I am (not) The Walrus...

[DoctorWu]

I have tried, God help me, to listen to The Walrus as an alternative to KRTH or my CD player, but I simply cannot keep my dial tuned to that station.

1) Breaking the music format to broadcast Padre games is just dumb. Nearly every time in the past month that I have tuned in to get some music, I've heard Leitner instead, which is not musical at all.

2) Automation glitches galore. Songs that segue into spot breaks with no ID, spots that go back to music with no ID, songs that fade to -20 and then cut off abruptly whilst the processing merrily pumps the dead air to FAA-restricted levels.

3) Lack of personality. I don't wish those guys any ill, but c'mon... you're on the radio. At least pretend you enjoy it.

4) Formatics stupidly aligned with the (apparently) de facto Clear Channel standard, meaning I can't get music from them when everyone else on the frickin' dial is in spot breaks... which might offer them a slight competitive advantage.

I will say that their library is much more open than KRTHs, and it's refreshing to hear some songs that I haven't heard on radio in a while. But that's about the only positive thing I have to say.

I now have another free preset button in the Pilot. Any takers? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

-- Doc

 

[Garrett]

I have to agree with Doc on this one.
Formatic makes the difference between being competitive or just filling air-time between Baseball games.

I have tried, God help me, to listen to The Walrus as an alternative to KRTH or my CD player, but I simply cannot keep my dial tuned to that station.

1) Breaking the music format to broadcast Padre games is just dumb. Nearly every time in the past month that I have tuned in to get some music, I've heard Leitner instead, which is not musical at all.

2) Automation glitches galore. Songs that segue into spot breaks with no ID, spots that go back to music with no ID, songs that fade to -20 and then cut off abruptly whilst the processing merrily pumps the dead air to FAA-restricted levels.

3) Lack of personality. I don't wish those guys any ill, but c'mon... you're on the radio. At least pretend you enjoy it.

4) Formatics stupidly aligned with the (apparently) de facto Clear Channel standard, meaning I can't get music from them when everyone else on the frickin' dial is in spot breaks... which might offer them a slight competitive advantage.

I will say that their library is much more open than KRTHs, and it's refreshing to hear some songs that I haven't heard on radio in a while. But that's about the only positive thing I have to say.

I now have another free preset button in the Pilot. Any takers? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

-- Doc

 

[vonrollskyway1]

there transmitter must suck hard.Power 106 usually blanks it out.or 105.5..pretty bad transmitter.how many watts do they run and where is there transmitter??

 

[Garrett]

Allow me to elaborate a bit more...
When they first came on, I thought that it was great to have to those songs back. But after listening online in the begining, I just got bored. No elements, jingles, or even reverb. None of the things that go along with an Oldies/Classic Hits format. Now from Doc's post, I realize that this is just a filler format on auto-pilot to help sell whatever spots are remaining after baseball, but not intended to be any kind of real player. From Doc's post, I wonder if the station has any kind of imaging or promotions budget at all.

This is a audience that likes ear-candy, it could be so much more

I have to agree with Doc on this one.
Formatic makes the difference between being competitive or just filling air-time between Baseball games.

I have tried, God help me, to listen to The Walrus as an alternative to KRTH or my CD player, but I simply cannot keep my dial tuned to that station.

1) Breaking the music format to broadcast Padre games is just dumb. Nearly every time in the past month that I have tuned in to get some music, I've heard Leitner instead, which is not musical at all.

2) Automation glitches galore. Songs that segue into spot breaks with no ID, spots that go back to music with no ID, songs that fade to -20 and then cut off abruptly whilst the processing merrily pumps the dead air to FAA-restricted levels.

3) Lack of personality. I don't wish those guys any ill, but c'mon... you're on the radio. At least pretend you enjoy it.

4) Formatics stupidly aligned with the (apparently) de facto Clear Channel standard, meaning I can't get music from them when everyone else on the frickin' dial is in spot breaks... which might offer them a slight competitive advantage.

I will say that their library is much more open than KRTHs, and it's refreshing to hear some songs that I haven't heard on radio in a while. But that's about the only positive thing I have to say.

I now have another free preset button in the Pilot. Any takers? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

-- Doc

 

[jprg]

Well their transmitter is somewhere in Mexico, maybe Tecate someone told me. Not sure how much power. At least their on "Mexican Radio."

 

[davideduardo]

there transmitter must suck hard.Power 106 usually blanks it out.or 105.5..pretty bad transmitter.how many watts do they run and where is there transmitter??

Out of curiosity, what is your native language?

 

[Bob_Hudson]

I do have to give them credit for the great audio (when I can pick them up): the best bass I've ever heard on the radio - I listened to a Staples Singers track on them a few weeks ago and until then I didn't even know it had bass line but this time it was providing a great bottom end. And when they play Santana, it rocks.

But, I still have not figured out what is the deal with baseball on the radio in the 21st century? Are there actually people who care enough about the former national past time to spend time listening to guys try to describe it and if so, why waste a good FM signal doing it when AM has all the fidelity needed to convey the voice of Ted?

 

[SuperRadioFan]

But, I still have not figured out what is the deal with baseball on the radio in the 21st century? Are there actually people who care enough about the former national past time to spend time listening to guys try to describe it and if so, why waste a good FM signal doing it when AM has all the fidelity needed to convey the voice of Ted?

Man you are Crusty, Bob !!

The Pads are having a terrible season, but as an Angels fan, I listen to the radio also. Sometimes, Bob, when yer drivin' the car, well ya just can't watch TV at the same time, ya know? BTW the network TV announcers are so bad (Tim McCarver anyone?) you HAVE to mute the TV and listen to the radio play by play by the local announcers. We could have a long debate about the National Pastime but it's a radio board. So you're not a baseball fan. You have lots of company.

 

[evalmaster]

Unfortunately that doesn't even work so good anymore. With 7 seconds or more time delays, TV and Radio aren't always properly coordinated.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

You are correct unfortunately. Too bad we can't "Tivo" the radio by 7 seconds

 

[Dr. o Fun]

You are correct unfortunately. Too bad we can't "Tivo" the radio by 7 seconds

No, but if you have a DVR that pauses and/or rewinds live TV, just pause it for 7 or 8 seconds until it does match up.

Besides, 7 second delays are overrated. Fodder for discussion on another thread.

dr

 

[136kgb]

The excuse I heard guys why the Walrus doesn't have jingles, is because the sales manager's wife thinks that jingles are lame. The real reason is that Lynch is a cheap bastard!

The reason the Padres are still polluting the FM airwaves, is because in the Padres current contract with 1090 Lynch is REQUIRED to put them on FM or the Padres can cancel the contract immediately. And the Padres would like nothing better than to pick up and go to KOGO. The Padres have historically had better ratings on KOGO rather than on 1090 or KFMB. But Clear Channel will not put the Padres on an FM signal, and that is why the Padres haven't used a loop-hole to dump Lynch for KOGO.

 

[davideduardo]

The excuse I heard guys why the Walrus doesn't have jingles, is because the sales manager's wife thinks that jingles are lame. The real reason is that Lynch is a cheap bastard!

The reason the Padres are still polluting the FM airwaves, is because in the Padres current contract with 1090 Lynch is REQUIRED to put them on FM or the Padres can cancel the contract immediately. And the Padres would like nothing better than to pick up and go to KOGO. The Padres have historically had better ratings on KOGO rather than on 1090 or KFMB. But Clear Channel will not put the Padres on an FM signal, and that is why the Padres haven't used a loop-hole to dump Lynch for KOGO.

There seem to be several versions of this... the one I am familiar with requires full county coverage and 1090 has some significant east county difficulties that can be resolved with the FM.

 

[136kgb]

I have driven to the East County several times and the Walrus doesn't have any coverage out there in fact in my car it is barely audible.

 

[davideduardo]

I have driven to the East County several times and the Walrus doesn't have any coverage out there in fact in my car it is barely audible.

Well, that blows that concept. There was considerable talk when the signal switched from Spanish to English that adding night coverage to 1090's horribly directional signal would come from the FM.

 

[136kgb]

No unfortunately David the signal is terrible in El Cajon, Santee and its completely gone in Lakeside.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

You are correct unfortunately. Too bad we can't "Tivo" the radio by 7 seconds

No, but if you have a DVR that pauses and/or rewinds live TV, just pause it for 7 or 8 seconds until it does match up.

Besides, 7 second delays are overrated. Fodder for discussion on another thread.

dr

Huh Dr?? The radio broadcast (at least the Angels) is always ahead of TV, so I don't understand why you say that.

 

[DaveMasonsd]

You guys are KILLIN' ME!! javascript:void(0); Too Cheap? Bad Signal?? Bad automation? Phew!! How about have you ever thought of picking up the phone (or e-mailing) one of us over here at BCA to get the TRUE story?

1. In this day and age, just about every company is CUTTING BACK on everything. BCA has, instead BUILT a new radio station. We just moved into new studios and while there are wires all over the place we're in better shape now than most stations.
2. I don't know for sure, but last I heard John Lynch's wife wasn't selecting programming elements for our stations. John has hired people to do the job that needs to be done, and ya know what? They're doing it.
3. We have a small staff, to be sure. But, see element ONE. Other companies decided to go hog-wild in buying stations and then realizing that they couldn't afford to run 'em had to cut back. At least BCA isn't doing THAT.
4. So Cal has one of the most crowded radio dials in the country. 105.7 is here (Tecate for XHPRS-FM), Hemet and on. 105.9 blasts a nice signal out of L.A. 105.3 and it's incredibly profitable HD signal doesn't help much in the Mt. Soledad area. (Power 106 also has an HD signal I think-but not sure.)
5. "The Walrus" has, by design, a very low commercial load. We do THREE HOURS of non-stop tuneage every day 9a-12noon, taking out FIVE hours a week of extra income from morning drive.
6. You'd be singing a different tune if the Padres were winning. It's a tough season this year.
7. We're probably the most accessable company in town. I'll answer any and all questions, [email protected] and so would Bob Harlow, the PD [email protected].

Be real folks.
CBS is purging people faster than Karen Carpenter.
CC's bottom line needs to grow as they go private.
Lincoln First is still for sale.

 

[SDRadio]

CBS is purging people faster than Karen Carpenter.

That's too funny. It is sad; but it's funny.

 

[DoctorWu]

Dave, it takes a lot of guts to walk in to this den of vipers! ;D

OK, since I started this mess, let me respond.

1. In this day and age, just about every company is CUTTING BACK on everything. BCA has, instead BUILT a new radio station. We just moved into new studios and while there are wires all over the place we're in better shape now than most stations.

Granted. Everybody's cutting back. We know that. However, this statement isn't really a justification - it's the teen-age classic "How come you're picking on me? All my friends do lots worse things." So I have to reject that as an excuse.

2. I don't know for sure, but last I heard John Lynch's wife wasn't selecting programming elements for our stations. John has hired people to do the job that needs to be done, and ya know what? They're doing it.

Specious rumor. Whoever posted that was in the wrong.

3. We have a small staff, to be sure. But, see element ONE. Other companies decided to go hog-wild in buying stations and then realizing that they couldn't afford to run 'em had to cut back. At least BCA isn't doing THAT.

"Jeez Dad, Kenny brought home all Cs. And you get mad at me for a couple of B-minuses?" See my comments on item 1, above. No go.

4. So Cal has one of the most crowded radio dials in the country. 105.7 is here (Tecate for XHPRS-FM), Hemet and on. 105.9 blasts a nice signal out of L.A. 105.3 and it's incredibly profitable HD signal doesn't help much in the Mt. Soledad area. (Power 106 also has an HD signal I think-but not sure.)

I don't know why this was even brought up. My post was about programming and formatics, not signal quality.

5. "The Walrus" has, by design, a very low commercial load. We do THREE HOURS of non-stop tuneage every day 9a-12noon, taking out FIVE hours a week of extra income from morning drive.

OK, good point. But my complaint was not about units per hour or even minutes per hour - it was about formatic positioning of your stopsets at seemingly the exact same times as every other major outlet in Southern California. When I was on the air, I hated dial surfers - now I am one And when I hear a KRTH, KFI or one of my other P1 stations launch into one of their famously l - o - n - g spot breaks, I go searching for other entertainment. One of the stations I have searched on is yours. But your breaks are aligned with the other guys', and so I leave, disappointed.

An excellent example of counterprogramming (one of the few, actually) is Hot 92.3 in Los Angeles. I often listen to XHRM (92.5), but when the stopset hits (again, aligned with everyone else's), one click south lands me on KHHT, whose stopsets are offset by 5 - 8 minutes. And guess what? I stick around, because their programming is good, too.

6. You'd be singing a different tune if the Padres were winning. It's a tough season this year.

Horse hockey. I am a Padres fan, and sometimes I listen to the broadcasts, when my schedule permits. But when I tune to an Oldies station, I want oldies. Not baseball. Not football. Not coverage of Olympic Ukrainian Goat Herding. How can you expect to build a solid base of Oldies listeners when baseball forces you to cut out three hours of music programming and toss it in the trash? I would object to this even if the Padres were in first place, for the same reason I object to paid block programming on News/Talk stations. It just doesn't belong.

7. We're probably the most accessable company in town. I'll answer any and all questions, [email protected] and so would Bob Harlow, the PD [email protected].

I give you full marks for having the stones to post your emails here. Thank you for joining the conversation. And let me reiterate: I like the music selection, which is wider than KRTH's and has given me some great "oh wow" moments. I give you kudos for the music selection. But my other remarks stand.

-- Doc