Let's Talk About ALL Of 'Em!

[rimshot]

The last book wasn't very exciting, but at least it showed us a little about who has been consistent and who's in deep trouble if they don't make some changes pretty quickly. (just my opinions of course)

KISS and K-104--this battle has been going on for years for the #1 bragging rights. The reality is that K-104 can be #1 every book from now until the end of radio, it doesn't matter. The KISS core audience stays, and so does all the money it makes. I agree with many who say Kraddick isn't HALF as good as he was when he was local, but the numbers are what they are, and he deserves to bank it til they don't listen anymore.

KLUV--This is a tough one because they're basically playing two decades of music that no one else plays. (I know some 80's is on the playlist, but they don't play them). They haven't shown a major decline in numbers since Sunny was around to give listeners an alternative, and they will continue to do well playing the same old tired songs. And Jody Dean will continue to ramble on, have his minions laugh at his jokes, and play very little music, and still rack up ratings. Go figure. Will ANY company finally realize that there is a HUGE hole for a KLUV competitor? Ron Chapman must be rolling around in his Mercedes.

KVIL--Regardless of a decent book now and then, the person who made the decision to throw away the call letters is an idiot. Any station in the country would LOVE the opportunity to market legendary calls like KVIL. The "Lite" moniker is a travesty. On the street everybody still calls it KVIL. I never hear ANYONE call it Lite. (unless they're making fun of it). The music is all over the place with no direction in the least, the fun is not there, it's bland, generic, corporate radio with a morning show that would have nothing to talk about if there was no "American Idol" on TV. Oh wait, they do talk about the B-A-B-Y. It's simply unbelievable how they are still on the air.

WOLF and KSCS--Now this is sad. Not much to say except this...if KSCS doesn't take this opportunity to regain what it has lost over the past few years, then upper-management heads should roll. Dorsey is a no-brainer, but the rest of the day needs help, and LOTS of it. This station hasn't changed style in 30 years. It's time. They can still keep the "tradition" and still light it up with some jocks who make a difference and some good marketing. Throw away the liner cards, have some FUN, and give away some REAL prizes. The WOLF is on the mat. Get 'em while they're down.

MOVIN--I know some of you are saying, "they've only been around for a few months, give them a chance". Sorry, they've had their chance. They've been around now for a LOT of months. This station is so bad it's not worth many words here. Music mix is atrocious. A few more books will NOT make them better as some say. A format change will. They should cut their loses, admit they screwed up, and "move" the hell on.

LIVE 105-- It doesn't matter anymore if Russ Martin is on the air or packing groceries at Kroger, no Howard means no ratings means nobody even mentions the station anymore.

JACK--A jukebox is a jukebox. It makes money for Infinity so I guess they'll keep it around for awhile. No overhead, no excitement, will never have big numbers, just a button for a decent song now and then.

MIX--Another station that has had no direction in years. Horrible morning show, (Cappy or no Cappy) and music that tries to go everywhere. It's basically been a two share station for years. Nothing will change. If CC is happy with that, fine, but their not even suited up for the game.

TICKET--Apart from the news and info stations, still the only game in town on AM. Sure, they miss the mark sometimes and go off on stupid stuff that tunes me completely out, but for the most part, damn entertaining. The negative...WAY too many commercials. It drives people away in droves because you know you won't hear a live voice again til next month. Norm Hitzges still one of the best in the business.

You're opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[Robert Bass]

KLUV--This is a tough one because they're basically playing two decades of music that no one else plays. (I know some 80's is on the playlist, but they don't play them). They haven't shown a major decline in numbers since Sunny was around to give listeners an alternative, and they will continue to do well playing the same old tired songs. And Jody Dean will continue to ramble on, have his minions laugh at his jokes, and play very little music, and still rack up ratings. Go figure. Will ANY company finally realize that there is a HUGE hole for a KLUV competitor? Ron Chapman must be rolling around in his Mercedes.

While I agree with your statement that KLUV does not have a “serious” competitor per say, it is somewhat misleading to suggest they “…play two decades of music no one else plays”. Although it is correct that practically no one else in this market touches 60’s music, they are not the only station in town spinning 70’s. To some extent, JACK and KVIL do include 70’s music on their playlist. But until about three years ago or so, KEOM practically owned the 70’s music format in this market. See the "Stuck In The 70’s” thread, if you haven’t already.

R

 

[TheLaffer]

KLUV--This is a tough one because they're basically playing two decades of music that no one else plays. (I know some 80's is on the playlist, but they don't play them). They haven't shown a major decline in numbers since Sunny was around to give listeners an alternative, and they will continue to do well playing the same old tired songs. And Jody Dean will continue to ramble on, have his minions laugh at his jokes, and play very little music, and still rack up ratings. Go figure. Will ANY company finally realize that there is a HUGE hole for a KLUV competitor? Ron Chapman must be rolling around in his Mercedes.

While I agree with your statement that KLUV does not have a “serious” competitor per say, it is somewhat misleading to suggest they “…play two decades of music no one else plays”. Although it is correct that practically no one else in this market touches 60’s music, they are not the only station in town spinning 70’s. To some extent, JACK and KVIL do include 70’s music on their playlist. But until about three years ago or so, KEOM practically owned the 70’s music format in this market. See the "Stuck In The 70’s” thread, if you haven’t already.

R

Robert, With all due respect, KEOM IS NO COMPEITOR FOR KLUV!

 

[Robert Bass]

Robert, With all due respect, KEOM IS NO COMPEITOR FOR KLUV!

Laffer,

Looks like my point sailed clear over your head. :

R

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

Let's face it,ever since that lousy legislation was passed in 1996 with both political parties involved,it has been lousy for radio,unless of course you are an owner,or salesperson. The Programming has been diluted,not progressed,and each year shows a decline in listenership. The less competition you have (and I MEAN REAL ,TRUE COMPETITION,SAME FORMAT) you will show a so called increase in ratings. Have you trained a "newbie" lately? The attitude is lousy over all. Once in awhile you will get someone who actually has the passion,and wants over all success for the station,not just for themselves. Its very rare and sad to say. Its the same mind set that some PD's and OM's possess as well,and thus the station is on life support.
Its very rare to actually have a GM/OM who had more than 10 years of actually being on the air with a regularly scheduled shift. They are usually saturated with former sales people with little or no knowledge/skills in programming,yet they over see it.
Zeroing in on the local front,KLUV is ripe for taking,but no one will dare challenge it,because the advertising agencies hate that 35+ demographic. Funny, the 35+ have more income, and KLUV is in the top 5. "Logic "is a word in the dictionary to them,the agencies.
The WOLF,well its Cumulus., You heard about them, were warned about them,and now they are here. You can plainly see why the negative stories about them sometimes superseeded stories about Clear Channel. They don't have a care or passion for radio as you and i do, they are in <cough!> "a business". Squeeze,rape the profits,pay the warm body little,and layoff some at the end of the year to show a gain. Thats their philosophy. Gee I wonder who set the pattern for that? CC?
Now you have KVIL,oh excuse me "blight 103.7". Nikki Nite is a good Pd,BUT ON THE EAST COAST. The assistant PD there is a "warm body" who never held down an air shift in any size market before. Makes you wonder why KVIL..uh I mean Blight 103.7 lost its glamour way back when Their cousins "Free FM" and Movin" are simply "stop gap" because CBS has ran out of ideas,because they ran off the true talent who knew about programming. They are just holding on to the property,like a bad landlord who won't fix the leaking faucet.
The Bone...what has been said about them has been said as well as KLIF..another bad landlord.

DFW has so much potential just like the old McLendon days,BUT no one wants to step up and do it. Its a quick fix,make some money,day trading philosophy, thus programming is a casuality.

I hope the resident from LA and his "I know more than you do" attititude stays out of this thread,and only the DFW folks debate, and discuss this. He is a major part of the problem of radio.

 

[Robert Bass]

KPLEX..

Don't worry. If he does come in here and post, I have a plan that is guaranteed to chase him off. The first stage of the plan involves forcing him to listen to Welcome Back at least 100 times a day. ;D

R

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

WAAAAY TO GO AMIGO!!! ;D

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

Rimshot, you bring up an interesting post but we have to look at definitions. Is "competition" about the bottom line and marketing the hell out of a station with misleading tactics, or is "competition" about loyal listeners to smaller stations that if they had that pocketbook, would serve some examples of how to do this?

OASIS vs. THE ONE -- Smooth Jazz was a great format, and if you have spent any time on this blog, I am certain we are all in agreement, MOViN blows and C_ B_ S_ made a huge mistake. There are many real jazz aficionados in this market, for that matter, many real music fans (why is WRR still making money anyway?) However, the ONE doesn't have a marketing budget and doesn't run like a marketable station. It will always remain under the radar, but if given the chance would rival Urban AC stations for numbers.

KLUV vs. KEOM -- Call it what you will, but KLUV will live on Ron Chapman's legacy for ages to come. Yes, the format creates loyaltists but the jocks would scare them away (Dean included) if it weren't for the previous 30 years in DFW. Even Boomers have iPods and satellite radio these days. But I digress, KLUV would have competition if there was targeted marketing and public relations (absolutely no offense, Bass). 70's/80's is a great format to blow up, and it needs it in this town. MIX tried it, but that 90s segment of their tagline keeps getting in the way (gee, I wonder why : $$$). KLUV was supposed to be 60s, but even they are trying to get younger at that position, which brings in where Sunny left off and where KEOM could reign. Again, competition begins with perception... but ultimately ends with cash.

KSCS vs. KPLX -- Agreed, this is a joke. Mainly after what happened to Amy B. Oh, and for the nay-sayers, I don't care if she is riding the bench in her living room, this market and that format will miss her. CUME-less will figure that crap out quick. Country is a format that lives on personalities driving the music, not the other way around. Not to stereotype, but how many times do we talk about the "number 3" car without mentioning the personality in it?! Their listeners care about relationships, not ratings.

JAMZ vs. K104 vs. BEAT -- It doesn't matter about bragging rights in this town. Cheat-em will own this market as long as he keeps reaching out to the lowest common denominator. BEAT is doing it, and that is why JAMZ left the market. Casey and Bacote cared about making a difference in this market, it's just too bad that Summit didn't care like they did. DFW will always be an Urban haven, which is why KISS plays the crap out of everything heard on BET. Having local jocks really do make a difference, and if Kidd didn't have the legacy, he would be treated to the door as fast as David Lee Roth was on KLLI.

TICKET -- Here's a thought... you think they are taking a page out of KKDA's playbook? Think about it. KESN's numbers suck, but they are pushing the same thing... sports. Not so much. LCD-centric radio rules again. Gordo never talks sports, but waxes eloquent to create tense discussion about AIDS and dark humor. The only reason he has a job is because he can do so many other things than be himself. Hardliners hate taking calls and talk sports half of the time. BaD radio is nothing but schtick and hockey. Norm, the dinosaur, who is basically KESN prototype gets made fun of constantly... for not being like the P1's. Let's face it, they succeed because their listeners do not care for educated sports talk, but fancy talk about strip clubs, boobs and flatulence. I love the Ticket for different reasons, but when they go green, I tune out. LCD listeners, indeed.

That's it for me.