Tyler-Longview Ratings

[old_skuel]

The Tyler-Longview book should come out sometime around mid-month or so. Anyone care to guss how it will turn out?

 

[billyg]

I think it will be the same old song, but I'm curious how well The Breeze, KTBB-FM and KZTK will do.

 

[old_skuel]

I agree billy. Those are the only wild cards I can see.

 

[S McCoy]

12+ 6a-12m Mon-Sun Fall 09
#1-KISX 9.3
#2-KBLZ 8.5
#3-KNUE 7.5
#4-KTBB AM 7.5
#5-KOOI 6.1
#6-KOYE 5.9
#7-KKUS 5.3
#8-KTYL 4.8
#9-KKTX 4.8
#10-KYKX 2.9

 

[jd]

Although it's a shame that one of the best sounding stations in East Texas is gone, I'd say that Gleiser made the right decision by killing KDOK. In the early running KTBB-FM 92.1 is bubbling under the top 10, really not bad for a start-up.

You can't say the same for Reynolds' decision to change 99.3 to talk (read that as 2nd or 3rd tier talkers), at least not yet, since it appears they have virtually no ratings. I think it was a mistake to give Jack the boot and that they should have done more promotion and a better job of selling the format. With better execution it should have worked.

 

[billyg]

Although it's a shame that one of the best sounding stations in East Texas is gone, I'd say that Gleiser made the right decision by killing KDOK. In the early running KTBB-FM 92.1 is bubbling under the top 10, really not bad for a start-up.

You can't say the same for Reynolds' decision to change 99.3 to talk (read that as 2nd or 3rd tier talkers), at least not yet, since it appears they have virtually no ratings. I think it was a mistake to give Jack the boot and that they should have done more promotion and a better job of selling the format. With better execution it should have worked.

I agree, I don't know why Reynolds cant run 99.3 the way he does the Blaze. I would have switched 99.3 to Scott Shannon's True Oldies before 1240 got it.

I was happy to see the Breeze improve, they could wind up in the Top 10 next spring. And also congrats to Chuck's KZQX for appearing for the first time. I'm not sure if those ratings are with the LP or with the new FM.

 

[Chuck]

Although it's a shame that one of the best sounding stations in East Texas is gone, I'd say that Gleiser made the right decision by killing KDOK. In the early running KTBB-FM 92.1 is bubbling under the top 10, really not bad for a start-up.

You can't say the same for Reynolds' decision to change 99.3 to talk (read that as 2nd or 3rd tier talkers), at least not yet, since it appears they have virtually no ratings. I think it was a mistake to give Jack the boot and that they should have done more promotion and a better job of selling the format. With better execution it should have worked.

I agree, I don't know why Reynolds cant run 99.3 the way he does the Blaze. I would have switched 99.3 to Scott Shannon's True Oldies before 1240 got it.

I was happy to see the Breeze improve, they could wind up in the Top 10 next spring. And also congrats to Chuck's KZQX for appearing for the first time. I'm not sure if those ratings are with the LP or with the new FM.

LPFM ratings have always been buried with the non-com ratings which are not made public. I'm guessing that it is the new 100.3 that they are reporting, since showed up. As the LPFM, it would be a deep dark secret.

I've never figured out why that is. Something about the Emperor's new clothes, perhaps? As it works out, many non-coms have significant audiences, but that is never taken into consideration in the "public" ratings.

We switched to from being a LPFM to being a commercial station on November 4, which was during the rating period. I'm amazed that we showed up at all.

 

[Chuck]

I'd forgotten to mention in the previous post that we've been in the ratings for the last four or five years. It's just that the non-com results aren't made public, so you probably didn't know. The only way you can access the data is through a subscription to either Arbitron, or their nonprofit affiliate, the Radio Research Consortium.

For a long time, Arbitron refused to rate LPFM stations at all. When they relaxed that barrier, they actually called me to let me know that we were the very first LPFM to ever make Arbitron ratings. I was quite flattered.

Keep in mind that the "public" ratings are for the 12+ age group. That's almost worthless data, especially if your target audience is well past 12 years old. I guess that's why it is free. Still, it is nice to be included.

 

[C414B]

For a long time, Arbitron refused to rate LPFM stations at all. When they relaxed that barrier, they actually called me to let me know that we were the very first LPFM to ever make Arbitron ratings. I was quite flattered.

Not surprised here, Chuck. You've done your homework and it shows with the on-air product.

Congrats on your appearance in the fall book as a full-power FM, too!

 

[georgechambers]

Non Coms have no business in the ratings game. Many non-coms have studio waivers and have no connection to the community. Not to mention the Fill in translators all over the country in over crowded areas. Non-Com operators are a cost to broadcasters that pay their way at the FCC and try to compete. Now the bottom feeders talk about ratings! Hogwash!!!

 

[Chuck]

Non Coms have no business in the ratings game.

Sure they do. If someone is listening to the noncom, no matter how awful it is, they are not listening to a commercial (i.e.: your) station.

Denial is not a river...

 

[Kent]

Sure they do. If someone is listening to the noncom, no matter how awful it is, they are not listening to a commercial (i.e.: your) station.

Denial is not a river...

I can see both sides of the debate here. I can certainly understand Mr. Chambers's frustration with non-commercial operators (one in particular comes to mind) that come into a market, get a main studio waiver and do absolutely nothing to cater to the local audience. Some even plead poverty to the FCC while raking in millions.

However, I tend to fall more on your side, Chuck, because, like you said, if people aren't listening to your station, you need to know why. If it's because they're listening to a non-comm, you not only have the right to know but somewhat of a duty as well because you could be missing out on a format that could make you more money. Besides, if you don't think non-comms compete in the general marketplace, you don't understand the business models many of them use. Non-comms can, and do, sell airtime. It's just presented a little differently and is called "underwriting."

 

[fredcantu]

And for religious non-comms that appear to broker their time, a ministry donates money to the station and the station donates air time to the ministry? Is that how it works?

 

[Chuck]

And for religious non-comms that appear to broker their time, a ministry donates money to the station and the station donates air time to the ministry? Is that how it works?

That is exactly how it works. If the "ministry" stops donating, I think you will find that their program also disappears.

I'm not going to make a value judgment on that one. It is legal. Is it right? Well, you decide.

Just to keep the discussion balanced, when commercial broadcasters saw manna from heaven when the FCC relaxed the ownership rules in 1996, many became behemoths of the industry. It was completely legal to do so. Whether or not it was the right thing to do is an entirely different story. Once again, you decide.

It is hard to blame anyone for taking advantage of the rules as they apply to them. It is a lot like paying taxes. Nobody wants to pay more than his or her fair share, and taking advantage of legal deductions is in your best interest. In fact, you'd be foolish not to.

By the way, not all NCE stations are a scam. A lot of these stations are operated by dedicated professionals who are sincere in their desire to serve their community. That’s not to say that commercial broadcasters don’t do that too. Some do, some don’t. There are abuses on both sides of the fence. Keep in mind that radio stations, either commercial or noncommercial are supposed to serve the public interest, convenience and necessity. A lot of stations do that very well.