....what would the format be?
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If you could put a new FM station on in Corpus Christi......
- Thread starter Scott Holt
- Start date
Actually there's several "holes" in the market...but if i post them here, they might not be for long...you should post an email address...
Good luck...
Good luck...
Whatever the new format will be the station has to be programmed correctly. If you want listeners you have to give them a reason to listen. They need to be entertained. There has to be jocks...there has to be a morning show...You can't just stick a computer on the air with a library of music and mix some liners and drops in between every other song and call it a radio station. I have an iPod that can do that a lot better and without all the commercials. The Shark is nothing more then an expensive iPod player. And now that everyone chimes in on Facebook and requests whatever song they want it's become somewhat of a really weird strange mix of music. It's one thing to have "Killer Hits from the 70's, 80's, and 90's" but when you tweak that format and take out the "hits" with random songs to make certain Facebook fans happy you alienate the rest of the listeners out there. The Shark has got to be one of the worst programmed stations in the market ever. What really makes you look bad is your bitterness toward your former employer. Calling out Jake FM and 104.5? Really Scott? Really? The Shark doesn't even come close to being on the same level as those other stations. Then you even go so far as to call out other stations in Corpus Christi. That only makes you sound lame and desperate. Fix your problems and issues first before calling anyone out. I've seen your studio pictures on your Facebook page. I've seen pirate radio stations that looked better. You don't even have an equipment rack in the studio?! You are using some sort of paper sorter to place your equipment in? You couldn't afford a $50 rack? You have some crappy computer for your automation? I'm sure it probably has a low bitrate audio card installed on it. Your audio board is basically one setp up from a DJ mixer. I don't even see an EAS unit. Do you even have an audio processor? The processing is horrible on the Shark! The audio sounds like I am listening to a Windows Media Stream over the internet and the transmitter is always going off the air. When the transmitter is on the air the signal still sounds bad. I get static while listening at my apartment complex and even driving all over town. And no it's not my radio. I have a 2008 Ford F-150 with a factory radio and it picks up everything else here in town just fine. I really hope your post here on the forum means you're going to get rid of this weird Shark format and go with something better. Just look at the fans on Facebook...since July you only have 600 fans? This is a 50kw signal. You have advertised on Facebook, on bus benches, and even on billboards and you have only racked up 600 fans on Facebook? That's a huge difference from the 24,229 fans KZFM has. Hmmm....maybe that should be what format you should go with next. Nah I don't see that happening. You have to have a pretty good budget to hire a morning show and jocks and mix show DJ's. But seriously Scott...if you're going to be in the radio game you need to hire a real program director to program the station because whatever you're doing isn't working right.
Not really sure how to respond to the lengthy post. Only to invite "Rick" to give me a call or come by for a visit and check things out.
The FB pictures you refer to were taken before we went on the air. Processors, EAS, quality computers, NEX GEN Automation are all in place. After some start-up growing pains, signal is excellent and the audio quality is now on par with other stations in the market.
We're pleased with positive listener repsonse, the results our advertisers are getting, and we'll grow the station as revenue allows us to. And, we're just airing audio from callers who are telling us what station they switch from and why. A common marketing strategy.
The only other point I'd make is that we're a small company, small station, taking on bigger, well established stations...and that is a big part of the appeal of doing this. We are taking all the financial risk. We will either sink or swim based on the decisions we will make.
We're very pleased with our progress and proud of what we've accomplished so far. There is no "new format" coming. I just thought posting this topic could lead to a interesting, fun discussion.
The FB pictures you refer to were taken before we went on the air. Processors, EAS, quality computers, NEX GEN Automation are all in place. After some start-up growing pains, signal is excellent and the audio quality is now on par with other stations in the market.
We're pleased with positive listener repsonse, the results our advertisers are getting, and we'll grow the station as revenue allows us to. And, we're just airing audio from callers who are telling us what station they switch from and why. A common marketing strategy.
The only other point I'd make is that we're a small company, small station, taking on bigger, well established stations...and that is a big part of the appeal of doing this. We are taking all the financial risk. We will either sink or swim based on the decisions we will make.
We're very pleased with our progress and proud of what we've accomplished so far. There is no "new format" coming. I just thought posting this topic could lead to a interesting, fun discussion.
Had some peers of mine who have seen this thread who encouraged me to reply further to the long, critical posting of our radio station.
When the station first went on the air, we did have significant challenges with both the audio and signal. Both problems have been resolved.
The signal is very strong. No problems in the car, in offices, in homes, anywhere in throughout the Coastal Bend. The signal can be scanned in from to George West, down past Kingsville, and up to Port Lavaca. This puts the signal strength 3x more powerful than two of our primary competitors, Jake FM and Classic Rock. We are sending the audio to our transmitter sight via broadband internet. This is becoming common place with many TV and radio station throughout the country. While we may have an occasional "blip", the audio quality and consistency has been excellent. And we are working on improving the quality after the first of year. But right now, you'd be hard pressed to hear any difference with our audio then some of better sounding stations including C101, Planet 102-3, Classic Rock, Jake, and Z-95. New sign ons have growing pains--and we had ours--and we've worked through the issues.
We received hundreds of calls on our listener line from people who have switched over to our station. The majority of these calls are coming from C101 , Jake, and Classic Rock 104.5 listeners. Then a few from K-BAY and the Oldies station. Putting these calls on the air, in our view, is good marketing. When a listener says "I switched from station X to station Y because..."... putting those messages on the air, reminding P-2's and P-3's listeners of other stations of possible issues they have with stations increases your chance of morphing that listener into one of your P-1's. That's our belief. Time, ratings, will be the judge.
We've never taken cheap, personal shots at other stations or their staff, even though we've been on the receiving end of those tatics (albeit not on the air but on the streets). We've never said another station "sucked" or "is the worst station ever", etc. In fact, in our printed marketing sales materials, we compliment C101 and Classic Rock for being solid, well branded radio stations. But, we explain why we're different and why we feel, we're a fresh, good choice for advertisers.
There is "no personal grudge" we have against our former employers, but we will admit to enjoying the early success, but that seems only human nature, no? That doesn't mean we dislike them or wish bad upon them--we're the underdog and we're enjoying that role. We a very small company, one station, doing this with out banks--our own personal money. And there's a great freedom in being fortunate enough to it "old school".
In regards to our studio. It's more than adequate. We have everything that's required and needed. We didn't wasted money and we didn't spend money we didn't have to spend. Our automation is NEX GEN, the computer are brand new, custom built. And we have EAS, processors, etc.
In regard to the programming being "the worst ever in Corpus Christi". It may be "Rick's" opinion and he is certainly entitled to his opinion, but I will say the response has exceeded our expectations. Our clients have been happy and the feedback we're getting has been very good.
Happy Holidays.
When the station first went on the air, we did have significant challenges with both the audio and signal. Both problems have been resolved.
The signal is very strong. No problems in the car, in offices, in homes, anywhere in throughout the Coastal Bend. The signal can be scanned in from to George West, down past Kingsville, and up to Port Lavaca. This puts the signal strength 3x more powerful than two of our primary competitors, Jake FM and Classic Rock. We are sending the audio to our transmitter sight via broadband internet. This is becoming common place with many TV and radio station throughout the country. While we may have an occasional "blip", the audio quality and consistency has been excellent. And we are working on improving the quality after the first of year. But right now, you'd be hard pressed to hear any difference with our audio then some of better sounding stations including C101, Planet 102-3, Classic Rock, Jake, and Z-95. New sign ons have growing pains--and we had ours--and we've worked through the issues.
We received hundreds of calls on our listener line from people who have switched over to our station. The majority of these calls are coming from C101 , Jake, and Classic Rock 104.5 listeners. Then a few from K-BAY and the Oldies station. Putting these calls on the air, in our view, is good marketing. When a listener says "I switched from station X to station Y because..."... putting those messages on the air, reminding P-2's and P-3's listeners of other stations of possible issues they have with stations increases your chance of morphing that listener into one of your P-1's. That's our belief. Time, ratings, will be the judge.
We've never taken cheap, personal shots at other stations or their staff, even though we've been on the receiving end of those tatics (albeit not on the air but on the streets). We've never said another station "sucked" or "is the worst station ever", etc. In fact, in our printed marketing sales materials, we compliment C101 and Classic Rock for being solid, well branded radio stations. But, we explain why we're different and why we feel, we're a fresh, good choice for advertisers.
There is "no personal grudge" we have against our former employers, but we will admit to enjoying the early success, but that seems only human nature, no? That doesn't mean we dislike them or wish bad upon them--we're the underdog and we're enjoying that role. We a very small company, one station, doing this with out banks--our own personal money. And there's a great freedom in being fortunate enough to it "old school".
In regards to our studio. It's more than adequate. We have everything that's required and needed. We didn't wasted money and we didn't spend money we didn't have to spend. Our automation is NEX GEN, the computer are brand new, custom built. And we have EAS, processors, etc.
In regard to the programming being "the worst ever in Corpus Christi". It may be "Rick's" opinion and he is certainly entitled to his opinion, but I will say the response has exceeded our expectations. Our clients have been happy and the feedback we're getting has been very good.
Happy Holidays.
Hi. KYRK calls were picked up in May 2011. 106.5 is the first new sign on in Corpus Christi since 1998, when KPUS at 104.5 signed on. The old calls--KTKY at 106.1 was licensed to Refugio and the FCC granted a move to 106.5 and upgrade to 50,000 watts a couple years back.
That doesn't change that KYRK licensed to Taft is the former KTKY licensed to Refugio. It is not a "new radio station" as the web site claims. Sadly Wiki is also littered with these type of claims where the date listed as the sign-on date was actually the date of the last upgrade or change of COL. Through various license modifications over time KZTX became KTKY and now KYRK. BTW-- KPUS is licensed to Gregory. The last station licensed to Corpus Christi was KUQI-TV. The last full power radio station licensed to Corpus Christi IIRC was 94.7 KBSO.
KTKY was orginally supposed to be a part of the sale of Pacific's stations to Convergent in early 2004. Convergent, and I can't recall the exact details, did a deal with Tejas, that allowed Convergent to move 106.1 to 106.5 and do the upgrade to 50,000 watts. It had to do with Tejas moving KOUL's tower so it would it put a city grade signal into Refugio.
The deal with Pacific and Convergent got a little sideways and KTKY never was aquired from Pacific. Pacific kept KTKY active at 106.1 and eventually got the FCC approval to move to 106.5 and the upgrade to 50,000 watts.
Pacific applied and was granted the call letter change from KTKY to KYRK in May 2011. KYRK had been a station in he Baton Rouge area up until fairly recently.
The deal with Pacific and Convergent got a little sideways and KTKY never was aquired from Pacific. Pacific kept KTKY active at 106.1 and eventually got the FCC approval to move to 106.5 and the upgrade to 50,000 watts.
Pacific applied and was granted the call letter change from KTKY to KYRK in May 2011. KYRK had been a station in he Baton Rouge area up until fairly recently.
The language on the website is for the average listener, and to the average listener, the The Shark is the first real new choice on the FM dial since '98. All the call letter changes, COL changes, power upgrades, etc not withstanding...what we are trying to get across is that the station is new and finally, there's a new station in Corpus Christi to check out.
The Convergent/Pacific deal was interesting to be a part of back in 2003-4.
The Convergent/Pacific deal was interesting to be a part of back in 2003-4.
LOL. All good. There hadn't been a new listenable FM signal available to the Corpus market since 1998, until KTKY at 106.5 came on in late July of this year. We're not talking format changes, name changes, etc. KTKY at 106.1 at been dark and/or running at very low power--just to cover Refugio for year. Happy Holidays.
I have to agree with Fred on this one. I have always thought the saying: 'The Shark is the Coastal Bend's first new radio station in nearly 15 years' is a complete lie. There has been quite a few new stations in the last 15 yrs in the Coastal Bend area like KKWV (located on the same tower as the shark) and even some in the past year or so. (KIFR in Alice - and the last time I checked Alice was part of the coastal bend area) But even the LPFM in Corpus Christi (KXVR) got granted in 2005 and if you consider all the translators that have gone up in the last 2 or 3 years (93.5, 94.5, 96.1, 103.3, & 104.1) then it is completely wrong to claim that KYRK is the Coastal Bend's first new radio station in nearly 15 years.
The details on the deal was that Convergent didn't want to purchase KTKY in Refugio until the FCC would grant the construction permit move for 106.5. If the FCC did grant it, Convergent wanted first dibs on purchasing it so they signed a contract that required Convergent to pay $100K a year to maintain the option with Pacific. Convergent was suppose to have made the first payment in January but missed the due date and paid later in February. This now put Convergent in default and allowed Pacific to void the option. The relationship with Pacific and Convergent had already started to deteriorate due to antenna issues (a whole other story there). Pacific sent Convergent back the $100K and said 'no thank you'. At this point Pacific contacted Tejas Broadcasting and paid them a chunk of change to move the COL of KOUL to Refugio and this would now allow KTKY to move to Taft. (At that time KTKY was the only station licensed to Refugio and needed KOUL to change COL to move out of there.) This now set them up with the FCC to get the CP granted out of Taft, TX and the rest is radio history. lol
I will say this though, The Shark sounds alot better now then it did when it first signed on. The signal sounds better but it does have some intermittent reflections in it. Not sure what is causing it. Antenna maybe? But you can hear it as you drive around. The sound is also alot cleaner and detailed. It used to sound muddy. But I have to disagree with your statement of 'you'd be hard pressed to hear any difference with our audio then some of better sounding stations'. The Shark still lacks the 'punch and clarity' that most other stations in Corpus have. You can't really notice it if you're listening on a boombox or handheld radio but if you get inside a car with a midrange to high end radio you can hear the difference. It's a big difference. Most stations in town are using Optimods or Omnia's for processing and you can tell the Shark isn't. I like the mix of music and I find myself always tuning in but to be honest with you, it's the lack of decent audio that keeps me from staying tuned in. I always end up switching stations after a few minutes because I don't like the way it sounds.
The details on the deal was that Convergent didn't want to purchase KTKY in Refugio until the FCC would grant the construction permit move for 106.5. If the FCC did grant it, Convergent wanted first dibs on purchasing it so they signed a contract that required Convergent to pay $100K a year to maintain the option with Pacific. Convergent was suppose to have made the first payment in January but missed the due date and paid later in February. This now put Convergent in default and allowed Pacific to void the option. The relationship with Pacific and Convergent had already started to deteriorate due to antenna issues (a whole other story there). Pacific sent Convergent back the $100K and said 'no thank you'. At this point Pacific contacted Tejas Broadcasting and paid them a chunk of change to move the COL of KOUL to Refugio and this would now allow KTKY to move to Taft. (At that time KTKY was the only station licensed to Refugio and needed KOUL to change COL to move out of there.) This now set them up with the FCC to get the CP granted out of Taft, TX and the rest is radio history. lol
I will say this though, The Shark sounds alot better now then it did when it first signed on. The signal sounds better but it does have some intermittent reflections in it. Not sure what is causing it. Antenna maybe? But you can hear it as you drive around. The sound is also alot cleaner and detailed. It used to sound muddy. But I have to disagree with your statement of 'you'd be hard pressed to hear any difference with our audio then some of better sounding stations'. The Shark still lacks the 'punch and clarity' that most other stations in Corpus have. You can't really notice it if you're listening on a boombox or handheld radio but if you get inside a car with a midrange to high end radio you can hear the difference. It's a big difference. Most stations in town are using Optimods or Omnia's for processing and you can tell the Shark isn't. I like the mix of music and I find myself always tuning in but to be honest with you, it's the lack of decent audio that keeps me from staying tuned in. I always end up switching stations after a few minutes because I don't like the way it sounds.
Infamous said:
Technically the CP WAS granted, but a backfill application for Refugio was not "Built" so KTKY could not start broadcasting from "Taft".
That was in the sales contract when they bought the rest of the group.
Actually, Convergent paid the money to Tejas to change COL for KOUL, Before the default. That will be important later.
It is. However when Pacific "Kept" KTKY , they then went to Tejas and said, "You've got most of your money and have agreed to move, so how much do you want to finish the deal? "
Tejas said (as I understand it) "We have to move, but not until our construction permit expires in 2 1/2 years. You want us to move now, make it worth our while."
Pacific was short on cash and waited out Tejas. Tejas eventually had to "Complete" the terms of the CP, (Which made them go into the prod studio and change the legal ID from KOUL Sinton to KOUL Refugio.) Since the allotment has already been changed they couldn't "not" follow thru, although, as far as I can tell they waited until almost the last day.
A funny sidelight to this story is what you would expect. After the Pacific/ Convergent KTKY deal went south, Pacific still had a CP which was designed to go on the Formerly Pacific, now Convergent combiner in Ingleside. When Pacific tried to negotiate getting on the combiner antenna (Which was designed to accomodate it) Convergent said not only no but "HELL NO". After several trips to meet with Convergent by several people, Pacific was able to put an antenna on the same tower, HIGHER UP, with a slight null to the Ocean because of tower space limitations.
Result... Pacific gets 106.5 on the same tower and pays American Tower a bunch of cash. Convergent get's the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing they "Stuck it" to Pacific.
106.5 is on the air and the big winner is.... American Tower.
Good Luck Scott. I wish you all the luck in the world. I'll leave it at that
I was hired by Convergent in the winter of 2003, then went to Corpus in the spring of 2003 and was working for both companies and then stayed with Convergent from 2004 to late 2009. The details of the KTKY Pacific/Convergent deal are a bit more complex and a bit different than described on some of posts here-- but the general consensus is correct.
By the fall of 2003, all the plans were in place to put KTKY on the air at 106.5 as a soft classic hits, 35-64 women the target. The amount Convergent paid Tejas was $50,000 to move KOUL's tower. Then, things got sideways in the Spring of 2005 and then we learned (Convergent) weren't getting KTKY. That's when we flipped 107-3 The X to "Jake". When the transmission line caught on fire in 2004 (LOL), Convergent replaced the combiner (which burned up really) with a combiner that was built to accomodate a 4th station, KTKY, and put up a 12-bay antenna. Pacific, in early 2011, did approach Convergent about going on the 12 bay and utilizing the combiner, etc. From what I understand, Convergent did give Pacific a emphatic no. But, I don't see how that was putting the "screws" to Pacific. It would have cut Covergent's power costs and tower rent from ATC. The tower rents is not unreasonable--I know, I pay it each month to Pacific. I do know Convergent approached Pacific after the LMA was done about purchase or LMA, but at that point, my deal with Pacific was final. My LMA deal is through 2014. I have the option to purchase the station between now and then, and the station cannot be sold or shopped around during the terms of LMA. Pacific has been great to work with. Very fair and reasonable. So, I figure this is a pretty good deal for us. We have time to grow the station--see where we're at in 2014. Since we are a small company--that is self-funded--we are keeping a close eye on expenses and will grow the station as revenue grows. We did spend significant $$$ to get this off the ground. We were able to do pretty good outdoor marketing in the Fall (boards, bus benches, etc) and will be doubling down on the efforts in The Spring--which is pretty good for a small company, I'd like to think-anyway. So, all and all, I would say we're pleased on where we are. This is not an EASY project, but I couldn't be happier that we have chance to compete and make a decent living.
By the fall of 2003, all the plans were in place to put KTKY on the air at 106.5 as a soft classic hits, 35-64 women the target. The amount Convergent paid Tejas was $50,000 to move KOUL's tower. Then, things got sideways in the Spring of 2005 and then we learned (Convergent) weren't getting KTKY. That's when we flipped 107-3 The X to "Jake". When the transmission line caught on fire in 2004 (LOL), Convergent replaced the combiner (which burned up really) with a combiner that was built to accomodate a 4th station, KTKY, and put up a 12-bay antenna. Pacific, in early 2011, did approach Convergent about going on the 12 bay and utilizing the combiner, etc. From what I understand, Convergent did give Pacific a emphatic no. But, I don't see how that was putting the "screws" to Pacific. It would have cut Covergent's power costs and tower rent from ATC. The tower rents is not unreasonable--I know, I pay it each month to Pacific. I do know Convergent approached Pacific after the LMA was done about purchase or LMA, but at that point, my deal with Pacific was final. My LMA deal is through 2014. I have the option to purchase the station between now and then, and the station cannot be sold or shopped around during the terms of LMA. Pacific has been great to work with. Very fair and reasonable. So, I figure this is a pretty good deal for us. We have time to grow the station--see where we're at in 2014. Since we are a small company--that is self-funded--we are keeping a close eye on expenses and will grow the station as revenue grows. We did spend significant $$$ to get this off the ground. We were able to do pretty good outdoor marketing in the Fall (boards, bus benches, etc) and will be doubling down on the efforts in The Spring--which is pretty good for a small company, I'd like to think-anyway. So, all and all, I would say we're pleased on where we are. This is not an EASY project, but I couldn't be happier that we have chance to compete and make a decent living.
Scott,
You have mentioned several times about moving the KOUL Tower. AFAIK, it has never been discussed to move their tower, nor have they been paid to move their tower, nor after the entire transaction is done have they moved their tower. I never knew the exact amount for changing the COL with Tejas, but never was there a move of the KOUL tower contemplated. I don't know where that came from. Perhaps you could enlighten us?
Clouseau
You have mentioned several times about moving the KOUL Tower. AFAIK, it has never been discussed to move their tower, nor have they been paid to move their tower, nor after the entire transaction is done have they moved their tower. I never knew the exact amount for changing the COL with Tejas, but never was there a move of the KOUL tower contemplated. I don't know where that came from. Perhaps you could enlighten us?
Clouseau
Been getting alot of questions about this. Doesn't not effect my situation at all. It remains the same. Pacific Broadcasting consists of two partners. One partner is simply buying out the other and Pacific Broadcasting will disolve once the sale is complete. And Withers Family Holdings will hold the license. My LMA is locked in until the latter part of 2014. I have right of first refusal and Pacific Broadcasting (soon to be Withers Family Holdings) cannot shop the station around during the LMA.
Tried tuning it in tonight after landing in Corpus. Either my rental car's radio sucks, or it wasn't there tonight. (Either is a possibility; the rental is a POS. The stream is up.)
Otherwise, punching around the dial, I hear a lot of "Premium Choice." Automation isn't evil, but I prefer my automation local.
Otherwise, punching around the dial, I hear a lot of "Premium Choice." Automation isn't evil, but I prefer my automation local.
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