100.3 is on NOW you can bitch

[MurvleJumpUp]

OK now that they are actually on..what do you think?

 

[Elkhosen]

Sounds pretty good for the first few hours! A few glitches to work out, equipment to learn, etc. But you have 2 seasoned guys on the air (Ed & Bob). They'll get it and get it soon. So far, no real topics discussed on-air other than "we're new", etc.

 

[gr8oldies]

So far so good. Ed and Bob sound comfortable and at home, and they are trying to sound "home town" (which may explain why there isn't a national imaging voice). They did talk about how the new incarnation came about. I think they will do well.

 

[tennessee steel]

Are they streaming?

 

[BillBattle]

Ed and Bob feel real comfortable with each other.

 

[boogiecheck]

I bought a radio for my office so I can listen to them. First radio I've purchased in decades.

I think they're doing great! Wamp, Campfield, Boortz, Burchett and Haslam all in the first two hours of the first show? Clearly, the one to listen to.

 

[MurvleJumpUp]

Question..did any of you ever hear HHH mention The Village Barn or Mad Jack?

 

[boogiecheck]

Question..did any of you ever hear HHH mention The Village Barn or Mad Jack?

Nope. But then again have you ever heard HHH mention anything that wasn't HHH related?

 

[Dances With Wolves]

Question..did any of you ever hear HHH mention The Village Barn or Mad Jack?

Why would he? Unless he was doing a "Where Were You In The 1970's" flashback...

Oh, and it sounds like Bob 'N Ed will dominate the "64-to-Dead" demographic.

 

[MurvleJumpUp]

Dances...sounds like you are hitting for the other team. Real reason HHH would not mention them is because he was not around here when they were. As for the 64 to dead...guess what I am YOUNGER than 64 bless my heart.

The way to win in talk radio (a new book by late Joe Pine) starts with the commandment thou shalt relate to those who listen.

Does HHH?
If so then he shall win and Ed and Bob shall be sent back to the showers.

Again and I have said this so much I just about puke a tad in my mouth when I do...I have nothing against HHH..I just thing he is a bit of a bore and spends much too much time talking about HHH and not the topic. Once again..unlike myself HHH has a job and is making a stand alone living in radio, again something all of us who snipe from the bleachers should never forget. If we are so smart then why are we not where HHH is? STILL because most of us are now listeners we have that inherent right to snipe! I do believe if HHH is going to stay top dog he is going to have to curb the ego and step up his "local" game, but then again that is just my opinion.
Big question is what do YOU THINK?

 

[knoxside]

I'm all for the local guys doing well, but they're going to have to do much better than they did this morning if they hope to win. Not everyone that lives here was around during the old days. Many of us could care less about The Village Barn or Mad Jack much less that these two "used to be" radio legends. I can hear that Ed 'n Bob are comfortable and that works in their favor, but the ratings battle they're fighting is now not 20 years ago. They'll need to sharpen the delivery and the content to win back former 100.3 listeners or gain new ears.

All that being said, I hope they win.

 

[jetfli]

I'm all for the local guys doing well, but they're going to have to do much better than they did this morning if they hope to win.

The winning won't be the guys with the best show, the best sweepers, the best content, or the best signal. The winner will be the guys with the best billing.

 

[knoxside]

The winning won't be the guys with the best show, the best sweepers, the best content, or the best signal. The winner will be the guys with the best billing.

I agree! A radio station can outperform ratings in billing. Still... with two talk stations out there going head-to-head, ratings are going to be important in establishing credibility.

 

[jetfli]

I agree! A radio station can outperform ratings in billing. Still... with two talk stations out there going head-to-head, ratings are going to be important in establishing credibility.

Of course, of course. But don't forget, billing depends on selling, and selling in radio depends of a mix of four things: ratings, relationships, format, and cluster/network selling. One new station may pull ratings, but it can be out-billed because the customer knows the sales people, prefers the format, or gets a cluster buy at another station. Citadel can offer a tandem buy on WIVK (which has the all-important Vol Network), WOKI, and the Animal stations. Covering popular Country, Talk, and Sports stations with one buy isn't bad, even if the talk station doesn't remain the top talk station. Plus, if you want more than just the Knoxville market, you can go statewide with Citadel, or nationally between Citadel and ABC Radio.

Still, this is a unique scenario — popular talk station moves to smaller-signaled frequency while a new talk station with some familiar names in the market takes over the big beam formerly used by the first talk station. A future radio textbook case that we'll all enjoy watching!

 

[Fiveahead]

WNOX will out bill everyone except WIVK.

WOKI will out bill the Merle only because someone feels sorry for them and gives them two ham sandwiches.

 

[BillBattle]

I agree! A radio station can outperform ratings in billing. Still... with two talk stations out there going head-to-head, ratings are going to be important in establishing credibility.

Of course, of course. But don't forget, billing depends on selling, and selling in radio depends of a mix of four things: ratings, relationships, format, and cluster/network selling. One new station may pull ratings, but it can be out-billed because the customer knows the sales people, prefers the format, or gets a cluster buy at another station. Citadel can offer a tandem buy on WIVK (which has the all-important Vol Network), WOKI, and the Animal stations. Covering popular Country, Talk, and Sports stations with one buy isn't bad, even if the talk station doesn't remain the top talk station. Plus, if you want more than just the Knoxville market, you can go statewide with Citadel, or nationally between Citadel and ABC Radio.

Still, this is a unique scenario — popular talk station moves to smaller-signaled frequency while a new talk station with some familiar names in the market takes over the big beam formerly used by the first talk station. A future radio textbook case that we'll all enjoy watching!

The other part of the equation is the lack of management of these assets by Citadel. There is no one at 4711 Old Kingston Pike in charge trying to make that all work.