Radio Traffic Reports

[KeithS]

Why do radio stations insist on playing repetitious drumming riffs in the background whilst traffic reports are being read out? I'm driving, I need to concentrate on what is being said, I *DON'T* need some stupid repetitious noise almost drowning out what is being said. It adds nothing at all to the report except nuisance value. They almost all do it, except for the good old BBC.
Does anyone have a vague idea why it is forced on us?

[Booldawg]

I think Radio 4 should introduce that to the shipping forecasts. Maybe they could even start rapping it.

[Zacs-Master]

North utsire, south utsire
Everybody know your dad was queera...

[vulcan42]

The only reason I can think of is radio doesn't like 'dead air', this is the term they use for silence. It has become ridiculous that they have noise behind somebody reading traffic reports when clarity is needed. I regret to inform you that the BBC also do it, it isn't so quite as intrusive as other stations but it's there, sounds a bit like a heart beat that needs a pacemaker fitted.

[Playbill]

I totally agree with you KeithS.

But as vulcan42 says, the BBC also do it. I often tune in - or used to - to BBC London 94.9 for their traffic reports, but have almost given up due to the unnecessary added and distracting noise. They also add the so-called music when announcers are reading the news headlines.

My theory is that they are trying to appeal to a younger audience (12 -18 year olds?) who cannot exist without a thumping beat accompanying all radio programmes.

I'm sure many of them regularly tune in to the traffic reports in the morning and evening rush hours to help with their journeys and catch up with the latest news: yeah, right!

[KeithS]

Thanks Vulcan42 and Playbill. You're right, the Beeb are doing it, at least on some stations. So I've written a snottygram to them asking them why they do it and if they've actually asked anyone if they want it. We'll see.

[vulcan42]

I wish you luck with your letter KeithS, please let us now if you get a reply.