K98.5 Ratings?

[NJMike]

This July, I believe, will be 1 yr since the launch of K98.5. Does anybody know how the station is doing ratings-wise? I checked Arbitron and it looks as though ratings for the Monmouth-Ocean market only come out twice a year - spring and fall. K98.5 was just short of a 2.0 share for Fall 2006.

 

[SoulCrusher]

I honestly didn't know Country had such a big following in Monmouth/Ocean. There is no racetrack here, no cowboy bars and no tractor pulls or rodeos that I know of in this area.

I guess we underestimate the amount of people that came not from NYC or Philly, but from Dixie. I have gone to a few places where they had K 98.5 playing, so I guess the station is catching in despite the rather dominant presence of Cat Country. Two Country stations in the market? Maybe we should should re-draw the Mason-Dixon Line so that it cuts through Old Bridge. Looks like the South is taking over.

We'll see just how the station does when the next book comes along. I think we may all be surprised. I predict high 2s or low 3s.

 

[K-Tel]

Country rated very well when WWZY was part of the Y-107 quadcast.

 

[murphmac]

It's funny how stereotyped country music is. I worked for a country station for over five years and we determined that the average country listener is very loyal, earns a good income and does not necesserily come from the south. It amazes me that so many people have such negative attitudes toward country music. I hate to say it but this is really a "Jersey thing." I have a weekend place in Delaware and it's a whole different world when it comes to country music. There are lots of country stations that enjoy great ratings!

I must also say that country is a great alternative considering the pop scene today! A country station would certainly improve the deplorable radio dial in NYC. Phillys country station gets very respectable ratings. I believe that they were #6 in the market in the latest ratings. I'm glad that there are a few country stations in NJ. It's a shame that none of those stations cover northern NJ. We're stuck with the crap from NYC.

Jim

 

[SoulCrusher]

It's funny how stereotyped country music is. I worked for a country station for over five years and we determined that the average country listener is very loyal, earns a good income and does not necesserily come from the south. It amazes me that so many people have such negative attitudes toward country music. I hate to say it but this is really a "Jersey thing." I have a weekend place in Delaware and it's a whole different world when it comes to country music. There are lots of country stations that enjoy great ratings!

I must also say that country is a great alternative considering the pop scene today! A country station would certainly improve the deplorable radio dial in NYC. Phillys country station gets very respectable ratings. I believe that they were #6 in the market in the latest ratings. I'm glad that there are a few country stations in NJ. It's a shame that none of those stations cover northern NJ. We're stuck with the crap from NYC.

Jim

The reason why a stigma is attached to Country is because of the simple lyrics and subject matter, and because of the political points of view. Any Country musician who has an opinion that goes against their code of ethics (such as not supporting President Bush) gets them ostracized, like what happened with the Dixie Chicks. The radio has this belief system so deeply engrained into them that one has to believe that the listeners must feel the same way - vote Republican, own several rifles, watch NASCAR, etc. I'm sure this doesn't apply to everyone, but the majority can be covered with this statement.

It all comes down to the roots of the musical genre. Most people that enjoy Mariachi or Ranchero music are of Mexican descent. Most people that like Reggae are of Jamaican descent (I'm Caucasian and it's one of my favorite genres, but I'm in the minority). So it's safe to assume that this also applies to Country.

 

[eatspaste]

We'll see just how the station does when the next book comes along. I think we may all be surprised. I predict high 2s or low 3s.

If you remember the old B98-5, it rarely hit the 3.0 mark because that signal has no Monmouth County coverage. A 6kw stand-alone in southern Ocean will never do well overall unless Ocean County gets an unusually high number of diaries. That's the same reason why WBHX isn't playing classic rock anymore.

Take a look at the 12+ numbers - 10 of the top 10 stations are either located in, or have a great signal covering, an area from Toms River north into Monmouth County. The Fall '06 numbers read like a roadmap: WOBM and WOBM-FM are in the top 10, go a little further south for WJRZ, then a little further for WCHR-FM, then WKMK.

 

[NJMike]

I honestly didn't know Country had such a big following in Monmouth/Ocean. There is no racetrack here, no cowboy bars and no tractor pulls or rodeos that I know of in this area.

There's the Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport (Monmouth County)!! It's on the northern fridge of K98.5's signal.

We'll see just how the station does when the next book comes along. I think we may all be surprised. I predict high 2s or low 3s.

I'd like to see K98.5 break a 3.0 share in the fall book, but that may be too optimistic due to their limited signal. But I think they may get close though. They deserve to do well. They're a great station with a refreshing sound from the rest of the Jersey shore radio dial.

 

[8638]

It's funny how stereotyped country music is. I worked for a country station for over five years and we determined that the average country listener is very loyal, earns a good income and does not necesserily come from the south. It amazes me that so many people have such negative attitudes toward country music. I hate to say it but this is really a "Jersey thing." I have a weekend place in Delaware and it's a whole different world when it comes to country music. There are lots of country stations that enjoy great ratings!

I must also say that country is a great alternative considering the pop scene today! A country station would certainly improve the deplorable radio dial in NYC. Phillys country station gets very respectable ratings. I believe that they were #6 in the market in the latest ratings. I'm glad that there are a few country stations in NJ. It's a shame that none of those stations cover northern NJ. We're stuck with the crap from NYC.

Jim

The reason why a stigma is attached to Country is because of the simple lyrics and subject matter, and because of the political points of view. Any Country musician who has an opinion that goes against their code of ethics (such as not supporting President Bush) gets them ostracized, like what happened with the Dixie Chicks. The radio has this belief system so deeply engrained into them that one has to believe that the listeners must feel the same way - vote Republican, own several rifles, watch NASCAR, etc. I'm sure this doesn't apply to everyone, but the majority can be covered with this statement.

It all comes down to the roots of the musical genre. Most people that enjoy Mariachi or Ranchero music are of Mexican descent. Most people that like Reggae are of Jamaican descent (I'm Caucasian and it's one of my favorite genres, but I'm in the minority). So it's safe to assume that this also applies to Country.

With respect, what you state is your opinion. Not every country music fan is a right winger, no more than every rock fan is a liberal. My politics are very conservative, but my musical tastes are not. I listen to everything except rap, which I just don't get, but, that's MY opinion.

I'm glad that WKMK is making its presence known. I hear it in a couple of the stores here in Bayville. As for WPUR, its signal isn't that strong here. I can get it b/c I'm a radio geek, but it's not so easy to stay tuned to north of Toms River, nor would the average cheap radio be able to receive it in a business. So, I think there is room for both stations.

 

[mcmannors]

I honestly didn't know Country had such a big following in Monmouth/Ocean. There is no racetrack here, no cowboy bars and no tractor pulls or rodeos that I know of in this area.

There's the Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport (Monmouth County)!! It's on the northern fridge of K98.5's signal.

I believe Soul Crusher was referring to CAR racetracks, not HORSE reacetracks.

 

[SoulCrusher]

With respect, what you state is your opinion. Not every country music fan is a right winger, no more than every rock fan is a liberal. My politics are very conservative, but my musical tastes are not. I listen to everything except rap, which I just don't get, but, that's MY opinion.

I'm glad that WKMK is making its presence known. I hear it in a couple of the stores here in Bayville. As for WPUR, its signal isn't that strong here. I can get it b/c I'm a radio geek, but it's not so easy to stay tuned to north of Toms River, nor would the average cheap radio be able to receive it in a business. So, I think there is room for both stations.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion politically - I have no issues with that. But when artists are blacklisted just because they don't support the point of view that the powers that be believe in, that's something I disagree with completely. And it's true - the Dixie Chicks, for a relatively minor statement about the President that wasn't even uttered in this country, were pretty much banned from Country radio. For the most part, mainstream Country is very simple, predictable and unchallenging - little surprise that the ones calling the shots are closed-minded when it comes to other things as well.

I honestly didn't know Country had such a big following in Monmouth/Ocean. There is no racetrack here, no cowboy bars and no tractor pulls or rodeos that I know of in this area.

There's the Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport (Monmouth County)!! It's on the northern fridge of K98.5's signal.

I believe Soul Crusher was referring to CAR racetracks, not HORSE reacetracks.

What Mr. McMannors said. You know, the ones with the obnoxious advertising that always includes "SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!!!!!" or some variation thereof. About half the people in attendance have mullets usually, even some women - I hear sometimes they even give prizes away to the person that has the "sweetest mullet". It may not apply for everyone, but Country music fans often fully immerse themselves in their culture, as discussed before. Which reminds me - we used to have a cowboy bar on Route 9 in Bayville. I wonder why they shut it down? That place could have made a killing if it were still around.

 

[K-Tel]

SoulCrusher,

If you saw some of the average east coast Country listener demos, you'd be very surprised how many upper class citizens are listening to Country. It's people with your kind mentality that make the Country format in New York impossible. Hmm, you like Alternative music? Then I bet you still live at home, work at 7-11, drive a used vehicle, and still attending community college after 7 years.

 

[SoulCrusher]

I'm not going to stereotype fans of Country music. Some of those people that immerse themselves in redneck culture may very well be CEOs, so money doesn't enter the picture. But there are a lot of Country fans that don't go that far, and just like the music. You can't put a price on class anyway - there are some people with all the money in the world that have no manners or etiquette at all, and then there are those who live hand to mouth that are model citizens. But my problem is mostly with the powers that be at Country radio. I don't appreciate the fact that they condemn recording artists who voice their opinions, particularly against what they believe is "God's Party" - what, are you going to stop playing Tim McGraw because he's a Democrat? What if Kenny Chesney declares that he's a Libertarian - would you have a problem with that? It's also rather artistically vacant - aside from bubblegum pop, no other genre relies more on outside songwriters than Country.

Press missed the boat, IMO. We already have Country radio stations out here. They really should have put an Active Rocker on 98.5 instead, because there are tons of Platinum selling acts on the format that don't receive airplay anywhere on the dial in Monmouth/Ocean. And with the softer than average Alternative sister station G Rock, it would have made for a perfect fit since there would have been such little overlap.

 

[kws31a]

It's funny how stereotyped country music is. I worked for a country station for over five years and we determined that the average country listener is very loyal, earns a good income and does not necesserily come from the south. It amazes me that so many people have such negative attitudes toward country music. I hate to say it but this is really a "Jersey thing." I have a weekend place in Delaware and it's a whole different world when it comes to country music. There are lots of country stations that enjoy great ratings!

I must also say that country is a great alternative considering the pop scene today! A country station would certainly improve the deplorable radio dial in NYC. Phillys country station gets very respectable ratings. I believe that they were #6 in the market in the latest ratings. I'm glad that there are a few country stations in NJ. It's a shame that none of those stations cover northern NJ. We're stuck with the crap from NYC.








So true...it really seems to be a "Jersey/NYC" thing. Today's country, for the most part, is refreshing and mainstream. It's something that I will let my kids listen to. Country fans are some of the most loyal and family oriented fans of any genre. Some country artists, or music artists in general have made "political" statements, but hey, it IS a free country with "free speech" (or it's supposed to be). No matter where you go, there are always a few "bad apples" in the bunch that ruin it for the rest, but I don't believe that this minority should 'stereotype" the rest. I'm a fan of all types of music, and I'm proud to be a fan of Country. When I think of Country music, I think of MY "country"...the USA...not "cowboy boots". And I can say that I am certainly proud to be an American.

 

[PhilGalasso]

If you remember the old B98-5, it rarely hit the 3.0 mark because that signal has no Monmouth County coverage. A 6kw stand-alone in southern Ocean will never do well overall unless Ocean County gets an unusually high number of diaries. That's the same reason why WBHX isn't playing classic rock anymore.

There are two reasons why WBHX isn't playing classic rock anymore:

1. The antenna is very low (about 100 feet above ground level), so the signal frankly sucks...unless you live in downtown Beach Haven, where the blanketing tears a big chunk out of the FM band on most radios and gets into many consumer electronic items to the point of having become a political football in that town. The WBHX signal is mostly good for warming up fishing worms and surf clams. Otherwise, how far does the signal go? How far can you pee? I ran the signal some years ago by driving north on the Parkway, starting at Exit 58 (Tuckerton) and continuing until the signal disappeared. It started "picket fencing" near Exit 69 (Waretown) on the Parkway and was spotty to nonexistent by the time I reached Toms River.

2. WBHX barely showed in the ratings with its former classic rock format. As a gold-based AC, it is tapping into the older demographic that dominates Ocean County. As part of the "Breeze" simulcast, it is getting some significant numbers with that format. By adding some local news, the "Breeze" simulcast is making a run at WOBM-FM, with the WWZY part of the simulcast on 107.1 in Long Branch taking plenty of listeners in Monmouth County and the northern half of Ocean. Of course, 107.1 has a decent signal for a Class A station from its tower in downtown Long Branch.

Press Communications is a very stodgy, conservative company. Gold-based AC and country fit far better into their philosophy than does classic rock. Of course, the "Breeze" is paying off for them quite handsomely.

 

[SoulCrusher]

Press Communications is a very stodgy, conservative company. Gold-based AC and country fit far better into their philosophy than does classic rock. Of course, the "Breeze" is paying off for them quite handsomely.

Some would argue that Classic Rock is very stodgy and conservative. They often stick to the same road-tested titles year after year and play them till you can't stand it anymore - even casual listeners have to be sick of "Stairway To Heaven" and "Sweet Home Alabama" by now. WBHX as a Classic Rocker did offer a different take on the format, with lots of deeper tracks and a few special programs. I think there's a pretty good chance they would still be around under the same ownership had they gone with the Alternative format (which they stunted as before officially hitting the air). Given the lack of a rock presence at the time in that part of the market, it could have made a killing.

Of course, Press is now providing the area with that format, and the two aforementioned adjectives perfectly sum up G Rock. They're applying the Classic Rock mindset to Alternative by slamming the overplayed hits of the grunge era while keeping the sound soft enough to be played at doctor's offices (i.e.: Edits of songs to exclude screaming, only playing softer songs from certain artists ... they will play "So Far Away" and "Right Here" by Staind, but won't play "Mudshovel" or even "For You".) It is this mindset that has held Press back from achieving stronger ratings, but part of being stodgy and conservative is also being thick and bull-headed. It doesn't make a difference what new personnel comes in for either on-air or programming purposes - management will always have the final say.

 

[Beejus]

they will play "So Far Away" and "Right Here" by Staind, but won't play "Mudshovel" or even "For You".) It is this mindset that has held Press back from achieving stronger ratings,

The same "mullet rock" that you claim doesn't belong on Alternative? Now if they add it it will help the ratings?

 

[SoulCrusher]

they will play "So Far Away" and "Right Here" by Staind, but won't play "Mudshovel" or even "For You".) It is this mindset that has held Press back from achieving stronger ratings,

The same "mullet rock" that you claim doesn't belong on Alternative? Now if they add it it will help the ratings?

Whether it's Mullet Rock or not is besides the point. If you're going to play one Staind song, you should play all of them. While I personally am not really a fan, it's obvious to me that these songs are being excluded because management deems them "too heavy", unlike the soccer mom accessible balladry of their other singles. The same applies to Linkin Park - G Rock will play the softer songs but won't spin a song such as "Faint". None of these tracks are obscure - they are all easily as popular as the soft rock songs, and in some cases even more so. There's a lot of repetition at the station due to Press being so selective with the titles they play, and if they were more willing to incorporate other titles, there would be less Burn. The same goes with other acts. They play only one song from James, The Verve, Silverchair, etc. each, and all have had multiple hits on the format. Whether they think "it's too loud for the office" or "it's too obscure", oblivious to the fact that WHTG had an Alternative format for 15 years before they took over, it doesn't wash. They need to get over this fear that consumes them and be a little bit more relaxed about the format - it is the stodgy and conservative reputation that Press has that comes through loud and clear at G Rock in a number of ways, and this rubs a lot of potential listeners the wrong way.

 

[Beejus]

If you're going to play one Staind song, you should play all of them.

And it's statements like this that prove you'd never cut it as a Program Director.

If you're going to discuss this further, do it in PM, and let's have this thread return to K98.5. My apologies for partially threadjacking, (although it was SoulCrusher who originally steered it in that direction).

 

[eatspaste]

It is this mindset that has held Press back from achieving stronger ratings, but part of being stodgy and conservative is also being thick and bull-headed. It doesn't make a difference what new personnel comes in for either on-air or programming purposes - management will always have the final say.

But as far as Press is concerned, G is the only station in the market that goes after the 18-34 crowd (WRAT does, but without full market coverage). Why should they change? One could argue that what they're doing is working and making money. If you have no competition, and no threat of anyone flipping to alt. rock, why should they take risks?

 

[8638]

Press Communications is a very stodgy, conservative company. Gold-based AC and country fit far better into their philosophy than does classic rock. Of course, the "Breeze" is paying off for them quite handsomely.

Some would argue that Classic Rock is very stodgy and conservative. They often stick to the same road-tested titles year after year and play them till you can't stand it anymore - even casual listeners have to be sick of "Stairway To Heaven" and "Sweet Home Alabama" by now. WBHX as a Classic Rocker did offer a different take on the format, with lots of deeper tracks and a few special programs. I think there's a pretty good chance they would still be around under the same ownership had they gone with the Alternative format (which they stunted as before officially hitting the air). Given the lack of a rock presence at the time in that part of the market, it could have made a killing.

I liked the original incarnation of WBHX...a lot. It was not a cookie cutter classic rocker, and they went deep into the library frequently. k2pg's stated reasons for its demise are very accurate. I think any format on that signal as a stand alone station would be doomed to failure. This is one example of where simulcasting makes sense. And, as for stodgy old Press, I find their take on soft AC/classic hits interesting. No repeat work week! And it really seems to be just that. Nice mix, perfect for the office. WOBM-FM, by comparison, is dull and lifeless.