What's Next

[TakeItFromMe]

In an effort to start a thread that doesn't have to do with MOVIN or guessing which PD or morning show is posting on this site: Here you go.

WHICH STATION IN SEATTLE IS MOST LIKELY TO CHANGE FORMAT IN 2007 AND WHAT WILL THAT FORMAT BE?

I have three guesses. KNDD going to a KIRO simulcast makes sense. The END's audience would go to sister station KISW, KIRO would jump back to number one and the call letters make sense: KIRO 710 and 107.7.

Guess number two is KBKS. The station is floundering and needs a complete relaunch. I would keep it CHR but give it a whole new start, much like 92.5 did when they switched to MOVIN.

Guess number three is JACK. Modern/AC would be the best route here. Focus on the music beating KPLZ's personality approach and KMTT's ecletic mix and new PD
Lean modern to pick up some of the END's old audience. All the while you hold the old JACK audience too.

Those are my thoughts. It is very possible that no one will change. There is not a clear hole in the Seattle market like there was a couple of years ago with JACK, County and MOVIN formats available. Maybe there is another format on the horizon. Let's talk radio!!!

 

[radiogeek40208]

We need another Soft A/C in this market.. the only reason WARM does so well is they are the only Soft A/C.. Before MIX wasn't KLSY #1 in that demo, it was after the flip to MIX that WARM took the a/c listener...

 

[djdan]

I agree 100%. We need a Soft AC, something in between KRWM and KWJZ. I think this is the most likely format to hit Seattle next. A soft AC is inexpensive to run and partners well with most female and adult formats in national combo buys. Most obvious station to make this move would be JACK. They are already automated and the format is over. Next obvious would be KBSG, since they could easily shift to a gold based Soft AC. From a sales point of view Soft-AC makes a lot of sense for a number of stations. KLSY did own the AC market over KRWM for years, but since both stations were owned by Sandusky they tried to take KLSY HOT/AC and failed. KRWM remains Seattle's only Soft AC.

My picks to flip are JACK to Soft AC, KNDD to the KIRO simulcast and KMTT to a more alternative sound if KNDD flips. Got notice Friday at the agency that the KMTT morning show will be retiring.

 

[mammaknowsbest]

KNDD to KIRO Simulcast
JACK to Free-FM
KBKS to Rhythmic CHR with new staff


I think the Soft AC concept makes sense. Top candidates could be
KBSG, KJR-FM,JACK, KMTT, KPLZ. These three all make money, but could
cut costs big-time. If it is Fisher and West retiring the move makes sense
for KMTT. If it is Kent and Alan, the move makes sense for KPLZ. KBSG and KJR can't keep going at each other. One will eventually take the Oldies position and Soft AC makes sense for the other.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

LBB's Fantasy Market

This is pure fantasy ... but if I could convince folks to "play with their properties", this would be my lay of the land in 2007:

SANDUSKY
92.5: MOVIN seems to be on an upswing. RIDE IT!
KIXI, KWJZ, KRWM: Roll with it, baby!
1150: All traffic during AM-end of PM drive, including weekends. Automate so easy to loop segments only when the information changes. Specialty (pay-for-play) or satellite programming evenings; but use evening stopset breaks for quick traffic updates to handle things like SeaCenter events, etc. and protect the image of full time traffic.

FISHER
101.5: Consider branding KOMO-FM: Mix of personality/music and full service, target those who want KOMO-info but not full strength info. Airstaff they have is perfect to make this work -- only real change is less emphasis on wall-to-wall music. Already have the investment in newsroom & resources, and an FM mid-range would balance their "local information" positioning of AM-TV-FM.
KOMO/KVI: Pair these up so they are real sister stations. Make it so people know the two are related. KOMO currently has mariners which to me messes up "we're information when you need it" credibility; so if people are taught to think of the pair you can pick up news/traffic on 570 when Mariners commitment is underway. Ideally move Mariners to 570; but KOMO has better signal. I'd seriously consider backing off the right-wing thing and make KVI an "issues" station where each host attracts a certain TYPE of following --- positioning is "in-depth analysis of what we introduce of KOMO".


CBS
KPTK: KMPS, KZOK: Stay the course (some would argue KPTK's strength, but let's see what happens in November and what national climate is like at that point)
96.5: The talk about making this a softer AC makes some sense .... would be good addition to the format mix at CBS; and doesn't cannibalize anything they already have
KBKS: Haven't listened so not sure of the degree to which they are struggling; but I have to assume there is SOME room for a good CHR/Contemporary station that picks up teens and is "palatable" for parents. Most old dweebs my age can't stomach even sampling KUBE ... so get something Mom/kids agree on in the SUV. My perception of KISS was they weren't that far away from this; but stopped trying to keep adults happy.


CLEAR CHANNEL
850/950, KFNK, KNBQ: Have to assume these are doing well in their niches. Not much you can do with the "regional" signal holdbacks of the FM's ... so the way they operate those is economical and keeps a decent hole filled in each case.
KUBE: Yeah, I'm nostalgic for the days when it was a serious #1 priority on my preset; but hard to argue with its success ... so hang in there, man!
KJR-FM: This one's an emotional choice ... but I would LOVE to see it take up the "gold" mantle and restore its heritage presentation. Squash KBSG at their own game by taking up complete but newer library and get a huge cume. With large library, TSL would probably improve too. But make it energetic, personality, foreground and FUN ... not just a jukebox. When you're hearing the same library over time the thing that makes it unique is what happens WITH the music; otherwise off-air media makes sense to just have "the library" in your car.


ENTERCOM
KIRO: Figure out what you want to be and go for it. Enough heritage material to bring it back to "glory" status if you stop tweaking the dials and oiling the machine every 15 minutes. Give the market a chance to remember what originally worked at KIRO ... CONSISTENCY and CREDIBILITY! If they really want Mariners back they will end up with exact same issue KOMO faces .. are you the flagship sports station or are you news leader? Can't be both and have people count on you for breaking news/traffic.
770: If KVI could do the "issues" positioning, then this would leave hard-core right talk open for one station to wrap itself around.
WOLF, KISW, KMTT: Like 'em but need to decide if music or a yak-yak-yak format. Each has potential of "owning" their respective niche (assuming WOLF continues to be "young" targeted country and KMPS assumes to be "older" target).
107.7: Still like the concept of going after somethin very unique ... like the Buble kind of AC (not pop ... but mix of old and new "standards"). Don't trust Entercom to program this as a good FM news station, and simply simulcasting KIRO doesn't make sense until you FIX KIRO's erosion first.
KBSG: Since my emotional vote for "gold" went to KJR (because it earned that place in our history first), I'd look at this to round out adult music mix. At some point I think the Entercom holdings prove that you CAN have too many stations in a market and that instead of being effective, you eventually can't find ways not to screw yourself by stealing from your own sisters. If they do classic rock of some kind ... it steps on KISW. If they do talk, it steps on KIRO/770. Can't go country; If 107.7 takes a unique AC approach, can't go mainstream, ecletic taken by KMTT ... so perhaps clearest path is an adult Contemporary station ... something that retools Hot-AC (esp. if KPLZ adopts the KOMO-FM thing) and make it music-intensive adult foreground.

So...who's first to flip??!!!

 

[mammaknowsbest]

Wow LLB, pretty interesting all the way around. With Mike West posting that he is retiring, it does create some interesting options at Entercom. My bet is
KBSG goes Oldies based AC, KIRO simulcasts on KNDD to save money, KISW stays the course. Not sure what will come of KMTT.

First to flip? KNDD or JACK. (KBSG or KBKS are outside shots at a format flip)

 

[OttoM]

I've said it before - and I'll say it again: One of the full-market signals will flip to Hispanic in '07. Most likely an Entercom or CBS properly - possibly 107.7 or 96.5.

 

[airwaver]

That's what you said about WHOOPIE going to KJR-FM.....HA!

 

[AQH]

I've said it before - and I'll say it again: One of the full-market signals will flip to Hispanic in '07. Most likely an Entercom or CBS properly - possibly 107.7 or 96.5.

A full-market signal? Not likely.

I could hear a rimshot signal doing it. Arbitron says the market has about 175,000 Hispanics. Even if you get every single one of them to listen, that's going to be awfully tough to sell and survive. This board is rich with talk about stations going away with better numbers to sell.

Just can't hear the scenario you describe.

 

[AQH]

Re: LBB's Fantasy Market

KBSG: Since my emotional vote for "gold" went to KJR (because it earned that place in our history first), I'd look at this to round out adult music mix. At some point I think the Entercom holdings prove that you CAN have too many stations in a market and that instead of being effective, you eventually can't find ways not to screw yourself by stealing from your own sisters. If they do classic rock of some kind ... it steps on KISW. If they do talk, it steps on KIRO/770. Can't go country; If 107.7 takes a unique AC approach, can't go mainstream, ecletic taken by KMTT ... so perhaps clearest path is an adult Contemporary station ... something that retools Hot-AC (esp. if KPLZ adopts the KOMO-FM thing) and make it music-intensive adult foreground.

KBSG is my pick to flip, they're a station truly going in the wrong direction.

 

[airwaver]

..AQH, you just can't HEAR - - period...

 

[e-menace]

"KBSG is my pick to flip, they're a station truly going in the wrong direction."

Yeah, especially when you are in the top 10! They should do a Jack, or a Movin, or an Error America and drop to the high teens! Then they would be a success!

 

[AQH]

Yeah, especially when you are in the top 10! They should do a Jack, or a Movin, or an Error America and drop to the high teens! Then they would be a success!

Read the original post. It said, "WHICH STATION IN SEATTLE IS MOST LIKELY TO CHANGE FORMAT IN 2007"

That's why I said they're going in the wrong direction right now, and did NOT say they're in imminent need of a format change today.

Try thinking about what was said before posting.

 

[mightymoose]

Seems to me that there are a number of other stations that would flip in 2007 before KBSG. They sound better now than they did 6 months ago. The PD before Jay Coffee had it all messed up. At least Jay Coffee has made an effort to put things right.

 

[e-menace]

Yeah, there are like 30 stations that should "flip" before KBSG does.

Do people on this board consider "true" success? Stations with high ratings that make money, don't need to flip.

 

[Grindlfan]

Oh give me a freaking break. KBSG is a disaster since Jay took control. When they aren't playing a Motown record every other song or Aretha Franklin they're playing Pretty Woman! The station was much better before they brought that idiot in. When are the bozos in oldies radio going to actually start listening to their listeners and not to some shit-for-brains research group to tell them what to play. I am an oldies radio listener and believe me, an expanded playlist is the way to go. I was a loyal KBSG listener and when I noticed the changes at the station, such as dropping the Dick Bartley programs, I called Mr. Coffey to express my dissappointment. He was rude and condescending and couldn't have cared less what a loyal listener had to say. Typical L.A. jerk. Now I stream K-HITS in Portland. That is a great classic hits station! KBSG and KJR FM could take lesson from K-HITS. They don it right down there.

 

[e-menace]

KBSG is much the same as 10 years ago with the inevitable exception of a few staff changes and the addition of some 70s stuff as time moves on.

Clearly, there are WAY more losers in this town that need help in the format department compared to KBSG. WAY MORE!!!

 

[TowerLamp]

KBSG is much the same as 10 years ago with the inevitable exception of a few staff changes and the addition of some 70s stuff as time moves on.

Clearly, there are WAY more losers in this town that need help in the format department compared to KBSG. WAY MORE!!!

Menace, You're right. KBSG still has a few years life left in it. Still I'm surprised that Jay hasn't implemented more of what he did at K-Earth here in Seattle. K-Earth (imho) sounds great. Much deeper playlist, energetic jocks and excellent, well prepped morning show. With 2 decades of tunes to choose from we could certainly go deeper than KBSG's toasted 400 song library.

 

[e-menace]

OK, I agree with some of that. K Earth (when I heard it a few years a go) was HOT! Wow that was (and is?) fun radio!

KBSG could do with more people, less formula, more fun.

But we have to be happy with what we have, after all they are free for now. I get angry when I read people here saying that stations like KBSG need to "change", and do what Jackass, Movin to nowhere and Error America have done.

 

[sleepyhead]

Most likely to flip next year you say? In this day and age, when it's much easier for suits to grab on to the next big thing as compared to actually doing some "fine tuning", I'd say KBSG is on the chopping block. The End could be gone too. Rock oriented formats have been trying to sell garbage for nearly a decade now. Will some consultant please try to promote something else besides the endless Nirvana/Metallica clones! How about going after chicks that rock. Excuse me but I meant females Mr. Consultant-Slash Group V.P.- Slash A and R dude. I sleep with a rocker chick every night and I get alot of lip as to why contemporary radio just plain...well lets just say neither of us own a Nickelback record.

KING-FM. Talk about lousy demos. Classical is for losers when it comes to media buyers and I don't care what there numbers are. KING-FM could flip in 2007. That was a typo I guess. 2017.