Morning Zoo

Being a guest on the morning show at D-FM was a preview at the future of radio in Maldives. This new privately-owned station is all digital and high tech, with lots of energy and variety. It reminded me of how much I enjoyed doing morning drive radio in Houston on Power 104, with Glenn Beck long before he became a TV talk show host. Bob and I talked with hosts Hassana and Sharih about the journalist training program, our impressions of Maldives, and even some exercise tips. The hosts spoke excellent English and Hassana has a degree in architecture. Sharih is the classic multitasker who produces all kinds of programming and audio effects. They even have an in-house composer to create custom themes for the shows. Compare that to VOM, where it has taken us six weeks to convince them to try a co-anchor format and use music that has been sitting on a shelf for two years.

After the morning show I was interviewed by the D-FM news department. They have received training from Australian broadcasters and will soon be getting APTV feeds as well. They take a pro-active approach to finding new "radio jocks" by running an American Idol type show called "Chasing RJs." It's amazing what you can do when you are not weighed down with decades of baggage as a government-run station. Our friends at VOM have to find a way to compete for listeners with D-FM and Capital Radio and both private broadcasters are planning extensive current affairs and election coverage.