Houston Audacy Cuts

[Kent]

RAMP is reporting Frito and Katy were among the casualties in Audacy’s cuts today, and a quick check of The Bull’s website shows the morning show is missing.

RAMP

RAMP has learned that Audacy has begun another round of downsizing... Among the missing: the Frito & Katy morning show on Country KILT-FM (100.3 The Bull)/Houston. If you or a colleague were...

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[TheBigA]

There were high hopes for this trio when they arrived 15 months ago:

Frito and Katy take KILT-FM Mornings!

After announcing their departure from KCYY "Y-100" San Antonio just yesterday, today we learn that Frito and Katy will assume AM Drive at "The Bull" this Friday.

radiodiscussions.com

 

[Mediafrog+]

It’s unfortunate that Houston’s two Country stations aren’t co-owned. There could be differentiation between the two, perhaps with one leaning currents while the other leans gold. I’m thinking of the Cumulus KSCS/KPLX combo in DFW or iHeart’s KASE/KVET-FM in Austin.

The Bull isn’t going anywhere as there is plenty of room for two Country stations in Houston. We’d likely still have Country Legends as a third option if the forced divestiture hadn’t been necessary.

 

[TheBigA]

It’s unfortunate that Houston’s two Country stations aren’t co-owned. There could be differentiation between the two

The listeners clearly believe there's a differentiation between the two. If there wasn't, the ratings would be closer. Audacy could choose to go the KPLX route with KILT. They don't because they need a currents-based country station in market #5.

 

[Mediafrog+]

The listeners clearly believe there's a differentiation between the two. If there wasn't, the ratings would be closer.

That’s a good point, but is it because of the music, or the personalities and presentation?

Would be interesting to compare both station’s playlists to determine how much musical commonality there is.

 

[TheBigA]

That’s a good point, but is it because of the music, or the personalities and presentation?

Probably both. But apparently KILT feels the morning show was a big part of the problem.

Would be interesting to compare both station’s playlists to determine how much musical commonality there is.

What stands out to me is that KKBQ plays more new releases. This week, they added 5 new songs, while KILT just added one.

KKBQ plays its heavies about 50 times a week, while KILT plays its heavies 70 times a week.

They each play three currents an hour. KILT's gold goes back to the 90s, while KKBQ stops at 2005.

As far as "commonality," the hits are the hits. Any currents-based station will play the Top 20.

 

[Kent]

Probably both. But apparently KILT feels the morning show was a big part of the problem.

While I can't see the breakouts, KILT would appear to have been up, albeit slightly, since January of last year. I doubt Frito and Katy went to Houston for the same pay they were getting in San Antonio, and I'd guess Audacy decided the gains were too slight to justify the added cost.

KILT has been the second country station for the last 20 years or so after being a market leader for most of the 80's and 90's. It has made multiple adjustments since and not recovered much position.

 

[TheBigA]

KILT has been the second country station for the last 20 years or so after being a market leader for most of the 80's and 90's.

A big part of that success was their heritage morning show.

 

[tb_]

That’s a good point, but is it because of the music, or the personalities and presentation?

IMO, KKBQ has better personalities (especially now that they’re more than just liner card readers) while KILT has substantially better music. KILT has a great afternoon guy in Nick Russo, but otherwise, their tracked day parts lack personality and their now-gone morning show was so painful to listen to, I end up flipping to KRBE… where at least I know what I’m getting and they sound like they don’t hate their jobs.

I am a mid-30’s guy that lives in the outer suburbs, so sort of in the target demo.