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The death of rock
17/11/2003 16:28 - (SA)
Bryan Porter
Cape Town - 'What's happening at 5fm?' was the general murmur from disgruntled listeners on Monday morning, as news broke that the station has axed veteran radio icon Mark Pilgrim on claims that he breached his contract.
Pilgrim's departure follows close on the heels of fellow ex-jocks Darren Scott and Alex Jay who were both put to pasture in a similarly unceremonious manner earlier in the year.
In a tersely phrased 90-word statement on the station's website manager John Langford decreed, "We have a very specific programming policy geared towards providing our listeners and advertisers with the music mix they want, and will strive to provide this at all times."
News24 responded by asking 5fm listeners to tell us what they wanted. Unfortunately no advertisers answered the call for comment.
"I am saddened that 5fm is going the R&B and hip hop route and is neglecting rock listeners, there are lots of us rock fans out there - leave the R&B and hip hop to Metro FM," says Charles.
But it wasn't merely 30-somethings griping about the death of rock that wrote in. Mark Bradvy added, "I think 5FM have lost touch. When last did they do some audience research?"
Christine McKeown, 25, prides herself as fitting into the 5fm demographic, but wonders if she's the wrong colour: "The only show I still listen to is Mark's, as he's the only DJ who still plays decent music. Maybe if I change my skin colour I might just start enjoying the R&B and hip hop that seems to dominate lately."
Furgus Jack didn't hold back, choosing to bear a few more teeth: "5FM is alienating listeners by enforcing playlists that are based purely on a handful of clearly musically deficient people who are attempting to force down our throats that abominable music."
Adolf Kieviet may have hit the nail on the coffin though, "Why don't all the ex-5fm DJ's form their own station? That would be great!"
Hmmm. Mr Langford, have you inadvertently created a new independent South African radio station? Only time will tell.
So how has this latest little 5fm scandal affected the public image of the country's most popular radio station? As one disgruntled News24 user put it, '5fm - Only the music WE want you to hear'.
Thanks to all those users who wrote in expressing their dismay at Mark Pilgrim's dismissal, and to Liesl 'thank God he's gone' Johnson.
- News24
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South Africa
