104.9 Lake FM WTNQ hires local staff.

[davideduardo]

Ricki, I don't have the time to counter point your extremely misinformed post. I will say that non-subscribers also show in the Nielsen survey. Non-subscribers are not released to the media, which is probably where you're mixed up. I'm sorry to say that if you are truly as ignorant about this industry, and the Knoxville market, I wish you well and I'll await the inevitable "for sale" sign.

Low rated (below a 0.1 rating... equal in most markets to about a 1.1 share) are not released* in the official releases going forward. So suburban and rimshot stations that do well in a part of a market may not show at all. Also not released to anyone is data on stations from adjacent/separate markets.

In any case, most local buys, particularly in markets outside the top 20 or so, are based on the factors I mentioned before, starting with relationships and service.

In my experience, there are plenty of local service stations that do very well without ratings as long as they superserve a smaller area of a larger market or a small market.

* Only minority and women owned stations are exceptions. In LA, compared with the time when the the non-subscriber rule was not in effect, there are 12 formerly rated "home" facilities that no longer show even in the subscriber data, from KPFK to EMF's K-Love. EMF re-subscribed in August, and will show in the release 10 days from now.

 

[davideduardo]

Youve got to be effin kidding me? Youre going to insult an owner who gladly responds and reveals who he is.. just who are you, Mr Expert?

A little harsh, but a good question nonetheless.

 

[ricki]

Ricki, I don't have the time to counter point your extremely misinformed post. I will say that non-subscribers also show in the Nielsen survey. Non-subscribers are not released to the media, which is probably where you're mixed up. I'm sorry to say that if you are truly as ignorant about this industry, and the Knoxville market, I wish you well and I'll await the inevitable "for sale" sign.

You don't have time, but yet here we are... I'm very happy with our services. I just hope you are with yours.

Low rated (below a 0.1 rating... equal in most markets to about a 1.1 share) are not released* in the official releases going forward. So suburban and rimshot stations that do well in a part of a market may not show at all. Also not released to anyone is data on stations from adjacent/separate markets.

In any case, most local buys, particularly in markets outside the top 20 or so, are based on the factors I mentioned before, starting with relationships and service.

In my experience, there are plenty of local service stations that do very well without ratings as long as they superserve a smaller area of a larger market or a small market.

* Only minority and women owned stations are exceptions. In LA, compared with the time when the the non-subscriber rule was not in effect, there are 12 formerly rated "home" facilities that no longer show even in the subscriber data, from KPFK to EMF's K-Love. EMF re-subscribed in August, and will show in the release 10 days from now.

^^ This! David, thank you for taking the time to provide this informative info for everyone here.

 

[RMarino]

You don't have time, but yet here we are... I'm very happy with our services. I just hope you are with yours.

I simply cannot believe the sarcastic and demeaning attitude you are displaying here to others. You are a representative of your employer. Can Loud Media or any business afford to lose even a shred of reputation, especially in today‘s social media based world? I have no problem with the programming on your stations. But I do have a problem with bad customer service no matter what type of business it is.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

I simply cannot believe the sarcastic and demeaning attitude you are displaying here to others. You are a representative of your employer. Can Loud Media or any business afford to lose even a shred of reputation, especially in today‘s social media based world? I have no problem with the programming on your stations. But I do have a problem with bad customer service no matter what type of business it is.

Ricki is the owner, and i think hes shown more than enough patience with some on here

 

[davideduardo]

I simply cannot believe the sarcastic and demeaning attitude you are displaying here to others.

I don't understand your criticism and interpretation. The responses by Ricki have been courteous while the attack by Megawatt demonstrated a total lack of understanding of a radio group that found opportunity in serving niche or suburban audiences without a need for ratings.

You are a representative of your employer. Can Loud Media or any business afford to lose even a shred of reputation, especially in today‘s social media based world? I have no problem with the programming on your stations. But I do have a problem with bad customer service no matter what type of business it is.

Please re-read the responses. I find that Ricki was more than kind in his replies to someone who does not understand his business model. By the way, Ricki Lee is listed as Loud Media's Managing Partner for their 14 facilities; as such, Ricki is the employer.

 

[ricki]

I simply cannot believe the sarcastic and demeaning attitude you are displaying here to others. You are a representative of your employer. Can Loud Media or any business afford to lose even a shred of reputation, especially in today‘s social media based world? I have no problem with the programming on your stations. But I do have a problem with bad customer service no matter what type of business it is

Rich, I appreciate your concerns.

I’ve replied to provide insight, info and answers on our business. I am my own employer. Nothing here is sarcastic or demeaning. I’m kinda puzzled how you got there? Frustration? Maybe, but I wouldn’t even throw that label on my reply.

I’m simply an owner / operator of Loud Media trying to answer questions being asked of me and my business.

That sometimes is difficult in a faceless / nameless environment like forums. Opinions and choice is what makes being human great, we just don’t have to accept negativity in our lives in an already cruel world, if we don’t want to…

I’m happy to be critiqued and more than happy to hear people’s thoughts on me personally & any of my businesses and their products. If it’s constructive, even better. We can have a better, all round conversation.

 

[RMarino]

Rich, I appreciate your concerns.

I appreciate yours as well. Perhaps I shouldn't have stuck my nose in it, but I seem to have a natural habit of sticking up for those who I see are being treated unfairly. However looking back I see it was coming from both sides. I'll gladly withdraw myself from this conversation now.

 

[knoxbob]

I’m happy to be critiqued and more than happy to hear people’s thoughts on me personally & any of my businesses and their products. If it’s constructive, even better. We can have a better, all round conversation.

I enjoy listening to the station and it's music variety. I worked with Jeff some 40 years ago and like listening to him in the afternoons as well as Frank in mid-days when I can. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the morning show, they are just not my cup of tea.

 

[ThomasFoolery]

The ratings service is less reliable now more than ever. Companies like Loud are finding their best money taking businesses in their listening area and making ads that deliver customers.

 

[davideduardo]

The ratings service is less reliable now more than ever. Companies like Loud are finding their best money taking businesses in their listening area and making ads that deliver customers.

The ratings are, if anything, more accurate now than they have been since the first surveys over 90 years ago.

The issue is that ratings are never perfect, just as no random probability sample (diary) or proportional panel (PPM) can be.

But the issue here is that signals that don't cover a full market are at a huge disadvantage, and buying ratings sort of defeats they purpose of being a neighborhood or section of town station for clients located there and who don't want to pay for listeners in areas that they don't expect to bring in clients from

 

[Ktownradioman]

According to radio locator Jump 97.1 has changed call signs to WTLT-AM and Loud Media has removed their logo from the website. Why can't we have anything stick around here for more than 2 years. This station has been one of my favorites. I figured they were doing decent considering they have a good signal in city.

 

[Megawatt]

It is a failure. Pure and simple. Is not and will never cover the expenses, I know this, and you know this. Stop pretending that you're gaining ground, we know you're past the point of even treading water. The stations could be actually profitable, but you're going to have to hire someone who knows what they are doing. Your programmers are clearly on their first programming mission. You have no actual sales people, no promotion, no visibility. You need help, but you're too arrogant to understand it.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

It is a failure. Pure and simple. Is not and will never cover the expenses, I know this, and you know this. Stop pretending that you're gaining ground, we know you're past the point of even treading water. The stations could be actually profitable, but you're going to have to hire someone who knows what they are doing. Your programmers are clearly on their first programming mission. You have no actual sales people, no promotion, no visibility. You need help, but you're too arrogant to understand it.

I ask again...Who in the fresh hell are you who seems to have some axe to grind against this company but acts like hes an expert and has all the answer? You hide behind a user name, and we have no idea who you ar.e Most here, including myself.. Ricki and David have clearly identified who we are

I have not much dog in this fight, I don't work for Ricki (but hey if you need a VT guy!).......... bit I dont stand for keyboard warriors who have no skin in the game and tell other people what they should do with their money while putting up none of their own.

 

[b-turner]

Some people do...some people just complain about people who do. Somebody said that once long ago and I generally find that a very true statement,

 

[Megawatt]

I ask again...Who in the fresh hell are you who seems to have some axe to grind against this company but acts like hes an expert and has all the answer? You hide behind a user name, and we have no idea who you ar.e Most here, including myself.. Ricki and David have clearly identified who we are

I have not much dog in this fight, I don't work for Ricki (but hey if you need a VT guy!).......... bit I dont stand for keyboard warriors who have no skin in the game and tell other people what they should do with their money while putting up none of their own.

Buddy, I don't have the first clue who you, David or Ricki are, and I don't care. You might as well be spinning gospel on some far off daytimer. No idea. And "Ricki", well, I have doubts.

You act like you're players, but you're not. In any market. You're pretenders. Playing "radio."

The point is if we, as radio broadcasters, are to have any success, we need to stop polluting the airwaves with garbage. It's a waste of energy, money and whatever little bit of talent might still be interested in broadcasting. At this point, and by listening to the stations, it's pretty grim.

Retreads who haven't worked in this market, or any market in decades, and when they did they were relegated to weekends and overnights. Those are the facts. No winning persons on the entire "network." No promotion, advertising, not a single bum spinning signs off of interstate off ramps. In-vis-ible.

And it doesn't matter, there are very few people who would listen the the absolute garbage they are broadcasting. It's a fact. Sorry if you don't want to accept it, but there it is. Truth.

 

[davideduardo]

It is a failure. Pure and simple. Is not and will never cover the expenses, I know this, and you know this. Stop pretending that you're gaining ground, we know you're past the point of even treading water. The stations could be actually profitable, but you're going to have to hire someone who knows what they are doing. Your programmers are clearly on their first programming mission. You have no actual sales people, no promotion, no visibility. You need help, but you're too arrogant to understand it.

You continue to have the idea that stations can only win if they are high ranked in total market ratings.

You refuse to understand that niche stations superserving portions of a market that have enough local business can do very, very well.

 

[Delete My Account]

I'm trying to figure out who made you the arbiter of "garbage." I myself think a lot of what major corporate owners program is "garbage" for my tastes (most talk radio, for instance, I think is full of anger, disinformation and hysteria) but that doesn't apply to Loud Media's formats. In actuality, they're increasing diversity on the dial in many markets by taking what may be smaller or less successful facilities and putting on formats like classic/throwback country, classic rhythmic, etc. And I happen to think their take on classic hits is enjoyable. Not an obscure format at all. Tons of people love those songs. Hit after hit.

This fixation on their "legitimacy" and right to operate in the market suggests you are the competition and just want to punch down. It's pretty clear to anyone with Google that Ricki has been a passionate fan of radio, and created tools many broadcasters use. For him and his team to take their chances on local radio in a challenging time and do so with unique formats should be applauded. Entrepreneurship - especially now in radio, is a huge commitment and challenge.

If you're cheering for radio to remain viable, you should be cheering for Loud Media and others like them. Constructive criticism is one thing - bashing is another. If you have some non "garbage" you'd like to put your name on and let us listen to, I'd love to hear it.

 

[davideduardo]

Buddy, I don't have the first clue who you, David or Ricki are, and I don't care. You might as well be spinning gospel on some far off daytimer. No idea. And "Ricki", well, I have doubts.

Many of us have our backgrounds or jobs listed on our description on this site.

You act like you're players, but you're not. In any market. You're pretenders. Playing "radio."

I've been "playing" radio for 62 years as everything from a board op to a group owner. Presently, I do ongoing consulting for a major group, including very large markets.

The point is if we, as radio broadcasters, are to have any success, we need to stop polluting the airwaves with garbage. It's a waste of energy, money and whatever little bit of talent might still be interested in broadcasting. At this point, and by listening to the stations, it's pretty grim.

Your "garbage" is obviously attractive to the 90% of Americans who use radio each week. You are entitled to your own tastes, but don't assume that all radio is bad because we don appeal to you!

Retreads who haven't worked in this market, or any market in decades, and when they did they were relegated to weekends and overnights. Those are the facts. No winning persons on the entire "network." No promotion, advertising, not a single bum spinning signs off of interstate off ramps. In-vis-ible.

Again, your opinion.

And it doesn't matter, there are very few people who would listen the the absolute garbage they are broadcasting. It's a fact. Sorry if you don't want to accept it, but there it is. Truth.

Idem.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

Buddy, I don't have the first clue who you, David or Ricki are, and I don't care. You might as well be spinning gospel on some far off daytimer. No idea. And "Ricki", well, I have doubts.

You act like you're players, but you're not. In any market. You're pretenders. Playing "radio."

The point is if we, as radio broadcasters, are to have any success, we need to stop polluting the airwaves with garbage. It's a waste of energy, money and whatever little bit of talent might still be interested in broadcasting. At this point, and by listening to the stations, it's pretty grim.

Retreads who haven't worked in this market, or any market in decades, and when they did they were relegated to weekends and overnights. Those are the facts. No winning persons on the entire "network." No promotion, advertising, not a single bum spinning signs off of interstate off ramps. In-vis-ible.

And it doesn't matter, there are very few people who would listen the the absolute garbage they are broadcasting. It's a fact. Sorry if you don't want to accept it, but there it is. Truth.

Ricki is the man who owns the stations you insult.

I'm not a big player, but ive been in this business nearly 20 years.. its a bumpy ride, but ive gotten places.

What you havent done is share exactly what your background is. you profess to be an expert and have all the answers.. based on what?