Let's go another round with this partners? What works in morning drive in Seattle and why? Here's my take on it after being in town a bit now. Bob Rivers works for guys in Seattle because he is Seattle. He talks the talk and walks the walk of your average Seattle guy. T-Man works for kids and 18-34, cause he's a little naughty in a Seattle style without Stern's bitterness. Ichabod works for adults. Kent and Alan for older women. Not sure why for either of those shows, but they do. How about the new cowboys in town? BJ Shea and Fitz seem to work, still strong after a year. Or do ya think they will fade? Anyone I'm missin? Sorry about the AM shows, don't listen enough to know.
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What Works In Mornings?
- Thread starter TakeItFromMe
- Start date
NOTHING is working in mornings for ME right now. Bonaduce ruined Corolla's show- which was barely passable to start with. Ichabod sounds so out of touch & unfunny- I simply do not "get" the success of that show. I want to like Fitz but it just doesn't come together for me. Bob Rivers sounds more & more dated and the show is so formulaic. T-Man isn't for me. Marty Riemer is fine but not really of the calibre for a morning show; he was a much better afternoon fit. And the Mountain's music selection has gone to the dogs. And what does that leave? Jukeboxes on Jack & MOViN & KJR which are not even an option in the morning. A yawn-fest on Warm & the jazz station. I love Stephanie Miller but can't get the station here in the building at work. And that doesn't leave many options.
I miss the days of great morning radio in Seattle. The Crow / West Morning Roadshow. The Robin & Maynard Show. Heck, I'm even pining for Andy Savage at this point!!
I miss the days of great morning radio in Seattle. The Crow / West Morning Roadshow. The Robin & Maynard Show. Heck, I'm even pining for Andy Savage at this point!!
Hopefully you intended this to be a "personal feedback" as well as what works from a "programming" or "consulting" perspective! I say that because, unfortunately, what works for me isn't what works whenever a group honcho or hired gun comes to town with earphones on.
1. Like your observation about Rivers ... a morning show that knows its town is first and foremost in my book. While Britney's head shave may be the rage, I'd take something happening a couple miles away are more interesting, topical, relevant -- even if it is a Manufactured bit (i.e. pseudo-stunting, etc.).
2. I like a morning show that does HOMEWORK!! Find some stuff that's fun and engaging. If it's a bit that is better with phones...make it interactive. The opposite of that would be a show that does NO homework and bases the three-four hour segment on what each of the team members is doing/going through that morning.
3. Corollary to #2 is PRODUCTION ... introduce some spice to make it fun!! Even if its buy-bogus-material from Premiere ... anything to get away from #2 "it's ALL ABOUT US!!!". Caution on this is repetition ... stuff is funny first time or two ... or down the road if it helps prop up a timely bit after production has rested ... but just because it's hilarious Monday doesn't mean I want to hear it four times a show for the next two weeks. As far as local implementation of that...Pat Cashman had that whole thing down!!
4. The "TEAM" morning show took off with the "Zoo" concept of the 80's. I'm ready for SOME of them to go back to the one or two person shows. Don't need 6 people stepping all over each other laughing at each other's not-so-funny bits to "engage me". Kent & Alan are examples of people who have worked together a long time and are VERY used to each other's timing and it doesn't feel like there is constant competition for "mike time". The younger shows ... not so lucky as they tend to hire people who clamor for exposure.
5. The PEOPLE have to mix with the STATION personality. Stations that have "fun" imaging set the tone that "we don't take ourselves too seriously". Again, KPLZ did an awesome job of that in their CHR days -- station imaging was "bigger than life" on one hand and "tongue in cheek" on the other. Face it ... putting "Duwamish" in your station ID is kind of announcing some "fun" attitude. Similarly, morning show was imaged as "we only have 7 listeners" -- and that's all a lot more fun and palatble than "listen to us or you're not cool" -- like Stern used to ram in our face (and Limbaugh still does). Today I'd give kudos to the Wolf for really getting this ... "General Gridlock" doing traffic .. fun imaging ... it complements the basic elements of the show.
6. Another one that seems hard for newer talent to grasp ... not every segment or bit needs a HUGE setup. If a story is funny in a well-edited paragraph, give it to us that way. Doesn't need a lot of ad-libbing and banter surrounding to stretch it out. Like people who tell a joke badly ... 4th one to hear it and tell it has embellished the joke so much it's not funny. Edit the bits ... save some time ... and use that saved time to deliver another good bit.
7. This one is CRITICAL to long term success. SHOW US EVERYTHING!! If you're a "funny" morning show, show us you have other emotions once in awhile. Help a kid find their puppy ... help a mom who's struggling to make it all work ... call someone who is homesick. Inverse is true too ... if you're a news reader and dealing with Iraq death counts every day, show us you know how to smile too. You wonder what makes it work with Ichabod and Kent and Alan and other long-timers? That's it.
8. And ... if you're a news/traffic station ... give us some news/traffic. If you're a music station ... remember to play a tune once in awhile in morning drive. Gives your team a chance to take a whiz .. and gives us time to breathe as listeners so we don't fell that pressure to be engaged in "conversation" with you the entire show!!!
Just my .02.
1. Like your observation about Rivers ... a morning show that knows its town is first and foremost in my book. While Britney's head shave may be the rage, I'd take something happening a couple miles away are more interesting, topical, relevant -- even if it is a Manufactured bit (i.e. pseudo-stunting, etc.).
2. I like a morning show that does HOMEWORK!! Find some stuff that's fun and engaging. If it's a bit that is better with phones...make it interactive. The opposite of that would be a show that does NO homework and bases the three-four hour segment on what each of the team members is doing/going through that morning.
3. Corollary to #2 is PRODUCTION ... introduce some spice to make it fun!! Even if its buy-bogus-material from Premiere ... anything to get away from #2 "it's ALL ABOUT US!!!". Caution on this is repetition ... stuff is funny first time or two ... or down the road if it helps prop up a timely bit after production has rested ... but just because it's hilarious Monday doesn't mean I want to hear it four times a show for the next two weeks. As far as local implementation of that...Pat Cashman had that whole thing down!!
4. The "TEAM" morning show took off with the "Zoo" concept of the 80's. I'm ready for SOME of them to go back to the one or two person shows. Don't need 6 people stepping all over each other laughing at each other's not-so-funny bits to "engage me". Kent & Alan are examples of people who have worked together a long time and are VERY used to each other's timing and it doesn't feel like there is constant competition for "mike time". The younger shows ... not so lucky as they tend to hire people who clamor for exposure.
5. The PEOPLE have to mix with the STATION personality. Stations that have "fun" imaging set the tone that "we don't take ourselves too seriously". Again, KPLZ did an awesome job of that in their CHR days -- station imaging was "bigger than life" on one hand and "tongue in cheek" on the other. Face it ... putting "Duwamish" in your station ID is kind of announcing some "fun" attitude. Similarly, morning show was imaged as "we only have 7 listeners" -- and that's all a lot more fun and palatble than "listen to us or you're not cool" -- like Stern used to ram in our face (and Limbaugh still does). Today I'd give kudos to the Wolf for really getting this ... "General Gridlock" doing traffic .. fun imaging ... it complements the basic elements of the show.
6. Another one that seems hard for newer talent to grasp ... not every segment or bit needs a HUGE setup. If a story is funny in a well-edited paragraph, give it to us that way. Doesn't need a lot of ad-libbing and banter surrounding to stretch it out. Like people who tell a joke badly ... 4th one to hear it and tell it has embellished the joke so much it's not funny. Edit the bits ... save some time ... and use that saved time to deliver another good bit.
7. This one is CRITICAL to long term success. SHOW US EVERYTHING!! If you're a "funny" morning show, show us you have other emotions once in awhile. Help a kid find their puppy ... help a mom who's struggling to make it all work ... call someone who is homesick. Inverse is true too ... if you're a news reader and dealing with Iraq death counts every day, show us you know how to smile too. You wonder what makes it work with Ichabod and Kent and Alan and other long-timers? That's it.
8. And ... if you're a news/traffic station ... give us some news/traffic. If you're a music station ... remember to play a tune once in awhile in morning drive. Gives your team a chance to take a whiz .. and gives us time to breathe as listeners so we don't fell that pressure to be engaged in "conversation" with you the entire show!!!
Just my .02.
M
mammaknowsbest
Guest
I am so glad to be out of the Seattle market, being away gives a gal a chance to get some perspective. Justalistener hit the nail on the head for men and for women it isn't much better. Do you wonder why stations like JACK and KQMV are having such success with just music in the mornings? Morning radio in Seattle is dull. KJR-FM was number one in the last trend in adults morning drive with zero morning talent. T-Man is a poor Stern, Rivers is tired, Kent and Alan and Ichabod are old school. Fitz, BJ, Jackie/Bender et al are just plain small market at best. Even Portland has better morning talent and produced sound on it's stations. I also find the Oregon board of radio-info more sane, fewer BS comments and constructive. After being bashed on this board for a woman's perspective by a bunch of guys or being accused of being another goofy poster, I am convinced Seattle radio is run by a bunch of good ole boys who miss the days of Robin and Maynard, Crow and West, and shows that no longer matter. Seattle needs to catch up with modern radio or listeners will vacate to their I-pods or satellite. No hard feelings, I had a good time in Seattle, but am glad to be movin on.
T
Tojo
Guest
The River's Show is solid to be sure, always has been. Like many I miss Crow and West / Robin and Maynard. Those teams I grew up listening to. They were always entertaining, current and amazing bits! That is dearly missing from Seattle radio. Someone should get smart and bring them all back . . . wait that would be too smart for corporate radio.
Mama-if you truly are Lisa then you wouldn't let the good ole boys upset you! You are way beyond that. Don't leave you are very insightful and the only reason I check in besides for a few others (if you are Lisa).
That post about takeitfrom me being mama was weird. If that is true then this site sucks. All takeitfrom me wants is to have everyone blow sunshine up his a** and tell him how great the wolf is. The obvious ego is soooooo old and boring. Personally (and I don't like country too much) I'd like to slap Fitz up the side of the head and tell him to stop using vasiline on his teeth before he talks so he can force that fake ass smile. Get real people...and ditch the cheese.
Jack sucks, movin needs a good morning show(but movin is rockin with ALL WOMEN no matter the age and who you ask). The former vet's are still in the game because no pd's have brought anything good enough to the table....or have BUILT AND MANAGED GOOD TALENT LIKE A TRUE GOOD PD WOULD DO and that requires among many things years of patience which most don't have the balls to put on the block!
That post about takeitfrom me being mama was weird. If that is true then this site sucks. All takeitfrom me wants is to have everyone blow sunshine up his a** and tell him how great the wolf is. The obvious ego is soooooo old and boring. Personally (and I don't like country too much) I'd like to slap Fitz up the side of the head and tell him to stop using vasiline on his teeth before he talks so he can force that fake ass smile. Get real people...and ditch the cheese.
Jack sucks, movin needs a good morning show(but movin is rockin with ALL WOMEN no matter the age and who you ask). The former vet's are still in the game because no pd's have brought anything good enough to the table....or have BUILT AND MANAGED GOOD TALENT LIKE A TRUE GOOD PD WOULD DO and that requires among many things years of patience which most don't have the balls to put on the block!
A
airwaver
Guest
What Works Mornings?
... since 1991, I was HOOKED:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/925/cwblendzn0.jpg
Once you tasted just 'ONE' sip - - you NEVER went back!
... since 1991, I was HOOKED:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/925/cwblendzn0.jpg
Once you tasted just 'ONE' sip - - you NEVER went back!
To be clear, since there are no "better" alternatives, I do listen to Rivers every morning. And I really like Joe. Bob bugs me. The one thing I like best about the show is that they research & treat guests with respect even when they don't agree with them. Usually.LITTLEBOYBLUE said:1. Like your observation about Rivers ...
The morning show that HAD IT in this regard was Charlie & Ty. I know... I sound like an "old timer" pining for "the good old days." But I'm mid-30's. Prime demographic. If there were more decent shows in Seattle Radio there would be more like ME who would listen consistently.LITTLEBOYBLUE said:7. This one is CRITICAL to long term success. SHOW US EVERYTHING!! If you're a "funny" morning show, show us you have other emotions once in awhile. Help a kid find their puppy ... help a mom who's struggling to make it all work ... call someone who is homesick. Inverse is true too ... if you're a news reader and dealing with Iraq death counts every day, show us you know how to smile too. You wonder what makes it work with Ichabod and Kent and Alan and other long-timers? That's it.
Folks, this isn't just Seattle, it's everywhere. At least 90% of morning drive shows are different in some ways from what goes on during the rest of the day. To the point that some "all music" stations aren't really "all" music and sports stations actually become not "all" sports.
There are too many instances where mornings outperform the other dayparts in terms of share, or the other dayparts outperform mornings. So if the music is what drives the station, why isn't that emphasized during the most important daypart? Or, if mornings are by far the strongest, then isn't it time to tweak the programming (or stronger) for the rest of the day?
It was different years ago when there were FCC requirements for hours of news and public affairs programming and community service. But now the stations don't have to add tons of clutter that breaks the format within their morning show.
There are too many instances where mornings outperform the other dayparts in terms of share, or the other dayparts outperform mornings. So if the music is what drives the station, why isn't that emphasized during the most important daypart? Or, if mornings are by far the strongest, then isn't it time to tweak the programming (or stronger) for the rest of the day?
It was different years ago when there were FCC requirements for hours of news and public affairs programming and community service. But now the stations don't have to add tons of clutter that breaks the format within their morning show.
Great post Dave. I agree 100%. Stations should go with their strength in morning drive. Why do most Soft-AC stations have limited morning shows? Music is their strength, not personality and that is okay.
I think Seattle has some good shows that have heritage and continue to appeal to their core audience. Rivers, Ichabod, K@A and T-Man are good shows that continue to work. They may not be my favorites, but I understand the appeal and so do their fans. KZOK, KMPS, KPLZ and KUBE all stress personality and music so it works. KJR-FM is all about the music, which is why their all music mornings work.
Excellent post, I never really looked at it that way. Go with your strength all day long and in mornings. Could be a clue for JACK, MOVIN, KNDD, KBKS, KMTT and others that are music driven,but currently have ratings trouble in mornings. Stick with what you do best in mornings, cut the chatter and have personalities that don't get in the way, or no personalities at all. Just a thought, based on Dave's excellent post.
I think Seattle has some good shows that have heritage and continue to appeal to their core audience. Rivers, Ichabod, K@A and T-Man are good shows that continue to work. They may not be my favorites, but I understand the appeal and so do their fans. KZOK, KMPS, KPLZ and KUBE all stress personality and music so it works. KJR-FM is all about the music, which is why their all music mornings work.
Excellent post, I never really looked at it that way. Go with your strength all day long and in mornings. Could be a clue for JACK, MOVIN, KNDD, KBKS, KMTT and others that are music driven,but currently have ratings trouble in mornings. Stick with what you do best in mornings, cut the chatter and have personalities that don't get in the way, or no personalities at all. Just a thought, based on Dave's excellent post.
I
Itchisakimoto
Guest
I would not bet against BJ's show at this point his numbers keep getting better a year a into the experiment, and he will be heard in Portland soon, and a couple other cities soon after if Portland goes well.
T
TheVisionary
Guest
What Portland station would that be? An Entercom station? I can't really see any of them being a fit for the show. KUFO would be he only good bet, and I really doubt CBS is going to pick BJ up for their stations.
Would a Seattle/Portland simulcast work anyway? It has been tried a couple of times before with other mornings shows with zero success.
Would a Seattle/Portland simulcast work anyway? It has been tried a couple of times before with other mornings shows with zero success.
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