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Grading Boston Radio

B

BoscoGoldBear

Guest
My basis of the grades will be based partly on ratings and partly on behind the scenes shenanigans. Personal tastes will not be brought in to this - if so Kiss 108 would get an F for playing AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" (a failed #35 song) as a Kiss classic (anything by Kool & the Gang would be more on target).

Now for the grades:

92.5/The River - C-, even with....
92.9 WBOS - F - its 1+ ratings can't seriously translate into anything more than a 2+ in 25-54
93-7 Mike FM - B-, even if it is essentially the same as 'ROR and 'ZLX
Jam'n 94-5 - A- - I still can't imagine soccer moms listening to "yo yo MF," unless they're high on crack
96-9 FM Talk - C-, at least until the Howie situation is FINALLY settled
Mix 98-5 - D+
Easy 99.1 - D+
WCRB - C-
WZLX - B; would be an A if you didn't hear the same damn songs on Mike
WFNX - C-, was a C+/borderline B- earlier this year
WKLB - C+
Oldies 103 - C
WBCN - C+
WROR - B+; another A lost because the music is the same as 'ZLX and Mike; take away Loren and Wally and you can't tell the difference
Magic - A, in spite of the fact that they're adding headbangers by the minute (Nickelback, Kid Rock, Green Day, Creed, Journey, Bon Jovi, et al - what's next, Van Halen or AC/DC?)
WAAF - D (borderline D-/F) for their tower issues and ruining a good 97.7 FM station (OK, that one is on Radio One) and NOT using 97.7's addition to upgrade its ratings
Kiss 108 - A+ - hate the Nickelback/Green Day/alt-rock crap personally, but they do have the adult #s to back them up
WEZE - D+
WRKO - what can I say: F- (blame single largest Red Sox owner Pinch Sulzburger for the 'RKO mess since he wanted to separate Entercom from the Red Sox in the first place - Entercom only regained the Sox because they gave him control over 'RKO - Julie and Jason never would have thought of using their "right to match" for Howie without Sulzburger, who was infringing on Howie's rights to use the David Scondras SFX, which was enjoyable to most of the audience)
WJIB - A; had been an A+
WEEI - C - was headed for a D w/o D&C; 'EEI only has a minor league team (the Celtics) whose appeal is limited to Bowdoin St. and Geneva Ave. in Dorchester
WBZ - C - same old news; grade NOT lower b/c much of decline due to tragedies (Bruds, Sully) out of their control; Ed Walsh helps; the Bruins (whose appeal is even more limited - corner of Farragut Rd. and East Broadway in Southie - than the C's) and lower ratings (behind Kiss AND Jam'n) don't help
WILD - D
WKOX/WXKS - F - no ratings for format with no appeal even compared to lib-talk
WUNR - A, just for getting into ratings book on occasion

Any replies would be welcome! ;D
 
WMWM Salem, A, because they have me :)

96.9 would indeed get a higher grade once/if Howie moves in
I like country so WKLB would be a bit higher.
Oldies 103 would go down to an F once they go to all-"hhhhhholiday"*, and they will.

*--the PC substitute for Christmas. Said the way Howie says it, "Happy Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhholidays!"
 
Steve N. said:
My basis of the grades will be based partly on ratings and partly on behind the scenes shenanigans. Personal tastes will not be brought in to this - if so Kiss 108 would get an F for playing AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" (a failed #35 song) as a Kiss classic (anything by Kool & the Gang would be more on target).

Now for the grades:

92.5/The River - C-, even with....
92.9 WBOS - F - its 1+ ratings can't seriously translate into anything more than a 2+ in 25-54
93-7 Mike FM - B-, even if it is essentially the same as 'ROR and 'ZLX
Jam'n 94-5 - A- - I still can't imagine soccer moms listening to "yo yo MF," unless they're high on crack
96-9 FM Talk - C-, at least until the Howie situation is FINALLY settled
Mix 98-5 - D+
Easy 99.1 - D+
WCRB - C-
WZLX - B; would be an A if you didn't hear the same damn songs on Mike
WFNX - C-, was a C+/borderline B- earlier this year
WKLB - C+
Oldies 103 - C
WBCN - C+
WROR - B+; another A lost because the music is the same as 'ZLX and Mike; take away Loren and Wally and you can't tell the difference
Magic - A, in spite of the fact that they're adding headbangers by the minute (Nickelback, Kid Rock, Green Day, Creed, Journey, Bon Jovi, et al - what's next, Van Halen or AC/DC?)
WAAF - D (borderline D-/F) for their tower issues and ruining a good 97.7 FM station (OK, that one is on Radio One) and NOT using 97.7's addition to upgrade its ratings
Kiss 108 - A+ - hate the Nickelback/Green Day/alt-rock crap personally, but they do have the adult #s to back them up
WEZE - D+
WRKO - what can I say: F- (blame single largest Red Sox owner Pinch Sulzburger for the 'RKO mess since he wanted to separate Entercom from the Red Sox in the first place - Entercom only regained the Sox because they gave him control over 'RKO - Julie and Jason never would have thought of using their "right to match" for Howie without Sulzburger, who was infringing on Howie's rights to use the David Scondras SFX, which was enjoyable to most of the audience)
WJIB - A; had been an A+
WEEI - C - was headed for a D w/o D&C; 'EEI only has a minor league team (the Celtics) whose appeal is limited to Bowdoin St. and Geneva Ave. in Dorchester
WBZ - C - same old news; grade NOT lower b/c much of decline due to tragedies (Bruds, Sully) out of their control; Ed Walsh helps; the Bruins (whose appeal is even more limited - corner of Farragut Rd. and East Broadway in Southie - than the C's) and lower ratings (behind Kiss AND Jam'n) don't help
WILD - D
WKOX/WXKS - F - no ratings for format with no appeal even compared to lib-talk
WUNR - A, just for getting into ratings book on occasion

Any replies would be welcome! ;D
Click to expand...

What "behind the scenes shenanigans" are you pivy to? What ratings, besides the 12+, do you have access to?

I like how you say personal tastes are not goint ot be brought into it, but every station that scores a high grade from you, you blast (JAMN, KISS, MAGIC). Do you see a pattern here? You don't understand how these stations can be successful by doing these things? The answer is simple, you arer not programming them :)

GO SOX!!
 
Hysterical. An "adiministrative assistant" (politically correct term for secretary/office worker)
is qualified to give "grades" to ANYBODY! Let's get everybody on this board who actually works in the
business, go to this guy's boss, and grade HIM! ::) Give me a break...
 
Steve N. said:
My basis of the grades will be based partly on ratings and partly on behind the scenes shenanigans. Personal tastes will not be brought in to this - if so Kiss 108 would get an F for playing AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" (a failed #35 song) as a Kiss classic (anything by Kool & the Gang would be more on target).

Now for the grades:

92.5/The River - C-, even with....
92.9 WBOS - F - its 1+ ratings can't seriously translate into anything more than a 2+ in 25-54
93-7 Mike FM - B-, even if it is essentially the same as 'ROR and 'ZLX
Jam'n 94-5 - A- - I still can't imagine soccer moms listening to "yo yo MF," unless they're high on crack
96-9 FM Talk - C-, at least until the Howie situation is FINALLY settled
Mix 98-5 - D+
Easy 99.1 - D+
WCRB - C-
WZLX - B; would be an A if you didn't hear the same damn songs on Mike
WFNX - C-, was a C+/borderline B- earlier this year
WKLB - C+
Oldies 103 - C
WBCN - C+
WROR - B+; another A lost because the music is the same as 'ZLX and Mike; take away Loren and Wally and you can't tell the difference
Magic - A, in spite of the fact that they're adding headbangers by the minute (Nickelback, Kid Rock, Green Day, Creed, Journey, Bon Jovi, et al - what's next, Van Halen or AC/DC?)
WAAF - D (borderline D-/F) for their tower issues and ruining a good 97.7 FM station (OK, that one is on Radio One) and NOT using 97.7's addition to upgrade its ratings
Kiss 108 - A+ - hate the Nickelback/Green Day/alt-rock crap personally, but they do have the adult #s to back them up
WEZE - D+
WRKO - what can I say: F- (blame single largest Red Sox owner Pinch Sulzburger for the 'RKO mess since he wanted to separate Entercom from the Red Sox in the first place - Entercom only regained the Sox because they gave him control over 'RKO - Julie and Jason never would have thought of using their "right to match" for Howie without Sulzburger, who was infringing on Howie's rights to use the David Scondras SFX, which was enjoyable to most of the audience)
WJIB - A; had been an A+
WEEI - C - was headed for a D w/o D&C; 'EEI only has a minor league team (the Celtics) whose appeal is limited to Bowdoin St. and Geneva Ave. in Dorchester
WBZ - C - same old news; grade NOT lower b/c much of decline due to tragedies (Bruds, Sully) out of their control; Ed Walsh helps; the Bruins (whose appeal is even more limited - corner of Farragut Rd. and East Broadway in Southie - than the C's) and lower ratings (behind Kiss AND Jam'n) don't help
WILD - D
WKOX/WXKS - F - no ratings for format with no appeal even compared to lib-talk
WUNR - A, just for getting into ratings book on occasion

Any replies would be welcome! ;D
Click to expand...

I don't care to comment on most of this since it is your opinion, but I definitely think FNX has moved up with their new morning show, afternoon show (even though dakin was very good) and the addition of loveline (speaking of which, stryker is out of the afternoon slot at KROQ if anyone is interested)...the only gripe i have is just some of the odd sleections of music...moving from the klaxon's "golden skans" to Bowie's "ziggy stardust" just doesn't sound right to me, but hey, what do I know
 
Steve N. said:
WEEI - C - was headed for a D w/o D&C; 'EEI only has a minor league team (the Celtics) whose appeal is limited to Bowdoin St. and Geneva Ave. in Dorchester
Click to expand...

hmm... so only African Americans in Dorchester care about the Celtics? I think that's about to change--there's a lot more buzz with the new "big 3" and, if they win, people will jump back on the bandwagon, just like they did with the Pats and Sox when they became winners. I live in the 'burbs and I'm starting to see people sporting a lot more Celtics gear... people of all colors, incidentally.
 
I agree with SonicAl. I was a Celtics' fan starting back with Johnny Most in the 50s. It finally took Antoine Walker and his steady stream of 3 pointers to make me lose interest. For the first time in a few years I'm really excited about the Celtics. With Pierce, Allen, and Garnett, I don't see how anyone can call them "minor league". I'm far from an optimist, but I expect the Celtics to go deep into the playoffs and possibly to the finals. And by the way, I'm a white guy from the suburbs.
 
Travis - I disagree. I have been a major fan of 'FNX for the past few years (because it suits my musical tastes best). I think now is a low point for them. Although I haven't heard enough of the Sandbox to give a thorough review -- I think it's kind of a bore. And I miss Keith Dakin. I loved Big Jim on the weekends when I don't hear him but once a week, but his sarcasm and way of speaking gets really old to me when he's working it hard break after break after break all week long. Also the "psychic dj" contest is the worst sounding contest I've ever heard in radio. And the new music coming out is not as good as it was 6 months ago to boot (or however you spell "to boot" in this case). And they're playing too much old crap that doesn't fit them (ala Devo "Whip It") during regular hours. I could go on.
 
Steve, every time you do something like this your misconceptions about music do you in. First of all, ratings aren't a benchmark for good or bad. If that were the case, Rush Hour 3 would be one of the best movies of the year so far. Your idea of what a headbanger is way off. Nickelback? They're rock, AC, & CHR. Green Day? You're probably talking about The Time Of Your Life. Kid Rock? Not if Sheryl Crowe is singing with him. Journey has already been covered. For the umpteenth time, MIKE is not a classic hits station just because they play some classic hit songs. They play Funky Cold Medina too. Accept that you have a dated idea of what formats certain music fits. You also should only be grading stations you actually like. NO ONE has a valid opinion about every format.
 
This is quite a funny thread. I'll give my opinion just like you did.... They'd never get an A from me with their silly custom song edits, no voiceover guy, and mostly the same, tired imaging they've been using for the last 10 years.
 
Now for the grades:

92.5/The River - C-
92.9 WBOS - F -
93-7 Mike FM - F
Jam'n 94-5 - C+ Good morning show, Good at Night and Weekend Mix shows. Sucks on weekdays.
96-9 FM Talk - F Not a fan of any FM Crap talk
Mix 98-5 - C
Easy 99.1 - F
WCRB - B
WZLX - F
WFNX - F Good for there 10 listeners
WKLB - D
Oldies 103 - C
WBCN - C
WROR - F
Magic - C
WAAF - C 30 mil get you nothing
Kiss 108 - C+ Second Jamn station . Fire Lemon Jack .
WEZE - D+
WRKO - C-
WJIB - C
WEEI - A+ Cant Wait to see Celtics Championship Parade on Blue Hill Ave. LOL
WBZ - B
WILD - F- Classic Urban station is now JUNK ! Thank Radio One for Nothing !
WKOX/WXKS - C
WUNR - C

Big City 101, 106.1 Touch FM, and 102.9 Choice Fm - B
 
stations I listen to:


96-9 FM Talk - C-

WZLX - B- ... uninspired playlist

WBCN - C ... Pats broadcast/post-game show make it worthwhile

WRKO - C- ... saved only by Sox.... when it's not on WEEI

WEEI - B ... has its faults and shows are sometimes unlistenable but, when they actually stick to sports and have co-hosts with some brains and insight, they're good at it.

WBZ - A- ... solid all-news station, decent enough talk lineup

WWZN B- ... good programming although some of the time buys are wretched

ESPN radio B ... good shows.. docked for bad signal. Good alternative to WEEI, especially in the morning
 
WWZN F ... Bad programming and Bad signal .

ESPN radio D ... Mike and Mike OK, Bring back Tropical Music !
 
I'd actually love to hear (for lack of a better name) "Classic Alternative"

There's a lot of stuff I believe Alternative radio could play to get 25-54 numbers. Old U2, Echo, Fischer Zed, Gary Numan, Devo, Gene Loves Jezebel...At 39, I grew up on the Damned, Clash, Psych Furs etc. Those bands were, and remain different. As I type this, I have "All That Money Wants" playing in my head. How great would that song sound on WFNX?

You know ALTERNATIVE. Stuff that didn't fit the mainstream. Isn't that what the format is supposed to be about? And forgive me for sounding like an elder, but the new bands aren't alternative, or unique in any way. They all fall into the same flavor-of-the-moment crap that we force feed the audience.

I think Alt radio is missing the boat by ignoring the Cult, Erasure, Bauhaus/Peter Murphy and the like.

Less Green Day, and grunge please. Grunge was such an overrated form anyway. Had one of the greatest "glam" bands of all time (Mother Love Bone) not imploded, we'd have never seen that movement. Nirvana had been releasing crap CDs for a while. Soundgarden was a metal band. Alice In Chains were a hair band...and none of them belong on WFNX when you have 30 years of punk & New Wave to mine. Most of the real "grunge" bands were ignored by Alternative anyway. How much Melvins got played? Sonic Youth? Green River? ...exactly. Alternative radio has no business playing Godsmack. And yes...David Bowie does belong. Anyone that knows his body of work could tell you he's the Elvis of Alternative. Or, perhaps the Madonna? :) Another example of our industry's over-reliance on research and bubble-sheet scoring to dictate what "the audience wants."

I would love someone to answer this honestly:

Program Directors are fond of saying that less than 1% of the audience call in requests. So, they completely dismiss phone data.

What percentage of a city of 3 million are the 100 completely screened and subjectively chosen people at the Crowne Plaza on rt 9 in an auditorium test? Why do we complain about undersampling and bad diary returns. And then turn around and use a miniscule sample to choose our playlist? Why don't we have musically acute music directors, and air talent that know what they're selling every day on the air? You know...reflective of the real audience?

Research stinks...It's no longer a tool. It's become a crutch, and a guide for the lazy. And we see how that's working out.

Just my angry Sunday morning hangover thoughts...
 
Neanderpaul said:
I'd actually love to hear (for lack of a better name) "Classic Alternative"

There's a lot of stuff I believe Alternative radio could play to get 25-54 numbers. Old U2, Echo, Fischer Zed, Gary Numan, Devo, Gene Loves Jezebel...At 39, I grew up on the Damned, Clash, Psych Furs etc. Those bands were, and remain different. As I type this, I have "All That Money Wants" playing in my head. How great would that song sound on WFNX?

You know ALTERNATIVE. Stuff that didn't fit the mainstream. Isn't that what the format is supposed to be about? And forgive me for sounding like an elder, but the new bands aren't alternative, or unique in any way. They all fall into the same flavor-of-the-moment crap that we force feed the audience.

I think Alt radio is missing the boat by ignoring the Cult, Erasure, Bauhaus/Peter Murphy and the like.

Less Green Day, and grunge please. Grunge was such an overrated form anyway. Had one of the greatest "glam" bands of all time (Mother Love Bone) not imploded, we'd have never seen that movement. Nirvana had been releasing crap CDs for a while. Soundgarden was a metal band. Alice In Chains were a hair band...and none of them belong on WFNX when you have 30 years of punk & New Wave to mine. Most of the real "grunge" bands were ignored by Alternative anyway. How much Melvins got played? Sonic Youth? Green River? ...exactly. Alternative radio has no business playing Godsmack. And yes...David Bowie does belong. Anyone that knows his body of work could tell you he's the Elvis of Alternative. Or, perhaps the Madonna? :) Another example of our industry's over-reliance on research and bubble-sheet scoring to dictate what "the audience wants."

I would love someone to answer this honestly:

Program Directors are fond of saying that less than 1% of the audience call in requests. So, they completely dismiss phone data.

What percentage of a city of 3 million are the 100 completely screened and subjectively chosen people at the Crowne Plaza on rt 9 in an auditorium test? Why do we complain about undersampling and bad diary returns. And then turn around and use a miniscule sample to choose our playlist? Why don't we have musically acute music directors, and air talent that know what they're selling every day on the air? You know...reflective of the real audience?

Research stinks...It's no longer a tool. It's become a crutch, and a guide for the lazy. And we see how that's working out.

Just my angry Sunday morning hangover thoughts...
Click to expand...

now you as a music director...what's the best way to judge what should be played and what shouldn't? i've heard a lot of people dismiss testing, but then stations still continually use it...would polling on a website work? random asking on a street? taking phone callers advice? I agree, I hate the testing results because 100 people just isn't a good enough sample to judge a playlist on. maybe this new ppm will help judge what music the audience wants to hear.

ps I never said bowie didn't belong ...just sounded odd coming after the klaxons or kaiser chiefs or whatever song was on before it, didn't flow right to my ears.
 
I'm just glad I have a good selection of CDs in my car and buttons to push. Radio just isn't what it used to be and it will never get back there. I could never give any station my loyalty because they are all going to play too much of one song and not include another.

How do I choose these CDs? Live shows and lots of local music.
 
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