It's heeeeeeeeeeeere!
And I think we can all agree on the big story of the book. Magic 103.9. Frankly, I thought this was another Cumulus disaster waiting to happen. Seems I was wrong. 6th in the market 12+, up over five total shares. My question - how did this happen? Signal is improved, but not the best. You've got a juggernaut in Love 101.1 as competition. They've tried the format before and it flopped. I don't believe there was much of a marketing push. I'm kind of at a loss here, but that's besides the point. I'm going to slap the whore and congratulate Cumulus, although they've got a long way to go, they're in extremely good shape with this move.
The weirdest part, though, is that Love didn't even remotely suffer as a result of Magic's launch. Which brings me to my next point - they're actually up, now in the double digits and #1 in the market. I'll bet they're looking over their shoulder now, but they should be happy, this is a testament to a job well done on CC's part.
So who took the brunt of Magic's launch? Looks like that would be WSOK. They're down to their lowest numbers in a good while. I don't think they're going anywhere anytime soon, but I'll be interested in watching their ratings over the next few books.
I'd say the second major story would be the disaster that is Adventure at the moment. DAMN. Where do I even begin? Well, let's try their highest rated station, Rock 106-1, a ridiculous excuse for an Alternative station (I heard Kid Rock - "Cowboy" at 7PM tonight. WHAT?). Then we have Gator, which is down to levels embarrassing for a signal that large and a format like that. Next we have JACK-FM, which is actually up, but that doesn't really say anything for them anyway - like I said with 'GZR, there is no excuse for a signal like that to have ratings like that. NONE. Then, 107.9 The Coast. I didn't understand this move when they made it six months ago, and having seen the reaction and the ratings, I now understand it even less. Why would they kill off a station that is doing well? Same reason they killed off Oldies, I guess, and we all know how that worked out... now ESPN Radio. Wait a minute, who? Yep, they actually made a showing in the book this time around. Higher ratings than some of their FM's too. Such as The Drive, which I actually thought would be somewhat successful upon its initial launch. Well, it's tanking. Are they going to flip again? Maybe, but to what? Finally, Wave 104.9. Now, they actually have something of an excuse - I can't even pick them up on my home stereo at all sometimes - which is a shame, since I like their product.
Point is, that cluster is looking very weak right about now. As much as people rag on Cumulus, the truth is that they do have some successful stations within the market. E-93, Kix 96, I-95, now Magic...Triad would kill to have ratings like that for any of their stations. I'm expecting some big changes in the not-so-distant future for them.
What else? I-95 had another good book. Both WBMQ and WTKS are down, but the latter is winning that battle for the time being. Q is flat. Non-Christmas River is down slightly. And finally, KISSFM is still trouncing Z102.
I wonder what would happen if the latter went Rhythmic, a la their sister KCHZ in Kansas City. Maybe even *real* Alternative to kill of WFXH. If Cumulus were smart, they'd focus their energy on WZAT, since most of their other major stations actually seem to be doing well. KISSFM sounds vastly superior to their competitor at the moment, their airstaff is solid and the new night show seems to be improving the more I hear it. The only thing I could pretty much say is the same thing I've been saying throughout their whole existence, which is LIGHTEN UP ON THE DAMN RECURRENTS DURING THE DAYTIME! They've gotten better about it, but if I hear that Crossfade song one more time my radio is going out the window. Give something new a try. Other than that, they're sounding good. Better than a good number of larger market CHR's I can name.
DISCUSS!
And I think we can all agree on the big story of the book. Magic 103.9. Frankly, I thought this was another Cumulus disaster waiting to happen. Seems I was wrong. 6th in the market 12+, up over five total shares. My question - how did this happen? Signal is improved, but not the best. You've got a juggernaut in Love 101.1 as competition. They've tried the format before and it flopped. I don't believe there was much of a marketing push. I'm kind of at a loss here, but that's besides the point. I'm going to slap the whore and congratulate Cumulus, although they've got a long way to go, they're in extremely good shape with this move.
The weirdest part, though, is that Love didn't even remotely suffer as a result of Magic's launch. Which brings me to my next point - they're actually up, now in the double digits and #1 in the market. I'll bet they're looking over their shoulder now, but they should be happy, this is a testament to a job well done on CC's part.
So who took the brunt of Magic's launch? Looks like that would be WSOK. They're down to their lowest numbers in a good while. I don't think they're going anywhere anytime soon, but I'll be interested in watching their ratings over the next few books.
I'd say the second major story would be the disaster that is Adventure at the moment. DAMN. Where do I even begin? Well, let's try their highest rated station, Rock 106-1, a ridiculous excuse for an Alternative station (I heard Kid Rock - "Cowboy" at 7PM tonight. WHAT?). Then we have Gator, which is down to levels embarrassing for a signal that large and a format like that. Next we have JACK-FM, which is actually up, but that doesn't really say anything for them anyway - like I said with 'GZR, there is no excuse for a signal like that to have ratings like that. NONE. Then, 107.9 The Coast. I didn't understand this move when they made it six months ago, and having seen the reaction and the ratings, I now understand it even less. Why would they kill off a station that is doing well? Same reason they killed off Oldies, I guess, and we all know how that worked out... now ESPN Radio. Wait a minute, who? Yep, they actually made a showing in the book this time around. Higher ratings than some of their FM's too. Such as The Drive, which I actually thought would be somewhat successful upon its initial launch. Well, it's tanking. Are they going to flip again? Maybe, but to what? Finally, Wave 104.9. Now, they actually have something of an excuse - I can't even pick them up on my home stereo at all sometimes - which is a shame, since I like their product.
Point is, that cluster is looking very weak right about now. As much as people rag on Cumulus, the truth is that they do have some successful stations within the market. E-93, Kix 96, I-95, now Magic...Triad would kill to have ratings like that for any of their stations. I'm expecting some big changes in the not-so-distant future for them.
What else? I-95 had another good book. Both WBMQ and WTKS are down, but the latter is winning that battle for the time being. Q is flat. Non-Christmas River is down slightly. And finally, KISSFM is still trouncing Z102.
I wonder what would happen if the latter went Rhythmic, a la their sister KCHZ in Kansas City. Maybe even *real* Alternative to kill of WFXH. If Cumulus were smart, they'd focus their energy on WZAT, since most of their other major stations actually seem to be doing well. KISSFM sounds vastly superior to their competitor at the moment, their airstaff is solid and the new night show seems to be improving the more I hear it. The only thing I could pretty much say is the same thing I've been saying throughout their whole existence, which is LIGHTEN UP ON THE DAMN RECURRENTS DURING THE DAYTIME! They've gotten better about it, but if I hear that Crossfade song one more time my radio is going out the window. Give something new a try. Other than that, they're sounding good. Better than a good number of larger market CHR's I can name.
DISCUSS!
