KRTH IS NUMBER ONE, BECAUSE THEY PLAY THE BEST MUSIC !!

[airpab]

People are finally realizing that a lot of todays Pop & Hip Hop is utter garbage!

Even kids respond to the 60's, 70's & 80's stuff ! It's real music, you can understand what they're saying and it's fun!

People are responding to this format very favorably in other markets too....Phoenix, NY, Tampa, San Antonio, etc!

Congrats to KRTH !!

 

[ChannelFlipper]

People are finally realizing that a lot of todays Pop & Hip Hop is utter garbage!

Even kids respond to the 60's, 70's & 80's stuff ! It's real music, you can understand what they're saying and it's fun!

People are responding to this format very favorably in other markets too....Phoenix, NY, Tampa, San Antonio, etc!

Congrats to KRTH !!

Countdown to David E's discussion of aging demos in 3...2...1...

Besides, they play, ew, Bobby Darin...

 

[K6JHU]

Now try listening to KRTH HD-2 for the 50's and 60's. I think you will notice that the music stations that are being discussed regularly on this board have a big underpinning in classic rock.

 

[davideduardo]

Countdown to David E's discussion of aging demos in 3...2...1...

They are not #1 in 25-54... not #2... not #3... not #4....

And in 18-49, which is becoming the sales demo for markets where there are fewer non-Hispanic whites than Hispanics, they are eight or nine positions out of the winner's circle.

12+ is meaningless, which is why Arbitron gives the information away for free.

 

[davideduardo]

Even kids respond to the 60's, 70's & 80's stuff !

No, they don't. The PPM measures exposure, not just intentional listening. If your meter hears KRTH, because your mom put it on in the car, you are counted even if you are 9 years old. That does not mean you listen intentionally, or that you somehow like the music.

 

[davideduardo]

Now try listening to KRTH HD-2 for the 50's and 60's.

You mean there is an HD listener in LA?

 

[calguy]

KRTH is a very well run station and their programming team has put in the work needed, plus they don't have the corporate hassles that seem to be dragging down some of the competition. I hear that KOST is number one in women 25-54 and also in several of their dayparts and in the somewhat meaningless 6+ or as some would say 12+ they are still within the top 5. While KIIS got beat by KRTH, they are only one tenth behind them 6+, so it's no landslide. Still quite an accomplishment for KRTH. But will it last? KOST has gone Christmas now and usually sees a bump (not so much last year) that could bring them higher ratings. AMP and MyFM seem to be in the hunt as well. It's a good race, but only a monthly. One nice thing, with Don Barrett on leave this week, KRTH won't be bragging as much.

 

[davideduardo]

KRTH is a very well run station and their programming team has put in the work needed, plus they don't have the corporate hassles that seem to be dragging down some of the competition. I hear that KOST is number one in women 25-54 and also in several of their dayparts and in the somewhat meaningless 6+ or as some would say 12+ they are still within the top 5. While KIIS got beat by KRTH, they are only one tenth behind them 6+, so it's no landslide. Still quite an accomplishment for KRTH. But will it last? KOST has gone Christmas now and usually sees a bump (not so much last year) that could bring them higher ratings. AMP and MyFM seem to be in the hunt as well. It's a good race, but only a monthly. One nice thing, with Don Barrett on leave this week, KRTH won't be bragging as much.

What really happened is that KIIS came down a bit, allowing KRTH to default to first in 6+ and 12+ (both of these are separate demo breaks, and both of equal and total lack of programming or sales value). It only takes a few tenths of a share change to significantly rearrange the ranks in LA, and KIIS is off by around a full share, and KRTH up by a few tenths over its average of the last 10 to 12 months.

KOST was very much up in the period where Christmas music was played, which was the first time they were measured in the period in PPM. The numbers for the book with the bulk of the Christmas music were almost double those of the prior book with no Christmas songs. So they definitely had a major bump, not a lesser one.

Finally, "it's only a monthly" is incorrect. Each of the 13 periods of 28 days is a full book. Arbitron does not average the months into any longer period. A month is it. And, in fact, were we to see the weeklies that Arbitron gives stations but not agencies, we'd see that each week is just about as reliable as the full month... same sample size (in fact, mostly the same people) but more variation due to things like holiday weekends, etc.

 

[LKellerIII]

I wonder if part of KRTH's current success is because it's become so ubiquitous, and benefits from the meters because of it. You hear the station all over the city in public places. I stayed in a mid-priced Glendale hotel a couple of years ago, and K-Earth was played in the lobby, and in the elevators.

I don't remember ever hearing a Classic Hits station played so often and so publicly in other cities I've visited. Maybe WCBS-FM, but I haven't been to New York for a few years.

 

[justpassingthough]

Part of the story is that KRTH doesn't really have any true competitors in this market. KIIS competes directly with KAMP, and also heavily shares listeners with KPWR and KXOL.

So David is right. KRTH is #1, by default, in a meaningless demo as KIIS was off a few tenths.

If you count total shares, CHR (mainstream and rhythmic) are still far and away the champions in Los Angeles.

 

[calguy]

KRTH is a very well run station and their programming team has put in the work needed, plus they don't have the corporate hassles that seem to be dragging down some of the competition. I hear that KOST is number one in women 25-54 and also in several of their dayparts and in the somewhat meaningless 6+ or as some would say 12+ they are still within the top 5. While KIIS got beat by KRTH, they are only one tenth behind them 6+, so it's no landslide. Still quite an accomplishment for KRTH. But will it last? KOST has gone Christmas now and usually sees a bump (not so much last year) that could bring them higher ratings. AMP and MyFM seem to be in the hunt as well. It's a good race, but only a monthly. One nice thing, with Don Barrett on leave this week, KRTH won't be bragging as much.

What really happened is that KIIS came down a bit, allowing KRTH to default to first in 6+ and 12+ (both of these are separate demo breaks, and both of equal and total lack of programming or sales value). It only takes a few tenths of a share change to significantly rearrange the ranks in LA, and KIIS is off by around a full share, and KRTH up by a few tenths over its average of the last 10 to 12 months.

KOST was very much up in the period where Christmas music was played, which was the first time they were measured in the period in PPM. The numbers for the book with the bulk of the Christmas music were almost double those of the prior book with no Christmas songs. So they definitely had a major bump, not a lesser one.

Finally, "it's only a monthly" is incorrect. Each of the 13 periods of 28 days is a full book. Arbitron does not average the months into any longer period. A month is it. And, in fact, were we to see the weeklies that Arbitron gives stations but not agencies, we'd see that each week is just about as reliable as the full month... same sample size (in fact, mostly the same people) but more variation due to things like holiday weekends, etc.

Yo Teach, you're nitpicking here more than an anal retentive PD. They saw a bump last Christmas, but not nearly what they saw with the diary method. I'm talking year to year here. I know you'll check, but it did disappoint considering what they were used to. It's "Only a monthly" isn't entirely correct as the company itself averages these monthly "books" into three month "quarters". This is usually done for the purposes of bonus payouts etc. I do agree with you that KRTH won by default as the numbers are getting fragmented by those with head to head competition.

 

[michael hagerty]

I do agree with you that KRTH won by default as the numbers are getting fragmented by those with head to head competition.

Except that we're overlooking how remarkable it is that KRTH can get to #1 as a result of that. Remember, KRTH spent a decade or so with a 3.1 being the average and a 3.5 being cause for celebration. This is a 4.9, and Jhani Kaye and crew deserve congratulations.

 

[airpab]

I wasn't clear in explaining what I meant by kids responding to this kind of music. They probably don't actively tune-in, but obviously, many Adults/Parents do!

My kids, 17 & 13 are able to sing along with a lot of songs played on KRTH...I think that translates in to lots of adults (many with kids) tuning in and keeping the station on.

It's fun, timeless music and it's family & office/business friendly radio!

The beauty of the format is that the music-mix can evolve as the population ages...Great Programmers like Kaye and others will be able to keep the station fresh and relevant.

KRTH has set the standard for others to follow in this format!

 

[michael hagerty]

I wasn't clear in explaining what I meant by kids responding to this kind of music. They probably don't actively tune-in, but obviously, many Adults/Parents do!

My kids, 17 & 13 are able to sing along with a lot of songs played on KRTH...I think that translates in to lots of adults (many with kids) tuning in and keeping the station on.

It's fun, timeless music and it's family & office/business friendly radio!

The beauty of the format is that the music-mix can evolve as the population ages...Great Programmers like Kaye and others will be able to keep the station fresh and relevant.

KRTH has set the standard for others to follow in this format!

As the parent of two teenagers, I can tell you the exposure via movies, TV and especially Guitar Hero and Rock Band is huge. My kids and their friends know and like a lot of 60s and 70s music. They won't spend tons of time listening to it, but they aren't hostile to it, either.

 

[justpassingthough]

I do agree with you that KRTH won by default as the numbers are getting fragmented by those with head to head competition.

Except that we're overlooking how remarkable it is that KRTH can get to #1 as a result of that. Remember, KRTH spent a decade or so with a 3.1 being the average and a 3.5 being cause for celebration. This is a 4.9, and Jhani Kaye and crew deserve congratulations.

What exactly is remarkable about reaching 4.9% of the 6+ audience with music that spans four decades? If any other station had that much music to draw from, I'd hope they'd reach just under 5% of the audience.

Sorry to play devil's advocate here, but this hardly seems like much of an accomplishment.

 

[briancraig]

"but this hardly seems like much of an accomplishment."

Anytime a station reaches #1 in a market as competitive and diverse as Los Angeles, it is an accomplishment.

 

[michael hagerty]

I do agree with you that KRTH won by default as the numbers are getting fragmented by those with head to head competition.

Except that we're overlooking how remarkable it is that KRTH can get to #1 as a result of that. Remember, KRTH spent a decade or so with a 3.1 being the average and a 3.5 being cause for celebration. This is a 4.9, and Jhani Kaye and crew deserve congratulations.

What exactly is remarkable about reaching 4.9% of the 6+ audience with music that spans four decades? If any other station had that much music to draw from, I'd hope they'd reach just under 5% of the audience.

Sorry to play devil's advocate here, but this hardly seems like much of an accomplishment.

Before Jhani...like forever before Jhani...a 3.1 and 12th place.

Now...a 4.9 and #1.

I'm sorry...I gotta call that an accomplishment.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

Even kids respond to the 60's, 70's & 80's stuff !

No, they don't. The PPM measures exposure, not just intentional listening. If your meter hears KRTH, because your mom put it on in the car, you are counted even if you are 9 years old. That does not mean you listen intentionally, or that you somehow like the music.

OK I just have to know.... Since the PPMs went live and Arbitron measures people ages 6 and over, are we to assume that some 6 year old kid out there is wearing a PPM meter while they have fun on the playground slide or merry-go-round? Does Arbitron actually send these devices to prepubscent kids?? If so, how in the world does a kid qualify to wear one and how reliable are they to be disciplined enough to do so?? What a joke. Why even consider the ages 6 - 12 years as anywhere viable? The 6+ numbers are meaningless.

 

[davideduardo]

OK I just have to know.... Since the PPMs went live and Arbitron measures people ages 6 and over, are we to assume that some 6 year old kid out there is wearing a PPM meter while they have fun on the playground slide or merry-go-round? Does Arbitron actually send these devices to prepubscent kids?? If so, how in the world does a kid qualify to wear one and how reliable are they to be disciplined enough to do so?? What a joke. Why even consider the ages 6 - 12 years as anywhere viable? The 6+ numbers are meaningless.

The PPM is family based. All members of a household or dwelling unit have to participate or the whole houshold is eliminated.

Children have less stringent carriage requirements than adolescents and adults, and compliance is based on hours of movement each day... the kids don't have to have the meter at the playground.

Actually, the 6-11 group has better compliance than at least one adult demographic cell.

 

[davideduardo]

They saw a bump last Christmas, but not nearly what they saw with the diary method.

No, the increase for the weeks that Christmas music was played were greater than the same weeks in prior years.

I'm talking year to year here. I know you'll check, but it did disappoint considering what they were used to.

The cume was about 3 times what it was in the diary during the Christmas music weeks. The share was higher, too.

It's "Only a monthly" isn't entirely correct as the company itself averages these monthly "books" into three month "quarters".

No, Arbitron does not "average" books. And each 28 day period is a book, self contained and never combined with other books. There is absolutely no PPM quarterly report. Clients can configure, via software, custom date ranges, but Arbitron issues 13 books a year and 52 weeklies a year.

This is usually done for the purposes of bonus payouts etc.

Then that is something done with a calculator at the radio stations themselves. Arbitron issues no quarterly PPM reports.

I do agree with you that KRTH won by default as the numbers are getting fragmented by those with head to head competition.

I would say that the 12+ achievement was one third default / luck, one third having moved KRTH into the 70's and 80's and one third the genius of Jhani Kaye.

The real hero of the book is Kevin Weatherly at CBS. AMP is up, Jack is up and KROQ is up in the sales demos. In fact, their sellers are already out with the story that in 18-49 those stations are 3 of the top 5, sharing with Power and Kiis. That's indeed a commendable job!