As predicted on this blog, RAM FM, Issy Kirsch's 702-styled talk-radio station operating from Ramallah, has gone off air due to a lack of advertising revenue. The Jerusalem Post reports
RAM FM, the independent English-speaking radio station broadcast from Ramallah, has gone off the air due to a lack of advertising revenue, officials said Sunday. The station, which was financed by South African Jewish entrepreneur Isaac "Issy" Kirsch, was inaugurated in February 2007 in an effort to promote Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. The station stopped broadcasting on Thursday, station manager Maysoun Odeh-Gangat said. "Although we are aware that RAM FM established a platform for dialogue and understanding, the decision was taken by the Board of Directors following its inability to generate sufficient advertising revenues to sustain its ongoing operations," according to a statement read on the air. |
This follows a torrid time for RAM FM after several people working at the station were arrested this year for broadcasting from Jerusalem without the required license.
Mike predicted their doom back in February last year.
What is the potential listenership of an English talk show radio in Israel and the PA? There are only 10 million odd people in that region (assuming the whole area has coverage). How many of them speak English? And even if they do speak English, how many of them would want to hear their news and current affairs discussed in English when there are already Arab and Hebrew stations that do the same? I would say extremely few. The success of a talk radio station is not only its passive listenership but also its active callers. How many Israelis or Palestinians would be comfortable debating complex socio-political problems in English? Perhaps only first language English speakers. And they are not a very big percentage of either the Israeli or Palestinian populations. The next problem is the talk show host. I heard John Robbie interviewing John Burkes this morning he is going to be one of the presenters. Now no matter how much one may like John Burkes, he knows very little about the culture in Israel or the PA. How is he going to be able to relate to his audience and (his audience to him for that matter)? Who would possibly advertise on such a radio station? I predict that it will be closing down in the not to distant future. |
Previously at IAS
I take no pleasure in getting this one right. I think the concept of RAMFM was and is great. The region definitely needs forums where people can talk to each other. But it just didn’t make much sense commercial to do it in English.
702 is really amazing. I was listening to John Robbie the other day and realized what a role it has come to play in our society. Its almost like the political opposition. People phone up and they report their issues and they sort them out. I think it must be unique. And hard to transplant
Posted by: Mike | August 12, 2008 at 03:53
I remember 702 being talk junk radio where the mostly brain-dead public phoned in to spout nonsense, gave me a headache and I tuned out. As for RAM, it was woeful and I for one will not mourn its passing, standard PC dhimmi gibberish on the Middle-East conflict is all it offered to its listeners (as I pointed out on the other thread about RAM), gave me a headache and I tuned out.
Posted by: Lawrence | August 12, 2008 at 12:37
I take no pleasure in getting this one right. I think the concept of RAMFM was and is great. The region definitely needs forums where people can talk to each other. But it just didn’t make much sense commercial to do it in English.
702 is really amazing. I was listening to John Robbie the other day and realized what a role it has come to play in our society. Its almost like the political opposition. People phone up and they report their issues and they sort them out. I think it must be unique.
Posted by: Mike | August 12, 2008 at 14:58
I cannot listen to 702 talk shows without feeling sick to the stomach.
Posted by: Gary | August 12, 2008 at 20:13
Lawrence, I don’t think its particularly intellectual (minus JCW) but its still very interesting.
I think it provides a window into what ordinary South African are thinking. I think its fascinating. I am particularly amazing but the way the channel this feeling to help make a difference. The crime line for example is brilliant.
Posted by: Mike | August 13, 2008 at 04:51
I have to agree with Mike. Some time ago they were in a steady decline but they way they have risen again has been tremendous.
John Robbie in particular is a person whose views I don't often agree with, but he does get involved in great projects that help make small changes and I respect him for that.
They often get involved in consumer related issues, often helping to correct the problems.
Politically, the number of ministers that call in to take umbrage of criticism is testimony to the fact that they matter. People listen.
I'm not saying they are fair on Israel - but Mike is correct in saying that they are a positive influence on South African society.
Posted by: Steve | August 13, 2008 at 08:15
Anyone ever hear Tom London? The guy was a radio genius. I loved his night shows. Only caught them when driving back from a nights out - but they were good enough to listen to at home. Pity he left - wonder what he is up to.
Posted by: Steve | August 13, 2008 at 08:30
A couple of months ago Maverick magazine did a front cover story about 702, it looked at some its problems and the way that it markets itself. I would suggest it if anyone wants to get an additional view on the station.
Posted by: Bigben | August 14, 2008 at 10:37
Steve, you already mentioned the TRUISM that they are not fair on Israel. No need to reiterate it.
I remember during the Lebanon War Jenny Crews Williams waxing on about how we cannot just stand by and watch the terrible atrocities supposedly being commited by those" evil Israelis" in Lebanon and that in Gaza the siutuation is even worse.
Funny no-body's conscience or human outrage or humanitarianism is pirckerd by the Russian destruction of Georgia.
More people have died in a week in this war than the amount of Palestinians in 7 years of the Oslo War, but not a peep in SA, no outrage, no marches, no talkshows, no emotion, nothing...
Posted by: GaryGary | August 14, 2008 at 18:18
The RAM FM application lets you listen to RAM FM on your iPhone or iPod touch. It also displays relevant text and images including details of what we're playing now, useful information like news, weather and travel and how to contact RAM FM by phone, SMS or e-mail.
Posted by: wow accounts | October 20, 2010 at 10:17