Honest Question: Is there really many people out there who listen to the games on AM?

[TheGrandslamMan]

I've seen a lot of Jerry Howarth worked into the promo material during commercials and commemorations and such lately. And sure, that's a nice nod to the people who listened to him 20-30 years ago when every game wasn't broadcast on TV or whatever but why would anyone in their right mind bother listening to AM radio in this day and age? The qualities absolutely terrible and if you have a TV or internet theres way better options.

 

I've heard some fans mention that they don't like the TV play-by-play guys so they mute the TV and listen to Jerry, but really, I've tried this and it syncs up bad and it really doesn't work out smoothly like you'd think it would.

 

It just seems like such an archaic and obsolete medium to follow a game by.

 

So I wonder, is there really a lot of fans who still enjoy games by this medium?

[43211234]

If there's a game on and I'm driving I'll be listening.

 

I enjoy using the audio feed feature on mlb.tv to watch the game and listen to the radio broadcast.

 

I really like Jerry Howarth. Tune out if he's on a talk show and is giving roster move advice but he's great calling the games imo.

[King]

Only in the car

[RealAccountant]

Op does not have a car

 

/End thread

[Jonn]

If its good enough for him its good enough for me.

[Governator]

When I had MLB.tv I always selected the 590 optional audio feed while watching the Sportsnet video. Such an improved experience imo

[TheGrandslamMan]

I suppose if you have like an hour long commute or something that the radio's a way to go. But even If I'm making a 20 minute commute home around game time I'd rather not even bother fussing around with the AM dial and listening to it while I drive. It's not that big of a deal missing a few innings here and there.

 

I guess my point is that it just seems like such a small niche market at this point... Which is fine, but it seems a little odd to be giving all this TV promo time to a radio guy.

[TheGrandslamMan]

When I had MLB.tv I always selected the 590 optional audio feed while watching the Sportsnet video. Such an improved experience imo

 

hmmm, I've never had MLB.TV so I've never tried it. I did try it on my stereo while the game was on though and it just didn't mesh up well.

[RealAccountant]

Seen the highways in Toronto lately

 

20 min commute doesn't exist

[Governator]

I suppose if you have like an hour long commute or something that the radio's a way to go. But even If I'm making a 20 minute commute home around game time I'd rather not even bother fussing around with the AM dial and listening to it while I drive. It's not that big of a deal missing a few innings here and there.

 

I guess my point is that it just seems like such a small niche market at this point... Which is fine, but it seems a little odd to be giving all this TV promo time to a radio guy.

 

Everytime I'm in the car it's 590... how is pressing a preset channel messing with AM dial?

[Captain Adama]

I suppose if you have like an hour long commute or something that the radio's a way to go. But even If I'm making a 20 minute commute home around game time I'd rather not even bother fussing around with the AM dial and listening to it while I drive. It's not that big of a deal missing a few innings here and there.

 

I guess my point is that it just seems like such a small niche market at this point... Which is fine, but it seems a little odd to be giving all this TV promo time to a radio guy.

 

Ever been to a game and seen tons of people with headsets on? AM radio broadcasting's not going anywhere.

[TheGrandslamMan]

Everytime I'm in the car it's 590... how is pressing a preset channel messing with AM dial?

 

Fair enough. I suppose I'm just a guy who prefers listening to music when I drive.

[RealAccountant]

I will actually go for a drive to listen to baseball central. Get a break from work.

 

Either that or Rush Limbaugh

[TheGrandslamMan]

Ever been to a game and seen tons of people with headsets on? AM radio broadcasting's not going anywhere.

 

Yeah, that was a thought that popped into my head too. I was curious, but you guys have made a great case for it.

 

On another hand, I can't think of any other sports team that gives anywhere near the level of TV promotion where the radio guys almost utilized as a celebrity. Generally it's just: "You can also listen to the games on AM550" or whatever the regional dial is.

[TheGrandslamMan]

I will actually go for a drive to listen to baseball central

 

See, I find listening to a talk/call in show show different though. I guess I'm just of a generation that's spoiled by the TV but I find any kind of sports broadcast on the radio to be incredibly boring.

[STLJaysFan]

I drive for a living here in St Louis during the evening so I'm always listening to the Blue Jays on gameday audio in my car. Probably the only person in the area listening to a Toronto baseball game while everyone else is listening to the Cardinals.

[TheGrandslamMan]

That's awesome man!

 

And yes, I can certainly see how the radio could be a godsend for a die-hard fan who drives for a living:D

 

I guess the radio isn't as dying of a media platform as I had thought.

[flafson]

Ever been to a game and seen tons of people with headsets on? AM radio broadcasting's not going anywhere.

 

I would love to know how people do that, would improve the viewing experience tremendously, especially if you go with someone who doesn't know the game.

[TheGrandslamMan]

Maybe so. But do you reckon it'll still be a viable thing say 20 years from now? I don't think it will be in the traditional sense, but I guess there will always be play by play options to listen to while you drive regardless of the format or how it's utilized.

[TheGrandslamMan]

I would love to know how people do that, would improve the viewing experience tremendously, especially if you go with someone who doesn't know the game.

 

Just buy a little pocket radio.

[TheHurl]

It's hard to get radio ratings but I really doubt that the listener base has declined much in the last 15 years. It's a very robust industry.

 

overall the Fan 590 was up 31% last year. Got to figure the Jays were a huge factor in that.

[Atothe]

I always listen when I'm driving and I use to listen all the time when I had no cable

[Krylian]

Yes. It's listened to.

[Spanky99]

Holy f*** these threads... *smh*

[Maahfaace]

Every weekend at the cottage out on the dock, beers in hand and Howarth on the radio. Get some sun whitey.

[Spanky99]

Every weekend at the cottage out on the dock, beers in hand and Howarth on the radio. Get some sun whitey.

 

Always, drinking beers playing HS's and Howarth is epic.

[fatcowxlive]

In the car I listen

In the office during the day I listen to 590 for Blair, Wilner (not as bad as people think), Walker and Bobcat (can't stand Dean Blandell)

 

I love Howarth and I'll fight anyone who says he sucks. Siddal is great too. I watch the games at home on MLB.tv with the 590 audio overlay most of the times way more of an upgrade over Buck/Tabby/Devlin. Game 5 ALDS was majestic from those 2

 

Also lots of Nicholson-Smith, Shi Davidi, Zwelling and JP Morosi appearances. Lots of great, constant baseball content way more than the TV side

[fatcowxlive]

Most people I know who consume Blue Jays content tune into several games per season on the radio.

 

Radio will outlast television.

 

God I hope you're right. I don't care for the lousy FM stations but I think the AM stations will live off forever. Lots of content on there whether it's Sports, News or even comedy. Very entertaining for car trips

[fatcowxlive]

It's hard to get radio ratings but I really doubt that the listener base has declined much in the last 15 years. It's a very robust industry.

 

If anything with Internet streaming, if you factor it in, it may have slightly gone up. I listen to it way more because I have direct easy access to it

[Stangstag]

Fair enough. I suppose I'm just a guy who prefers listening to music when I drive.

 

Dude so do I. But if there's a Jays game on, its fan590 all the way.