Kokomo market size

[Herschel Sills]

In radio, according to whatever means is used to determine a market's size, is Kokomo considered a small market or medium market?

 

[N_D_Radioguy]

If you consider Kokomo part of the Muncie-Marion market [#202], it would be "small" -- anything under 100 is "small."

If you consider just Kokomo itself, it's "unrated" or, to use a non-technical term, "miniscule."

Many folks make a comfortable life there, some of them doing radio.

If market size is a concern for you, move along.

 

[Radio Fish Heads]

Radio Guy is right about Kokomo, Indiana.... I went there in 1967 for Jim Gregg
and did two air shifts on WFKO-FM ( Country ) in the Bank Bldg. Tom McMurray
and I came up from his Oxford station WOXR 97.7 to help him out while they
were hiring a new air-staff. I remember walking over ther RR tracks and eating
lunch at the Chinese Clipper with Jim Hartsock and Jerry Byers....... seems like
a million years ago......LOL

 

[sclohonet]

As others have said, it all depends on why you are asking. I worked there twice, in 1979 on WIOU under TJ Byers, then returned to WZWZ as Brandon Scott from 1983-85. Left the second time due to ownership changes, I was P.D. and they brought in their own.

Decent place to live, close to Indy. Use it as a steeping stone or as a place to settle if you want.

 

[Wazzie]

Radio-guy is on the money. I would never consider Kokomo part of the Muncie-Marion market. But then again, I wouldn't consider Muncie-Marion A market period. Two little towns that really don't share an audience.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Radio-guy is on the money. I would never consider Kokomo part of the Muncie-Marion market. But then again, I wouldn't consider Muncie-Marion A market period. Two little towns that really don't share an audience.

Let me second that motion Wazzie...I'd pair Muncie with Anderson long before Marion. With Backyard simulcasting to reach both cities & WMDH blanketing both, Muncie/Anderson is an already made pair. Kokomo is 44 miles from Muncie & 50 miles from Muncie's (presumably) # 1 station, WMDH.

 

[fwmw]

Radio-guy is on the money. I would never consider Kokomo part of the Muncie-Marion market. But then again, I wouldn't consider Muncie-Marion A market period. Two little towns that really don't share an audience.

Is "Muncie-Marion" designed as such because of either/both Backyard and Vox/Mid-America are buying into Arbitron?

As the kids say, "JW" ("just wondering")

 

[RDO]

Is "Muncie-Marion" designed as such because of either/both Backyard and Vox/Mid-America are buying into Arbitron?

I think that is correct.

 

[ten_four]

The rumor I heard was that Backyard had eyes on the former WGOM/WMRI and got Arbitron to agree to a Muncie/Marion market, for which they would buy a book...and also own MOST of the market stations.
That was stymied by the sale of the Marion combo to Mid America.

Anderson would indeed be a better fit for the Muncie pairing, but alas, Madison county is in the Indianapolis metro figures.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Anderson would indeed be a better fit for the Muncie pairing, but alas, Madison county is in the Indianapolis metro figures.

When did Madison County become part of the Indy market? My reason for asking...back in my WENS days, there was a proposal to add Madison County to the Indy metro market (which I believe was voted on by stations in both the Indy Metro and Madison County) which failed to materialize. We were having a "great idea" contest at Emmis & I suggested buying 96.7 to assure WENS equal footing in that new county if it was adopted. Needless to say, I didn't win the great idea contest...and Madison County didn't get into the mix. Having been out of the rat race for going on 7 years now, I haven't kept tracking of what the current definition of the Indy Metro is.

 

[ten_four]

The Indy Metro, I believe, is Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Morgan, Johnson, Hancock and Madison counties.
I'm not sure of the exact year of the Madison addition, but it's been that way for the last 3 years at least.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

The Indy Metro, I believe, is Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Morgan, Johnson, Hancock and Madison counties.
I'm not sure of the exact year of the Madison addition, but it's been that way for the last 3 years at least.

Shelby County has been part of the Metro for decades as well.

 

[mouseman]

Sorry, but Madison County is NOT in the ARB Metro book. Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Morgan, Johnson, Hancock, Shelby and BOONE counties.

 

[ten_four]

I stand corrected. (forgot about Shelby county...sorry Hank)

 

[Hoot Gibson]

As others have said, it all depends on why you are asking.  I worked there twice, in 1979 on WIOU under TJ Byers, then returned to WZWZ as Brandon Scott from 1983-85.  Left the second time due to ownership changes, I was P.D. and they brought in their own.

Decent place to live, close to Indy.  Use it as a steeping stone or as a place to settle if you want.

I too worked at WIOU under TJ Byers, well actually under Jim Wishner  the News Director, as Morning Anchor in 1979-early 1980....Don McKeller took over as ND, so I headed off to Dodge City Kansas as News Director at KGNO.  TJ was "interesting" to say the least.  Can't remember the a**hat GM at that time's name...but he was a peach as well.  Other names Dave Kurtz{Sports Director} Dick Cousins, AKA KC Jones{Morning Drive DJ}, Melody Owen from the News Staff....Back 30 years ago, WIOU/WZWZ were outstanding sounding small/medium market stations. However,  the ownership of Booth Broadcasting at the local management team were dysfunctional, and made the place almost impossible to work at.

 

[gr8oldies]

Darryl Parks (now of WLW fame) once programmed WIOU and eventually the combo. Used to shoot him air checks all the time, never got hired though. Anyone remember Glenn Thomas? Think he went to Peoria than lost track of him. He came to Z from WPNM, Ottawa OH

 

[KlunkLetter]

I too worked at WIOU under TJ Byers, well actually under Jim Wishner the News Director, as Morning Anchor in 1979-early 1980....Don McKeller took over as ND, so I headed off to Dodge City Kansas as News Director at KGNO. TJ was "interesting" to say the least. Can't remember the a**hat GM at that time's name...but he was a peach as well. Other names Dave Kurtz{Sports Director} Dick Cousins, AKA KC Jones{Morning Drive DJ}, Melody Owen from the News Staff....Back 30 years ago, WIOU/WZWZ were outstanding sounding small/medium market stations. However, the ownership of Booth Broadcasting at the local management team were dysfunctional, and made the place almost impossible to work at.

Are you the same Hoot Gibson that worked at WLTH in Gary in the mid-60's?