KFNC MIGHT last 6 months

[eepstein]

Being from Austin, I am still quite amazed that anyone thinks KFNC will last in the Houston area. Although I haven't been to Houston in over a year, I do remember the signal coverage of 97.5. It really was only listenable in the East and Southeast burbs of Houston which has some of the lowest disposable income in the metro area. Most of the higher end areas (west and southwest and some north) which have people that are more interested in talk/news type programming, aren't picking up this station.

Granted a mono signal MAY make a slight difference, I still feel that 90% of KFNC's coverage is to rural parts of Texas where people are only interested in country music and which cousin to date next.

Im guessing sooner or later, a country format will pop up at 97.5.

 

[snoman]

>
> Granted a mono signal MAY make a slight difference, I still
> feel that 90% of KFNC's coverage is to rural parts of Texas
> where people are only interested in country music and which
> cousin to date next.
>
> Im guessing sooner or later, a country format will pop up at
> 97.5.
>

The same rural audiences that are you are talking about, also listen to a lot of News-Based programming. I don't know whether this format will stick or not. Houston, unlike a lot of major cities, doesn't seem to be much into the News/Talk genre. KTRH's ratings/shares are ok. KPRC & KSEV are a few steps behind and now you have new players like KNTH, KFNC, & Business Radio 1320. Also, 650 is broadcasting CNN now. Their signal to the burbs sucks, but they cover the Inner Loop ok. So right now, the News/Talk format is really competitive. KFNC is trying to lure younger audiences, who may not listen or watch news much, because it is a tad dry. Will it work? You're guess is as good as mine.

Instead of being insulting and negative, why not give some feedback. And, before you ask, I am not associated with KFNC. But, what would you do different. And, the signal problems are not an option, because there is nothing they can do to improve that. From a content, talent, or issue standpoint, what would you change?

I've said it before, but this is what I would do...
1. Get some sort of National News Network (ABC, FOX, CBS, etc) for National Headlines, National Breaking News, and some clout. Also, it would not hurt to get Texas State News, as well (it sounds small market, but it works).

2. Hire a Meteorologist with a Houston backround. Severe Weather season is upon us. People are going to want to know what is going on in the Gulf. It won't be enough to have your News Anchor/Reporter reading a Weather Script. People want to hear it from someone who they can trust. I'm sure one of these local TV people could do it. Keith Monahan from WB39 only does a 30 minute newscast each night. Get him to do some part time work. I'm sure 39 would go for it, they could use the free publicity. This is also how you get those people in the rural areas to listen, because the one thing they want most is WEATHER. I've been around great News Organizations for the past 15 years now, and the one thing that pulls numbers is a good Weather department.

3. Better imaging and maybe a little backround noise, something to break up the talk a little bit. Some "Sound On Tape" news, instead of solid anchor/reporter reads. You want to break up the monotony. This will help your TSL.

4. Less fluff, more substance. People want to hear major news stories. Less "kicker"/fluff stories. Pick one or two fluff stories an hour (make sure they are good) and do them out of some Entertainment news.

5. Fewer stopsets. I realize the breaks are relatively short, but longer segments and a little longer breaks will help TSL as well.

You can do all these things and still do what you are doing now, with the banter between the talent and the listener interaction, which is also great, and still be the anti-KTRH.

That is my consulting for today. I hope I can count on Cumulus to send the check. <P ID="signature">______________
KVIL Highland Park
KVIL-FM Highland Park/Dallas-Fort Worth
Thanks for the memories Ron Chapman!</P>

 

[FloridaBear1776]

Cumulus is the wrong company to try this

The company has an anti-news culture. Look at some of the news-talkers they own. WBMQ, Savannah for example. No local news staff there, nobody covering local news. When the Dickeys bought legendary WBBQ in Augusta, they gutted that station's legendary news coverage, which in that market had a reputation even better than TELEVISION news. The whole company doesn't get "news" in any form, which makes their KFNC decision all the more baffling.

 

[coolcat713]

> Being from Austin, I am still quite amazed that anyone
> thinks KFNC will last in the Houston area. Although I
> haven't been to Houston in over a year, I do remember the
> signal coverage of 97.5. It really was only listenable in
> the East and Southeast burbs of Houston which has some of
> the lowest disposable income in the metro area. Most of the
> higher end areas (west and southwest and some north) which
> have people that are more interested in talk/news type
> programming, aren't picking up this station.
>
> Granted a mono signal MAY make a slight difference, I still
> feel that 90% of KFNC's coverage is to rural parts of Texas
> where people are only interested in country music and which
> cousin to date next.
>
> Im guessing sooner or later, a country format will pop up at
> 97.5.
>
I would'nt call Clear Lake, which is the southeast area, low income!
I don't know if the station will last. I think talk-related formats belong on the AM Dial.
In Dallas and L.A. , it seems to be a success on the FM Dial.

 

[eepstein]

Of course not Clear Lake is pretty localized in that respect. Southeast Houston is mostly Blue Collar (compared to the Galleria the Southwest areas).

True, they can't do anything about their signal, but signal is pretty much critical to the success and radio station. Its going down to the basics. If ya can't hear it clearly, you are are not gonna be listening. I think Houston COULD support a news/talk format on the FM, but not with that signal. Keep in mind KLSX in Los Angeles has one of the best signals in the nation, I have clearly picked them up in Santa Barbara and Barstow. KLLI in Dallas is also a citygrade signal which does an excellent job from Waco clear to the Oklahoma Line.


> > Being from Austin, I am still quite amazed that anyone
> > thinks KFNC will last in the Houston area. Although I
> > haven't been to Houston in over a year, I do remember the
> > signal coverage of 97.5. It really was only listenable in
>
> > the East and Southeast burbs of Houston which has some of
> > the lowest disposable income in the metro area. Most of
> the
> > higher end areas (west and southwest and some north) which
>
> > have people that are more interested in talk/news type
> > programming, aren't picking up this station.
> >
> > Granted a mono signal MAY make a slight difference, I
> still
> > feel that 90% of KFNC's coverage is to rural parts of
> Texas
> > where people are only interested in country music and
> which
> > cousin to date next.
> >
> > Im guessing sooner or later, a country format will pop up
> at
> > 97.5.
> >
> I would'nt call Clear Lake, which is the southeast area, low
> income!
> I don't know if the station will last. I think talk-related
> formats belong on the AM Dial.
> In Dallas and L.A. , it seems to be a success on the FM
> Dial.
>

 

[jras20]

I never realy was a fan of FM talk radio, I always thought news/talk/sports should be on am. KOYT Austin didnt last but 6 months, Maybe KFNC might last longer since it may be more local. It would be nice if KFNC could move closer into Houston, but doupt that will ever happen. Gues we'll have to wait to see what folds.
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by jras20 on 06/12/05 08:32 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[allisonmarie]

Re: Cumulus is the wrong company to try this

> The company has an anti-news culture. Look at some of the
> news-talkers they own. WBMQ, Savannah for example. No local
> news staff there, nobody covering local news. When the
> Dickeys bought legendary WBBQ in Augusta, they gutted that
> station's legendary news coverage, which in that market had
> a reputation even better than TELEVISION news. The whole
> company doesn't get "news" in any form, which makes their
> KFNC decision all the more baffling.
>
The format is there to make the station more marketable to prospective buyers so that they may buy a better signal in the area! Or maybe out of the area? Could be. Do you think they really need this station?

 

[jdbanks]

> rural parts of Texas
> where people are only interested in country music and which
> cousin to date next.

Do you relate country music to incest or just rural areas in general? At any rate it's a very insulting and small minded comment. I'll put my musical tastes and dating record up against anyone from an urban setting. There's nothing wrong with country music or rural people despite what you might think.

-J.Banks-

 

[eepstein]

Never said there was. BUt it is a well known fact that country music generally appeals to a less educated audience with less disposable income. Some of the cities with large educated populations with high disposable incomes don't have country stations (or the one they have ranks low). New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami are some examples. Country music overall does well in Southern cities as well as many rural parts of the country.


> > rural parts of Texas
> > where people are only interested in country music and
> which
> > cousin to date next.
>
> Do you relate country music to incest or just rural areas in
> general? At any rate it's a very insulting and small minded
> comment. I'll put my musical tastes and dating record up
> against anyone from an urban setting. There's nothing wrong
> with country music or rural people despite what you might
> think.
>
> -J.Banks-
>

 

[jdbanks]

And what is your source that country music appeals to a less educated audience with less disposable income? Your example is competely unconvincing knowing the ways of the radio industry. You're telling me hip-hop and rap appeals to the highly educated with disposable incomes? According to your example wouldn't classical music be the ratings leader in those areas you mentioned? Instead of appologizing for charaterizing rural people and country music fans as incestual you continue to be insulting.



-J.Banks-


> Never said there was. BUt it is a well known fact that
> country music generally appeals to a less educated audience
> with less disposable income. Some of the cities with large
> educated populations with high disposable incomes don't have
> country stations (or the one they have ranks low). New
> York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami are some
> examples. Country music overall does well in Southern
> cities as well as many rural parts of the country.
>
>
> > > rural parts of Texas
> > > where people are only interested in country music and
> > which
> > > cousin to date next.
> >
> > Do you relate country music to incest or just rural areas
> in
> > general? At any rate it's a very insulting and small
> minded
> > comment. I'll put my musical tastes and dating record up
> > against anyone from an urban setting. There's nothing
> wrong
> > with country music or rural people despite what you might
> > think.
> >
> > -J.Banks-
> >
>

 

[Kent]

First of all, to J Banks, don't forget Jeff Foxworthy's own quote, "The Southern accent isn't the most intelligent." Now, having said that, I mostly agree with you.

> Never said there was. BUt it is a well known fact that
> country music generally appeals to a less educated audience
> with less disposable income.

This statement is patently false. Country gets a very substantial 25-54 audience, and it has one of the highest power ratios in the industry on a national level. Usually, you'll only find a few formats, like sports, news/talk and AC, with a better power ratio in any given market. Stations with a less educated audience and less disposable income do not get as high of power ratios as country. Yes, there are some low income and uneducated people who listen to country, but low income and uneducated people listen to other formats as well. You'd also be surprised at who listens to country in many markets.

> Some of the cities with large
> educated populations with high disposable incomes don't have
> country stations (or the one they have ranks low). New
> York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami are some
> examples.

Chicago's country station may have low 12+ numbers, but it's an excellent biller. Its audience is VERY strong 25-54. New York no longer has a country station, but, when it did, it performed quite well in Westchester County and Long Island. Those are not the homes of poorly educated low income people. Chappequa, located in Westchester County, is one of the highest income areas in the country. The problem is that it's a rather small subsection of the total market. Country is also a high biller in Miami as I recall.

> Country music overall does well in Southern
> cities as well as many rural parts of the country.

And it does better than it looks at first view in most other places. I remember a little over a decade ago in Washington DC when WJZE 100.3 dropped its jazz format to become oldies WBIG-FM. The station scored a major coup by stealing the morning show from country WMZQ 98.7. The PD had to hold down the fort in mornings for a little while until they were able to officially cross the street, and he ignited a firestorm of calls after he said the station was getting its morning show from the station with the "lowest common denominator" audience. Why the fuss? Country and oldies shared a ton of listeners, and many of the listeners to WBIG-FM were also WMZQ listeners!

 

[slaterradio]

Re: Cumulus is the wrong company to try this

> > The company has an anti-news culture. Look at some of the
> > news-talkers they own. WBMQ, Savannah for example. No
> local
> > news staff there, nobody covering local news. When the
> > Dickeys bought legendary WBBQ in Augusta, they gutted that
>
> > station's legendary news coverage, which in that market
> had
> > a reputation even better than TELEVISION news. The whole
> > company doesn't get "news" in any form, which makes their
> > KFNC decision all the more baffling.
> >
> The format is there to make the station more marketable to
> prospective buyers so that they may buy a better signal in
> the area! Or maybe out of the area? Could be. Do you think
> they really need this station?
>

Just remember that any station that pops up on 97.5 will have to succumb to the poor signal, not just KFNC.

And why country in six months? I guess you're not familiar with KILT, KKBQ or Country Legends 97.1--3 country stations.
Adding another on a crappy signal would do nothing, make little revenue and be a waste of dial space.
At least KFNC is doing something fairly unique to the current Houston market that can't be heard anywhere else.
It is not a waste of dial space, but merely a work in progress that has a grim forecast to overcome.

 

[ChuckTiller]

I agree JD. Narrowmindedness never ceases to amaze me.

 

[jdbanks]

> I agree JD. Narrowmindedness never ceases to amaze me.
>

Thanks Kent and Chuck. People shouldn't make the mistake of thinking those who talk slow, think slow.

-J.Banks-

 

[eepstein]

Believe what you want, but just try to tune between a smooth jazz/classical and country or hip hop station and see which stations have the lexus/mercedes commercials and which one have the beer and truck commercials.

> > I agree JD. Narrowmindedness never ceases to amaze me.
> >
>
> Thanks Kent and Chuck. People shouldn't make the mistake of
> thinking those who talk slow, think slow.
>
> -J.Banks-
>

 

[jdbanks]

You sir, are a moron. Anyone with any intelligence can tell that. I will no longer waste my precious time responding to your ignorant comments. Good day.

-J.Banks-


> Believe what you want, but just try to tune between a smooth
> jazz/classical and country or hip hop station and see which
> stations have the lexus/mercedes commercials and which one
> have the beer and truck commercials.
>
> > > I agree JD. Narrowmindedness never ceases to amaze me.
> > >
> >
> > Thanks Kent and Chuck. People shouldn't make the mistake
> of
> > thinking those who talk slow, think slow.
> >
> > -J.Banks-
> >
>

 

[Kent]

> Believe what you want, but just try to tune between a smooth
> jazz/classical and country or hip hop station and see which
> stations have the lexus/mercedes commercials and which one
> have the beer and truck commercials.

Of those four formats, guess which one bills the most. Country is the highest biller of those four formats nationwide, and it's usually the highest biller of the four in markets that have all four formats.

 

[Leslie_T]

> Never said there was. BUt it is a well known fact that
> country music generally appeals to a less educated audience
> with less disposable income. Some of the cities with large
> educated populations with high disposable incomes don't have
> country stations (or the one they have ranks low). New
> York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami are some
> examples. Country music overall does well in Southern
> cities as well as many rural parts of the country.
>

You are misinformed and obviously not wanting to hear actual facts.
I cannot speak for country radio stations across the country (such as New York, which as you pointed out has no formatted station)...but the average listener to KILT in Houston has a college education (a good percentage of those have advanced degrees), an annual income of over $40,000, owns 2 cars and their own home, the use the internet daily, travel extensively and don't date their cousins.
Don't get caught up in population numbers alone...you have to look at the ethnic break-up of those major cities without a country station. Look at the large % of Hispanic listeners in Houston, Miami or the black demos in Detroit where country does poorly. It's hard to have the largest numbers when your target audience is a smaller fraction of the total possible audience.
Your theory is based in inaccurate facts...if you even bothered to check them. As a country radio programmer for 25 years, I fight this stereotype constantly.Do you think Mercedez Benz would advertise on KILT if the possible number of consumers for such a luxury product wasn't in a high %?