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How Does 1250-ESPN Respond?

I wouldn't reject the possibility of a sports station succeeding on AM, even in the face of FM Sports Talk. By this arguement, KDKA would not be beating 104.7 in the market.

I know when I'm scanning the dial for sports talk out of town, I'm scanning AM. Sports fans still listen to the band.

That's why I'm not sold at all that a major sports entity wouldn't look to an AM if it is the right AM. I buy they would not look at WJAS, but for Pitt, for instance, if I can get an ESPN 1250 to talk about me while ignoring Penn State on their talk shows, that can go a long way in marketing.

As for other points, I think the potential for sports talk with FM is going to exceed 3.0. It already does.

I also am not sure that demographically sports talk caters to 18-34. I do believe it is getting younger, but the last I looked the average ESPN 1250 listener was 45. I had a program director in Cleveland once tell me he wouldn't look at talent that wasn't 35 (I will entertain arguements he was shortsighted), and, for that matter, how many local radio sportscasters are under 35?
 
>>>KDKA would not be beating 104.7 in the market.<<<

They're not. KDKA's demograpics are a disaster. In 25-54, they're barely beating KQV.
 
And overall they are.

And I'll admit some of the ads I've heard on KDKA when I've listened to the station aren't exactly my cup of tea; "Bob has three months to live . . . "

But if I can get more revenue from the retirement homes than another station can with alternative advertisers I'm doing something right.

Remember, the gavel on the "God Said/Man Said" ads trumps ALL!
 
I am not suggesting that a sports station can't succeed on AM, just that there is an audience out there now that to them, AM isn't even a consideration, they were born and bred after FM became the dominant modulation. I think the more appropriate analogy is that since KDKA was number one at the time and all of the talk stations were on AM then 104.7 should never have launched because they would just be cutting into an already existing pie. What ended up happening was that as well as cutting into KDKA AM, 104.7 was also able to add to its audience by attracting people to the format who never listen to AM radio. The talk pie got bigger as a result, likewise I believe (and I could be wrong) that an FM sports station will actually increase the overall sports pie. They may or may not cut into the listenership of 1250 or 970, but I imagine they will also add people that have no desire to listen through the static and crackle that is AM radio.
 
Pratte4Life said:
I also am not sure that demographically sports talk caters to 18-34. I do believe it is getting younger, but the last I looked the average ESPN 1250 listener was 45. I had a program director in Cleveland once tell me he wouldn't look at talent that wasn't 35 (I will entertain arguements he was shortsighted), and, for that matter, how many local radio sportscasters are under 35?
Click to expand...

It doesn't really draw well in 18-34, but every entity that puts it on the air wants to sell it that way and wants to do things to draw younger demos. it's one of the reasons the national shows talk so much NBA. Same likely applies to hockey here (thus Madden on the X is a good fit).

And even ESPN is evolving to FM, they bought an FM sports station from Susqueshanna in Dallas.
 
I don't really disagree with anything you say, but are the spots for airport parking with a Howard Cosell impersonator really catered to 18-34?
 
Pratte4Life said:
I don't really disagree with anything you say, but are the spots for airport parking with a Howard Cosell impersonator really catered to 18-34?
Click to expand...
What they want to sell and what they end up settling for are often two different things.
 
Pratte4Life said:
And overall they are.

And I'll admit some of the ads I've heard on KDKA when I've listened to the station aren't exactly my cup of tea; "Bob has three months to live . . . "

But if I can get more revenue from the retirement homes than another station can with alternative advertisers I'm doing something right.

Remember, the gavel on the "God Said/Man Said" ads trumps ALL!
Click to expand...

Red Wigglers, the Cadillac of worms.
 
And lets not forget how every station with a male lean signs on with the firm belief that no toppless bars will be on, and within six months they crawl into overnites, then nights, and so on. Of course they are the ones with money to spend.
And who can forget the countless meetings we've all sat through for the past 5, 10, 20, 25 years about "the only people that matter are women...they pick what car, house, washing machine, food, carpet, paint, all of it, is purchased. Men pick the lawnmower and tools." Hope Harbor Freight has a big advertising budget.
 
If I were espn and I could not get an FM band, I would try to strengthen my shows by axing the weak on-air people (Laird, Mack, Crowe and dropping Cowherd and Penn State basketball). Move Paulson to the Stan and Guy show and expand it to 2:00 pm; have Ellis Cannon do afternoon drive from 2-6 and give Logan the 6 pm show. And big cash contests!

History shows they need to ride this out for 6-9 months. If the FAN is poorly executed, it won't survive the Steeler Season. If it does gain footing, however, 1250 is in trouble.
 
garnet said:
And lets not forget how every station with a male lean signs on with the firm belief that no toppless bars will be on, and within six months they crawl into overnites, then nights, and so on. Of course they are the ones with money to spend.
Click to expand...

And don't forget the 1-900 lines with "guaranteed winners in my mega pick of the century"... then they take half hour shows from these jokers. Actually Steve Duemig on 620 in Tampa had it right, he had a weekly segment with VegasInsider.com to discuss the lines every Thursday....


garnet said:
And who can forget the countless meetings we've all sat through for the past 5, 10, 20, 25 years about "the only people that matter are women...they pick what car, house, washing machine, food, carpet, paint, all of it, is purchased. Men pick the lawnmower and tools."
Click to expand...

And if you ever want to know there are 14 A/C Stations, Jammin' Oldies, Groovin', Fresh, and on and on and on... there's your answer right there.
 
Scott said this afternoon that it was a financial thing with 1250, nothing to do with Eddy's job performance. In other industries, we might have simply said that EC was laid off.

At least Eddy's entering the job market at a time when there's a lot of shuffling going on, I hope he lands somewhere soon.
 
Parttimer said:
And don't forget the 1-900 lines with "guaranteed winners in my mega pick of the century"...
Click to expand...

"FREE! On a recorded message..."
 
You never like to see anyone lose their job, but I think this was a positive move for 1250. I think it signals a move to more caller interaction--it's really hard to do that with 3 voices. In reading Smizik's blog yesterday, I was surprised--there were 2 people that actually liked listening to Eddy.
 
With The Fan apparently passing on Ellis (I can't see him doing the overnight shifts), what about this lineup for 1250?

  • 10am - 2pm: Stan and Guy
  • 2pm - 6pm: Paulsen and Ellis Cannon
  • 6pm - 8pm: Ken Laird and Mike Logan (or till 10pm, if you want to beef up the local content)
 
they should respond by giving away 40" LCD TVs every hour! :p
 
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