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An Amusing Rant on Tampa Bay Sports Radio
- Thread starter smedge2006
- Start date
Certainly amusing. I may agree with him on a few points. I have never really been a Duemig fan, I do prefer a bit more substance.
However, WDAE is apparently giving the Tampa audience what it wants. Whether we like it or not, 620 continually post some of the highest actual ratings for sports properties anywhere in the country. So they are a perfect fit for the market they serve.
Sure every station can improve, but they would be insane to make any significant changes.
It is very likely that a WFAN style hard core sports talker would fall on its ass here as this market does not have the kind of fan base to really support it. The best sports stations truly reflect their local market. WFAN caters to very knowledgeable fans, WIP is very harsh and has a chip on its shoulder (like Philly), WEEI is very hard core locazlized New England passion, WDAE is very lunch pail, working class and does not challenge you to think too much (sounds like the Bay Area to me)
However, WDAE is apparently giving the Tampa audience what it wants. Whether we like it or not, 620 continually post some of the highest actual ratings for sports properties anywhere in the country. So they are a perfect fit for the market they serve.
Sure every station can improve, but they would be insane to make any significant changes.
It is very likely that a WFAN style hard core sports talker would fall on its ass here as this market does not have the kind of fan base to really support it. The best sports stations truly reflect their local market. WFAN caters to very knowledgeable fans, WIP is very harsh and has a chip on its shoulder (like Philly), WEEI is very hard core locazlized New England passion, WDAE is very lunch pail, working class and does not challenge you to think too much (sounds like the Bay Area to me)
zoneguy said:
I am a firm believer that 620 WDAE is NOT giving the Tampa Bay market what it wants. The ratings are high because of an incredible signal, decent marketing and longevity in the market, not because of quality local programming. I am not impressed with the overall knowledge and prep work of the three local prime programs on AM-620 (Sileo, Ron/Ian and Duemig).
There are many intelligent sports fans in this market that don't listen to sports radio because the hosts don't provide challenging entertainment (knowledge, quality guests and thought provoking conversation). Unfortunately, I believe all of these programs on AM-620 could be better, but the hosts buy into the ratings and think they are doing a great job, when in fact the ratings are better than the competition mostly because of signal strength and AM-620's marketing. Frankly, many sports radio fans in Tampa Bay don't listen to the competition (AM-1010 or AM-1470) because they don't know it's there or they can't tolerate the poor signal.
For example, if you put JP Peterson (3-6P on AM-1010) up against Steve Duemig (same time on AM-620) on an equal playing field this becomes a pretty good duel. The same goes for Bobby Fenton (9A-Noon on AM-1010) vs. Ron/Ian (same time on 620). No competition with Jim Rome easily beating the Sports Chix. Unfortunately, there is very lame early morning drive sports radio with Sileo vs. the AM-1010 early-morning gang. By the way, AM-1470's ridiculously bad signal prevents them from even entering the debate.
In summary, you can't tell the true Tampa Bay sports fans that AM-620 is "giving the Tampa audience what it wants". It "wants" better local programming with a good signal. It also wouldn't hurt if CBS Radio promoted AM-1010 like Clear Channel boasts AM-620. Then, maybe more people would realize there is an alternative.
I have to agree with you radiofree1, I have heard so many complaints from listeners about 620 NOT giving them what they want. These are passionate sports fans complaining, not the average dunderhead who finds what most of the hosts are offering-- completely unprepared, unthought-out garbage. The reason why 620 dominates has nothing to do with what they are doing now. It has much more to do with dominant signal strength and promotional budgets compared to 1010 and 1470 (maybe even combined). I also think 620 has been coasting on its legacy built up by people like Chris Thomas, Sandy Penner, and Tony Bruno a few years ago. As long as 1010 occasionally blips on the radar, and 1470 keeps missing the ratings pages, the management at 620 will accept whatever they get.
One more indication 620 isn't bringing the audience what they want: Despite the Rays playing great, the Lightning making all sorts of news, and people gearing up for Buc training camp, 620 delivered one of its worse spring books I can remember. There are too many better options for true sports fans (satellite, internet, blogs, etc.) than 620, and the people there should know that by now.
One more indication 620 isn't bringing the audience what they want: Despite the Rays playing great, the Lightning making all sorts of news, and people gearing up for Buc training camp, 620 delivered one of its worse spring books I can remember. There are too many better options for true sports fans (satellite, internet, blogs, etc.) than 620, and the people there should know that by now.
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