[Swprograms] Sirius: Chris Moyles in NYC

[John Figliozzi <jfiglio1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not a central topic here by any means but some interesting outcomes  
of having a national broadcaster like BBC Radio One transformed by  
technology (Sirius Satellite Radio) into an international broadcaster.

1.  Although done primarily for the UK audience, Chris Moyles (the  
morning man on Radio One) and part of his morning crew are visiting  
NYC this week and doing their show "live" from Sirius headquarters.   
However, they are incorporating their U.S. listeners into some of  
their regular features.  One is the "Sting Ring" in which they call a  
listener and just play short bits of Sting songs as a wake-up call.   
They are calling American listeners and, thus far, the recipients  
(victims, perhaps, given that these calls are going out between 2 and  
5 in the morning NY time--so the show can be heard live back in the  
UK) know that it's the Moyles show that is calling them.  (Yes, it  
could be planned; but the premise of the bit is to hear the  
unrehearsed reaction of the recipient of the call.  So I don't think  
so.)

2.  The show's jingles have started alternating the phrase "National  
Radio One" with "International Radio One".  Moyles regularly refers  
to the show's US listeners on Sirius.  It's not a seamless transition  
and it's not always a transition at all.  It's clear that the program  
is intended primarily for a UK audience.  (After all, it is them that  
is paying the license fee.)  Nonetheless, like programs on ABC Radio  
National in Australia and CBC Radio in Canada, domestic programs are  
referring to their international listeners more and more.

3.  The BBC (and Sirius, presumably) thought it important that east  
coast U.S. listeners at least hear the program five hours delayed so  
that the time announcements and programs would coincide with  
lifestyles here.  So, it is not just a straight feed as on the  
internet, but an effort has been made to accommodate (to some extent)  
the international audience.

Parenthetically, the show really is worth a listen if you have  
Sirius.  Moyles is billed as the "Saviour of UK Radio", so there is  
that similarity to Stern.  But I actually find I prefer Moyles to  
Stern.  There's an "everyman" factor in his personality and his humor  
is less coarse and attitude more self-effacing than Stern's.  He's  
also a more endearing and accessible character.  The show is funny  
and entertaining and works very well in the morning--whether you are  
in the UK or the US.  It's on channel 11 on Sirius or you can listen  
online from <www.bbc.co.uk/radio1>.  And there's no commercials.

John Figliozzi
Halfmoon, NY

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