WBHT Morning Change

[berniek]

Just heard a change has been made in the WBHT morning line up, replacing AJ and Jen....Kidd Kraddick in the morning starting this Monday. AJ moves to PD, no mention of Jen

 

[waunderlust]

EWWWWW! A syndicated nat'l morning show from San Antonio Texas. (http://www.kiddlive.com/)

Things happen in 3's?

Jim Rising
Jen Starr
Justin Bryant

all gone....things they are a changin'...God Bless Jen and Justin. Good Luck A.J.!

 

[scmidlapp]

Jenn should land on her feet----every time I go to Mohegan Sun I see her working there as a casino host(ess)
That's GOTTA be a better gig than BHT.

 

[Aramondo]

...Kidd Kraddick in the morning starting this Monday...

Wow, Stern, Imus, Opie and Anthony all tanked here. Kidd Kraddick? Must be a money move.

 

[MACK184]

KJ Bryant was an idiot and should never have been allowed in the door. AJ should have had the PD gig from the get-go. Jenn is indeed out, and you can all but bet that AJ's afternoon shift will be VT'd. Can you say..cost-cutting?? Wonder when the axe will fall at JR?

 

[waunderlust]

Maybe AJ didn't take the PD gig because being a PD and a Morning Show Host is tough. It's kind of a bummer that they're leaving. Jen and AJ may not have been HUGE, but they were certainly a presence in this market. What's happening with the afternoon guy? God I hate voice tracking.

 

[kfitz]

WBHT is only the second affilliate east of Ohio. I've been down this road before in the past....the rule is simply; midwest and south east morning shows often tank in the east. The only exception I can think of is Bob and Tom and they already were tried here (if I recal??).

Kevin

 

[Roger]

I heard Marino say on the radio yesterday that he is moving to mid-day and AJ is going to be on in the afternoons. It all starts this Monday.

 

[LatinoPride]

It's shocking to me that this decision was made. One would think that Citadel still wanted to see BHT win, but the best chance they had to continue the success they have achieved is to stick with Jenn and AJ in the morning. With that said, Jenn and AJ were not a great morning show. AJ was a male giggle box (in the form of a guy with a radio laugh) and Jenn was the leader of that show. It was fast paced, fake, top 40 radio, But at the same time, they did a great job.

Here is where the problem lies. Jenn and AJ could go out to the clubs and meet people in public. If there is one market in America where localism means something, it is the Wilkes Barre Scranton market. It's where good shows develop, get stale, and stay on the air to die a slow painful death....all while continuing to get ratings because people are loyal to people they know.

Look at shows like Rocky and Sue, Jumpin Jeff Walker, Daniels and Webster. The greatest shows out there? No. They still do well and have a loyal following.

The Kidd Kraddick show is one of the BEST morning shows in America, but it is very slow and southern sounding. It is also a much older sounding show today than it has been in many years.

Kidd Kraddick will age BHT. The market will not accept a show from Texas.

Does anybody really think this post is wrong?

 

[masterg]

Does anybody really think this post is wrong?

Yeah, I do. I think you've made some harsh and unfair judgments about people. People like Rocky and Sue, Jumpin' Jeff Walker, and Daniels and Webster. Their numbers and audiences speak for themselves. I say you completely misunderstand the dynamic of building a relationship with your audience, which takes time, lots of time. Rocky and Sue, Jumpin' Jeff Walker, Daniels and Webster, have all spent years nurturing that relationship by being there, performing, and not letting listeners down.

Listeners here have been around, they've had out of town Jaspers tossed at them repeatedly. They don't buy into it, they predictably reject them, just like they'll reject the new satellite kid on the block at BHT. Give it a year, tops. PDs and suits have long made the stupid assumption that the NE PA audience is unsophisticated and willing to accept mediocrity. That thinking has ended a lot of careers, or at least sent them back into market #97.

 

[LatinoPride]

The truth is, Rocky and Sue, Jumpin Jeff Walker, Daniels and Webster aren't great shows anywhere, BUT in the Wilkes Barre Scranton market.

Any other market, they are good, sold shows.

On the other hand, Kidd Kraddick is a GREAT show. The problem is, he lacks what Rocky and Sue, Jeff Walker, and Daniels and Websters have. He lacks a local tie to the area. He doesn't care about Wilkes, Scranton, Avoca, Olyphant, etc. In fact, I'm sure the only thing he knows about the market is what he's learned on the Office.

I am not knocking the local shows at all. They know the market and make incredible waves locally. They build a relationship with the listeners that Kidd Kraddick will never be able to do.

Kidd Kraddick will fail in less than two years.

 

[crmc]

I beg to Differ.A good show is a good show. D&W would rock where ever they chose to set up shop. Local is always best and they'd learn the local to win over the peeps.

 

[LatinoPride]

I said they would be good shows in any other market. The shows I am talking about have shined in the WB/Scranton market.

The difference is that NEPA is different than many other similar sized markets. The loyalty to the locals is beyond comparison to other cities.

Kidd Kraddick has one of the best shows in the country. His success has been primarily in Southern cities and even in his most successful city, his home of Dallas, TX, many people have been trying to move him to a Hot AC station for years.

In fact, Kidd Kraddick has been placed on some Hot AC stations in different parts of the country. WBHT is a young station...or at least it should be! Kidd Kraddick in the Morning is funny, but I don't think it will work in the market. People may not give the show a chance.

Now, this may be a big test for the local morning shows. If people give Kraddick a chance, they may find that the content is far superior than what they are used to. Kraddick will bring the best content to morning drive ever. He may not have a willing audience.

It could turn into a battle between what people are familiar with and how willing people are to accept change. The NEPA area is one of the most resistant to change areas I have ever known. That puts the edge on the local shows and makes Citadel's move a dumb move.

If you simply lay quality of show vs. quality of show, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning is already the best show in the market.

 

[Tom Woods]

Does anybody really think this post is wrong?

Yeah, I do. I think you've made some harsh and unfair judgments about people. People like Rocky and Sue, Jumpin' Jeff Walker, and Daniels and Webster. Their numbers and audiences speak for themselves. I say you completely misunderstand the dynamic of building a relationship with your audience, which takes time, lots of time. Rocky and Sue, Jumpin' Jeff Walker, Daniels and Webster, have all spent years nurturing that relationship by being there, performing, and not letting listeners down.

Listeners here have been around, they've had out of town Jaspers tossed at them repeatedly. They don't buy into it, they predictably reject them, just like they'll reject the new satellite kid on the block at BHT. Give it a year, tops. PDs and suits have long made the stupid assumption that the NE PA audience is unsophisticated and willing to accept mediocrity. That thinking has ended a lot of careers, or at least sent them back into market #97.


Well stated Masterg!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[waunderlust]

Now, this may be a big test for the local morning shows. If people give Kraddick a chance, they may find that the content is far superior than what they are used to. Kraddick will bring the best content to morning drive ever. He may not have a willing audience.

It could turn into a battle between what people are familiar with and how willing people are to accept change. The NEPA area is one of the most resistant to change areas I have ever known. That puts the edge on the local shows and makes Citadel's move a dumb move.

If you simply lay quality of show vs. quality of show, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning is already the best show in the market.

Spoken like a true "out of town jasper" corporate lackey.

What makes Kraddick better? 'Cause he works great in the south?

Just remember, NEPA is/was a test market for various national chains for a reason. (McDonald's-HBO-etc.) We should take credit for Stern having to go on the satellite.

"If you can't make it in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, you can't make it anywhere"

 

[masterg]

Now, this may be a big test for the local morning shows. If people give Kraddick a chance, they may find that the content is far superior than what they are used to. Kraddick will bring the best content to morning drive ever. He may not have a willing audience.

The audience will determine what is the "best content," not you. See, that's how it works; the audience likes, the audience dislikes, that's how it works. Funny thing, but that's how it has always worked. Folks don't like being told what's "best" and what isn't, they tend to make up their own minds. If Kidd is rejected here, fine. If not, fine.

BTW, your remarks about this market are offensive. Many of us have chosen to live our lives here, understand?

The loyalty to the locals is beyond comparison to other cities.

And you know this how? Proof? Let's have it. Of all the AM personalities you mentioned, the only one who is native to the area is John Webster. All the others came here and liked it enough to stay and build an audience. More importantly, "loyalty to locals," as you put it, is admirable, it's what any PD worthy of the title prays for day in and day out.

 

[LatinoPride]

I find myself on the defensive here, but I am not knocking anybody.

I'll rephrase...."the loyalty that the locals have for the local personalities is beyond comparison."

I know the market. I lived on Coal Street in Wilkes Barre. The area isn't for everybody, but it has a certain charm. Don't get me wrong, I can't come through the area without getting a "tray" or two of my favorite Old Forge Pizza.

As far as judging content goes, it is personal opinion. Listeners don't talk about things like content. You are right, I sound like a corporate radio idiot. Listeners get moved by emotion, weather it is by laughing, anger, crying, etc.

Kidd Kraddick's content is phenomenal. The show is very well done. I just don't see the market warming up to them.

Bob and Tom...Ace and TJ....Kidd Kraddick. All solid shows that work well on a regional level, but when they travel north will not work.

Does anybody actually think this was a good move for WBHT?

 

[waunderlust]

Does anybody actually think this was a good move for WBHT?

WOW. maybe if you read ANY of the above posts BEFORE you came in swinging the Kidd banner around you would know what this board thinks....

 

[kfitz]

In a way.....maybe Kidd K could be a good move......I think if a syndicated morning show were to work here it would be on a younger format like BHT. Its a big risk...though. Citadel has Kidd K on some of its other stations; they likely get a package discount, thus its likely costing them little to run it here. I listened to 20 min's of Kidd K's show last week when I was travelling, its a good syndicated show. Its interesting to note that Bob and Tom have been successful in both Williamsport and Elmira/Corning; most thought this would fail. Ace and TJ were recently picked up on the big stick in State College; I went to a seminar and met them 2 months ago and they were great. These syndicated talents seem to work better in smaller markets; say below number 100 where the competitive level is less. Of course this market is headed that way....
Basically this is a cost cutting move....if BHT stays the same in the ratings Citadel will consider this a great victory; they will have cut costs without losing ratings. Scranton/Wilkes-barre again becomes a test market; if this works for Citadel here morning DJs in other northeast markets like Binghamton, Syracuse, Harrisburg, etc. better start looking for other work (sadly).

Kevin

 

[mrslate]

Regarding the shows mentioned above, you're probably correct. They work because of the market. I doubt they'd work elsewhere, though that really doesn't matter. They work here. The thing you left out is: Heritage. They've been here a long time. That creates somewhat of a comfort zone. That also creates something else: Opportunity. Opportunity for a new, fresh sounding show.

As for content? Content is in the ear of the beholder. Aside from news and occasional weather reports, listeners just want to be entertained, and couldn't care less where the programming originated. If I had a dime for every radio person who claims, "this market is different..." Blah blah blah It's no different from any other market in that it wants to be ENTERTAINED.

Bottom line? This is more about economics than anything else. This is probably cheap filler they can use until Citadel figures out what to do with this cluster.