Ted-FM rumors?

[talkers]

I heard on the street that Ted-FM is dropping the music to go to talk...anyone else heard this rumor and if so any truth to it?

 

[xmusicmatt]

> I heard on the street that Ted-FM is dropping the music to
> go to talk...anyone else heard this rumor and if so any
> truth to it?
>


With all the talk in Columbus already, WTVN and WTPG, I dont see how TEDFM would do well at Talk, consdiering the weak signal they put over most of Columbus.

--Matt<P ID="signature">______________
Program Director/Music Director
X Music Online
The X
Today's Best Music
http://www.xmusiconline.com/</P>

 

[radiogeek07]

I think he's thinking of something like a FreeFM thing but with Bob and Tom anchoring mornings and then other stuff throughout the day? Don and Mike perhapse?

 

[ajhenderson]

> I think he's thinking of something like a FreeFM thing but
> with Bob and Tom anchoring mornings and then other stuff
> throughout the day? Don and Mike perhapse?

Well, that would solve the inability to get a signal in stereo problem, wouldn't it?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

> Well, that would solve the inability to get a signal in
> stereo problem, wouldn't it?
>

Hardly...unless perhaps they went fulltime mono, and we know that would never happen. I think reliable, uninterrupted reception is even more important to continuity-dependent talk than to music formats. When I'm driving around the Short North or downtown, or using an office radio, Ted doesn't simply lose stereo separation, it sounds noisy. I personally hope Ted stays with its current format, but even if they change I'd be floored if the change were to talk.<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[wscx200]

> > Well, that would solve the inability to get a signal in
> > stereo problem, wouldn't it?
> >
>
> Hardly...unless perhaps they went fulltime mono, and we know
> that would never happen. I think reliable, uninterrupted
> reception is even more important to continuity-dependent
> talk than to music formats. When I'm driving around the
> Short North or downtown, or using an office radio, Ted
> doesn't simply lose stereo separation, it sounds noisy. I
> personally hope Ted stays with its current format, but even
> if they change I'd be floored if the change were to talk.
>
I've been hearing rumors of a change, but I don't know what. Personally I would change WMNI to talk. Maybe, I mean maybe it would be a good idea to put the standards format on 103.9 and talk on 920. In my opinion, a comedy talk format would be the way to go, they can start the day with Bob & Tom (on either signal). A comedy station would do well here. Plus then maybe the Funny Bone would actually advertise

 

[CMHDave]

> I heard on the street that Ted-FM is dropping the music to
> go to talk...anyone else heard this rumor and if so any
> truth to it?
>

Interesting rumor. Has Columbus ever had an FM talker? I can't remember there ever being one but I don't know history like most of the people on the boards here.

 

[nate]

Rumors are going around CC Cleveland that a FM Talk station maybe coming to Cleveland. WMMS and WTAM PM Drive shows even swapped studios on-air for about 15 minutes a few days ago.

Some of the speculation is based around speculation of a CBS station flipping an FM to talk. It may just be a matter of who pulls the trigger first (if at all).

 

[Radioma18]

> > > Well, that would solve the inability to get a signal in
> > > stereo problem, wouldn't it?
> > >
> >
> > Hardly...unless perhaps they went fulltime mono, and we
> know
> > that would never happen. I think reliable, uninterrupted
> > reception is even more important to continuity-dependent
> > talk than to music formats. When I'm driving around the
> > Short North or downtown, or using an office radio, Ted
> > doesn't simply lose stereo separation, it sounds noisy. I
>
> > personally hope Ted stays with its current format, but
> even
> > if they change I'd be floored if the change were to talk.
> >
> I've been hearing rumors of a change, but I don't know what.
> Personally I would change WMNI to talk. Maybe, I mean maybe
> it would be a good idea to put the standards format on 103.9
> and talk on 920. In my opinion, a comedy talk format would
> be the way to go, they can start the day with Bob & Tom (on
> either signal). A comedy station would do well here. Plus
> then maybe the Funny Bone would actually advertise
>
They could pick up Curt Boster and Steve Cannon.

 

[urbanradio]

> Rumors are going around CC Cleveland that a FM Talk station
> maybe coming to Cleveland. WMMS and WTAM PM Drive shows
> even swapped studios on-air for about 15 minutes a few days
> ago.
>
> Some of the speculation is based around speculation of a CBS
> station flipping an FM to talk. It may just be a matter of
> who pulls the trigger first (if at all).
>


Back to the Ted subject... Personally if they do make the switch I will be glad. Now what I'm about to say may sound stupid or even funny but they should switch to a CHR/Rhythmic station. They don't got the biggest signal but it's worth a shot. Go with Doug Banks in the morning or even a local morning show. I think Columbus radio is an embarrassment to the city and should be changed. Currently, I live in Dayton and we got better radio stations and we're in a smaller market! If a Ted guy is reading this, switch to CHR/Rhythmic or Urban. LOL.<P ID="signature">______________
Fever 98
Your 10 In A Row Hit Music Station
http://216.12.162.58:8110/listen.pls
http://kiss9850.tripod.com/fever98</P>

 

[wscx200]

> > Rumors are going around CC Cleveland that a FM Talk
> station
> > maybe coming to Cleveland. WMMS and WTAM PM Drive shows
> > even swapped studios on-air for about 15 minutes a few
> days
> > ago.
> >
> > Some of the speculation is based around speculation of a
> CBS
> > station flipping an FM to talk. It may just be a matter
> of
> > who pulls the trigger first (if at all).
> >

>
>
> Back to the Ted subject... Personally if they do make the
> switch I will be glad. Now what I'm about to say may sound
> stupid or even funny but they should switch to a
> CHR/Rhythmic station. They don't got the biggest signal but
> it's worth a shot. Go with Doug Banks in the morning or even
> a local morning show. I think Columbus radio is an
> embarrassment to the city and should be changed. Currently,
> I live in Dayton and we got better radio stations and we're
> in a smaller market! If a Ted guy is reading this, switch to
> CHR/Rhythmic or Urban. LOL.
>
That is a good idea for listeners and ratings. However , let us not forget about the business end. Urban stations are hard to sell due to the young skewing demos. Remember it's ALL ABOUT 25-54 (skewing women of course).
I'd like to hear another urban like Z93 in Dayton here. I think it would do well.

I also think a comedy talk station would do very well, if I haven't metioned it. Talk has a future in local commercial radio. People are getting their music from other sources.

 

[wscx200]

> > > Rumors are going around CC Cleveland that a FM Talk
> > station
> > > maybe coming to Cleveland. WMMS and WTAM PM Drive shows
>
> > > even swapped studios on-air for about 15 minutes a few
> > days
> > > ago.
> > >
> > > Some of the speculation is based around speculation of a
>
> > CBS
> > > station flipping an FM to talk. It may just be a matter
>
> > of
> > > who pulls the trigger first (if at all).
> > >
>
> >
> >
> > Back to the Ted subject... Personally if they do make the
> > switch I will be glad. Now what I'm about to say may sound
>
> > stupid or even funny but they should switch to a
> > CHR/Rhythmic station. They don't got the biggest signal
> but
> > it's worth a shot. Go with Doug Banks in the morning or
> even
> > a local morning show. I think Columbus radio is an
> > embarrassment to the city and should be changed.
> Currently,
> > I live in Dayton and we got better radio stations and
> we're
> > in a smaller market! If a Ted guy is reading this, switch
> to
> > CHR/Rhythmic or Urban. LOL.
> >
> That is a good idea for listeners and ratings. However , let
> us not forget about the business end. Urban stations are
> hard to sell due to the young skewing demos. Remember it's
> ALL ABOUT 25-54 (skewing women of course).
> I'd like to hear another urban like Z93 in Dayton here. I
> think it would do well.
>
> I also think a comedy talk station would do very well, if I
> haven't metioned it. Talk has a future in local commercial
> radio. People are getting their music from other sources.
>
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something. North American did the "jack" format SO HALF-ASSED it failed. No one, not even the people that work there listen to it. The booth sits empty all day and night and weekend and a computer plays the tunes. It is set up to reconzie beats per minute I assume, but only a human could program a station like that. If NABCO didn't have complete disregard for that signal, it could be so much more. The Eagle could have been what the Brew is now (or better). But NABCO insists on taking the cheap way out. Well, that catches up with you when all the advertisers finally turn their back on you.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

> Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something. North American did
> the "jack" format SO HALF-ASSED it failed.

Barring occasional lapses, Ted's music mix is far less boring than most stations of this type. In fact, one of the stations they sound closest to is KBPA Bob-FM in Austin, which has been one of star sations in this format. Even KBPA's "down" books are solid. But it's Bob's other assets, notably a great signal, that make all the difference. I don't think the music is the problem at all. Ted has a great, immensely listenable, upbeat music mix which usually does a great job of delivering on the variety promise.

>No one, not even the people that work there listen to it.
Oh, so we don't need the ratings to tell us who is listening? Which is sure not to say that ratings paint a pretty picture for Ted, with the largest impediment to ratings being the signal. It doesn't matter how good the music is if other problems can't be fixed.

> The booth sits empty all day and night and weekend and a computer plays the
> tunes.

Aren't almost all the Jack/Bob-type stations in the U.S. jockless, including the highly successful ones?

> It is set up to reconzie beats per minute I assume,
> but only a human could program a station like that.

>If NABCO didn't have complete disregard for that signal,
If they have disregard for that signal, why were they trying to upgrade it?

>it could be so much more. The Eagle could have been what the Brew is now
> (or better).
But not without the Brew's superior signal.

>But NABCO insists on taking the cheap way out.
Bob & Tom aren't cheap. CC does a lot of voicetracking. This is 2006. (Not that I disagree with the basic idea that stations can shoot themselves in the foot when they wrecklessly cut too many corners to save a few bucks, instead of investing in their future.)

> Well, that catches up with you when all the advertisers
> finally turn their back on you.
All the advertisers care about is whether you're delivering enough customers relative to advertising cost. In general (there are some specialized exceptions) they don't care how or why you are able/unable to deliver.<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[wscx200]

I usually enjoy your posts. However, I did not submit my last post to be evaluated or broken down by you or anyone else for that matter. I do not see what qualifies you in any way answer or rebut to anyone's post.

I know this is your favorite station. I also know you were one of the biggest critics of the previous format, the Eagle. I can tell you that I know a great deal about this particular subject matter.

-The "jack" or Bob - NABCO copied the idea, re-named it copyrighted it to avoid paying any sort of franchising or royalty fees, etc.

-They neglect the signal-not from an FCC standpoint. They are actually doing all they can to get the upgrade. But the Blitz seems to always have something going on that takes precedence. When you have one program dir, promotions dir and one GM, you do the math.

-They do it haf-assed. The computer runs the station. It could be off the air for minutes or even hours and no one would know. It has happened. A common problem for all stations that run jockless.

-The jockless point. It has been proven time and time again that 1. something that works somewhere else might not work in Columbus 2. You will only get so far without jocks. No station has ever done well in Columbus jockless (case study: Eagle towards the end). 3. The ratings are bad, not many will advertise. Most of the ads you hear on there are sold as a combo with the Blitz or through relationships that the sales staff has. They have re-separated the sales staff, so maybe you will hear some more local, small business ads, I haven't listened so I couldn't tell ya.

-Signal. It makes a ton of difference. However, that frequency used to get around or just below a 2 share regularly. The ratings once you broke them down were decent or even pretty good in some cases. (.7's to 1.0's)
The point is, if you put something someone wants to hear on a signal, they will tune in to get it. The good thing Nabco did (months and months and months after Ted signed on) was start streaming. That station should be cuming 80,000 -100,000 a week. If they listened for 5 hours (which would be a low TSL compared to other stations and you could expect that with this particular format) they would be looking at a 2.8 to 3.5 share. A success would have been 2.5 or better and anything less, unfortunately is a failure.

Time for them to let go, admit it didn't work for reasons in AND out of their control and try to come up with something else.



Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something. North American did
>
> > the "jack" format SO HALF-ASSED it failed.
>
> Barring occasional lapses, Ted's music mix is far less
> boring than most stations of this type. In fact, one of the
> stations they sound closest to is KBPA Bob-FM in Austin,
> which has been one of star sations in this format. Even
> KBPA's "down" books are solid. But it's Bob's other assets,
> notably a great signal, that make all the difference. I
> don't think the music is the problem at all. Ted has a
> great, immensely listenable, upbeat music mix which usually
> does a great job of delivering on the variety promise.
>
> >No one, not even the people that work there listen to it.
> Oh, so we don't need the ratings to tell us who is
> listening? Which is sure not to say that ratings paint a
> pretty picture for Ted, with the largest impediment to
> ratings being the signal. It doesn't matter how good the
> music is if other problems can't be fixed.
>
> > The booth sits empty all day and night and weekend and a
> computer plays the
> > tunes.
>
> Aren't almost all the Jack/Bob-type stations in the U.S.
> jockless, including the highly successful ones?
>
> > It is set up to reconzie beats per minute I assume,
> > but only a human could program a station like that.
>
> >If NABCO didn't have complete disregard for that signal,
> If they have disregard for that signal, why were they trying
> to upgrade it?
>
> >it could be so much more. The Eagle could have been what
> the Brew is now
> > (or better).
> But not without the Brew's superior signal.
>
> >But NABCO insists on taking the cheap way out.
> Bob & Tom aren't cheap. CC does a lot of voicetracking.
> This is 2006. (Not that I disagree with the basic idea that
> stations can shoot themselves in the foot when they
> wrecklessly cut too many corners to save a few bucks,
> instead of investing in their future.)
>
> > Well, that catches up with you when all the advertisers
> > finally turn their back on you.
> All the advertisers care about is whether you're delivering
> enough customers relative to advertising cost. In general
> (there are some specialized exceptions) they don't care how
> or why you are able/unable to deliver.
>

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

> I usually enjoy your posts.
Thanks, I enjoy yours, too, including the one I mostly disagreed with and was replying to. I also fully respect your opinions, including those in the last post and this one (with one exception, mentioned below). That doesn't mean I can't disagree.

>However, I did not submit my
> last post to be evaluated or broken down by you or anyone
> else for that matter.
It's called a discussion. That's what you (or me or anyone) are setting yourself up for when you post, especially when it's not just a sentence or two. It's a common mode of response in a *discussion* board like this. It's like having an everyday conversation where you say something, then I respond, and vice versa, and the process continues. We obviously can't do it "live" since it's not in-person or chat. Sometimes this is just the clearest way to respond. Other times (prehaps usually), that kind of blow-by blow response isn't needed to get the point across.

>I do not see what qualifies you in any
> way answer or rebut to anyone's post.
Now THAT is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You have to qualify to voice an opinion or reply to someone elses?? Anyone can reply. Did I miss the qualification exam or prerequisites page when I registered for the Radio-Info board? Oh, brother... Is your beef here that I you thought I was too harsh or making a personal attack? If that's how you took it, believe me, it was not the intention and I apologize. Maybe I should have worded some points differently.

> I know this is your favorite station.
Yes, or more precisely my favorite Columbus-area station.

>I also know you were
> one of the biggest critics of the previous format, the Eagle.
No I wasn't. You must be confusing me with someone else.

>I can tell you that I know a great deal about this
> particular subject matter.
> -The "jack" or Bob - NABCO copied the idea, re-named it
> copyrighted it to avoid paying any sort of franchising or
> royalty fees, etc.

Yes they did, like dozens and dozens of other similar stations including some of the most successful ones...Arch, Louie, Fickle, Mike and on and on and on. (Those are just a few medium and large market examples.)

> -They neglect the signal-not from an FCC standpoint. They
> are actually doing all they can to get the upgrade. But the
> Blitz seems to always have something going on that takes
> precedence. When you have one program dir, promotions dir
> and one GM, you do the math.

Good point.

> -They do it haf-assed. The computer runs the station. It
> could be off the air for minutes or even hours and no one
> would know. It has happened. >A common problem for all stations that run jockless.

Yeah, I remember the time Delilah suddenly took over Ted's airwaves for about 15 minutes. But you're actually giving more support to the possibility that it's not necessarily the format or the music that's the problem. Changing format could be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

> The jockless point. It has been proven time and time again
> that 1. something that works somewhere else might not work
> in Columbus
True, and vice versa is also true.

2. You will only get so far without jocks. No
> station has ever done well in Columbus jockless (case study:
> Eagle towards the end).

Interesting point, but I don't know that it's always true. The old jockless Arrow 105.7 did real well relative to the weak Marysville signal they had in the mid-nineties. They hovered around a 2 12+.

3. The ratings are bad, not many
> will advertise. Most of the ads you hear on there are sold
> as a combo with the Blitz or through relationships that the
> sales staff has. They have re-separated the sales staff, so
> maybe you will hear some more local, small business ads, I
> haven't listened so I couldn't tell ya.

Sounds like you have more inside info on this than I do, other than the poor 12+ ratings which of course anyone can see,

> -Signal. It makes a ton of difference. However, that
> frequency used to get around or just below a 2 share
> regularly. The ratings once you broke them down were decent
> or even pretty good in some cases. (.7's to 1.0's)

Remember that the competitive landscape has changed since then.

> The point is, if you put something someone wants to hear on
> a signal, they will tune in to get it.
This seems to be truer for reaction formats that appeal to people whose lives revolve more around music, so it would apply more to youth-oriented formats. Example: Back in the mid-nineties when WNCI bordered on Hot AC much more than it does today (believe it or not), 105.7 and 107.1 made some impressive gains with rhythmic and broader mainstream CHR. And that's before 105.7's signal upgrade, of course. Adult-oriented formats, especially AC, really need a strong signal and good promotion/advertising to meet their potential. The Jack/Bob/Ted format is definitely an adult format with its roots in Hot AC and Classic Hits.

> The good thing Nabco
> did (months and months and months after Ted signed on) was
> start streaming. That station should be cuming 80,000
> -100,000 a week. If they listened for 5 hours (which would
> be a low TSL compared to other stations and you could expect
> that with this particular format) they would be looking at a
> 2.8 to 3.5 share. A success would have been 2.5 or better
> and anything less, unfortunately is a failure.

I just don't see how that station can get much above a 2 with its current signal no matter what they do. Even a reaction format wouldn't have as much potential as in the nineties. And now with 103.5 upgrading, Ted may be wiped out or easy to miss on even more radios.

> Time for them to let go, admit it didn't work for reasons in
> AND out of their control and try to come up with something
> else.

Well, as I you know I still hope they don't change format. But I respect your right to feel differently.

BTW, I'm sorry if replying point-by-point (again) is offensive to you for some reason. Once again, this just seemed like the easiest and clearest way to reply in this situation. I'm still not so sure why you took offense. I disagree with you on some points, but I fully respect your opinions (except the one above implying I have no right to voice an opinion), and your right to state them.

And again, most of my praise of Ted is with regard to the music (and also some production and positioning elements...plus the fact that they actually brought something truly *different* to Columbus).

> Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something. North American did
> >
> > > the "jack" format SO HALF-ASSED it failed.
> >
> > Barring occasional lapses, Ted's music mix is far less
> > boring than most stations of this type. In fact, one of
> the
> > stations they sound closest to is KBPA Bob-FM in Austin,
> > which has been one of star sations in this format. Even
> > KBPA's "down" books are solid. But it's Bob's other
> assets,
> > notably a great signal, that make all the difference. I
> > don't think the music is the problem at all. Ted has a
> > great, immensely listenable, upbeat music mix which
> usually
> > does a great job of delivering on the variety promise.
> >
> > >No one, not even the people that work there listen to it.
>
> > Oh, so we don't need the ratings to tell us who is
> > listening? Which is sure not to say that ratings paint a
> > pretty picture for Ted, with the largest impediment to
> > ratings being the signal. It doesn't matter how good the
> > music is if other problems can't be fixed.
> >
> > > The booth sits empty all day and night and weekend and
> a
> > computer plays the
> > > tunes.
> >
> > Aren't almost all the Jack/Bob-type stations in the U.S.
> > jockless, including the highly successful ones?
> >
> > > It is set up to reconzie beats per minute I assume,
> > > but only a human could program a station like that.
> >
> > >If NABCO didn't have complete disregard for that signal,
>
> > If they have disregard for that signal, why were they
> trying
> > to upgrade it?
> >
> > >it could be so much more. The Eagle could have been what
> > the Brew is now
> > > (or better).
> > But not without the Brew's superior signal.
> >
> > >But NABCO insists on taking the cheap way out.
> > Bob & Tom aren't cheap. CC does a lot of voicetracking.
> > This is 2006. (Not that I disagree with the basic idea
> that
> > stations can shoot themselves in the foot when they
> > wrecklessly cut too many corners to save a few bucks,
> > instead of investing in their future.)
> >
> > > Well, that catches up with you when all the advertisers
> > > finally turn their back on you.
> > All the advertisers care about is whether you're
> delivering
> > enough customers relative to advertising cost. In general
>
> > (there are some specialized exceptions) they don't care
> how
> > or why you are able/unable to deliver.
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[wscx200]

My mistake. I didn't mean to come off defensive. you make some good points. I suppose I'm frustrated with the way some radio owners operate their stations. They want all the ad dollars and are willing to do little to adjust to changing climates to earn those dollars.
I didn't mean to say you shouldn't have a voice. I was just refering to the Ted situation, not radio in general.


I usually enjoy your posts.
> Thanks, I enjoy yours, too, including the one I mostly
> disagreed with and was replying to. I also fully respect
> your opinions, including those in the last post and this one
> (with one exception, mentioned below). That doesn't mean I
> can't disagree.
>
> >However, I did not submit my
> > last post to be evaluated or broken down by you or anyone
> > else for that matter.
> It's called a discussion. That's what you (or me or anyone)
> are setting yourself up for when you post, especially when
> it's not just a sentence or two. It's a common mode of
> response in a *discussion* board like this. It's like
> having an everyday conversation where you say something,
> then I respond, and vice versa, and the process continues.
> We obviously can't do it "live" since it's not in-person or
> chat. Sometimes this is just the clearest way to respond.
> Other times (prehaps usually), that kind of blow-by blow
> response isn't needed to get the point across.
>
> >I do not see what qualifies you in any
> > way answer or rebut to anyone's post.
> Now THAT is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You
> have to qualify to voice an opinion or reply to someone
> elses?? Anyone can reply. Did I miss the qualification
> exam or prerequisites page when I registered for the
> Radio-Info board? Oh, brother... Is your beef here that I
> you thought I was too harsh or making a personal attack? If
> that's how you took it, believe me, it was not the intention
> and I apologize. Maybe I should have worded some points
> differently.
>
> > I know this is your favorite station.
> Yes, or more precisely my favorite Columbus-area station.
>
> >I also know you were
> > one of the biggest critics of the previous format, the
> Eagle.
> No I wasn't. You must be confusing me with someone else.
>
> >I can tell you that I know a great deal about this
> > particular subject matter.
> > -The "jack" or Bob - NABCO copied the idea, re-named it
> > copyrighted it to avoid paying any sort of franchising or
> > royalty fees, etc.
>
> Yes they did, like dozens and dozens of other similar
> stations including some of the most successful ones...Arch,
> Louie, Fickle, Mike and on and on and on. (Those are just a
> few medium and large market examples.)
>
> > -They neglect the signal-not from an FCC standpoint. They
> > are actually doing all they can to get the upgrade. But
> the
> > Blitz seems to always have something going on that takes
> > precedence. When you have one program dir, promotions dir
> > and one GM, you do the math.
>
> Good point.
>
> > -They do it haf-assed. The computer runs the station. It
> > could be off the air for minutes or even hours and no one
> > would know. It has happened. >A common problem for all
> stations that run jockless.
>
> Yeah, I remember the time Delilah suddenly took over Ted's
> airwaves for about 15 minutes. But you're actually giving
> more support to the possibility that it's not necessarily
> the format or the music that's the problem. Changing format
> could be throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
>
> > The jockless point. It has been proven time and time again
>
> > that 1. something that works somewhere else might not work
>
> > in Columbus
> True, and vice versa is also true.
>
> 2. You will only get so far without jocks. No
> > station has ever done well in Columbus jockless (case
> study:
> > Eagle towards the end).
>
> Interesting point, but I don't know that it's always true.
> The old jockless Arrow 105.7 did real well relative to the
> weak Marysville signal they had in the mid-nineties. They
> hovered around a 2 12+.
>
> 3. The ratings are bad, not many
> > will advertise. Most of the ads you hear on there are sold
>
> > as a combo with the Blitz or through relationships that
> the
> > sales staff has. They have re-separated the sales staff,
> so
> > maybe you will hear some more local, small business ads, I
>
> > haven't listened so I couldn't tell ya.
>
> Sounds like you have more inside info on this than I do,
> other than the poor 12+ ratings which of course anyone can
> see,
>
> > -Signal. It makes a ton of difference. However, that
> > frequency used to get around or just below a 2 share
> > regularly. The ratings once you broke them down were
> decent
> > or even pretty good in some cases. (.7's to 1.0's)
>
> Remember that the competitive landscape has changed since
> then.
>
> > The point is, if you put something someone wants to hear
> on
> > a signal, they will tune in to get it.
> This seems to be truer for reaction formats that appeal to
> people whose lives revolve more around music, so it would
> apply more to youth-oriented formats. Example: Back in the
> mid-nineties when WNCI bordered on Hot AC much more than it
> does today (believe it or not), 105.7 and 107.1 made some
> impressive gains with rhythmic and broader mainstream CHR.
> And that's before 105.7's signal upgrade, of course.
> Adult-oriented formats, especially AC, really need a strong
> signal and good promotion/advertising to meet their
> potential. The Jack/Bob/Ted format is definitely an adult
> format with its roots in Hot AC and Classic Hits.
>
> > The good thing Nabco
> > did (months and months and months after Ted signed on) was
>
> > start streaming. That station should be cuming 80,000
> > -100,000 a week. If they listened for 5 hours (which would
>
> > be a low TSL compared to other stations and you could
> expect
> > that with this particular format) they would be looking at
> a
> > 2.8 to 3.5 share. A success would have been 2.5 or better
> > and anything less, unfortunately is a failure.
>
> I just don't see how that station can get much above a 2
> with its current signal no matter what they do. Even a
> reaction format wouldn't have as much potential as in the
> nineties. And now with 103.5 upgrading, Ted may be wiped
> out or easy to miss on even more radios.
>
> > Time for them to let go, admit it didn't work for reasons
> in
> > AND out of their control and try to come up with something
>
> > else.
>
> Well, as I you know I still hope they don't change format.
> But I respect your right to feel differently.
>
> BTW, I'm sorry if replying point-by-point (again) is
> offensive to you for some reason. Once again, this just
> seemed like the easiest and clearest way to reply in this
> situation. I'm still not so sure why you took offense. I
> disagree with you on some points, but I fully respect your
> opinions (except the one above implying I have no right to
> voice an opinion), and your right to state them.
>
> And again, most of my praise of Ted is with regard to the
> music (and also some production and positioning
> elements...plus the fact that they actually brought
> something truly *different* to Columbus).
>
> > Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something. North American did
>
> > >
> > > > the "jack" format SO HALF-ASSED it failed.
> > >
> > > Barring occasional lapses, Ted's music mix is far less
> > > boring than most stations of this type. In fact, one of
>
> > the
> > > stations they sound closest to is KBPA Bob-FM in Austin,
>
> > > which has been one of star sations in this format. Even
>
> > > KBPA's "down" books are solid. But it's Bob's other
> > assets,
> > > notably a great signal, that make all the difference. I
>
> > > don't think the music is the problem at all. Ted has a
> > > great, immensely listenable, upbeat music mix which
> > usually
> > > does a great job of delivering on the variety promise.
> > >
> > > >No one, not even the people that work there listen to
> it.
> >
> > > Oh, so we don't need the ratings to tell us who is
> > > listening? Which is sure not to say that ratings paint
> a
> > > pretty picture for Ted, with the largest impediment to
> > > ratings being the signal. It doesn't matter how good
> the
> > > music is if other problems can't be fixed.
> > >
> > > > The booth sits empty all day and night and weekend
> and
> > a
> > > computer plays the
> > > > tunes.
> > >
> > > Aren't almost all the Jack/Bob-type stations in the U.S.
>
> > > jockless, including the highly successful ones?
> > >
> > > > It is set up to reconzie beats per minute I assume,
> > > > but only a human could program a station like that.
> > >
> > > >If NABCO didn't have complete disregard for that
> signal,
> >
> > > If they have disregard for that signal, why were they
> > trying
> > > to upgrade it?
> > >
> > > >it could be so much more. The Eagle could have been
> what
> > > the Brew is now
> > > > (or better).
> > > But not without the Brew's superior signal.
> > >
> > > >But NABCO insists on taking the cheap way out.
> > > Bob & Tom aren't cheap. CC does a lot of voicetracking.
>
> > > This is 2006. (Not that I disagree with the basic idea
> > that
> > > stations can shoot themselves in the foot when they
> > > wrecklessly cut too many corners to save a few bucks,
> > > instead of investing in their future.)
> > >
> > > > Well, that catches up with you when all the
> advertisers
> > > > finally turn their back on you.
> > > All the advertisers care about is whether you're
> > delivering
> > > enough customers relative to advertising cost. In
> general
> >
> > > (there are some specialized exceptions) they don't care
> > how
> > > or why you are able/unable to deliver.
> > >
> >
>