Sweet humility....

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Almost through Q111. Not a lot of bragging out there. The guys who thought they were the shizznit are starting to realize they were only as good as the people they hired. And those hires are only as good as the value they bring. The arrogant ones of 2010 will be a bad memory soon enough unless they change to fit the new century.

Who do you see as doing things right these days?

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Ok, I'll start: I think South Central is in a really good position right now. It's family owned, so there's little advantage to making stupid short term moves. On air talent is solid. Little turnover in the building here in Knoxville. Their two 100kw signals are clean and well processed. All they need to do at this point is keep the stations sounding good and keep black ink on the ledger sheets.

Anybody disagree?

 

[Hundredthousandwatts]

What if South Central put John Tesh on 7p-Midnight on B97.5? They might actually get a man to listen after 7pm.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

What if South Central put John Tesh on 7p-Midnight on B97.5? They might actually get a man to listen after 7pm.

And see if they can get Delilah to do a classic rock show on relationships. Controlling significant other? Nugent's Stranglehold, etc.

 

[boogiecheck]

Ok, I'll start: I think South Central is in a really good position right now. It's family owned, so there's little advantage to making stupid short term moves. On air talent is solid. Little turnover in the building here in Knoxville. Their two 100kw signals are clean and well processed. All they need to do at this point is keep the stations sounding good and keep black ink on the ledger sheets.

Anybody disagree?

Yes. They are a shadow of their former self. They have taken their eye off of the ball to focus on the online world and the on-air world. It's only a matter of time until another company swoops in and picks them up for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

In your opinion, is anyone doing things right these days?

 

[boogiecheck]

There are a few doing it "right" these days.

 

[knoxside]

Yes. They are a shadow of their former self. They have taken their eye off of the ball to focus on the online world and the on-air world. It's only a matter of time until another company swoops in and picks them up for pennies on the dollar.

Boogiecheck - you have no idea what you're talking about. South Central is very solid and doing quite well. Those are facts, not armchair speculation.

 

[boogiecheck]

Yes. They are a shadow of their former self. They have taken their eye off of the ball to focus on the online world and the on-air world. It's only a matter of time until another company swoops in and picks them up for pennies on the dollar.

Boogiecheck - you have no idea what you're talking about. South Central is very solid and doing quite well. Those are facts, not armchair speculation.

They may be doing quite well with installation of intercom systems at your local fast-food franchise, but as a radio broadcasting company they've taken their eye off of the ball. What's the first rule? Keep your eye on the ball.

 

[knoxside]

They may be doing quite well with installation of intercom systems at your local fast-food franchise, but as a radio broadcasting company they've taken their eye off of the ball. What's the first rule? Keep your eye on the ball.

You're right, they're doing well with the installation of intercom systems, but they are also doing well in the business of radio. They remain focused on their core business while growing supplemental income in the digital realm. South Central continues to conduct perceptual research as well as do music tests every year for three of their four stations. They have continued to market their properties externally and they treat their employees well. Cowboy said it - there is very "little turnover" and there are good reasons for that. I think if you were to see the Miller Kaplan reports and their growing share of market, you might have a different opinion.

I don't want to get into a pissing match. I just wanted you to know that you are lacking in your facts. However, in the absence of seeing hard evidence I'm sure you'll continue to think what you will regardless of how off base you might be.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

On a more basic level, sure, the people we like are great and the people we don't like are a waste of skin. And yours truly has just as much of an axe to grind as anyone else. We discuss the wrong things each of these guys do constantly. If they were all as poor operators as we say they are, someone would have come in a long time ago and owned the market. If any of them was truly great, one of them would have a 20 share station now.

While I'm sure the following comments will draw sincere criticism and irritate many, you are probably already aware that your annoyance amuses me:

--Citadel Knoxville: WIVK's continued ratings success is a testament to Jim Dick. He knew how to hire good people and get out of their way. And for the longest time those good people knew how to keep that train on its tracks. The best thing Cumulus can do is give that building a good, strong, smart local GM who knows how to build and maintain class-act status. That's a very, very short list. And there are no names on it from inside that building.

--South Central: Could have sold to BigHugeRadioMegaCorp a decade ago. The Engelbrechts could have been up to their necks in hookers, cocaine, and private jets right now with just the interest on the money from the sale. But they're choosing to stay in and operate. Two stations in the top five here. Both of them with live local shows in at least three dayparts every day.

--Journal: Don't know much about them. They seem to be doing pretty well considering their signal disadvantage.

--Johnny Pirkle: Who else do you know who owns such an incredible signal and has an equally impressive GM? Yep, he's got his quirks and he's one of the most independent SOB's on the planet, but he's not stupid. He could've sold out a long time ago and he would have been forgotten five minutes after that. And if you want to see him at his best, just tell him he can't do something. Most of the people who criticize him today do so out of fear of what they know he can do. Big mistake.

 

[boogiecheck]

They may be doing quite well with installation of intercom systems at your local fast-food franchise, but as a radio broadcasting company they've taken their eye off of the ball. What's the first rule? Keep your eye on the ball.

You're right, they're doing well with the installation of intercom systems, but they are also doing well in the business of radio. They remain focused on their core business while growing supplemental income in the digital realm. South Central continues to conduct perceptual research as well as do music tests every year for three of their four stations. They have continued to market their properties externally and they treat their employees well. Cowboy said it - there is very "little turnover" and there are good reasons for that. I think if you were to see the Miller Kaplan reports and their growing share of market, you might have a different opinion.

I don't want to get into a pissing match. I just wanted you to know that you are lacking in your facts. However, in the absence of seeing hard evidence I'm sure you'll continue to think what you will regardless of how off base you might be.

Thanks for listening.

They have stopped being a broadcasting company and have started being a "let us build a website for you" and "we do HDTV installations, TOO!" company. The one thing that put the okra in the skillet and the chicken and gravy on the table at suppertime has been forgotten. The company I am employed by is a Miller Kaplan subscriber. I personally absorb the data as it is delivered. I can't see where you're getting your "facts".

 

[boogiecheck]

On a more basic level, sure, the people we like are great and the people we don't like are a waste of skin. And yours truly has just as much of an axe to grind as anyone else. We discuss the wrong things each of these guys do constantly. If they were all as poor operators as we say they are, someone would have come in a long time ago and owned the market. If any of them was truly great, one of them would have a 20 share station now.

While I'm sure the following comments will draw sincere criticism and irritate many, you are probably already aware that your annoyance amuses me:

--Citadel Knoxville: WIVK's continued ratings success is a testament to Jim Dick. He knew how to hire good people and get out of their way. And for the longest time those good people knew how to keep that train on its tracks. The best thing Cumulus can do is give that building a good, strong, smart local GM who knows how to build and maintain class-act status. That's a very, very short list. And there are no names on it from inside that building.

--South Central: Could have sold to BigHugeRadioMegaCorp a decade ago. The Engelbrechts could have been up to their necks in hookers, cocaine, and private jets right now with just the interest on the money from the sale. But they're choosing to stay in and operate. Two stations in the top five here. Both of them with live local shows in at least three dayparts every day.

--Journal: Don't know much about them. They seem to be doing pretty well considering their signal disadvantage.

--Johnny Pirkle: Who else do you know who owns such an incredible signal and has an equally impressive GM? Yep, he's got his quirks and he's one of the most independent SOB's on the planet, but he's not stupid. He could've sold out a long time ago and he would have been forgotten five minutes after that. And if you want to see him at his best, just tell him he can't do something. Most of the people who criticize him today do so out of fear of what they know he can do. Big mistake.

Citadel - Turned a once invincible local cluster into a vulnerable target. Sure, Jim Dick had had some really great employees, but many of those people have gone on to retire or even run their own companies. I believe that Cumulus will come to the market and return the building to storied position it once held.

South Central - I stopped by Wendy's tonight to order a Frosty. The intercom worked very well. Other than that they're still plugging away and holding down the fort. It's almost a shame though, B97 could take on WIVK with a little better programming.

Journal - What can you say about Journal? They took a successful format, with great ratings and put it on a larger signal and got the same share. Took a historic AC, moved it to the smaller station and it was gone, daddy, gone only to be replaced with the "format of the moment" until they came back to country. They're also the only company with enough fortitude to actually program a R&B station long enough for a payoff.

Johnny Pirkle - Turned his check into a wreck. With the short amount of time they had to get the station up and running their shortcomings were to be expected, but almost a year later and they're still trying to pull the nose cone up. I expect them to do well if they can hold on for a few more years, and the listeners can hold on too.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

You think Cumulus will do something productive in Knoxville?

 

[boogiecheck]

You think Cumulus will do something productive in Knoxville?

Yes. Yes I do. I think they will shake things up a little bit. I've been watching them very closely for several years and they're a player.

 

[Hundredthousandwatts]

Johnny Pirkle - Turned his check into a wreck.

Quote of the month!!!

 

[radman53]

Ahh..the misinformed. South Central has a division called South Central A/V that installs HD TV and drive through systems completely separate from South Central Media.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Ahh..the misinformed. South Central has a division called South Central A/V that installs HD TV and drive through systems completely separate from South Central Media.

Sounds less distracting than when Old Kingston Pike was Peyton Place. Unless the jocks make extra bucks by fixing drive-through headsets.

 

[boogiecheck]

Ahh..the misinformed. South Central has a division called South Central A/V that installs HD TV and drive through systems completely separate from South Central Media.

Ahh..but I am not the "misinformed" one here. They're the same corporation, same name, same, same, same. The broadcasting company is now playing second or even third fiddle to Jr.s' dreams of becoming the next and newest internet tycoon. Let's just forget that the radio and television stations are still going to be that which butters their bread.

 

[knoxside]

Ahh..the misinformed. South Central has a division called South Central A/V that installs HD TV and drive through systems completely separate from South Central Media.

Ahh..but I am not the "misinformed" one here. They're the same corporation, same name, same, same, same. The broadcasting company is now playing second or even third fiddle to Jr.s' dreams of becoming the next and newest internet tycoon. Let's just forget that the radio and television stations are still going to be that which butters their bread.

Boogie, are you stamping your feet in a tantrum when you shout same, same, same? For the record, South Central no longer owns television stations and hasn't for some time. Jr., as you call him, wanted to focus on radio and not be distracted by TV. The radio group continues to prosper here in Knoxville as well as in Nashville and Evansville. Just because the company was smart enough to embrace the digital reality, doesn't mean they took their eyes off of radio. They just grew more eyes!