We started taking this blog seriously so that we could chronicle the change of radio to something other than radio. At the time, we didn’t know what that was going to be. Now, we have a clearer picture.
Yes.
What it boils down to is that I am working harder now than I have in years:
- scheduling people to work the video broadcasts
- teaching students and interns
- researching the right equipment to buy
- making TV commercials
- announcing games
- meeting with advertisers
- marketing
- working on the HeyJED app
- reviewing contracts
- going to class
The other day, I took my clothes off and stood for two minutes in a liquid nitrogen tank at -220 degrees Farenheit. It was to film a TV commercial. My private parts are still tingling.
On Friday, I climbed up to the press box at Whiting High School and announced the Wheeler at Whiting football game. The best view of Lake Michigan is from the football press box at Whiting High School. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at Gary airport.
It’s all about the mission. I want to create something that will last. WJOB founders started something in 1924 that still exists today. I want to do something similar. Five years from now, a decade from now, 50 years from now, I want the WJOB Network to be broadcasting high school games in video, to be interviewing local leaders in video, to be teaching students about video. This is part of the mission.
I don’t know what the rest of the mission is. I’m waiting for a little birdie to tap me on the shoulder and tell me where to go. For now, all that I know is that we have been working on streaming video of radio for eight years and it’s finally coming into form. Go with it. Work your ass off. Let it happen.
In the meantime, what is happening to radio?
It’s still there and it’s still beautiful. It’s a pretty old woman, classy and kind. But I don’t know how many years she has left. Something could happen. Radio could reinvent itself. Something could happen that the three or four of you who read my blog and I couldn’t even conceive of. But I don’t have any idea what that would be. Consumers, advertisers want live, local, streaming video. And we’re giving it to them.
That’s all I have for you today. I had to wake up at 3:30 in the morning to write these measly 500 words. In a few minutes, I’ll drive to Planet Fitness, walk the treadmill, watch the national news, towel off, do a couple morning radio/video shows, go film a groundbreaking at the YMCA, meet with two prospective clients, order a robotic camera, direct a half dozen interns. I love it.