KIRO's Ron and Don Extend Contracts

[Corned Beef and Cabbage]

December 17, 2007
For immediate release


SEATTLE, WA – Afternoon show hosts, Ron Upshaw and Don O’Neill, have extended their contracts with News Talk 710 KIRO to continue as hosts of the “The Ron and Don Show,” 3pm-6pm weekdays.

"Ron and Don bring a tremendous amount of energy and hard-work to the afternoon show on News Talk 710 KIRO,” said Rod Arquette , 710 KIRO Program Director. “After a day in the office or on the job site, a ride home with Ron and Don is a real treat. They work hard, create compelling radio and have a good laugh with the audience every day.”

Ron of "The Ron & Don Show" was born in Mt. Vernon and adopted at seven days old. After a few years in the Evergreen State, the family moved to New Mexico where Ron ran into a guy at school named Don, and the early stages of “The Ron & Don Show” were born. Ron & Don broke into radio on 950 KJR in Seattle in the mid-90's. In fact, Ron's first radio assignment was to interview Michael Jordan when he and the Bulls were in town for the NBA Finals against the SuperSonics.

Don of "The Ron & Don Show" was born outside of Chicago , IL . O’Neill knew from a very young age that radio was his calling. An opportunity to do Morning Drive in San Francisco lured Ron & Don away from Seattle . In the traveling road show that is professional radio, they did stints in Phoenix , Dallas , Grand Rapids , and New Orleans before returning to the Emerald City . “After being blown around by Hurricane Katrina, it's great to be home in the Pacific Northwest ," said Don. "This is where I came to attend The University of Washington and it has felt like home ever since."

Ron & Don have a strong passion for making a difference in their local community. They committ themselves and their show to numerous charities each year, resulting in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. Giving back to the community is a cornerstone of “The Ron and Don Show.”

Bonneville International (www.bonnint.com) is an award-winning, dynamic media company with radio, television, satellite, and advertising properties in Chicago , Washington , D.C., Seattle , Phoenix , St. Louis , Cincinnati , and Salt Lake City . Living its three-fold mission of “People, Communities, and Profit” as a way of life, the company has a long-standing reputation and is known industry-wide for its innovative business model, its values-oriented programming, and for its nationally recognized commitment to serving the communities where it broadcasts.



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[ABQTom]

Re:

I don't know Ron/Don numbers, but is lifestyle talk really the best choice in the S/T market, where well over 50 percent have a college degree?

No criticism here, against Ron/Don, both from down here in the Great American S.W. I like both of them, and I wish them well w/ their new contract.

It's just that KIRO has declined under lifestyle talk in a heavily affluent market. If this was less affluent Albuquerque, the great Jim Villanucci does great with lifestyle talk, getting 8 shares afternoons.

Progressive talk 1090 is issues-driven talk, and is neck and neck w/ KIRO in some dayparts.

Afternoons, how does 710 compare against 1) 1090 2) the NPR stations and 3) the Pacifica radicals ?

 

[djdan]

These kind of decisions are usually based on two things: ratings and revenue. Ron and Don underperform the station on the ratings front. Over the last three or four months they have had declining 25-54 numbers. 35-64 their show underperforms the station, with the exception of nights. That must mean that the duo is bringing in revenue from local advertisers. KIRO used to be driven by agency business, but poor ratings have made them a local/direct driven station. I don't deal in that world, but talent who bring in direct dollars through client relationships can be given contracts despite poor ratings performance. To be fair, this kind of lifestyle talk is becoming dominant on most leading news/talk stations. Seattle may just be behind the curve and Bonneville is banking this type of duo will deliver ratings in the future.

For the record Ron and Don average between 15th and 10th 25-54. Last trend had them at 17th, with a new trend out tomorrow. Clearly this is a revenue/future growth move. Time will tell. Interesting
that the two book in prime demo for Ron and Don is about the same GRP as Pat Clark's who was fired from mornings at KQMV. One gets a new contract, one loses a job.

 

[ABQTom]

These kind of decisions are usually based on two things: ratings and revenue. Ron and Don underperform the station on the ratings front. Over the last three or four months they have had declining 25-54 numbers. 35-64 their show underperforms the station, with the exception of nights. That must mean that the duo is bringing in revenue from local advertisers. KIRO used to be driven by agency business, but poor ratings have made them a local/direct driven station. I don't deal in that world, but talent who bring in direct dollars through client relationships can be given contracts despite poor ratings performance. To be fair, this kind of lifestyle talk is becoming dominant on most leading news/talk stations. Seattle may just be behind the curve and Bonneville is banking this type of duo will deliver ratings in the future.

For the record Ron and Don average between 15th and 10th 25-54. Last trend had them at 17th, with a new trend out tomorrow. Clearly this is a revenue/future growth move. Time will tell. Interesting
that the two book in prime demo for Ron and Don is about the same GRP as Pat Clark's who was fired from mornings at KQMV. One gets a new contract, one loses a job.

Thanks for the info. How about the idea expressed earlier on the forums that Tony Miner should have more air time? In Albuquerque, lifestyle talk with Jim Villanucci 3pm-7pm, after co-host Richard Eeds left to be the communications director for presidential candidate Bill Richardson (D), at some point the news guy now comes on every TEN minutes introducing the traffic reporter and the meteorologist (Larry Rice, formerly Harry Wappler's assistant in Seattle!). How often does Tony come on the air?

 

[djdan]

To be fair, Ron and Don had an excellent November and were top 5 in the market in afternoon drive. KIRO
has been on a roll over the last six months returning to the top 5 25-54 6a-7p. This pattern began in Summer
and has continued through November. KOMO, KVI,KTTH are all suffering with huge drops in TSL, while KIRO
has expanded cume and TSL. Ron and Don were the last shift to see growth, but saw it in a big way this
November. Bonneville continues its national success in the News/Talk arena. It is impressive what they have
done with KIRO in just six months. My earlier post indicated Ron and Don were not at station level, but this
was prior to the last trend. Clearly KIRO's management is aware of the impact on the market and took steps
to keep them. Bonneville is clearly thinking long-term and it is paying off. I can't help wonder if they will take
KBSG to the Bonneville Soft-AC approach. News/Talk and Soft AC are the national strengths of this company.

 

[talkerdjdude]

I can't help wonder if they will take
KBSG to the Bonneville Soft-AC approach. News/Talk and Soft AC are the national strengths of this company.

And I can't help wonder when they'll blow up KBSG and launch an FM news product, either simulcasting 710, or tweaking it a bit to put a more engaging, less-robotic morning show on FM. The current AM crew is fine, but I don't think it's a stretch to say they're dull and non-memorable. Bonneville is also known for its FM talk.

 

[jupiter2]

KIRO on FM would do well, but there is no financial reason to do it.

I think Ron and Don are growing in skill. I wrote them off when they first came on, but lately have heard them do a bunch of thoughtful things. They no longer sound like Rocktalk Jocks in the wrong format, they are starting to sound like KIRO wanted them to. A little more adult, but not as dull as politics.

KSBG will do better when the People Meter comes on, I think they have to keep it for that reason.