KKGO Ratings

[davideduardo]

What you want is not likely to happen in LA but there are a variety of country stations that stream on the web that play Classic Country and the modern artists that record in the classic tradition. In my opinion KKGO with a 2000+ playlist beats the 200 song playlist of KZLA. I will admit that lately they have gotten repetitive on a few songs unlike how they began where you could listen nearly all day and not hear the same songs twice.

If they are playing that many songs, which is not demonstrated by MediaBase monitors, then there defijnitely is greater TSL potential to any station that pulls back the playlist to mass appeal hits within the format. The perceptption of repetition is caused by playing bad or weak songs, not by playing solid hits.

However, MediaBase shows KKGO's weekly playlist to be slightly over 200 songs, not 2000. Still, 200 is about 30 more than played by KFRG, for example.

 

[nmoore6676]

However, MediaBase shows KKGO's weekly playlist to be slightly over 200 songs, not 2000. Still, 200 is about 30 more than played by KFRG, for example.

Maybe playlist was the wrong term. When KKGO began back in the AM days I believe it was Shawn paar who said they had 2000 songs available, meaning I am speculating available in the computer. If I recall he also said that at KZLA it was like 250 songs, maybe he exaggerated? They (KKGO) play more songs from the past going back to the 70's than KZLA or KFRG. I have not listened to KHAY so I can not say. I have sampled KSON and I listen to a station on the internet from Iowa which plays a similar type and variety (KMGO). The Iowa station is I believe largely voicetracked with local talent and there a few songs will repeat 3 or more times a day, which at first did not happen here.

These are not necessarily songs I dislike so it is not that. In the old days one play of "Achy Breaky Heart" counted for a 100 with me.

 

[davideduardo]

Re: KKGO Ratings & Correction to my post

Maybe playlist was the wrong term. When KKGO began back in the AM days I believe it was Shawn paar who said they had 2000 songs available, meaning I am speculating available in the computer. If I recall he also said that at KZLA it was like 250 songs, maybe he exaggerated? They (KKGO) play more songs from the past going back to the 70's than KZLA or KFRG. I have not listened to KHAY so I can not say. I have sampled KSON and I listen to a station on the internet from Iowa which plays a similar type and variety (KMGO). The Iowa station is I believe largely voicetracked with local talent and there a few songs will repeat 3 or more times a day, which at first did not happen here.

First, I need to correct a mistake I made... the 140 figure on KKGO is currents and recurrents. The total figure including oldies from MedaBase for the last 7 days is 820 songs, which is on the high end of what is "normal" for a country stations.

Here are some comparisons for you for nearby or "famous" country stations and the number of different titles played each week.
KHAY Oxnard 780 songs
KSON San Diego 652
KUZZ Bakersfield 846
KNIX Phoenix 546

 

[shirleyschmidt]

but there are a lot of "Latin Americans"

Most Hispanics in the LA Area are Americans.

Guess what? People who live in Canada, Mexico, etc... etc.... who live in North and South America are "Americans." If you care to be perfect in your response.

I know that many listen to country (and had listen to KZLA too). They were offended by statements made a year ago by Emmis.

Neither KZLA nor KKGO have or had a significant percentage of Hispanic listeners. You may know a couple, and there are others, but the quantity is insignificant.

Really?? Ever look at who attends the country music concerts in Los Angeles and Orange Country?? Look closer next time. It is significant.

BTW, Even an Emmis representative said they felt the numbers for KZLA were off.

Stations always blame the ratings if numbers are bad. And KZLA was getting bad numbers at the end, just like KKGO is.

Emmis statement was more correct than you are giving them credit for. Arbitron's numbers were lower than what was being accounted for and there was such an uprising at the loss of KZLA, it had a lot of people inside and outside the radio biz talking throughout the United States of America.

Plus, Arbitron currently is attempting to upgrade their system as they state they feel numbers are off. Not arbitron's fault as much as the system being used. (However, there are problems with the new system too). I'm not attempting to put down Arbitron. We have what we have to work with.

Arbitron is working to fix panel issues in PPM measurement system. LA is a diary measured market. Arbitron has said NOTHING about the LA numbers being off. That is because they are not off.

Arbitron is not "upgrading" any system. They are improving the systems and supervision used for the PPM, which right now affects two markets ony, none within 1000 miles of LA:

Upgrading... A.K.A Improving. Now you sound like that PC vs Mac commerical. Arbitron has to resschedule release dates in many markets so they can deliver the right service. Anyone can look up all the troubles Arbitron is currenlty having on the internet.


Think I enjoy you rbanter my friend.

 

[shirleyschmidt]

As I mentioned on the countryboards site, Parr is the worst-prepared AM drive personality in the market, and the show is far too contered on him. The morning show hosts at other adult-targeted stations (KOST/KTWV/KRTH) have been fanatical about airing a show which is 'family-friendly' for ages, which is why those three stations are powerhouses in morning drive, and around the clock as well.

It's not surprising to me that Parr doesn't have a fan club, and whoever issued the order banning live telephone calls is a megacolossal idiot.

Todd Baker is unquestionably the best new things to happen to the PM drive slot on an LA radio station since Ryan Seacrest & Lisa Foxx worked together @ KYSR.

In a city which has been noted for tons of legends and/or superstars in afternoon drive over the past forty-plus years, Baker is well on his way to possibly joining that fraternity once that indefensibly asinine ban on live phone calls is abolished.

But Parr's show is too vulgar and laced with innuendo for him to become a morning drive radio star in this city; his numerous references to 'Seinfeld' are also obnoxiously overdone.

He's also as undisciplined as anybody I've ever heard in my 50+ years as an LA resident, and 40+ years as a radio junkie, going back to the days of morning drive legends such as Robert W. Morgan, Charlie Van dyke, Charlie Tuna, Dick Whittinghill, Dick Whittington, Rick Dees, Dick Haynes, 'Emperor' Bob Hudson', and even former KZLA morning stars Gerry House & Ken Cooper.

Here's what needs to happen. PD Tonya Campos needs to have a serious sit down with Shawn and Robin about the direction the morning show is going in. She's got to take control of this situation and nip it in the bud. If she not going to do it, then she should hire a radio talent coach to work with Shawn and Robin. Someone who can provide constructive criticism on what's good about the show(Shawn's energy and passion for country music and his long association with the format and its artists) and what's bad about it(sexual enuendo, Shawn talking too much about himself, talking at Robin and instead talk TO her, no prepping of the morning show). I was going to add "no live callers" to what's bad about the show, but I think that's an ownership issue and programming can't do anything about it. May I also suggest that Mr. Levine invest in a morning show prep service that will give Shawn and Robin ideas for morning show bits and topics.

As I understand from some insiders, he is not one to take direction. If both the PD before and now Tonya did attempt to sit him down, I doubt he would take any advice from her (or previously from Mike). Now if Saul stood behind them, and sat in on that meeting, who knows?

Saul doesn't need to really invest in prep service as other DJ's locate ideas on their own. Producers are also great at that. However, if he is lazy in not wanting to have the best show out there (or at least to his ability) then maybe buying services is the route to go.

There are certain things that any host "knows" they should and should not do. After his years on the air Shawn should have an idea about this. Even people outside the business can tell you some prep is necessary, especially for interviews (if nothing else).

There are websites on the internet one can subscribe to that emails topics and ideas along with ways to improve your talk show (written by highly respected coaches) for free. If he is interesting in improving his show, he could invest a few minutes in signing up for their emails.

I get the feeling he does not care to change his show. Like anyone who wishes to improve their work performance there are many things a person needs to do for themselves that a company can support but should not be solely responsible for. It would be great if Saul invested in the station talent, computers, promotions and streaming, but this should not be an excuse for any air talent to improve their own abilities.

 

[shirleyschmidt]

And yes, the number one in our market right now is a Latin station, but there are a lot of "Latin Americans" I know that listen to country (and had listen to KZLA too). They were offended by statements made a year ago by Emmis.

Ok, just how many is "a lot"? 5? 10?

There are 10s of millions of others that don't.

It is very sad, but that is why the country fans need to stick together and support our radio.

Are you saying that only 5 or 10 people were offended or are listening to country music in the Los Angeles area?

And 10's of millions of what that don't? Don't what? Listen to country music?

Previously did you state that because out the current population breakdown in the Los Angeles area, country music is suffering in Los Angeles?

I dare not reply to you until you get me to understand what you are saying in your posts. I may be reading your posts incorrectly (and I hope I am).

Also RADIO is suffering across the board and not just in California.

 

[shirleyschmidt]

My whole and central point is that basing programming choices solely on ratings without some way of knowing what the population wants to hear. The ratings if constructed from statistically accurate samplings can reflect tastes, but when you try to turn it around to figure the format for a broadcaster it can be like a snake eating its own tail.

The more radio becomes a big business with absentee ownership I see the danger of losing total touch with communities and public tastes once the statisticians take control.

And with any statisical analysis there is a margin of error which varies based on the selection process and study configuration. As brought forward, assumed last names can certainly be a flaw in any study. Your point is a strong one.

Along with radio becoming big business with absentee ownership is well spoken.

I can not keep with the conversation without bringing forward that change is here and radio executives have to stop doing things "the old way" and search for better ways to incorporate their listeners into their fold. Not unlike major movie studios who first feared the VCR, and lobbied against it being sold to the public, studios now reap millions in a new aftermarket of their films and TV shows. Radio needs to quit fighting new technology and welcome it. Embracing new technology could help them understand their audience a whole lot better than they have ever dreamed possible.

 

[davideduardo]

Guess what? People who live in Canada, Mexico, etc... etc.... who live in North and South America are "Americans." If you care to be perfect in your response.

In English, "American" almost always refers to those from the US. In Spanish, it is the opposite. This board uses English... in fact, it uses "American" English, so the term is quite clear in its usage. My point is that Hispanics in the US are not Latin American in the most part...they are either born US citizens or naturalized US citizens in their majority.

"Neither KZLA nor KKGO have or had a significant percentage of Hispanic listeners. You may know a couple, and there are others, but the quantity is insignificant."[/quote]

Really?? Ever look at who attends the country music concerts in Los Angeles and Orange Country?? Look closer next time. It is significant.

I have no idea what a Hispanic person looks like. I am glad you seem to be able to distinguish between a Native American, many Asians, most Arabs or Persians and even southern Italians. I can't.

Emmis statement was more correct than you are giving them credit for. Arbitron's numbers were lower than what was being accounted for and there was such an uprising at the loss of KZLA, it had a lot of people inside and outside the radio biz talking throughout the United States of America.

Arbitron's ratings for KZLA had been declining over a period of years. Nobody in the industry was surprised that a station in LA with a mid-1 share was flipped. Some were dismayed, but we could all see that train coming across the plains a long time before its arrival.

Plus, Arbitron currently is attempting to upgrade their system as they state they feel numbers are off. Not arbitron's fault as much as the system being used. (However, there are problems with the new system too). I'm not attempting to put down Arbitron. We have what we have to work with.

Upgrading... A.K.A Improving. Now you sound like that PC vs Mac commerical. Arbitron has to resschedule release dates in many markets so they can deliver the right service. Anyone can look up all the troubles Arbitron is currenlty having on the internet.

Arbitron has done nothing in the LA market at all with the current measurement system. Therefore, your attempt to blame the ratings rather than the connstantly declining appeal of country in LA is inappropriate. Arbitron is having no problems with the diary, and LA is measured by the diary, and has been since about 1966.

Arbitron rescheduled the switchover dates from the diary to the PPM in very, very few markets because they decided, under some pressure, to hold off that changeover until the PPM was at least as good as the diary. Affected markets: NY, Chicago, LA (and LA DMA), Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco. Total rated markets: nearly 300.

 

[shirleyschmidt]

Guess what? People who live in Canada, Mexico, etc... etc.... who live in North and South America are "Americans." If you care to be perfect in your response.

In English, "American" almost always refers to those from the US. In Spanish, it is the opposite. This board uses English... in fact, it uses "American" English, so the term is quite clear in its usage. My point is that Hispanics in the US are not Latin American in the most part...they are either born US citizens or naturalized US citizens in their majority.

"Neither KZLA nor KKGO have or had a significant percentage of Hispanic listeners. You may know a couple, and there are others, but the quantity is insignificant."

Really?? Ever look at who attends the country music concerts in Los Angeles and Orange Country?? Look closer next time. It is significant.

I have no idea what a Hispanic person looks like. I am glad you seem to be able to distinguish between a Native American, many Asians, most Arabs or Persians and even southern Italians. I can't.

Emmis statement was more correct than you are giving them credit for. Arbitron's numbers were lower than what was being accounted for and there was such an uprising at the loss of KZLA, it had a lot of people inside and outside the radio biz talking throughout the United States of America.

Arbitron's ratings for KZLA had been declining over a period of years. Nobody in the industry was surprised that a station in LA with a mid-1 share was flipped. Some were dismayed, but we could all see that train coming across the plains a long time before its arrival.

Plus, Arbitron currently is attempting to upgrade their system as they state they feel numbers are off. Not arbitron's fault as much as the system being used. (However, there are problems with the new system too). I'm not attempting to put down Arbitron. We have what we have to work with.

Upgrading... A.K.A Improving. Now you sound like that PC vs Mac commerical. Arbitron has to resschedule release dates in many markets so they can deliver the right service. Anyone can look up all the troubles Arbitron is currenlty having on the internet.

Arbitron has done nothing in the LA market at all with the current measurement system. Therefore, your attempt to blame the ratings rather than the connstantly declining appeal of country in LA is inappropriate. Arbitron is having no problems with the diary, and LA is measured by the diary, and has been since about 1966.

Arbitron rescheduled the switchover dates from the diary to the PPM in very, very few markets because they decided, under some pressure, to hold off that changeover until the PPM was at least as good as the diary. Affected markets: NY, Chicago, LA (and LA DMA), Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco. Total rated markets: nearly 300.


[/quote]

Just because a term is used incorrectly or seems to always "refers" to something doesn't mean that is correct usage. There are a number of words I hear daily that are used to refer to something it should not.

Sorry, you can't see any difference in people (knowing you are being sarcasitic about that) and hopefully no 100% assumptions are made either. Actually the topic should be moot as new DNA research shows a lot more interracial families histories than we all care to admit.

As for Arbitron holding off on the switchover dates that onluy occurred only after many protests. Personally, I wish there was a much more accurate way to get these ratings for both TV and radio, but people fear chips that record this information (except all new cars have something similar). BIG BROTHER

 

[davideduardo]

Sorry, you can't see any difference in people (knowing you are being sarcasitic about that) and hopefully no 100% assumptions are made either. Actually the topic should be moot as new DNA research shows a lot more interracial families histories than we all care to admit.

"Hispanic" is not a race, it is a culture based on currently or family history of using the Spanish lannguage. It's a definition invented by a bunch of white guys in suits in the OMB and the Census Bureau, who could figure no other way of separating Hispanics for the 1980 Census to comply with EEO laws. Up to 1970, "Hispanics" under any name were not separated in separate tables or columns in the U S Census... about 90% or more were in the "white" column.

There are white, Black, Asian and Indigenous Hispanics and all manner of combination. But that does not matter, since there is no "Hispanic" race. Hispanics may be as white as Bill Clinton, as Black as Kobe Bryant, as Asian as Jackie Chan or as Indigenous as Benito Juárez.

So, I am not being sarcastic when I show amazement that you think you can tell if a person is Hispanic by appearance. As I said, many Arabs, Persians, Italians, Asians and Amerindians look like many Hispanics. Also, many British, French, German and Poles look like many Hispanics, too.

As for Arbitron holding off on the switchover dates that onluy occurred only after many protests. Personally, I wish there was a much more accurate way to get these ratings for both TV and radio, but people fear chips that record this information (except all new cars have something similar). BIG BROTHER

The diary method is surprisingly accurate, as the PPM is showing. When the PPM is done right, the differences between the diary and PPM are minimal. The fact that the broad stroke Arbitron results can be replicated with a couple of hundred phone-based 24 hour recall interviews proves the methods are good... the ability to replicate a survey results is one of the most valid methods for proving validity and establish sample size.

 

[ceejay]

Huh..... I thought this comeupance had already been done! Guess not.

In my humble opinion (it and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee) Country music fans had left KZLA long before the flip. The rating didn't fall because Country Music wasn't popular, but, because KZLA was no longer playing Country. They were playing Pop Country mostly and playing it over and over and over.... if I heard Jesus Take The Wheel once a day, I heard it a hundred times a day!

The only reason I kept tuning in was Peter Tilden's outrageously hilarious morning show and habit. I had been listening to Shawn Parr since KIK-FM days and enjoyed the comfort of a familiar voice.

Even at that, when one of those overplayed numbers, you know... like Taylor Swift, these days, started, I would change stations.

Sometimes it would be a while before I remembered to turn back. Don Burns can be a really big draw. The man's voice is like a big, warm hug on a cold day.

At any rate a lot of listeners left because of the lack of variety. A little Country mixed in with the Pop would have been nice.

We Country Music fans pledged our support for GoCountry as long as we have a good mix of the past and present hits.

Thank God Mr. Levine has a soft spot for orphaned formats!

Gonna go now..... I've been good and haven't mentioned payola in the same post a KZLA.

 

[davideduardo]

And with any statisical analysis there is a margin of error which varies based on the selection process and study configuration. As brought forward, assumed last names can certainly be a flaw in any study. Your point is a strong one.

Margin of error is based on the sample size for the total project and the sample size for subsets. For example, the margin of error on total week 12+ ratings is smaller than the margin of error for men 18-34 7 PM to Midnight on Saturday. Margin of error is also dependent on the total "returns" for any station, with the higher the share the lower the margin of error. So a station with a 0.5 share may have, for example, anything from a 0.2 to a 0.9, a station with a 5.2 may be a 5.0 to a 5.4.

MArgin of error assumes that sampling procedures are valid. I have no idea what "configuration" means, but any survey will attempt to be proportional in all subsets of the universe surveyed and, lacking this,w ill use weighting to achive proportionality.

I can not keep with the conversation without bringing forward that change is here and radio executives have to stop doing things "the old way" and search for better ways to incorporate their listeners into their fold.

I don't know any operator who uses "new" or "old" ways. The good broadcasters talk, constantly, with listeners to find out what their feelings are about radio and radio stations.

Not unlike major movie studios who first feared the VCR, and lobbied against it being sold to the public, studios now reap millions in a new aftermarket of their films and TV shows. Radio needs to quit fighting new technology and welcome it. Embracing new technology could help them understand their audience a whole lot better than they have ever dreamed possible.

Most station groups understand we are in the content business, and we will deliver content however listeners want it delivered. However, after the false starts of web streaming, the quasi-disaster of satellite, you can not blame station groups for being conservative. Even the much touted rollout of WiMax for 2008 has stalled with Sprint's restructuring, My cell phone cuts out on at least a third of mobile calls, and I have no signal at my home... so I think that the "sky is falling" comments are rather premature... as premature as the technoligies that supposedly will replace terrestrial radio.

 

[davideduardo]

Are you saying that only 5 or 10 people were offended or are listening to country music in the Los Angeles area?

I saw no evidence of anyone being offended by any comments of Emmis. So I believe that, were anyone offended, the number would be very low. The trades, which normally pick u on any protests or complaints, had nothing to say.

And 10's of millions of what that don't? Don't what? Listen to country music?

10 million, give or take, who did not care a whit about the change.

Previously did you state that because out the current population breakdown in the Los Angeles area, country music is suffering in Los Angeles?

Country music is not suffering. It just has a declining constituency. 25 to 30 years ago, KLAC and its country format were top 5 in LA... today a country station can't get into the top 20 stations. That's simply a reality.

Also RADIO is suffering across the board and not just in California.

Considering the degree of competetion for leisure time and alternative delivery systems, radio may be seen as in a low growth period, but certainly not suffering.

 

[romer979fm]

The rating didn't fall because Country Music wasn't popular, but, because KZLA was no longer playing Country.

hate to tell ya...but KZLA was absolutely playing country...or what country has become.
it's not a sell-out...it's growth and change.

while the purists will say they want to hear the classic tunes...experience in real life shows it doesn't work.
I've been doing country radio in Nashville for 20+ years...and have seen many attempts at airing the classic tunes:
it has failed. everytime. not a reflection on the music, but things have changed.
Nashville has three (3) 100kw FM country stations licensed to Nashville as their COL...(and numerous rim shots, too)
and NONE play the classic tunes: WKDF does sprinkle in a few thru-out the day...but they are a distant 3rd to WSIX and
WSM-FM. I realize comparing Nashville to LA doesn't really work...in Nashville there's still plenty of audience for country: in LA...that audience has been maxed out...while the sheer available numbers are impressive...it's still only
a VERY small percentage of the total population. KZLA bailed before the losses got too great...KKGO is trying to
make those same numbers work...and they're probably more sellable than the much older classical listeners of KMZT.

finally...while the airstaffs sincerely appreciate the listeners...don't pat yourself on the back too much for 'bringing country back to LA"...that decision was made by Saul as a business investment. sure, you probably got his attention in a small way...but the change was made for $$$...and not by air personnel.

Taylor Swift (who you mentioned) is one of the many new faces of country...as it exists today.
The Haggards and Jones' were once the new kids, too... things change.
you don't expect KIIS to play songs from the '60s, do you?

finally (finally...I know)...don't think that payola is a real factor anymore: too many papers to sign with real and genuine penalties for violations...no one's gonna jeopardize their employment for airplay/payback anymore. it's serious stuff...

I've been working on Music Row since 1990...so...for just this once anyway...I do know what I'm talking about

 

[Mr1derful]

The rating didn't fall because Country Music wasn't popular, but, because KZLA was no longer playing Country.

hate to tell ya...but KZLA was absolutely playing country...or what country has become.
it's not a sell-out...it's growth and change.

while the purists will say they want to hear the classic tunes...experience in real life shows it doesn't work.
I've been doing country radio in Nashville for 20+ years...and have seen many attempts at airing the classic tunes:
it has failed. everytime. not a reflection on the music, but things have changed.
Nashville has three (3) 100kw FM country stations licensed to Nashville as their COL...(and numerous rim shots, too)
and NONE play the classic tunes: WKDF does sprinkle in a few thru-out the day...but they are a distant 3rd to WSIX and
WSM-FM. I realize comparing Nashville to LA doesn't really work...in Nashville there's still plenty of audience for country: in LA...that audience has been maxed out...while the sheer available numbers are impressive...it's still only
a VERY small percentage of the total population. KZLA bailed before the losses got too great...KKGO is trying to
make those same numbers work...and they're probably more sellable than the much older classical listeners of KMZT.

finally...while the airstaffs sincerely appreciate the listeners...don't pat yourself on the back too much for 'bringing country back to LA"...that decision was made by Saul as a business investment. sure, you probably got his attention in a small way...but the change was made for $$$...and not by air personnel.

Taylor Swift (who you mentioned) is one of the many new faces of country...as it exists today.
The Haggards and Jones' were once the new kids, too... things change.
you don't expect KIIS to play songs from the '60s, do you?

finally (finally...I know)...don't think that payola is a real factor anymore: too many papers to sign with real and genuine penalties for violations...no one's gonna jeopardize their employment for airplay/payback anymore. it's serious stuff...

I've been working on Music Row since 1990...so...for just this once anyway...I do know what I'm talking about

Amen, Romer! Hopefully your words of wisdom will close out this thread. It's getting a little out of hand.

I'm just sayin'!

 

[LAFMDJ]

The problem is a very low TSL for a Country station.

But it has very high TSL for an LA station. Only talkers like KFI, KABC, and KTLK, Spanish language stations like KLVE and KSCA and The Wave beat it, in fact. It has better TSL than the AC's, than KRTH, etc., etc. Increasing TSL in a competitive, fragmented, market is a difficult task.

Still very low TSL for Country. Doesn't really matter what the other stations are doing.

Their signal is large enough to reach the Country fans in the 5 counties. They have one of thee best FM signals in So. Cal. It's plain and simple....Bad station, bad programming!

The LA market has only two counties, and if KKGO gets into Riverside, Ventura or San Bernardino counties, it is up against strong local competition in each from local players with even better signals.

The point above is that the signal is huge and covers the 5 Counties. Jack and Kiis, KOST and even KLOS have decent numbers in SB, Riverside. In fact KLOS does better there than in LA!

The issue is not programming, it is available audience. There is just not enought to sustain a country station in LA at over mid-one's level.

The issue is Programing. Bad programming. The available audience is there given their signal. KZLA was poorly programmed as well before Go Country.

Again....This is an easy Fix....

1) Correct the programming...Music, Positioning, Personalities, Contests, Events, Remotes...
2) Build the TSL...
3) Contest and do NTR events for Cume growth!!!

Contests do not buiild cume unless promoted in other media. Cume is built by outside promotion, from word of mouth to TV. TSL is built by not doing negatives.

I highly disagree with you here...I can name hundreds of Cume building contests that I have done over the years....In the early 80's Kiis FM was in the mid 1.0 shares until we gave away a new Porsche with 10 Grand stuffed in the glove box. This created huge word of mouth, which in turn built cume, followed by TSL. There was no Outdoor, TV or newspaper for our initial contest. We followed that with another Porsche and 50 Grand in the glove box.

NTR is nearly dead, and NTR is neither a cume nor a TSL driver... it is a revenue driver.

True NTR is a revenue driver but it is also a great Cume builder. (Specially for independant stations). In the market I'm in, we do at least 12 Big NTR events each year...Car Shows, Womens Fairs, Toys For Boys, Halloween, Christmas and Easter events that bring in Huge Revenue dollars and build brand awareness, which builds cume for the station, again followed by TSL!

Maybe the station could be a little better, but in general, it is doing an OK job of being the markets sole country operation given the knowledge that it is going to be a very low share proposition no matter what they do. Remember, the owner is frugal and he no doubt knows that the share potential is very limited and spending like a 4 share station for a 1 share format is not wise.

Doing an "OK job" just isn't good enough for me. That's what KZLA did for 25 years!


My whole point is....The signal is there, the audience is there but the Great Country Programming isn't! There are plenty of ways to PT Barnum the Cume!

 

[Marv-L.A.]

Being jockless fom 7PM/Midnight M-F is flat-out inexcusable in the #2 radio market in the country.

 

[nmoore6676]

Being jockless fom 7PM/Midnight M-F is flat-out inexcusable in the #2 radio market in the country.

A lot more stations as revenues drop will be jockless or satellite delivered outside of the more profitable drive time slots so get used to it. It's already there in most smaller markets. The truth is that most people listening to any kind of music radio station in the evenings use it for background so the presence or absence of a DJ matters little.

I do wonder about the Mike Johnson show pretense after midnight though, why not slide it up or why not put back Whitney Allen? I liked her show but I'm usually listening to WSM streaming for the Grand Ole Opry on Saturdays.

 

[davideduardo]

The problem is a very low TSL for a Country station.

Actually, it is comparable TSL with other country stations in the region. For example, KKGO has slightly better TSL than KSON does in San Diego and an hour and a quarter more than KNIX in Phoenix... so that contention is just wrong.

But it does not matter... in 6 more months we have PPM, where TSL does not drive ratings... cume does. The problem will be that there are so few country users in the market that they will probably go down even more.

 

[airpab]

Cume, TSL, this that and the other. Plain and simple...Country simply does not work it L.A., NY, SF. It's been tried and tried and there simply is no market for it? Granted, Country is huge everywhere else...but not in these markets?

I don't understand why so much money, time and effort is spent chasing the relatively small country fan-base there is in these markets?

Can anyone explain why owners continue to chase their cotton-pickin tails on this?