Wouldn't it be more productive to listen to the area weather synopsis
(or other topical information) while you're waiting?

No.

The area being read to me by a machine is probably not the one I'm
interested in, I'm going to get the same information in a moment (or
spend an equal amount of time saying "no thanks, the ancient recording
is sufficient, no need to give me the area forecast for {insert list of
areas}, and more than likely, if I'm on hold, I want to put the call on
speakerphone so I can be productive by doing what =I= want to do, rather
than what a machine is telling me to listen to.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.