Adjustments Underway

[radioprofessor]

I note several Seattle stations making positive adjustments in the last couple of weeks:

KBKS has returned to its true Mainstream CHR sound. A renewed mix of rock, pop, hip hop and rhythmic currents, well dayparted with an emphasis on recurrents. This should instantly increase ratings. Morning show still needs much work. Afternoon and nights are much better. Mid-day is a work in progress as is the imaging.

KMPS: Significant improvement in music selection, with bigger recurrent hits and less commercial interuption.

KRWM: Increase in current airplay and new emphasis on recurrent product as well. They must have done a recent music test, because a weekly monitor shows adjustments.

KMTT: Significant reduction in non-format product. Emphasis on music that matters within format parameters.

KBSG: Reduction in spike songs, emphasis returning on WCBS hit model. Should increase numbers this Fall, after a poor summer.

KIRO: Excellent effort to reimage the station on the production and mechanics part of the equation. They are pure News/Talk with a revised upbeat news clock in AM drive
More punchy talk during the day. Solid direct mail, telemarketing (I got called) and TV campaign. They were not on my radar, but the telemarketing call prompted me to listen again.


Have not listened enough to other stations to make a deterimination in the first couple of weeks of the Fall book, if change has been implemented. In my view, no station has yet
reached for excellence. The adjustments by the above are positive improvements.

 

[djdan]

I find your posts insightful. Quite refreshing for this Board. I hope you will continue to post.

 

[KXRX]

I miss two things about KIRO. #1 is the top of the hour news from CBS. I really liked the national followed by the local. When the clock strikes the top of the hour, I miss the DONG and CBS news. The #2 thing I miss is Chris Corley's pipes.

 

[majoradio]

I find your posts insightful and quite refreshing for this Board...

Here, Here!

**ALSO: Ichabod Caine (KMPS-FM) has been away on vacation since Sept 28th - returns Oct 8th...

 

[Grindlfan]

What exactly are "spike" songs?

 

[talkerdjdude]

Does Ick being on vacation make the show better or worse? I find them hard to listen to either way. The second banana there is an Ick imitator, the traffic girl is fake and simply wrong with her information, and the old news guy? Not much of a show.

 

[majoradio]

I wouldn't call the show 'worse' without Ich, but when he splits - it's 'temporarily on-hold'...

As far as the show is BETTER with Ich? After all the years he's been there, there's no question...

**I DO predict however that due to his age and ability,
they won't have the news with Don Riggs anymore by 'AT LEAST' Fall 2009.

 

[KMan]

I miss two things about KIRO. #1 is the top of the hour news from CBS. I really liked the national followed by the local. When the clock strikes the top of the hour, I miss the DONG and CBS news. The #2 thing I miss is Chris Corley's pipes.

I agree about missing the CBS TOH on KIRO. While the morning news sounds as good as its been in years - the TOH one minute update "From the CBS Newsroom" usually anchored by Dave Barrett is so fast paced its almost worthless. I'd much rather have 3 minutes of Nick Young at the TOH. CBS's newscast is as good as it gets in commercial radio.

 

[seatacpro]

What exactly are "spike" songs?

Spike songs are not added to the music library. They wont be played on a constant basis. They just get 'spiked' into rotation.

Example, when Eminem releases a new album KUBE may 'spike' 3 or 4 of the new tracks just because its such P1 material.

Or a station may 'spike' an artist just because they are doing a free show for them. As soon as the show is gone the song is gone.