WEDG Big Announcement

[tbolt909]

Just once I'd like to have the biggest critics on this board put up their record of massive success in the radio biz. Some people love to complain, but still haven't offered anything that has a track record of beating the existing formats. Shredd and Ragan going to 97-Rock is a good move for both the show and the station. It should freshen up both. What will happen on The Edge remains to be seen. It's likely to evolve in some way, which may be one reason Shredd and Ragan agreed to the move.

First of all, Bull did well until "the event" that was perpetrated by the existing staff, not the new guy. He got caught up in the fallout for not objecting, not for participating. Secondly, Shredd and Ragan ain't Bull & the "zoo" format of the former morning show. Their show is certainly a younger approach than the old show. As demographics move, it was time.

Since S & R have been around a long time, I would assume they are in their late 50s. How does that say "younger demos" to you?
Are they going to revamp their show or just keep plodding on the same worn groove they did at The Edge.?

This move is just Cumulus grasping for ideas after the Lederman fiasco(which by the way didn't seem to affect the ratings). It's not going to change the demos at all and probably hurts The Edge. That's a net loss...

 

[Lake Country Radio]

If Rich Ganzaler was around the same age as Shredd and Reagen, how does that attract a younger audience? Is WGRF going to change their format to alternative rock? If not then I dont see this younger audience.

 

[DN14224]

And it appears Val Townsend won't be doing mornings at the Edge.

Or anywhere else FTM.
This almost deserves its own thread, what with the additional dirty laundry aired. Hope Val does well with teaching.

 

[SirRoxalot]

If Rich Ganzaler was around the same age as Shredd and Reagen, how does that attract a younger audience? Is WGRF going to change their format to alternative rock? If not then I dont see this younger audience.

Since S & R have been around a long time, I would assume they are in their late 50s. How does that say "younger demos" to you?
Are they going to revamp their show or just keep plodding on the same worn groove they did at The Edge.?

This move is just Cumulus grasping for ideas after the Lederman fiasco(which by the way didn't seem to affect the ratings). It's not going to change the demos at all and probably hurts The Edge. That's a net loss...

So both of you are saying you really don't know how old Shredd and Ragan are, and don't know if 97-Rock is going to do anything with their music mix. And you have no idea what's going to happen at The Edge.

Seems to me like you just like to complain about radio stations that have a much better record of success than anything you've espoused in past posts. Perhaps you should spend more time listening and less time blathering so you can offer something of value to the conversation. You still haven't proposed anything that has any kind of track record of success.

 

[tbolt909]

So both of you are saying you really don't know how old Shredd and Ragan are, and don't know if 97-Rock is going to do anything with their music mix. And you have no idea what's going to happen at The Edge.

Seems to me like you just like to complain about radio stations that have a much better record of success than anything you've espoused in past posts. Perhaps you should spend more time listening and less time blathering so you can offer something of value to the conversation. You still haven't proposed anything that has any kind of track record of success.

What did this last post of yours contribute? You didn't answer any of the questions. Who are you to decide what posts have value in this forum?

97 Rock has had success even though many people think it sucks and is bad Radio. McDonald's and Subway Sandwiches have been successful, but both have closed many locations. You THINK moving S & R to 97 Rock is a good idea. I don't think it will change the demos at all. Moving the same content to a different location doesn't work. See results of the failed WBEN simulcast on 107.7...

 

[SirRoxalot]

What did this last post of yours contribute? You didn't answer any of the questions. Who are you to decide what posts have value in this forum?

97 Rock has had success even though many people think it sucks and is bad Radio. McDonald's and Subway Sandwiches have been successful, but both have closed many locations. You THINK moving S & R to 97 Rock is a good idea. I don't think it will change the demos at all. Moving the same content to a different location doesn't work. See results of the failed WBEN simulcast on 107.7...

I least I admit what I don't know. You have opinions that fly in the face of quantifiable information. And you have yet to answer one simple question: What format with a quantifiable track record of success would you put on a major Buffalo radio station that would outperform what's already there, particularly in revenue (which is the name of the game) and/or bring in a younger demographic?

 

[Lake Country Radio]

I least I admit what I don't know. You have opinions that fly in the face of quantifiable information. And you have yet to answer one simple question: What format with a quantifiable track record of success would you put on a major Buffalo radio station that would outperform what's already there, particularly in revenue (which is the name of the game) and/or bring in a younger demographic?

How about not recycling the same ideas and radio talent. How about something fresh and creative? The format change on 107.7 and putting S & R on the mornings at WGRF seems really cutting edge doesn't it? Or is mediocrity a thing in this area?

 

[tbolt909]

I least I admit what I don't know. You have opinions that fly in the face of quantifiable information. And you have yet to answer one simple question: What format with a quantifiable track record of success would you put on a major Buffalo radio station that would outperform what's already there, particularly in revenue (which is the name of the game) and/or bring in a younger demographic?

Since this thread is about Cumulus moving Shred & Regan to 97 Rock, start there. Would they have made this move if they had not terminated the 97 Rock morning show? Was this move in the works anyway? It's a valid question because what does it accomplish? It's unrealistic to think it will generate more revenue or higher ratings. Yeah, I'm guessing that S & R are in their late 50s. That's probably close.

As for other stations, it's hard to establish "quantifiable success" when no attempt is made. WBUF will get nowhere with their rehash of Classic Rock and lame morning show. The ratings are worse than JACK.

Revenue is a function of a competent sales staff. Many formats all over have had respectable ratings, but fail due to the sales department. Salesmen tend to want "Cookie Cutter" formats so they don't have to explain it to potential clients...

 

[Oldbloodandguts]

Tom Ragan was afternoons on an AM station (WGR) years ago and did very well. Pairing him with Shredd (younger, hipper) was risky but the ratings were excellent on 103.3. My son (32 now) loves listening to Shredd & Ragan and has for many years. He will switch to WGRF.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

I think I made it clear in #27 that the Edge will NOT be changing formats. So save the "Talk Radio" fantasy for somewhere else.

Well....... she only commented on COUNTRY and ultimately, it's not her decision. She has input AND invested interest as she is valuable to the company however.....
format change is still a possibility.

Can really make " entercomm" nervous
a hybrid between wkse snd wtss ?
oh wait, audacity has s monopoly on that and may have a knee jerk decision they normally wouldn't want to make :
kiss & Star unchallenged is the way this market wants it.... if they flip to
wild 103 ( a nod to their attempt several years ago ), okay many moons ago,
they can force the competition's hand as well as make wblk annoyed

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

Tom Ragan was afternoons on an AM station (WGR) years ago and did very well. Pairing him with Shredd (younger, hipper) was risky but the ratings were excellent on 103.3. My son (32 now) loves listening to Shredd & Ragan and has for many years. He will switch to WGRF.

Probably the most honest answer on here

 

[SirRoxalot]

How about not recycling the same ideas and radio talent. How about something fresh and creative? The format change on 107.7 and putting S & R on the mornings at WGRF seems really cutting edge doesn't it? Or is mediocrity a thing in this area?

So, let's hear your "fresh and creative" idea. Got one that has any track record of success?

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

Buffalo bills football aired on 97 rock and 103.3 the Edge. The coverage map is identical and the listeners were all aware of the duplicate coverage. So why they do it ?

97 rock sells Seneca gas &;smoke shop
103 sells the buffalo area owned smoke shops

What if ..... the Shredd and Ragan show is simply MOVED to 97 rock as the flagship station:
The SnRadio Experience powered by 97 rock - and is simulcasted on 103.3 for ad revenue
- and we find out the S and R brand is also signing on in PA. the same station Bently does a side hustle.

97 rock just got a new phone number.
Surely, in 2021, this can be done so easily
.... and don't call me Shirley

 

[b-turner]

You don't know radio salespeople. We could care less about the format cookie-cutter or not. We love to talk about how great and unique the station is. The advertising agency typically has blinders on. I worked a station that bridged county and adult contemporary during the Urban Cowboy craze in the early 1980s. I had ad agencies refuse buys because they didn't 'get' the format. Where we were the blend worked just fine but in their minds at the ad agencies it was like mixing Mozart and AC/DC. I lost a Miller Beer contract because their research showed they did well with country music but not adult contemporary and since my station had a mix they felt buying a 100% country as better than buying us. We actually had more listeners in their key demo than the country station. (we were stuff like Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Eagles, etc.)

Ratings are everything. I couldn't even get 'token' buys from friends I knew for several years because their orders were to buy based on ratings and demographic. #5 in a prime demo when they're only buying 3 deep equals zero dollars. Get as creative as you want but you aren't getting the buy. Now, if you're on the list, there's nothing you have to do unless you want to shine above and beyond your other competitors that are getting the buy as well.

Not making the sale is rarely programming or air talent oriented. Generally clients want a certain listener and you have them or not. In direct buys, it can make a difference if the salesperson allows. I don't like to do that because I'd rather sell the attributes of the audience versus letting somebody's opinion of the music and air talent determine if they'll buy. Trust me you can lose sales in local direct because the buyer doesn't like the music or some air personality rubs them the wrong way.

I can't say it's always the sales department at fault. It likely starts at the top. Not only is a good salesperson very hard to find, but for some reason I've never worked for a station that couldn't sell. I have seen sales staffs so slim they left many stones unturned because there were just not enough hours in a day. I can't say programming has ever been an issue in selling as a general problem (other that some opinionated business owner that lets their opinion rule over their better judgment).

 

[SirRoxalot]

Since this thread is about Cumulus moving Shred & Regan to 97 Rock, start there. Would they have made this move if they had not terminated the 97 Rock morning show? Was this move in the works anyway? It's a valid question because what does it accomplish? It's unrealistic to think it will generate more revenue or higher ratings. Yeah, I'm guessing that S & R are in their late 50s. That's probably close.

As for other stations, it's hard to establish "quantifiable success" when no attempt is made. WBUF will get nowhere with their rehash of Classic Rock and lame morning show. The ratings are worse than JACK.

Revenue is a function of a competent sales staff. Many formats all over have had respectable ratings, but fail due to the sales department. Salesmen tend to want "Cookie Cutter" formats so they don't have to explain it to potential clients...

97-Rock is already a perennial Top 5 station. That's pretty successful. If moving Shredd and Ragan expands the audience in a more valuable demographic then it could accomplish a lot for the revenue of the station.

You still haven't answered what format you'd put on the air that would revolutionize Buffalo radio ratings and revenue. If you want revenue, you need to "own" a desirable demographic. What have you got that will make that happen, and what demographic?

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

97-Rock is already a perennial Top 5 station. That's pretty successful. If moving Shredd and Ragan expands the audience in a more valuable demographic then it could accomplish a lot for the revenue of the station.

You still haven't answered what format you'd put on the air that would revolutionize Buffalo radio ratings and revenue. If you want revenue, you need to "own" a desirable demographic. What have you got that will make that happen, and what demographic?

SiRox:
What about a station that is the opposite of JACK FM --- an all request hour generally does well organically
why not pitch that 24 / 7

When WEDG would Celebrate the
OMG, we're playing that STUFF it always had positive vibes....

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

Is this market ready for
Q103 / PRIDE and PROUD Radio ???

 

[AceBiscuits]

A lot of silliness being thrown out here by the usual suspects.

Moving the same content to a different location doesn't work. See results of the failed WBEN simulcast on 107.7...

That's an apples and oranges comparison. A simulcast != moving a show from one station to the other. You're grasping at straws here.

How about not recycling the same ideas and radio talent. How about something fresh and creative? The format change on 107.7 and putting S & R on the mornings at WGRF seems really cutting edge doesn't it? Or is mediocrity a thing in this area?

Are shows not allowed to be successful in the long term? If the show has a dedicated following, strong listener and advertiser support, and most importantly gets ratings, why do you need cutting edge?

If Rich Ganzaler was around the same age as Shredd and Reagen, how does that attract a younger audience?

You THINK moving S & R to 97 Rock is a good idea. I don't think it will change the demos at all.

Ask yourself this: what demographic did S&R pull at WEDG? Now, I think it's safe to say a vast majority of their audience will move to WGRF, supplementing the existing demographic.

They have been at WEDG for a lot of their demographic to age out of the newer alt that gets played on WEDG. If WGRF leans more into playing more 90's rock (i.e. Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, etc.), I think that will appease both audiences. It's also a logical progression for classic rock stations to do.

Let's also remind ourselves of a trend that gold-based formats like classic rock do attract younger listeners (in this case, male 18-24), so I wouldn't get to ahead of ourselves with "nothing will change" as either there will be some positive or negative change.

97 Rock has had success even though many people think it sucks and is bad Radio.

Clearly everyone else disagrees with your latter point. The listening public does not care about what radio nerds and forum people think.

Now, with all that said: Generally curious what will happen musically at both stations. I do believe there will be some tweaks to add more of the aforementioned 90's rock to GRF, but it will be interesting to see how the two stations are counterprogrammed.

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

You don't know radio salespeople. We could care less about the format cookie-cutter or not. We love to talk about how great and unique the station is. The advertising agency typically has blinders on. I worked a station that bridged county and adult contemporary during the Urban Cowboy craze in the early 1980s. I had ad agencies refuse buys because they didn't 'get' the format. Where we were the blend worked just fine but in their minds at the ad agencies it was like mixing Mozart and AC/DC. I lost a Miller Beer contract because their research showed they did well with country music but not adult contemporary and since my station had a mix they felt buying a 100% country as better than buying us. We actually had more listeners in their key demo than the country station. (we were stuff like Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Eagles, etc.)

Ratings are everything. I couldn't even get 'token' buys from friends I knew for several years because their orders were to buy based on ratings and demographic. #5 in a prime demo when they're only buying 3 deep equals zero dollars. Get as creative as you want but you aren't getting the buy. Now, if you're on the list, there's nothing you have to do unless you want to shine above and beyond your other competitors that are getting the buy as well.

Not making the sale is rarely programming or air talent oriented. Generally clients want a certain listener and you have them or not. In direct buys, it can make a difference if the salesperson allows. I don't like to do that because I'd rather sell the attributes of the audience versus letting somebody's opinion of the music and air talent determine if they'll buy. Trust me you can lose sales in local direct because the buyer doesn't like the music or some air personality rubs them the wrong way.

I can't say it's always the sales department at fault. It likely starts at the top. Not only is a good salesperson very hard to find, but for some reason I've never worked for a station that couldn't sell. I have seen sales staffs so slim they left many stones unturned because there were just not enough hours in a day. I can't say programming has ever been an issue in selling as a general problem (other that some opinionated business owner that lets their opinion rule over their better judgment).

thank you for the insight

 

[Radio-Bored-Op]

take the Jeopardy approach
guest hosts.... until the new year !!