The Ticket

[ISaidSo]

Russ Martin gets ratings, is that good radio?

 

[1Letterman]

Russ Martin gets ratings, is that good radio?

YOU tell US. You seem to know so much more about it than the people generating those ratings. Clearly, they're all fools and you alone have the inside track to "good radio."

 

[Robert Bass]

Russ gets the ratings from all that dead air. When he's not saying anything, people are glued to their radio. ;D

R

 

[NealH]

This topic has been covered so much that the horse is beaten, dead, the corpse is starting to rot and bloat. Someone bury it please, it's starting to stink up the place.

If I had to surmise why The Ticket isn't stats and over-analysis 100% of the time, I'd say it's probably because that is B-O-R-I-N-G. It's like watching ESPNEWS. You get everything you need in a half hour, then they turn around and replay it all over again. If you want pure sports talk and stats, then you listen to Norm. No offense to Norm, he does his show superbly and he's perfectly juxtaposed between the jocularity and locker-room humor surrounding him, but if all every host on The Ticket did was rehash the same crap over and over and over again their ratings would be similar to 103.3's.

They do the fundamentals. They have a consistent, relateable staff in place with solid chemistry in all the dayparts. They have enough "appointment setting" features to lock the audience in at specific times, and they're just unpredictable enough to blind you with a sudden left-hand turn on the fly. They entertain and talk sports. It works.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

This topic has been covered so much that the horse is beaten, dead, the corpse is starting to rot and bloat. Someone bury it please, it's starting to stink up the place.

If I had to surmise why The Ticket isn't stats and over-analysis 100% of the time, I'd say it's probably because that is B-O-R-I-N-G. It's like watching ESPNEWS. You get everything you need in a half hour, then they turn around and replay it all over again. If you want pure sports talk and stats, then you listen to Norm. No offense to Norm, he does his show superbly and he's perfectly juxtaposed between the jocularity and locker-room humor surrounding him, but if all every host on The Ticket did was rehash the same crap over and over and over again their ratings would be similar to 103.3's.

They do the fundamentals. They have a consistent, relateable staff in place with solid chemistry in all the dayparts. They have enough "appointment setting" features to lock the audience in at specific times, and they're just unpredictable enough to blind you with a sudden left-hand turn on the fly. They entertain and talk sports. It works.

Well said, Neal. The Old Grey Wolf, Big Dan and the Mighty Gil-bert knew what they were doing those many moons ago. Too bad, it's been taken for granted today, but c'est la vie. I still wear the P1 logo across my chest. Good times.

 

[ISaidSo]

How do you know I don't generate ratings Letterman...

 

[MikeShannon914]

And KTCK was just awarded the Marconi "Sports Station of the Year." Isn't that quite a paradox?

Kinda like when Metallica got the Grammy that time for "Best New Artist."

BTW, "KTCK" is the call sign for 1310-The Ticket. I didn't want to confuse anyone by using only the call letters.

:

 

[1Letterman]

How do you know I don't generate ratings Letterman...

I don't. Because this is an anonymous message board. You could be Jack Benny or Fred Allen channeling through the internet. Or, just logically and by the quality of your posts, could be a gerbil accidentally hacking away at the keys.

But, if I'm to believe your coy little suggestion that you DO generate ratings, then by your very own logic, that doesn't mean "good radio." But of course, your own personal judgement seems to define what "good radio" is, so perhaps your listeners just don't know what good radio is and you get the ratings anyway?

What's the purpose of radio? IF it's to entertain and engage listeners, I'd say good ratings indicate what a large number of people think is "good radio" and is a bit more binding than your myopic, anecdotal viewpoint.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

BTW, "KTCK" is the call sign for 1310-The Ticket. I didn't want to confuse anyone by using only the call letters.

:

Nicely played, Mike.

 

[ISaidSo]

Well, I guess I should take my cue from a person who gave up a six figure job to work for Tom Bailey. That alone gives the impression that your judgment should be questioned. The reason you don't know me is because I, unlike you, actually work in radio, and have for 15 years. This place gives all of us a forum to discuss ideas and to be completely honest about our thoughts without the fear of causing problems at our place of employment. If you are shallow enough to think numbers mean great radio, fine. I am capable of looking past that and actually listening to radio and making up my own mind. The truth is there is a ton of good radio that people don't know about. The fact that they don't have ratings does not mean it is not quality radio, nor does having ratings mean what you are putting out is great radio. This town like most others develops listening habits, and doesn't always notice when the quality of what they are listening to starts to slide. I realize that someone like you with your vast experience working with a quality broadcast like 990AM already knows this, but I though I would put my thoughts out anyway. Thanks for your time……

 

[spinderella]

Steering things back on topic -- namely sweet clean Greggo -- on Wednesday afternoon around 5:15 PM Rhyner said they would have something to announce in the next week or so about Greggo's future with the station and what will happen with the Hardline show.

He said it was extremely frustrating not to be able to talk about it adding that when "you're dealing with the sort of things the Hammer is dealing with there are lots of legal issues that keep us from saying much." He added that there's a very good understanding of what's happened to Greg from other sources (such as the Dallas Observer and message boards like this) but the Ticket can't talk about it on the air. He said he understood the frustration of listeners feeling like they're being strung along but he said their hands were tied by corporate legal and HR.

He specifically said two or three times that probably by the end of next week they will be able to announce whether Greggo will continue with the show and what that means for the Hardline's future at KTCK.

It's the most I've heard them say about the situation and to me it indicates things are about to come to a head soon one way or another.

 

[1Letterman]

Well, I guess I should take my cue from a person who gave up a six figure job to work for Tom Bailey. That alone gives the impression that your judgment should be questioned. The reason you don't know me is because I, unlike you, actually work in radio, and have for 15 years. This place gives all of us a forum to discuss ideas and to be completely honest about our thoughts without the fear of causing problems at our place of employment. If you are shallow enough to think numbers mean great radio, fine. I am capable of looking past that and actually listening to radio and making up my own mind. The truth is there is a ton of good radio that people don't know about. The fact that they don't have ratings does not mean it is not quality radio, nor does having ratings mean what you are putting out is great radio. This town like most others develops listening habits, and doesn't always notice when the quality of what they are listening to starts to slide. I realize that someone like you with your vast experience working with a quality broadcast like 990AM already knows this, but I though I would put my thoughts out anyway. Thanks for your time……

TRANSLATION: You're not willing to divulge who you are so you can be subject to some of the same critical observations you are so free to dish out.

That's your right, of course. But it does affect one's credibility, doesn't it? And, it kinda makes your "how do you know I don't generate good ratings" question kinda obfuscational. If you can't validate, don't claim. Pretty simple concept.

And, as for taking cues from me--wow, I agree. I was really stupid for coming and working for Bailey. But I don't always do stupid things. I was also the Editorial Director of Cartoon Network. I made a bad decision to come and try to be in sports radio in Dallas, Texas--my favorite town. We all can't be anonymous all-knowing geniuses. Sorry.

Could you start a thread with the secret good radio no one has heard of? That sounds interesting.

Otherwise, it's been a true pleasure chatting with you, and I won't bother the board any more with our banter.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

...I just want to know how you are related to Greggo?! I may be misreading, but it sure looks like your post was all about, well... you. IJS ;D

 

[Slambang]

I hope Gregg does return, but I also believe he deserves better than having to deal with the a$$-whippings of Corby Davidson on a daily basis. Im hoping the little ticket hasnt lost their brass pair and does the right thing. If not, I have a feeling gregg will land feet first on another station around here...

 

[Jubb05]

Steering things back on topic -- namely sweet clean Greggo -- on Wednesday afternoon around 5:15 PM Rhyner said they would have something to announce in the next week or so about Greggo's future with the station and what will happen with the Hardline show.

He said it was extremely frustrating not to be able to talk about it adding that when "you're dealing with the sort of things the Hammer is dealing with there are lots of legal issues that keep us from saying much." He added that there's a very good understanding of what's happened to Greg from other sources (such as the Dallas Observer and message boards like this) but the Ticket can't talk about it on the air. He said he understood the frustration of listeners feeling like they're being strung along but he said their hands were tied by corporate legal and HR.

He specifically said two or three times that probably by the end of next week they will be able to announce whether Greggo will continue with the show and what that means for the Hardline's future at KTCK.

It's the most I've heard them say about the situation and to me it indicates things are about to come to a head soon one way or another.

Gregg said in the Observer article that he wants to be back at work. Rhynes says "we are going to focus on where the show goes from here, not look back." Sounds to me like they are planning on either a hammer free presentation, or a diminished role for the husky hugger. The show is definitely not the same, and I've been tuned in since the 11-2 days.

 

[firstimelongtime]

the first time I tuned to The Ticket back in the 11-2 days and I heard Greggo's "I want to apologize to all my fans out there" and it wasn't a drop.

Dunno, seems relevant somehow.

 

[TheRover]

I just hope Greggo comes on and tells every athlete he has jumped on for drugs, or breaking the LAW THAT HE GETS IT NOW, AND WILL BE MORE UNDERSTANDING IN THE FUTURE. Let's face it those dudes haven't had any sports cred for a long time. The next time they actually step in the locker room and talk to players will be the first time in 10 years. They use to really care about the listener, but now they seem to have been spending all of their time reading their own press clippings and have stopped actually covering sports. They don't even respect listeners enough to go get real sports guys to fill in, there is a reason Kevin Scott washed out in Austin, and Donavan being on the Cowboy post game is a joke! The next good hire Cat makes will be the first. They need some real leadership there, and stop letting the inmates run the asylum. I remember when the Ticket did sports talk, and I really miss it. Now when they talk sports I turn the channel because they really don't know what they are talking about anymore.... Kind of sad really. :'(

You ARE Correct ISaidSo.

Ratings mean nothing when there's a substance issue (pun not intended!!). There's a lot of common no-nothing schmoes that are now listenting to the Ticket. That drives up ratings ... but it does not automatically mean that what's being delivered is now tastier than before. McDonalds says it's serverd Billions.... but I never confuse quantity with quality. For many... quantity of listeners is.... quality itself ! !
I don't see it that way.

I don't like Norm's voice, he's grating to me. I tire of him very quickly.
Donovan brings nothing to the table for me....He's as interesting as Bryant Gumbel is to me. But, I bet a lot of the schmoes that now listen to the Ticket, have no problem with Bryant either.... So I must be Wrong... Because I'm Outnumbered !!! I don't think so!!
But.... there's obviously a great many joe schmoes that eat this up..... Like there are a great many souls that eat up McDonald's burgers daily...."Must be the Best thing goin' ! ! !"

I perfer Fudruckers' burgers.... always have... always will.... ;D

If and when Greggo makes it back.... then maybe KTCK can get it's groove back !!

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

Rover, one thing of which you can be certain, in this confluence of a market, you are never alone with your opinion.

> Some people think Donovan has a bag and talks about his frat too much, while others thinks he shuts up Dan and his smarmy crap commentary to a halt.

> Some believe that while Greggo has been gone, the "afternoon drive sports talk show" has asked Danny to dial it up a notch with his looming black cloud banter, while others thinks he just has to do it in order to fill the void.

> Some wonder if the little Ticket will ever rebound, while others are convinced it's never been better.

> Some bow at the altar of Gordo, while others hear his witty comments outside of impressions and think he is really just an idiot.

Regardless, you are never alone. And, by the way, just because Mickey D's has served billions, doesn't mean they all left the drive thru satisfied customers. Others went straight to Fuddruckers and never turned back ;D