WINTER BOOK

[calguy]

Excuse the type-o's in the above reply, but I was going fast.

I wanted to clarify that I'm not being sexist, but the fact that Stopwhining has let on that she's a she explains why female targeted stations are her focus. I'm interested in knowing from a female what you don't like and how to fix the percieved problem? This is especially relevant in light of the fact that some of these targets are still successful, yet you really seem to dislike them or more so the people behind them.

 

[ercjncpr]

by the way how did K-MOZART on 1260 do (or is it too soon?)

 

[davideduardo]

Hmm, that explains quite a bit. You point to music and billboards. Billboards, like TV spots for stations have suffered from a lack of vision and creativity for years, that's a given, (though KFI's billboards are pretty good) but what would you change about their music and morning show. Do you know of someone better from elsewhere that might better fit the morning show at STAR? What's wrong with Valentine? He was pretty successful at KIIS and many other station around the country.
Why don't you Valentine & Lisa to be the answer? I'm not being a smat a%& here. I truly would like to know... By the way, David and many on this board, myself included may have thought you were a guy because of the way you write, so this is a revelation. But really, I'm thinking now that you're a listener rather than someone from within the industry.

Exactly, and that gives some validity to her points. It beats having Glen, under the latest of his names, opining about stations that he is not even supposed to like.

 

[mostb1]

Hmm, that explains quite a bit. You point to music and billboards. Billboards, like TV spots for stations have suffered from a lack of vision and creativity for years, that's a given, (though KFI's billboards are pretty good) but what would you change about their music and morning show. Do you know of someone better from elsewhere that might better fit the morning show at STAR? What's wrong with Valentine? He was pretty successful at KIIS and many other station around the country.
Why don't you Valentine & Lisa to be the answer? I'm not being a smat a%& here. I truly would like to know... By the way, David and many on this board, myself included may have thought you were a guy because of the way you write, so this is a revelation. But really, I'm thinking now that you're a listener rather than someone from within the industry.

Exactly, and that gives some validity to her points. It beats having Glen, under the latest of his names, opining about stations that he is not even supposed to like.

Poor and downright stupid answer. So what you are basically saying is only a Hispanic female could program a station targeting Hispanic females.

Well, lets see what stations you shouldn't be discussing anymore, David....

 

[mostb1]

Hmm, that explains quite a bit. You point to music and billboards. Billboards, like TV spots for stations have suffered from a lack of vision and creativity for years, that's a given, (though KFI's billboards are pretty good) but what would you change about their music and morning show. Do you know of someone better from elsewhere that might better fit the morning show at STAR? What's wrong with Valentine? He was pretty successful at KIIS and many other station around the country.
Why don't you Valentine & Lisa to be the answer? I'm not being a smat a%& here. I truly would like to know... By the way, David and many on this board, myself included may have thought you were a guy because of the way you write, so this is a revelation. But really, I'm thinking now that you're a listener rather than someone from within the industry.

Exactly, and that gives some validity to her points. It beats having Glen, under the latest of his names, opining about stations that he is not even supposed to like.

I'd also like to know what the "latest" of my "names" is here? mostb1, which means most banned 1, goes back to the KMR days. The only one who has posted under more than one handle since those days, between you and me, is you.

So, you can't be objective about a specific format that targets a specific ethnic or gender or both unless you are also the same. That is, in essence, is what you have posted David.

So, please tell us what stations you won't be making "objective" posts about for that reason (that you posted)?

 

[davideduardo]

I'd also like to know what the "latest" of my "names" is here? mostb1, which means most banned 1, goes back to the KMR days. The only one who has posted under more than one handle since those days, between you and me, is you.

So, you can't be objective about a specific format that targets a specific ethnic or gender or both unless you are also the same. That is, in essence, is what you have posted David.

So, please tell us what stations you won't be making "objective" posts about for that reason (that you posted)?

I knew that would bring out the best in you.

The fact is, I don't make personal judgements on the relative merits of formats I don't listen to or "apply to." My comments in this area have to do with the actual facts on billing, demos, sales, etc., rather than saying that a show sucks or that the music mix is bad. That is the kind of thing we ask listeners without coloring with personal opinion.

 

[davideduardo]

Exactly, and that gives some validity to her points. It beats having Glen, under the latest of his names, opining about stations that he is not even supposed to like.

Poor and downright stupid answer. So what you are basically saying is only a Hispanic female could program a station targeting Hispanic females.

Well, lets see what stations you shouldn't be discussing anymore, David....

No, it gives her validity because it appears she is a listener in the demo target of the station she is commentingt. For example, the remark that she expected Star to improve when Jaime was let go is an interesting insight into what may be imortant to the target.

The age and background of a person neither qualifies nor disqualifies a person as a PD, since it is mostly listener input that molds the station. Not being culturally Hispanic when trying to program to an Hispanic audience might be a major disadvantage to most people.

 

[david]

Another station that needs a complete overhaul is KABC. Eric Braverman, who knows nothing about programming a radio station, must go. Although I hope the IRS doesn't allow the reverse Morris trust to fly, Citadel taking over would at least end his career. KABC needs a top-to-bottom overhaul. Although I like Doug Mcintrye, he should never have been given the morning show. He's zero competition to the great Bill Handel and KFI.

I'm surprised that no one has responded to this comment from Glenn. He really nailed this point regarding what I believe is one of the major stories of this book - KABC is a very poor station right now. Eric has shown he can't revive KABC, Doug needs a supporting staff (sorry Rob Marinko, you're too weak for AM drive) so that he does not need to carry the show so much, the stations' sound (music beds) is dismal, Paul Harvey casts are disruptive, O'Reilly is useless, etc.

Ideas: Move Doug to 9a to Noon, Run O'Reilly 2a to 4a, followed by Doug Stephan's Good Day from 4a to 5a. Launch a new AM drive show, dump Paul Harvey and Mark Levine, and most importantly return the station to being a station of record. Full network newscasts at the top of the hour, full local newscasts at the bottom of the hour, as KFI does. KABC's 1 or 2 story newscasts are pathetic. Cut the spot load, the station feels cluttered. PM Drive is tough - I'd try Al Rantel there but I don't think the station will risk alienating its Larry Elder fan base. Launch a new late evening local talk show. It's too early to comment on Peter Tilden. He might actually be better suited for 9p to Midnight, with a new live and local overnight show being launched (but no more Kevin James - please).

 

[mostb1]

I'd also like to know what the "latest" of my "names" is here? mostb1, which means most banned 1, goes back to the KMR days. The only one who has posted under more than one handle since those days, between you and me, is you.

So, you can't be objective about a specific format that targets a specific ethnic or gender or both unless you are also the same. That is, in essence, is what you have posted David.

So, please tell us what stations you won't be making "objective" posts about for that reason (that you posted)?

I knew that would bring out the best in you.

The fact is, I don't make personal judgements on the relative merits of formats I don't listen to or "apply to." My comments in this area have to do with the actual facts on billing, demos, sales, etc., rather than saying that a show sucks or that the music mix is bad. That is the kind of thing we ask listeners without coloring with personal opinion.

It was a dumb post, period, David. I could easily push you into a corner with it "Old Gringo".

It certainly is your perogative to challenge my posts but don't do so with actual false statements. I have not posted under any other username here since KMR left for the failing no-insight board. Thankfully the management and moderators here are much improved since that nightmare.

Over the last 8 months that I have been bashing Movin, I have backed up all my statements of why this fomat isn't working and won't ever in Los Angeles. I never just say a music mix sucks. I explain WHY it sucks and WHY it won't work. I've pointed to many examples why Emmis is cheap and why their first and current marketing campaign are failures. And why a talent like Rick Dees isn't working. The ratings have proved I'm right. I've even given a suggestions of what to do to fix it and how Rick Dees could save himself.

Radio is a personal medium and should be programmed as such. Some of us are "passionate" about it and Los Angeles and have shown it here with our EDUCATED OPINIONS. You don't need to be from any one ethnic or gender to "hear" what will win for the station you are programming or posting about. I've worked with female programmers who couldn't program to their own demo and failed yet I've worked with up-hip white males who were winners programming to ethnic groups (isn't that you, too, David?).

Your cheap shot wasn't worth writing, David. It was also very inaccurate and disingenuous.

 

[davideduardo]

It certainly is your perogative to challenge my posts but don't do so with actual false statements. I have not posted under any other username here since KMR left for the failing no-insight board. Thankfully the management and moderators here are much improved since that nightmare.

So? Prior to that, you changed your username more than any person I have seen on the board.

Over the last 8 months that I have been bashing Movin, I have backed up all my statements of why this fomat isn't working and won't ever in Los Angeles.

Yes, we have noticed. It is almost a religious-like crusade on your part. Most of us really don't care... it's not even a 1-share station. Whatever can be said was said long ago, and all you do is repeat yourself over and over.

Radio is a personal medium and should be programmed as such. Some of us are "passionate" about it and Los Angeles and have shown it here with our EDUCATED OPINIONS. You don't need to be from any one ethnic or gender to "hear" what will win for the station you are programming or posting about. I've worked with female programmers who couldn't program to their own demo and failed yet I've worked with up-hip white males who were winners programming to ethnic groups (isn't that you, too, David?).

No, that isn't me. Check the official definition of "Hispanic" and you will find that it relates to a person's culture and/or heritage. I've been in Latin America or worked in Spanish language radio since the early 60's. I went to HS in Ecuador, never talk to my children in English and don't speak English in my personal life. In other words, I fit the definition... based on culture. I tried one time, for 6 months, to do English radio and I hated it, had trouble relating to people for cultural reasons, etc.

Your cheap shot wasn't worth writing, David. It was also very inaccurate and disingenuous.

Now that I know what your hot utton is, I will attempt to push it more often.

 

[mostb1]

Another station that needs a complete overhaul is KABC. Eric Braverman, who knows nothing about programming a radio station, must go. Although I hope the IRS doesn't allow the reverse Morris trust to fly, Citadel taking over would at least end his career. KABC needs a top-to-bottom overhaul. Although I like Doug Mcintrye, he should never have been given the morning show. He's zero competition to the great Bill Handel and KFI.

I'm surprised that no one has responded to this comment from Glenn. He really nailed this point regarding what I believe is one of the major stories of this book - KABC is a very poor station right now. Eric has shown he can't revive KABC, Doug needs a supporting staff (sorry Rob Marinko, you're too weak for AM drive) so that he does not need to carry the show so much, the stations' sound (music beds) is dismal, Paul Harvey casts are disruptive, O'Reilly is useless, etc.

Ideas: Move Doug to 9a to Noon, Run O'Reilly 2a to 4a, followed by Doug Stephan's Good Day from 4a to 5a. Launch a new AM drive show, dump Paul Harvey and Mark Levine, and most importantly return the station to being a station of record. Full network newscasts at the top of the hour, full local newscasts at the bottom of the hour, as KFI does. KABC's 1 or 2 story newscasts are pathetic. Cut the spot load, the station feels cluttered. PM Drive is tough - I'd try Al Rantel there but I don't think the station will risk alienating its Larry Elder fan base. Launch a new late evening local talk show. It's too early to comment on Peter Tilden. He might actually be better suited for 9p to Midnight, with a new live and local overnight show being launched (but no more Kevin James - please).

Los Angeles is an entertainment town. Even when it comes to talk, if you are going to win, you need to "entertain" your listeners. KABC is a boring talk station with LOTS of problems. I won't even go into the music beds, liners or imaging - all of which sucks.

Paul Harvey. Get the casket and embalming fluid out, please.

Mark Levine is a good talk show host. But he's too east coast in style for L.A. Mr. KABC use to air so many complaints about his show. I'd agree. His show being on KABC unfortunately is dictated by ABC.
Not much you can do about that unless Citadel takes over.

Doug McIntyre might work with a good team surrounding him as you suggest. He has a great knowledge on many issues and Los Angeles in general. The "Fox and Friends' format is what I'd like to see. They'd need a female and at least one more person chatting back and forth plus a number of "regulars". But, I wouldn't have a problem if they replaced him.

The only way you are going to win, if at all, against Rush is to do a local, live show. If they can't get a budget for anyone to do the 9-12, they could just add an hour onto the morning show and run O'Reilly from 10-12. Most tv morning infotainment shows run until 10, why not radio? I still can't believe they make Al Rantel come in for a 45 minute show at 11 AM. So stupid.

I like a lot of the hosts that are on KABC but when you place them against KFI, you're always going to be the loser since they are weak in comparison for this market. Larry Elder, a Libertarian turned Republican, has great talking points but just doesn't match John & Ken's passion and outrageousness. They are true entertainers - with John coming from a personality musicradio background. Yes, you do have to "entertain" if you're going to do bat against KFI in the talk show arena. Al Rantel. Knows his issues. Good Republican but just "sounds' old and boring against KFI. Kevin James was passionate about illegal immigation and knew the issue well. He co-hosted The Terry Anderson Show a few weeks back on KRLA. But that is about all he'd ever talk about on KABC. Great issue but you've got to be balanced and let the listeners on the air which he rarely ever did.

I don't think Citadel, if they get ABC, will do a live, local overnight show. Certainly I'd love to see KABC treated more like a Bonneville news/talk station but I just don't see it happening.

If CBS was smart, and I question that, they'd go after both KABC and KFI right now. I have no clue what they are trying to do at KNX but it sucks and will continue to be a loser.

There is no reason why you can't get younger demos programming an entertaining, informative talk station in this town. I've seen it done before. My best friend has done it with top 3 25-54 and top 5 18-34 numbers on a conservative talk station doing mornings. It can be done here, too.

Considering this is the entertainment capital of the world, why is it that no radio station has ever had a daily talk show focused on the entertainment industry or entertainment industry rumors? Or at least makes it a part of a daily local talk show? The "E" channel, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, TV Guide Channel, to name a few are from here but nothing ever local and on radio. I just don't get it.

 

[mostb1]

It certainly is your perogative to challenge my posts but don't do so with actual false statements. I have not posted under any other username here since KMR left for the failing no-insight board. Thankfully the management and moderators here are much improved since that nightmare.

So? Prior to that, you changed your username more than any person I have seen on the board.

Over the last 8 months that I have been bashing Movin, I have backed up all my statements of why this fomat isn't working and won't ever in Los Angeles.

Yes, we have noticed. It is almost a religious-like crusade on your part. Most of us really don't care... it's not even a 1-share station. Whatever can be said was said long ago, and all you do is repeat yourself over and over.

Radio is a personal medium and should be programmed as such. Some of us are "passionate" about it and Los Angeles and have shown it here with our EDUCATED OPINIONS. You don't need to be from any one ethnic or gender to "hear" what will win for the station you are programming or posting about. I've worked with female programmers who couldn't program to their own demo and failed yet I've worked with up-hip white males who were winners programming to ethnic groups (isn't that you, too, David?).

No, that isn't me. Check the official definition of "Hispanic" and you will find that it relates to a person's culture and/or heritage. I've been in Latin America or worked in Spanish language radio since the early 60's. I went to HS in Ecuador, never talk to my children in English and don't speak English in my personal life. In other words, I fit the definition... based on culture. I tried one time, for 6 months, to do English radio and I hated it, had trouble relating to people for cultural reasons, etc.

Your cheap shot wasn't worth writing, David. It was also very inaccurate and disingenuous.

Now that I know what your hot utton is, I will attempt to push it more often.

What is a hot "utton"? Trust me, you push none of my buttons. Most of the time your "spinning" as you are doing in your latest post here just makes me laugh (laugh at you, not with you).

I didn't change my username for want. KMR and his friends had me banned a few times. Then I'd just come back or be invited back by another moderator. But my "latest" name, as you called it in your post, has been active for HOW LONG, David? See my profile. Latest isn't the way to describe.

Great, based on what you've posted tonight you shouldn't chime in about any english language radio station. I feel a breath of fresh air coming.

The Movin format, Rick Dees and Emmis have been a topic on this board before I ever posted about them. You've posted responses many times to not only my posts but many others on the subject so you're not being honest. That doesn't surprise me.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

Re: KABC

I agree with Glenn and my friend David @ USC about KABC ... Paul Harvey and embalming fluid LOL!! ;D

One name KABC should consider: Joe Crummey! He's a "free agent" last I heard. He should be given a chance to return to LA and KABC ... HE knows how to entertain.

Mark Levine sounds very grating to me. Glenn is right about the East Coast flavor ... Levine graduated from the Bob Grant Talk Show school "Get off the phone, ya big dummy!!"

 

[scooty430]

Well well well, Intern Stella Schwartz and KOST 103 *PLUMMETED* in the latest ratings!!! You have to sink pretty low to be #1 after two trends, then sink to a three-way tie for #6 one month later! This supports my theory that KOST's previous #1 trend was just a carry over from the all-Christmas music format that works so well for them each year. Again, I must ask: Stella Schwartz, qualified programmer, or intern who was groomed to be a "puppet" for lower pay than a qualified programmer? Maybe she should have spent MORE time with Jhani Kaye?

Speaking of Jhani, and K-EARTH, I find it interesting that his expansion of the playlist is paying off. I remember you consultant-types (STEVE HOLT!) on this board blasting anyone who suggested that they should do this, insisting K-EARTH was playing exactly what it should be playing. Look at K-EARTH now!! MUCH IMPROVED!! Of course, these are the same programmers who insisted here that a station like JACK FM would NEVER work, because no one would listen to a station with a playlist that big, with so much variety. Wrong again, overpaid Einsteins!!

Finally, it's waaaaay overdue for Clear Channel to kill off KBIG and STAR. KBIG is a total flop and we all know it. Why doesn't Clear Channel wise up and switch it to a Spanish station? With several Spanish stations in the Top 10, and a government that is doing virtually nothing to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, how could it lose? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Spanish-speaking adults moving into the listening area every day, so it doesn't take a brain surgeon to build an audience here. KBIG has the signal to build a Spanish powerhouse and it would certainly score higher ratings than KBIG.

It's also waaaaay overdue for Clear Channel to kill off Star. What if KIIS' afternoon jock moved to Star 98.7 and nobody cared? Well, that's the truth now. Valentine makes people long for the days of Jamie White. As annoying as she was, at least she had opinions and something to say. This Valentine, by far, has the worst morning show in the market. Even the billboards for Valentine & Lisa Foxx are a huge embarrassment: "He used to be a cop, she's been arrested"? LAME. That's the best Star can do in a town full of writers? Valentine is soooo lost and it sounds like it. Clear Channel needs to abandon this trainwreck now and build a station that actually has potential to become something big. Sure, Star 98.7 creeps up a bit in the ratings every now and then, but when you're ratings are that low, they are bound to hit bottom and bounce up some of the time. And even then, the ratings bump soon drops like a sack of wet cement. Clear Channel needs to clean house at KBIG and Star and get a crew in there that has a clue. They are, by far, the two worst sounding stations in Los Angeles.

Yup. A couple years ago you could come on here and see people predicting JACK would fail. And every time someone complained about K-Earth, the response was "more variety = lower ratings." Another common opinion was that KBIG was headed in the right direction. Oops again.

 

[calguy]

Well well well, Intern Stella Schwartz and KOST 103 *PLUMMETED* in the latest ratings!!! You have to sink pretty low to be #1 after two trends, then sink to a three-way tie for #6 one month later! This supports my theory that KOST's previous #1 trend was just a carry over from the all-Christmas music format that works so well for them each year. Again, I must ask: Stella Schwartz, qualified programmer, or intern who was groomed to be a "puppet" for lower pay than a qualified programmer? Maybe she should have spent MORE time with Jhani Kaye?

Speaking of Jhani, and K-EARTH, I find it interesting that his expansion of the playlist is paying off. I remember you consultant-types (STEVE HOLT!) on this board blasting anyone who suggested that they should do this, insisting K-EARTH was playing exactly what it should be playing. Look at K-EARTH now!! MUCH IMPROVED!! Of course, these are the same programmers who insisted here that a station like JACK FM would NEVER work, because no one would listen to a station with a playlist that big, with so much variety. Wrong again, overpaid Einsteins!!

Finally, it's waaaaay overdue for Clear Channel to kill off KBIG and STAR. KBIG is a total flop and we all know it. Why doesn't Clear Channel wise up and switch it to a Spanish station? With several Spanish stations in the Top 10, and a government that is doing virtually nothing to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, how could it lose? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Spanish-speaking adults moving into the listening area every day, so it doesn't take a brain surgeon to build an audience here. KBIG has the signal to build a Spanish powerhouse and it would certainly score higher ratings than KBIG.

It's also waaaaay overdue for Clear Channel to kill off Star. What if KIIS' afternoon jock moved to Star 98.7 and nobody cared? Well, that's the truth now. Valentine makes people long for the days of Jamie White. As annoying as she was, at least she had opinions and something to say. This Valentine, by far, has the worst morning show in the market. Even the billboards for Valentine & Lisa Foxx are a huge embarrassment: "He used to be a cop, she's been arrested"? LAME. That's the best Star can do in a town full of writers? Valentine is soooo lost and it sounds like it. Clear Channel needs to abandon this trainwreck now and build a station that actually has potential to become something big. Sure, Star 98.7 creeps up a bit in the ratings every now and then, but when you're ratings are that low, they are bound to hit bottom and bounce up some of the time. And even then, the ratings bump soon drops like a sack of wet cement. Clear Channel needs to clean house at KBIG and Star and get a crew in there that has a clue. They are, by far, the two worst sounding stations in Los Angeles.

Yup. A couple years ago you could come on here and see people predicting JACK would fail. And every time someone complained about K-Earth, the response was "more variety = lower ratings." Another common opinion was that KBIG was headed in the right direction. Oops again.

The predictions that JACK would fail seemed right at the time. To seasoned radio people it sounded pretty bad at first. Not a good flow, no air talent, songs that sounded out of place and smarmy imaging. What happened is that JACK improved it's flow and music choice and caught on. K-Earth got a new PD and CBS let him do things that needed to be done with the music. KBIG was headed in the right direction back then. Who knew that some guy in San Francisco would dictate so many horrible changes to mess 104.3 up? That's radio, things change. Some for the better, some for the worse...

 

[Jay F]

What's interesting is that JACK is still thriving in some markets while in other markets it tanked just as it's critics predicted it would. JACK is still doing good in LA, In Nashville it is currently ranked #1 25-54, yet here is Las Vegas after a good start it is now in last place. Several markets have had the "first to worst" scenario. Then there is NYC where JACK has had slow and steady growth.

 

[Archervox]

The predictions that JACK would fail seemed right at the time. To seasoned radio people it sounded pretty bad at first. Not a good flow, no air talent, songs that sounded out of place and smarmy imaging. What happened is that JACK improved it's flow and music choice and caught on.

Hell, I thought Jack was going to have some good numbers at first, and then slowly disappear as a serious competitor in the market. I kept waiting for the downtrends. Shows how much I knew...