Adebayor's started so well for Man City
Hangin' on the Telephone
Right, so you hear everyone talking on the radio about oo I dunno donating a kidney (I'm amazed at how many people only have one of 'em), and you think " Yes, I'd donate mine to a stranger and I want to say that on the radio to 2 million people".
So then you ring our number 0500 909693 (it's free by the way). Then what happens? Do you get put straight though on air, ready to "go live"? Do you think "I don't want to be put straight through, I need a bit more time to think about what I want to say"...Do you bottle it and when someone answers pretend you've dialled the wrong number? Do you do what some listeners do and say " I think x,y,z - but I don't want to go on air, could you just tell Victoria what I think?"
One of our lovely 'phone answerers will pick up the phone (listeners always seem to call them researchers, sadly we can't really afford researchers, that's just telly). Anyway they answer your call, ask you your name, where you're from, and broadly what your point is. At this stage because they're very busy and loads of people are trying to get through, they don't really need lots of details about what you want to say - just a quick summary. Then they pass all those details to our OUTPUT EDITOR. The output editor could be Louise (the big boss), Adrian, Nyta, Katie ..depending on the rota.
The output editor sits through some glass in a "cubicle" opposite me sitting in the studio. We often exchange loving glances and sometimes they tell me to shutup.
Anyway the OE then looks at the calls coming in and rings you back. It's all done automatically (or something), they don't actually sit there dialling individual numbers. They will then introduce themselves to you, check your details and ask if you still want to talk to me on air (we understand when people change their minds, or need to go to work, the loo etc). And not everyone can be called back simply because of the volume of calls.
Only THEN will you be "put through" to me, you'll hear the conversation going on between me and other listeners and finally you will hear me introduce you, and we can then chat.
By the way, I never underestimate what it takes for people to call up - some of our listeners share the most intimate things with us and I am very grateful for that.
Victoria
That's interesting although my experience has always been that the info will be forwarded for consideration and then only if they want to put you on air will they call you back.
Admittedly - I haven't phoned your show for a couple of years now so things may have changed!
Generally (and this is from phoning 606 and occassionally Anita or Nolan) you get the call back within 5 - 10 minutes if they want you on air. (And no call back if they don't!)
Re; todays phone in , enough with all the baby stuff i know you've just had one but by crikey is it boring to us, no kids, not now, not ever listeners.
If i have to listen to another parade of " my little Jeremy is a perfect little chap whose just done his PHD and he's only 2 " i think i'll tear the radio from my dashboard .
Rant over .
Hello
while I am a reguler listener to radio 5,(hgv driver)with the radio on most of the day,I find your programmes,both stimulating,and useful.
My only compaint though is this last week, someone has decided to have the sound of wind chimes on during the traffic reports.WHY?.I find this very annoying and distracting.You would not have background music on during a news broadcast.So why on a traffic report?
STOP IT
thank you.
Hi
WINDCHIMES - are you absolutley sure Barry?
Mick - please don't assume just because once I had a baby or two I keep suggesting to the production team "We must do more baby stuff on the radio" ! It gets on the radio usually because it's in the news and because there's evidence that people are talking about it.
Love Victoria
On your programme and on Radio Five live people talk about Asylum Seekers coming to live in the Uk this subject has been debated why dont we have a debate on Population growth in the world and it effect there many good website on this subject this is going to effect us all more people been born in this world what does religion say on this subject this dont want less people born they want more how are we going to feed the massive population in the world like land food water etc
thank you
James Meehan