Don’t you miss the good old days when the radio industry used to poach talent from each other aggressively? 

The good old days when as a fan, you almost knew that your favourite radio presenter was bound to make a move to a bigger platform in the most dramatic fashion. Radio transfers back in the day mirrored football transfers.

The good old days when Base FM (formerly KCR) would be in constant battle with Fresh FM for talent. The good old days when Energy100FM would be in constant bidding wars with National FM for talent. 

The good old days when RadioWave would be in constant battle with either Kosmos or 99FM for talent.

The good old days when all of these said stations would literally strip Unam Radio down to the bone as soon as they sniffed good talent. It was hella dramatic, but it was exciting. The industry was alive. 

Not that the Namibian radio industry is not alive right now… it is alive, but I doubt if it is as dramatic or exciting for fans or the neutral.
Why are these days behind us? Why is it so hard to witness a blockbuster “radio transfer” in the modern-day Namibian radio industry? 

All these questions were prompted by Chante’s move from Energy100FM to 99FM. Chante is one of the very few voices on Namibian radio that has been consistent with her excellence.
However, I feel if this move had been the case five years ago, this would have been the biggest conversation EVERYWHERE. 

Which gets one thinking right? It is an incredible move… but it’s not necessarily trending. Again… take nothing away from Chante, she is an incredible radio brand. On any good day, she can hold her own on any radio station worldwide.

So, one can’t really blame the lack of hype down to her ability or personality.
I blame what has become of the Namibian radio industry. 

Where did we lose the spark? The drama? The controversy? That culminated in sheer excitement. Is the radio industry “too safe” now? Too careful? Is it CRAN’s influence? 

But if it’s CRAN’s influence… did the radio industry not have a regulatory function six, or seven years ago? The Ombudsman functions?
All I am saying is… Cheeze’s move to Base FM blew everything out of the water. CJ’s move to National FM from Fresh had everyone talking. The two Lucy’s forming the Squared show coming from Omulunga Radio and Fresh FM had everyone talking. Che Ulenga dumping Base FM for Energy was the biggest talk of the town. I know for a fact that there were other blockbuster moves. If you remember them… tweet it using the hashtag #IndustryLoop.

All I am saying is…radio at the end of the day is supposed to get people talking. If the industry is playing it safe 24/7, what use is the medium?

Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
Need an MC? I’m YOUR guy. Hit me up…naobebsekind@gmail.com