What Citadel Should Do With One Of Their Stations

[theradiokid]

Okay. So we know that the Citadel Cluster in Syracuse is a mess. Well, I think I know how to fix at least 1 of their problems. The formats they run now (except "93Q") aren't making money, and aren't doing well in ratings. Well, I've got an idea.

In Burmingham, AL, Citadel runs a AAA station called "Live 100.5." I accedently discovered them through wikipedia last night. But I must say, after giving them a listen, that, in my opinion, it is an amazing station. I heard many things on that station I don't even know what they are. It's a great AAA, and, if marketed and done right, I think it might work in Syracuse. Can't you see it? "Live 95," or, "Live 105, Syracuse's Moddern Music." Yes? No? Your thoughts?

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[SirRoxalot]

AAA? They Need More Than a Jump-Start

If they can't do a mass appeal format well enough to make a profit, what makes you think that they can do a niche format well enough to earn a profit?

The AAA format, as appealing as it sounds in theory, isn't replacing more mainstream formats - especially in medium/small markets where there's less competition. IMO, Citadel's best option is to rebuild on their existing listener base with well-programmed music and relatable talent. The radio equivalent of canned spam, ersatz music programming, and directionless management ain't gonna get the job done, no matter what the format.

 

[theradiokid]

Rox, I see where you’re coming from on this. Yes, Citadel can’t even program mainstream formats correctly. I think that is because of a lack of compitant programmers and managers at Citadel Syracuse. But here’s where I’m comin’ from on this one, kay? Look, in Syracuse, you’ve got 3 AC stations, pretty much doing the same brand of AC. “Y94’s” the big one, with “Sunny” and “Lite Rock” lagging behind in ratings, and probably, revenue. Eventually, somethin’s gotta give with this 3 way AC battle that, as of right now, isn’t helping anyone except “Y94FM.” Now, Citadel just canned Dave Alan. What better opretunity for them to go AAA. Knowing Citadel, they won’t do it right, but there will still be benefits to this nitch approach. Because 105.9 will be the only AAA in the market, listeners will go to that station when they wanna hear unique music. They can sell this to advertisers as something different, new, and fresh. Advertisers will more likely go for that than for advertising on “one of those other AC stations.” Will it take time to work? Certainly. But, if Citadel is patient, they will see the benefits in the long run.

--The Radio Kid
(AKA Oswego Jeremy, as nicknamed by George of the Radio Racket.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[BobRoss]

Will it take time to work? Certainly. But, if Citadel is patient, they will see the benefits in the long run.

The sad thing about corporate radio is that they have to satisfy the shareholders NOW. Today. This quarter, this year. There's very little tolerance for plans that "might" work in "the long run." Citadel stock is at 82 cents a share this very moment. They're not really in a position to be spending big bucks to promote a new format that "might" reap benefits 2 or 3 years from now. If you're going to launch a new format, you need to do it right, and that includes tons of outside advertising (billboards, TV, print, etc.) to let people know you're there. It's probably a safe bet to assume Citadel has already chopped any budget for that kind of expense out of this year's budget.

 

[doctorcomputer3]

According to Wall Street, we need money "now" is in every business. Im happy on my hobby horse radio station and I like the "Live" idea a lot. On the air, it doesnt matter if you are busy, It does matter if you sound busy.

 

[STEVE527]

has anybody listened to 105.9 lately. new girl on middays ,calls herself jayne my girlfriend told me to listen, shes actually very funny, anybody know where she's from.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Jayne

has anybody listened to 105.9 lately. new girl on middays ,calls herself jayne my girlfriend told me to listen, shes actually very funny, anybody know where she's from.

More syndication. "Jayne" does bits on Curtis Sliwa's show on WABC NY. Her website, www.jaynefm.com, lists half a dozen affiliates - a couple Beasely stations, an Internet station, and some small markets. It looks like she's off the biggest affiliate listed, KSD-FM in St. Louis, which is now a country station owned by Clear Channel.

Wanna bet that Citadel is getting her cheap, promising her "opportunities" on other Citadel stations if Syracuse is a hit?

 

[STEVE527]

thanks for the info and insight, i went to the web site, didn't see the st. louis station you were talking about, however, but i am listening now and she is very good, i could see her going a lot further with this company.

 

[SirRoxalot]

thanks for the info and insight, i went to the web site, didn't see the st. louis station you were talking about, however, but i am listening now and she is very good, i could see her going a lot further with this company.

So, how long have you been working for Citadel? Or should I say shilling for Citadel?

When it comes to cheap, NOBODY beats Citadel at this point. Jayne will find that out - if she hasn't already.

 

[STEVE527]

thanks for the info and insight, i went to the web site, didn't see the st. louis station you were talking about, however, but i am listening now and she is very good, i could see her going a lot further with this company.

So, how long have you been working for Citadel? Or should I say shilling for Citadel?

When it comes to cheap, NOBODY beats Citadel at this point. Jayne will find that out - if she hasn't already.
[
/quote


I can see where you might think that i work for citadel, by the way, you sound like a disgruntled, ex employee, but i assure you I do not work for them. I just think there's something there with her, who knows what it will grow into.]

 

[SirRoxalot]

Exes and Ohs

I can see where you might think that i work for citadel, by the way, you sound like a disgruntled, ex employee, but i assure you I do not work for them. I just think there's something there with her, who knows what it will grow into.

You don't have to be an ex-employee of Citadel - or most other major groups - to be disgruntled these days.

Enjoy Jayne. Just don't expect to hear about bad weather, traffic problems, or anything else important going on in Syracuse during her "shift".

 

[sandy shore]

Hahha. thats a good one guys. Jayne worked for me doing some imaging at one point. She's GOOD. but I couldn't afford to maintain her. That girl does not work for "cheap" Have you looked at her client base? I think you got it all wrong, Rox. If she's working for cheap, then it's most likely with a promise in writing of futures from Citadel. I'm tellin ya. I know her.

 

[SirRoxalot]

More Jayne

Hahha. thats a good one guys. Jayne worked for me doing some imaging at one point. She's GOOD. but I couldn't afford to maintain her. That girl does not work for "cheap" Have you looked at her client base? I think you got it all wrong, Rox. If she's working for cheap, then it's most likely with a promise in writing of futures from Citadel. I'm tellin ya. I know her.

Hey, all I know is what she puts on her website. She lists six affiliates on jaynefm.com, and seven on robinmarshall.com. In fact, she lists "Star 93.3 Buffalo NY" as a Robin Marshall affiliate - but there's no such station. I've heard her samples, but I haven't heard her on the air. I do know that Citadel has tightened the belt to the point where Kevin Legrett is having trouble breathing.

If she does liners, imaging, or bits for a bunch more, fine. If she syndicates to a bunch of others, fine. She doesn't list 'em on either website. That's the only "client base" I have access to.

 

[ThePickleReport]

Re: More Jayne

Hey, all I know is what she puts on her website. She lists six affiliates on jaynefm.com, and seven on robinmarshall.com.

One network she was syndicated on, owned by Sovereign City, went out of business this afternoon.

 

[sandy shore]

Re: MORE JAYNE

yeah, I saw that. That one might hurt her....but like I said, I know this girl. She never puts all her eggs in one basket.

 

[Element9]

For the record, 93.3 WWSE is in Jamestown, NY. It's not a Buffalo station, doesn't get even close to Buffalo (despite the contours shown on Radio-Locator.) Buffalo has two stations on both second adjacencies, WBUF (Jack), 70kW on 92.9 and WBLK 50kW on 93.7. Roughly, Jamestown is to Buffalo as Watertown is to Syracuse. She can dream it, but as of today, she's not heard in Buffalo.

 

[STEVE527]

Re: More Jayne

I went and looked, and I think she had a misprint on her own website! I found this.
Regarding 93.3, she was on WBWZ-STAR 93.3 in New Paltz, NY. For Buffalo, I read
in the trades a while ago, that she's the station voice for WHTT 104.1.

Also, I'm not sure you're right about her not being live and local. I heard her talking
about some tanning salon in the Shoppingtown Mall that she went to. That sounds
"local" to me guys. You sure were talking about the same 'Jayne'?

 

[SirRoxalot]

Re: Jayne

If you look at Lite's "Jayne" page, and the home page at jaynefm.com, you'll find the same graphic of "Jayne". So, "Jayne" did a little research, or was fed a liner by Lite, that mentioned something local. That's what passes for "personality" these days.

I don't think that I've heard her on WHTT in Buffalo. Their imaging has changed recently. They've recently had a couple of in-house voices doing most of it. Sounds like Citadel is cutting another corner there.

 

[RockinScience]

Cutting corners or minimizing costs? What would you do in this economy Galaxy boi? A station that at most is heard by 30,000 people daily. Its light rock elevator music for office bound women. You make it sound like they're gutting the programming of a top 3 station in the market.

I guess you just needed an excuse to rag on Citadel???

 

[SirRoxalot]

Galaxy Boi? UR so kewl...

I'm talking about imaging on WHTT in Buffalo - where I live. The station is in a dogfight with two established AC powers after giving up its Oldies format and eschewing Classic Hits - likely for in-house political reasons.

When you're competing with the big boys, and imaging gets more breaks per hour than live jocks, cheaping out seems a bit foolish.

As far as "gutting the programming of a top 3 station in the market" is concerned, Citadel is guilty of that in Buffalo - as well as plenty of other cuts across America.

And for this, Citadel pays Farid millions...