Dear Editor,
Not so long ago radio in Guyana was totally controlled by government, and I recall a period when the mixture of programming was well balanced and offered something for everyone, although one’s favourites were at times much too short. Of course, the advertising slots and political programming was always very top heavy on both 98.1 and the AM station.
Today that has changed somewhat, with more FM available, although these new stations badly lack formatting and the DJs dominate the airwaves with constant chatter throughout airplay and with seemingly no understanding of the FM principle of ‘More music, less talk’.
When you surf stations they all sound alike, and all are playing the same type of music with dancehall and rap being the most dominant, and most mixing them all together.
However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Ring Bang 92.1 FM purely by accident. This station, I am happy to say, is the only one which appears to cater for an audience 40- 45 years and over. They play a good mix of contemporary music, offering retro and current pop, reggae, ska, calypso, etc, all well balanced. I found out that Ring Bang was a Grant Bros (Eddy and Rudy product) which of course would explain the understanding of the FM concept.
If you are going to play dancehall or rap then you must play without the constant interruptions of DJs before, between and after each song. It appears that the DJs love to hear themselves talk with little regard for the listener ‒ or perhaps it’s what their audiences like.
I now play Ring Bang non-stop all day in the background with its minimum interruptions apart from station identification and a few odd commercials. I say congrats to the Grants; they have it near perfect. Advertisers should do a bit more to support Ring Bang which can get their messages to a more adult audience in cases where this is a requirement, although I am hopeful that Ring Bang will continue to balance content with commercials.
With regard to local TV, this is a media area that’s sadly lacking, where programming seems to be unimaginative, boring and poorly produced, even when the subject itself appears to be interesting. TV talk shows and interviews need to pay greater attention to production detail, because in most cases a couple of persons or a small group and perhaps one or two cameras try to do the job of more. The sets are boring, and there is little use of supporting footage to break the monotony during interviews, while the interviewers and hosts for the most part are not properly prepared for the subject they are dealing with.
They should also display more control without being rude or abrasive towards their guests.
It is always laughable to see interviewers playing to the whims of their guests in mostly patronizing ways, especially if that guest is a politician. The questions are mostly complimentary instead of probing.
It would be useful if hosts and interviewers alike would spend a little time to learn and gather a few tips from the pros on such programmes as CNN and CGTN. It appears that anyone can buy time and put a show together with little attention to the details that help to create interesting attention-holding viewership. Of course this is a deficiency of the TV station management.
Deaths and Memorials and religious programming are much too top heavy, but I am informed that these bring in the most revenue.
I do not wish to appear too critical, but Guyanese must stand up and demand better standards and quality in all areas, or things will never get any better.
Yours faithfully,
Bernard Ramsay
