M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
Any thoughts?
1) WHPT is down
2) WWRM is up
3) WXTB is really bottoming. How long is it sustainable?
1) WHPT is down
2) WWRM is up
3) WXTB is really bottoming. How long is it sustainable?
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I am shocked that your post has not elicited a ton of responses. I thought EVERYBODY likes to talk about the ratings 
Remember those numbers posted elsewhere on this site are just the overalls. The devil is in the details (and demographic breakdowns). Soon you will hear each station saying "We are #1" with the fine print or fast talker clarifying they are number one with one eyed, one legged, transgendered trolls, age 32-32.5. How else would you explain a printed promo piece quoting a GM from a station that has a <1 AQH "we are #1 25-54 and #1 35-64 in our target coverage area". The raw numbers show a completely different story. Obvious questions arise: what is their target coverage area? Although they are part of the Tampa-St Pete-Clearwater metro area they do not put a great signal into the area. Somewhere, buried deep in the many pages of broken down data will be a line that says that station did what they claim (we know they wouldn't lie). And stations pay a pretty penny to access to all that data for just that reason.
Just a good example of how our beloved "ratings" must be taken with a grain of salt.
Whew, somebody please get me off my soap box.
Remember those numbers posted elsewhere on this site are just the overalls. The devil is in the details (and demographic breakdowns). Soon you will hear each station saying "We are #1" with the fine print or fast talker clarifying they are number one with one eyed, one legged, transgendered trolls, age 32-32.5. How else would you explain a printed promo piece quoting a GM from a station that has a <1 AQH "we are #1 25-54 and #1 35-64 in our target coverage area". The raw numbers show a completely different story. Obvious questions arise: what is their target coverage area? Although they are part of the Tampa-St Pete-Clearwater metro area they do not put a great signal into the area. Somewhere, buried deep in the many pages of broken down data will be a line that says that station did what they claim (we know they wouldn't lie). And stations pay a pretty penny to access to all that data for just that reason.
Just a good example of how our beloved "ratings" must be taken with a grain of salt.
Whew, somebody please get me off my soap box.
When it comes to ratings the least meaningful figures are the ones that get the most exposure. Ain't radio grand?
F
Ferreri
Guest
Although only in smaller markets presently, the Nielsen "sticker" diary and addressed based sampling (which includes some cell phone only households) will be interesting and appears to be a better method. Regarding demos, why is it that ad agencies will dump 10 grand in one full run, full color ad in the newspaper on the basis of "circulation" figures and bypass a radio station because of "wrong demos"? Example, today is Sunday. Lowes has a lovely full color booklet in the paper. Have no idea of the cost, however, has to be big money. How many papers will be delivered to apartments or renters who ain't gonna buy a new front door or lawn mower? Joann Fabrics has a nice color insert. Great, I'm a single guy who has never been near a sewing machine. If ad agencies are so ga-ga over demos, why wouldn't they take that money and place it on stations that reach the very people those advertisers need to reach? Friends, we have given the ad people excuses NOT to buy; whereas newspapers preach reach, not demos.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
As an outsider, I have no access to the "desired" numbers. 12+ makes it look like the moves at CBS did not seriously change the rankings of WSJT or WRBQ. WDUV is always number one. It looks like the Point, 98Rock, and usually MIX are total failures, yet they never flip. I guess these numbers don't mean much.
F
Ferreri
Guest
MsMusicRadio said:
WDUV can honestly say that more human beings here listen to them than any other radio station. All things considered, that is strong, regardless of "target" demos. MsMusic, the narrow-casting is a result of the relaxation of ownership rules. As part of a group, stations can offer a small niche or own that niche and contribute the the whole. Also, as stated before, ad agencies use that against us citing "wrong demos" yet, they dump thousands in newspaper, billboards, etc. with no regard to "targets". As another poster mentioned, back in the soft AC days the target was strictly female. At one of the reincarnations at Magic 96, we were told to visulize a 30 something woman every time we opened the mic. Somewhere it was determined that this female demo was responsible for most major and minor purchases. Thus, a flood of soft hits from Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Journey, and the list goes on and on. Sure, if you have signal limitations it is smart to find a niche and own it, however, having a flame throwing FM in a major market why not go after as many ears as possible?
and in spite of the recent staff changes Q105's ratings still suck. Mason appears to be holding his own in the morning, but the two new guys' numbers are in the toilet. Didn't the new GM say the changes at the end of 2008 were ratings driven? Marvelous Marvin's numbers were much, much better than this new pd on during the middays.
and nice try on replacing the boufaint buffet with the big chill grill? what a joke.
and nice try on replacing the boufaint buffet with the big chill grill? what a joke.
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Ferreri
Guest
MusicMan11 said:
Although it may be too early to judge, the station is "cold". Although the tempo and flow improved, the air people have no warmth. Even the audio sounds "cold".
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
I thought Q sounded much better middays two days ago. Then I realized Jack Miller was subbing. CBS ate crow over WCBS, so you can always hope they can fix things.
You keep referring to the change of WCBS back to Oldies in New York. Their situation was very different.
1. They were on of the top 5 billers in the nation.
2. Top 5 most listened to radio station in the nation.
3. A new CEO wanted to make a name for himself and demonstrate that he was thinking strategically - he believed that the existing format would soon become increasingly difficult to sell.
4. He changed the format to a "Variety Hits" format, ala "Jack-FM" which received a mediocre response in New York.
5. All of the Oldies DJs were fired with no goodbys.
6. Old CEO was brought back and he mandated that CBS should go back to Oldies.
7. CBS FM came back as an Oldies station playing a lot more 80s and no early 50s or Dooo Wop. The DJs were not brought back (Cousin Brucie, The guy from the Monkees...).
OK
1. Q did not change format.
2. They were forced to save money and they had to take drastic measures.
3. That is it - there is no crow to eat. If they continue to lose money, they will become 104.7 Now of Amp 105. Remember PPM is coming to Tampa as well.
I swear, I am not trying to be a downer.
1. They were on of the top 5 billers in the nation.
2. Top 5 most listened to radio station in the nation.
3. A new CEO wanted to make a name for himself and demonstrate that he was thinking strategically - he believed that the existing format would soon become increasingly difficult to sell.
4. He changed the format to a "Variety Hits" format, ala "Jack-FM" which received a mediocre response in New York.
5. All of the Oldies DJs were fired with no goodbys.
6. Old CEO was brought back and he mandated that CBS should go back to Oldies.
7. CBS FM came back as an Oldies station playing a lot more 80s and no early 50s or Dooo Wop. The DJs were not brought back (Cousin Brucie, The guy from the Monkees...).
OK
1. Q did not change format.
2. They were forced to save money and they had to take drastic measures.
3. That is it - there is no crow to eat. If they continue to lose money, they will become 104.7 Now of Amp 105. Remember PPM is coming to Tampa as well.
I swear, I am not trying to be a downer.
At least under previous management, there were live bodies in the studio. Under new management, Q105 is the automation station. I have tried to listen to the tom kent show - i love the 70s music - but almost everytime, you get dead air, song playing over commercials.........it's a mess.
thank god for CDs because radio is garbage in this town.
and i am not trying to be a downer either.
thank god for CDs because radio is garbage in this town.
and i am not trying to be a downer either.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
If CBS flips Q to CHR, they are up against 93FLZ with strong personalities ( even if they ain't here) and their own WLLD. I've learned enough to see how WLLD and a CHR could be promoted as a package, but I wonder:
1) Can a CHR work as an automated "Jack" like station?
2) Would they hire live people after canning most of the Q staff to save money?
3) Does CBS have enough CHR type people to VT an airstaff like CC seems to do with Seacrest, MJ, and all the cast of characters on the "KISS" stations?
4) Is CBS running a successful long time CHR station anywhere ( Is B96 in Chicago CHR or Churban?)?
1) Can a CHR work as an automated "Jack" like station?
2) Would they hire live people after canning most of the Q staff to save money?
3) Does CBS have enough CHR type people to VT an airstaff like CC seems to do with Seacrest, MJ, and all the cast of characters on the "KISS" stations?
4) Is CBS running a successful long time CHR station anywhere ( Is B96 in Chicago CHR or Churban?)?
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
Another question: If you think Q will fail as an automated station, how do explain all the COX properties and the fact only two flipped since 2001. ( WFJO to WPOI and The Bay to the Eagle) . Do you think PPM will influence COX? Are any of them live all the time not counting overnights ( WHPT, the X)?
H
Horns
Guest
I have to agree with Ferreri about the lack of warmth on the Q. It is hard to put your finger on it, but it is true.
I find the same thing with SJT now. Except for morning live and local talent and a few hours in the afternoon. The music is a little better but the station just doesn't seem local. That was one of the strong points of SJT, they were live and local and tuned in to the community with only overnights being automated.
I find the same thing with SJT now. Except for morning live and local talent and a few hours in the afternoon. The music is a little better but the station just doesn't seem local. That was one of the strong points of SJT, they were live and local and tuned in to the community with only overnights being automated.
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Ferreri
Guest
Horns said:
Thanks! Always nice to have someone agree. Any nostalgia station is dealing with emotions. When a song is played it takes the listener to a place and time. As mentioned, the flow and pace has improved, however, much of what is said just sounds "cardboard". Even attempts at humor, in my opinion, miss the mark. The audio is cold as well and needs a little "punch". Much of that music was played on AM stations that pressed audio against the window. Even a touch of reverb. Some of it was mastered in mono and the electronically re-mastering in stereo at times just takes away from the original feel of the song. You may remember George Harrison taking issue with Beatle songs being re-mastered. Of course, Mason has always had the gift of talking to the listener and sounding like a friend.
the suits who are making the decisions on these stations are forgetting about their most important and valuable resource, the thing that makes their station unique - the people who work there - duh.
SJT sounds like crap because their is nobody there running the ship except for the few hours kathy curtis is there in the morning.
i grew up on radio and it saddens me to see what it has become - progress? more like greed. Companies like CC, CBS, Cox, see they can pipe in content from their other stations in other markets and save money, thus saving on overhead, and yea, i guess that worked for a while. But now, people are tired of listening to a jock in fargo north dakota telling us how sunny it is in Tampa.......HEY MANAGEMENT, SMARTEN UP, LISTENERS ARE NOT STOOPID......
As for the Q, last summer i thought the station sounded great, weekends was all 70s - i am a child of the 70s, that's my era and i love that music - then the new GM comes in and hires some new PD, who 'wants to put his mark on the station,' - well that GM should have seen what the new PD's 'mark' was at his last stop in detroit....it wasn't good, ratings did not improve. In that PD's mind, yea, the station sounds better, but if nobody is listening who cares.
radio used to be a people business, sadly, it's not anymore. just hook up the computer load the songs and tell the DJs in the other markets what to say. And what's the deal with Q105 and WSRZ - both greatest hits stations within 40 miles of each other, playing the same show - tom kent.........has creativity sunk that low. Why not just have Jack Miller play the Tom Kent show, even play the same music if that's what you want, at least jack is live in tampa, taking calls and interacting with the audience......but i guess that doesn't matter anymore.
SJT sounds like crap because their is nobody there running the ship except for the few hours kathy curtis is there in the morning.
i grew up on radio and it saddens me to see what it has become - progress? more like greed. Companies like CC, CBS, Cox, see they can pipe in content from their other stations in other markets and save money, thus saving on overhead, and yea, i guess that worked for a while. But now, people are tired of listening to a jock in fargo north dakota telling us how sunny it is in Tampa.......HEY MANAGEMENT, SMARTEN UP, LISTENERS ARE NOT STOOPID......
As for the Q, last summer i thought the station sounded great, weekends was all 70s - i am a child of the 70s, that's my era and i love that music - then the new GM comes in and hires some new PD, who 'wants to put his mark on the station,' - well that GM should have seen what the new PD's 'mark' was at his last stop in detroit....it wasn't good, ratings did not improve. In that PD's mind, yea, the station sounds better, but if nobody is listening who cares.
radio used to be a people business, sadly, it's not anymore. just hook up the computer load the songs and tell the DJs in the other markets what to say. And what's the deal with Q105 and WSRZ - both greatest hits stations within 40 miles of each other, playing the same show - tom kent.........has creativity sunk that low. Why not just have Jack Miller play the Tom Kent show, even play the same music if that's what you want, at least jack is live in tampa, taking calls and interacting with the audience......but i guess that doesn't matter anymore.
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