FM & AM talk

[MikeAmatori]

Turi Ryder lives in SF and broadcasts from in studio.The PM drive shows have had live, in-studio hosts since day one.O'Toole passed out on mic, London prank-called CBS management and threatened another host's life on the air. That's why they're gone.A gay/TG station? For what, 6% of the Bay Area?Nutty.

Yes, I know why O'Toole and London were fired. The PM Drive show has had a lot of tryouts since London self distructed. A guy from LA, who was doing the show from LA.Some morons from Phoenix, I thik they called themselves the Franks or something, andI want to say some guy from Atlanta. No the PM Drive show has not been from SF throughout. The LA Guy, who I think still has a weekend show in LA, seems to be the guy they keep bringing back, so perhaps he's flying up for the weeks he works here, but not initially.Turi, was doing a show out of town on the weekends. (Seattle ?) Sorry tought she was in Seattle. If she's in the Bay area and has the gig, good for her. 2 hr show works well with her Mom duties I'm sure. which she talks about on her Website.The Question was what VOID is not being filled. If you could get 6% of the population to listen to your station and write it down, you would be in the top 10% of the ratings. I didn't say it would work, but it is a niche format void. So is a Womans talk format.How about a good FM sports talk station? KNBR is Crap, Put the A's on pick up some network games. FB/BB some college hoops. Hire some bright local people to talk about local sports and you got somthing. I'll bet you may even be able to get the Warriors since KNBR does things like tape delays games. Most markets have about 3 talk outlets. SF has 5 so far, 6 if you count sports talk KNBR7 The Ticket and 8 if you count KNTS. BLAH BLAH BLAH...Kinda crowded.Free (FALL) FM better do somthing. If this is the best they can come up with afterspending 90 million to buy it. Then I hear music in their future.Internally the folks who I know there are embarrased by what's going on. I read in the trades that CBS is selling off 35 staions in smaller mkts so the can concentrate on their large Mkt. properties...I hope they hurry!!! Free FM is a nationwide disaster, as are most of their Jack FM's too.

 

[drtylawndre]

community college stations seem to have what some of you want....once in a while...if you can get them...trouble is with all the syndicrap...nothing seems to open up for something new on a bigger station.....also....I think Lee Rogers is in New Mexico or Lauglin NV.......there is a slight trend away from politics...Karel talks about buying a washer and dryer....Savage about boats nd dogs....etcI still think you'll be suprised what happens ...to conservatve talk stations....the big ones survive....but the second tier ones are flakey shakey..LA PHX Vegas...going through changes

 

[MikeAmatori]

Lee is in Arizona. Savage talks about HIS Boat and HIS Dog. That's important.But mostly he talks about himself.KCSM, Community College Jazz station with Civil Service DJ. Radio life employment station. Don't get CC of SF stations or KUSF's.I work in the business...Here's the deal, as long as a station is sucessfull, and let me be clear, sucessfull meens getting ratings and making money because of it.When that stops, formats change. Not for politics or point of views. For money.It happens as much, if not more, to music stations than talk stations.This is a business, not a public service. Syndication rules the roost because it's cheaper to do, and the product is of "Proven Quality" as in, you know you canmake money and gets results and attaract listeners because it does in other places.Business!!! One persons opinion does not count, unless you own the stationof course. Let's see, I can buy a can of Coca Cola, or I can but this can of stuffcalled Brown Cola in a Can. I think everyone has heard of Coca Cola so why go stocking up on the other unpoven crap.Do I think talk and all radio can be better sure. But if I'm incharge of the bottom line I'm gonna go with what works $$$. When it stops working is when you change.

 

[SFStatic]

It is a business, first and foremost. However, I have seen several stations across the years that were beating their budget and ratings goals get blown up, just because management wanted to try a hot new format they thought would make more money and garner higher ratings. (In a couple cases, that happened...in one, the new format never hit half the numbers or dollars of the former format.) This was happening years ago before corporate radio, too.Talk radio is entertainment before all else. If the host is a good storyteller, he can talk about his dog and boat, and generate big numbers. The good ones know how long to ride an issue, and when to drop in a story...also how to use callers, and when to drop one and move on.Even the biggest brands sometimes have to react to the market, though. Witness Coke getting into the water business, and new stuff like Coke Black. The Red Bulls and Rock Stars are getting into their jeans a bit, not just Pepsi. Change is always a constant!

 

[MikeAmatori]

Mr Static,I will also conceed that making bad moves is a time honored tradition in radio. I've seen more than a few in my 35 year career. But, usually not among the most sucessfull. NOW, Do they make them too? Sure. But the real good ones bail out before its to late. Now my only question is... Does Teddy lap up Rockstar while Michael reads him Political Zoo? I'm sure the "storyteller" will share that with us when he does. :

 

[drtylawndre]

an internet blog on weiner savage said he always wanted to have a product health related/ beverage related...I think his son ran with the ball after being connected with the guy that was the brains behind skky vodka and other ideas...bankrolled the venture Rockstar...weiner was a good pitchman and story teller when he was an alternative health writer...hanging with Tim Leary (he admits) and Ginsberg (he doesn't admit)...no question both father and son have ambition, business knowledge and talent....just like art bell they have put it together ....the radio people on the left have had less successI noticed drudge says disney may cut jobs...a lot of radio ADS have been for mortgage loans homes etc ...I think the revenue may be hit and cut in programming budgets will be next

 

[MikeAmatori]

Matt Drudge says...Well then it must be true. A guy like Matt would have all the answers. I would recomend you read more than just Drudge, perhaps the broadcast trades, or WSJ. I get the impression that what you think you know about broadcasting you getoff the internet or by listening. I myself read reputable publications, about the biz and otherwise, and THEN I rely on my 35 years of Major market radio experience to speculate about what MIGHT happen.Here's what I can tell you. No One Knows, Not you, Not me, not Drudge. Wait FaridSuleman knows, he runs Citadel. But he is not in charge yet.Rockstar a Health Drink? Well then I guess Jack Daniels is an antiseptic!