Comments for Riviera Radio in poor taste? at http://www.rivierareporter.com , comment 1 to 65 out of 20 comments http://www.rivierareporter.com Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:51:40 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-689 I used to work in BBC Radio. I think the only reason RR repeats the songs so much is because they do not have a very sophisticated piece of software selecting the songs, nor a very large or often updated playlist to select from by the sounds of it. I do find the music incredibly dull, but certainly better than when I arrived 10 years ago when all I remember is music from the 50s. I think RR does provide a good community radio station, it talks about what is on, it talks about local news, it has local jobs, and local advertisers. Hank Potts is excellent, Rob and Pete are entertaining, Elizabeth I find dull but I am glad there is a female voice on the Radio. I could live without the smuttiness at ANY time..personally I think it cheapens the station's image. Considering the audience RR has to try to please, and the budget it probably has, I think it does a good job. - MG Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:53:58 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-688 GrahamD, I'm not sure where you get your facts but I don't think they're accurate. Even Morris wouldn't have paid $15m for that station (they are professional radio people, after all). The most credible rumour is that they paid a little less than $5m but the truth is that no one except them (and the previous owner, Per Mortensen) really knows. This story is getting old now (look at the dates of the posts) and heads did not roll at the time it surfaced, Christians or not Christians. Some listeners claim to have written to Morris in Augusta Georgia where they are based so it is likely that the Morris family was indeed aware of these allegations of sleazy language. As for competition, that is technically unlikely. Riviera Radio is unique in that they can cover much of the Riviera with only 2 frequencies thanks to a very powerful transmitter which they lease. The frequencies are owned and licenced from Monaco, not France. France has a habit and tradition of not licencing foreign language stations so it is unlikely that competition will come along any time soon. It's been tried many times but France has always refused licencing of an English-language station here. The nearest Riviera Radio has to competition is Radio International which broadcasts from Italy. RI's content seems to suit many people but the big problem is the station's frequency footprint. In most areas on the French side of the border it can't be heard at all well. Riviera Radio beats them hands down on that even though there are a few holes in their footprint also. While driving, Riviera Radio usually stays tuned in but Radio International often fades in and out along the coast and disappears completely in many areas. Some places have local French stations on the RI frequencies so these are heard instead. Places like Menton, much closer to Italy, receive Radio International just fine. Content-wise, Radio International could give Riviera Radio some much-needed competition. But the footprint problem would have to be solved first. By the way, the name of the station is Riviera Radio, not "Riviera FM". - Mike Meade Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:13:11 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-687 Morris Communications paid over $15 million to purchase this station several years ago. The owner of the Morris Communications is a Christian and if he had been personally made aware of this sort of content, heads would most certainly 'roll'. Riviera FM have had no real competition to their English language service for far too long - time for a professional competitor to enter the market ..... - GrahamD Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:14:14 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-487 "Elizabeth speaks perfect french." The French who I know find her ludicrous over-pronunciation more cringworthy than Allo Allo. I find the incessant giggling way out of proportion to the actual humour of the comments. The station is little more than a comfort blanket for homesick expats in my view. - neville.scott Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:11:04 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-447 What a bunch of whingers. You'd think there wasn't a frequency knob on your radios. - PammyK Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:25:14 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-446 I have just read, with much amusement, all the correspondence concerning Riviera Radio, Elizabeth Lewis and semen. I cannot comment directly on that topic, as I did not witness her 'emission'. However, I feel I must defend Riviera Radio, they do provide a valuable service, maybe not to their listeners, but certainly to the stars of yesteryear by providing them with a regular royalties income in their twilight years. Consider, for example, how much The Eagles could earn, the playing of 'Hotel California' four times a day, seven days a week must generate a sizeable income, enough surely to allow these, and their like, the comparative luxury of seeing out their time in Private Nursing Homes, rather than suffering the undignified fate that awaits them if they were laid bare at the hands of Social Services, with the likelihood of spending their last days in the company of thirty or so other unfortunate souls, huddled together in an oversized 'Anglian Windows' UPVC conservatory sitting in the clammy discomfort of their own urine soaked underwear! For this charitable contribution to the welfare of the stars of a bygone age, Riviera Radio must be applauded. Finally, and assuming that the RR management do take note of their listeners wishes, a request to the 'home of the classic hit'. I am an avid fan of music from the 1970’s, but the numerous hits from one of my (and many others) favorite artists of this era seem to have been overlooked, could you please, please, please play some Gary Glitter records. - benj123@hotmail.com Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:25:46 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-444 Thanks Mike, I'm next in Cannes in Feb and will give it a try. Thanks for taking the time to respond. - Keith Balson Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:35:33 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-423 @Fergus: I'm no technician but I do know one person with similarly bad reception and he clipped a 6 foot long piece of electric cord to the antenna of his radio and got a lot better reception after that. - Mike Meade Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:01:00 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-422 I'd love to comment on RadioRiviera and join in the debate but find the reception poor. I have an appt in Cannes and have tried 2 different Grundig units but both are the same, also there is no FM aerial in the block. What do the contributors use that I might consider? - Fergus Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:07:12 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-409 Harry : Monopolies are unhealthy except for themselves, and then that is usually only in the short term. Riviera Radio is living proof of that. - MikeP Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:07:42 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-408 I think that Mick Long is too critical. I like Rob in the morning and some of the shows are mostly music so there isn't anything to crticise (unless you don't like the music). It's the only way I can get BBC News in the car. That makes it an OK radio station for me. Anyway it can't "the worst radio around" because it is the ONLY radio and it gets plenty of advertising so why should they change anything? They have a monopoly. - Harry Prince Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:23:57 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-407 The best thing to do with this radio show is sack all the presenters, this is the worst radio station around, sack the presneters, sack the management and employ professional people from the industry. Listen to any British local radio and you can hear the difference in thir professional aproach. Rivera Radio is a sham run by idiots - Mick Long Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:03:22 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-403 "I think if you read this again, you will agree that as well as being personally offensive and factually inaccurate [the words] are an attempt to defame Ms Lewis' character. " I can't speak for others, but my comments are not an attempt to defame Ms. Lewis' character, something of which I habe no knowledge. Her public persona is another matter and I maintain my opinions about her radio personality and presentation skills (or lack of ...) but this is only an opinion, although it does seems to be on shared by others. "I would hope Ms Lewis does not read these comments.." I couldn't care less whether she reads them or not, I'd gladly make them to her face given the opportunity, but I would certainly like to think that her management do and that they would consider the opinions of their listeners (or ex-listeners in my case!) However as RR's Managing Director has not deigned to reply to an email from me on another (but related) matter, nor has he returned my 'phone calls, I suspect that they do not care to even observe the basic courtesy of responding. - MikeP Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:27:53 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-402 With all due respect Sylvie, what makes "items of interest" is very subjective and a matter of personal taste. Judging by the length and number of comments, this subject interests quite a few people. You may prefer other subjects (I believe you can start one yourself according to the home page). - Walgren Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:13:09 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-401 To the Administration team I'm sure you mean well, but editing the offensive sentence out of 'paulyP''s comment, but leaving them in my comment in which I was obliged quote the offensive part in order to draw your attention to it, is rather illogical. Please delete as much of my comment as you wish in order to delete my quotes of his words, or there really isn't much point in removing it from his entry. The comment that started all this was made almost a year ago, I see. Surely you have items of more interest to run? - Sylvie Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:00:02 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-400 Riviera radio isn't wonderful but it's not as bad as some people say it is around here. If you don't like it, just shut up and listen to something else! - Elgan Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:35:12 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-399 The terms and conditions of this site make it clear that those who post here do so on their own responsibility. That being said, factual inaccuracies (as opposed to opinion) are NOT acceptable, especially if they denigrate the person concerned. We've therefore removed the offensive part of paulyp's comment referred to, as it had escaped our vigilance and as it made a claim which apparently is untrue. On the question of legality, French law (which governs this site) allows for factual rectification (known as "droit de réponse"). Only if this is refused can charges be brought. Because of similar excesses, this topic was once closed to comments and has since been reopened. We had hoped for less extreme views. We will again close comments to this topic if posters cannot be more reasonable. In the meantime, Ms Lewis or Riviera Radio are welcome to post their "droit de réponse" if they so wish. - Website Administrator Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:13:02 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-398 I too have just read these comments and am very surprised that the people who are in charge of this web site have allowed some of these comments to be posted. I think they should check with their legal department, as surely it is defamation of character for someone to write unsubstantiated hearsay which directly slurrs another person's character? I am referring to the comments of 'paulyp' [precise reference removed by Admin]. I think if you read this again, you will agree that as well as being personally offensive and factually inaccurate [the words] are an attempt to defame Ms Lewis' character. I would hope Ms Lewis does not read these comments, as I would presume she is too busy doing her job, but if she or anyone from Riviera Radio does read them, then they might well decide to start legal proceedings, as there is a line that has been crossed. It would seem to me that the best course of action for Riviera Reporter's administration at this point would be to replace this correspondance with something far more worhwhile; rather than to leave it open, inviting comments from people such as 'paulyp', who clearly have no concept of what is acceptable to say about another individual when what you say is in the public domain. I doubt whether even Mr Mike Preston would think it was acceptable for those posting comments to slurr Ms Lewis' character as 'paulyp' has done. Surely it is time to move on and close this down. Sadly the internet era in which we live offers a myriad of opportunities to those intent on circulating abusive material; please don't allow your website to become a forum for such people. - Sylvie Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:02:54 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-396 I have just read all the comments here and must admit to being absolutely amazed at the nastiness of many of them. I understand why one might object to inappropriate language at certain times of day, but the manner in which the minority of people on this site have put nasty personal comments about Elizabeth Lewis is really disturbing. She is even attacked for the standard of her French, which for a non bilingual English speaker is excellent; anyone who can't hear that must have never heard the average anglophone speak French; and one Australian attacks her for her 'type of English accent'!!! I have to say I find this really disturbing. Someone has even said she couldn't get a job years ago on air, which is simply not true, as well as really unpleasant. I remember listening to her in French on Kiss FM, based in the south of France, for several years; and I'm sure she was on TV too, on MCM presenting videos. I would like to ask people to keep their comments to issues, rather than posting spiteful nastiness of a personal nature. - Josephine Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:09:44 +0100 http://www.rivierareporter.com/content/view/824/132/#comment-391 [Comment edited] But RR does seem to have quite a few listeners. How to explain that? - Walgren Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:59:32 +0100