Seattle-Tacoma/Seacrest IN at KISS 106 Starting 1/12/09

[SeattleRadioPro]

Old news: http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,117803.0.html

 

[djdan]

It is old news but really a first for Seattle radio, at least that I can remember. Syndicated shows on FM outside of mornings or nights on a major signal. It may be amusing to the members of this board as Jackie and Bender count down the days on the air to their contract ending, I think they said 80 or something in passing this week. It may be amusing to see a local talent reduced to a board op for Ryan Seacrest's syndicated show. I don't see it that way. I remember the local jocks on my favorite stations growing up, it got me into radio. I remember meeting them for the first time and winning something or getting to be on the radio as a caller. Guess that is old school and doesn't count for much in this new world.

My question to programmers on this board: will KBKS really be a better station with a Clear Channel Syndicated morning show, Ryan Seacrest mid-days and maybe one local shift? It is certainly the direction that has worked in AM radio with Rush, Sean and others delivering very strong ratings in their dayparts. I guess a part of me wants to think that local talent and radio has a place and can beat syndicated shows. Maybe Seacrest will be number one in mid-day on FM, if so Clear Channel made a smart move. To me it seems like a short-sighted money move. I noticed John Tesh is now on mornings and afternoons on lots of stations. Does that mean Kent and Alan are headed for the door when their contract expires. What about the growing number of syndicated rock morning shows? Is Bob Rivers done at the end of his contract? What about BJ Shea. T-Man?

I guess when Delilah and Tesh started at night many thought it wouldn't work and it seems to do well on FM here and across the country. Mornings, mid-days and afternoons look like they are next. As I close in on 40, I am remembering the days of Andy Savage on the END, Robin and Maynard, Slaton, Mike West even the CHR war ofCharlie and Ty versus Kent and Alan. Maybe that kind of radio is done. If syndication is cheaper and it wins, why not? Even though I am not a fan of KBKS jocks, they do have fans and they will be missed.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

It is old news but really a first for Seattle radio, at least that I can remember. Syndicated shows on FM outside of mornings or nights on a major signal.

Psssst. I won't share that with Tom Leykis if you don't.

 

[radioprofessor]

Tom Leykis is not on any FM Music stations that I am aware of in Seattle, but to the point. Seacrest show is a brilliant move by Clear Channel, as is their evening syndication and national morning show syndication, in my humble opinion. Let's do the math:

Seacrest is paid ten million for syndication.
Clear Channel is clearing the show on 400 stations including all of the top twenty.
The station provides 4 units an hour which Clear Channel sells across the syndication for 10,000 to 20,000 dollars per unit. ( a great value since an LA spot alone could cost 2 grand)
That is 80,000 an hour, 240,000 a day, 60,000,000 a year. 40,000,000 profit less the 10,000,000 to Seacrest and commissions.

That doesn't count the cost savings in each market for eliminating talent. You may not like the national syndication parameter, but it makes money. Seacrest will clear 40,000,000 for Clear Channel after expenses. Ratings are not critical. As long as KBKS can generate a 2 share 18-34 in mid-days the model works because it is a national aggregate rating CPP. In mornings the dollars are even greater for syndication and the cost savings to each market greater.

Get it now. The national chains will syndicate reducing costs locally and create a high margin revenue stream nationally. In major markets they will use two or three stations in a cluster for syndication and keep a couple local based. In small markets all will be syndication. Game, set, match! Localism loses but this all about dollars in my humble view.