Summer Phase II numbers

[Parttimer]

Y108 and 3WS had good months, JAS had a bad one.

Why does 3WS continue to do well? They have lost all of their pacing and music flow, and yet it seems to be working.

1250 had better hope football season breathes some life back into them, they are slowly slipping. For all the sports talk that's on in this town, Ellis Cannon might have as much audience as all the rest of the shows in town combined.

How WBGG manages to not even show book after book is beyond me...even 620 at least shows up!!!!! (I guess more people need answers to their chronic pain and digestive issues than want to hear Dan Patrick and Jim Rome on a daily basis?)

 

[pghfmradiosucks]

1250 ESPN is truly a mixed bag these days. The reuniting of Stan and Guy, in my opinion would have been a brilliant move had they not included Chris Mack. Why is he on the Stan and Guy show? No one is listening for his opinions on anything. He should be moved to the Paulsen, Logan, Crowe train wreck. He would fit in better there.
I long ago gave up on FM radio in this town. I only listen to Sirius for my music. So I can't comment on on the FM stations you mentioned. I'm sure, however, that I am not missing anything by not listening to them.

 

[Boss Radio]

I think Mack's inclusion was their hedge against the older demos that Stan & Guy will attract, Stan especially. The old school listeners are comfortable calling Stan because he treats them with respect. That sort of thing is considered boring by the Madden-ites, so the stations has Mack there to say something rude every now and then.

 

[cingram]

Why does 3WS continue to do well? They have lost all of their pacing and music flow, and yet it seems to be working.

Inertia.

I would gladly take 620 up against them and perhaps steal a point or two (WJPA-AM-FM and the two "Pickles" already have a two share among them) but we're making too much money with the paid programs. There surely must be a large number of dissatisfied oldies listeners in Pittsburgh.

C.

 

[Snafu]

CC could care less abut 970. Its just an relief valve of sorts for sales and programming. If the FCC is really serious about all of this local content stuff (ask me again in November about that) they'll just dump the station and write off the loss.

3WS sounds as if its trying to become a coward's version of Sirius 18 but they are missing the new music element. Its just enough to make people curious, not not enough to really take off. Pittsburgh has never had a truly AAA format.

 

[Parttimer]

Sirius 18 is actually my first choice for music at this point. DVE actually plays more AAA stuff than 3WS does. 3WS is just an awkward mix of their old core and 80's rock.

AS far as DVE is concerned, there's no other rock station I know of that playing the new Black Crowes, for instance.

 

[argentarius]

Why does 3WS continue to do well? They have lost all of their pacing and music flow, and yet it seems to be working.

I would gladly take 620 up against them and perhaps steal a point or two (WJPA-AM-FM and the two "Pickles" already have a two share among them) but we're making too much money with the paid programs.

Ever hear about something called "serving the public trust"? It's in your license. But dollars justify quacks, since it's all about money.

 

[Raymond]

Partimer-

3ws has been evolving. Sure, it's different than when your friend Labrozzi was at the helm, but then again, these times are different. (and your friend Labrozzi was playing it way too safe with the same 200 core songs). Just goes to show, that the audience may have tired of it, too.

Time will tell if this new breed is a success, or just a fluke.

Personally, I think there are odd song sequences and I do think they sound a lot like DVE, but, for the most part I like it.

 

[Parttimer]

You've been reading this board for a while if you know Dave and I are friends, that hasn't come up in a long time (either that or we know each other...).

Actually I seem to remember Dave being the first one to add much in the way of 70's stuff, and to pull it out of the really slow rotations.

Plus there have been two or three different people making music decisions since Dave left. Oldies has to evolve, but there are better ways to do it. Right now I just hear too many O-Jays to Springsteen segues for my taste.

 

[cingram]

Ever hear about something called "serving the public trust"? It's in your license. But dollars justify quacks, since it's all about money.

Ever hear about something called "using your real name"? Yours is a very easy (and cheap) shot to take from behind an anonymous alias.

Bob Stevens ran WHJB as a stand-alone. music-oriented AM for three years. It was pretty rough going. I'm sure we'd like to have a format on 620 that's more competitive in the ratings, but that isn't in the cards right now.

Besides, we have an FM coming.

As for PICAN, we meet all of our obligations and then some. The FCC does not regulate program content (except for indecency/obscenity rules) or formats. A surprising number of people call in when we are airing the alternative-health shows. If you don't like them, tune elsewhere.

C.

 

[cingram]

3WS is just an awkward mix of their old core and 80's rock.

I have gone from being a P1 listener to occasionally turning it on to see what they're doing.

The other night I heard "Nowhere to Run" by Martha & The Vandellas into "Legs" by ZZ Top.

Since I have friends there, I wish them luck with whatever format that is.

C.

 

[corporateradiosucks]

Plus there have been two or three different people making music decisions since Dave left. Oldies has to evolve, but there are better ways to do it. Right now I just hear too many O-Jays to Springsteen segues for my taste.

Agreed. I'm the first person to love trainwreck segues but only when the DJ is somewhat conscious that it IS a trainwreck.

 

[Raymond]

Clarke, how would you program 3WS? What would you differently? Would you have added in those newer songs they've added? These are all serious questions for our family on this forum as I respect your knowledge of radio programming. How would you evolve 3ws?

Partimer, I ask you the same questions. Not because I am in awe of your programming knowledge (heck, I don't know where you've worked or if you've worked in radio). I just want to know what you think Labrozzi should've done when he was there and what current management should do regarding music. Don't you think it sounds a lot like DVE? How can you not have trainwrecks?

Raymond

 

[Parttimer]

Raymond, just so you have a frame of reference I worked at WEEP, Y97and LTJ. But it's been a while..... who knows, we may have worked together.

Labrozzi did exactly what he needed (and wanted) to do at the time. 3WS was mired in the 60s and even still playing 50's stuff. He tested a LOT of 70's and made the first steps to the transition. Even added "Hotel California." Evolving a station with good ratings and billing is tricky, you can't alienate the core audience, it's a process.

The issue now is that they have retained too much of the old 60's stuff, particularly Motown and Philly Soul. I mentioned before an O'Jays to Springsteen segue. How do you eliminate the train wrecks? Quit trying to be BOB-FM. If you want to be DVE Lite then all the R&B stuff pretty much has to go. If you want to play the R&B then the rock product has to lean back to pop hits.

You may argue that this creates a hole for a station playing the songs you drop, but where would that be at this point? WSHH? The new Q won't play much of it, definitely not Star. The reason you move away from it in the first place is the demos are getting too old, 3WS now needs to decide what it is.

 

[cingram]

Clarke, how would you program 3WS? What would you (do) differently? Would you have added in those newer songs they've added? These are all serious questions for our family on this forum as I respect your knowledge of radio programming. How would you evolve 3ws?

I have specific thoughts on this, but the only way those ideas ever get heard is if Clear Channel pays me for them.

(Ain't gonna happen.)

Yes, the station needs to evolve. No, what they're doing now isn't how I'd evolve it.

Has anyone listened to Kenny Woods playing the weekend CCM on WORD-FM? Putting the music aside, they sound more like 3WS than 3WS does.

C.

 

[Boss Radio]

When "oldies" radio existed, it put a premium on playing familiar music. Now 3WS is playing songs I don't recognize because I was listening to oldies radio when they were hits. Weird. 3WS has watered down the morning show, VT'd the rest of the day, yet they're getting better numbers. Also weird.

 

[cingram]

3WS almost sounds like its mixed-up AC days. The music is too loud, but the train-wreck segues, the low-key voice guy, the absence of jingles, and the toned-down air staff -- that's all there.

And, who is competing with 3WS? Is there an oldies station in town? No. A classic hits station? No. A gold-based AC playing plenty of 70s that would give them a run for their ratings? No.

3WS is a 28-year brand operating in a vacuum, and, like DVE, a 38-year brand doing the same, it probably will continue to do well.

C.

 

[Parttimer]

And, who is competing with 3WS? Is there an oldies station in town? No. A classic hits station? No. A gold-based AC playing plenty of 70s that would give them a run for their ratings? No.

That could change, depending on who buys the CBS FMs.

 

[cingram]

That could change, depending on who buys the CBS FMs.

Presuming someone buys the CBS FMs. Given the current state of the economy, I'd say "no sale" is a possibility.

Again, I have very specific thoughts on their situation...but I don't think CBS is going to be hiring me either.

C.

 

[OldSchoolWoman]

If CBS keeps the Pittsburgh cluster, they should flip STAR to Classic Hits like WRBQ and WCBS. Thet still have high power DJ's and lots of jingles. Considering how CC and Cox ( not in Pitt) program stations, I think CBS is still the best of major owners.