Changes to Radio Free Finland
A few big changes coming to Radio Free Finland I wanted to share with you. First off, the show will no longer be live. After one and a half years of doing a live show, it’s difficult for me to give up on this format, but there’s some very important reasons why…
- Doing a pre-recorded show will provide me with much needed flexibility in the interviews. I no longer have to conduct my interviews from my home, I can take my equipment with me and be mobile.
- Booking guests at one particular time and place each week (Mondays at 21.00 from my house) is difficult. Now we’d be able to meet at anytime, anyplace.
- The live broadcasts weren’t that popular. Thousands download each episode, but only about 10 people listen to the live show (the most we had was around 70). And I don’t blame them, it’s much easier to listen to the podcast on the way to work or something the following day.
- Recording live causes too many problems. The recording software (Pamela) and chat software (Skypecast) are just not stable enough to be trusted. I’ve already lost parts of two interviews thanks to software issues out of my control.
- Skypecast audio quality isn’t so good. Recording a one-on-one interview with Skype results in much higher sound quality.
- Just too stressful. Publishing a weekly podcast is time-consuming enough with the booking of guests, planning, recording, editing etc.. Doing a live show just created even more stress.
A couple years ago when I began planning Radio Free Finland, I envisioned a lively show full of round-table discussions and an active audience. But expecting a big audience to sit in front of the computers at a particular time every week, all with microphones in their hands, for such a niche topic like this, knowing that you can just download the podcast later and listen to it while you’re on the go…is just impossible.
So I’m a bit reluctant to end the live show, and a bit disappointed that I didn’t exactly achieve what I had envisioned, but I think these changes will really improve the show while lowering my weekly stress levels at the same time. 
I still aim to release a show an average of once per week, but not always on Mondays. If I book a guest on a Tuesday, I can record and release the show right away instead of waiting till the following Monday. I won’t bother announcing the guest in advance, when I announce the guest I’ll already have the podcast online.
Anyways, I hope Radio Free Finland listeners aren’t too disappointed. I think these changes will really improve the show!
How about doing the show live once in a while. When you know the topic is hot and will have lots of online commenters it would then be a good idea to do it live
Comment by Anonymous — Mon, Feb 5th, 2007 @ 4:19 pm
Good idea. I’ll do that!
Comment by Phil — Mon, Feb 5th, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Yes, well, I admit that I always ‘want’ to listen to the live show, but always forget or have something else come up. So, I just end up grabbing the podcast and listening later…
Comment by Don — Mon, Feb 5th, 2007 @ 11:53 pm
Same as Don, I’ve been planning on joining in some time, but just didn’t have the time or forgot all about it. I think you’re making a good move with the changes you’ve planned
Good luck, and hear ya later !
David
Comment by David — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 12:05 am
try http://www.paltalk.com or http://www.inspeak.com Free
both are great live chat programs and you have your own room to run,,way better then skype for this need Phil…Im on it debating almost ever night.
Look into it…
Comment by born in the USA — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 2:13 am
why don’t you try to get a show on a local radio station? i am sure that would exciting and probably much easier to organize…maybe something to think about for the future!
Comment by Max — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 11:03 am
@2
“Good idea. I’ll do that!”
Glad you liked it.
Comment by Blah — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
Could you do so that you post here, at finlandforthought, who you will interview, a couple of days in advance so that you readers can post their questions in time?
Comment by Mikael — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Could you do so that you post here, at finlandforthought, who you will interview, a couple of days in advance so that you readers can post their questions in time?
I’ve been doing that previously, and no one sends me e-mails.
Comment by Phil — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
why don’t you try to get a show on a local radio station? i am sure that would exciting and probably much easier to organize…maybe something to think about for the future!
LähiRadio costs something like 80 euros per hour, which I couldn’t afford. Plus I can get more listeners via the web.
Comment by Phil — Tue, Feb 6th, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
I’ve been doing that previously, and no one sends me e-mails.
Put it up with a red text (instead of the normal blue one) saying Coming up: Interview with ——- at —— on ——! Send in your questions now to Phil@….!
I think at least I would notice it better then.
Comment by Mikael — Wed, Feb 7th, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Phil,
it’s a usual thing for a show (or a newspaper) to change a format (i am telling this as a professinal journalist). Technologies and audience’s preferences force everybody to mutate. There are dozens of examples on the world market, really.
Good luck!
Comment by Andrey — Wed, Feb 14th, 2007 @ 1:57 am