Listener Feedback

[Nu_Roo_2]

Today's (Monday April 25, 2011) Dispatch has an article on listener feedback in radio. Sorry, no direct link yet as of the time I'm posting this, but the article is called "Two-Way Radio" and is on page D1 of the printed paper and should be easy to Google up.

While not its intent, to me the article served as a reminder that there are super-successful stations using the "Soft Rock" moniker that don't sound sleepy -- elsewhere, of course. The article talks about how WBEB (B-101) Philly used listener research as part of a re-tooling of its sound. B-101 now sounds far edgier and far more consistently uptempo than the uber-snoozy ACs we're stuck with in Columbus. At least having some greater differentiation would make the local big-signal format duplication (AC) more tolerable.

 

[dawg4life]

Here's the link

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2011/04/25/two-way-radio.html?sid=101

Here's a few quotes:

(WRKZ) Their demands were clear: less repetition of songs; an emphasis on heavy fare; and, especially, more music by regional acts.

WNCI (97.9 FM), a Top 40 purveyor in Columbus, trumpeted the anticipated Feb.11 debut of the Lady Gaga single Born This Way on its Facebook and Twitter accounts, playing the song at the top of every hour.

Still, a vocal majority of online followers - even among those fond of the single - spoke out: The saturation had gone too far.

"That told me, 'OK, it's not a scientific representation,'" said Tony Florentino, program director of WNCI, "but we got enough feedback to slow it down."

 

[the marv]

Now lets see if the owners of the blitz will hold another town hall meeting to see what they can do to make WTDA a better radio station. With radio station WNKO's signal closer to town I think they could ask listeners if they would like a new CHR without the hit songs being repeated every hour and a half. I think radio listeners would love to have a second CHR in Columbus even if the signal might not be the best.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Now lets see if the owners of the blitz will hold another town hall meeting to see what they can do to make WTDA a better radio station.

It was interesting how many mentions WTDA got in the "Tell us your favorite station" section following the article.  More than many of the big signals.  That's hardly scientific, but I do note that in the March PPMs 103.9 held onto the 33% 6+ AQH gain it enjoyed in February.  That's still only 1.6, but not bad relative to what that station's been accustomed to for several years now.

 

[the marv]

It will still be interesting to see how the ratings for all the stations will be now that WNKO is closer to town playing almost the same music WTDA does.

 

[jakej]

Two-way radio? It's all just a show to try and impress what few advertisers these stations have left. 400 at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Hal? I can only count about sixty in the photo, and there's a lot of empty chairs, so I guess everyone was either sitting way back in the dark or else still hanging out at the burger stand.
My favorite part of the article is when Kevin writes about the prior ratings method. "Such evaluations were previously based on written diaries, which lacked accuracy and honesty." He then continues, "The new precision ... has alarmed stations nationwide. Many have lost millions of dollars in revenue." Yeah, the truth sure hurts, don't it!!! The stations were doin' all right back in the good ol' days, back when everyone was lying!!!!!

 

[dawg4life]

My favorite part of the article is when Kevin writes about the prior ratings method. "Such evaluations were previously based on written diaries, which lacked accuracy and honesty." He then continues, "The new precision ... has alarmed stations nationwide. Many have lost millions of dollars in revenue." Yeah, the truth sure hurts, don't it!!! The stations were doin' all right back in the good ol' days, back when everyone was lying!!!!!

Haha nice. It just goes to show you how out of touch the radio industry really is. I wouldn't doubt for a second that the so called consultants they hire were also lying.

 

[Dave Sarnoff]

My favorite part of the article is when Kevin writes about the prior ratings method. "Such evaluations were previously based on written diaries, which lacked accuracy and honesty." He then continues, "The new precision ... has alarmed stations nationwide. Many have lost millions of dollars in revenue." Yeah, the truth sure hurts, don't it!!! The stations were doin' all right back in the good ol' days, back when everyone was lying!!!!!

Haha nice. It just goes to show you how out of touch the radio industry really is. I wouldn't doubt for a second that the so called consultants they hire were also lying.

QFT - I've always said that those who can, do. Those who can't, become "consultants." It's amazing how many suckers in radio fall for such baloney.