KIRO PD OUT

[Fornax]

However, it may have nothing to do with the struggles of KIRO-FM. Bonneville is a well run company and they knew this would be a 2-3 year transition period..or I'm assuming they knew that. Investing in the future - but it sure was expensive.

Does anyone really think that Rod made the sole unequivocal call on moving KIRO to FM? PD's alone don't make those kind of decisions. I would venture that the decision was made before he came on board. "Fall guy" is right!

For those who think it's as easy as moving N/T "back" to AM, I assert again it's NOT an option. I'm sure that long-term carriage contracts were signed with ESPN, Mariners & Seahawks.

I agree, no fork yet. Bonneville's WTOP-FM in DC continues to win big-time. There is no reason why this success can't happen in Seattle.

Bonneville is a well-run company, but not perfect. You'll never convince me that making the switch with the KIRO's before PPM was established in the market was anything but stupid. And it's not like Seattle was PPM market number one.

Local management severely overestimated the appeal of the talk programming and had allowed the quality of the news product to steadily decline over the years. Based on board comments, the talk shows are old fashioned at best and dumb and off target at worst.

TOP has a better, more consistent news product than KIRO has had in many, many years. The flip to FM enhanced the station's reach to new audiences. KIRO let KOMO take over the news brand. Then they think flipping what they have left to FM is going to do something magic? The ratings impact of PxP sports may have obscured what was happening with the station's core product, though good PD's and GM's ought to be able to see what's going on.

KIRO-FM is circling the drain, Arquette is a loyal company guy, but the station probably needs someone far more dynamic with some very big ideas to turn things around. It's really a shame, KIRO handed it's strongest brands to KOMO, which under it's own weak leadership did everything it could to drop the ball!

 

[SeattleObserver]

I'm a WA native and was excited to take a trip up there a couple weeks ago. We were traveling west, from Spokane, and once in FM range, we started looking for some good traffic reports in the afternoon. I first tuned to KIRO FM and heard just a talk show. I had to switch over to KOMO AM to get the every 10 minutes traffic. I have not heard of many (if any) N/T outlets that do not have an afternoon news program. Most have morning news, daytime talk, afternoon news and night talk. I dunno. I think people have been programmed to hear traffic and weather 10 minutes on the 9's on N/T stations (and all news, of course). This came across as odd.

If I'm uninformed about the typical N/T schedule, please educate me.

They went back to every 10 minutes on the 7's recently. Before that R&D were doing traffic every 15 minutes... but rarely on schedule.

 

[Cumeanary]

I'm from Chicago and listen to KIRO-FM via the Internet a lot. I don't particularly care about Seattle local interests necessary, but the insights into politics and the world from Dave Ross, as well as Ron and Don is probably some of the best stuff I have heard - and I also listen regularly to both WLS-AM and WGN-AM from Chicago. I wish Chicago had a KIRO like station.

By the way, the Ron and Don show has traffic every 10 minutes.

wow what a great almost real sounding testimonial. Now if only Seattle listeners would tune in. Oh wait, they are number one, no?

 

[worc47]

Fornax is dead on.
Be safe,
Crowski