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Have Cumulus CHRs gotten any better since Jan Jefferies left?

tall_guy1

tall_guy1

I remember a thread here in which many posters stated Cumulus CHRs sounded terrible and were not able to compete in the ratings. I notice at least KCHZ still struggles in the ratings in KC and is reliant on syndication and plays some dated rhythmic tracks not on competing pop stations in town. Are Cumulus pop stations better off now than during the Jefferies era?
Here is the thread from a decade ago: https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/cumulus-chrs-are-the-worst-ive-ever-heard.633068/
 
TheBigA said:
Listen to their stations in Houston and Atlanta, and tell me what you think.
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WWWQ's playlist is good. KRBE seems to mix in dated rhythmic tracks, though that particular market might like it. Yes, I know they test well, in before any explanation. In KC and some other markets (like Atlanta in this case), the winning CHRs do not mix in such tracks, but KIIS in LA does and has for years, so it fits each market.
 
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tall_guy1 said:
In KC and some other markets (like Atlanta in this case), the winning CHRs do not mix in such tracks, but KIIS in LA does and has for years, so it fits each market.
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KIIS isn't owned by Cumulus.

The main thing that changed after Jan Jeffries left was that the stations were encouraged to program to their markets.
 
TheBigA said:
KIIS isn't owned by Cumulus.

The main thing that changed after Jan Jeffries left was that the stations were encouraged to program to their markets.
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Yes I know, but I was kust commenting on how different markets respond to different tracks. That is a good thing, though I notice some (like KCHZ) still seem to be struggling.
 
TheBigA said:
KIIS isn't owned by Cumulus.

The main thing that changed after Jan Jeffries left was that the stations were encouraged to program to their markets.
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And Jan was only following the instructions of his company management in doing unified formats nationally. Remember, when he went in as PD in Roanoke he had one of the highest rated CHRs in the country with very "independent " decisions on the playlist.

Note: I hired Jan out of an evening shift on an MOR station in Mobile to do afternoons on WERC in Birmingham for Mooney Broadcasting where his ratings performance caught national attention.
 
TheBigA said:
Management as in the Dickeys. Once they were gone, things changed.
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Yes, I prefer not inviting that curse back by saying the name. I think that works with vampires, too.
 
KWQW in Des Moines launched two years ago. The playlist is honestly pretty good for what I know of Cumulus history with the format. Cutting edge tracks get added soon.

The main problem is that the ratings are in the basement and in 2 years they’ve added no other content to the station in terms of shows or personalities aside from The Burt Show and Elliot. They’ve both been on a year now. There is automated top 5 countdown twice a day on weekdays.

It competes against two other established mainstream CHR’s and two Hot AC outlets.

Now, I don’t know the core demo numbers but when I say the basement I mean that there are months the 12 plus are as low as .8 and once even .6. Compare that to the iHeart station that is in the 4-5 share range. Another competitor on a translator signal also regularly eclipses this stations ratings. I’ve never seen it higher in the last two years than a 1.9.

So, the music seems good for a Cumulus mainstream. It has just never really taken off as a station.

My belief is that over time circumstances will show the market wants more Rhythmic. They might be wise to eventually adjust in that direction while still maintaining a pop component. Maybe a Rhythmic CHR.

Or they might abandon it and go with a different audience.

I don’t believe there is room for 3 CHR stations here but we will see. If it makes money, who cares.
 
radiorobert said:
KWQW in Des Moines launched two years ago. The playlist is honestly pretty good for what I know of Cumulus history with the format. Cutting edge tracks get added soon.

The main problem is that the ratings are in the basement and in 2 years they’ve added no other content to the station in terms of shows or personalities aside from The Burt Show and Elliot. They’ve both been on a year now. There is automated top 5 countdown twice a day on weekdays.

It competes against two other established mainstream CHR’s and two Hot AC outlets.

Now, I don’t know the core demo numbers but when I say the basement I mean that there are months the 12 plus are as low as .8 and once even .6. Compare that to the iHeart station that is in the 4-5 share range. Another competitor on a translator signal also regularly eclipses this stations ratings. I’ve never seen it higher in the last two years than a 1.9.

So, the music seems good for a Cumulus mainstream. It has just never really taken off as a station.

My belief is that over time circumstances will show the market wants more Rhythmic. They might be wise to eventually adjust in that direction while still maintaining a pop component. Maybe a Rhythmic CHR.

Or they might abandon it and go with a different audience.

I don’t believe there is room for 3 CHR stations here but we will see. If it makes money, who cares.
Click to expand...
What kind of signal does this station have?
 
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