JANE SHANNON OUT AT KIRO?

[SeattleRadioPro]

That's what "the blathering one" is reporting on his "blog".

Guess she's had a rough month - a bad car accident last week and now this.

 

[brunhilda]

Oh that sucks! Double whammy.

 

[WKomm]

Haven't listened to KIRO for awhile but if this is true, just another reason NOT to listen. I though she did a good job ...

 

[equalinercard]

Can someone explain the strategy being used by Bonneville since their re-acquisition of KIRO?

Dump the "NewsRadio" brand. Reduce the news staff. Eliminate live, local shows at night and on weekends. Further reduce the news staff. Give up on the best AM signal in the Northwest. Make major frequency/format switches the same day that PPM starts instead of waiting for a few months of trending.

And now, with the ratings in the crapper, dump a morning news host who has been a part of the morning show for a decade and a half, going back to the Bill Yeend days!?!?! A morning show, which, by the way, was number one in the ratings for many of those years before Bonneville made their "bold" moves.

Oh, and is there a reason why the female half of the morning show was axed?

I wonder if April Zepada's attorney has Jane Shannon's contact info.

 

[Bongwater]

Can someone explain the strategy being used by Bonneville since their re-acquisition of KIRO?

Dump the "NewsRadio" brand. Reduce the news staff. Eliminate live, local shows at night and on weekends. Further reduce the news staff. Give up on the best AM signal in the Northwest. Make major frequency/format switches the same day that PPM starts instead of waiting for a few months of trending.

And now, with the ratings in the crapper, dump a morning news host who has been a part of the morning show for a decade and a half, going back to the Bill Yeend days!?!?! A morning show, which, by the way, was number one in the ratings for many of those years before Bonneville made their "bold" moves.

Oh, and is there a reason why the female half of the morning show was axed?

I wonder if April Zepada's attorney has Jane Shannon's contact info.

You make a great point. It's like two entirely different companies, Bonneville Then and Bonneville Now. When Bonneville bought KIRO back, I thought for sure all the mistakes and screwups Entercom made would be over and KIRO would be back on top in no time......

Well I'll be damned. KIRO merely got picked up off the Titanic by the Exxon Valdez. Just LOOK at this mess! It's even WORSE than ANYTHING Entercom could have done!!

And so ham-handed! It just takes my breath away....

I mean, WHAT HAPPENED TO BONNEVILLE?? Once the shrewd, conservative, stick-to-the-basics kind of broadcasting group now seems to have it's direction (in Seattle at least) dictated by WWU frat boys over a kegger......

 

[AQH]

Can someone explain the strategy being used by Bonneville since their re-acquisition of KIRO?

No, but I can shed general light your way.

Dump the "NewsRadio" brand. Reduce the news staff. Eliminate live, local shows at night and on weekends. Further reduce the news staff. Give up on the best AM signal in the Northwest. Make major frequency/format switches the same day that PPM starts instead of waiting for a few months of trending.

Maybe they did some research and knew what was going to happen, hence the timing of what they did. Wasn't there a thread a few months ago from someone complaining about the mailers being sent out?

The "best signal in the northwest" doesn't matter to a listener, so long as they are within the Arbitron definition of the Seattle market. Vancouver, Portland and Spokane are meaningless when it comes to ratings, and just sentimental to the types that are on this board.

And now, with the ratings in the crapper, dump a morning news host who has been a part of the morning show for a decade and a half, going back to the Bill Yeend days!?!?!

Don't you think that might be part of the reasoning?

A morning show, which, by the way, was number one in the ratings for many of those years before Bonneville made their "bold" moves.

And before PPM.

Oh, and is there a reason why the female half of the morning show was axed?

Oh for crying out loud, put your bra back on and the lighter away. You're worse than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton playing the race card.

I wonder if April Zepada's attorney has Jane Shannon's contact info.

Why don't you find out the circumstances of Shannon's leaving the station before acting tough here?

 

[equalinercard]

AQH: You suggest that Bonneville did some research and knew what was going to happen with PPM before hand. That's interesting. Can you find one other example anywhere in the U.S. where a radio station switched frequencies or made a major format change on the very day that PPM started in their market? Wait, I'll answer that for you. No.

No one else has been foolish enough to make a major change without first getting at least a few weeks of PPM numbers. Stations pay huge dollars to Arbitron. They have to view that, partially, as research. So why make such a dramatic change without seeing first what that research is going to tell you.

You say that "the best signal in the Northwest doesn't matter to a listener." That's absurd. Try telling that to the people running KKOL or KRKO. And, yes, I understand the six-county metro and why counties outside those six are not included in the Seattle-Tacoma Arbitron ratings. Might I ask if you're familiar with the term DMA? Also, do you realize that a substantial number of people who work in the 6-county metro, live in a non-metro county. And many who live in one of the outlying 6 counties, work in non-metro counties.

There are plenty of places in the Seattle area where the 97.3 signal sounds better and the quality of broadcast is superior to 710 am. But 97.3 has plenty of multi-pathing issues and plenty of areas where it's difficult to receive the signal at all. To me, 710 am is a far superior signal.

And, of course, you also say that better ratings occured before PPM. Of course that's true, but the one thing NO ONE will ever know is how well KIRO would have done in PPM without the switch to FM.

Maybe KIRO would have suffered a little erosion or gone up a little or seen a dramatic cume increase. You know, similar to what happend to KGO, KDKA, WGN, WBAL, WIP, WABC, WBZ, KTRH, WJR or a few other big, heritage AM news or talk stations that did not go totally in the tank with PPM.

You suggest I find out the circumstances of Jane's departure before "acting tough." Didn't mean to sound tough, just factual. I know the circumstances.

You start your post by saying you can "shed general light" my way. Please let me know if you do that.

 

[AQH]

AQH: You suggest that Bonneville did some research and knew what was going to happen with PPM before hand. That's interesting. Can you find one other example anywhere in the U.S. where a radio station switched frequencies or made a major format change on the very day that PPM started in their market? Wait, I'll answer that for you. No.

No one else has been foolish enough to make a major change without first getting at least a few weeks of PPM numbers. Stations pay huge dollars to Arbitron. They have to view that, partially, as research. So why make such a dramatic change without seeing first what that research is going to tell you.

You say that "the best signal in the Northwest doesn't matter to a listener." That's absurd. Try telling that to the people running KKOL or KRKO. And, yes, I understand the six-county metro and why counties outside those six are not included in the Seattle-Tacoma Arbitron ratings. Might I ask if you're familiar with the term DMA? Also, do you realize that a substantial number of people who work in the 6-county metro, live in a non-metro county. And many who live in one of the outlying 6 counties, work in non-metro counties.

There are plenty of places in the Seattle area where the 97.3 signal sounds better and the quality of broadcast is superior to 710 am. But 97.3 has plenty of multi-pathing issues and plenty of areas where it's difficult to receive the signal at all. To me, 710 am is a far superior signal.

And, of course, you also say that better ratings occured before PPM. Of course that's true, but the one thing NO ONE will ever know is how well KIRO would have done in PPM without the switch to FM.

Maybe KIRO would have suffered a little erosion or gone up a little or seen a dramatic cume increase. You know, similar to what happend to KGO, KDKA, WGN, WBAL, WIP, WABC, WBZ, KTRH, WJR or a few other big, heritage AM news or talk stations that did not go totally in the tank with PPM.

You suggest I find out the circumstances of Jane's departure before "acting tough." Didn't mean to sound tough, just factual. I know the circumstances.

You start your post by saying you can "shed general light" my way. Please let me know if you do that.

I authored the response in a way to not be presumptuous, but in a way for you and others to think about the station, the situation and the way they might have been thinking.

I'm sorry I did that, I should have known better.

I don't have all the answers, never pretended that I do. Just want to inject a little real-life into your feminist conspiracy theory post and give a glimpse as to what really happens in some situations.

Yeah, I've got follow-up responses in my mind, but I'm not going to waste my time.

 

[vivalamusica]

Haven't listened to KIRO for awhile but if this is true, just another reason NOT to listen. I though she did a good job ...

I know Jane and she was a competent broadcaster and a damn fine reporter. I agree that this is another reason to switch from 97.3.

 

[TVradioguru]

You say that "the best signal in the Northwest doesn't matter to a listener." That's absurd. Try telling that to the people running KKOL or KRKO. And, yes, I understand the six-county metro and why counties outside those six are not included in the Seattle-Tacoma Arbitron ratings. Might I ask if you're familiar with the term DMA? Also, do you realize that a substantial number of people who work in the 6-county metro, live in a non-metro county. And many who live in one of the outlying 6 counties, work in non-metro counties.

There are plenty of places in the Seattle area where the 97.3 signal sounds better and the quality of broadcast is superior to 710 am. But 97.3 has plenty of multi-pathing issues and plenty of areas where it's difficult to receive the signal at all. To me, 710 am is a far superior signal.

Maybe KIRO would have suffered a little erosion or gone up a little or seen a dramatic cume increase. You know, similar to what happend to KGO, KDKA, WGN, WBAL, WIP, WABC, WBZ, KTRH, WJR or a few other big, heritage AM news or talk stations that did not go totally in the tank with PPM.

Okay here are some facts, not an opinion:

Having an AM signal is a liability these days, having a FM signal is an advantage. AM is expensive to operate. FM penetrates into buildings, overpasses, tunnels and alike. AM does not. Demographics under 40 don't tune into AM, period. Listeners under 40 are sought after, those over 50, not so much.

A signal that covers the market is important to be sure. One that exceeds the market is a waste of money.

Many of the stations you cited have seen significant decreases in their past dominance now with PPM. Of note, KGO has dropped to 12th and recently 14th from their previous first place. And who beat them? You guessed it, an FM N/T station.

KIRO made the correct move by going to FM. It may not seem like it right now, but the sometimes the best time to make a move as they did is when the economy is at it's worst.

 

[dialtwister]

Shannon and Hersholt NEVER, I repeat - 'NEVER' got along with each other at KIRO really...
..That's been noted serveral times on past posts here..

- and guru, having a FM signal is an 'advantage'?....teach us MORE please!..

..if you always close your eyes, can 'ANYONE' still see ya?

 

[Arty Ziff]

Now if only they would get rid of Dori, I might start listening to KIRO again.

 

[equalinercard]

AQH: If you'e going to state facts, then make them full and complete facts please.

In the latest PPM numbers KGO is #1. KCBS-AM is #2. Now I assume you meant 25-54 or some other demo. So at least state that.

Also, while you might call an AM signal a liability, KGO is still the number 1 billing station in their market. WGN is the top biller in Chicago. KDKA is in Pittsburgh. WJR is in Detroit. Yes, their expenses are higher because they are actually paying to maintain a product. But I'd hardly call being top billers a liability.

I'd agree with you that there's certainly a brighter future for FM than AM. And in almost every case I'd rather have an FM signal. But there are exceptions. There are two phenominal signals on the west coast: KGO and KIRO-AM.

Sometimes radio people, and managers in particular, are guilty of the radio version of inside-the-beltway thinking. They claim no one cares about the signal outside the metro. If we don't get ratings there it doesn't matter. They should think about listening to their customers. The hundreds and hundreds who have called or emailed or writen to complain about the reduced reception. Or, if they don't want to listen to their listeners, try listening to their biggest corporate partner. The Seattle Mariners are thrilled to be on the big AM "liability."

 

[iamrightuarewrong]

I heard a rumor that Bob Rivers may be looking at going into NewTalk. Now would be refreshing. Some of the old guys like Rivers or Kentandalan might be what newstalk in this town really needs. They are the right age in the twilight of their careers. A good time to make a move before they slide. One might even look at a Jackie and bender or Fitz though there best years are still ahead of them as they grow in the music radio realm. I am truly serious about his but maybe someone like Rivers would light up the news band. the station may make money but I bet that is living on the past and is a bunch down from last year and not looking any brighter.

 

[AQH]

AQH: If you'e going to state facts, then make them full and complete facts please.

In the latest PPM numbers KGO is #1. KCBS-AM is #2. Now I assume you meant 25-54 or some other demo. So at least state that.

Also, while you might call an AM signal a liability, KGO is still the number 1 billing station in their market. WGN is the top biller in Chicago. KDKA is in Pittsburgh. WJR is in Detroit. Yes, their expenses are higher because they are actually paying to maintain a product. But I'd hardly call being top billers a liability.

I'd agree with you that there's certainly a brighter future for FM than AM. And in almost every case I'd rather have an FM signal. But there are exceptions. There are two phenominal signals on the west coast: KGO and KIRO-AM.

Sometimes radio people, and managers in particular, are guilty of the radio version of inside-the-beltway thinking. They claim no one cares about the signal outside the metro. If we don't get ratings there it doesn't matter. They should think about listening to their customers. The hundreds and hundreds who have called or emailed or writen to complain about the reduced reception. Or, if they don't want to listen to their listeners, try listening to their biggest corporate partner. The Seattle Mariners are thrilled to be on the big AM "liability."

I know you're desperate to get your licks in on me, but do yourself a favor and employ some reading comprehension in who you are replying to next time, okay?

 

[equalinercard]

AQH: You are correct, I apologize.

 

[dialtwister]

...heard a rumor that Bob Rivers may be looking at going into NewTalk...

..and give up his 'twisted tunes'?

a hundred bucks says he doesn't; PM me for this bet...

 

[TVradioguru]

In the latest PPM numbers KGO is #1. KCBS-AM is #2. Now I assume you meant 25-54 or some other demo. So at least state that.

I'm not sure what data you're looking at Liner. I have the October ratings for San Francisco sitting right in front of me right now. KGO is not number one. You are correct however, that in target demo, (which is what they sell), 25-54 numbers for KGO have seen the most decline since PPM.

Sometimes radio people, and managers in particular, are guilty of the radio version of inside-the-beltway thinking. They claim no one cares about the signal outside the metro. If we don't get ratings there it doesn't matter. They should think about listening to their customers. The hundreds and hundreds who have called or emailed or writen to complain about the reduced reception. Or, if they don't want to listen to their listeners, try listening to their biggest corporate partner. The Seattle Mariners are thrilled to be on the big AM "liability."

The days of benefitting from an big AM signal with DX reports from other states are over. Maintaining an expensive AM transmitter plant with the land it sits on being worth more than the station is now the norm. Forty years ago the big AM signal was a benefit to independent owners with bragging rights over other independent owners, aka signal envy. The problem with that thinking today, AM stations are inferior in audio quality and as someone else pointed out in a earlier post and AM is tough to listen to with all the noise and interference from electrical devices.

Granted rural areas or smaller towns can still benefit from big signals, AM or FM, mainly because the advertisers are spread across several smaller towns separated by many miles.

To your point about the Mariners benefitting from being on a big AM signal; I believe if you took a snapshot of baseball ratings over the past five years in most larger markets, especially Seattle-Tacoma, you will see a significant decline in overall cume and TSL. That decline has continued from last season with Fisher's AM station carrying the Mariners up to today with KIRO. As predicted there has also been a significant decline in younger demos listening to baseball over the radio, and being on an AM station doesn't help because as pointed out earlier, demos under 40 don't listen to AM.

 

[dustintv]

Radio-Info lists KGO as being #1 but a close inspection shows #2 KCBS having a much, much higher cume than KGO! http://www.radio-info.com/site/markets/grid/san-francisco

 

[dialtwister]

NO bets yet, so it's gonna be safe to conclude re Rivers...