Waco got The Beat

[bhenslee]

On average, you'll hear 1 or 2 classic cuts per hour on The Bear...AC/DC, Van Halen, Hendrix, Zeppelin, and the like...not a very deep classic library. Plus, old school Metallica, Pantera, and Megadeth. Less classic rock than KEGL, for sure.

Same goes for CC's KLFX (107.3 The Fox) in Killeen-Temple, which consitently whoops KLTD in the ratings. In fact, KBRQ and KLFX share the same PD, staff, and music logs. The only difference is morning drive (Bob and Tom on KBRQ, local host on KLFX). KLFX's signal does not get into Waco.

KLTD, like I mentioned earlier, is a bit skitzophrenic. They'll go from a brand new Weezer song into the Rolling Stones "It's Only Rock 'n Roll," no exaggeration. If you're not careful, you'll get whiplash listening to KLTD. They play 2 or 3 classics per hour (many of which aren't played on KBRQ/KLFX), a decent amount of new alternative tunes, and very little metal. Never heard Pantera on KLTD.

 

[jd]

Wow, JD, that is the first time you have somewhat agreed with me. Maybe if you drove through Waco and tried to pull in KDGE, you would completely agree with me.

Haven't been to Waco in a while, in fact, I try to avoid it if possible. It's kind of a personal thing, although I'm originally from that area and once worked at a station near Waco. I agree with the other posters here about alternative in Waco; I just don't see it working. I do, however, believe that "The Beat" can make a go of it and would like to point out something about M&M. They've read the First Broadcasting "back-door" upgrade book and you can look for a move that would mean much better coverage of Waco. It can be done.

As far as the last portion of your reply, that's harsh. You should at least elaborate if you are going to rip someone.

Well, excuse me, maybe I should have added a smiley or something. It was meant to be a little humorous (I guess that failed) but here's the issue: once you've made up your mind it seems that nothing will sway you, regardless of what the other posters say. Collectively, many of the people here have a wealth of experience and a grasp of the reality about the business of radio that's not clouded by personal bias. Again, I'm offering constructive criticism here; don't lose that enthusiasm, but ask questions, seek answers through your own research and most importantly, don't forget about the fine art of listening.

As Cousin Artie has described, Waco is a very unique place. If I lived there I'd probably want to be able to listen to an alternative station (and I'm sure that I'm a lot older than most of the people who post here!) But I'm realistic enough to know that the format is probably the least likely choice for any of the stations there.

 

[Kent]

Kent, you are misinterpreting what I am saying. I never said The X was tearing the cover off the ball, but it was indeed making money. 103-9 The X was not a cash cow, but I spoke with the morning DJ at KXCS (The X) from 2004 when he stopped by the KTSW studios in 2008 (a year after the flip), and he explained that while KXCS was putting up good numbers consistently, BOB FM and other classic hits-themed formats (Bob, Jack, Dick, etc.) were really hot and that is why Brazos decided to jump ship. They saw an opportunity not just to simply "hit their margins," but to possibly be #1 in Aggieland. Alternative worked in Aggieland, and I am sure that somewhere in the near future, you will see it again in the Bryan/College Station area.

We're actually saying the same thing. You're just drawing the opposite conclusion I am from the information. If you're trying to sell someone on doing alternative in Waco because someone in College Station ran alternative only to see a better opportunity in variety hits, you've just told everyone with any business sense to do variety hits, not alternative.

To Purple, again thanks for being another poster to confirm that KDGE's signal doesn't reach Waco. I drove through Waco a couple of weeks ago on my way to Dallas, and I too was surprised by KLTD. I am used to hearing them play classic rock, but the majority of what I heard was active rock. I had the same experience with The Bear; they rocked all the way through Waco. I don't remember hearing Boston, AC/DC, or any other classic-rock types. I may have caught them at a good time, like you. Cousin Artie would be the source to find out the percentage of active rock/classic rock The Bear and KLTD plays.

I can remember hearing KTXQ in Waco, though that's been quite awhile. If I used outdated information, it was an honest mistake.

 

[fredcantu]

The fact that people in Waco will listen to fringe signals out of Dallas tells you it's all about programing. Being local is a plus... but you better not suck in comparison to the big guys.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

JD---I appreciate all of the feedback I get from listeners, former and current DJs, former and current PDs, etc., and I am not clouded by personal bias. I am not saying alternative is the #1 format in the US and if Waco flipped 94-5 to alt rock it would be the new #1 in Central Texas; I am saying it would be in the middle of the pack, and I use talking points to back that up. There is no right or wrong answer here, and for you to say that about me was uncalled for.

Kent---Yes, KTXQ is no longer the calls for Dallas's 102.1, as it is now KDGE (the Edge). Maybe at that time their signal did reach Waco, but now the signal reaches Hillsboro with a "distant" signal, and West, TX with a "fringe" signal. In Waco, the signal goes from fringe to complete static, and on most nights, tropoducting takes over and you can hear KMJQ 102.1 from Houston.

Also, in 2007 classic hits (BOB FM, JACK FM, DICK FM, etc) was extremely hot, alt rock was only hitting its margins in most markets, so back then it was doing well. That's not to say it would beat an alternative format today, it just depends on which market you speak of. With Waco picking up a hip hop station, it goes to show they are thinking outside the box, and, when speaking about Waco, I believe an alt rock station would do just as good if not better than a hip hop station.

Fred Cantu makes a good point. If Wacoans are happier listening to Dallas's stations that come with static, then that goes to show you how bad their choices are.

 

[bhenslee]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's not that Waco has poor choices (although a couple of stations are a joke)...it's that Waco has a limited amount of local choices.

Waco has roughly half the signals of other similar cities like Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland-Odessa, and Tyler-Longview. Each of those markets has roughly 20 FM signals. Waco has...10? Why? Because of Waco's proximity to Dallas and Killeen, and Killeen's proximity to Austin. Like Waco, Killeen has roughly 10 FM signals, none of which are on a big stick. In a perfect world, Waco and Killeen would be one radio market (it's one TV market...a top 100 market, in fact). If that were the case, Waco-Killeen-Temple would be market 94(?) with 20 FM signals...but that's simply not the case, unfortunately.

I included Waco's 12+ ratings in an earlier post. Notice that only 3 Dallas stations are a real factor in Waco...KKDA, KBFB, and WBAP. If the new 104.9 The Beat is a success, KKDA and KBFB may no longer be a factor.

KZPS? A slight factor (no classic rocker in Waco)
KHKS? A slight factor (probably in morning drive)
KEGL? Not a factor
KLUV? Not a factor
KPLX and KCSC? Not a factor
JACK? Not a factor (pretty good signal, though)
KVIL? Not a factor (again, pretty good signal)
KLLI? Possibly the best FM Dallas signal into Waco, but not a factor

Lastly, Surge, notice in those ratings that an alternative station pulling a 2.5 would not be "middle of the pack." A 2.5 would be 12th place. A 2.5 in Dallas or Houston ain't too bad. In smaller markets, an FM station with a 2.5 will result in a format change.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

Duly noted, Cousin Artie.

 

[jd]

KLLI? Possibly the best FM Dallas signal into Waco, but not a factor

I know you meant to say KRLD-FM, but no matter. They're not a factor in Dallas either.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

One could argue KRLD isn't a factor in Dallas, either.

While they may not be a factor, their signal does reach Waco, which takes away one more frequency Waco has to offer.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

Come to think of it, the situation in Waco isn't really that bad. 102.5 The Bear rocks, with the exception of when they play classic rock songs; however, if they are only playing two an hour, that's not too bad. I can deal with a Led Zeppelin or Boston song here and there. A few years ago, 102.5 played nothing but classic rock; that sucked. KLTD seemed to play more classic rock than active as well.

In addition, you have KLTD on the southside of Waco, and KEGL on the northside. I would rather listen to alternative, but a lot of what you would hear on an alternative station is what you would hear on an active rocker, so its pretty much the same thing.

Maybe we could get an alt rock station on one of Waco's LPs, like 96.7 or 100.7, or maybe Baylor 103-3.

 

[bucwhyl]

I'm just happy for Waco, because when Amarillo, Lubbock, and Midland/Odessa all got hip hop stations, I was thinking, "What about Waco?" Have Waco ever had a hip hop station? I just feel like everybody should be served in every market. You can say K104 and 97.9 The Beat, but do they talk about Waco? 104.9 The Beat will do that.

Hey Buc..serve me some chicken and Buscuits on the double.

What does that suppose to mean?.....

 

[93-3TheSurge]

I think Radiogroupie was implying that you work at KFC, Church's, etc., simply because you are a fan of hip-hop.

Radiogroupie is quite possibly the least intelligent poster on this board, and with posts like that, is not deserving of membership to this website.

 

[bucwhyl]

I'm too old to start a war with a groupie.

 

[yeahIwasinradio]

KLRK adds 100.9 to their frequency for better penetration into the Killeen/Temple market this weekend

 

[93-3TheSurge]

KLRK adds 100.9 to their frequency for better penetration into the Killeen/Temple market this weekend

Are you sure you don't mean KWBT? KLRK doesn't need a translator, but KWBT needs about three.

Now that KYAR has upgraded, what is it going to do with K267AI in Moody?

 

[bhenslee]

It's KLRK because Killeen-Temple does not have a HOT AC station...until now, I guess.

Killeen already has 3 urban/rythmic stations. 92.3, 103.1, and 106.3. The former KDHT/Austin was also a player in the Killeen ratings until Emmis pulled the plug.

KWBT will be moving to a new stick a little closer to Waco, but I don't recall the timetable that I heard. Couple of months?

 

[93-3TheSurge]

It looks like KLRK covers Temple/Killeen just fine. Am I missing something?

 

[txchipk]

It's KLRK because Killeen-Temple does not have a HOT AC station...until now, I guess.

Killeen already has 3 urban/rythmic stations. 92.3, 103.1, and 106.3. The former KDHT/Austin was also a player in the Killeen ratings until Emmis pulled the plug.

KWBT will be moving to a new stick a little closer to Waco, but I don't recall the timetable that I heard. Couple of months?

On KLRK, the K265DV 100.9 Temple translator doesn't add to its coverage. It's transmitter (in Troy, north of Temple) is about 20 miles south of KLRK's (near Lorena). Killeen falls outside the city grade of KLRK; the translator doesn't provide any signal that way either. The translator's coverage is entirely duplicated by KLRK's, so it is a bit odd.

 

[93-3TheSurge]

On KLRK, the K265DV 100.9 Temple translator doesn't add to its coverage. It's transmitter (in Troy, north of Temple) is about 20 miles south of KLRK's (near Lorena). Killeen falls outside the city grade of KLRK; the translator doesn't provide any signal that way either. The translator's coverage is entirely duplicated by KLRK's, so it is a bit odd.

Yeah it doesn't look like K265DV would cover anything KLRK doesn't already, that's why I thought the translator was for KWBT, which desperately needs a translator.

 

[bhenslee]

I had not looked at KLRK's coverage map before now. That is odd. They have absolutely no ratings in Killeen-Temple. Maybe the translator will better penetrate office buildings in Temple? Also, I don't think their signal in Killeen is as strong as the coverage map suggests.