That's right it was Rich (I think Rick worked at another station). Rich and Colleen. And Ben Davis, Jamie and Matt. Theyre coming back to me now. I've listen to WMGI off and on for years and those names bring back memories.
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In my personal opinion, here's what I've heard over the past 3 months.
WTHI-The music and personalities are getting a little stale. I don't think this will hurt their chances of being #1 in the market again, but maybe down the road it may hurt their overall ratings. As always, their promotions are great and they're always out and about.
WWVR-Bob and Tom are doing very well, and will probably be the #1 or #2 Morning show in the market. The rest of the day, the jocks don't seem to care. I realize that part of that is the image of the station, but if you're talking about a promotion that you will be doing, don't talk about it and then immediately go into the prerecorded spot about the same event. Also, I've been hearing a lot of misfires. The jock will start a song, something will happen, and he'll either start the same song over again or just dump into something else. I know I'm being picky. Great promotions, though, and they're usually very visible as well.
WWSY-I've been listening to this station quite a bit lately, and I still don't know about it. It should do fairly well in the book, but they really need to play more familiar songs. I heard three songs in a row last week that I didn't recognize. I could figure out who it was, but I wasn't familiar with the songs. At least one of every three should be a household name. In my opinion. I never see these people doing any promotions.
WBOW-Not fond of the morning show, but the rest of the day isn't bad for background music while you're doing your taxes. I'm just not sure how well it fills any hole in the market. They need to get out more and be visible.
WMGI-In one quarter hour, I heard Nickelback, Daughtry, and Shinedown. I thought I was listening to the River! They are good about getting out there, though. And their promotions are generally decent.
WTHI-The music and personalities are getting a little stale. I don't think this will hurt their chances of being #1 in the market again, but maybe down the road it may hurt their overall ratings. As always, their promotions are great and they're always out and about.
WWVR-Bob and Tom are doing very well, and will probably be the #1 or #2 Morning show in the market. The rest of the day, the jocks don't seem to care. I realize that part of that is the image of the station, but if you're talking about a promotion that you will be doing, don't talk about it and then immediately go into the prerecorded spot about the same event. Also, I've been hearing a lot of misfires. The jock will start a song, something will happen, and he'll either start the same song over again or just dump into something else. I know I'm being picky. Great promotions, though, and they're usually very visible as well.
WWSY-I've been listening to this station quite a bit lately, and I still don't know about it. It should do fairly well in the book, but they really need to play more familiar songs. I heard three songs in a row last week that I didn't recognize. I could figure out who it was, but I wasn't familiar with the songs. At least one of every three should be a household name. In my opinion. I never see these people doing any promotions.
WBOW-Not fond of the morning show, but the rest of the day isn't bad for background music while you're doing your taxes. I'm just not sure how well it fills any hole in the market. They need to get out more and be visible.
WMGI-In one quarter hour, I heard Nickelback, Daughtry, and Shinedown. I thought I was listening to the River! They are good about getting out there, though. And their promotions are generally decent.
Good assessments, informant. I am dating myself a bit, but I do know most of the songs on The Valley, but I could see where a lot of people would have no clue. I think this station did it's best several years ago, when they were Y-96. They were out a lot, and were very interactive on the air. Now, not so much. Good music, decent jocks, but hardly any interaction, if at all.
I would agree with that. They did seem to be out more a few years ago, but now I think that stations share jocks so it might harder to swing since Mix 100.7 is out a lot.radiomic812 said:
F
fyemattluecking
Guest
I believe Rich is out in Nebraska now. Julie still pops up around town every now and again doing some radio for the love of the business. Ben Davis is in Louisville on WDJX on mornings with Kelly, Steve Smith is on Y102 in Montgomery, AL doing afternoons. I just visited Steve down there for the Montgomery Jubilee festival with Three Doors down and Darius Rucker. He is doing a good job down there. Beau I believe is in Florida last time I talked to him. Jamie Dawson is working for the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, and I am working at WZPL on weekends in Indy for 4 years now and still help WBOW on occasion, and just recently started in the banking world at THSB. I believe life is good for all of the above. I believe Tara is working on going back to school to be a teacher, but that was last I heard. In case there isn't a 15 year reunion for the station, I thought I would get that out there. Mix has survived almost 15 years in the same format, and that is something to be proud of in these times of radio stations flipping all the time. The book will be interesting as it always is. Who knows where the diaries will fall, and what will happen. Hi-99 wins, it's just a matter of by how many shares.
K
kcbeav51
Guest
It's hard to say if there will be a 15 year reunion at Mix FM. Not many people there anymore from the good ole' days. I think Kyle, Will and myself are the only ones that have been there for any length of time now, and I am just a weekend guy these days... I'm not sure Bill has any interest of doing anything for the 15 year anniversary, but i've been wrong before. 
kcbeav51 said:It's hard to say if there will be a 15 year reunion at Mix FM. Not many people there anymore from the good ole' days. I think Kyle, Will and myself are the only ones that have been there for any length of time now, and I am just a weekend guy these days... I'm not sure Bill has any interest of doing anything for the 15 year anniversary, but i've been wrong before.
I guess Kyle has been there for more than a year or two, how long has he been on Mix? I know before that he was afternoons on 95.9 and nights on the last version of 107.5. He used to spend a lot of time with my niece when she went to ISU in 01 & 02. Met him once, he seemed like an OK guy, but he was pretty young then. Chuck, what time is your weekend show on, I will have to tune in, I remember you on Mix FM a long time ago!
I remember listening to the Mix FM 10 year reunion on air, it was fun and brought back some good memories. If they could get Mike Eckels, Bo Richards, Steve Smith, Ben Davis, Jamie Dawson, Julie, and Matt to come for a day that would be some fun radio.
C
cspotrun
Guest
PTBoardOp94 said:
do they have a consultant? or did they dream up this brilliant format.
K
kcbeav51
Guest
radiomic812 said:kcbeav51 said:It's hard to say if there will be a 15 year reunion at Mix FM. Not many people there anymore from the good ole' days. I think Kyle, Will and myself are the only ones that have been there for any length of time now, and I am just a weekend guy these days... I'm not sure Bill has any interest of doing anything for the 15 year anniversary, but i've been wrong before.
I guess Kyle has been there for more than a year or two, how long has he been on Mix? I know before that he was afternoons on 95.9 and nights on the last version of 107.5. He used to spend a lot of time with my niece when she went to ISU in 01 & 02. Met him once, he seemed like an OK guy, but he was pretty young then. Chuck, what time is your weekend show on, I will have to tune in, I remember you on Mix FM a long time ago!
I remember listening to the Mix FM 10 year reunion on air, it was fun and brought back some good memories. If they could get Mike Eckels, Bo Richards, Steve Smith, Ben Davis, Jamie Dawson, Julie, and Matt to come for a day that would be some fun radio.
I am on Sunday nights from 6-midnight. Thanks for listening! =)
somewhat suprised...WBOW and WWSY who I thought both would be down go up, and WWVR and WIBQ I thought would go up went down. Midwest managed to do WORSE after the format change. Maybe they should have just left country on. Odd both WTHI and WMGI are down in the same book, usually doesn't happen often.
So listeners went from where to where?
Some certainly went from WTHI-FM to WBOW-FM.
Probably some from WMGI to WWSY
Some from WIBQ to WTHI-FM
Some from WTHI-FM and WWVR to WIBQ
This is the first book I remember where the River wasn't in the top 3. Smulyan can't catch a break in any of his markets
Some certainly went from WTHI-FM to WBOW-FM.
Probably some from WMGI to WWSY
Some from WIBQ to WTHI-FM
Some from WTHI-FM and WWVR to WIBQ
This is the first book I remember where the River wasn't in the top 3. Smulyan can't catch a break in any of his markets
F
fyemattluecking
Guest
I would be very interested to see how Delilah rated. Maybe people needed some positive news in their life with the shape the economy is in? I think this has to be the 1st time in a long time that River is 4th, let alone tied for 4th. WTHI is still solid, and Mix took a little bit of a hit. It looks like the race is getting much closer for 3rd-10th. I'll say it's only one book, as I am sure many will say after this post, but it was an interesting one.
I'm guessing that The River listeners went to WWSY. I also thinking that Dial Global and Delilah had great impact on WBOW. I would also like to know how the morning show faired on WBOW to. Crossroads needs to do something with the Crock, the mixture of country and rock hasen't worked in the last several books. Any predictions on what may happen to the stations that dropped?
I would also like to know how the morning show compared to one another. Maybe Dial Global did better for WBOW than us "experts" thought? As fyemattluecking said, it's just one book, but interesting to see the major fluctuations. WTHI stays on top, but drops. Mix continues to fluctuate big time and maybe the valley finally got it right? Always interesting.
K
kentuckymedia
Guest
WTHI - Country has been up and down all over the country. Some areas where country typically does well it did worse, and others where country isn't king it actually stoped other formats. Country has a huge male cume that are loyal diary after diary unless a News/Talk FM comes to the market. In that case, Country Male Cume goes down the crapper.
WMGI - I kinda called this one. It still did well, you must remember that. However I think they let someone handle music that must have once learned how to use an I-Pod and thinks its the same thing as a radio station or has never seen Selector in their life, yikes! That station musically is all over the place and they need someone that knows what they are doing handle the music. Any cume loss travled over to WCBH.
WBOW - Ummm, wow! I think im speechless. I mean, you have to realize that this was going to happen. Their biggest goal was to wedge their way closer to WMGI and WWSY. They did it and did it well. WBOW got a kiss this book hands down, but dont underestimate this station, its a great format with decent execution for the most part. Its going to be a player if they lay their cards right.
WWSY - Congrats to this station as well. It sounds great! Its a fun hybrid Gold based AC with a nice Classic Hits vibe to it. Definatly where the WINH females went to, plus it held itself well with men. Sewed up a lot of the loose 25-54 demographic and they really sound great!
WWVR - I dont know, its kinda not good to be honest. I mean, I feel bad! Its a good station, maybe this will force them to be a little more proactive and become a better community radio station? Emmis thinks Terre Haute as a tax write off which it is, but it would be nice if this market got a little more lovin!
WIBQ - slllluuuuuurrrrrrpppp.....here that nice sucking sound? Thats the drain effect with men and WTHI. Its a good concept, but you gotta remember its a NEWS/TALK FM. The thing with it, money, money, money money! Thats what these stations are good for, and so it should be. WIBQ should be the clusters biggest biller by end of year hands down. Great shows, great product.
As for the rest. WSDM needs to figure something out. I would maybe look at going young country and just bash the hell out of WTHI's younger end. Thats really what they need to do, but it will be interesting?
WMGI - I kinda called this one. It still did well, you must remember that. However I think they let someone handle music that must have once learned how to use an I-Pod and thinks its the same thing as a radio station or has never seen Selector in their life, yikes! That station musically is all over the place and they need someone that knows what they are doing handle the music. Any cume loss travled over to WCBH.
WBOW - Ummm, wow! I think im speechless. I mean, you have to realize that this was going to happen. Their biggest goal was to wedge their way closer to WMGI and WWSY. They did it and did it well. WBOW got a kiss this book hands down, but dont underestimate this station, its a great format with decent execution for the most part. Its going to be a player if they lay their cards right.
WWSY - Congrats to this station as well. It sounds great! Its a fun hybrid Gold based AC with a nice Classic Hits vibe to it. Definatly where the WINH females went to, plus it held itself well with men. Sewed up a lot of the loose 25-54 demographic and they really sound great!
WWVR - I dont know, its kinda not good to be honest. I mean, I feel bad! Its a good station, maybe this will force them to be a little more proactive and become a better community radio station? Emmis thinks Terre Haute as a tax write off which it is, but it would be nice if this market got a little more lovin!
WIBQ - slllluuuuuurrrrrrpppp.....here that nice sucking sound? Thats the drain effect with men and WTHI. Its a good concept, but you gotta remember its a NEWS/TALK FM. The thing with it, money, money, money money! Thats what these stations are good for, and so it should be. WIBQ should be the clusters biggest biller by end of year hands down. Great shows, great product.
As for the rest. WSDM needs to figure something out. I would maybe look at going young country and just bash the hell out of WTHI's younger end. Thats really what they need to do, but it will be interesting?
I kind of disagree with you about WBOW... I have no idea what the breakdowns are, and I have no way of ever seeing them, but if you look at Terre Haute thru the last 15 years A/C has never done consistently well in Terre Haute. Why do you think it has been 3 or 4 years since we have had a true A/C? Everyone knows it's a country and rock town. Yes they had a nice 12 + number in the spring, but I think before we claim it's going to be a major player in the market we need to see if they can do it for more than one book. Plus we all need to remember it's Crossroads. They most likely will find a way to screw it up. I'm going to refrain comment on 92.7 for obvious reasons right now.
Also, bummer of a book for both Emmis and Midwest. Both Emmis stations took hits. Time for a change for The River? If I were them I would consider sticking to Classic Rock. I wouldn't worry about Hi-99, they will probably be back at a 24 share next book.
For Midwest, WIBQ was down from what the country station they canned did, and WMGI took a hit as well. I think all the turnover finally has hurt WMGI. I think they definitely sound like they are a step back from last fall, and the loss of 3 + shares is well deserved. Me and my kids were in the car Saturday afternoon driving home from a family day at Turkey Run and the jock that was on around 3 was just terrible. My kids didn't seem to mind, since it's their music, but it drove me nuts! The jock sounded like he could have cared less. Everything he said was bland, it almost sounded like a satellite show without content. Kind of sad, I remember when the jocks on that station had a personality. Now outside of a couple, I'm not so sure they do anymore. I don't know enough about the music to comment on it, but my kids knew each song the hour we had it on.
My biggest kudos go to WWSY. You can tell they have made an effort. That is my choice of music to listen to when I'm in my car without the kids (can't pick it up well in buildings here in Sullivan though), and you can tell the music has gone through a subtle, yet effective freshening. A lot of the unfamiliar songs are gone, and replaced with the best stuff from the late 60's through the late 80's. I still miss Danny Wayne each day, he is an old buddy of mine, but I really enjoy Natalie each day. It seems like it's the only station the folks on 3rd street gave an effort to this past book. Does Midwest have different PD's for each station or is it all done via corporate office?
Also, bummer of a book for both Emmis and Midwest. Both Emmis stations took hits. Time for a change for The River? If I were them I would consider sticking to Classic Rock. I wouldn't worry about Hi-99, they will probably be back at a 24 share next book.
For Midwest, WIBQ was down from what the country station they canned did, and WMGI took a hit as well. I think all the turnover finally has hurt WMGI. I think they definitely sound like they are a step back from last fall, and the loss of 3 + shares is well deserved. Me and my kids were in the car Saturday afternoon driving home from a family day at Turkey Run and the jock that was on around 3 was just terrible. My kids didn't seem to mind, since it's their music, but it drove me nuts! The jock sounded like he could have cared less. Everything he said was bland, it almost sounded like a satellite show without content. Kind of sad, I remember when the jocks on that station had a personality. Now outside of a couple, I'm not so sure they do anymore. I don't know enough about the music to comment on it, but my kids knew each song the hour we had it on.
My biggest kudos go to WWSY. You can tell they have made an effort. That is my choice of music to listen to when I'm in my car without the kids (can't pick it up well in buildings here in Sullivan though), and you can tell the music has gone through a subtle, yet effective freshening. A lot of the unfamiliar songs are gone, and replaced with the best stuff from the late 60's through the late 80's. I still miss Danny Wayne each day, he is an old buddy of mine, but I really enjoy Natalie each day. It seems like it's the only station the folks on 3rd street gave an effort to this past book. Does Midwest have different PD's for each station or is it all done via corporate office?
B
Bill Cain
Guest
I am the Operations Manager for the Midwest Communications Group in Terre Haute and I also am the Brand Manager (PD) for WMGI & WIBQ. I was previously the PD for 95.9 from '99-'04 and launched both Sunny 95.9 & Y96 before I left. I have been back since July of last year and was running the stations prior to and during the Fall Book. I am very happy that my new PD on 95.9 The Valley had a great book and she deserves all the attention she is getting. She has worked very hard to develop the station and it sounds great. Kudos’ to Natalie.
I believe your question was do we have our own PD’s or is it done from Corp. I assure you that all of the programming is done 100% local.
Thanks for the observations but you obviously don’t know anyone on our staff. It is the same PD, APD, Promotions Director & MD as last book (when we got the 12+ share)...so how do we deserve to take a 3 share drop?
I believe your question was do we have our own PD’s or is it done from Corp. I assure you that all of the programming is done 100% local.
Thanks for the observations but you obviously don’t know anyone on our staff. It is the same PD, APD, Promotions Director & MD as last book (when we got the 12+ share)...so how do we deserve to take a 3 share drop?
I've worked at WMGI/WWSY since 2002, and have done nights on WMGI since 2005, and it seems every 3 or 4 books there is a sizable 12 plus drop on Mix. The numbers always rebound pretty quickly, and it just worked out the drop was this time. Radiomic, if you have the info or ability to look back in the past, you will always find that Mix has a very good 2-book average, and that number is usually somewhere between 10 & 11. I will trust a 2-Book average over a single book anytime(Unless there is a format change). The 2-book avg for Mix over the last year is a 10.9, which is a number I think is about right, and feel it's pretty good. Obviously you strive for better, but sometimes it is what it is, and we all know this is a country town.
It's funny, I talked with my old co-worker and PD Jamie Dawson on Sunday, and we talked about the same thing. Knee jerk reactions over so few diaries returned in one rating period are silly. If you can find a trend over a period of time, you have a much better idea where you stand. If you know what the hell you are doing, you should be able to tell how your station sounds by listening to it objectively, doing music research, and talking with your listeners. Personally, I think we stand pretty damn good right now.
It's been a tough year for me personally, I've seen my two best friends in Jamie and Ryan Ross, and another good friend in Julie all leave, which as many of you know, is not a fun situation to have to deal with. However, I have been lucky to meet some great new people, and make some more new friends both on and off the job that all know what they are doing.
It's funny, we didn't drop much more than some others in the market, but everyone on here is so concerned with us. We will be just fine, Me, Bill, and the rest of the crew will make sure of that.
Kyle West
Nights/WMGI
It's funny, I talked with my old co-worker and PD Jamie Dawson on Sunday, and we talked about the same thing. Knee jerk reactions over so few diaries returned in one rating period are silly. If you can find a trend over a period of time, you have a much better idea where you stand. If you know what the hell you are doing, you should be able to tell how your station sounds by listening to it objectively, doing music research, and talking with your listeners. Personally, I think we stand pretty damn good right now.
It's been a tough year for me personally, I've seen my two best friends in Jamie and Ryan Ross, and another good friend in Julie all leave, which as many of you know, is not a fun situation to have to deal with. However, I have been lucky to meet some great new people, and make some more new friends both on and off the job that all know what they are doing.
It's funny, we didn't drop much more than some others in the market, but everyone on here is so concerned with us. We will be just fine, Me, Bill, and the rest of the crew will make sure of that.
Kyle West
Nights/WMGI
Kyle, I don't have the ability to look back, I only see just whatever is posted online, but what you say for a heritage station like Hi 99 or Mix FM, trusting the 2 bk average makes a lot of sense, I have never really looked at it that way. Good luck, and keep up the good work Bill and Kyle. I'm glad you guys posted on here.
K
kentuckymedia
Guest
Typically Mix FM pulls in the 9 share range and thats all it did was leveled back to its home playing field, and thats okay! The station hasn't had HUGE numbers in years, and thats because of all the random competition in the market and via other sources.
If you break out the cume vs. TSL you can see a cume erosion due to music. It's called carryover and thats something that WBOW has improved on in the last book as where WMGI did not.
As for turnover, you can't blame the numbers on turnover. Sure its not a good thing to have consistant turnover on any radio station, all that does is hurt loyalty and brand development, however if they keep the current staff in place on Mix I think they have great things going for them.
Going back to the music, its not rocket science here. Rhythmic CHR in Terre Haute doesn't work. It's good to spice those hits in as "secret sauce" but a white-bread CHR in a town like Terre Haute should take their playbook from KRBE Houston or WDJX Louisville, not WJFX Fort Wayne. Jesse James being played as a current, someone should be looking over their Selector with a fine tooth comb. Take examples from Tracy Austin and Jeremy Rice! WMGI was playing the hell out of Beyonce-Diva when it was a stiff from the very beginning. That just means picking the wrong hits.
Im not going to play armchair quarterback, I have to many stations to consult to think about doing that, however utilize the CHR ladder effect. It should build out on a visa-versa hour basis. Rock to Pop to Alternative to Pop to Rhythmic to Pop to Rock to Pop...etc. Never play more than 2 rhythmic cuts per hour on a Mainstream CHR. Im not talking about Sean Kingston here folks.
Just a few observations, but huge cume loss is typically a sign of throwing out "scraps". Just tighten the playlist and if its a hot current on mediabase, then it should be a hot current on the CHR. If its not in the top 30, then it should be really reviewed on being played in the first place. And last but not least, take some Hot AC lessons while taking CHR at the same time. It's okay to play Safetysuit and Rob Thomas, I gotta give Jeffries credit on that to say the least.
If you break out the cume vs. TSL you can see a cume erosion due to music. It's called carryover and thats something that WBOW has improved on in the last book as where WMGI did not.
As for turnover, you can't blame the numbers on turnover. Sure its not a good thing to have consistant turnover on any radio station, all that does is hurt loyalty and brand development, however if they keep the current staff in place on Mix I think they have great things going for them.
Going back to the music, its not rocket science here. Rhythmic CHR in Terre Haute doesn't work. It's good to spice those hits in as "secret sauce" but a white-bread CHR in a town like Terre Haute should take their playbook from KRBE Houston or WDJX Louisville, not WJFX Fort Wayne. Jesse James being played as a current, someone should be looking over their Selector with a fine tooth comb. Take examples from Tracy Austin and Jeremy Rice! WMGI was playing the hell out of Beyonce-Diva when it was a stiff from the very beginning. That just means picking the wrong hits.
Im not going to play armchair quarterback, I have to many stations to consult to think about doing that, however utilize the CHR ladder effect. It should build out on a visa-versa hour basis. Rock to Pop to Alternative to Pop to Rhythmic to Pop to Rock to Pop...etc. Never play more than 2 rhythmic cuts per hour on a Mainstream CHR. Im not talking about Sean Kingston here folks.
Just a few observations, but huge cume loss is typically a sign of throwing out "scraps". Just tighten the playlist and if its a hot current on mediabase, then it should be a hot current on the CHR. If its not in the top 30, then it should be really reviewed on being played in the first place. And last but not least, take some Hot AC lessons while taking CHR at the same time. It's okay to play Safetysuit and Rob Thomas, I gotta give Jeffries credit on that to say the least.
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