Is 99.5 The Bear, in Hub City, dead?

[DG]

So what are the odds that Rick and Jane have non-competes?

If they do, would management's decision to change formats negate them?

 

[cspotrun]

So what are the odds that Rick and Jane have non-competes?

If they do, would management's decision to change formats negate them?

i bet they DO, and i don't know why going to a different kind of country format would change anything, besides where would they go?

 

[crow]

From what I have heard, local personalities are being brought on. I do not know if this is true or not. However, if it is... that is a good thing.

 

[cspotrun]

From what I have heard, local personalities are being brought on. I do not know if this is true or not. However, if it is... that is a good thing.

Just WHERE would these "Local Air Personalities" come from?
over the past few years they've fired several people in this market that would be qualified, the REST are working on air somewhere else in town, or have moved on to other careers. if they have someone on the air it will be a VT'er. i May be wrong but they blew up the bear to cut costs, if i am wrong, they will hire a full staff of live on air people.. don't hold your breath.[/i]

 

[DG]

THIS TIME NEXY YEAR....do you think Ratings will be UP for 99.5? OR will 99.5 be deemed a Failure? or in the end they don't care, Townsquare eliminated 3 salaries? whaddyathink?

I think their ratings may slightly improve, but won't amount to much against the competition. The real question is what demo group might see an increase? What little I know about Blake FM, it's geared towards attracting a younger demo, so overall their numbers may not show much gain, but if they can get the younger numbers up then it's a success. I see 105.3 gaining some ground, but 96.3 will still be safe at the top.
99.5 is essentially starting over, and while there's great temptations to draw conclusions on 2 ratings periods, it will take more than a year to really determine its new direction.

And 99.5 was evidently already deemed a failure thus, the format change.

I see this as an interesting experiment, and my armchair analysis would suggest 4 reasons for this:

1. To cut costs and save money.

2. To further prove the Blake FM format. Lubbock is Blake's second market trial and I'm sure Folger Media would really like to make some real coin selling Blake all over the country, and I'm also sure that Townsquare Media is ready to convert more of their stations too. If it works here (by whatever metric that might be) then it might work elsewhere.

3. To attract a younger demo. This may actually be the most important IMNSHO, as the future of radio depends on attracting a younger, more media-savy and radio-averse audience. The industry-trend to court younger demos is for less talk, fewer DJs and more music.

4. To obtain better ratings than a 4.0 share last Fall.

I suggest that these 4 reasons clearly indicate that their corporate folks do "care". Sure it's all about the bottom line, but in the end that is their greatest "care" isn't it?

 

[DG]

i bet they DO [have non-competes], and i don't know why going to a different kind of country format would change anything, besides where would they go?

The format change may not affect a thing in their contracts. Or, it may change everything. I don't know.

Both Rick and Jane have been in Lubbock broadcasting for quite some time, and somehow I doubt this is the last we'll see of them. And I could be wrong; maybe they're ready to throw in the towel, but I don't think so. They both have enough going "on the side" so to speak that I can picture them walking away from it, but there are still plenty of opportunities left for them. RAMAR and Walker Communications are 2 that come to mind. Stranger things have known to happen.

It wouldn't surprise me if they surfaced elsewhere- they've both done that before.

 

[DG]

From what I have heard, local personalities are being brought on. I do not know if this is true or not. However, if it is... that is a good thing.

That just makes no sense Crow.

When Townsquare fires 3 very seasoned and experienced individuals and replaces them with a "a jockless, current-intensive Country format designed by Folger Media", the last thing I expect them to do is hire local personalities. They may be filling local positions within the company that are related to the format change, but apparently local air talent has been removed from their business model.

I'm curious- which 'local personalities' would be brought on?

Fewer/no DJs, less talk, and "just play the music" are the industry trends. Blake FM does that. Jack FM's been doing that for awhile now.

What 99.5 is doing really isn't that surprising.

 

[Terriblejock]

This has been an interesting conversation. I've been following this thread for over a week. Some good points have been made. If Blake does plan on having live local talent. Where exactly are they going to find it? Please don't take that statement the wrong way. Lubbock has talent. But it's been made resoundingly clear. Talent or any real personality has the restriction of a non-com. Wilks is chalked full of good airstaff. But who's gonna risk another legal battle? Didn't turn out too good for the few people who stood up to em. So then that narrows it down.
And assuming they are looking for decent talent in other markets. Who would be willing to relocate to Lubbock on that small of a salary? I could be wrong but I doubt TS is willing to pay more for transplants then what they were paying the previous staff. But then again what the hell do I know.

 

[cspotrun]

BLAKE FMcomes from the same people who brought you "Jackfm" like "Jack" it will be a Short Lived format.. we all remember "Jack" never made it in Lubbock, right. i wouldn't be surprized if BLAKE is down from Bear Numbers, i would bet on it. and i agree with others that they won't hire anyone for this format, after all they blew it up to CUT COSTS with some kind of hope it will do better(what are they smoking over there?) younger demos? well whatever. this was a GREAT GIFT to KLLL and Red Dirt Rebel.
as for rick&jane or kidd, Good Luck finding a radio job here in lubbock, Ramar doesn't seem to think anyone has Talent in Lubbock, the last 5 hires in radio have come from out of state, the last two from indiana and new mexico, for rick & jane, WHO is KLLL or Rebel going to fire or move to hire them? & the Rebel features dave walker's son. REALITY CHECK rick & jane were not close to the top tier in morning drive, but they are very nice people. kidd if he's able to find something in radio will move to the paycheck, who can blame him. Good Luck To ALL.

 

[rockchicktx]

Don't think this couldn't happen:

Jane to KLLL mornings (joing that team) with Kelly moving to KLLL middays.
Rick to PM drive at KLLL (less likely)
Kidd to ... well... uh... hmmm. (likely)

KLLL would love the splash of "bringing them home.." The only way you kill a non jock station is to make sure your jocks are a draw. Can't just stand pat and "wait and see what happens"...that is if you actually can still find programmers who play chess.

Betcha my out of work dj paycheck, boys!

 

[Terriblejock]

Replacing the bush league jock currently doing mid-days wouldn't be a bad idea for KLLL. I don't mean to be nasty. But I can hardly listen during her time-slot. Dry and dull describes it best. Almost as bad as Sean Dylan on 101. Oh wait there ya go!!! Rick and Jane to 101. Um yeah. I'm getting old the ideas aren't all that great these days. Ha.

 

[Jamey K]

Obviously, I'm not a fan of "Jockless" radio, and still can't believe Kidd, Rick & Jane, aren't on the air. Such valuable talent.

In Amarillo, we've had a front row seat for the Blake birth, but we really won't know anything concrete until it's been through a book or two. It's in the first one now, and our numbers aren't due until August. My guess is, it will do better than the station it replaced, but after that...who knows.

It's an interesting experiment. but is it worth firing great jocks, in the middle of the book for? I hope not. Not just for the safety of everyone's job in the long term, but the folks who work for Townsquare in the short term. Yes, they are competitors, but they are good people and they are busting their asses off over there.

 

[cspotrun]

Don't think this couldn't happen:

Jane to KLLL mornings (joing that team) with Kelly moving to KLLL middays.
Rick to PM drive at KLLL (less likely)
Kidd to ... well... uh... hmmm. (likely)
KLLL would love the splash of "bringing them home.." The only way you kill a non jock station is to make sure your jocks are a draw. Can't just stand pat and "wait and see what happens"...that is if you actually can still find programmers who play chess.
Betcha my out of work dj paycheck, boys!

IF these two were MAJOR players in the market, well, i would give it a 50-50 chance, BUT they were not. IF they were MAJOR players in the market, the case could be made that maybe there would be NO BLAKEFM. KLLL is paying middays and afternoon drive peanuts and as far as ratings, IT WILL NOT HURT THEM they're KLLL! , plus they are saving money over bringing in out of town talent or otherwise. and here is something that SHOULDN'T play a factor, but we know it "quietly does", both of them are in their early 60's., it is tough ito breakthrough, when THEY can get a kid in their 20's who doesn't mind working for McDonald's money. it is tough for anybody to get a job, the odds are stacked against them, sadly.

 

[cspotrun]

forgot to add, they have a NON-COMPETE. hope they have a plan B, all are fine people, it sucks.

 

[Kent]

BLAKE FMcomes from the same people who brought you "Jackfm"

Nope. Blake FM comes from Folger Media. Jack FM comes from SparkNet. So, no, Folger doesn't do Jack. He does, however, consult Bob FM. Bob has a little more flexibility when it comes to jocks than Jack, but you usually don't hear jocks in markets the size of Lubbock.

Dial Global, by the way, distributes Jack to smaller markets. It's still consulted by SparkNet, however. Waitt Radio, which was absorbed by Dial Global, used to distribute Bob to smaller markets. I believe Blake is locally programmed but consulted by Folger.

 

[rockchicktx]

IF these two were MAJOR players in the market, well, i would give it a 50-50 chance, BUT they were not. IF they were MAJOR players in the market, the case could be made that maybe there would be NO BLAKEFM. KLLL is paying middays and afternoon drive peanuts and as far as ratings, IT WILL NOT HURT THEM they're KLLL! , plus they are saving money over bringing in out of town talent or otherwise. and here is something that SHOULDN'T play a factor, but we know it "quietly does", both of them are in their early 60's., it is tough ito breakthrough, when THEY can get a kid in their 20's who doesn't mind working for McDonald's money. it is tough for anybody to get a job, the odds are stacked against them, sadly.

well...I don't put it past KLLL to take pride and run with it. They've brought in people they didn't have to, just to sound better (skipping a cheaper solution in order to further the gap). Plus uh...can't guess the jocks in question have much of a bargaining chip to drive their price up. Ya wanna work or ya wanna move??

 

[illhangupandlisten]

Replacing the bush league jock currently doing mid-days wouldn't be a bad idea for KLLL. I don't mean to be nasty. But I can hardly listen during her time-slot. Dry and dull describes it best. Almost as bad as Sean Dylan on 101. Oh wait there ya go!!! Rick and Jane to 101. Um yeah. I'm getting old the ideas aren't all that great these days. Ha.

Seriously I've wondered if that Sean Dylan character is the owners nephew or something like that. That would be about the only reason I would see how anything that horrible would be allowed to be on the radio. The girl on KLLL is just kinda there. Doesnt wow me at all. But doesnt make me hit the button either. But as to Rick and Jane, I seriously doubt they will appear on the air with any of Wilks stations.

 

[cspotrun]

LETS FACE IT KLLL WON THE ULTIMATE WAR WITH THE BEAR. PRIDE?? c'mon! so,WHY in God's name would they need r&j?

 

[Terriblejock]

Well 101 actually had a decent DJ in afternoons but lost him to 105.3. Never met Sean so I'm not sure if he's a nice guy or not. But your right, you have to wonder if he's the owners nephew or something. That's the only way that guy get's to keep his job.

 

[crow]

From what I have heard, local personalities are being brought on. I do not know if this is true or not. However, if it is... that is a good thing.

That just makes no sense Crow.

When Townsquare fires 3 very seasoned and experienced individuals and replaces them with a "a jockless, current-intensive Country format designed by Folger Media", the last thing I expect them to do is hire local personalities. They may be filling local positions within the company that are related to the format change, but apparently local air talent has been removed from their business model.

I'm curious- which 'local personalities' would be brought on?

Fewer/no DJs, less talk, and "just play the music" are the industry trends. Blake FM does that. Jack FM's been doing that for awhile now.

What 99.5 is doing really isn't that surprising.

I was merely sharing what I had been told. Now, does that mean it's true? No. Like I said, I have HEARD they were bringing on local talent.