DECEMBER RATINGS FOR AMERICA'S MUSIC CITY

[Tibbs4]

Did anyone notice a few interesting items in the December ratings for the 12 plus numbers posted on this site?

First, the much despised WJXA, Mix 92.9, slammed it. Not only was it the highest number in the Nashville ratings, but it was the highest number in the Top 50 markets. Wow! Congrats. I am perplexed. Rupert must be doing Christmas songs and no one told me.

Second, country is land locked. It's time to admit the defeat of a third station with the same format. But why try? That third station needs to just be in a closet, forgotten.

Third, but not reflected in the December numbers, the Dave departure and hockey's return should be interesting for helping The Game grow and prosper. It will probably hurt WWTN's numbers, but that's called Crumsuccess. (I am trademarking that.)

Finally, and most interestingly - The Rock took a large dive and it's possibly not seasonal. Jack grew, RQQ is a non-factor. Where did all the rockers possibly go? I can't figure it out, unless you notice one station isn't in the numbers. Could it be there really is a Hippie nation?

Interesting information embedded in these numbers. Even if they resort back to norm in January. Here's to nothing new in 2013....Meanwhile, a belated Merry Mixmas!

 

[jwk1979]

I don't think the Hippie had anything to do with The Rock's dive in numbers. Where I live, I can't even pick the Hippie up. The main reason I quit listening to the Rock is that every time I turn on the Rock, it seems that it's the same handful of song that are being played over and over. I also have Siruis/XM in my car and those stations play a TRUE VARIETY of songs on their playlist, not just the same handful of tunes over and over like the majority of Nashville stations do.

 

[PirateJohnny]

I don't think the Hippie had anything to do with The Rock's dive in numbers. Where I live, I can't even pick the Hippie up. The main reason I quit listening to the Rock is that every time I turn on the Rock, it seems that it's the same handful of song that are being played over and over. I also have Siruis/XM in my car and those stations play a TRUE VARIETY of songs on their playlist, not just the same handful of tunes over and over like the majority of Nashville stations do.

Well, according to the consultants in the "tune out factor" thread in the Oldies section, you must no longer be in the target demo for advertisers. That demo is happy with the same handful of songs, according to the experts. I'm just para-phrasing...

 

[firepoint525]

Finally, and most interestingly - The Rock took a large dive and it's possibly not seasonal. Jack grew, RQQ is a non-factor. Where did all the rockers possibly go? I can't figure it out, unless you notice one station isn't in the numbers. Could it be there really is a Hippie nation?

I don't think the Hippie had anything to do with The Rock's dive in numbers. Where I live, I can't even pick the Hippie up.

If Hippie had anything to do with Come-in-last selling off 97.1, then I would say that they (Hippie) have already been a success! 97.1 was Hippie's most direct competitor (as 'RQQ, not as K-Love); they went eyeball-to-eyeball, and Come-in-last blinked first.

I would say that the Rock's problems were more internal, more self-inflicted. And letting Mary Glenn go certainly didn't help them! :

 

[kr0nic]

I would say that the Rock's problems were more internal, more self-inflicted. And letting Mary Glenn go certainly didn't help them! :

Proud Mary was definitely the heart and soul of that station for sure.

 

[Bat Fastard]

I don't think the Hippie had anything to do with The Rock's dive in numbers. Where I live, I can't even pick the Hippie up. The main reason I quit listening to the Rock is that every time I turn on the Rock, it seems that it's the same handful of song that are being played over and over. I also have Siruis/XM in my car and those stations play a TRUE VARIETY of songs on their playlist, not just the same handful of tunes over and over like the majority of Nashville stations do.

Well, according to the consultants in the "tune out factor" thread in the Oldies section, you must no longer be in the target demo for advertisers. That demo is happy with the same handful of songs, according to the experts. I'm just para-phrasing...

I think that's hogwash. It's the single-largest tune-out factor. Seems like every time I do a little research on this subject, the most frequently heard objection is the repetition.

The paradox is that the stations with the smaller playlists tend to do better in a competitive situation. As one who had to "program" such a station, it made me crazy.

 

[briancraig]

But are people really truthful about their listening tastes. I remember reading in Billboard or R & R once where the PD of WPLJ in NYC said that if he went by what the listeners told him they wanted to hear, he'd never play a hit record yet WPLJ with their singles oriented AOR format always beat WNEW with their more freeform AOR format.

I am amazed that the Rock usually does as well as it does since they seem to play the same songs every 18 hours. I always thought Rock 103 in Memphis had a limited classic rock playlist but even they probably play over a hundred more titles than 105.9.

The Rock seems to only play 4 Bob Seger songs (Against The Wind, Night Moves, Her Strut, Old Time Rock & Roll). Why don't they play The Fire Down Below, Hollywood Nights, Rock & Roll Never Forgets, Still The Same etc?

They only play 2 Paul McCartney songs (Band On The Run, Maybe I'm Amazed (Live)) regularly and maybe Live and Let Die every now and then. I get why you wouldn't play his more pop songs like With A Little Luck or Silly Love Songs, but why not play Jet.

I'm not expecting them to play obscure album cuts, but the number of really classic rock titles that get no airplay on The Rock is baffling. Even more baffling is their continued success.

 

[firepoint525]

I am amazed that the Rock usually does as well as it does since they seem to play the same songs every 18 hours. I always thought Rock 103 in Memphis had a limited classic rock playlist but even they probably play over a hundred more titles than 105.9.

I've seen complaints (usually on the Memphis board) about Rock 103's supposedly limited playlist, then I would look at their online playlist and see stuff that 105.9 would never touch! And both are Clear Channel stations, so I never understood the discrepancy, unless it was because Rock 103 actually has direct competition there in Memphis.

I'm not expecting them to play obscure album cuts, but the number of really classic rock titles that get no airplay on The Rock is baffling. Even more baffling is their continued success.

Three words: lack of competition.

 

[acheron1982]

Is the rock on Premium Choice? Im assuming most cc classic rock stations are. I noticed The Buzz is NOT on Premium Choice which explains their few alternative tracks in their active rock format. Btw, did looking back, in high and sight, was the buzz moving into the active rock arena from the alternative arena a good move according to ratings.

 

[Tibbs4]

Great ratings for Christmas version of Mix! Wow! Numbers just shy of their 18th birthday. Is that the highest numbers in America? Interesting to see the Rock fall more. WWTN might as well sign off now that Dave's gone. Crums is cranking...QQK is the only star left.