February PPM 6+

[medev]

KBKS is coming for KQMV and it’s clearly working. KQMV has launched tv ads featuring Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning.

KRWM is beating KSWD which basically has skeleton crew and lots of Delilah.

Things are not looking so good for KNUC.

KUBE and KPLZ days are likely numbered. I hate to say it, but I feel like KUBE should turn into an FM sports station or another format. It’s clearly not working for iHeartRadio.

 

[TheBigA]

Things are not looking so good for KNUC.

https://ratings.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/arb039

They did better with no morning show than with Bobby Bones. But that's to be expected. Bobby is an acquired taste. You have to get into his social circle and get to know his friends. It will take time to see if this show catches on.

 

[medev]

https://ratings.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/arb039

They did better with no morning show than with Bobby Bones. But that's to be expected. Bobby is an acquired taste. You have to get into his social circle and get to know his friends. It will take time to see if this show catches on.

Yeah, I had never heard Booby Bones before he came to Seattle. I’m not a fan of country music, but I listened for a week. I’m not into him at all.

 

[TheBigA]

Yeah, I had never heard Booby Bones before he came to Seattle. I’m not a fan of country music, but I listened for a week. I’m not into him at all.

He won Dancing With the Stars and is a mentor on American Idol. Mostly a TV guy.

 

[fordranger797]

KUBE and KHTP are basically in a stalemate for listeners in the rhythmic department. To flip one would equal the other picking up all of the other listeners. Is it worth it for iheart to move their 950 programming to FM sports? KIRO-AM is the better performer the market, and I'm not sure if a FM signal on 93.3 would do very much to close that gap.

I would imagine that they have to give KNUC a little more time. The Spring and Summer months typically bring in more listeners for the country music format, so this summer could provide some indication of whether or not these changes are moving the needle.

 

[bobdavcav]

Not a good book for rhythmic formats in general, both stations down. What's gotten to KEXP? They've set station records three of the last four books.

 

[fordranger797]

Not a good book for rhythmic formats in general, both stations down. What's gotten to KEXP? They've set station records three of the last four books.

Probably something to do with consolidation over on 107.7. Subjectively, that station has a much different sound and delivery today than it did in previous years. It seems like End listeners put a lot of value in local content that originates in Seattle, and that is no longer happening. In the 6+ category KEXP is fairing much better.

 

[DN14224]

iHm already tried to put KJR on FM (albeit a rimshot signal) and it failed miserably. I don’t see them tossing a full market signal for a simulcast. They could always do a rhythmic Jack FM format and it would still make money.

 

[Treehouse SWL]

Probably something to do with consolidation over on 107.7. Subjectively, that station has a much different sound and delivery today than it did in previous years. It seems like End listeners put a lot of value in local content that originates in Seattle, and that is no longer happening. In the 6+ category KEXP is fairing much better.

As a former diehard listener of 107.7, I can tell you KEXP is much more to my tastes these days. The End's decline was slow; first, I noticed it kept playing the same old alternative hits in between new songs, then it fully embraced groups like twentyone pilots (I admittedly hate that band), which is more mainstream pop than alternative rock. I mentioned this on Twitter months ago, and somebody with the station responded that I didn't know what "alternative" was anymore. Maybe not, but I like lots of new music that seems like it would have been played on The End in years past, and now I find it playing on KEXP or, sometimes, C-89.5. And it's true that 107.7 has no more local-focused shoes. I doubt 107.7 cares now about my opinion, however, as I just a few months ago edged out of the 18-49 age bracket.

 

[fordranger797]

As a former diehard listener of 107.7, I can tell you KEXP is much more to my tastes these days. The End's decline was slow; first, I noticed it kept playing the same old alternative hits in between new songs, then it fully embraced groups like twentyone pilots (I admittedly hate that band), which is more mainstream pop than alternative rock. I mentioned this on Twitter months ago, and somebody with the station responded that I didn't know what "alternative" was anymore. Maybe not, but I like lots of new music that seems like it would have been played on The End in years past, and now I find it playing on KEXP or, sometimes, C-89.5. And it's true that 107.7 has no more local-focused shoes. I doubt 107.7 cares now about my opinion, however, as I just a few months ago edged out of the 18-49 age bracket.

They don't care about your opinion, but they probably should. I can assure you that your grievances are not isolated. I'm in my 20's, and many of the people I know would probably consider themselves to be fans of alternative music. Most of these people are former End listeners who have switched to streaming or KEXP. Obviously, this is not a representative sample by any stretch, but it may help explain some of the issues at 107.7. You are right, it was a gradual descent. There were some major shakeups with the on-air talent, and the hyperlocal music shows were cut. While consolidation may be the trend in the industry, I get the impression that they didn't realize how important local content was to their core audience. The End is not a classic rock station, nor is it a mainstream rock radio station. Alternative/"Indie" rock has a very dedicated audience, and local content does have some importance. Even maintaining some sort of skeleton version of "Locals Only" would have helped their image. As for the music, I see your point. Many of the songs on The End coincide with a CHR playlist (namely, Billie Eilish, AJR, etc). Somewhat related to The End, Entercom is experiencing lackluster 6+ ratings with their alternative station in San Francisco (KITS).

Let's be realistic here. Every radio station will have a wide array of listeners who will either like, dislike, or have a neutral stance toward programming. In the vast majority of circumstances, the listeners just don't understand that business is business. The station doesn't care, because most of the listeners are satisfied. In the case of The End, there are some strong opinions, and I'm not convinced that they are isolated. Will anything change? As long as they are keeping their logs full, probably not. At least they aren't competing for buys with a commercial station.

 

[boombox4]

Probably something to do with consolidation over on 107.7. Subjectively, that station has a much different sound and delivery today than it did in previous years. It seems like End listeners put a lot of value in local content that originates in Seattle, and that is no longer happening. In the 6+ category KEXP is fairing much better.

The End's 'heritage' died with grunge in the late 2000's, when nu-metal faded, and declined further in the 2010's, when alt music also diversified.

Both of those factors combined to reduce their visibility in the minds of a lot of people who listened to them religiously in the 90's and 2000's. Then you have GenZ listeners, who are more into hip-hop than alt rock, or are seeking new artists online, as opposed to radio.

The fact that alt music is so wide ranging, with so few real 'stars', also doesn't help much. I think BigA has pointed this out several times here and elsewhere when discussing the state of alt rock and alt music.

KEXP is competing well, and in a sense they aren't competing as a public radio station, not in the sense that they were in the 80's and 90's when they were still KCMU. When EXP funded them they slickened their presentation. And the End has been suffering, more or less, ever since. KEXPs success aids KNDDs demise. Slashing people at KNDD's company probably isn't helping much.

All that said, The End have got a 2.4, and have had consistent 6+ ratings over the past year, and maybe the real ratings give a better picture. They're at least not dragging down in the 0.1's and 0.2's.

 

[boombox4]

Great to see KOMO blasting away. Haven't seem them this consistently high in the ratings in years. The Pandemic, election issues, and other news seems to have propelled them rather well.

 

[semoochie]

It's slightly off topic but I was surprised to find that KEXP doesn't enjoy a strong tower location. I knew that it was a lower Class station but assumed it was on Queen Anne Hill on someplace similar, since it's experiencing competitive shares.

 

[Kelly A]

It's slightly off topic but I was surprised to find that KEXP doesn't enjoy a strong tower location. I knew that it was a lower Class station but assumed it was on Queen Anne Hill on someplace similar, since it's experiencing competitive shares.

They're on the KCTS-TV Capitol Hill tower.

 

[fordranger797]

The fact that alt music is so wide ranging, with so few real 'stars', also doesn't help much. I think BigA has pointed this out several times here and elsewhere when discussing the state of alt rock and alt music.

You're absolutely correct. "Alternative" appears to be an amalgam of many different musical styles and genres. I used to listen to The End quite a bit for some of the newer rock music content, but would immediately tune out when an electronic song was aired. I'm pretty sure that BigA, David, and many other experts always cite consistency as being an essential component for success. I hardly think that you could classify The End as consistent, when the music is all over the map and they can't decide what they want to be. You're right, we know that 6+ isn't providing a complete picture, so perhaps the situation isn't so bleak.

 

[CarAgencyGuy]

Sports on FM is a good move from a client/media buyer prospective; local, loyal, foreground listening audience. Has a nice power ratio in revenue relative to ratings.

 

[macattack]

You're absolutely correct. "Alternative" appears to be an amalgam of many different musical styles and genres. I used to listen to The End quite a bit for some of the newer rock music content, but would immediately tune out when an electronic song was aired. I'm pretty sure that BigA, David, and many other experts always cite consistency as being an essential component for success. I hardly think that you could classify The End as consistent, when the music is all over the map and they can't decide what they want to be. You're right, we know that 6+ isn't providing a complete picture, so perhaps the situation isn't so bleak.

I was a child in the late 90's/early 00's, when Outkast would bump into The Strokes, and Creed would lead into Fatboy Slim, so my taste is probably more eclectic than the average Alt listener, but the general mixes at Entercom Alternatives right now baffle even me. Firing the vast majority of local talent and replacing them with "regional" voice-tracks that even intermediate listeners will realize are not from the area, plus radical playlist changes without warning, didn't help either.

Here's a couple of sample hours I pulled from today's playlist, it becomes rapidly apparent what the mix's problems are IMO.

9-10 AM @ KNDD:

1. Foushee - "Deep End" (2020, C)
2. blink-182 - "What's My Age Again?" (1999)
3. Billie Eilish - "everything i wanted" (2020, R)
4. Imagine Dragons - "Demons" (2013)
5. KennyHoopla feat. Travis Barker - "Estella//" (2020, C)
6. Lorde - "Tennis Court" (2014)
7. absofacto - "Dissolve" (2019, R)
8. Switchfoot - "Meant To Live" (2003)
9. Juice WRLD & Marshmello - "Come & Go" (2020, R)
10. Foo Fighters - "My Hero" (1997)
11. portugal.the.man - "Feel It Still (2017)
12. Green Day - "Holiday" (2004)
13. Cage the Elephant - "Skin And Bones" (2020, C)
14. Lit - "My Own Worst Enemy" (1999)
15. Matt Maeson - "Cringe" (2019, R)
16. Bishop Briggs - "River" (2016)

10-11 AM:
1. Machine Gun Kelly & blackbear - "my ex's best friend" (2020, C)
2. Nirvana - "Come As You Are" (1991)
3. Cannons - "Fire For You" (2020, R)
4. Rise Against - "The Violence" (2017)
5. AJR - "Way Less Sad" (2021, C)
6. blink-182 - "I Miss You" (2003)
7. Two Feet - "I Feel Like I'm Drowning" (2018, R)
8. Florence & The Machine - "Dog Days Are Over" (2009)
9. Benny Blanco w/collaborators - "You" (2021, C)
10. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Under The Bridge" (1991)
11. 24kGoldn & Iann Dior - "Mood" (2020, R)
12. KALEO - "Way Down We Go" (2016)
13. Billie Eilish - "Therefore I Am" (2020, C)
14. Death Cab For Cutie - "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" (2005)

 

[The New Chico]

Us old fuddie duddies think of The End as an Alt Rock station, but what they really are, and have been for quite some time, is an alt-pop station with very carefully selected alt rock gold. Whether that's the best decision, the market will decide. If it is billing well as an alt-pop station, then the playlist above is correct. I am not privy to that data. But rock it ain't. I don't believe they use the terms "Alt" or "Rock" on air at all...it's "2 Minute Promise" and "New Music Discovery." It's not your Dad's End, at all. It would be interesting to know if it is meeting (under Covid conditions) the goals Entercom are looking for, in terms of demographics and revenue.

The End has the same name as the glory days of the 90s and early '00s, but other than dial position, it is not the same station and will need to be judged on the merits of what it is now.

 

[boombox4]

Us old fuddie duddies think of The End as an Alt Rock station, but what they really are, and have been for quite some time, is an alt-pop station with very carefully selected alt rock gold. Whether that's the best decision, the market will decide. If it is billing well as an alt-pop station, then the playlist above is correct. I am not privy to that data. But rock it ain't. I don't believe they use the terms "Alt" or "Rock" on air at all...it's "2 Minute Promise" and "New Music Discovery." It's not your Dad's End, at all. It would be interesting to know if it is meeting (under Covid conditions) the goals Entercom are looking for, in terms of demographics and revenue.

The End has the same name as the glory days of the 90s and early '00s, but other than dial position, it is not the same station and will need to be judged on the merits of what it is now.

Then what exactly is it now? What does Nirvana or Rise Against have to do with Billie Eilish? They're not the same basic genre (rock vs. pop) or the same era. I don't see a connection. The bizarre mixes that Macattack mentioned at least were at least from the same era: they were all currents.

But hey, if it's still making the company money, power to 'em, whatever the format truly is.

 

[crainbebo]

The longer that 3/4ths of Seattle companies are still 'work from home', the longer 94.1's decline will be. Until March 2020 they were beating KRWM and even got to third place on at least one occasion. That's because it was 'relaxing favorites at work'.
Yikes, less than 2 on Hot 103.7. And 98.9 took a big dump similar to prior to Fitz's show...