CHR Ratings

[XCountry285]

What stations have been doing well?
What stations have fallen in the ratings?
What stations have made a rebound?
What stations are in danger of flipping?

 

[The Truthsayer]

Clone the new Hot 957/Houston in Columbus and WNCI will be in danger...

 

[lovejamminoldies]

Clone the new Hot 957/Houston in Columbus and WNCI will be in danger...

Very true.

 

[XCountry285]

WNCI is #4 in its market what are you talking about it's in danger?!?

 

[lovejamminoldies]

WNCI is #4 in its market what are you talking about it's in danger?!?

Please read about how if a clone of HOT 95.7 Houston to come to Columbus, WNCI would be in danger.

 

[keystone.doug]

Here in Erie PA (market 168), local CHR Star 104 (WRTS) is rated #1, beating adult hits 94.7 BOB-FM (WXBB).

Unfortunately, there is no live talent on Star after 7PM - just music with liners and sweepers. No voicetracking or satellite programming.

Most of the other local stations are voicetracked or switch to satellite programming after 7 PM. Apparently, Citadel or Connoisseur don't want to pay someone to sit behind the microphone following the afternoon drive.

 

[Roger That]

Here in Erie PA (market 168), local CHR Star 104 (WRTS) is rated #1, beating adult hits 94.7 BOB-FM (WXBB).

Unfortunately, there is no live talent on Star after 7PM - just music with liners and sweepers. No voicetracking or satellite programming.

Most of the other local stations are voicetracked or switch to satellite programming after 7 PM. Apparently, Citadel or Connoisseur don't want to pay someone to sit behind the microphone following the afternoon drive.

Why would they if they're winning?

 

[keystone.doug]

Here in Erie PA (market 168), local CHR Star 104 (WRTS) is rated #1, beating adult hits 94.7 BOB-FM (WXBB).

Unfortunately, there is no live talent on Star after 7PM - just music with liners and sweepers. No voicetracking or satellite programming.

Most of the other local stations are voicetracked or switch to satellite programming after 7 PM. Apparently, Citadel and Connoisseur don't want to pay someone to sit behind the microphone following the afternoon drive.

Why would they if they're winning?

True, but the change was made recently. I wonder if it will affect the upcoming book (done only twice a year here - in Fall and Spring).

 

[john77]

KIIS is sounding somewhat more mainstream than it has been in the recent past, and it's better ratings reflect that. #2 in the L.A. market now with it's highest 12+ in many years.

 

[Roger That]

KIIS is sounding somewhat more mainstream than it has been in the recent past, and it's better ratings reflect that. #2 in the L.A. market now with it's highest 12+ in many years.

Wow...what station are YOU looking at? Looking at KIIS's most recent 7-day, it's still a LOT more rhythmic than most. The only thing mainstream about their station is their presentation.

But yes...their ratings are amazing right now. It's because they're a reflection of their audience, and it's the fact that they're NOT mainstream (music, not presentation) that's been helpful.

 

[john77]

KIIS is sounding somewhat more mainstream than it has been in the recent past, and it's better ratings reflect that. #2 in the L.A. market now with it's highest 12+ in many years.

Wow...what station are YOU looking at? Looking at KIIS's most recent 7-day, it's still a LOT more rhythmic than most. The only thing mainstream about their station is their presentation.

But yes...their ratings are amazing right now. It's because they're a reflection of their audience, and it's the fact that they're NOT mainstream (music, not presentation) that's been helpful.

A year ago at this time, they wouldn't have played Jonas Bros, Miley Cyrus, Jesse McCartney or Metro Station. And dare I say Leona Lewis would have been a stretch there a year ago...

If they actually were more mainstream, I think their ratings would be at least 20% higher... KPWR or KMVN (if the latter changes formats) may force them to start adding the Buckcherrys and Colbie Caillats of the world.

 

[jsu5381m]

Here in Erie PA (market 168), local CHR Star 104 (WRTS) is rated #1, beating adult hits 94.7 BOB-FM (WXBB).

Unfortunately, there is no live talent on Star after 7PM - just music with liners and sweepers. No voicetracking or satellite programming.

Most of the other local stations are voicetracked or switch to satellite programming after 7 PM. Apparently, Citadel and Connoisseur don't want to pay someone to sit behind the microphone following the afternoon drive.

Why would they if they're winning?

True, but the change was made recently. I wonder if it will affect the upcoming book (done only twice a year here - in Fall and Spring).

Maybe they are looking for a new night DJ at Star 104. Since Nick Nice got booted out of Birmingham top 40 radio, maybe he could move to Erie and be the new DJ. Erie sounds like a tough skin type town. That would fit Nick Nice's "Gangsta Tough" personality. ShadyNation could be a reference.

 

[Roger That]

A year ago at this time, they wouldn't have played Jonas Bros, Miley Cyrus, Jesse McCartney or Metro Station. And dare I say Leona Lewis would have been a stretch there a year ago...

If they actually were more mainstream, I think their ratings would be at least 20% higher... KPWR or KMVN (if the latter changes formats) may force them to start adding the Buckcherrys and Colbie Caillats of the world.

I COMPLETELY disagree. Their ratings are the best they've been in 7 years, and it's because of the rhythm product. A year ago, the Miley/Jonas/Leona records of the world didn't exist. Because they do now, and its what their audience craves, they're playing them.

They tried straight-ahead mainstream for years, and their ratings were NOT better. Look at the history.

What they've done, is what all stations should do...stop playing the industry's games, and program the station to fit your market and audience. Stop taking record phone calls, and caring what they think.

People complain about cookie cutter, and then criticize a station when they stray from the "formula." This radio station is WINNING. Stop trying to "fix" it.

 

[jradiod]

KIIS caters to a rhythmic leaning audience as well as a younger audience. That "younger audience" is where all those Jonas Brothers/Miley Cyrus/Metro Station songs come in. It has not much to do with wanting to sound less rhythmic.

KIIS has never done well with Hot AC records. I don't ever recall them playing any single from Daughtry or Nickelback. Unfortunately for you, their audience consistently hates these records across the board because they aren't rhythmic and aren't young-sounding.

 

[john77]

I don't ever recall them playing any single from Daughtry or Nickelback. Unfortunately for you, their audience consistently hates these records across the board because they aren't rhythmic and aren't young-sounding.

Actually, they were pretty heavy into "How You Remind Me" and it's still part of their gold there. It's only the last Nickelback album which they completely ignored along with Daughtry.

 

[john77]

A year ago at this time, they wouldn't have played Jonas Bros, Miley Cyrus, Jesse McCartney or Metro Station. And dare I say Leona Lewis would have been a stretch there a year ago...

If they actually were more mainstream, I think their ratings would be at least 20% higher... KPWR or KMVN (if the latter changes formats) may force them to start adding the Buckcherrys and Colbie Caillats of the world.

I COMPLETELY disagree. Their ratings are the best they've been in 7 years, and it's because of the rhythm product. A year ago, the Miley/Jonas/Leona records of the world didn't exist. Because they do now, and its what their audience craves, they're playing them.

They tried straight-ahead mainstream for years, and their ratings were NOT better. Look at the history.

What they've done, is what all stations should do...stop playing the industry's games, and program the station to fit your market and audience. Stop taking record phone calls, and caring what they think.

People complain about cookie cutter, and then criticize a station when they stray from the "formula." This radio station is WINNING. Stop trying to "fix" it.

I very much beg to differ with everything you say other than the fact that the station does have it's highest ratings in years... Your argument is kind of circular actually. KIIS has less Rhythmic product on their station now than a year ago at this time, yet their 12+ numbers are more than 10% higher today. Their ratings are better now THANKS TO the mainstream stuff they're playing and the fact that the format has had two HUGE mainstream hits the past 9 months and had both in power rotation for a long time. "Bleeding Love" is still in power as I write this. Last year at this time, they gave Maroon5 and Elliot Yamin some spins, but they ignored great mainstream singles by the Plain White T's, Fall Out Boy, Carrie Underwood and the aforementioned Daughtry, whose single "Home" was just about every bit as mainstream sounding as "Bleeding Love." The Miley/Jonas/Leona records may not have existed last year in exact form, but the songs were there in similar form. They just consciously chose to not play them last year, while this year they did. Kudos to them on that improvement.

The fact is, KIIS could be better, and really should be pulling about 20-25% higher 12+ numbers than they are. Thankfully, they have not put that awful Rihanna song (yes, the one that is currently #1 nationally) into power, but why isn't Jesse there? The biggest problem with them is they are STILL functioning too much like an "artist driven" album rock station, rather than a "song driven" pop station as they should be. Seriously, why even add a 3rd rate Mariah song on the station when the first two singles did so poorly? They did the same thing with Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani with their last albums, just blindly adding awful tracks like "Candyman" and "Wind It Up" - two of the worst testing songs of the past few years. Bad songs by "core" artists drive away listeners.

Great songs by new artists will draw them in as witnessed by "Apologize" and "Bleeding Love." Those two songs alone have probably been responsible for a lot of KIIS' growth the past 9 months or so. It's still criminal how they missed the boat completely on Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" and how they mishandled Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" last year and James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" two years ago - a token 10 spins a week while the songs are peaking nationally isn't any way of testing a song or giving it a chance.

It will be very interesting to see what happens once Emmis finally wises up and takes Movin' 93.9 mainstream as rumored. KIIS will more than likely have it's hands full then. KPWR has quietly added some more mainstream stuff of late... Does Emmis actually have a game plan? The next several months should be interesting in this market.

 

[jradiod]

they ignored great mainstream singles by the Plain White T's, Fall Out Boy, Carrie Underwood

I can agree with Plain White T's and Fall Out Boy. That said, KIIS actually does have "Hey There Delilah" on recurrent.

They did the same thing with Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani with their last albums, just blindly adding awful tracks like "Candyman" and "Wind It Up" - two of the worst testing songs of the past few years. Bad songs by "core" artists drive away listeners.

Very true. But it's not very fair to add "Wind It Up" since that was a hyped record.

It's still criminal how they missed the boat completely on Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" and how they mishandled Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" last year and James Blunt's "You're Beautiful" two years ago

The reason they only lightly played these records is because KIIS doesn't cume an older audience like everyone thinks they do. Their P1's are intensely 18-24 and/or rhythmic listeners.

 

[Roger That]

John77...setting aside the "why" debate, the biggest thing that you say that I contest, is that a move to add more mainstream will increase their ratings 20-25%. That's laughable. And insulting to the folks there that, along with seemingly infinite resources, focus a LOT of attention on getting better ratings. But then again, it's easy to back-seat program.

 

[luvcoors]

KIIS needs to stay the course...it's obv. they're more pop/rhythmic leaning than a good chunk of the other mainstream CHR's, but then again you need to look at their audience. Females that spread across multiple demos and ethnic backgrounds that prefer more of that than the pop/rock stuff. They'll only play the big pop/rock records that work for them...Katy Perry and Sara Barielles have 2 of the biggest singles of the year...but it's obv. that Perry works better since the texture of that record is different than "Love Song"....sound sound sound!

They really don't need to play a Daughtry, Flyleaf, Nickelback, Buckcherry, etc. since their audience adores and craves Chris Brown, PCD, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, etc. They don't bill 50 million plus for nothing each year...the entire staff top to bottom is great and is totally focused in on their audience in a variety of ways. In some aspects, their listeners think they're bigger stars than the ones in Hollywood!

They do share audience with other stations in the market that play Daughtry, Sara, etc.....but it's obviously secondary to their fav. station John.

 

[john77]

KIIS needs to stay the course...it's obv. they're more pop/rhythmic leaning than a good chunk of the other mainstream CHR's, but then again you need to look at their audience. Females that spread across multiple demos and ethnic backgrounds that prefer more of that than the pop/rock stuff. They'll only play the big pop/rock records that work for them...Katy Perry and Sara Barielles have 2 of the biggest singles of the year...but it's obv. that Perry works better since the texture of that record is different than "Love Song"....sound sound sound!

They really don't need to play a Daughtry, Flyleaf, Nickelback, Buckcherry, etc. since their audience adores and craves Chris Brown, PCD, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, etc. They don't bill 50 million plus for nothing each year...the entire staff top to bottom is great and is totally focused in on their audience in a variety of ways. In some aspects, their listeners think they're bigger stars than the ones in Hollywood!

They do share audience with other stations in the market that play Daughtry, Sara, etc.....but it's obviously secondary to their fav. station John.

I think the only reason they're even on the Katy record is it's a novelty record... sound-wise, it's pretty darned similar to Sara's record IMHO.

They have played Nickelback in the recent past - you can still hear "How You Remind Me" on there once in a while. I'm also not so sure the audience totally adores and craves Rihanna - there appears to be some "burn out" on her at this stage as the current #1 song in the Country by her can't even break into the station's top 10 or power rotation. But yes, the listeners no doubt love Chris Brown, PCD and many other similar acts...

As for their staff, no arguments there and indeed they are perceived as bigger stars than the artists - Ryan in particular of course, who is ubiquitous.

Asides from wishing they would spike a few more mainstream songs, I have a gripe about their spacing of songs by the same artist too closely... take this past hour's aircheck for example:

KIIS-FM Los Angeles (Top 40) 7/11/08

10:56 AM KANYE WEST Stronger Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG
10:48 AM MARIAH CAREY I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time Island/IDJMG
10:45 AM J-KWON Tipsy So So Def/Zomba
10:40 AM CHRIS BROWN Forever Jive/Zomba
10:34 AM TIMBALAND The Way I Are (f/Keri Hilson) Mosley/BG/Interscope
10:31 AM KATY PERRY I Kissed A Girl Capitol
10:23 AM AKON I Wanna Love You f/Snoop Dogg SRC/Universal Motown
10:20 AM MARIAH CAREY Touch My Body Island/IDJMG
10:16 AM PITBULL The Anthem (f/Lil Jon) TVT
10:12 AM LEONA LEWIS Bleeding Love SYCO/J/RMG
10:08 AM DAVID BANNER Get Like Me f/Chris Brown SRC/Universal Motown
10:05 AM USHER Burn LaFace/Zomba
10:00 AM LIL WAYNE Lollipop f/Static Major CM/Universal Motown

Typically, you're supposed to space your songs at least 40-45 minutes apart if they're by the same artist, aren't you? 28 minutes just seems to be some bad spacing.