Territorial Bloggings

Well, today there’s been a new salvo in the ongoing Issues, Etc. cancellation controversy. Namely a more fully-worded explanation from the Executive Director of the Board for Communication Services, David Strand (aka, the guy who pulled the trigger…)

An Updated Statement on “Issues, Etc.”

A more fully fleshed out response, written by someone with some knowledge of the inner workings of things within the Purple Politburo [props to Rev. Cwirla for that term...] can be found at the Save the LCMS! blog: Obfuscation!

My own take, at least initially, is that the folks who are calling what happened “understandable,” based on the data listed in Mr. Strand’s press release, are correct, but only to a point, and even then somewhat tenuously.

Primarily, the problem with this latest statement is that it takes into account none of the ‘viral’ marketing appeal (and success) of Issues, Etc.. Issues, Etc. didn’t gain its world-wide audience by folks listening to it in real time (either on the radio or on the web). No, Issues, Etc. made its mark via podcasting-enabled time-shifting. Folks around the world would listen to the archived shows. They would download them & listen to them on their computers, Ipods/MP3 players & burn them to CD for distribution to friends & family. I know I did.

Even in light of the ‘hard data’ of ratings books, the decision was based on 3+ year old data and a hunch that nothing significant had
changed in terms of real-time listenership. Funny, but there always seemed to be enough folks listening to call in & help fill the 3 hours
every day…

Anyway, this shows why the communication arm of the Synod is having trouble - they don’t seem to “get” what the new-media landscape is all about.

And this statement is still woefully, and shamefully, inadequate.

Too bad. If they really “got it” then maybe this would’ve been avoided, and Issues, Etc.’s faithful witness would still be ringing forth.

Btw, for what is pretty much the best continuing up-to-date coverage, commentary, & comments on this whole kerfuffle, be sure to subscribe to the Weedon’s Blog feed.

-ghp