KBSG Greatest Hits

[slickkicker]

It's now "The Greatest Hits Of All Time". I'm starting to hear 80's tunes at 97.3. Will this outlet start embracing Huey Lewis or Madonna? How will KJR-FM react (or will they). Does KZOK start adding more 80's and 90's material?

There's three "Classic" stations on the dial now and this market is always crowded and over-signaled. KBSG is giving the impression that they don't want to die. How do you feel.

 

[Grindlfan]

Well, I have already made my position quite clear on this subject several times on this site. I think KBSG ought to let KJR continue to dig it's own grave delving into 80s and 90s music. The powers that be ought to model KBSG after K-HITS in Portland, OR. In my opinion the best classic hits station on the air. Not only does K-HITS stick to 60s and 70s music, and a wide variety with a many lost 45s at that, but the station has such a fun feel to it. They've captured the essence of 60s / 70s AM radio (and I mean that as a compliment.)

They involve the listening audience not only on the air but via their interactive website at khits1067 dot com. On the site they have a page where listeners can post photos of their classic cars. A while back they had a page where you could submit photos of your past hideous 70s hairstyles. They have contests and trivia (name the album cover and the year of its release) etc.

Now, in a brilliant programming move K-Hits will begin airing classic 70s Casey Kasem American Top 40 shows on Sunday mornings beginning July 1st! What do we get on KBSG Sunday mornings? The overexposed and overrated Frank Shiers!

Let it be known at KBSG that that is the kind of programming listeners in Seattle would love instead of having 80s crap such as Footloose, Flashdance and American Gigolo crammed down our throats.

I am not a radio insider. I am but a listener in his early 40s so I don't know all the ins and outs of broadcast radio but I do know what I like and I think I am in the desired demo for Classic Hit radio. I also don't have access to all the numbers but from what I have read on the Arbitron site, K-Hits numbers in PDX are very good and they rank higher in that market than KBSG or KJR FM in Seattle.

I don't understand why KBSG would even want to go after 80s music when KJR is already doing that thing. Stick with 60s and 70s and they'll get the audience that will be abandoning KJR in droves.

Nuff said.

 

[semoochie]

There's another format name for your consideration: Classic Hit Radio - The Other CHR!

 

[AQH]

Well, I have already made my position quite clear on this subject several times on this site. I think KBSG ought to let KJR continue to dig it's own grave delving into 80s and 90s music. The powers that be ought to model KBSG after K-HITS in Portland, OR. In my opinion the best classic hits station on the air. Not only does K-HITS stick to 60s and 70s music, and a wide variety with a many lost 45s at that, but the station has such a fun feel to it. They've captured the essence of 60s / 70s AM radio (and I mean that as a compliment.)

Everybody here keeps saying KJR-FM is dead, KJR-FM is nothing. It's like the Kent & Alan thing, always said, never proven. If KBSG keep encroaching into KJR-FM's territory, wouldn't that signal the end for KBSG?

Where do you get this "delving into 90s music?" You make it sound like they're drenching 95.7 with 1990s music. The average station plays about 300 songs a day. Yesterday, KJR-FM played FIVE songs from the 1990s. Hardly like they're doing as you describe.

But you've got this weird 70s Leif Garret type fascination for K-Hits, so don't let facts stop you.

 

[70radio]

Well, I have already made my position quite clear on this subject several times on this site. I think KBSG ought to let KJR continue to dig it's own grave delving into 80s and 90s music. The powers that be ought to model KBSG after K-HITS in Portland, OR. In my opinion the best classic hits station on the air. Not only does K-HITS stick to 60s and 70s music, and a wide variety with a many lost 45s at that, but the station has such a fun feel to it. They've captured the essence of 60s / 70s AM radio (and I mean that as a compliment.)

Everybody here keeps saying KJR-FM is dead, KJR-FM is nothing. It's like the Kent & Alan thing, always said, never proven. If KBSG keep encroaching into KJR-FM's territory, wouldn't that signal the end for KBSG?

Where do you get this "delving into 90s music?" You make it sound like they're drenching 95.7 with 1990s music. The average station plays about 300 songs a day. Yesterday, KJR-FM played FIVE songs from the 1990s. Hardly like they're doing as you describe.

But you've got this weird 70s Leif Garret type fascination for K-Hits, so don't let facts stop you.

AQH..you're mostly right on about Gindlfan's observations about KJR FM/KBSG; KBSG would be hurt more than KJR-FM if they keep doing what they're doing. BUT, as an oldies programmer for many years, you'd be surprised. There may be room for occasional Leif Garrett, Bo Donaldson, Teri DeSario, David Cassidy, even Lee Michaels airplay--perhaps only once a month. Put 'em in an exrememly low rotation category and air them for spice/variety. Those artists had "hits" in their time and make for fresh oldies, if you will. It worked for my station--big time.

 

[Grindlfan]

AQH, that is my point excatly. KBSG would be hurting itself to go after the 80s music. Let KJR have it. They are ruining KJR anyway so why would KBSG want to head that same direction? And this isn't a weird fascination I have for 60s and 70s music, it is a passion and like I said, I am a listener and I know what I like and I am sure I am not alone. I'll let K-HITS numbers speak for themselves. Hows that for facts?
One thing I have learned, especially on this site is that radio people are so defensive and have such huge egos.

 

[majoradio]

Let KJR have the 80's music...radio people are so defensive and have such huge egos...

..but JACK 96.5 has the BETTER 80's music selections by far; this is an undisputed fact in THIS market...

to wit: Radio people and their warped, molded egos either get seriously bruised and/or swelled in the head...

...bashing radio thoughts HERE online, thus flaming ANYone who so much as 'bashes' their original opinion

ME? heh, I KNOW who these people are, but I've always leaned with Ivar Haglund.

 

[AQH]

AQH, that is my point excatly. KBSG would be hurting itself to go after the 80s music. Let KJR have it. They are ruining KJR anyway so why would KBSG want to head that same direction? And this isn't a weird fascination I have for 60s and 70s music, it is a passion and like I said, I am a listener and I know what I like and I am sure I am not alone. I'll let K-HITS numbers speak for themselves. Hows that for facts?
One thing I have learned, especially on this site is that radio people are so defensive and have such huge egos.

What I don't get is why you feel KJR-FM is hurting itself by playing the 1980s (and even sometimes 1990s) music. While certainly not their intention, KJR-FM is positioned as if it's a "futuristic" KBSG, chronologically because where KBSG wants to be.

When I brought up the "fascination" thing with K-Hits, it was with that station. I'm sure K-Hits is doing swell in PDX. The station thrives in a market where the competition is a little different. Sure, there's probably an appeal for 1960s and 1970s music. The fact of the matter is that hole is getting older and older. Entercom has been worried about the aging KBSG audience for a long time.

As for the presentation, the best person to navigate KBSG and had the Seattle oldies down sound pat is collecting a paycheck from Clear Channel right now. It really IS possible to "have fun" on the air, but not work for K-Hits. KBSG has been eroding for many, many others reasons, and I guarantee that lack of the K-Hits type personality is not at the top of that list.

To muse in a blanket way that another station would automatically work in another market is not a fair thing to say. I'm not saying that it never works, but that kind of thinking is why Jack stations are not seeing the results they have been getting in Vancouver.

Thanks for the ad-hominem attack. I try to stick with the facts mentioned on the board. If you don't agree with them, that's A-OK. But that doesn't warrant the kind of comments you made about me. I hope you don't treat your co-workers the same way.

 

[djdan]

KBSG is fighting a battle with delivering 25-54 adults. 50's music fans are no longer in the demo and 60's music fans are also primarily 55+. 70's music fans are closing in on the upper side of the demographic. Folks, like it or not these format decisions are based on reaching a sellable target demographic. You must compete in men, women, or persons 25-54 to be successful in selling advertising or in the 18-34 demo.

Rep firms and sales people don't make these rules, it is advertisers who feel this is the demo to target with radio. They feel people over 55 are less swayed by radio and tv advertising. Those 25-54 have the income and are more disposed to try things they hear advertised. KJR-FM deftly blended 70's pop rock and 80's pop rock for a core sound and good numbers. Why they are playing Hootie and the Blowfish is beyond me. Their numbers have dropped significantly since making the move. I assume KBSG is coming in to take them on.

80's can be heard on at least ten stations in this market: KBSG, KJR-FM, KZOK, KPLZ, KISW,KRWM, JACK, KQMV, KNDD and even KUBE during the old school lunch. Why does every programmer think 80's is the answer? It is oversaturated. Why not a 60's/70's station or stations that deliver. Why not a 90's station? I would love a station targeted with Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alanis, Gin Blossoms. The golden age of KNDD. These people are right in the middle of the 25-54 demographic now. This is why I am in sales. I am sure there are 200 reasons why this wouldn't work.

 

[dan_greenberg1500]

In my opinion, the best KNDD sounded in years was back in 2004 when they focused on their "Golden Age" while taking on K-Rock. You're right Dan, the 25-54 audience really doesn't have that type of station available to them right now.

 

[KentMcN]

As far as I'm concerned I like KBSG so much better than KJR-FM. They ruined it when they went from Super Hits of the 60's and 70's to Rock and Roll's Greatest Hits and they keep getting worse. Even with a different PD then they had they are the same boring repeats of Classic Rock. It looks like CC has their hands on this one. KBSG is trying to play a wide variety of hits and I've noticed lately they have gotten better. A lot more 70's pop hits blended in.

 

[Grindlfan]

Agreed. KBSG is much much improved over how they sounded a few months ago. I also agree with your observation of KJR.

 

[semoochie]

I don't get this bit about the 70s aging out of desirable demographics: I'm about to turn 54. I turned 17 in 1970 which means someone 44 turned 7 the same year! That's a lot of baby boomers within the money demos who grew up in the 70s!

 

[TowerLamp]

I don't get this bit about the 70s aging out of desirable demographics: I'm about to turn 54. I turned 17 in 1970 which means someone 44 turned 7 the same year! That's a lot of baby boomers within the money demos who grew up in the 70s!

Semoochie, The radio rule of thumb is that for most people their fondest memories of music are during their high school years. So if you were 18 in the mid-70's then you're 50-ish now...You are at the upper edge of the so called 25-54 money demo (does the typical 25 year old have much musically in common with the typical 54 year old???) and well beyond the 18-34 numbers that are becoming increasingly important to most buyers.
So like it or not, 70's tunes are becoming increasingly less relevant for programmers. Boomers are quickly being abandonded by the very medium they made so successful. And who will replace boomers as radio's core audience? THAT'S the million dollar question!

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

can hear it now...

"but but but but that's the way we've ALWAYS done it..."