Seattle Mornings

[radioprofessor]

The changes in the matrix of Seattle morning radio has created some interesting changes after examining the
arbitron extraps ( with demos factored via EBB software) and the market percept of Seattle stations. Here are my brief and humble comments:

KBKS: Music is more prominent and focused than last year. Ratings remain down on the station and in mornings though
perceputal analysis shows some appeal for the morning show they have high negative scores. Troubled
KBSG: The station is all about music in the mornings. Single host AC style show. Lack of personality emphasis is an out of format parameter for this station. Troubled
KCMS: Music in decline, bringing down morning show numbers. Better Than Average
KIRO: Change has driven the morning show to top five. Well ahead of all AM competitors except KJR-AM. New approach has given the station clear advantages of anyone in the format parameter and ratings are following suit. Average plus
KISW: Growing in strength. Show still makes mistakes in execution and lacks consistent effort. Station is growing leading to morning success. Average
KJR-AM: Morning show is number two with men 25-54 in latest trends beaten only by Bob Rivers. Seahawk strength adds to numbers, which are artificially high. Will decline after superbowl. Average
KJR-FM; All music, nothing more. No comment
JACK: All music, nothing more. No comment
KKND: Terrible. Carolla syndication is a massive national failure. Troubled
KKWF: Compete implosion in market perceptual and ratings appeal. The station is dying and will settle into a second
tier country position in middle of market ratings. Troubled
KMTT: Lack of focus in music product and weak morning show perceptors. not good. Troubled
KMPS: Surprising strength with a number 1 extrap 25-54 and 35-64 several times in the last few months. The show benefits from a collapse in appeal of the KKWF Morning show perceptual appeal. Average
KOMO: Show has been repositioned as dull and slow by KIRO. Needs freshening to extend TSL and life. Very ill station. Average
KPLZ: Surprising strength with a number 1 extrap 25-54 women and 18-34 women in Oct and Nov. Overperforming and these are not real numbers for this format which is in national decline. The show executes mechanics well and makes up what they lack in talent with dynamic mechanics. Better than average.
KRWM: No real show, just music. Will have huge fall thanks to Christmas music but will collapse afterward based on format parameters for morning strength and percept image in market that is non-existent No comment
KUBE: Surprising strength and remains number 1 18-34 in mornings. Show is non-market focused providing opportunity for a new show in the demographic to succeed or a revamp of an old show. Average to troubled
KQMV: Movin format is a disaster and is changing mornings and music. Morning show is stuck on a loser. Initial listen of morning show is that it is a stunt. This is not a real radio show. Jackie and Bender have been called "spokane radio" and while I may agree from time to time, the MOVIN show would then be "Little Rock" radio or worse. Very troubled
KZOK: The clear market winner. Focused charity effort and solid ratings. Better than Average


Have seen two full market percepts and watched numbers for six months. In contrast to my posts six months ago I have come to believe that not all shows are just average in Seattle. Bob Rivers delivers a solid product with percept and ratings support while exceeding the format. The Kent and Alan show though aging and goofy at times has grown in percept appeal and ratings over the last six months. These two shows join KCMS mornings as better than average products based on ratings and perceptual information. I congratulate them. Staying above average requires execution and focus.

 

[majoradio]

"Mornings MOVE"
- Gary Crow
====================================
http://www.myspace.com/mikewestvoicework

(look for the SLIDE pic of Crow and West with OZZY!)

 

[radio profit]

Radioprofessor: Very troubled and highly frustrated.

 

[alexanderthepeon]

Much of what I see on this board is very misleading, whether by amateurs or pros with an agenda. Looks to me like radioprof maybe did see research. There are a few things I would question though. Please folks, for once try to be honest. If you don't know, don't make it up.

KKND: Terrible. Carolla syndication is a massive national failure. Troubled

I also find this hard to listen to, but note that in the past year it has had some real rankings. How old was the research, and are you aware of the impressive numbers? Will losing Bonaduce affect it? Or is it just that because its local none of us hear it? CBS did just resign the show. It's also doing OK in Portland. I agree, I don't "like" it, but how is it a massive national failure?

KKWF: Compete implosion in market perceptual and ratings appeal. The station is dying and will settle into a second tier country position in middle of market ratings. Troubled

I'd love to hear why this happened. This thing really took off, then nosedived. Did the howling wear off? Did KMPS actually do anything to turn themselves around? Also, is it fair to say that ENTERCOM is still way better off with an also ran country station than they were with the hard to sell BUZZ eating into KISW.

KUBE: Surprising strength and remains number 1 18-34 in mornings. Show is non-market focused providing opportunity for a new show in the demographic to succeed or a revamp of an old show. Average to troubled

Isn't that new show BJ SHEA? How many here remember how monstrous T-Man used to be adults 25-54. His numbers are a far cry from 5-10 years ago. Anyone on this board actually listen to him recently?

KZOK: The clear market winner. Focused charity effort and solid ratings. Better than Average

Nice to see a post about Rivers that doesn't say he's old, retiring, or losing ground. That's just one of the reasons I think this board has some very dishonest people on it. It has been 25-54 number one for about ten years. It is definately a 35 plus show, but one that hits a very broad target that just happens to be baby boomers. The PPM should be very kind when it appears.

 

[djdan]

Alexander, your post seems genuine and without bias. I will try to respond in the
same way.

Carolla has not performed well in most markets. In Seattle he is not really a factor. He did have a
huge spike in an August extrap (#1 25-54) but typically finishes 10th-15th. For men 25-54 he rarely
finishes in the top five in his own demo. That said, he does perform better than the rest of the station.
Bonaduce is even more of non-factor, though does have some Detroit and LA following.

My view on KMPS is that listeners left, checked out the new station and then came back. KMPS helped their
cause by cutting their commercial load 20% just as the WOLF added more commericials. That said, THE WOLF
is much stronger in ratings and certainly revenue than the BUZZ. Entercom made a good move and this market
can sustain two country stations.

T-Man had 25-54 numbers, but they have declined. However his 18-34 numbers have never been higher. The Fall book has him pacing at a 12 share, five full points ahead of Kent and Alan who are in second. KQMV is pacing third,(but they fired the show. BJ fourth.
KBKS is no longer top five 18-34 in morning drive. BJ seems to be trading numbers with Carolla and Bob Rivers. When Rivers has a down trend, Shea is up. When Carolla disappears, Shea is up. These three are battling for 25-54 males along with KJR-AM, which has moved into the battle this year.

I agree that it is nice to see posts that compliment, albiet backhanded, Bob Rivers, Kent and Alan, KCMS and Ichabod. I also agree that radioprof seems a frustrated consultant, who probably did see some research.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

DJD's comments raise an interesting question ... how are the major owners in town doing with strategy with regard to their clusters? His comments made me think about E/Com, for example, and how KNDD and KISW seem to cannibalize each other, and now with not many other stations to round out the portfolio. Some are successful picking a demo and "owning" it .... Fisher, for example, seeks 30+ ADULTS between their three (and two brokered) signals. CBS, on the other hand, seems to have a strong cross-section so if a buy shows up ... they can offer station that fit. CC also a good cross-section. If any major success can be attributed to Movin (yet) I would say that the big one is that it completely rearranged Sandusky's arsenal so KLSY and WARM and KIXI weren't stepping on each other. Bonneville also seems focused on "mature" adults with the music + N/T products, and has nothing for younger demo. Is that smart?

How do you think the owners are doing?

 

[TakeItFromMe]

it ain't over til its over folk
In my experience it takes a good couple of years for a morning show to beat an
established honcho in the market. WOLF started strong, pulled back, but ain't out of the game
by any means Don't write off BJ either. Both of these shows have made huge gains in
just two years 8) Compare that to Carolla, who started about the same time :-[ How about
compared to Jackie and Bender who have been at it for seven years and ain't a blip on the radar :-[
MOVIN has been through three shows in the same two years

Yo cowboys, I think WOLF and KISW got KMPS and KZOK right where they want em. As for THE END, try
this one on for size: MODERN AC with Lazlo in the Morning. That should put a meat thermometer in KPLZ's
ole morning show Guys would come first and the ladies will follow. Rivers, Kent and Alan and Ichabod
ain't safe just quite yet

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

As for THE END, try this one on for size: MODERN AC with Lazlo in the Morning. That should put a meat thermometer in KPLZ's
ole morning show Guys would come first and the ladies will follow. Rivers, Kent and Alan and Ichabod
ain't safe just quite yet

Uh huh. Another post declaring the "old fogeys" dead and buried. Guess some people never learn the way it really is in Seattle.

 

[yoyo205]

it ain't over til its over folk
In my experience it takes a good couple of years for a morning show to beat an
established honcho in the market. WOLF started strong, pulled back, but ain't out of the game
by any means Don't write off BJ either. Both of these shows have made huge gains in
just two years 8) Compare that to Carolla, who started about the same time :-[ How about
compared to Jackie and Bender who have been at it for seven years and ain't a blip on the radar :-[
MOVIN has been through three shows in the same two years

Yo cowboys, I think WOLF and KISW got KMPS and KZOK right where they want em. As for THE END, try
this one on for size: MODERN AC with Lazlo in the Morning. That should put a meat thermometer in KPLZ's
ole morning show Guys would come first and the ladies will follow. Rivers, Kent and Alan and Ichabod
ain't safe just quite yet

Good to hear from you F-I-T with a Z!

 

[talkerdjdude]

KIRO: Change has driven the morning show to top five. Well ahead of all AM competitors except KJR-AM. New approach has given the station clear advantages of anyone in the format parameter and ratings are following suit. Average plus
KOMO: Show has been repositioned as dull and slow by KIRO. Needs freshening to extend TSL and life. Very ill station. Average

My interest is in AM radio, which should tell you I'm over 45 cause who else listens to AM. I mostly agree with the assessment of KIRO and KOMO, although I wonder what KJR is doing that you think puts them ahead of KIRO. If you're a hard core sports nut, maybe. I like the changes at KIRO. Their morning show zips along, although the female anchor screams the news and is getting a little long in the tooth for me. I like her substitute anchor much better and it sounds like Greg does too. Better chemistry. KOMO was a good idea when it started, but it's executed poorly and if they lose the Mariner's contract they won't be able to pull in a decent audience in any desirable demo.

 

[Bongwater]

The changes in the matrix of Seattle morning radio has created some interesting changes after examining the
arbitron extraps ( with demos factored via EBB software) and the market percept of Seattle stations. Here are my brief and humble comments:

"KBKS: Music is more prominent and focused than last year. Ratings remain down on the station and in mornings though
perceputal analysis shows some appeal for the morning show they have high negative scores. Troubled"

Everything is in CHR these days.....

"KBSG: The station is all about music in the mornings. Single host AC style show. Lack of personality emphasis is an out of format parameter for this station. Troubled"

Sooner hear that than a lame "morning zoo" A single person that can hold on his/her own? My hat is off!

"KCMS: Music in decline, bringing down morning show numbers. Better Than Average"

Has THIS music EVER been popular? Not just amongst the Jesus-Freaks, but EVER? Granted the crossovers (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Kathy Triccoli, Stryper, Sixpence None The Richer, DC Talk, et al) But really, it gets really tedious having to hear totally ambiguous, asexual lyrics. That's the crap they play in China, not HERE in America.

"KIRO: Change has driven the morning show to top five. Well ahead of all AM competitors except KJR-AM. New approach has given the station clear advantages of anyone in the format parameter and ratings are following suit. Average plus"

Anything Entercom did on AM radio in the morning in Seattle was bound to fail.

"KISW: Growing in strength. Show still makes mistakes in execution and lacks consistent effort. Station is growing leading to morning success. Average"

KISW has kicked major ass lately. BJ still RULES!!

KJR-AM: Morning show is number two with men 25-54 in latest trends beaten only by Bob Rivers. Seahawk strength adds to numbers, which are artificially high. Will decline after superbowl. Average

F--- it, bring back Pat O'Day

KJR-FM; All music, nothing more. No comment

(See KJR-AM comment)

"JACK: All music, nothing more. No comment"

All wasteland.

"KNDD: Terrible. Carolla syndication is a massive national failure. Troubled"

Yawn! Where is Jim Keller where you REALLY need him?

"KKWF: Compete implosion in market perceptual and ratings appeal. The station is dying and will settle into a second
tier country position in middle of market ratings. Troubled"

First off, with all the bones and pee stains (not to mention that HORRIBLE smell) accumulated in the Entercom studios since "The Wolf" signed on have not done much to improve the land values of 1800 Olive overall. And the snarling, nipping and howling at potential sales do not help. The meat trucks do not help. Get rid of it. My suggestion? Change it to B/EZ and get the KSEA calls back.

"KMTT: Lack of focus in music product and weak morning show perceptors. not good. Troubled"

I have four letters - K E Z X. May I also add Peyton Mays? Deal with it.

"KMPS: Surprising strength with a number 1 extrap 25-54 and 35-64 sev"eral times in the last few months. The show benefits from a collapse in appeal of the KKWF Morning show perceptual appeal. Average"

KMPS has a legacy. Cousins have married for years in the shadow of it's studios and it ain't gonna change now. It's here to stay. Just like a John Deere tractor in Skagit County. Used to drive one whilst listening to KMPS when I was living there-try it! It's fun....

"KOMO: Show has been repositioned as dull and slow by KIRO. Needs freshening to extend TSL and life. Very ill station. Average"

KOMO has went from from meatloaf to steak whilst KIRO has went the other direction.

"KPLZ: Surprising strength with a number 1 extrap 25-54 women and 18-34 women in Oct and Nov. Overperforming and these are not real numbers for this format which is in national decline. The show executes mechanics well and makes up what they lack in talent with dynamic mechanics. Better than average."

What the hell are we talking about here? A Seattle radio station or a Japanese car?

"KRWM: No real show, just music. Will have huge fall thanks to Christmas music but will collapse afterward based on format parameters for morning strength and percept image in market that is non-existent No comment"

When you have a station that is run by elves from the North Pole 45-50 days a year, you're not only doing a hell of a lot a lot better, you got some bragging rights (plus an inside connection to Santa. So watch it..)

"KUBE: Surprising strength and remains number 1 18-34 in mornings. Show is non-market focused providing opportunity for a new show in the demographic to succeed or a revamp of an old show. Average to troubled"

AVERAGE KUBE LISTENER TRANSLATION: Yo punkass haters wanna step to dat? Well then throw down! Shorty think he flailin' on da Rollin' 93 G's but it's on-BEEYATCH!

KQMV: Movin format is a disaster and is changing mornings and music. Morning show is stuck on a loser. Initial listen of morning show is that it is a stunt. This is not a real radio show. Jackie and Bender have been called "spokane radio" and while I may agree from time to time, the MOVIN show would then be "Little Rock" radio or worse. Very troubled

AVERAGE KQMV LISTENER TRANSLATION: Like what da f---?

"KZOK: The clear market winner. Focused charity effort and solid ratings. Better than Average"

Not like they didn't KNOW that.....


"Have seen two full market percepts and watched numbers for six months. In contrast to my posts six months ago I have come to believe that not all shows are just average in Seattle. Bob Rivers delivers a solid product with percept and ratings support while exceeding the format. The Kent and Alan show though aging and goofy at times has grown in percept appeal and ratings over the last six months. These two shows join KCMS mornings as better than average products based on ratings and perceptual information. I congratulate them. Staying above average requires execution and focus."

Obviously, you have a lot to learn about WHO listens to the radio in Seattle. They ain't yuppies no more (the yuppies all love satellite XM/Sirius radio now.) Terrestrial radio is for the rest of us low budget lowbrows with FM recievers.

 

[slickkicker]

I've given up on being morning-centric. Actually I never was a morning type listener anyway. AM drive hosts don't dictate how I approach a certain station and dial position.

I've never listened to Rivers for example even though I spend some TSL with his station. To me he's boring. The End has personality without the personality and while the morning show is OK the rest of the day just blows. When I tune to The End or KISW I'm inevitably disappointed. As I said I'm not morning-centric. I'm music-centric.

Therefore I implore the local programmers to give license regarding the secondary channels and let the more music-centric personnel in the building develop, execute, compliment and define a new era and medium. I still havn't felt the urge to get into HD when I already know that I'll be disappointed by the latest offerings.

There's a lot of research geeks posting here who's boss' career revolves around the success, or failure, of a morning team. Radio operates 24/7. "Live Rock" on KISW's HD channel sounds like the most boring, brain-dead approach imaginable from a large market programming enterprise more concerned with the latest "extraps" at 99.9 as compared to being a truly lifestyle driven approach centered around the arts and music.