What is going on with the RATINGS in Lubbock?

[crow]

Station. FA08. SP08. FA07. Format

KLLL-FM 9.3 -7.6 - 9.8 Country
KBTE-FM 8.5 -5.6 - 4.7 Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio
KKCL-FM 7.0 -6.9 - 7.6 Oldies
KMMX-FM 6.3 -4.5 - 5.4 Hot Adult Contemporary
KFMX-FM 5.6 -9.4 - 6.2 Active Rock
KFYO-AM 5.6 -5.9 - 4.3 News Talk Information
KQBR-FM 4.4 -3.8 - 5.1 Country
KXTQ-FM 4.4 -4.2 - 3.3 Tejano
KONE-FM 3.7 -5.2 - 4.0 Classic Rock
KSTQ-FM 3.7 -3.1 - 2.9 Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio
KZII-FM 3.7 - 5.6 - 4.3 Pop Contemporary Hit Radio
KKAM-AM 3.3 -1.0 - 2.2 All Sports
KLZK-FM 3.0 -1.7 - 3.3 Adult Contemporary
KEJS-FM 2.2 -2.8 - 2.2 Tejano
KJDL-FM 2.2 -1.4 - 0.7 Adult Hits
KJAK-FM 1.5 -1.7 - 1.8 Religious
KRBL-FM 1.5 - 3.1 - 2.9 Classic Country
KAMZ-FM 1.1 -2.8 - 0.7 Mexican Regional
KJTV-AM 1.1 -1.0 - 1.4 News Talk Information
KDAV-AM 0.7 -1.7 - 1.1 Oldies
KAIQ-FM - - 2.8 - 1.4 Spanish Contemporary
KRFE-AM - - 0.7 - - Easy Listening


Wow.... There have been some changes. Honestly, I would have thought Z would have done better then that. As for FMX, I don't know what to say. From #1 with a 9.4 to #5 with a 5.6 . I would love to see the break outs on that one. Then you have KKCL in 3rd and they just laid off their PD and He went up from the last book, even though I think he was #3 in the last book. Starz went up... I wonder if that is based on the new AM show? And then of course, KJTV is so low.... I don't get it? I mean, I know why they are down there but I don't get why they don't do something about it?

But then.... What the hell do I know.

 

[Garrett]

Crow,
You know A LOT!

The changes with Z102 and KFMX were pretty easy to predict and to understand. Look at where the Beat and Mix are, and then look at Z102. Hmmm, no mystery there. And, notice that "Hottest Hits" tied Z102. I remember when Kiss 104.3 and Z102 were indestinguishable from each other. You think some people still think that 104.3 is Kiss? I bet they do! There is Top 40 fatigue in the market, and 102.5 needs to not be Z102 for them to get noticed. Starz is doing better because of the city grade signal. No longer a rimshot, its a great soundtrack for Doctor's offices near you, which don't care that the voices in between the songs are piped in all day. Blake Ryan's new show probably doesn't hurt, but he is about the only live voice I hear on the station during the week.

I think Kool 98 will continue to do well, so long as the format stays tight and focused. Landon seems to be putting two shows on, that's fine with me. The Voice Tracks they have used for day parts have always been pretty good, and I like the live show they have at night, even if it is syndicated. They really only need to bring in one voice track for Landon's shift, and nobody will be the wiser. But I am sad to see Dan Collins go.

Now, about KJTV AM:
As I understand it, the revenue that is being made off of 950 is not based on ratings. Insted, the idea is to parcel out time slots that advertisers want (similar to, but not exactly a leased-time format). For example, the Ag show doesn't pull ratings, but sells advertising because it appeals to a particular audience not heard at that hour on any other area stations. Same thing for Tech Talk which, as I understand it, is being paid for by the hosts, and they sell their own spots (or are supposed to). The morning show is supposed to be appeal to and support the local business comunity. That's why the slogan of the station is "The Voice FOR Lubbock." The idea is to promote Lubbock, and Fox 34, through the use of AM 950. As for Dr. Laura and the Fox News shows that run afterwards, those are just meant to compliment the local business audience which is conservative, and also to keep those shows off any other talk stations (not that KFYO would want Dr. Laura). I don't defend nor will I make any critical comments about this, I'll leave that to everyone else. But that's why they are not making any changes at the station. At 950, ratings don't count, apparently.

My queston is, how long will Dave Walker stay with NewsRadio on 1420, which is becoming less news, and more talk, neither of which even shows up in the book. 1420 has shown me nothing, outside of the Dennis Miller, and I wonder if most listeners even know it exists.

 

[DG]

And just for grins KOHM's numbers for the same periods were:

5.2, 3.5, 7

;D

 

[cspotrun]

what's kohm? non-commercial , i didn't see those numbers in the arbitron

 

[DG]

...My queston is, how long will Dave Walker stay with NewsRadio on 1420, which is becoming less news, and more talk, neither of which even shows up in the book. 1420 has shown me nothing, outside of the Dennis Miller, and I wonder if most listeners even know it exists.

Oh they know it exists, but have become quite disappointed ever since his prime news guy, James Clark, was bought out by and currently working for, KCBD-TV.

That, and picking up carriage of The Don Imus Show pretty much squelched the local news programming.

Now that Dave has some sales staff, I suspect things might improve but certainly not like they were 2 or 3 years ago. Most of his effort right now seems to be getting 105.3 retooled.

 

[DG]

what's kohm? non-commercial , i didn't see those numbers in the arbitron

Yep, KOHM is a non-comm. And you won't see those numbers in Arbitron.

But they do collect ratings data for ALL the stations in the market regardless, and I see the numbers for the other non-comms as well as the comms.

 

[BigVoiceGuy]

Oh they know it exists, but have become quite disappointed ever since his prime news guy, James Clark, was bought out by and currently working for, KCBD-TV.



A buddy of mine at KCBD tells me that James is having some more health concerns...He is one hell of a guy and it sucks that he's in that kind of shape.

 

[Garrett]

It was all from that accident he was in, wasn't it?
Is he currently in a wheel chair? I haven't seen him since I worked at KLBK, and that was YEARS ago!

Whatever the case, I hope better health prevails.

 

[cspotrun]

i doubt the claim of KOHM arbitron numbers, why don't you post these so called numbers you talk about, in over &^&% years of broadcasting i have never seen non-comm arbitron numbers listed(have you or the station bought these numbers?) ..
and WHAT would you do with said numbers IF you had them? sell advertising? nope.. i think the only thing you need to worry about is shaking down Tech alumni to support your station, good luck.

as far as Dave Walker, its a tough road for a "mom & pop" operation in any kind of economy, paul beane is pretty much "paying his own way" to be on the radio with little or NO salary from Walker- i don't think RATINGS even figure in the picture over there, Walker is trying to survive any way he can, so if you can "buy" your way on to his station you got a job. it might be the way radio is going.

 

[DG]

Doubt the claim all you want. It doesn't change the fact that Arbitron collects ratings info for ALL stations, not just the commercial ones.

Arbitron does not list non-comms in the book. I'm not really sure why that is, but you are incorrect that such numbers do not exist for non-commercial stations. They do. And no, your Arbitron software wouldn't likely have us listed either (Love your nick btw).

We get our numbers from Radio Research Consortium:

Radio Research Consortium on Wikipedia- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Research_Consortium

RRC Website- www.rrconline.org

It is indeed Arbitron data. And we use the numbers as a tool to verify programming decisions among other things. Thanks for asking.

I just love the assumption by so many in this market that we don't "compete" with other stations. The numbers certainly indicate otherwise.

But don't take my word for it. Keep thinking the way you do about non-comms. It makes my job so much easier, and there's no luck needed for that.

 

[cspotrun]

you've seen the numbers for regular radio... SHOW ME THE numbers for all the non-comms. you're correct, you don't need as much luck as the rest of us, you get Grants and our TAX dollars, and that makes things easier doesn't it... commercial radio gets nothing (not even an Obama bailout)... so its tough to sell out there(with cut backs & layoffs) the product isn't there anymore, so, yes i would say you have an advantage. your payment from me is comming tax day.

 

[blaster69]

There obviously has not been, and never will be a demand for "numbers" where non-comms are concerned. I don't ever remember being asked "where's KOHM at" in a ratings discussion. With Arbitrons sample and follow through at an all time low broadcasters are looking for alternatives to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for numbers just like the ones we get. Undersampling, duplicate numbers, diary tampering at an all time high... it's hard to take the numbers seriously for over 5 minutes. Anyone who has ANY experience at all with Arbitron knew that FMX would take a hit this book. Besides, the only REAL purpose that any book serves concerns bonus money, and a little national business. OH, and bragging rights for about 15 minutes.
I am sure that there are serious reasons for any station to want numbers.. in the commercial world, non comms are non-existant. If you think having a point on top of a commercially run station makes things better for your staff, by all means..

 

[DG]

... you're correct, you don't need as much luck as the rest of us, you get Grants and our TAX dollars, and that makes things easier doesn't it...

Yawn.

I've heard that all along. And even after 5 years of working in commercial radio myself, I'll take Public Radio anyday over commercial radio. Certainly not because of the "handouts" you purport, nor because of the huge lucrative money deals, but because it programs directly to the listeners.

Any station can apply for grants, CPB or otherwise. So why don't they? Because the qualifications are too hard? I'm surprised you haven't mentioned "all that money" we get from Texas Tech too while you were at it.

Do you take the position that receiving grants, both local and federal, is what accounts for KOHM's success? If so, then you are mistaken. It's the programming. And the funny thing is, our audience actually pays to support it.

You say the "product isn't there anymore". Why not? Have all the advertisers disappeared? Is your format that stale?

Why not try holding an on-air fundraiser yourself? You think your audience would donate to your station?

Why would anyone think a non-comm station couldn't garner good ratings in this or any market?

 

[DG]

There obviously has not been, and never will be a demand for "numbers" where non-comms are concerned.

Among commercial stations? Then yes, I agree.

However, in general, your statement is incorrect. The RRC was created exactly BECAUSE non-comms wanted ratings info. So "obviously" there was some sort of demand at some point.

I don't ever remember being asked "where's KOHM at" in a ratings discussion.

Why not? Because we're not your "competition"? Or was it because you didn't have our numbers?

With Arbitrons sample and follow through at an all time low broadcasters are looking for alternatives to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars a year for numbers just like the ones we get. Undersampling, duplicate numbers, diary tampering at an all time high... it's hard to take the numbers seriously for over 5 minutes.

Very well said. And I completely agree. I've found the introduction of Arbitron's PPMs in larger markets very interesting.

...I am sure that there are serious reasons for any station to want numbers.. in the commercial world, non comms are non-existant.

I agree that the comms think we're non-existant. But my whole point here is that in this day of super-competition against multi-media, satellite, etc, for commercial stations to ignore non-comms as irrelevant is a mistake.

If KOHM has better ratings than other stations, what does that really mean?

If you think having a point on top of a commercially run station makes things better for your staff, by all means..

I don't think it does "make things better for my staff". But I sure as hell get a good laugh when I see KOHM's numbers compared to the rest of the market- and we're supposedly not trying for that!

As I said earlier, I hope commercial stations continue to ignore my station. I agree that we're not a threat to anyone. But I have learned this in all my years of broadcast- ratings do not make good radio, but good radio does seem to make for good ratings.

 

[blaster69]

I enjoy KOHM.. and when listening it doesn't even cross my mind that it's a non comm, unless there's a pitch for donations happening. I to came from a non comm situation many years ago, and it hasn't changed much, and I think there's more solid ground to learn from than just "hanging" around, learning the lingo and "poof" your a broadcaster. Since there is no commercial farming ground for talent, the education of the "basics" has dissapeared. Finding someone to have an educated talk about what the hell Arbitron is doing nowdays is non-existant... not only that, you'll find the folks from Arbitron even more evasive about the real issues (cell phones) than usual. It will be interesting to see where the non comms fit in after the next sweep where cell phones will be administered into the "normal" sample. And they will be wieghted just like the rest.

 

[jjones596]

I was told the Tech Talk guys on KJTV do NOT pay their own way, rather they are employees of the station. According to a friend at Gap, that was a sticking point a while ago when it was looked at moving their show to 1340. But their ratings are awful so maybe it worked out better for Gap.

 

[cspotrun]

still NO numbers showing up here for the non-comms... so your bragging about numbers rings a bit hollow. the bottom line whatever those numbers are, mean nothing for you and your plight in life, chances are the people who are bragging about how great non-commercial radio is, are college students who have never worked a day in the real world of radio and depend on it for a JOB. to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. what those numbers mean for the real radio world is this, IF, those numbers are what you say they are, maybe there is a HOLE in this market for the kind of programming you are doing over there. and the TRUTH will come to light IF and WHEN it is tried on a commercial station, will it gain the support of not only the public, but will it be supported by ADVERTISERS to keep it on the air. WELCOME TO CAPITALISM, COMRADES!

 

[cspotrun]

people bitch about the ratings and how unfair they are, but they are what they ARE(and what they always have been)..
IGNORE them at your peril, dismiss them and LOSE again. fact is, all one has to do is look at which stations do well book after book, THEY will be making money while the others whine about how unfair the system is without changing what they have been doing for years, and next time those stations that SUCKED, will still SUCK in the next book too. think it might be time to do something different? Nawwww, stupid ratings.....

 

[fredcantu]

You could also sell results. Advertisers like results. Can you deliver results?

 

[cspotrun]

thats what its all about, although no one can GUARANTEE results but, you have a better chance at results with LISTENERS.
a station with a 2 or 4 share is at a disadvantage to a station pulling a 7-9 share.