Archived Topic
Topic ID 923
27/08/2005 by Big Mick
Local Radio Station Axes Sports Coverage
Local Radio Station Hertbeat FM has cut local sport from its schedule. The news was delivered to the stations team of volunteers in an e-mail from new Managing Director Brett Harley on Thursday evening. It is understood Mr Harley was out of the country at the time. The decision brings to an end 5 years of local sports coverage in the area which saw the Saturday afternoon show Matchbeat become essential listening for sports fans. After hearing the news Reporter Pete Hill said "this is a kick in the teeth for the voluteers who have worked so hard to provide a service and a great blow to the local sporting community." The station is now thought to be concentrating on a music based approach.
Should you want to contact Hertbeat FM about the decision you can do so by e-mailing [email protected] or [email protected]
Message received from Pete Hill that the Matchbeat Local Sports News site at http://matchbeat.blogspot.com . still intends to provide some coverage.
I would like to publicly thank Pete Hill and the Matchbeat crew for their sterling service they have provided in the past - I for one tuned in on many occassions whilst working and not being able to attend quite a few Hertford RFC fixtures (mostly the away games) via the internet and waited with baited breath for Ed's, Gary's and Joe 90's telephone reports and updates.
A real shame that such a useful resource has been axed and I do hope that such a short sighted decision is reviewed soon.
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 9934
30/08/2005 by carlos fandango
This is bad for the local football teams also. Good management policy...lets kill off the local interest and play more third rate pop noise.
Reply ID 9935
30/08/2005 by sloopjohnb
What is a local station if not reporting on local news and sport. The coffee morning guest spot has also been dropped.
Reply ID 9936
30/08/2005 by skanky
By removing specific local coverage, they are removing the main set of content that distinguishes the station from the many national (or just outside of area) stations that play exactly the same songs, but in a different order. It pretty much removes the main reason(s) for the station's existence.
Reply ID 9937
30/08/2005 by Ewoowar
Has anything replaced the dropped items?
Reply ID 9938
30/08/2005 by carlos fandango
it will be pop noise and the usual banal chatter i'll bet.
Reply ID 9942
30/08/2005 by Capitalist piglet
quote:
Originally posted by skanky
By removing specific local coverage, they are removing the main set of content that distinguishes the station from the many national (or just outside of area) stations that play exactly the same songs, but in a different order. It pretty much removes the main reason(s) for the station's existence.
Too right Skanky. And any reason for local firms to advertise on it. Wonder what their views are. The decision seems remarkably badly thought out.....
Reply ID 9943
30/08/2005 by Drama Queen
A few months ago I was led to believe in the Mercury that Heartbeat FM is having financial difficulties. Maybe this is really the reason to cut the sports sides of its broadcasting. This is very sad, its not a bad local station and does try really hard.. Lets hope this can be put right soon.
Reply ID 9945
30/08/2005 by Steve
You may also have read that the station was sold!
Reply ID 9948
30/08/2005 by carlos fandango
Their sports coverage would have consited of several mobile phone calls to the volunteers around the grounds. Hardly much of a saving.
Reply ID 9952
30/08/2005 by skanky
quote:
Originally posted by carlos fandango
Their sports coverage would have consited of several mobile phone calls to the volunteers around the grounds. Hardly much of a saving.
They could have asked the volunteers to call in.
Reply ID 9953
30/08/2005 by neveraxword
But they are a notoriously tight-fisted station....they wouldn't even pay mileage over to their Knebworth studio
Reply ID 9956
30/08/2005 by Ewoowar
quote:
Originally posted by neveraxword
But they are a notoriously tight-fisted station....they wouldn't even pay mileage over to their Knebworth studio
Notoriously skint!
has anybody contacted the station for a comment?
Reply ID 10009
02/09/2005 by Big Mick
I have just seen an email from Brett Harley that says "Sports coverage has not been 'axed' from Hertbeat FM." I am endeavouring to clarify the situation.
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 10032
03/09/2005 by carlos fandango
Well I turned them on just after 4pm today and some bloke was wittering on about a fete somewhere. Turned off again.
Reply ID 10252
11/09/2005 by Big Mick
Hertbeat FM Managing Director Brett Harley has denied axeing local sport from the stations schedule. In an e-mail to an irate listener Harley said there had been no decision to remove local sport. The station has replaced its 4 hour flagship show Matchbeat and morning local sports news with 3 one minute updates during Saturday afternoon's. The updates are sponsored by local club Broxbourne Borough FC who's results are not mentioned by the station as part of the deal. The decision will leave fans of non league football below the Nationwide Conference, National League Rugby and Premier League Speedway frustrated with a lack of coverage for their local clubs.
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 10253
11/09/2005 by Big Mick
3 one minute updates is not what I would call sports coverage !
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 10254
11/09/2005 by Big Mick
Barely Lip Service either.
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 10270
12/09/2005 by Victor Meldrew
Thats a real shame, that guy that does the math reports at HRFC on a saturday is really good!
Reply ID 10318
13/09/2005 by Big Mick
Wot - you mean Ed the Pie Eater? or Voice of the Stands or Joe 90.
I would hve thought Victor would have been more modest than that - nah, perhaps not ;O)
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 10476
21/09/2005 by sloopjohnb
quote:
The news was delivered to the stations team of volunteers in an e-mail from new Managing Director Brett Harley on Thursday evening. It is understood Mr Harley was out of the country at the time.
Is this the same Brett Harley who is now presenting a prime time morning slot at 10.00 - midday?
Reply ID 10493
21/09/2005 by Big Mick
I have stopped tuning in.
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 11692
30/10/2005 by Big Mick
Well would you believe it (Victor - your cue) - Hertbeat FM want to start featuring local sports updates on the Saturday afternoon show as "it would certainly add another level of interest to the show"!
Didn't they have that already with the Matchbeat Team and then dumped them ????
Somewhere near the bar or looking for it.
Reply ID 11693
31/10/2005 by Ewoowar
Big Mick, you are quoting.........I take it you have a good source.........I look forward to their coverage.
Reply ID 11701
31/10/2005 by Victor Meldrew
Yes they emailed Mick asking him for a contact at the club.
24 replies