Phase 2

[Craven707]

and the classic rockers should start playing new music from classic rock artist it is crap that you do not play the new springsteen on qmf or sfr or the new who that came out 2 years ago or so why is that???


If memory serves me, QMF tried that back in the mid 90's and their ratings took a nose dive. All of these ideas people have are wonderful in theory. However, when they're put into practice, and they have been put into practice here, for some reason ratings suffer. I don't really understand why that is, but it's happened like that time and time again. Most of Louisville radio listeners want that "comfortable shoe" listening experience. Meaning, that when they turn on the radio on their way to wherever, they want to hear a song that they know and like. I did not say ALL louisville radio listeners feel this way. But, when you're working at a commercial radio station that's in competition with other commercial stations, you can't afford to take too many chances. This is unfortunate, but right now, it's the way it is. Believe me, we'd love to be able to play a thousand songs if we could get away with it. But, if we did, the ratings would go in the crapper. It's happened at every station I've ever worked for. Expand the play list and the ratings drop. Please feel free to attack this statement at will as long as you've had more than ONE YEAR of radio experience.

 

[hotpatrick2004]

Hey future bob just wanted to tell you there are some old airchecks of you on the old lrs 102.3 at www.lkyradio.com cool to listen to. Also why don't you play the new stuff on the radio instead of online. Also qnf did not overlap classic rock and alt they might have at first but did not last long they went to strict alternative format they did a piece on them on louisville tonite live. Craven you are absolutely right about people in this town. They like the tried and true on the radio.It is sad i remember when lrs 102 back in 1986 tried to play some alt like superman by r.e.m. and david and david welcome to the boomtown and there ratings took a hit. Back in the lisa lyon days. It is sad 21 soon to be 22 yrs later nothing has changed. People just do not embrace it!!! I guess what i heard mr Limbaugh said is so true once he was doing a political analogy since he was once a rock jock he was wondering why there station was not playing a certain hit and the pd said it did not test well well the old saying"you can't get in trouble for what you don't play"

But then why does research say that people want more variety not the same old artists and deeper cuts at least i have seen that on some research posted on radioandrecords? Is it just this town that does not embrace the new??? Seem's like it.

 

[Craven707]

But then why does research say that people want more variety not the same old artists and deeper cuts at least i have seen that on some research posted on radioandrecords?

That's a very good question. I won't even pretend to have an answer for that one, lol. The first thing I would do is to make sure that everyone concerned had the same definition for the word "Variety." One person's variety is another person's torture, lol. I forgot Future Bob worked at LRS. He must have been about 12!

One more thing. Why does my page keep jumping around??? Anybody else's doing this???

 

[radioville]

Craven, where do/have you worked in Louisville?

 

[greg.hahn]

But then why does research say that people want more variety not the same old artists and deeper cuts at least i have seen that on some research posted on radioandrecords? Is it just this town that does not embrace the new??? Seem's like it.

Yeah, well like someone said, "research is always right."

Seriously, I think the answer to that is in people's perception. "More variety" sounds like a really great idea, that's why it's good to tell folks you give them more variety. Tell them that a lot. Just don't really do it, because just like Craven said- if you play too many titles your ratings go into th crapper. It's worked that way at every station I've ever worked at as well.

People think they want more variety. That's what they tell researchers. They really want hits. That's what their listening patterns prove.

 

[hotpatrick2004]

The more things change the more they stay the same. The hot ac in etown quicksie 98.3 does take some chances like they played grace kelly by mika what a great song they seem to dance to the beat of there own drum and i love it. They have also played tori amos beth orton artists i have only heard on triple a stations. I guess they do not listen much to research.They also play california by phantom planet.

Funny i have been listening to lrs on and off today never heard any jocks and there usual 7:30 feature crank it or spank it was not on.

 

[WHOKILLEDRADIO]

Thanks radioville - It's a bittersweet victory, with Chris being replaced in afternoon drive. He's a talented individual and I'm hoping he will turn up somewhere soon.

I disagree with hotpatrick2004 about Louisville listeners accepting something different, they accept it - but don't always embrace it. Radio stations are here to garner the largest audience in their target demographic. WQNF was not a very well run alt station, it lead to attrition in ratings for WQMF in something the programmer reffered to as the "windsheld wiper effect" - playing some new alt music with classic rock (in effect, overlapping the two radio stations.)

I thought 93.1 was an interesting station, but it failed to garner ratings (= revenue) because it was an semi-automated flanker aimed to keep the ratings lower on 102.3, 103.9 (hot a/c at the time) and 106.9.

At WSFR, we have exposed new material from classic rock artists on our website and through CD giveaways to our listeners.

I am pleased that everyone on this board is so passionate about what is on the radio in Louisville, and pay so much attention to what's happening. That in itself is a catalyst for change, which is always positive.

Don't take this the wrong way Bob but I'll never understand how SFR beats QMF. Are you guys still playing "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray? If thats classic rock... why not play "Popcorn" by Hot Butter? In the late 80's / early 90's QMF's on air line up was a powerhouse. Now both are on snooze control. While I'm sure all are good people... I hate Mels voice, Troy sounds like he just woke up, Randolph is a great guy but never sounded right on QMF. You give it at least some energy but it's not like the QMF days. Why this town needs 2 classic rockers is beyond me. You know just as well as I do some classic rock artist are still putting out some damn god radio freindly songs. I'm guessing research shows we don't want to hear them. But yet those artist still but butts in the seats at live shows. Hmm

 

[WHOKILLEDRADIO]

and the classic rockers should start playing new music from classic rock artist it is crap that you do not play the new springsteen on qmf or sfr or the new who that came out 2 years ago or so why is that???


If memory serves me, QMF tried that back in the mid 90's and their ratings took a nose dive. All of these ideas people have are wonderful in theory. However, when they're put into practice, and they have been put into practice here, for some reason ratings suffer. I don't really understand why that is, but it's happened like that time and time again. Most of Louisville radio listeners want that "comfortable shoe" listening experience. Meaning, that when they turn on the radio on their way to wherever, they want to hear a song that they know and like. I did not say ALL louisville radio listeners feel this way. But, when you're working at a commercial radio station that's in competition with other commercial stations, you can't afford to take too many chances. This is unfortunate, but right now, it's the way it is. Believe me, we'd love to be able to play a thousand songs if we could get away with it. But, if we did, the ratings would go in the crapper. It's happened at every station I've ever worked for. Expand the play list and the ratings drop. Please feel free to attack this statement at will as long as you've had more than ONE YEAR of radio experience.

I'll attack it. What happened? QMF didn't come on the air in the 80 only playing hits. They played old & new and it worked. I still have a tape from QMF when on the day the new ZZ Top came out (Afterburner) they played cuts at ramdom. Not just the current single. Heaven forbid. When Neil Young's Fredom came out guess what? They played it.
So what happened? When did they say.. "thats it were only playing the hits." Both QMF & SFR are nothing more than background noise. Even in the 80's (when I knew all the AOR "hits" thanks to my hippie uncles and the original WLRS) it was great to hear Zep and Seger but now, 20+ years later... hearing the same 200 songs! No thanks. I'm listening to channel 74 (Bluesville) on XM as I type. And on the weekends I get to hear classic rebroadcast of Casey Kasem's top 40 countdown show on the 70's & 80's channel. When I'm in the car it's WAKY, WNAS or WFPK in that order. Yeah I know the songs WAKY's playing but at least I get to hear a personality between the cuts to keep me entertained & not "last hour QMF played 1000 commercials. And we're playing you a commercial to tell you that. But its not really a commercial. We like to call it 30 second imaging." In other words.. "A music free commercial jam" - Ron Clay

 

[WHOKILLEDRADIO]

The more things change the more they stay the same. The hot ac in etown quicksie 98.3 does take some chances like they played grace kelly by mika what a great song they seem to dance to the beat of there own drum and i love it. They have also played tori amos beth orton artists i have only heard on triple a stations. I guess they do not listen much to research.They also play california by phantom planet.

Funny i have been listening to lrs on and off today never heard any jocks and there usual 7:30 feature crank it or spank it was not on.

I listened to Quicksie the other night & they played Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill. I hate that song but I give them credit for playing it.

 

[WHOKILLEDRADIO]

...and the pd said it did not test well well

I HATE that!. I know a few great songs yanked for that very reason. One averaged at least one call a week. "Who sings that?" "It's the best thing you guys play!" It was pulled after about 6 months of airplay becasue it didn't test well. And that takes me back to my QMF Listener Advisory Board post. When you rely on the average joe to help pick your playlist your asking for trouble. I know a lot of Joes and there CD collection sucks. There used to be a time when a good MD/PD knew a good song when they heard it & played it.

 

[greg.hahn]

...and the pd said it did not test well well

I HATE that!. I know a few great songs yanked for that very reason. One averaged at least one call a week. "Who sings that?" "It's the best thing you guys play!" It was pulled after about 6 months of airplay becasue it didn't test well. And that takes me back to my QMF Listener Advisory Board post. When you rely on the average joe to help pick your playlist your asking for trouble. I know a lot of Joes and there CD collection sucks. There used to be a time when a good MD/PD knew a good song when they heard it & played it.

I hate to break it to you, but "Joe Lunchbucket" is your audience. He listens for about 20 minutes at a time, then he's gone, to be replaced by another Joe. And if your music is being chosen by an eclectic bunch of music heads rather than a bunch of Joes, you'll be the favorite station amongst the radio geeks, but won't do so well with the Joes, and thus in the ratings.

Also lets remember that in 1980 the following stations didn't exist: 680, 93.1, 93.9, 94.7, 96.5, 100.5, 103.5, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 107.7, and for all intents and purposes, 98.9. That's a 71% increase in the number of stations in the market over the last 28 years. Things are way more competetive now than they were then, and things we got away with then will cost us a lot of money if we do them now.

1980 was the first time a station owner told me, "This isn't a country club." His point was that radio is a business, and we're doing it to make money, not to be cool, enjoy free concerts and merchandise, and pick up women.

That's one of the few things about radio that hasn't changed.

 

[WHOKILLEDRADIO]

...and the pd said it did not test well well

I HATE that!. I know a few great songs yanked for that very reason. One averaged at least one call a week. "Who sings that?" "It's the best thing you guys play!" It was pulled after about 6 months of airplay becasue it didn't test well. And that takes me back to my QMF Listener Advisory Board post. When you rely on the average joe to help pick your playlist your asking for trouble. I know a lot of Joes and there CD collection sucks. There used to be a time when a good MD/PD knew a good song when they heard it & played it.

I hate to break it to you, but "Joe Lunchbucket" is your audience. He listens for about 20 minutes at a time, then he's gone, to be replaced by another Joe. And if your music is being chosen by an eclectic bunch of music heads rather than a bunch of Joes, you'll be the favorite station amongst the radio geeks, but won't do so well with the Joes, and thus in the ratings.

Also lets remember that in 1980 the following stations didn't exist: 680, 93.1, 93.9, 94.7, 96.5, 100.5, 103.5, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 107.7, and for all intents and purposes, 98.9. That's a 71% increase in the number of stations in the market over the last 28 years. Things are way more competetive now than they were then, and things we got away with then will cost us a lot of money if we do them now.

1980 was the first time a station owner told me, "This isn't a country club." His point was that radio is a business, and we're doing it to make money, not to be cool, enjoy free concerts and merchandise, and pick up women.

That's one of the few things about radio that hasn't changed.

Then expalin how public radio brought in record ammounts of $$$ in the last pledge drive? It's a business for them too.
Not to mention WAKY's success that no one in this business wants to accept. A few tweeks here and there and some well placed billboards and it's good night WRKA.

 

[hotpatrick2004]

This calls for a repeat the more things change the more they stay the same. Still no jocks on lrs today.

Even though people like there hits no matter what market they are in i think louisville radio is far worse in that respect then any other market!!!I think we have a bunch of spoiled brats that listen to the radio here that don't embrace new music new artist and on and on another example that proves my point back in sept of 2004 abc i know not radio but was airing saving private ryan but stephen spielberg told all the affiliates you can't edit out the foul language so what did our beloved whas channel 11 do they showed hoosiers instead my point being all the suits in this town think( and if history is any judge they are right)
people will be easily offended and don't embrace the different they think we want the same old same old be it tv radio or whatever. It really is sad considering louisville has this "keep louisville weird" campaign. How is it weird with this mentality. Yes we have certain pockets of this town that like the unique but all in all most people want there stairway to heaven inside there 53 minute music hour.I bet cox makes it 53 this year

 

[greg.hahn]

...and the pd said it did not test well well

I HATE that!. I know a few great songs yanked for that very reason. One averaged at least one call a week. "Who sings that?" "It's the best thing you guys play!" It was pulled after about 6 months of airplay becasue it didn't test well. And that takes me back to my QMF Listener Advisory Board post. When you rely on the average joe to help pick your playlist your asking for trouble. I know a lot of Joes and there CD collection sucks. There used to be a time when a good MD/PD knew a good song when they heard it & played it.

I hate to break it to you, but "Joe Lunchbucket" is your audience. He listens for about 20 minutes at a time, then he's gone, to be replaced by another Joe. And if your music is being chosen by an eclectic bunch of music heads rather than a bunch of Joes, you'll be the favorite station amongst the radio geeks, but won't do so well with the Joes, and thus in the ratings.

Also lets remember that in 1980 the following stations didn't exist: 680, 93.1, 93.9, 94.7, 96.5, 100.5, 103.5, 104.3, 105.1, 105.9, 107.7, and for all intents and purposes, 98.9. That's a 71% increase in the number of stations in the market over the last 28 years. Things are way more competetive now than they were then, and things we got away with then will cost us a lot of money if we do them now.

1980 was the first time a station owner told me, "This isn't a country club." His point was that radio is a business, and we're doing it to make money, not to be cool, enjoy free concerts and merchandise, and pick up women.

That's one of the few things about radio that hasn't changed.

Then expalin how public radio brought in record ammounts of $$$ in the last pledge drive? It's a business for them too.
Not to mention WAKY's success that no one in this business wants to accept. A few tweeks here and there and some well placed billboards and it's good night WRKA.

What "WAKY's success" are you talking about? They have had about a 1.5 share since they went oldies 15 years ago. They had a 1.6 in the spring. Excitement over their call letter change bumped them up to a 2.5 for the summer book. Since then their trends have been to 2.1 and then to 1.8. They're headed right back where they've always been.

 

[Radio freak]

This calls for a repeat the more things change the more they stay the same. Still no jocks on lrs today.

Hmm, 2 days jockless doesn't look good for wlrs. I wonder if we're in for a surprise tomorrow?

 

[WHOKILLEDRADIO]

What "WAKY's success" are you talking about? They have had about a 1.5 share since they went oldies 15 years ago. They had a 1.6 in the spring. Excitement over their call letter change bumped them up to a 2.5 for the summer book. Since then their trends have been to 2.1 and then to 1.8. They're headed right back where they've always been.

[/quote]

So why isn't RKA headed back to where they've always been? WAKY ratings are up from where they were under the WASE call letters. While the station is not perfect and could be much better they have hurt WRKA. Once the excitment over the call letters die down the ratings will start to even out but RKA continues to drop rather than rise back to its pre WAKY book. You can't tell me sales reps are high fiving each other over there over RKA's recent slide.

WRKA-FM 3.8 3.1 3.9 2.7 2.3
WAKY-FM 1.1 1.6 2.5 2.1 1.8

 

[hotpatrick2004]

Wlrs not to bad to listen to without the jocks!!!I prefer jocks but those jocks were really bad!!!Also they are airing the storm team forecast from yesterday on Wlrs and they are not running as many liners between the songs as they uaually do.

 

[radioville]

Has anyone heard when WPTI will move to 103.1?

 

[Craven707]

Craven, where do/have you worked in Louisville?

I worked at LRS from 88 to 91. We went through about 80 formats during that time, lol. Actually, it was only 4. I got fired in Jan. of 92. Then I worked at the fox from 93 to the present. Part time, always.

 

[hotpatrick2004]

Craven i bet you feel lucky you never made radio a full time job aka chris randolph jill laurens joe elliott look what happened to them