Its one thing to talk; its another to listen.
Its one thing to listen; its another to hear.
Its called the art of conversation and Roundhouse Radio thinks there needs to be more of it in Vancouver.
Its recently put forward an application to the CRTC for a new independent commercial radio station that would be 80 per cent talk and 20 per cent music. Vancouverites have until November 28 to add their voices of support.
Its a place for us to connect, to talk about the food we like, poetry, the weather, each other..., says operations and program director Shelley Zavitz. Its going to be a fresh voice. We want to hear from the left, the right, the middle. Thats how we learn about one another.
She thinks CBC Radio does a fantastic job of giving voice to issues in Vancouver, but the station also includes national and international news. Roundhouse Radio which has nothing to do with the Roundhouse Community Centre except for the concept of a place where lines converge would focus solely on Vancouver. Where we view ourselves as different is we are going to be talking about all the things that feel and taste important to us [as Vancouver residents].
When the idea for a new station was first bandied about, the original concept was Pride FM style. But then the Vancouver Foundation released a study that explored Vancouverites sense of isolation. People wanted to feel more connected with their fellow residents but didnt know how or where they could make the links. We thought, Maybe we need a radio station that speaks to that, Zavitz says.
Everyone they talked to as part of their research into a business plan echoed this sentiment.
Roundhouse Radio might be the first applicant to quote Seth Godin in its bid. In We Are All Weird, Seth Godin argues that many factors are pushing us to get ever less normal, at least when it comes to cultural choices and what we buy, what we do and who we do it with. The bell curve that for so long defined mass is melting, with the outliers gaining in number, credibility and impact.... When you give people a choice, they will take it.
Zavitz doesnt want to say too much at this point about whos behind the bid. The application says the members of our group are proud British Columbians committed to making a difference to local broadcasting in one of Canadas most diverse markets.... Our ownership group and management team consist of Canadian entrepreneurs from media, entertainment, law, business and finance... [with] a history of community service, social involvement and public engagement.
To read its 42-page bid or find out more about its specific broadcast plans, go to RoundhouseRadio.com, where you can also find out how to make a submission to the CRTC.
