. But you'll have to tell me who to boycott ;-)

[alphacygni]

I think it's interesting that a large number of T employees will be among those exposed to the pilot project, since ops headquarters is spitting distance from South Station.

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

Don't let the Irish hear that U2 is from England!

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

And I the London Underground.

[spwebdesign.livejournal.com]

Why not strike back? Rent an amp and microphone, go to one of the stations T-Radio isn't yet playing at, bring a few buskers with you, advertise some grassroots type stuff, and tell it like it is. It might drive the point home, but at the very least, you being you, it will be entertaining as hell.

[jimmystagger.livejournal.com]

This so infuriated me this morning when I read it in the paper that I told my bus driver (who I talk to all the time, I know most of the #77 guys) to let his bosses know that at least one rider thought it was a crock.

Gee...our system is a total wreck, we can't keep elevators running so we get sued for being in violation of the ADA so we end up paying out millions in lawsuits and passing on the costs to the riders, we have the biggest debt load of any system in America, our buses have a "schedule" that most treat as a "suggestion"....hmmmm...what to do?

A RADIO STATION! BRILLIANT!

Bring me the head of Grabauskas

[lediva.livejournal.com]

I don't know who you are, chain-smoking, dress shirt-wearing monkey dude... but I think I love you.

[pecosy.livejournal.com]

The email field is not required :)

[minkrose]

...ok, so OCCASIONALLY there are times I'm glad I don't live in Boston. Ugh! That sounds loathsome but I'll have to tell them that when I'm more awake (just got woken up by the deliciously crazy lightening storm out here). I'd rather send coherent outrage.

[thespian.livejournal.com]

seriously obscure references ftw.

[scholargipsy.livejournal.com]

And I Japan Rail. I'll take the horrid crowds over forced advertising any day.

[phonemonkey.livejournal.com]

And I the Prague Metro.

OK, I had to walk all the way up Jecna yesterday because a car rear-ended a bus and blocked the tram tracks, but the drivers were doing what they could, rerouting all the eastbound trams and explaining why over the PA system.

[phonemonkey.livejournal.com]

Get someone to do a rewrite of "Charlie on the MTA".

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

They probably won't even play this not-too-terrible cover of a song you were asking about a while back.

[violacat.livejournal.com]

I've done it. Haven't posted it anywhere yet, but intend to soon.

part 1 of 2

[sbernardi.livejournal.com]

I am not sure if you learned back in HS or college, if you went that is, on how to give feedback or comments about something you don't like in a professional way. Why would someone listen to comments you email to the MBTA that is disrespectful, is full of swears and makes you sound horrible. Constructive criticism is a powerful good thing. Asking your friends to email the MBTA for you just because they are your friends and feel the need to complain in an arrogant way like you did is stupid. It doesn't show that you know anything.
It's like talking to anyone... for ex: getting pulled over by a police officer for no stupid reason, (you feel that way at least), you wouldn’t yell at them and complain because they could arrest you. So you take the ticket and keep your mouth shut. And the only way you won't have to pay the ticket is if you fight it at the court house, looking professional and talking polite and professional.
If you want to make yourself look good and be respected, talk respectfully. If you want your opinion heard, make your opinion sound like you have brains and that you are smart and that you do know what you are talking about.
The T-Radio, isn't a horrible thing. It was awesome hearing the Sox updates the other day. I even heard someone happy to hear the "cha-ching" because they won the lottery. I understand your reasons for not liking it but to think that you’re so upset about listening to music sounds insane. If you don't like it then don't listen to it. And if you feel that you are good enough to play your songs and music on the T platforms, why not upscale yourself and play in the bars? Get a real audience. Everywhere you go, supermarkets, drugstores, and even some outside malls have music for "the customers’ enjoyment." Music is an amazing part of people’s lives and being a public place, you aren’t the only one around. Don't make your un-educational options ruin what many feel is enjoyable music.
If you have enough time to complain then put your complains to good use. Get a job with longer hours, because you have too much time on your hands. Find a job where your boss wants your feedback. Work at MassGeneral and get paid 12 bucks per hr. surveying the healthcare professionals and following them around seeing if they really wash their hands each time they touch a patient. Now that’s a job and something to fight for. The right to having and counting on the doctors, nurses etc to wash their hands before and after touching you and other patients. The end result of being treated by a healthcare professional if they don't wash their hands before touching you could be death and yet the end result of the T-Radio if they don't listen to your kindergarten moaning is possibly a headache.

part 2 of 2

[sbernardi.livejournal.com]

Put your brain to use and your mind, which I am sure is full of wonderful thoughts and ideas, and think twice, even ten times before you get your friends to help you protest someone else’s awesome idea. Think first. Do you know what’s amazing about music? The Lyrics... the song "only the good die young" is a song with a chorus that everyone gets tearful when they hear because it means so much to them. It seems that only the good do die young. My point is that I ask you to go online and listen to the song. It has nothing to do with death of young people; it has deal with a man trying to get this catholic girl to have coitus (big word) with him. He wants her to realize that her beliefs will do nothing for her but make her die young, and as long as she has her beliefs he won't get her. How many people actually listen to the song lyrics?
Next time you’re in the T listen to the lyrics. Enjoy the songs, the entertainment etc. Sing along with the Charlie song, it's catchy and cute. Enjoy life because life is short and spending your time complaining and not loving or writing music and using your mind to the best of its ability, you'll regret later on in life. Some things in life you can't change. And if you’re telling me that you don't go to the grocery store or any store for that matter because of the music then you have some serious issues.

Relax and provide the T with good feedback and get a better gig. Try working on a cancer unit and telling the patients with cancer about your complaints about T-Radio. One they’ll think you’re crazy for talking so disrespectfully and I think these dying patients put better use to their mind than you might.

Thank you and understand that I am just trying to let you do something better with your life. Why not listen to your astrology report, it might tell you something you don't know. Enjoy life, donate your time your spending complaining and help that elderly person down the stairs and onto the T, help that woman carrying her stroller down the stairs, go to Pine Street and see how a scoop of mash potatoes puts the hugest smile on a grown man's face. Boston needs your help in other ways. Let these people do what they know works best and open your ears and enjoy the music.

[sbernardi.livejournal.com]

I bet if you ask nicely they'll play it...
what time you usually hearing T-Radio?

[sbernardi.livejournal.com]

Have you ever been on the T in Maryland? They have police on it that will take you down to the police station if you don't sit correctly on the T.. No feet in the aisle etc... Seriously this is no lie.. if you thought you had it bad, check out maryland..

Re: part 1 of 2

[spatch]

You already posted this in b0st0n. Can't you come up with original material when you troll someone's personal journal?

Fly away, troll.

STOP T- RADIO - new easy link, just google and sign!

[suite6.livejournal.com]

The best way to stop T - Radio is to google the words stop t-radio and sign the petition posted there by the busker's union. Complaints sent to the Boston MBTA can be doctored. The MBTA has set up their own complaint site in a vain attempt to preclude a petition that really will stop T-radio. The online petition will go to the Governor's desk.

Tell your friends to sign the petition with a busker, or better yet sign on line at Stop T - Radio.

STOP T- RADIO - new easy link, just google and sign!

[suite6.livejournal.com]

Complaints sent to the MBTA can be doctored or just deleted.
Sign the permit with a live busker sign online at Stop T-Radio.
Tell your friends.

[lpsmith.livejournal.com]

Wa-hey! Just got this from the MBTA:

-----
Dear MBTA Customer:

Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts on T-Radio.
As we stated at the launch of this pilot test, MBTA riders would
determine the fate of T-Radio. We have heard from a number of riders on
a wide range of issues including the content and style.

Consequently, as of Thursday, October 25th, T-Radio will be suspended.
While it is suspended, personnel from the MBTA and Pyramid Radio (the
operator of the pilot program) will review and discuss the hundreds of
emails received. Following a sufficient period of consideration, MBTA
staff will present a recommendation on how the comments and suggestions
might be addressed and whether a resumption of the pilot program is
advised.

As always, we will continue to try and make your commute better through
various means, and always ask for your feedback.

Thank you again for taking the time to write and have your voice heard.
Its appreciated.
----

So who knew? Maybe this feedback thing works after all.