Fort Wayne Ratings

[a1avet]

a1avet: The ratings of 97.1 Hank FM have fallen by half since Roddy was escorted from Monument Circle.

Just what R-I Indiana needs: another Russ basher.

Yes, it's called "a station whose time came and went" at roughly the same time as its APD/MD did (no one on Monument Circle wanted him to have the ACTUAL title). It was an atrociously terrible station then...it's actually slightly better now, but...the damage had already been done. When it comes to country music, SR doesn't know a hit from a hole in the ground, as they say. It showed at Hank and shows at US 93.

I just call 'em like I see 'em. In this particular case, the line of people who agree with me on this stretches way past the confines of radio-info.com. Maybe you were one of the people Roddy hired to "drink energy drinks" with him and romp around the studio (and various equipment closets). If so, I wouldn't expect you to agree.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Nope, I can't say I've had the pleasure of meeting Scott Roddy, let alone working for him. Or Russ.

 

[jo-nathan]

It's been my experience that these "lies the public will soon realize" is, well, junk. Honestly the public doesn't really care what a sweeper says. I've never heard of someone listening to a station that has better produced or more creative imaging. A listener listens to a station that plays better music (or in the case of two stations that have the same format, the better mix of music will win that battle) and has better jocks. However, I will say this: The fact that Russ was so in-your-face with his marketing did nothing but help them. Was K105 out at community events? When I was in town they didn't get out to events very often where they weren't being paid to be there. A station has to be willing to do these things if they want to have a chance. Yes, it often means a jock will have to make a free appearance but if they stick it out it can and often does mean rewards down the road.

 

[1RadioJunkie]

Make no mistake, people...Oasis bought this book for 'BTU. Plain and simple. Cash giveaways, "stealth" direct marketing contests, free community appearances (that air talent is forced to attend for free), record-level television spending...and of course (what was it, 9 months?) commercial-free!

Does he have some good ideas? A couple. Unfortunately, the only way for him to continue to leverage these good ideas and maintain this momentum is to spend another...I don't know...3/4 of a million dollars...for at least one, and maybe two or three more books. Eventually the public could be fooled and new habits formed. Overall, in terms of a country music station, this thing is a joke. It is a laughing-stock in the industry (as is Scott Roddy, his "programming skills", and his prior station, Indy's "Hank FM") and, more importantly, has nothing to define/differentiate itself other than the government gimmick. The other things they prattle on about (live 24/7, "better variety"/"legends", "we play what you say") are simply lies that the public WILL eventually realize that there isn't so much as an attempt on their part to deliver on.

Add all this to the pricey LMA fees and lawyers...the AMP deal isn't looking like such a steal!

Sometimes it takes a NEW face to put things in a new prospective...I've watch you less informed people on this string spout off about how much you know about this business and the owners of stations. How you form your options based on nothing but hear say, or because a fellow broadcaster became ticked off for getting fired and told you lies, or you were fired yourself. I've worked in the Fort Wayne Market for over 2 decades, I know the Owners and Managers of these stations and from what I see in this situation is a Fort Wayne ledged has a breath of fresh air, and its competition doesn't believe in itself and what they stand for, thus is why they are re-active instead of pro-active. You talk about how Russ bought this book, lol I seen well over a hundred percent showing of worthless billboards all over the Fort, as well as a lot of money being given away on K105, music format changing to an older demo, and on and on. The problem I see at K105 is the management in charge of the station doesn’t know the market, and they finally have someone in the market that does. The management at U.S. understands that the people of this community, not likes, but LOVES a station that the people can be involved with. They understand that community involvement is vital for the success of a station that's why you see U.S. doing free charity, and community events, this something you don't see at K105. They understand that no matter what side of government you stand on the concept U.S. has come up with, no matter how stupid you think it is, strikes a cord on the heart strings of the people of this community, and on and on. No, what you're seeing here is not a gimmick that will change. What you're seeing here is excellent researched marketing at work, and if your friends at Fed Med don't make a change at the K105 helm quick it won't take very long for dominance to take place. I've heard comments about U.S. being commercial free is the reason they've surged to the top, and now that they're playing commercials again people will go back to "K". This is non sense, K105 messed up when they tried to capitalize on U.S. not accepting commercials, and now they have a problem. I don't think listener's will sit through 16min. commercial hours, as I've heard while U.S. is playing less, another brilliant move on Oasis's part. Oh and another thing, if you don't think the folks in Nashville aren't in the weeds watching think again. What a shame it would be to lose reporting status to R&R. Like I said this is what I see as someone who knows all players involved, and for you basher of U.S. 93.3, Russ Oasis, Scott Roddy, and their staff, I say U.S. 93.3 (WBTU) is now the number 1 station in Fort Wayne that plays music. That is undisputed according to the great rating monster, it's a new day in the world of Fort Wayne Radio, and I don't see it changing anytime soon

 

[a1avet]

I don't disagree with most of what has been said in the last few posts. Community involvement is a key to U.S. 93's victory in Ft. Wayne, no question. Do people care that much about what sweepers say? Maybe not. But they DO care whether or not the music sucks. And it does. Scott Roddy (unbelievably) has taken BTU's music from bad (the el cheapo satellite feed that AMP had them on before Russ took control was the worst I had ever heard!) to worse (HankFM, minus the really old [and/or really good, depending on your perspective] stuff.) In the end...THIS is what matters. Listeners will eventually get used to seeing the bus at every fish fry in the listening area...it won't be special anymore...and they'll have to make a decision based on the music. Trust me when I tell you that K105 plays a tighter playlist (more hits) and is better researched on an ongoing basis (not solely based on stale auditorium tests). Eventually, it will come back to this...and the incompetence (at least from a country music standpoint) on Goshen Road will again shoot them in the foot. If FedMed can hang on until then, they'll be fine. Nashville isn't watching; they're laughing -- and still not returning their calls. I promise!

 

[k105mark]

I don't disagree with most of what has been said in the last few posts. Community involvement is a key to U.S. 93's victory in Ft. Wayne, no question. Do people care that much about what sweepers say? Maybe not. But they DO care whether or not the music sucks. And it does. Scott Roddy (unbelievably) has taken BTU's music from bad (the el cheapo satellite feed that AMP had them on before Russ took control was the worst I had ever heard!) to worse (HankFM, minus the really old [and/or really good, depending on your perspective] stuff.) In the end...THIS is what matters. Listeners will eventually get used to seeing the bus at every fish fry in the listening area...it won't be special anymore...and they'll have to make a decision based on the music. Trust me when I tell you that K105 plays a tighter playlist (more hits) and is better researched on an ongoing basis (not solely based on stale auditorium tests). Eventually, it will come back to this...and the incompetence (at least from a country music standpoint) on Goshen Road will again shoot them in the foot. If FedMed can hang on until then, they'll be fine. Nashville isn't watching; they're laughing -- and still not returning their calls. I promise!

Let me say this. It takes more then one book to take away R&R status. It takes a trend. There is no trend here. It's one book. While I was at K105 in Fort Wayne, it took us three consecutive books at #1 before Lon Helton took away WBTU's R&R status.

Oh and BTW, Federated Media does research also.

 

[a1avet]

Let me say this. It takes more then one book to take away R&R status. It takes a trend. There is no trend here. It's one book. While I was at K105 in Fort Wayne, it took us three consecutive books at #1 before Lon Helton took away WBTU's R&R status.

Oh and BTW, Federated Media does research also.

Absolutely. And more importantly, the people who program (and consult) K105 know how to smartly interpret and implement said research. Key difference.

The current panel rules for R&R are 2 consecutive books, but I'm sure there is a healthy amount of discretion they are able to use. After all, it's not a democracy! (No pun intended.)

 

[radioindy]

I don't disagree with most of what has been said in the last few posts. Community involvement is a key to U.S. 93's victory in Ft. Wayne, no question. Do people care that much about what sweepers say? Maybe not. But they DO care whether or not the music sucks. And it does. Scott Roddy (unbelievably) has taken BTU's music from bad (the el cheapo satellite feed that AMP had them on before Russ took control was the worst I had ever heard!) to worse (HankFM, minus the really old [and/or really good, depending on your perspective] stuff.) In the end...THIS is what matters. Listeners will eventually get used to seeing the bus at every fish fry in the listening area...it won't be special anymore...and they'll have to make a decision based on the music. Trust me when I tell you that K105 plays a tighter playlist (more hits) and is better researched on an ongoing basis (not solely based on stale auditorium tests). Eventually, it will come back to this...and the incompetence (at least from a country music standpoint) on Goshen Road will again shoot them in the foot. If FedMed can hang on until then, they'll be fine. Nashville isn't watching; they're laughing -- and still not returning their calls. I promise!

Let me say this. It takes more then one book to take away R&R status. It takes a trend. There is no trend here. It's one book. While I was at K105 in Fort Wayne, it took us three consecutive books at #1 before Lon Helton took away WBTU's R&R status.

Oh and BTW, Federated Media does research also.

Oasis was warned twice by the FCC for telling people on the air to remember to fill out their diaries. After he was warned, and stopped doing it, his ratings took a nose dive.

As they will in Fort Wayne.

 

[1RadioJunkie]

I don't disagree with most of what has been said in the last few posts. Community involvement is a key to U.S. 93's victory in Ft. Wayne, no question. Do people care that much about what sweepers say? Maybe not. But they DO care whether or not the music sucks. And it does. Scott Roddy (unbelievably) has taken BTU's music from bad (the el cheapo satellite feed that AMP had them on before Russ took control was the worst I had ever heard!) to worse (HankFM, minus the really old [and/or really good, depending on your perspective] stuff.) In the end...THIS is what matters. Listeners will eventually get used to seeing the bus at every fish fry in the listening area...it won't be special anymore...and they'll have to make a decision based on the music. Trust me when I tell you that K105 plays a tighter playlist (more hits) and is better researched on an ongoing basis (not solely based on stale auditorium tests). Eventually, it will come back to this...and the incompetence (at least from a country music standpoint) on Goshen Road will again shoot them in the foot. If FedMed can hang on until then, they'll be fine. Nashville isn't watching; they're laughing -- and still not returning their calls. I promise!

Let me say this. It takes more then one book to take away R&R status. It takes a trend. There is no trend here. It's one book. While I was at K105 in Fort Wayne, it took us three consecutive books at #1 before Lon Helton took away WBTU's R&R status.

Oh and BTW, Federated Media does research also.

Oasis was warned twice by the FCC for telling people on the air to remember to fill out their diaries. After he was warned, and stopped doing it, his ratings took a nose dive.

As they will in Fort Wayne.

It is only 2 books, however I really wanted to see the comments you corp. heads would leave in answering my string, very interesting. I do recall all the junk you guys left on here when the sale took place, and after the format change, how you laughed and poked fun, I just think it's funny how your attitude has changed. I can't wait till Aug. 1st will see how the spring book comes out. Like I said if you think this is going to change keep living in a fantasy world.

 

[a1avet]

I can't wait till Aug. 1st will see how the spring book comes out. Like I said if you think this is going to change keep living in a fantasy world.

Me either, 1RadioJunkie, me either. But I'm sure enough that this will change that I pledge to hand-deliver my current life savings (in small bills) to Goshen Road if they manage to pull this off twice in a row.

They CAN do it. But they won't, as I've said, because they will continue to rely on hot air and mediocre music/programming/personalities (not wanting to change their "winning" formula).

BTW, can anyone share numbers/rankings (whatever is legal) on other demos/dayparts besides Su-Sa 12+? I'd be curious...

 

[quackattack34]

I hate to say this but:

MY LIGHTBULB DOES MORE RESEARCH THAN ARTISTIC.

What I mean by that is they have had some great consultants and amazing talent go through their doors and they dont even care. What Russ has done is given Fort Wayne MORE product and better content. AMP ran satellite on the 2 FM's in Fort Wayne. It amazes me the people that bash Russ. What he is doing in Fort Wayne is something that Indianapolis was afraid to do. Gotta give him credit, atleast he is trying.

 

[1RadioJunkie]

I hate to say this but:

MY LIGHTBULB DOES MORE RESEARCH THAN ARTISTIC.

What I mean by that is they have had some great consultants and amazing talent go through their doors and they dont even care. What Russ has done is given Fort Wayne MORE product and better content. AMP ran satellite on the 2 FM's in Fort Wayne. It amazes me the people that bash Russ. What he is doing in Fort Wayne is something that Indianapolis was afraid to do. Gotta give him credit, atleast he is trying.

 

[radioindy]

I hate to say this but:

MY LIGHTBULB DOES MORE RESEARCH THAN ARTISTIC.

What I mean by that is they have had some great consultants and amazing talent go through their doors and they dont even care.

He spent a ton of money on research in Indy and the more he spent the lower the ratings went. Instead of trying something creative, he went safe with research and all it got him was a change of format.

What Russ has done is given Fort Wayne MORE product and better content. AMP ran satellite on the 2 FM's in Fort Wayne. It amazes me the people that bash Russ. What he is doing in Fort Wayne is something that Indianapolis was afraid to do. Gotta give him credit, atleast he is trying.

Given the info I've read about Oasis, he used to be a radio employee, but now that he has money, treats his employees like dirt.

I don't have to give anyone credit for treating people like that. They can choose not to work for him, but there's just no reason to be screaming at people and treating them like morons.

Based on his posts here as Old Skool and other obvious forum names he goes by, I can only imagine how bizarre it must be to actually work there. How many people have worked at Oasis' stations since he came to Indy, vs how many people are still there?

Sounds like he burns through talent and keeps the brown-noses.

No, never worked there. Couldn't imagine it based on what I've heard.

 

[1RadioJunkie]

I hate to say this but:

MY LIGHTBULB DOES MORE RESEARCH THAN ARTISTIC.

What I mean by that is they have had some great consultants and amazing talent go through their doors and they dont even care. What Russ has done is given Fort Wayne MORE product and better content. AMP ran satellite on the 2 FM's in Fort Wayne. It amazes me the people that bash Russ. What he is doing in Fort Wayne is something that Indianapolis was afraid to do. Gotta give him credit, atleast he is trying.

Thank you quackattack34 this is my point, I give credit where it is due. I'm not saying all is bad at K but I do believe they have a problem at the helm. K has some great talent some of which came from WBTU under AMP, Dave Michaels and Chevy Smith are some of the best talent currently on the air in Fort Wayne. I think Dan is a good talent. Over at WBTU I believe Scott Roddy does a good job on the air, I think Kenny Edwards is good, I think some, not all of the new talent is ok but they have hired Jocks that are vary robotic so they can focus on the music and concept, so far it's worked. I wish they had kept Dale Christopher I though he was good on the air, but of course in today’s radio it's seems putting all the basic elements in place, without the clutter, and directing your staff to be liner readers = good radio and more listeners. The management in control of K doesn't understand this. If they did they wouldn't have increased their spot load, changed the music, react to U.S., teach their jocks to be better promotional people instead of being passive to their listeners at event, and you know it’s great to be confident, but to sit back and coast with the thought that no one could touch them, as some management people do is arrogant, this above everything else will be the demise of that station if Fed Med doesn’t do something about it. It was easy against AMP because Angotti wouldn't put any money into it giving his staff the tools to be competitive, and treat clients and business people in this community like dirt instead with the respect they deserve.

I do give credit where it’s due and watching a station dominate a market for the last 8 or 9 years doesn’t always mean their good at what their doing, sometimes it means they’ve just never experienced great competition.

 

[1RadioJunkie]

I hate to say this but:

MY LIGHTBULB DOES MORE RESEARCH THAN ARTISTIC.

What I mean by that is they have had some great consultants and amazing talent go through their doors and they dont even care.

He spent a ton of money on research in Indy and the more he spent the lower the ratings went. Instead of trying something creative, he went safe with research and all it got him was a change of format.

What Russ has done is given Fort Wayne MORE product and better content. AMP ran satellite on the 2 FM's in Fort Wayne. It amazes me the people that bash Russ. What he is doing in Fort Wayne is something that Indianapolis was afraid to do. Gotta give him credit, atleast he is trying.

Given the info I've read about Oasis, he used to be a radio employee, but now that he has money, treats his employees like dirt.

I don't have to give anyone credit for treating people like that. They can choose not to work for him, but there's just no reason to be screaming at people and treating them like morons.

Based on his posts here as Old Skool and other obvious forum names he goes by, I can only imagine how bizarre it must be to actually work there. How many people have worked at Oasis' stations since he came to Indy, vs how many people are still there?

Sounds like he burns through talent and keeps the brown-noses.

No, never worked there. Couldn't imagine it based on what I've heard.

Never worked their either, so I don't know about the yelling, all I'm talking about is credit where it's due and in this case with U.S., in this market it's working. His urban station has been 1 or 2 in this market for the past 10 + years 18 -35 , he branded "The Fort" sold it to Fed Med and they kept the branding, obviously they understand he knows a little about this business. This was really evident when K 105 held there promotional budget until U.S. launched. It's called business respect... He may very well be the worst person in this business to work for I've met a lot of them, but if you can't stand a little heat in this business you better grow some think skin or get the heck out because I've worked for some of the worst but it didn't mean that I didn't respect the talents they do have as long as their not hurting anyone, and I don't consider feelings part of the equation. If a Jock has been told NOT to do something and they DO IT what do they expect, after all he does own the place and sign the check.

 

[radioindy]

You say you've not worked there, but it's hard to work for yourself. Funny how all these new posts come on in support of Oasis, from people who have never worked for him, don't know him, but somehow can defend his practices.

Funny that not one person who has worked for him comes on here to defend him.

Go ahead and make up a new screen name to do that now so it'll balance things out Russ.

 

[quackattack34]

All I am saying is that the guy spends money. He has really tried to do some good in the market. He also does research. Its sad that someone who truly cares about radio and making it better gets trashed.

I dont know Russ personally, I wish I got to meet him. However he DOES research, he DOES spend money on marketing, and he also hires a live staff. He also treats his Fort Wayne properties like they exist.

AMP as many of you know is rated one of the worst broadcast companies in America. They never even cared about Fort Wayne.

 

[bigradio13]

AMP as many of you know is rated one of the worst broadcast companies in America.

"Rated"? By whom? Is there a list of the worst broadcast companies in America that I have missed out on? Please enlighten me about where I can get my hands on these "ratings". Might make for some fun bathroom reading!!

 

[jo-nathan]

Yeah, I'd like to know of that list too... I could probably tell them about one they missed for the list (not SCRG).