Morgan Murphy did a good job with the thunderstorm coverage last week. I don't know what the coverage was like but they were on top of things with the emergency alert system. Clear Channel was too, but they seemed a little bit slow. Mapleton failed on the storm coverage, I didn't even hear an alert when the other groups in town had alerts. And did you notice that Bob was off the air most of the day?
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J.J. Hemingway Goes To Bismarck.....
- Thread starter Bongwater
- Start date
There was a reason all along I never liked Clear Channel. And believe me, I TRIED to like them, but they're so ridiculously homogenized of nearly everything that makes their stations the slightest bit unique or local....
But I think it's really funny how they're so busy promoting their online presence - further diminishing any iota of local creativity and FUN. And I hate to say it, but even Bob Rivers is a snooze now on KJR-FM compared to what he was at KISW or even KZOK.
I mean really, if iHeartRadio is so damn wonderful and they go so over the top promoting it (not even Last.fm gets this kind of treatment from CBS!) Then why not just get rid of those $$$ sucking transmitters, employees and pesky FCC big-gubbermint red tape and go full blown online and get out of the terrestrial radio biz? Imagine the sheer, unadulterated $$$ WINDFALL from THAT! They've already cut everything down to the absolute bone. And I mean BONE. You really can't cut anything farther - well, maybe a few freewheeling upper level executives could use a reintroduction to macaroni and cheese. But on the LOCAL medium/small market level, there's not a single bit of meat left left to cut.
Clear Channel (and most other) stations are already skeletons on the dial (Bob Rivers and Steve Slaton are just a nice coat and a fedora on the skeleton that was 95.7) I can't imagine how everyone else not under a big contract at CC copes with waking up each day wondering if today will be their last day. That's just too much for any human being. Especially if you have a family to provide for. And then they expect Audi performance from what is basically a unicycle.
It makes no sense pushing the internet product so much that it appears to even the most causal listener that they have no faith in their terrestrial signals.
And from the way it looks, they probably don't.
But I think it's really funny how they're so busy promoting their online presence - further diminishing any iota of local creativity and FUN. And I hate to say it, but even Bob Rivers is a snooze now on KJR-FM compared to what he was at KISW or even KZOK.
I mean really, if iHeartRadio is so damn wonderful and they go so over the top promoting it (not even Last.fm gets this kind of treatment from CBS!) Then why not just get rid of those $$$ sucking transmitters, employees and pesky FCC big-gubbermint red tape and go full blown online and get out of the terrestrial radio biz? Imagine the sheer, unadulterated $$$ WINDFALL from THAT! They've already cut everything down to the absolute bone. And I mean BONE. You really can't cut anything farther - well, maybe a few freewheeling upper level executives could use a reintroduction to macaroni and cheese. But on the LOCAL medium/small market level, there's not a single bit of meat left left to cut.
Clear Channel (and most other) stations are already skeletons on the dial (Bob Rivers and Steve Slaton are just a nice coat and a fedora on the skeleton that was 95.7) I can't imagine how everyone else not under a big contract at CC copes with waking up each day wondering if today will be their last day. That's just too much for any human being. Especially if you have a family to provide for. And then they expect Audi performance from what is basically a unicycle.
It makes no sense pushing the internet product so much that it appears to even the most causal listener that they have no faith in their terrestrial signals.
And from the way it looks, they probably don't.
Jack Griffin said:
What kind of statement is that? My friend JJ takes his professionalism, experience and passion to a very nice city. I really don't understand your line of thinking. What an ugly, negative comment.
Randy Roadz
[email protected]
R
radiojjh
Guest
Had an opportunity to scan the 12+ ratings in Spokane....changes in which cluster is #1 and which one isn't #1 anymore.....Morgan Murphy(KXLY Group) #1, Mapleton #2, Clear Channel #3. There was a time when CC was a solid #1 and no one came close. Not that way anymore.
My former station went down over another share from the winter book, and in comparison to last Spring----KISC went from #1 12+ to #8, and the 12(+) #'s are the lowest I have ever seen for that station since I returned to Spokane in 1998. Not a good barometer of Premium Choice that defines KISC now. Actually it speaks volumes. It's a shame when people attempt to fix what IS NOT broken.
Even my former sister station KIXZ--it was country for many many years and there is a 4-way battle for the country audience. A few months ago the country format was dropped in favor of CHR, and a year ago KIXZ it was tied for 7th 12(+) and now with the change is comes in at #15 12(+) and now has a 1.5. And this is for a 100,000 watt facility. There is adult standards 1050AM/KEYF, decent signal during the day, but not so much at night, and it grabbed a 1.7 share.
And 1280/KPTQ was doing like 1090/KPTK-AM in Seattle format-wise(Progressive Liberal Talk) and it had a 1.4 share a year ago, CC flipped it to Classic Country and now---NO ratings at all. From an outsider looking in, not much of anything positive to report. KKZX--that's another story--a great heritage station they continue to be #1 12(+) although down a half-a-share. And they have local and live personalities from 530am til 7pm. That seems to be what Spokane wants.
It was a great book for country stations KXLY-FM and KDRK are #2 and #3 (12+) and just one tenth of a point separates those two--obviously picking up the former KIXZ listeners. KZZU up nicely almost a share and a half. Mapleton's BOB-FM and 101.1 were both down,(less than a full share down) but very respectable.
Their CHR "NOW 105.7," is down to the mid 3's, down from mid 6's a year ago--audience pretty much half of what it was going from #3 to #12 (12+). This is the station after CC gutted it--taking away both Elvis Duran and Ryan Seacrest----I had proposed to the GM---going to a gold based softer A/C---with a staff of people that Spokane would be VERY familiar with, and they turned me down---saying that 105.7 was their #2 biller(probably not anymore) and they wouldn't even be considering another format change. What a shame they told me "no." They could have had great 25-54 female #'s AND a good 12(+) showing. And increased billing, but they continue to have their 20-somethings on the air that generally don't sound like great CHR talents at all.
So as I prepare to head to Bismarck this Friday.....it's bittersweet since I have been here in Spokane almost 15 years and it's just very sad to see the state of radio in Spokane the way it is now. And ponder "what might have been." I have such a passion for this business, been in it almost all of my life and I am thrilled to be going to a station that really values my talents, expertise and opinions, and is so very excited to have me coming aboard! That is what radio should be all about!!!
Just my 2 cents!!!
My former station went down over another share from the winter book, and in comparison to last Spring----KISC went from #1 12+ to #8, and the 12(+) #'s are the lowest I have ever seen for that station since I returned to Spokane in 1998. Not a good barometer of Premium Choice that defines KISC now. Actually it speaks volumes. It's a shame when people attempt to fix what IS NOT broken.
Even my former sister station KIXZ--it was country for many many years and there is a 4-way battle for the country audience. A few months ago the country format was dropped in favor of CHR, and a year ago KIXZ it was tied for 7th 12(+) and now with the change is comes in at #15 12(+) and now has a 1.5. And this is for a 100,000 watt facility. There is adult standards 1050AM/KEYF, decent signal during the day, but not so much at night, and it grabbed a 1.7 share.
And 1280/KPTQ was doing like 1090/KPTK-AM in Seattle format-wise(Progressive Liberal Talk) and it had a 1.4 share a year ago, CC flipped it to Classic Country and now---NO ratings at all. From an outsider looking in, not much of anything positive to report. KKZX--that's another story--a great heritage station they continue to be #1 12(+) although down a half-a-share. And they have local and live personalities from 530am til 7pm. That seems to be what Spokane wants.
It was a great book for country stations KXLY-FM and KDRK are #2 and #3 (12+) and just one tenth of a point separates those two--obviously picking up the former KIXZ listeners. KZZU up nicely almost a share and a half. Mapleton's BOB-FM and 101.1 were both down,(less than a full share down) but very respectable.
Their CHR "NOW 105.7," is down to the mid 3's, down from mid 6's a year ago--audience pretty much half of what it was going from #3 to #12 (12+). This is the station after CC gutted it--taking away both Elvis Duran and Ryan Seacrest----I had proposed to the GM---going to a gold based softer A/C---with a staff of people that Spokane would be VERY familiar with, and they turned me down---saying that 105.7 was their #2 biller(probably not anymore) and they wouldn't even be considering another format change. What a shame they told me "no." They could have had great 25-54 female #'s AND a good 12(+) showing. And increased billing, but they continue to have their 20-somethings on the air that generally don't sound like great CHR talents at all.
So as I prepare to head to Bismarck this Friday.....it's bittersweet since I have been here in Spokane almost 15 years and it's just very sad to see the state of radio in Spokane the way it is now. And ponder "what might have been." I have such a passion for this business, been in it almost all of my life and I am thrilled to be going to a station that really values my talents, expertise and opinions, and is so very excited to have me coming aboard! That is what radio should be all about!!!
Just my 2 cents!!!
O
Old Yeller
Guest
What you describe is happening everywhere, and you're absolutely correct....it's a shame. Radio has unfortunately become a commodity with these over-leveged companies making deperate cost cutting moves to make a quick fix to their bottom line. It may work short term, but in the end it never really translates to rating or revenue. What has happened in most cases is the audience is left with a dumbed-down product with no real ties to the market.
Head east & don't look back, JJ. Your FUTURE awaits you in Bismarck.
Best of luck on your new adventure.
Head east & don't look back, JJ. Your FUTURE awaits you in Bismarck.
Best of luck on your new adventure.
You know what gets me. Here in Seattle recycle workers have gone on strike because they are only making $48 g's and benifits to start. You have to drive a large truck, roll buckets with wheels and work automation buttons. Sounds like radio. Garbage workers start at 58 G's a year and sometimes have to pick up small buckets. Whats wrong with this picture? Our creative industry stinks!!!! (like garbage)
Google has received approval from Nevada to do on-street testing of its driverless cars. Knowing Google, they'll get the technology perfected in a reasonably short time and once they do, you can bet the garbage haulers will push along development of driverless trucks that pick up trash.
Wait about 10-15 years and those "automated truck" garbage workers will go the way of the live radio DJ and the buggy whip.
Wait about 10-15 years and those "automated truck" garbage workers will go the way of the live radio DJ and the buggy whip.
R
radiojjh
Guest
Made it safe and sound to Bismarck---left Spokane Saturday morning around 745, and arrived in Bismarck at 1130(central time) around 940 miles....the house that I rented without seeing it in person, exceeded the pics that were send to me via e-mail...it's gonna be a great place to call home. 1st day at the station went well...still trying to figure out the computer system, but I did schedule 4 days of music logs and that went flawlessly!! A few more days and I will feel really comfy in the control room. Great people to work with and they are certainly making me feel very very welcome! More updates soon!!!
Your Bismarck Early Morning Radio Pal...
JJ
Your Bismarck Early Morning Radio Pal...
JJ
JJ,
I'm glad you've found a place where you'll be respected and appreciated, something that's rare these days in radio.
All the best. I almost wish I was you, because there's something exciting and exhilirating, albeit a bit scary, about starting fresh in a new city, especially in an area where radio may play a bigger role in people's lives.
I'm glad you've found a place where you'll be respected and appreciated, something that's rare these days in radio.
All the best. I almost wish I was you, because there's something exciting and exhilirating, albeit a bit scary, about starting fresh in a new city, especially in an area where radio may play a bigger role in people's lives.
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