Tick, tick, tick, tick...

[SirRoxalot]

October 20th approaches. How many GMs, Sales Managers, and PDs are getting more nervous by the day?

Some of the issues:

WJYE - So hot that they might NOT go Christmas before Thanksgiving?

WBLK - Syndicated morning show a boom or a bust? Have they run Wild? Kissed-off Entercom?

Jack - Are they a danger to themselves or others?

The Lake - Hi-Jacked? Lake level rising or falling?

WHTT - Oldies no more. Will their evolution into the 70s improve their audience demos?

Star - Music mix has shifted, apparently in response to Jack. Good or bad?

WBEN - Katrina, Rita, EC Gov. stories a blessing or a curse?

WYRK - #1, or #2?

97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return?

WWKB - Is anybody listening?

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Excellent post! (the <--- is my input)

> October 20th approaches. How many GMs, Sales Managers, and
> PDs are getting more nervous by the day?
>
> Some of the issues:
>
> WJYE - So hot that they might NOT go Christmas before
> Thanksgiving? <---They should go all Christmas the day after thanksgiving, but that's just my opinion...with a lack of insight into wether or not the advertisers would like them to do that at that exact time.


> WBLK - Syndicated morning show a boom or a bust? Have they
> run Wild? Kissed-off Entercom? <---only ratings will tell.
>
> Jack - Are they a danger to themselves or others? <---They'll most likely carry on and use the "Stern was on too far past nine" excuse if this book is bad, and perhaps even copy Toronto's Jack and be the "NO DJ" station (see www.925jackfm.com )
>
> The Lake - Hi-Jacked? Lake level rising or falling? <---This will be very interesting to see.
They launched the lake instead of launching "Fickle" Buffalo.
This was done BEFORE Jack signed on in Buffalo...so IF Jack turns up better numbers, Entercom had the chance to get Jack ratings.
>
> WHTT - Oldies no more. Will their evolution into the 70s
> improve their audience demos?<---Yes, oldies no more...am I correct in saying "Modern oldies"?
>
> Star - Music mix has shifted, apparently in response to
> Jack. Good or bad?<---Is it just me?...or does the station sound heavier?...Almost as if they're modeling after Mix 999 in Toronto...minus the cancon.
>
> WBEN - Katrina, Rita, EC Gov. stories a blessing or a curse? <--not having to compete with 550 theese days is always a blessing...not having the right numbers is...well, draw your own conclusions.
>
> WYRK - #1, or #2? <---They should still be on top...if they are #2, I'm expecting it to be close.
>
> 97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return? <---No comment.
>
> WWKB - Is anybody listening? <---In Niagara Falls NY this past summer, there were a few homes with that station on on their front porch. (near the border, on the American side near the Wilson farms, 2...and again another home somewhere down tenth street...or was it nineth?...or Pine...somewhere around there...I count 3 radios.
<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>

 

[dj_niceshot]

more gooder....

The fine Summer Book drop dead date:
>
> WJYE - So hot that they might NOT go Christmas before
> Thanksgiving?

Last Year, a spirited board poll was conducted to see what station went All-Holiday first. They have been steady, rock steady. Smartly focusing on "whole family" listening.


> WBLK - Syndicated morning show a boom or a bust? Have they
> run Wild? Kissed-off Entercom?

Tom Joyner went Rush Limbaugh and started a TV show with good reviews.
So far, so good. I like the music they play in the AM.

> Jack - Are they a danger to themselves or others?

Aside from FCC goodies, Jack is pretty much dominating local and national radio press. Ironically, it's probably the most formated station in the market (funny, we have to program "random"). The folks who program Jack say that at least 40% of their music is specific to the Jack station. So, someone else plays 50 cent into Nirvana, instead of Nirvana into Eminem. Hardly variety.

> The Lake - Hi-Jacked? Lake level rising or falling?

Do not listen to the station.... Know many who love it....

> WHTT - Oldies no more. Will their evolution into the 70s
> improve their audience demos?

I would think so. Even im not in the demo, I'll stab myself if I hear Buddy Holly again. Embracing the Jack culture is smart; my parents BOTH have Ipods and like their music their way, in their order.


>
> Star - Music mix has shifted, apparently in response to
> Jack. Good or bad?

Star has its limits, thankfully, and mostly caters to females.
Jack has spread Star's music boundaries, which is good. There is more to the 80s' than "Walk like an Egyptian"

>
> WBEN - Katrina, Rita, EC Gov. stories a blessing or a curse?

A little bit of both. While radio delivers immediacy just like the internet, it doesnt have those cool interactive features that the internet had for Katrina.

Much has been written on Radio and how it was the voice of hope in NO and Miss.


> WYRK - #1, or #2?

I've worked a few shifts on the 12th floor of the rand building. Even overnight, that phone rings all night. Number 1

> 97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return?

I wonder about simulcasting the game on EDGE. Anyone think this is good/bad?

> WWKB - Is anybody listening?

Not me....

If you read the Jack propoganda on their website, you would think that listeners are revolting for 'No DJ', 'No Playlist' radio.... but i dont see it.

Quote of the day:
"i'd rather put people in the stale beer, than stale beer in the people"
--Jim Cooke, Samuel Adams' Beer

 

[Bob1370]

> October 20th approaches. How many GMs, Sales Managers, and
> PDs are getting more nervous by the day?

How many are there in the market? That's how many are nervous tonight.
>
> Some of the issues:
>
> WJYE - So hot that they might NOT go Christmas before
> Thanksgiving?

Mmmm, maybe, but they probably will go heavy on the holiday music on turkey day or just after. It's always worked before, so why change the plan this year?

> WBLK - Syndicated morning show a boom or a bust? Have they
> run Wild? Kissed-off Entercom?

IIRC the spring book, the first for Joyner, was a down book. If it stays that way, expect a rethinking of the strategy and maybe a return to a local morning show at the first opportunity. Other major market UC stations have tried national morning shows, found out it didn't work well for them, and reverted to local programming in morning drive. Using the national shows really works best for a small to medium market station, market size 75 or smaller. If I had an urban station in my cluster in a market any bigger than, say, Syracuse, I'd be going live and local with everything I aired from 6 am to at least 10 pm.

> Jack - Are they a danger to themselves or others?

Themselves, maybe. It's a format that guarantees that WBUF will remain the most underperforming full-market-coverage FM in the market.

> The Lake - Hi-Jacked? Lake level rising or falling?

It's probably, pardon the pun, found its level. It has its loyal fans, and probably will stay at that level until/unless they do more aggressive promotion.

> WHTT - Oldies no more. Will their evolution into the 70s
> improve their audience demos?

It already has.

> Star - Music mix has shifted, apparently in response to
> Jack. Good or bad?

Can't tell a whole lot of difference...they'll continue to do well with 25-54 women.

> WBEN - Katrina, Rita, EC Gov. stories a blessing or a curse?

Most markets have seen talkers suffering from post-2004 election listener fatigue. The local shows may benefit some from interest in Erie County's troubles, but the national shows will suffer from the fact that they're promoting a President who's becoming increasingly unpopular. If I were consulting WBEN, I'd tell my local hosts to talk more about local issues---and hire another local host for evenings, reducing the syndicated programming. It's time for talkers to reduce the degree to which they become identified with the White House and form their own truly local identity. And WBEN's no exception.

> WYRK - #1, or #2?

Probably #1 through the end of this year. WBEN can reclaim the lead over the winter by becoming a more purely local station, emphasizing the things that created its brand identification in the market to begin with, but that will take time, and for now, WYRK has an advantage.

> 97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return?

So far it's a push, just like the .500 record of the team itself. The fall book which is now under way and won't reveal its results until the new year, will hinge on what the team does over the next four or five weeks. If the Bills put on a serious winning streak between now and the end of November, and wind up a real contender for a playoff berth, that will be very good news for 97 Rock. If the team goes 2-3 over the next 5 games, that's bad ratings news. Could make a full share point's difference in what's often been a very close race for positions 3 through 6 in the Buffalo Arbitrons.

> WWKB - Is anybody listening?

Yep. They could conceivably finally crack the 2 share barrier, And if they promoted it at all, it'd do still better. It's actually become a very good station. It would be even better if they had someone to host 8 to midnight either by VT or live assist (I'd suggest Shane).

 

[Element9]

> > October 20th approaches. How many GMs, Sales Managers, and
>
> > PDs are getting more nervous by the day?
>
> How many are there in the market? That's how many are
> nervous tonight.
> >

The anticipation for the Summer book doesn't compare to that of the Spring or Fall book. Spring is a book especially frought with anxiety. Not to discount the Summer, because it does have its place, especially as it affects the four-bookaverage.

> > WJYE - So hot that they might NOT go Christmas before
> > Thanksgiving?

It would surprise most radio observers if WJYE did NOT go All Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. The bigger question is what will WTSS do? Given the competition posed Jack and to some extent WHTT, it may not be the wisest decision for WTSS going All Christmas at all this year.
>
> > WBLK - Syndicated morning show a boom or a bust?

Joyner is a solid performer and did quite well 25-54 in the Spring book. Surprisingly well for a non-local show. In fact, WBLK could have been the "comeback station" of the Spring book. Urban listeners KNOW who Tom Joyner is, they like his show and it's not as if it's a new commodity that needs time to acquaint itself with the market. Joyner had been airing successfully on WWWS-AM for quite some time.

> > Jack - Are they a danger to themselves or others?

Jack is going to surprise a few of us, much as I disdain the station, the format and what it stands for in the eyes of corporate bottom-lining. We've all taken issue with this station's attitude and operation, but give this dog its due. This may not be an overwhelming book, but the numbers will build and plateau in the next two books. Then, the hard work begins.
>
> > The Lake - Hi-Jacked? Lake level rising or falling?

Again, key word "plateau." Core listeners and devotees aplenty. Not enough to make it a world-beater, simply a thorn in 97 Rock's side.
>
> > WHTT - Oldies no more.

Here's a station that's on the brink... success or catastrophe? I'd suggest the former rather than latter. Moving into the 70s and even some 80s was overdue. Although I listen infrequently, the station sounds better than it has in years, possibly because of the change in direction, newer music and a revamped line-up that lends itself to vitality and localism.

> > Star - Music mix has shifted, apparently in response to
> > Jack. Good or bad?

It could be construed as over-reacting. Star has a considerable presence in the market, far more than Jack has or may ever have. The last thing Star needs to do is react to Jack. This having been said, if any station is in the direct path of the Jack Attack, it's Star. We may find out how important personalities and localism are in the next two books. Man, I'd hate to be beaten by a station that's nothing more than a friggin' mp3 machine.
>
> > WBEN - Katrina, Rita, EC Gov. stories a blessing or a
> curse?
>
> Most markets have seen talkers suffering from post-2004
> election listener fatigue. The local shows may benefit some
> from interest in Erie County's troubles, but the national
> shows will suffer from the fact that they're promoting a
> President who's becoming increasingly unpopular. If I were
> consulting WBEN, I'd tell my local hosts to talk more about
> local issues---and hire another local host for evenings,
> reducing the syndicated programming.

WBEN does a significant amount of local talk. Between Bauerle and Beach, the station is solidly local, but you'd probably have to live in Buffalo to hear that: How many dozens of times have the two local hosts harped on Giambra, the Erie county budget mess, the Buffalo casino and casino gambling, waterfront development, the Buffalo mayoral election and the Erie county legislature?! No, there's no lacking localism on WBEN. If anything, local listners may have had their fill of the constatnt barrage of Erie county budget talk.

>
> > WYRK - #1, or #2?
>
> Probably #1 through the end of this year. WBEN can reclaim
> the lead over the winter by becoming a more purely local
> station, emphasizing the things that created its brand
> identification in the market to begin with, but that will
> take time, and for now, WYRK has an advantage.

WYRK, the most under-appreciated radio station on this board. The station just gets it done, book in and book out. #1? Again? Who'd be surprised?

> > 97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return?
>
> So far it's a push, just like the .500 record of the team
> itself. The fall book which is now under way and won't
> reveal its results until the new year, will hinge on what
> the team does over the next four or five weeks. If the Bills
> put on a serious winning streak between now and the end of
> November, and wind up a real contender for a playoff berth,
> that will be very good news for 97 Rock. If the team goes
> 2-3 over the next 5 games, that's bad ratings news. Could
> make a full share point's difference in what's often been a
> very close race for positions 3 through 6 in the Buffalo
> Arbitrons.

Actually, radio listening goes up when the team tanks and home games aren't on the tube. Regardless, 97 Rock has incorporated the Bills into its every day being, resulting in total brand awareness and near absolute association between the two. Bills=Buffalo=97 Rock/97 Rock=Buffalo=Bills.

>
> > WWKB - Is anybody listening?
>
> Yep. They could conceivably finally crack the 2 share
> barrier, And if they promoted it at all, it'd do still
> better. It's actually become a very good station. It would
> be even better if they had someone to host 8 to midnight
> either by VT or live assist (I'd suggest Shane).
>

Mostly Bob and the guy in Niagara Falls, Ontario. KB has improved, but not enough to make a difference. Inadequate RF penetration (especially for a 50kW'er), scrunchy audio and music that's decidedly 60+. Enjoy what's left. It says here the station will jettisone the Real Oldies format in December or January '06.

And finally, what of WECK, WDCX, WBFO, WNED-AM and WGR?

WECK beats KB, again.

WGR would seem to be positioned for a strong Fall book. Sabres are back. Bills are in full stride and the bombthrowers and malcontents are full-tilt ready for action. Why be objective when it's more fun to be loud and accusatory? WGR should do well in the Fall book. If they don't, something is dreadfully wrong. "Dreadfully" being the appropriate word.

-9-

 

[Yeziknoradio]

> Mostly Bob and the guy in Niagara Falls, Ontario. KB has
> improved, but not enough to make a difference. Inadequate RF
> penetration (especially for a 50kW'er), scrunchy audio and
> music that's decidedly 60+. Enjoy what's left. It says here
> the station will jettisone the Real Oldies format in
> December or January '06.

UM...excuse me...but when I was listening, while visiting friends in Thorold Ontario recently, 1520 did NOT sound 60 plus...50 plus perhaps, but not 60 plus...no way. Great oldies can be heard on 1520. (and I'm not 50 plus!)
AM 740 out of Oakville Ontario Canada has better 60 plus music.

<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>

 

[wired]

an "outside the lines" approach..beyond 'the pages of the books'..
what is every one(on this board's "Perception" of who
should be # 1; top 3, and what stations improved[2 in total]/what stations
had a summer to forget[2 in total]..and, since 2005 was the
'summa' that just wont end!! who is the station that surprised
every one the most by 'hangin' in there..and, showing they
were able to jump from just 'being there' to Being there!! with
every right as every one else.

Post Away.
(PS: Please don't favor current employees; and most certainly
please do not BASH -x-employees)...

who's #1_______________
top 3:
1________
2________
3________
most improved
1.__________
2 __________
most disappointing.
1.________
2.________

most "improved" (meaning u suck before, now people dont forget
u have a frequencey in this market).

X_________________

oh, use a seperate sheet since this is the only copy i have, j-k..
also, mention "buffalo" or "rochester" ( although i think that
will be fairly obvious : )

 

[Kohoutek]

> > 97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return?
>
> If the Bills put on a serious winning streak between now and the end of
> November, and wind up a real contender for a playoff berth,
> that will be very good news for 97 Rock. If the team goes
> 2-3 over the next 5 games, that's bad ratings news.

Gotta disagree....and suggest just the opposite.
As someone may have also pointed out, the ratings for 97 Rock would go UP if the team tanks, the fans stop buying tickets,..and everyone is forced to listen to the games because they're blacked out on TV.
(Anyway, that was my experience at WBEN when I worked there and they carried the games)
It was also my experience that, even in the lean years, interest did not dip, nor did the ratings for the weekday bills coverage (the special talk shows and player segments etc.) in case that's what you're suggesting

 

[mike704]

Shane = A great idea

Bob,

Shane would be a great addition to the K-Big lineup! Bob, you and I think agree. I even suggested Shane to Hank Nevins but Hank said he thought Shane was more of a WGR jock. The important thing is he's a high profile personality. He might not be everyones cup of tea but he could create awareness for KB. I would put him out at the "Hamburg Fair" and let him do what he does best...ENTERTAIN! I'd also have him bradcasting live, doing his show all over the area at least once a week.

Let WHTT chase the younger demos and good luck with that. Playing '70's music isn't a new idea, but it hasn't worked well before. The music formats in the '70's became fractionalized with Album Rock, Pop and Disco. If they can find a way to make it work great but it's not easy.

Leave KB to the 50+ who grew up on Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Chrystals, Gene Pitney, Dion, Lesley Gore, Ricky Nelson and the others who came after like The Beatles, The Dave Clark 5, The Animals, and The Rolling Stones....not to mention the many one-hit-wonders.

I am glad that KB is not just another boring talk station. In a perfect world it would be live personality radio 24 hours a day. Sure FM sounds better (maybe IBOC will solve the fidelity problem in time) but it's nice to hear music that is not heard on FM radio. To hear the hits on the station where many of us heard them first is a real treat.

MikeM


> > WWKB - Is anybody listening?
>
> Yep. They could conceivably finally crack the 2 share
> barrier, And if they promoted it at all, it'd do still
> better. It's actually become a very good station. It would
> be even better if they had someone to host 8 to midnight
> either by VT or live assist (I'd suggest Shane).
>

 

[mike704]

Shane = A great idea

Bob,

Shane would be a great addition to the K-Big lineup! Bob, you and I think agree. I even suggested Shane to Hank Nevins but Hank said he thought Shane was more of a WGR jock. The important thing is he's a high profile personality. He might not be everyones cup of tea but he could create awareness for KB. I would put him out at the "Hamburg Fair" and let him do what he does best...ENTERTAIN! I'd also have him bradcasting live, doing his show all over the area at least once a week.

Let WHTT chase the younger demos and good luck with that. Playing '70's music isn't a new idea, but it hasn't worked well before. The music formats in the '70's became fractionalized with Album Rock, Pop and Disco. If they can find a way to make it work great but it's not easy.

Leave KB to the 50+ who grew up on Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Chrystals, Gene Pitney, Dion, Lesley Gore, Ricky Nelson and the others who came after like The Beatles, The Dave Clark 5, The Animals, and The Rolling Stones....not to mention the many one-hit-wonders.

I am glad that KB is not just another boring talk station. In a perfect world it would be live personality radio 24 hours a day. Sure FM sounds better (maybe IBOC will solve the fidelity problem in time) but it's nice to hear music that is not heard on FM radio. To hear the hits on the station where many of us heard them first is a real treat.

MikeM


> > WWKB - Is anybody listening?
>
> Yep. They could conceivably finally crack the 2 share
> barrier, And if they promoted it at all, it'd do still
> better. It's actually become a very good station. It would
> be even better if they had someone to host 8 to midnight
> either by VT or live assist (I'd suggest Shane).
>

 

[Shadowsabre]

> an "outside the lines" approach..beyond 'the pages of the
> books'..
> what is every one(on this board's "Perception" of who
> should be # 1; top 3, and what stations improved[2 in
> total]/what stations
> had a summer to forget[2 in total]..and, since 2005 was the
> 'summa' that just wont end!! who is the station that
> surprised
> every one the most by 'hangin' in there..and, showing they
> were able to jump from just 'being there' to Being there!!
> with
> every right as every one else.
>
> Post Away.
> (PS: Please don't favor current employees; and most
> certainly
> please do not BASH -x-employees)...

PERCEPTION? OK:

> who's #1__WBEN-because it's good to be informed, and there's no WGR anymore to compete with-they are sports now.
> top 3:
> 1__WBEN
> 2__WYRK (Is it lots of country fans...or lack of choice for them?)
> 3__WKSE because they offer TRUE top forty without loyalty to a specific type of music.
> most improved
> 1.__WHTT! WOW!
> 2 __WBUF! WOW!
> most disappointing.
> 1.__Lake because they were supposed to beat Jack!
> 2.__1520 WKBW (CHWO got a share point???? and they're from WHERE????????????)
>
> most "improved" (meaning u suck before, now people dont
> forget
> u have a frequencey in this market).
>
> X__WBUF...but remember, sometimes lower numbers, with a secure audience may be a better thing. (fans of a talk format, let's say male, if more men than what Jack brot in, better for sales of things MEN need. advertisers will better bite!)

(The above comments = Buffalo market.)

 

[agreenbe]

97 rock goes too far with the Bills on Sundays.....from 8am until the postgame....I can't even hear Flashback anymore....97 rock should start the coverage at 10am...

What will happen to jack when howard is gone?




> October 20th approaches. How many GMs, Sales Managers, and
> PDs are getting more nervous by the day?
>
> Some of the issues:
>
> WJYE - So hot that they might NOT go Christmas before
> Thanksgiving?
>
> WBLK - Syndicated morning show a boom or a bust? Have they
> run Wild? Kissed-off Entercom?
>
> Jack - Are they a danger to themselves or others?
>
> The Lake - Hi-Jacked? Lake level rising or falling?
>
> WHTT - Oldies no more. Will their evolution into the 70s
> improve their audience demos?
>
> Star - Music mix has shifted, apparently in response to
> Jack. Good or bad?
>
> WBEN - Katrina, Rita, EC Gov. stories a blessing or a curse?
>
>
> WYRK - #1, or #2?
>
> 97-Rock - Bills bills too high? Or worth the return?
>
> WWKB - Is anybody listening?
>

 

[Yeziknoradio]

> What will happen to jack when howard is gone?

Whoopie Goldberg in the morning playing what she wants.
(a fact?...no. but it is one of many serious considerations Infinity is looking into.)<P ID="signature">______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"
</P>

 

[Bob1370]

> > What will happen to jack when howard is gone?
>
> Whoopie Goldberg in the morning playing what she wants.
> (a fact?...no. but it is one of many serious considerations
> Infinity is looking into.)
>
Is it just me? Or shouldn't Infinity's brass have settled who's doing mornings in their markets post-Howard a long time ago, and gotten an intense marketing program for each chosen host in his/her markets under way shortly after Labor Day to make sure people would know what's next and at least give it a try?

If they had chosen well and done decent marketing, Howard would be old news and everyone would be talking about what was coming next. As it stands, Bridge Research found out that a large majority of Stern's listeners are either planning to subscribe to Sirius or picking alternate conventional stations to listen to once he's gone...only 5% think they'll stay with his former affiliate after he's gone, the rest think they'll probably dislike Stern's successor (as yet officially unnamed anywhere) and plan to move on.

That's a disaster.

The only thing that would explain Infinity's apparent inertia, is if they literally can't get anyone high profile to sign on with them to replace Stern (a possibility) and don't have anyone to promote in their key markets. If that's true it's inexcusable since they've had over a year to get it done and prepare the listeners for it.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Stern Post

> Is it just me? Or shouldn't Infinity's brass have settled
> who's doing mornings in their markets post-Howard a long
> time ago, and gotten an intense marketing program for each
> chosen host in his/her markets under way shortly after Labor
> Day to make sure people would know what's next and at least
> give it a try?

I suspect Infinity has their post-Stern plans set and ready to roll. I don't agree that they should have rolled out a marketing program on Labor Day. All that would do is give Howard 4 months to mock his replacement(s), and advertising a "coming attraction" is not nearly as effective as advertising a "now playing" act.

I think that Infinity has learned that it doesn't want all its eggs in one basket, and will replace Stern with 2 to 5 hosts based on station formats. Classic Rockers may get David Lee Roth, active Rockers may get Adam Carolla, etc., depending on the target audience for that market.

Howard's End will generate plenty of media interest during the Christmas-to-New Year News Doldrums, and that will be the time for Infinity to introduce their new product to the market.

 

[lchase]

> 97 rock goes too far with the Bills on Sundays.....from 8am
> until the postgame....I can't even hear Flashback
> anymore....97 rock should start the coverage at 10am...

Stadium lots open at 9 AM for a 1 PM game start; private lots earlier. That means a lot of people heading out to the Ralph are in their cars from 8 AM on. (Or even earlier in my case, since I have a longer commute.)
WGR cranks up their live remote at 8; if 96.9 waits until 10, how many people will bother to switch over?