Mike Preston: Part Two

[RadioEatsItsYoung]

Ah Yes! you are correct LittleBoyBlue. I should've remembered that!

I also agree with the fragrant vase (bongwater). LOL. I love rock and personally am not
a fan of CHR, however my personal feelings would not change my business stance on this one.

After all Entercom would still have KISW and if you really look at the rock climate, alternative and active rock
are almost the same thing these days. It's the old library's that sets them apart. Once again, I may be totally off base.
But if it was me over there on Olive Ave.(are they still there?) I'd notch up the rock on KISW and flip the End to AMP
and go straight up against KISS. Preston would simply roll...

What about Jodi from the old The Mountain morning show as part of the new CHR morning show?
She probably knows everyone there still. I think she could appeal to a CHR female driven audience for sure.
I also worked with Jodi (years ago) and she is good person. Once again THAT MATTERS!!!!
and oh yeah, CBS would support Mike Preston and the AMP brand going up against Clear Channel and The End (of KBKS).


Wow..this could work, but I fear I just gave my old buddy two jobs...LOL

and if you need new alternative rock, listen to 88.1theburg CWU's college station. College radio still offers the best alternative around....always will.

Couple of points. First, I agree that KNDD is having some issues these last few PPM months. April/May/June didn't look half bad for them, but now their only bright spot is men 18-34...that's about it. Secondly, I agree CHR wouldn't be a half bad move for KNDD. If you look at duplication, KNDD's highest shared audience is with KBKS so the 41% shared audience would still appreciate the music to an extent. It's nice to flip formats and start with a decent base like that. Also looking at shared audience, 37% of KISW's audience cumes KNDD as well, so it could prove to be a minor boost for KISW if KNDD flipped.

Now regarding CHR. #1, they can't use the "amp" name because it's owned by CBS, and I doubt they'd let that one go. Secondly, for a CHR station in Seattle to work, you'd have to position it directly in-between KBKS and KUBE. About 60/40 with the hip-hop to pop ratio. Much like KIIS LA and KAMP are. And with all the gabbing on KBKS, you'd need to make this MUSIC INTENSIVE! While I love Jodi Brothers, I think she'd be too old for mornings on a CHR station like this. Get some jocks on there who know the music, know what Twilight and the Jonas Brothers are, etc. With a station like that you could bump KBKS and KUBE down on the rankers keeping that Adults 18-34, Adults 18-49, etc buy on KISW.

 

[radioprofessor]

Typically I rarely agree with the posts on this board but I find the Preston run CHR a viable parameter. The only question is will MOVIN beat THE END to the CHR position. KISS is the wide open target and in my humble opinion having THE END go after them takes advantage of shared cume while building the audience on KISW and THE MOUNTAIN. Makes a great deal of sense, in my humble view.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Could save costs on imaging! Sacto's Entercom "The End" is a CHR.... May still be programmed by Steve Weed who was in this market for awhile.

 

[TVradioguru]

Could save costs on imaging! Sacto's Entercom "The End" is a CHR.... May still be programmed by Steve Weed who was in this market for awhile.

Steve Weed indeed! What an excellent idea! Let's take a relatively successful heritage modern music station with a solid demo and turn it over to someone with a track record of consecutive failures. One notable failure being there in the Seattle metro with KHIT back when radio and the economy in general, was in good shape.

Even better, let's take several long-standing successful music stations like, oh say KMPS, then magically flip their formats overnight all to CHR in the interest of chasing one station who has only recently seen some ratings improvement. It seems like only yesterday that most of you here were decrying the failure that was KISS in Seattle, throwing their morning show under the bus, speculating what format it could flip to next. Fast forward a year or so and now KISS has set the bar for everyone else to follow. Or rather did we forget all that history already?

So what is the deal here, you people really don't like KNDD do you?

 

[RealityBites]

"So what is the deal here, you people really don't like KNDD do you?"

I used to love The End. However that was years ago (over 10) when Alternative was still
relatively new and fresh. Alternative music today is just that a label. Unfortunately the genre
doesn't have the depth of TALENTED core artists. It is about the music.

Music goes through waves. Remember the Lilith Faith female singer dominated movement in 2000?
And now Taylor Swift is headlining KIIS FM (LA) Holiday concert. Talk about crossover.
Between Taylor swift and Carrie Underwood, Country is truly becoming America's mainstream.

Rock is floundering as it isn't going anywhere and you can only listen to Kings of Leon so much. Which is tough for me as
I love to rock. And I still miss Steve Slaton miserably...

With all that said, I think a combo active/alternative rock would be great, use both past library's and play only
great songs. I go between alternative and rock on my iPod all the time and if programmed correctly flows well.
So, I don't hate the End, I just think it's a smart and viable business move.

Mike's contract could include the deal already...... LOL

once again if it's just the best alternative music you are after listen to college radio. It's like listening to old 107.7

 

[AQH]

Pardon me while I chuckle at some of these posts.

Here we go with the "let's copy what's done in another city" theme going on here. Again. Do a search on this board and see how many people complain about how every radio station sounds like a clone of each other, there's no creativity, everything is the same across the country. Now, when it makes sense to spend someone else's money to have something new in Seattle, it's "let's do what they do in L.A."

Is anyone going to bring up the sales, promotion and marketing aspect of this (or any) format change? A lot of people want to talk about how fun it would be to tell Entercom how to program their radio station, but nobody is talking about the costs of doing so.

Here's a scene set: Many are asking a radio station to drop its current clientele and go up against four (Movin, KUBE, Star and Kiss) stations that will share its playlist with in one percentage or another. Changing to a format that can be heard already in Seattle, in an economic climate which existing stations struggle with keeping regular clients as-is.

Don't forget that most stations that do flip to CHR do some sort of 10,000 song commercial-free stunt. That's one month of no sales revenue. Anyone take that into consideration?

Yeah, it's fun to fantasize about a new radio station, but the reality is that something like this, when you combine hard costs and the sales aspect, you're talking a little over one million dollars in losses right out of the gate.

How much money should be spent on promotions and/or marketing? Everyone here realizes that CHR needs to be on the streets too, right? How much money for promotional vehicles (keeping in mind that car dealers are struggling right now), and for a promotion staff year-round?

How about air staff, both current (how do you handle their contracts) and hiring new people?

Anybody want to talk about that aspect?

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Could save costs on imaging! Sacto's Entercom "The End" is a CHR.... May still be programmed by Steve Weed who was in this market for awhile.

Steve Weed indeed! What an excellent idea! Let's take a relatively successful heritage modern music station with a solid demo and turn it over to someone with a track record of consecutive failures. One notable failure being there in the Seattle metro with KHIT back when radio and the economy in general, was in good shape.

So what is the deal here, you people really don't like KNDD do you?

It was sarcasm you curmudgeons. Gees...people get on here and start to have some fun and the same old parties jump down everyone's throats because they have all been there done that. Get a flu shot or something and lighten up.

 

[TVradioguru]

Thanks for your concern Blue Boy. I already got my flu shot about two weeks ago. I can tell you're indeed a true humanitarian, in spite of not knowing much about modern radio.

Granted one has to admit that sometimes it is difficult to separate posts intended as sarcasm, with those bizarre ones that actually believe it's a good idea to arbitrarily change formats on otherwise successful radio properties.

 

[searadiofreak]

Thanks for your concern Blue Boy. I already got my flu shot about two weeks ago. I can tell you're indeed a true humanitarian, in spite of not knowing much about modern radio.

Granted one has to admit that sometimes it is difficult to separate posts intended as sarcasm, with those bizarre ones that actually believe it's a good idea to arbitrarily change formats on otherwise successful radio properties.

TVradioguru, I don't usually respond to others "lack of understanding", but I can't help myself here. First, LittleBoyBlue knows quite a bit about modern radio. Read all his posts, and then realize he has worked with many of the leaders of this market for many years, and indeed knows his stuff. As for Steve Weed, perhaps you do not understand that he was trying to compete as the 4th, yes FOURTH CHR in the market in the mid-80's. Failure? Perhaps, but not sure many others could have succeeded in that situation.

 

[Bongwater]

Thanks for your concern Blue Boy. I already got my flu shot about two weeks ago. I can tell you're indeed a true humanitarian, in spite of not knowing much about modern radio.

Since you know so much more about "modern radio", how come people are tuning out and the industry is collapsing?

How many consecutive years in a row has it been now, that the radio industry as a whole, has posted record losses at the end of each year?

Please, don't tell us you really think you're dealing with a SUCCESSFUL program here....."in spite of not knowing much about modern radio."......oh, that's rich........

 

[HowardMBurgers]

As for Steve Weed, perhaps you do not understand that he was trying to compete as the 4th, yes FOURTH CHR in the market in the mid-80's. Failure? Perhaps, but not sure many others could have succeeded in that situation.

As someone pointed out in an earlier post on the topic of KHIT, that KHIT was soundly trounced in every book by even little KNHC, who beat them at their own game in their target demographics. And KNHC beat them with zero promotions budget. When a high school station was beating you right out of the gate, one should take pause and reflect at their career choice of programming a station.

Frankly I too was surprised at the suggestion from LBB, that Steve Weed would be qualified to program a new CHR station, let alone a police scanner in a crime wave. (love that expression) It is good to know that he was joking.

 

[TVradioguru]

TVradioguru, I don't usually respond to others "lack of understanding", but I can't help myself here. First, LittleBoyBlue knows quite a bit about modern radio. Read all his posts, and then realize he has worked with many of the leaders of this market for many years, and indeed knows his stuff.

Oh trust me, I've read his/her posts. There may have been a day when The Blue One worked in radio, but by even suggesting that Entercom dump KNDD to go CHR, speaks volumes that he/she is completely out of touch with what is involved and what the consequences are. To your point; I'm not sure what "stuff" Mr. or Ms. Blue knows, because it sure doesn't appear to encompass the business side of broadcasting.

 

[TVradioguru]

Bong I always find your alternate universe and sense of reality amusing. (Not too mention your grammar) Of course I realize that replying to your posts with the facts is about as effective as trying to teach my wife's pomeranian algebra. But here goes..

Record losses for the radio industry as a whole? That would be less than one year.

The company that I'm an officer of is fortunate that our losses are much lower than other broadcast groups, partially because we have more than just radio in our portfolio of operations. So the answer is no Bongster, I am not personally responsible for the decrease in revenue related to radio. Psst...(whisper) That would be the economy, but don't tell anyone.

"Please, don't tell us you really think you're dealing with a SUCCESSFUL program here....."in spite of not knowing much about modern radio."......oh, that's rich........" Hmm..You know Bong, I have no idea how to respond to this point, mainly because it makes no sense. If you care to re-phrase it into something written in english, I would be pleased to respond.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

anyone who was around when SW was programming in these parts will remember the results and therefore would not be inclined to think a "rerun" is a good idea. But it IS a fact that "End" in Sacto has a similar dial position, but happens to be a CHR instead of Alternative. I used to serve that cluster, but have no idea what kind of traction they get these days on ANY of their stations. Come to think of it ... wasn't the END the station that drew the lawsuit over the Wii promotion involving listener death? They fired several people, but NOT Weed.

 

[the brakes]

anyone who was around when SW was programming in these parts will remember the results and therefore would not be inclined to think a "rerun" is a good idea. But it IS a fact that "End" in Sacto has a similar dial position, but happens to be a CHR instead of Alternative. I used to serve that cluster, but have no idea what kind of traction they get these days on ANY of their stations. Come to think of it ... wasn't the END the station that drew the lawsuit over the Wii promotion involving listener death? They fired several people, but NOT Weed.

They did, in fact, fire Steve. If memory serves correct, I believe he then sued Entercom for breach of contract and wrongful termination. I'm not sure where that case stands or if it's been resolved.

 

[the brakes]

Here's the link that speaks to my prior post. http://www.savewrko.com/2009/08/10/entercom-gears-up-for-war-against-contest-survivors/

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

They did, in fact, fire Steve. If memory serves correct, I believe he then sued Entercom for breach of contract and wrongful termination. I'm not sure where that case stands or if it's been resolved.

Last I heard was $16M judgement against E/Com and they had not indicated a plan to appeal.

 

[the brakes]

They did, in fact, fire Steve. If memory serves correct, I believe he then sued Entercom for breach of contract and wrongful termination. I'm not sure where that case stands or if it's been resolved.

Last I heard was $16M judgement against E/Com and they had not indicated a plan to appeal.

Read the link, Steve lost nearly $50 thou in this suit.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Sorry...I misunderstood your statement and see that now. I thought you asked about status of the overall contest family suing E/Com --- THAT was the 16M judgement. I thought Weed had skated by on that whole thing...am glad to hear that may not be the case as I would think a P/D is one of most culpable in a promo-gone-bad scenario.

 

[the brakes]

F.Y.I. Tom Taylor reports today that Entercom was "fully insured" for the $16.57 Million judgment.