What is going on with the RATINGS in Lubbock?

[DG]

i too wish KTXT would have tried your listener based model, it would have proven my point about this...i don't think the younger demo would have had enough money to spend supporting a radio station if it was listener based to save KTXT, and the older audience for KOHM would not have supported it over what you're getting...

I don't think KTXT would have survived as a listener-supported station either, not because of a lack of money to donate, but because for the younger demos, radio is thought of as being old-fashioned. Too many iPods and cellphones competing, and the format wasn't what most students would listen to- I repeatedly heard from many Tech students that the format did not appeal to them.

And as for KOHM donors supporting KTXT, they likely would have if they were given that opportunity as several have told me so. But I agree that in general, the KOHM donor base probably wouldn't have, not so much because they already gave it all to KOHM, but because once again they didn't find the format that appealing. It's hard for me to imagine much of a crossover audience from KOHM to KTXT, but there were a few.

my only problem with you DG is your idea that commercial radio should try somehow to be listener supported instead of what they're doing, 1st, it will never happen, and it would never work, if someone wants to try, see how fast they fade from the air, and it wouldn't be for bad programming, although there is some bad programming out there for sure.

I'm not suggesting that commercial radio should somehow try to be listener supported. I'm suggesting that they COULD, and provoking the question as to why they DON'T. I merely offered and defended that there are alternatives to the traditional advertising revenue that has been the mainstay for radio since the early 20th Century. Unfortunately, as you have well stated, that method doesn't seem to be working as well as it used to. So what else to try then?

I agree with you: no commercial station in its right mind would dare ask its audience for money. But why not? Commercial radio fund-raised a ton of cash after 9/11. They did the same for the Red Cross and Salvation Army following Katrina and Rita. But they wouldn't try doing the same for themselves? Why is that?

if its working for you GREAT, just leave the rest of us alone. you can't be us, and we can't be you. lets leave it at that. now stop posting, you are driving me nuts.

I didn't realize I was pestering anyone else other than you Cspot- but if you review this thread, you'll see that you were the one that asked.

Ahh but I can be YOU. I WAS you many years ago. Gulfstar taught me that commercial radio is all about the advertisers and the listeners be damned. I couldn't understand why they would destroy a well-established brand in the market, but once I learned it was always about making a quick buck, it became very clear.

It wasn't always that way. And only a few stations are left that think and operate under the old premise of serving listeners. They seem to be doing well despite the hard times.

I'll continue to post where I see an opportunity to further the discussion or clarify a point, and I'm sure many have enjoyed the entertainment this thread has become.

My apologies to Crow for hijacking it...

 

[DG]

About 2-3 weeks ago, 950 dumped O'Reilly. They are airing the 'FOX Talk 950 Drive Home with Laura Thomas' from 5p-6p and a 9-hour tape-delayed Brian & the Judge from FOX News Talk from 6p-9p.

The 5p-6p hour is basically weather every 10 minutes with some headlines at the top and bottom of the hour with a bunch of recorded features. No listener interaction.

Sheesh! It sounds like they just recycled what they were doing for their LPTV weather channel.

Are they still simulcasting News at Nine?

 

[cspotrun]

radio has ALWAYS been about making a fast buck, come to think about isn't business in general? ok when they've made their millions they think about tax write offs and become nice... radio has never been in the charity business and when they are, even that is to make money. YOU'RE in the charity business as a non profit(can people take donations off on taxes?) but i'm sure you get a pay check. the way things are going, it might not be too long before some of the commercial stations start begging for money from the public. i don't hear about a federal bailout for radio, which is odd because with the money Obama has spent, its hard to believe ANYTHING was left untouched by the heavy hand of Government.

sounds like you're sour on the radio "business"- i should be too, but but i'm not. as they said in "The Godfather" for those of us that are in it..... "This is the business we chose".

 

[crow]

First off...

DG, you don't have to apologize to me. This is a discussion board and a discussion broke out like a case of the crabs based on my starting topic. So, no worries.

Now to RAMAR... WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY DOING OVER THERE? They could be a true competitor of KFYO and they don't even freaking try. I know I said earlier that ratings are a joke etc, etc, etc... and they are. However, that is what this industry unfortunately has to go with until they pull their heads out of their ass's and demand a better measuring stick. If all the radio companies in town got together and said SCREW OFF to arbitron... they could spend much less money on getting a company to pay people to go door to door and take a one time survey every few months and they could pay the survey taker a decent amount of money right there on the spot and the survey giver could also get paid a decent wage and you would get better results in a heart beat! No more of this crap that a certain demo etc... wasn't covered with books or a certain demo didn't bother returning the books. Hell! Get a company like the one that did the ALCOHOL DRIVE... look at how well they did.

This crap of using an archaic system to measure radio is beyond comical. I heard that the local TV stations, or some of them, don't bother with the NIELSEN RATINGS. If this is true... THERE YOU GO!

 

[DG]

KAMC and KLBK dropped the Nielsens some time ago. They went with an independent telephone survey of the market and got what they felt were more accurate results. Whether that was a local or a corporate decision I don't remember.

Dave Walker tried to get Ramar to do more with 950, but they refused. He then offered to buy it from them and they agreed. Then they backed out of the deal. So he bought 1420 instead.

With James Clark part of that operation, he truly was a local force to be reckoned with. And it wasn't local radio he was competing with, it was local TV. KCBD got tired of being scooped so they offered James a better deal to leave, and he did.

98 Kool wasn't using Arbitron before they were bought by Gulfstar, and KRBL wasn't either when I worked for them. Before the '96 buyout, KFYO and Z102 did have the numbers. I remember the sales staff saying that they sold Z102 100%, and got extras for whatever they could put on KFYO. I recall sports and the local news were about the only things they could sell on 790. I cannot tell you how many extra freebie spots I ran just to fill the local breaks during network shows. The rumor I was always told (and believe) was that Gulfstar bought Z102- KFYO was just thrown in basically for free. The Z crew had remotes out the wazoo in those days. And LOTS of giveaways. I think most of my wardrobe in those days was station kvetch of some sort or other.

 

[Garrett]

Dave Walker tried to get Ramar to do more with 950, but they refused. He then offered to buy it from them and they agreed. Then they backed out of the deal. So he bought 1420 instead.

Wow, that must have been before I worked there. In all my years, and all my contacts with 950, I've NEVER heard that!
I think I was at 950 just at the tail end of Dave Walker doing mornings before he left. I've also run the board for him when he filled in for Dixon Platt on 950.

 

[crow]

So, I caught the Laura Thomas radio experience today....

All I will say is that she is a nice person.

Wait, Wait, Wait... I will also say this....

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????? Seriously???? I can't even get a board opt. job in this town! Trust me, there have been a few and I wasn't given a chance. Yes, my lack of radio employment could be due to the fact that I have been giving HONEST STATEMENTS about radio in this town on this site. If that's the case... so be it.

However, if that is not the case... then what the hell do I have to do?

1) I know that I will never work at GAP again or at least until they sell the cluster off. After my lay off... I said some things that were brutally honest on here regarding GAP. However, they needed to be said. Or I needed to get that crap off my chest and I truly don't regret it. Even though I do miss working for the AUDIO OVERLORD and fighting with him every other week or so. Working over there now has got to be like walking down a street in Baghdad... you never know when it's going to be your turn. Employee morale has got to be oh so high in that joint.

2) No offense to Chuck over at RAMAR. I know he has his hands tied... but come on! You don't want to give me a chance, ok then. However, there have got to be other individuals in this market that could do a much more entertaining morning show then they have on 950. It's the most boring talk radio I have EVER heard. I don't know those guys and they might be great guys... but they should not be on the radio. I would rather listens to reruns of the swap shop thing over on 1420. I mean, at least with that show you might get some caller who wants to sell his testicles or something. Better yet I would rather listen to that moron who does the cigar show on 790. Also, why are you filling 2 hours if not more in the late afternoon with the weather girl and BJ & the Bear @ 6pm?

3) No offense to Sean over at ROCK 101... but come on already! I was told by Mr. Dillion that they wanted to go another direction with their afternoon slot. This is why I wasn't given the slot. However, I still have no idea what direction they wanted to go? I have turned it on just to see or hear who it was that grab that gig... and I'm sorry... I just don't understand the decision.

There's more... but I will save it. I have no hard feelings toward the individuals mentioned above and I wish them the best. I truly do. However, my thing is... WHAT ELSE CAN SOMEONE LIKE ME DO TO GET A DAMN JOB?

I did everything I was asked to do when I worked for CC/GAP. I worked 6 days a week. Yes, my numbers over on Z were not anything to brag about. However, my numbers on FMX were ALWAYS great. So there's that. Then there's the fact that I do station website design and maintenance, station imaging, station promos & production. Plus a ton of other skills & talents.

Yet, I can't even get a job board opting.

Sorry! Sorry! I just totally got off on a rant. Seriously. I apologize for that. The issue of NOT finding a job is really getting to me at this point. Yes, there is work out there but you will be lucky if it actually pays more then what you are getting with unemployment.

Alright, time to microwave the cat.

 

[crow]

WAIT! WAIT! I just read that KTUX-FM in Shreveport, which is a GAP station, just let go a rock DJ because he got busted with CHLD PORN! Yes! Yes! Thank you... you perverted SOB!

Nah, who am I kidding. They are probably happy. Thats one less employee to have to pay or deal with laying off.

 

[jjones596]

Laura Thomas' best assets are not utilized on a RADIO show...if you know what I mean.

 

[wxman76]

Getting back to the orginal post....anyone else notice that KMMX(Mix 100) is saying at the TOH ID's that they are "Lubbock's most listened to station"?

How are they spinning the numbers? Maybe most listened to during AM drive with Kidd Kraddick or most listened to among female 18-34? I have a hard time believing they are have a larger cume than KLLL. How are they getting away with this when they are an overall 4th in the market?

 

[cspotrun]

because they have alot of B#$!S, and they're hoping the public doesn't know any better. and you know what they don't!
will anybody believe them?? probably not.

 

[crow]

Does it matter what they call themselves? As for how they are getting away with it... they are just doing it. It's not like they can get in trouble for it. The common radio listener doesn't care what they say or what title they give themselves. It's just white noise.

 

[static]

Well, it's been probably a year or two since I've posted on any board here and I don't know what e-mail I used to sign up. There's finally something that grabbed my attention, though. Glad I logged on today.

It is sad that Crow can't get a job in this market. With so many DJ's that simply do , "that was song, up next, song, call letters." Crow did entertaining radio, live, on FMX. That was good stuff. He knew how to interact with callers, how to really make a show. And you mention you did all that other stuff behind the scenes, any station should want you. The morning gig on Z was OK, but I can't stand that music, so never really listened. Crow should definitely be on some male-focused station in this town.

On to news issues, I would hope 950's afternoon plan is just a temporary one. I haven't met Laura, but I'll just say what you did, that she's a nice person. You'd think they could get a news person to do that show and do an actual news show, since they've got to have the content with a TV newsroom in the same company. They should be filling an hour with local, state and national. 950's morning news guy, Matt Ernst, does a solid job with news, but they don't do much for the rest of the day, after about 1 or so.

1420 did real news when it first launched though the clock was the most difficult thing to follow - news never hit at any exact top or bottom of the hour point. That was a few live bodies there, plus James Clark really working hard states away. KFYO sounds like it has the biggest staff but quite often when I listen it's simply the news anchor reading the story off lubbockonline.com. It's funny, I can see the story online and an hour or two, it's the lead story on 790, sometimes word for word. You'd think the AJ would say something since Pratt likes to slam the AJ every day. I'd step in and tell the radio staff to stop reading our stories verbatim. But it does sound better than when I moved away from Lubbock for a few years in the late 90s and KFYO sounded like a train wreck with no news staff.

For morning shows, did you listen this week when it was Klotzman and fill-in Dave King? That was actually good radio, that had me listening after I got out of the car and back home. Being retired is nice, I can sit through two or three hours of radio if I want. It brought me back to the days of hearing Dave on 98Kool, I think with a young Landon King starting. I may have the time periods off there, but Klotzman and King actually made it fun to listen to. I know I remember Dave on KSEL years ago. It sure was a dread to hear Jim Douglas and Randy Sanders when they were paired together. Klotzman has at least added some energy to that show, and knows how to move things along. Funny thing is Hasty does a good show, with callers, on KFYO. If I remember correctly, Hasty was at 950 at some point. He sounds young, so I bet 950 could've had that quality show for a cheap price if they would've had focus on the future. At least they can take pride in Tech Talk being much better than every other sports show in town. They're willing to hang up on bad calls and not let Billy from O'Donnel go on and on about how his pick is gonna win the driver draft.

Long rant here, but it's been many months. Hopefully Crow winds us somewhere on the dial. But I wouldn't hold out hope too long, this biz is much different than when I messed with it off and on years ago. Funny part is I never worked in this market, but feel like I have based on reading this board through the years! Thanks for the info you guys provide.

So, I caught the Laura Thomas radio experience today....

All I will say is that she is a nice person.

Wait, Wait, Wait... I will also say this....

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????? Seriously???? I can't even get a board opt. job in this town! Trust me, there have been a few and I wasn't given a chance. Yes, my lack of radio employment could be due to the fact that I have been giving HONEST STATEMENTS about radio in this town on this site. If that's the case... so be it.

However, if that is not the case... then what the hell do I have to do?

1) I know that I will never work at GAP again or at least until they sell the cluster off. After my lay off... I said some things that were brutally honest on here regarding GAP. However, they needed to be said. Or I needed to get that crap off my chest and I truly don't regret it. Even though I do miss working for the AUDIO OVERLORD and fighting with him every other week or so. Working over there now has got to be like walking down a street in Baghdad... you never know when it's going to be your turn. Employee morale has got to be oh so high in that joint.

2) No offense to Chuck over at RAMAR. I know he has his hands tied... but come on! You don't want to give me a chance, ok then. However, there have got to be other individuals in this market that could do a much more entertaining morning show then they have on 950. It's the most boring talk radio I have EVER heard. I don't know those guys and they might be great guys... but they should not be on the radio. I would rather listens to reruns of the swap shop thing over on 1420. I mean, at least with that show you might get some caller who wants to sell his testicles or something. Better yet I would rather listen to that moron who does the cigar show on 790. Also, why are you filling 2 hours if not more in the late afternoon with the weather girl and BJ & the Bear @ 6pm?

3) No offense to Sean over at ROCK 101... but come on already! I was told by Mr. Dillion that they wanted to go another direction with their afternoon slot. This is why I wasn't given the slot. However, I still have no idea what direction they wanted to go? I have turned it on just to see or hear who it was that grab that gig... and I'm sorry... I just don't understand the decision.

 

[Garrett]

Getting back to the orginal post....anyone else notice that KMMX(Mix 100) is saying at the TOH ID's that they are "Lubbock's most listened to station"?

How are they spinning the numbers? Maybe most listened to during AM drive with Kidd Kraddick or most listened to among female 18-34? I have a hard time believing they are have a larger cume than KLLL. How are they getting away with this when they are an overall 4th in the market?

They have more listeners than Z102 and KLZK, their two nearest competitors. So for that group of listeners, KMMX is the most listened to station. However, I think they are really meaning Z102, but because Z102 already uses "Number One Hit Station" as their positioner, I supposed Mix is leaving it up to their listners to figure it out. Just a guess...

 

[cspotrun]

listeners do not CARE! this is an "insider" pissing match. between the #4 station and the ahhh, #7 station... what are you gonna say to that if you're Z? not that anyone cares.

 

[DG]

Looks like GAP just renewed their deal with Arbitron. 17 markets including Lubbock:

http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1192840&spid=24698

 

[cspotrun]

Looks like GAP just renewed their deal with Arbitron. 17 markets including Lubbock:

http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1192840&spid=24698

because RATINGS mean NOTHING!.... right?

 

[DG]

because RATINGS mean NOTHING!.... right?

Not necessarily. The ratings, such as they are for GAP here in Lubbock, must mean something to them to renew with Arbitron, diary problems and all.

I think that's because they have little choice. What are they going to do- drop Arbitron? I doubt it.

It may be a flawed game, and maybe they're not playing it so well lately, but it's the only game they know how to play.

 

[cspotrun]

they could have rolled the dice with Neilson, to see if that gets them a better outcome, alot of people have, if arbitron is so bad. no, they've bought into arbitron hook line & sinker. they will get a rolling average, which will make the pain a little less.

 

[crow]

We all know why they renewed, becuz it is the only game in town. Whether you like it or not. Thats how it goes. Once again though, local advertisers don't give a crap about arbitron, they don't. It's the national accounts that want the numbers. I've seen it and heard way to many times from the sales staff and beyond.

However, you got to think about though, ARBITRON is such a scam. I wish I was apart of that. Getting paid millions of dollars for doing pretty much nothing. You got to love it.