Asia Radio Today profiles The Morning Showgram on EFM, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular stations. We spoke to hosts Mark and Gem to find out what makes the show so special.
1) Describe your show and how it is different from other morning shows in Sri Lanka?
Mark: The show happens weekdays between 7-10am. It’s branded as The Morning Showgram. We have FUN! We laugh a lot off air, and I think that sense of fun automatically transfers when we switch on the mic! Other shows in the market are very static and generic, the Showgram is interactive and our audience is always a part of the show. The communication between our listeners and us is leaps and bounds ahead of the pack!
Gem: We start an hour later than other shows, and that way listeners get to hear the BAD before the GOOD!!! (Just kidding.)
One of the key objectives of all the talk segments on the show, is to provide the listener with as much local content as possible, so as to be current, and informed. Therefore, we always ensure we are sharing relevant and engaging storys.
2) What do you think is best about your on-air relationship?
Mark: The fact that our personalities tally. He brings out the best in me and I like to think I do the same for him but the jury is out on that one! I am over-powering on air and not too many co-hosts have been able to deal with my bluntness over the years. But Gem has not only has he put up with it, he has done everything in his power to assist with the abuse.
Gem: We share the same humour, and we would be the first to exploit an opportunity to have a laugh, even if it is at the expense of each other. The one thing that I find extremely useful is the way Mark will come in with the lighter side to a story that I have shared, that would under normal circumstances, either put the listener to sleep, or would start a riot. He cushions the impact of some of my talk segments. Which is quite a relief!
3) How has the relationship developed? Have you always worked well together?
Mark: I first met Gem in 2000 when both of us had applied for training at EFM, and a few months in Gem decided to pursue his higher education while I continued in radio. Seven years on, I became the Programme Director and Gem empowered himself with a degree in recording arts.
But fate decided that we would cross paths again and eventually host the show together too. Yes I believe we work well together!
(Ed – Gem’s answer was very similar so we left it out for brevity)
4. How do you guys feel about prank calls in light of the royal prank call which saw a nurse commit suicide?
Mark: The royal prank boiled down to bad management, sad as it was. Stations should have a standard operating procedure(S.O.P) in place to ensure that the pranks are approved before airing them. I sincerely hope that other media companies learn from the mistakes of others and put systems in place to not only safeguard the prankee but to keep the on air talent and the brand safe!
Having said all this, one of our main and most popular features is the prank call on EFM during the Showgram so I think pranks do most certainly work provided the mechanics are in place to avoid any unsavoury situation.
Gem: Even before this unfortunate incident took place, we had a couple of scares of our own, with some irate prankees, which prompted us to put an SOP in place for making prank calls. A lesson we learnt, was that making prank calls, without a person being nominated for one, exposes the organisation and the station to unforeseen consequences, such as what transpired in Australia.
That’s why we insist that the prank calls are only made on request by listeners and that we ensure, the prankee consents to us airing the prank call, beforehand. This is how we keep it safe.
5) How is EFM reaching out to younger audiences who it is said aren’t engaging with radio in the same way because of social media and mobile?
Mark: We have over 70,000 fans on Facebook and thousands of ‘followers’ on Twitter, so I think it’s safe to say that we are in touch with our younger demographic by way of social media. Playing the Hot AC/ Top 40 format at certain day parts also helps in attracting those younger listeners.
I have also noticed that kids take control of the radio when they are in the car so their parents have no choice but to listen!
But the main point when it comes to our younger listeners…play what they want to hear!!!
Gem: From the time I started working in radio, one of the greatest challenges I faced was skewing my on air persona, to relate with the target audience which is more adult.
But at the same time, we do try to keep our show light, we do kooky impersonations etc… So yes a healthy dose of entertainment helps attract the young ones to the show. Striking that balance was very difficult at first though.