Gainesville - Ocala Format Voids

[ok walters]

You got too much time on your hands, Mark. ;D ;D

Thank you. As a consultant and media broker, it's my job to have "too much time on my hands". I'll let you figure out why.

No need to figure out why. You are a true radio expert no doubt, but with lots of time to pontificate about something no one asked about. Isn't that what consultants do?

By posing questions and studying the results, experts become better experts....

Results from a message board? Maybe.

 

[radiobum]

Self-proclaimed experts on these boards that ignore the fact that most people listen to radio in the car and that most Ocala FM stations can be heard perfectly well in the car in Gainesville and vica versa amuse me. They seem to believe all there needs to be is a stronger signal from a competitor with the same format and they'll automatically beat the other station. That reminds me of a couple of places I've lived where a new station feels they can somehow 'automatically' beat a well-programmed heritage competitor.

Believe it or not, most normal people do not rush to turn on the radio when they get home- only some radio geeks do.

 

[jmtillery]

"WITH LIMBAUGH AND LOCAL HOSTS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE AIR FOR 10 YEARS. YOU THINK SOMEONE'S EASILY GOING TO BEAT WSKY ?! WITH WHO ?!?!?!?!?"

While I never said nor implied anything is easy, anyone with a bigger and better "stick" interspersed with comparable, compelling and LOCAL programming can do it. That's who! Any other questions?

 

[jmtillery]

You got too much time on your hands, Mark. ;D ;D

Thank you. As a consultant and media broker, it's my job to have "too much time on my hands". I'll let you figure out why.

No need to figure out why. You are a true radio expert no doubt, but with lots of time to pontificate about something no one asked about. Isn't that what consultants do?

By posing questions and studying the results, experts become better experts....

Results from a message board? Maybe.

A message board, such as this one, is only one venue and is never considered to be the final authority. I asked the question that "... no one else asked..." because no one else asked it. I'm interested in other opinions which I thank everyone for their input and participation. It's very much appreciated.

By the way, O. K., WLBE is sounding excellent, and I believe long-term you are on the right track.

 

[jmtillery]

Self-proclaimed experts on these boards that ignore the fact that most people listen to radio in the car and that most Ocala FM stations can be heard perfectly well in the car in Gainesville and vica versa amuse me. They seem to believe all there needs to be is a stronger signal from a competitor with the same format and they'll automatically beat the other station. That reminds me of a couple of places I've lived where a new station feels they can somehow 'automatically' beat a well-programmed heritage competitor.

Believe it or not, most normal people do not rush to turn on the radio when they get home- only some radio geeks do.

I'm not quite sure to whom this comment is addressed; however, I will respond with my best rebuttal.

I haven't self proclaimed myself as anything. I do, however, have over 35-years direct experience in the broadcast medium, in particular radio. During that time I have served in multiple capacities including President and General Manager, and station owner, having acquired and successfully turned around 4 under-performing radio properties (AM and FM) into profitable entities and later selling same properties at a tremendous profit. I cannot take full credit for those accomplishments because I had an excellent and professional staff in place at each station who knew what to do and when to do it with little direction from me.

One does not succeed by "...ignoring the facts..." and by not paying attention to little details and instead deceiving one's self. I always pay very close attention to every detail which is one reason I've taken my broadcast experience and made it useful as a consultant, media broker and investment banker, having served in my current capacity for over 12-years. I haven't gotten any complaints from any of my clients to date; however, competitors sometimes find a subtle way to "identify" something negative to make a comment which is expected.

Thank you for your input. Its very much appreciated.

 

[Kmagrill]

Self-proclaimed experts on these boards that ignore the fact that most people listen to radio in the car and that most Ocala FM stations can be heard perfectly well in the car in Gainesville and vica versa amuse me. They seem to believe all there needs to be is a stronger signal from a competitor with the same format and they'll automatically beat the other station. That reminds me of a couple of places I've lived where a new station feels they can somehow 'automatically' beat a well-programmed heritage competitor.

Believe it or not, most normal people do not rush to turn on the radio when they get home- only some radio geeks do.

So, would it therefore, be your contention that stations like WYKS, WXJZ, WMF and WTRS actually have no significant handicap at all since they can all be heard quite well in a car? Would it be your position that these stations simply have formats that don't play well in the opposite side of the market, therefore they have better numbers in their home cities?

This would tend to fly in the face of so-called conventional wisdom which says that stations have to be receivable on clock radios to be contenders. Generally, I have found this to be true, with very few notable exceptions.

As you say, a lot of listening is done in the car and very little is done at home after work. However, you didn't mention that quite a lot is also done getting ready for work and then also on the job. Stations must have enough rf to reach these places or they will have a hard time competing.

 

[radiobum]

I'm curious. Are there any stats on the % of people who listen to radio at work?

 

[Kmagrill]

I'm curious. Are there any stats on the % of people who listen to radio at work?

Probably, but I'm not sure if Arbitron tracks that or not.

You can be sure that most of the listening occurring from 10am to 4pm is work related. Many smaller shops and restaurants play the radio during the workday as do crews working outside.

 

[jmtillery]

We've had an interesting thread with diverse comments. Are there any other comments, suggestions or constructive criticisms anyone would like to add?