The Bone and Galaxy

[sleepyhead]

I doubt Ed Levine has regrets but I was able to score a 4 share at the old 94 Rock back when Mason did mornings and the night guy notched an 8 share during the summer 2002 (I know it sounds unreal but..it's true). Beleive it or not Galaxy had some momentum back in the day. Opie and Anthony spooked Galaxy management however at the old WHTR (93.7). For about a few months at Dennis Terrace there were some good times though. Decent morning shows, focused programming and people in Syracuse who trolled down the Thruway and .... Have you ever noticed that noone from Walton Street would ever think relocating to the Capital District. Hmmmm.

Galaxy does fairly well in 'Cuse. They've totally blown it here.

 

[rokstar]

Those were the good old days huh!!! It's a shame that station has become what its become because there was so much potential there, I wonder why Levine let it become a mess?? Jeez a four share I think if you add all the numbers from the last year it doesnt hit a four share!!!

 

[sleepyhead]

The morning numbers were anemic, which suggested that the old 94 Rock was fairly well positioned as a format. I don't know why they bailed on it. As I recall the 12 plus numbers four years ago were about a 2 and a half share, which on that signal was really pretty good. The station was real close in certain demos and dayparts to topping the old Edge, which at the time had Stern in AMD and two better signals. Looking back I always felt that Galaxy should've concentrated on grabbing numbers from the Edge as compared to targeting PYX. But we all know Ed needed to start a war with Clear Channel and slam PYX etc.

By the way I liked it there. I know Levine draws alot of ire on these boards but there's some really good, loyal people at Galaxy. I hope they do better but sometimes you just get unlucky I guess. I think they should go with a safe, well executed AAA format. Galaxy has good people who can execute AAA and they'd own some numbers without the competition. If there's an upstate market that could support AAA (and research could suggest I may be wrong) than it would be Albany. Doesn't WDST do well down the valley?

It would appear that if The Bone doesn't score some numbers this book than they'd have to make a change.

 

[sleepyhead]

Well I'll be... You make some comments about Galaxy here and someone takes an axe to your PC.

One of the great things about a stint with the Walton crowd is that you're challenged to make decisions about what's really important with your career. For example my last day in radio was when I walked out the door at Galaxy. Some folks don't want to work for a corporate behemoth and Galaxy offered a fine opportunity for which I was grateful.

I say let Mimi develop her dream format in Albany. What can you lose.

 

[flipperzipper]

It would appear that if The Bone doesn't score some numbers this book than they'd have to make a change.

Congratulations on the Bone's new low number, a paltry (zero point six) just above the Star's miniscule (zero point four)

 

[youthinkyouknowradio]

I feel like this is the dumb and dumber show! Is everyone feeling ok this week? I'm not sure if you noticed but

all of you are having this ongoing conversation about a station with a .06. What the hell is everyone so

interested in The Bone for? I've said it before and i'll say it again. Galaxy Albany has never pulled it's weight.

I love the comment about 94-Rock pulling a couple of share points when I was working at Galaxy. Is a

couple of share points when the sun is shining in Albany County between noon and 3p something to

brag about? It's time to put the blame where the balme belongs. Upper Management has had a habbit of

hiring Capital region rejects/washed up talent and or social iddiots to play jock on the daily basis. I think Ed

Levine has finally awoke from a long winters nap and has saw the light. By cleaning up the on air Gargage at

least now it sounds like a respectable radio station. The real reason why The Bone is getting so much interest

is because it finally sounds good (at least in most day parts) and they continue to take advertising dollars out

of the market. These are the cold hard facts!

 

[AMonFM]

..... when I was working at Galaxy......hiring Capital region rejects/washed up talent and or social iddiots.......

[EDIT]

That station's biggest problem: Eddie's ego. Nothing more, nothing less. Bad business desicions coming from Walton St, and local folks taking the rap when those desicions backfire. The station was at it's best with local talent. Nobody from either Syracuse or Utica could muster numbers as good. And that sir is a fact.

But you are right. Why waste time talking about a virtual non-player in Albany radio? Especially one where the format control is set to 'shuffle'.

[EDIT--inflammatory.]

 

[youthinkyouknowradio]

My how it hurts when you hit a nerve :'( . For me to be a reject,washed up, or a social iddiot that would

mean i work or have worked at Galaxy correct? Not so fast tough one. Never be quick to assume anything in

this business. The moral to the story goes as follows. It seemed that the Old Galaxy paid washed up actors

to try and bring ratings but the truth to the matter is it didn't work. It now seems the new Galaxy is

focused on running a low cost, non ratings driven machine that generates revenue. What a concept...Where's

Eddie's ego now? Being obsessed with The Bone i'm sure is flattering to the folks over at Galaxy...but it's not

good to carry such animosity. If everyone liked working at Galaxy so much in the past then why did they milk

Levine for every penny they could when they were there? The grass is not always greener on the other side

is it?

 

[1sexybitch]

If everyone liked working at Galaxy so much in the past then why did they milk Levine for every penny they could when they were there? The grass is not always greener on the other side is it?

i doubt anyone that has worked at galaxy would say they "liked" working there. some the people that used to work there have gone to bigger and better things. so for them, the grass is greener. stop talking out of your @$$.

 

[youthinkyouknowradio]

WOW! The Bone has some true fans out there! Preaching the facts is far from talking out my @$$. I call it like

it is. It looks like the BONE will live on. Just look at the competition. In all honesty the Bone is bound to

survive. When you look at the other rock stations in the market why the hell not. Let's see we have

Q103...That's the station that decided it was a great idea to replace Howard Stern with free garbage

(Beer) and hot garbage (wings) in the morning. How's that working out? We can't forget the fuster cluck that

PYX has been. PYX listeners are unsure who is coming,going, or coming back. Is it Tobin,Ellen,Mulroony, or

Ethan? The Wolf must be one hell of a guy to work with! What stations are left? Channel 103.1...since Lisa

left it's become the Albany's #1 obscure music station. Last but not least we have 104.9 The New Edge. I

must give a hand to Mr. Morell. If I build (Steal) it they will come. Great job everyone! The New Edge has

pulled of a 2 share in Albany County with guys with one tooth when it rains on Tuesdays. You see it is very

simple. Rock radio in this market is a joke. The Bone seems to be going along for the ride. My final question is

who from Galaxy has gone on to bigger and better things? Is it Bob Mason selling houses with a smile? Is it JR

Gach who almost screwed up a great product by opening up his big mouth again? If these are bigger and

better things I wish the current Galaxy staff great luck in the future.

 

[1sexybitch]

you obviously don't know $h!t about the business of radio.

Q103 gave up the naming rights for "the edge." mr. morrell(sp) or anyone for that matter could at that time legally obtain naming rights. 2 share is better than .6.

as for the survival of the bone, i highly doubt it's stay here in albany. and you're only naming two guys from the old galaxy crew?? there's plenty more ex-employees from that place that i'm sure are more happier where they are now. so you're attempt about bragging how good the bone is lame.

 

[youthinkyouknowradio]

enough is enough! Bragging about The Bone? I don't think so! That station is also part of the bad decisions as

far as Rock Radio goes in this market. That .6 is all you can say about the Bone. That's funny!

I wouldl be "More Happier!" if I was working at the New Edge two

 

[FM AM]

I am no fan of Levine or Galaxy, but I have to say that today's "Bone" sounds vastly better than 94Rock ever did, and it also sounds vastly better that Q-103. Just my opinion....The fact that Q-103 is barely ahead of the "Edge" says alot, too. Q-103 is on two signals, with pretty good geographic coverage, except to the North. The "Edge" is on one very mediocre signal.

 

[AMonFM]

My how it hurts when you hit a nerve :'( . For me to be a reject,washed up, or a social iddiot that would mean i work or have worked at Galaxy correct?

According to a previous post, you said you "worked there". Sorry for drawing the wrong conclusion about such a statement. Since I don't wish to draw the attention of sensitive moderators here for merely quoting you and asking a question of you regarding it, I'll let it rest.

It seemed that the Old Galaxy paid washed up actors to try and bring ratings but the truth to the matter is it didn't work.

Actors? HA I only heard jocks there, some veterans, some not. The audience was biulding, but when using a handicapped stick with next to no promotion, it was going to take awhile. Levine is simply impatient, hence the quick format/imaging flips at both stations here. You can't rewrite the history to try and prove your point. Oh, and those so-called 'actors' brought in a hack of alot more 'revenue' than what's blowing in under the door there now. Ed spun the wheel, and lost. Albany wasn't knid to him before, and hasn't been since he's been back. Good thing for TK and K-rock being able to support the rest of the group.

It now seems the new Galaxy is focused on running a low cost, non ratings driven machine that generates revenue. What a concept...

Well heck, dollar-a-hollar ad rates could be construed as 'revenue' I guess. Considering that any talent that actually demanded more than minimum wage was shown the door, the 'revenue' can't be all that strong, now can it. Oh, wheres that power increase for 94.5? Oh yeah, can't afford that either! How's the Jag running Eddie?

If everyone liked working at Galaxy so much in the past then why did they milk Levine for every penny they could when they were there? The grass is not always greener on the other side
is it?

Again, minimum wage isn't really much of a living these days. Being able to eat and put gas in your car is just one of those perks that's expected when you work more than full-time in any business, even at Galaxy.

Why do we like to pick on the Bone? Ed's goes out of his way to have those dumbass press conferences every time he gets nervous and flips formats... so I guess if he likes all that attention we'll gladly oblige.

 

[sleepyhead]

Ed paid me well..for a little over a year. He brought in Mason for a chunk of change. Ed threw money around when it came to his Utica morning show and then, low and behold, realized there's no money in Utica. Levine went after John somebody, who ended up doing stand-up on cruise ships down in Miami. Ed Levine even banked on Phil Stern and then let JR Gach become his top salesman.

Galaxy became so screwed up that the only direction needed to right the ship requires a complete makeover. 93.7/94.5 covers, at least, 85 percent of the market. Not bad consirdiring some others...

There's only one avenue for an operator in Levine's situation to contemplate and that's something refreshing and new. I think they're capable of doing it.

 

[1sexybitch]

enough is enough! Bragging about The Bone? I don't think so! That station is also part of the bad decisions as

far as Rock Radio goes in this market. That .6 is all you can say about the Bone. That's funny!

I wouldl be "More Happier!" if I was working at the New Edge two

finally, you made yourself clear how you really feel about the bone. you were very vague in your previous posts. i'll agree that the station has made bad decisions. thank eddie for that one because he can't make up his mind and stick to something. he did have something that was working before the format change of '06. the only thing that was carrying that station was the jr show. it was a big mistake on eddie's part to put the jr show on in the morning when it was kicking @$$ and taking names in the afternoon.

what most rock stations don't realize is that the albany market consist of hardcore rock fans. they're thirsty for metal.

 

[youthinkyouknowradio]

A dollar-a-hollar is a bit of exaggeration. If it makes you feel better that's ok. Hell PYX is selling packages at a

$20 spot rate. Imagine that! A Heritage Classic Rock station selling valuable time at an all time minimum. The

economy sucks. Everyone's feeling it. It would be really sad if The Bone had a (2) share and still sold it at a-

dollar-a-hollar. Oh yes it may sound funny but it's true. Rumor has it that a (2) share station in this market

has also been pulling it's pants down to get the deal done. That same (2) share station stuggles to figure out

how The Bone is destroying them with local revenue. It's time to get off the high horse and realize that The

Bone, The Edge, Channel and Q103 are all in this together. Was Levine not so crazy when he said the goal in

this market for all the rock stations is to steal revenue and share from PYX. As for the last post...JR Gach

was never a money maker for Levine. 6 figures a year going out the door and 6 figures a year coming back in

advertising dollars. I'm not a rocket scientist but that sounds like a wash to me. Let's give credit where credit

is due. JR was (#1) one time in Albany County with men 18-34 who were over weight and liked to smoke

cigars when the moon was out on Saturday's. Anyone can be #1 if you twist the facts.

 

[cadillacjack]

I'm admittedly out of the market, so I need to ask: What happened to Stu Schantz? I'd email him, but only have his Galaxy info.

CJ

 

[StanWayBack]

The Rock stations are NOT all in this together to steal revenue from Pyx....
Levine was just reaching for a reason to believe.
Fact #1 The Bone/94 Rock has been bending over for 3 years and shakin' it for far FAR less. I think Galaxy is the reason clients expect more for less. Especially in this market.
Fact #2 The Jr Show pulled in great numbers all over the place and quite suprisingly had a helluva female fan base to boot. Is it really hard to admit that JR had a chokehold on this market and every other market He's been in?
Oh and before you snap back with how racist or sexist he is/was is it really any different than what chappelle or carlos mencia do on a daily basis..oh wait He is WHITE. How Dare He.
Face it, He had what YOU could never have.
Talent, Ratings and Money.
Fact# 3: There are TOO many rock stations in the market and it's kill or be killed. So KILL!!

 

[youthinkyouknowradio]

Statement:The Rock stations are NOT all in this together to steal revenue from Pyx....
Levine was just reaching for a reason to believe.

Response: Spoken like a sub par wanna be programmer if I say so myself.

Satement:Fact #1 The Bone/94 Rock has been bending over for 3 years and shakin' it for far FAR less. I think Galaxy is the reason clients expect more for less. Especially in this market.

Response:Of course! They were bending over for years! Look at the lack of talent the poor sales people were trying to sell. That's still no reason for a station with a (2) share to be playing follow the leader with a station that poses no threat. WE ARE ALL in the same boat together. When it comes to revenue PYX is the leader. That's where the money is! That's how you get paid!

Statement:The Jr Show pulled in great numbers all over the place and quite suprisingly had a helluva female fan base to boot. Is it really hard to admit that JR had a chokehold on this market and every other market He's been in? Oh and before you snap back with how racist or sexist he is/was is it really any different than what chappelle or carlos mencia do on a daily basis..oh wait He is WHITE. How Dare He.

Response: Ok brillant god of radio...What station did he do that with? I'll give you the fact that he had a loyal fan base including women. Unfourtunatly 12,000 listeners on a weekly basis at the end of his career on a station with two signals that covers much of the market is pathetic. Did I mention 8 months before that he had 20,000 listeners on a weekly basis! His racist comments was ignorance on his part and nothing to brag about. As far a a chokehold on the market...looking at his numbers it looks like JR was the one who choked. Not a surprise. The only one to blame was him for chosing the talant he chose as his so called side kicks. That goes for 94-Rock as well as The Bone. Ratings,Talant...mabey 10 years ago. As far as money. He did rip Levine off for alot of it year after year and that's a fact.-

Satement:There are TOO many rock stations in the market and it's kill or be killed. So KILL!!

Response:The way to kill and not be killed as you put it is to go out and steal that revenue away from PYX as I said before. It's radio 101!