COWBOYS/KRLD-FM

[txchipk]

It was previously mentioned that the Cowboys games on KRLD-FM were 29% off the performance from last year on KTCK. Now some more details have come out...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/barron/6920239.html

"According to Arbitron, the Texans drew more listeners on average for its radio broadcasts on KILT (610 AM) than the Cowboys drew on their new flagship station, KRLD-FM in Dallas.

Arbitron said the Texans averaged 245,900 listeners on KILT-AM to 213,000 for Cowboys games on KRLD-FM. Both were well in the middle of the pack for NFL markets. The top three for average listeners were the Bears (626,600 on WBBM), Giants (457,000 on WFAN) and Eagles (422,400 on WIP)"

It's fairly easy to understand how KTCK can thump KRLD-FM during the week, but I still find it incredible that appears to have a halo effect (a negative one) on people dialing up the actual Cowboys game broadcast to the point that the Texans have more listeners, and the Cowboys (in market #5) aren't even close to being in the top 10 in terms of NFL teams in listenership.

 

[little1]

Never underestimate the power of cume, the power of cross-promotion, and the inertia of the radio dial.

So Jerry has his team on a station that is rated 20-25th with the typical sports target demo (Men 25-54). Moving from the station that was #1 in that demo. I would guess that KTCK has a much higher cume (although they could just have absolutely monster TSL) than KRLD-FM. But either way, they have either more people listening, or a set number listening for much longer.

Expose those people to enough messages about the game (Cowboys-Texans, Sunday at Noon on The Ticket) and odds are they'll at least know when the game is. Now imagine the difference in how many thousnds of listeners (or listener hours) there is between the #1 station in a demo and the 25th station in that demo.

Now add in the difference in hardcore fans and casual fans. If you're a hardcore fan, yes, you're going to listen to the game, no matter where it's at (assuming you can't get to a TV). But what about the casual fan? For the people who'll watch or listen to a game, but don't revolve their lives around the cowboys schedule, what are the odds that they're going to stumble across the podunk, amateurish 3rd rate (and 3rd ranked) sports station???

And if you're a casual sports fan, and a Ticket listener, aren't the odds pretty good that if you get in the car at 115p (or 420p, take your pick) on a Sunday afternoon, and you're interested in what they're talking about, that you might leave your dial exactly where it's at. that's what the Fan is fighting here, IMHO...

 

[arnoldevns]

Here's my question for those who know: does Jerry really care what the radio ratings are for the Cowboys?
Is KRLD-FM paying him enough that it offsets whatever lost ad revenue they have on the Cowboys network?

Regardless of whether these are up or down, I'm sure KRLD-FM is thrilled with the numbers. It's unlikely anything else they do gets half the numbers the Cowboys do.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Those that "tune around" to try to find the Cowboys on the radio will likely start with AM.

And for The Fan's few listeners---is there a pro-Cowboys slant on there? Is KRLD-FM going to turn into (or already is) what Daniel Snyder did with his Redskins flagship in DC, where it's PRO-Redskins all the time?

Could also be a lot of Cowboys fans in Houston (esp since theirs is a young team with lowered expectations) who may not get the Cowboys games on TV and have to resort to radio. And what is the coverage area for 610? That's an old McLendon station, low on the dial, so that surely grabs a lot of regional listeners.

Could also be that some listenership is lost to Sirius/XM's coverage of the games.

Then again, many Cowboys fans are "fair weather" fans, and it just depends on their record at the time, and their momentum, and what point of the season it is. LOTS of variables.

 

[salemjedi54]

Those that "tune around" to try to find the Cowboys on the radio will likely start with AM.

And for The Fan's few listeners---is there a pro-Cowboys slant on there? Is KRLD-FM going to turn into (or already is) what Daniel Snyder did with his Redskins flagship in DC, where it's PRO-Redskins all the time?

Could also be a lot of Cowboys fans in Houston (esp since theirs is a young team with lowered expectations) who may not get the Cowboys games on TV and have to resort to radio. And what is the coverage area for 610? That's an old McLendon station, low on the dial, so that surely grabs a lot of regional listeners.

Could also be that some listenership is lost to Sirius/XM's coverage of the games.

Then again, many Cowboys fans are "fair weather" fans, and it just depends on their record at the time, and their momentum, and what point of the season it is. LOTS of variables.

If I recall, the Texans and Cowboys have a deal to NOT put their games on in each others markets. So Cowboys fans in Houston would have to get the Sirius to get access to NFL radio broadcasts outside of Texans on KILT AM/FM.

 

[Old Jack]

Those that "tune around" to try to find the Cowboys on the radio will likely start with AM.

And for The Fan's few listeners---is there a pro-Cowboys slant on there?  Is KRLD-FM going to turn into (or already is) what Daniel Snyder did with his Redskins flagship in DC, where it's PRO-Redskins all the time?

Could also be a lot of Cowboys fans in Houston (esp since theirs is a young team with lowered expectations) who may not get the Cowboys games on TV and have to resort to radio.  And what is the coverage area for 610?  That's an old McLendon station, low on the dial, so that surely grabs a lot of regional listeners.

Could also be that some listenership is lost to Sirius/XM's coverage of the games.

Then again, many Cowboys fans are "fair weather" fans, and it just depends on their record at the time, and their momentum, and what point of the season it is.  LOTS of variables.

I think you've offered up a ton of red herrings.

As someone who listened to games on the Ticket but not on the Fan, I'll tell you why I didn't follow the 'Boys down the dial.

The Fan's pre-game and post-game shows suck. Period.

The Ticket's pre-game was and remains very, very good. When the game was on the Ticket, I'd catch the pre-game and then leave it on while I turned on the TV and muted the sound. Then, after it was over, I could leave  the TV on mute to watch the next game or some highlights while listening to Norm and Donny bat clean-up.

I still catch the Ticket before and after the game, but I have found that it is just as easy to turn the radio off during the game as it is to turn the dial to another station. So that's what I do.

Ask NBC affiliates if having a suck-tastic lead-in hurt their news ratings. That is exactly what is happening to the Cowboys on the radio.

 

[ead061]

I hope Jerry's got a contingency plan.

 

[doggone123]

I hope Jerry's got a contingency plan.

Me to. I hope he jumps back to KTCK!

 

[salemjedi54]

The Fan's pre and post game shows are horrible. I just listen to Brad and Babe and switch over to KTCK for post game. That is the only time I listen to KRLD-FM. I will admit to being one who does turn down the TV sound and listen to Brad Sham's play by play. The Cowboys are in bed with KRLD-FM, we have to accept that fact. But CBS mistake was to think that having the Cowboys would enhance the overall sound of the station. They seemed to have slightly miscalculated that fact.

 

[trying2getn]

It would be great if The Ticket got em back and simulcast on the Wolf this time like they should have in the first place. But I understand why Cumulus put them on The Bone.....I really don't think Jerry Jones could give a rat's *#$ about the radio numbers. He's getting paid by CBS. I'm sure radio is just an intangible. Sure he can't get anymore money anywhere else. Unless CBS opts out if the bill is to high. The Fan has to be so far in the red....well we'll see how it works out.

 

[salemjedi54]

Here's my question for those who know: does Jerry really care what the radio ratings are for the Cowboys?
Is KRLD-FM paying him enough that it offsets whatever lost ad revenue they have on the Cowboys network?

Regardless of whether these are up or down, I'm sure KRLD-FM is thrilled with the numbers. It's unlikely anything else they do gets half the numbers the Cowboys do.

He should be concerned. Those advertisers are going to want to quantify the entire sponsorship package they are buying. Im sure that in those packages that some radio and TV spots are included with the signage and co-marketing deals they have with the Cowboys and Cowboys Stadium.

 

[little1]

But having it all together also makes it harder for a client to break out individual costs.

I.E...if North Tx Ford Dealers are Spending X Million dollars on a package that includes TV, radio, billboards, print, etc, it becomes harder with a package price to say that the radio ads are underdelivering on a cost/benefit basis.

Sure they WANT to quantify it- but it's always possible that a company overpays for one part (radio) and gets a bargain on another part (TV?) where the overall package cost still remains acceptable...

 

[Old Jack]

But having it all together also makes it harder for a client to break out individual costs.

I.E...if North Tx Ford Dealers are Spending X Million dollars on a package that includes TV, radio, billboards, print, etc, it becomes harder with a package price to say that the radio ads are underdelivering on a cost/benefit basis.

Sure they WANT to quantify it- but it's always possible that a company overpays for one part (radio) and gets a bargain on another part (TV?) where the overall package cost still remains acceptable...

Assuming that all segments are performing within some reasonable margin compared to expectation, I think your take would be dead on. However, if one or more elements of the package are demonstrably and grossly underperforming, then eventually advertisers will demand that the whole package come down in price.

In other words, bad radio ratings can "come out in the wash" while truly abysmal ratings can't.

 

[FlyOnWall]

It would be great if The Ticket got em back and simulcast on the Wolf this time like they should have in the first place. But I understand why Cumulus put them on The Bone.....I really don't think Jerry Jones could give a rat's *#$ about the radio numbers. He's getting paid by CBS. I'm sure radio is just an intangible. Sure he can't get anymore money anywhere else. Unless CBS opts out if the bill is to high. The Fan has to be so far in the red....well we'll see how it works out.

Misinformation, disinformation...wrong information!

Jerry received NO money from Cumulus, and in his new deal with The Fan, neither does he receive money from CBS. At best, it could be termed a "barter" arrangement. Quite simply, it works like this: Jerry's consolidated Valley Ranch and Stadium sales staff sells all of the game day broadcast inventory; Jerry keeps all of the money. In return, CBS gets to say they are the "Official Home of the Dallas Cowboys." Last year, the Cownoys effectively rented The Fan's transmitter during the game, producing the gameday broadcast themselves. Effective this coming season, CBS gets to pay all the production expenses. Brad, Babe, et al are contract employees of CBS.

It will be interesting to see what effort CBS puts into the on-air product, since the Cowboys Broadcasting Department no longer produces the game day broadcast...and all that implies. Best guess? They will do whatever is the absolute CHEAPEST!

 

[salemjedi54]

It would be great if The Ticket got em back and simulcast on the Wolf this time like they should have in the first place. But I understand why Cumulus put them on The Bone.....I really don't think Jerry Jones could give a rat's *#$ about the radio numbers. He's getting paid by CBS. I'm sure radio is just an intangible. Sure he can't get anymore money anywhere else. Unless CBS opts out if the bill is to high. The Fan has to be so far in the red....well we'll see how it works out.

Misinformation, disinformation...wrong information!

Jerry received NO money from Cumulus, and in his new deal with The Fan, neither does he receive money from CBS. At best, it could be termed a "barter" arrangement. Quite simply, it works like this: Jerry's consolidated Valley Ranch and Stadium sales staff sells all of the game day broadcast inventory; Jerry keeps all of the money. In return, CBS gets to say they are the "Official Home of the Dallas Cowboys." Last year, the Cownoys effectively rented The Fan's transmitter during the game, producing the gameday broadcast themselves. Effective this coming season, CBS gets to pay all the production expenses. Brad, Babe, et al are contract employees of CBS.

It will be interesting to see what effort CBS puts into the on-air product, since the Cowboys Broadcasting Department no longer produces the game day broadcast...and all that implies. Best guess? They will do whatever is the absolute CHEAPEST!

That’s the same deal The Cowboys had with KTCK/KDBN. So you are saying this year, rights fees are involved.
So who really pulled the plug on the Cowboys/KTCK deal. Having the Cowboys certainly did not help The Ticket’s ratings, but it did hurt their programming flow. Having to play spots(Cowboys inventory) before and after the Ranch Report during the last year of the deal just killed any momentum they had. So its probably reasonable that Cumulus told the Cowboys good bye.

 

[little1]

It would be great if The Ticket got em back and simulcast on the Wolf this time like they should have in the first place. But I understand why Cumulus put them on The Bone.....I really don't think Jerry Jones could give a rat's *#$ about the radio numbers. He's getting paid by CBS. I'm sure radio is just an intangible. Sure he can't get anymore money anywhere else. Unless CBS opts out if the bill is to high. The Fan has to be so far in the red....well we'll see how it works out.

Misinformation, disinformation...wrong information!

Jerry received NO money from Cumulus, and in his new deal with The Fan, neither does he receive money from CBS. At best, it could be termed a "barter" arrangement. Quite simply, it works like this: Jerry's consolidated Valley Ranch and Stadium sales staff sells all of the game day broadcast inventory; Jerry keeps all of the money. In return, CBS gets to say they are the "Official Home of the Dallas Cowboys." Last year, the Cownoys effectively rented The Fan's transmitter during the game, producing the gameday broadcast themselves. Effective this coming season, CBS gets to pay all the production expenses. Brad, Babe, et al are contract employees of CBS.

It will be interesting to see what effort CBS puts into the on-air product, since the Cowboys Broadcasting Department no longer produces the game day broadcast...and all that implies. Best guess? They will do whatever is the absolute CHEAPEST!

That’s the same deal The Cowboys had with KTCK/KDBN. So you are saying this year, rights fees are involved.
So who really pulled the plug on the Cowboys/KTCK deal. Having the Cowboys certainly did not help The Ticket’s ratings, but it did hurt their programming flow. Having to play spots(Cowboys inventory) before and after the Ranch Report during the last year of the deal just killed any momentum they had. So its probably reasonable that Cumulus told the Cowboys good bye.

I've heard from sources inside Maple that confirm Fly's comments. And that one of the walk-away moments for Cumulus was Jerry's insistence that they (Cumulus) pay Brad, Babe, and all the production expenses. And with talent contracts and expenses contracted for by Jerry. In other words, Jerry would agree to pay Brad X amount, and Cumulus (and now CBS) has to write the check.

Not 'we'll agree on a mutually agreeable contract amount", and then the station pays. No, Jerry makes the deal, and the station bears the load. Great deal if you can swing it. It would be like me giving my teenagers an allowance of a 100 bucks a week and having someone else pay for it...

 

[longtimelistener]

WE all know who broadcast the Cowboys on the radio this year---but did CBS spend any money advertising 105.3 on billboards or TV? If they did, I missed it. This from a company that derives their revenus from convincing clients they have to advertise to attract customers; or in this case, listeners.

 

[salemjedi54]

It would be great if The Ticket got em back and simulcast on the Wolf this time like they should have in the first place. But I understand why Cumulus put them on The Bone.....I really don't think Jerry Jones could give a rat's *#$ about the radio numbers. He's getting paid by CBS. I'm sure radio is just an intangible. Sure he can't get anymore money anywhere else. Unless CBS opts out if the bill is to high. The Fan has to be so far in the red....well we'll see how it works out.

Misinformation, disinformation...wrong information!

Jerry received NO money from Cumulus, and in his new deal with The Fan, neither does he receive money from CBS. At best, it could be termed a "barter" arrangement. Quite simply, it works like this: Jerry's consolidated Valley Ranch and Stadium sales staff sells all of the game day broadcast inventory; Jerry keeps all of the money. In return, CBS gets to say they are the "Official Home of the Dallas Cowboys." Last year, the Cownoys effectively rented The Fan's transmitter during the game, producing the gameday broadcast themselves. Effective this coming season, CBS gets to pay all the production expenses. Brad, Babe, et al are contract employees of CBS.

It will be interesting to see what effort CBS puts into the on-air product, since the Cowboys Broadcasting Department no longer produces the game day broadcast...and all that implies. Best guess? They will do whatever is the absolute CHEAPEST!

That’s the same deal The Cowboys had with KTCK/KDBN. So you are saying this year, rights fees are involved.
So who really pulled the plug on the Cowboys/KTCK deal. Having the Cowboys certainly did not help The Ticket’s ratings, but it did hurt their programming flow. Having to play spots(Cowboys inventory) before and after the Ranch Report during the last year of the deal just killed any momentum they had. So its probably reasonable that Cumulus told the Cowboys good bye.

I've heard from sources inside Maple that confirm Fly's comments. And that one of the walk-away moments for Cumulus was Jerry's insistence that they (Cumulus) pay Brad, Babe, and all the production expenses. And with talent contracts and expenses contracted for by Jerry. In other words, Jerry would agree to pay Brad X amount, and Cumulus (and now CBS) has to write the check.

Not 'we'll agree on a mutually agreeable contract amount", and then the station pays. No, Jerry makes the deal, and the station bears the load. Great deal if you can swing it. It would be like me giving my teenagers an allowance of a 100 bucks a week and having someone else pay for it...

That’s basically how the Rangers pay Lewin and Grieve. The Rangers cut the check but then their expenses
(Salary, hotel rooms, per diem, health insurance) are reimbursed by Fox Sports.

 

[little1]

But who sets the salary? And who decides what teh correct level of expenses are?

From what I've been told, that's where Cumulus balked. Jerry wanted to set the levels, and let Cumulus write the check. So if Jerry decided to double Brad and Babe's salary, someone else would pay it. If Jerry decided to book people into the 4 Seasons Hotel while on the road, someone else would pay for it...

Like I said, great deal if you can swing it, but financially irresponsible for a company to allow someone else to negotiate contracts that they will be paying...

 

[salemjedi54]

In case with Grieve and Lewin, the Rangers negotiated the salary. But like I said earlier, Fox Sports reimbursed the salary. I know that personally. I created the invoices that The Rangers sent to Fox.