R
radioprofessor
Guest
I have listened to radio in this market for some time and have never felt the need to post on this board, but thought it important to clear up some untruths:
A. Seattle is not unique. Well executed radio formats and personalities work in this market, just like any other in the nation. My analysis of Seattle shows that stations that execute mechanics and play the correct songs succeed in their target demographics. Syndicated shows like Howard Stern worked in Seattle, just like every other market.
B. Seattle personalities that succeed are similar to like personalities I have had the pleasure to listen to in other markets. Each major market has three or four established personalities and they have a solid fan base. The successful programmers surround these personalities with music that fits their age and presentation. This is the case with Seattle personalities Bob Rivers, Kent and Alan, Ichabod and T-Man. Each has been here for over a decade and each personalities is on the appropriate station for their target audience. New personalities have a chance to succeed if they execute the format mechanics, promote and are willing to work 24/7 to become household names. Few have this work ethic.
C. Seattle has no outstanding radio stations. There is no dominant station that outperforms its projected format market share. This creates significant opportunity. Stations like KISS in LA, KISS in Boston, KISS in Dallas, KGO in SF all have heritage dominance outside their projected format shares. They become bigger than life.
D. A professors grade for your major stations:
92.5: Silly. This format is a national joke. Personalities sound like they belong in a much smaller market D-
93.3: Solid morning show. Station programming is way off the mark. They lack competition and win by default. Imaging and other air staff very weak. C
94.1: Solid Country station, but cluttered. Air-staff, especially mornings talk way to much. C+
95.7: Excellent Classic Hits format. Virtually automated. B
96.5: Silly. JACK format is a national joke. This JACK station has not made updates dictated by the national consultant. Lazy to say the least D
97.3: What is this? Very poor Oldies station. Personalities fit, but music is off the mark. D
98.1: Poorly formated Classical Station. This station needs updating in approach and music selection. There are some outstanding recordings that have been done recently. D+
99.9: Well programmed Rock Station. Mornings belong in Spokane, but fit the station well. B-
100.7: Well programmed WOLF Country. Horrid Airstaff C-
101.5: HOT/AC is a dead format. This station must hybrid to bright AC to survive. Odd mix of CHR, COUNTRY and HOT/AC hits. Mornings dull, but mechanically sound. C
102.5: Solid Classic Rock station, but way too cluttered. Mornings fit the market and format well. Would be better if music were included. B-
103.7: Uninspiring AAA. Personalities are generic and music is by the book. This station needs a mission/purpose. Cause oriented programming wins. C
105.3: Best station in the market. Christian programming, minimal clutter, solid air personalities. A-
106.1: Poorly programmed CHR. Mechanics, Music and Imaging need attention. Personalities need intense coaching for success. Mornings needs to focus more on music. D
106.9: Sounds like an AC from a decade ago. Needs updating, but may succeed due to lack of competition. D
107.7: Worst programmed Alternative station I have ever heard. Music lacks current focus, air staff is unfocused and Adam Corolla is a poor fit. F
On the AM dial there are no solid stations. The perfect station would take the mornings on KOMO, Middays on KTTH/KIRO, Afternoons on KIRO and Nights on KJR-AM. mixed with sports. The programming is spread across multiple stations and as a result none can win.
Finally, the postings on this thread tend to be wildly inaccurate. I can tell you, with some authority, that KQMV is not going to work long-term, JACK needs to hybrid to succeed, KBKS will fix its execution at all levels and become the dominant player on the FM dial. I can also tell you, with some authority, that the four-book is not everything. Most advertisers add extra weight to the most recent book and programmers pay very close attention to trends. Those that do not, are not doing their jobs. Radio requires passion, vision and 24/7 work from the programmer and air-staff to succeed.
A. Seattle is not unique. Well executed radio formats and personalities work in this market, just like any other in the nation. My analysis of Seattle shows that stations that execute mechanics and play the correct songs succeed in their target demographics. Syndicated shows like Howard Stern worked in Seattle, just like every other market.
B. Seattle personalities that succeed are similar to like personalities I have had the pleasure to listen to in other markets. Each major market has three or four established personalities and they have a solid fan base. The successful programmers surround these personalities with music that fits their age and presentation. This is the case with Seattle personalities Bob Rivers, Kent and Alan, Ichabod and T-Man. Each has been here for over a decade and each personalities is on the appropriate station for their target audience. New personalities have a chance to succeed if they execute the format mechanics, promote and are willing to work 24/7 to become household names. Few have this work ethic.
C. Seattle has no outstanding radio stations. There is no dominant station that outperforms its projected format market share. This creates significant opportunity. Stations like KISS in LA, KISS in Boston, KISS in Dallas, KGO in SF all have heritage dominance outside their projected format shares. They become bigger than life.
D. A professors grade for your major stations:
92.5: Silly. This format is a national joke. Personalities sound like they belong in a much smaller market D-
93.3: Solid morning show. Station programming is way off the mark. They lack competition and win by default. Imaging and other air staff very weak. C
94.1: Solid Country station, but cluttered. Air-staff, especially mornings talk way to much. C+
95.7: Excellent Classic Hits format. Virtually automated. B
96.5: Silly. JACK format is a national joke. This JACK station has not made updates dictated by the national consultant. Lazy to say the least D
97.3: What is this? Very poor Oldies station. Personalities fit, but music is off the mark. D
98.1: Poorly formated Classical Station. This station needs updating in approach and music selection. There are some outstanding recordings that have been done recently. D+
99.9: Well programmed Rock Station. Mornings belong in Spokane, but fit the station well. B-
100.7: Well programmed WOLF Country. Horrid Airstaff C-
101.5: HOT/AC is a dead format. This station must hybrid to bright AC to survive. Odd mix of CHR, COUNTRY and HOT/AC hits. Mornings dull, but mechanically sound. C
102.5: Solid Classic Rock station, but way too cluttered. Mornings fit the market and format well. Would be better if music were included. B-
103.7: Uninspiring AAA. Personalities are generic and music is by the book. This station needs a mission/purpose. Cause oriented programming wins. C
105.3: Best station in the market. Christian programming, minimal clutter, solid air personalities. A-
106.1: Poorly programmed CHR. Mechanics, Music and Imaging need attention. Personalities need intense coaching for success. Mornings needs to focus more on music. D
106.9: Sounds like an AC from a decade ago. Needs updating, but may succeed due to lack of competition. D
107.7: Worst programmed Alternative station I have ever heard. Music lacks current focus, air staff is unfocused and Adam Corolla is a poor fit. F
On the AM dial there are no solid stations. The perfect station would take the mornings on KOMO, Middays on KTTH/KIRO, Afternoons on KIRO and Nights on KJR-AM. mixed with sports. The programming is spread across multiple stations and as a result none can win.
Finally, the postings on this thread tend to be wildly inaccurate. I can tell you, with some authority, that KQMV is not going to work long-term, JACK needs to hybrid to succeed, KBKS will fix its execution at all levels and become the dominant player on the FM dial. I can also tell you, with some authority, that the four-book is not everything. Most advertisers add extra weight to the most recent book and programmers pay very close attention to trends. Those that do not, are not doing their jobs. Radio requires passion, vision and 24/7 work from the programmer and air-staff to succeed.
. hey Prof, why does our AAA station rock this market and you ain't even got one in LA ??? Maybe the professor needs to go back to school.