Editorial: Mixed results at the Hit-Mix

By: The Editorial Board

Posted: 4/12/05

With the initial uproar from the decision to change WEIU radio to the Hit-Mix silenced, the change has shown some positive aspects.

Those who were upset about the change to the Hit-Mix seemed to be mainly angered about the format that would be initiated.

Instead of having a relaxed format that allowed for creativity, including more student interaction for both the employees of the radio station and the listeners, fears were that this would be more of a robotic radio station.

Today, the Hit-Mix is a stricter format that doesn't give the student employees as much of an opportunity to make the shows their own, but the format has allowed for a more professional environment that has paid dividends with listeners.

The largest benefit of the show is that the more professional format is better for the student workers to get jobs. Something that should come first at a college.

But even though the Hit-Mix has found more of a listening base with the new format that extends to more people in town as well as students, there should be a little more effort to involve the university's students.

Now would be the perfect time to do this considering it is finding some of the success it wanted with the format change, which should allow for some flexibility to what it is currently providing.

As of right now, it is apparent the new station hasn't disregarded its student listening base by providing baseball, basketball and football games over the air; however, more focus would be beneficial.

"Issues and attitudes," is a show Mondays at noon, which discusses local issues. A show similar to this, that would focus on student issues with students debating them, would be a quality addition.

More focused shows during the week, similar to some of the Sunday lineup such as "80s @ 8" or "Illinoise Local Bands," would also be beneficial.

Shows such as these would also allow the DJ's personality to come out more in their shows and the music they play. This is a staple of college radio.

Certainly what has been provided by the Hit-Mix has squelched some of the cries that the change was going to be a negative when the switch first occurred.

Since then, a strong basis for a radio station has been provided, but a little more tweaking could provide some interesting new facets to the station.

The editorial is the majority opinion of The Daily Eastern News editorial board.