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Y-94.9

As of 2:30 on Saturday, Y-94.9 in Northwest Arkansas is running the John Tesh Show all the time now. I smell a format change!! Oldies Maybe.... Time will tell.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by radioaircheck on 06/18/05 07:44 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> As of 2:30 on Saturday, Y-94.9 in Northwest Arkansas is
> running the John Tesh Show all the time now. I smell a
> format change!! Oldies Maybe.... Time will tell.
>


I noticed that... as we were driving through Pryor, Oklahoma John informed my girlfriend and I that if we would stay tuned, we would become the smartest people in the room. I laughed...

Does sound rather suspicious... I just can't seem to bet on the oldies though. That would make a large number of format changes for them since Cumulus took over....

1. Simulcast of Oldies "Cool 94-3"
2. AC "Sunny 95"
3. All-80's, "94-9 The Max"
4. AC "Y 94-9"

Given the combonation of KFAY's less than perfect signal and the trend of news/talkers going to FM (including Cumulus' new 97.5 in Houston) would something like, "News/Talk 95 KFAY" be totally out of the question? I mean think about it.. you have an FM signal that covers both Faytteville and Fort Smith... and all you have to do is move the existing shows over to the FM side of the dial and rewire the main talk studio to go to FM...

The best thing they could do is to flip KYNF to news/talk and go with sports on the 1030 frequency. Any attempts at competing as an AC don't seem to be working on that frequency.

I did one of the last basketball games on that station back when they were "Solid Gospel KDAB" and Prairie Grove was in the state tournament...
 
> > As of 2:30 on Saturday, Y-94.9 in Northwest Arkansas is
> > running the John Tesh Show all the time now. I smell a
> > format change!! Oldies Maybe.... Time will tell.
> >
>
>
> I noticed that... as we were driving through Pryor, Oklahoma
> John informed my girlfriend and I that if we would stay
> tuned, we would become the smartest people in the room. I
> laughed...
>
> Does sound rather suspicious... I just can't seem to bet on
> the oldies though. That would make a large number of format
> changes for them since Cumulus took over....
>
> 1. Simulcast of Oldies "Cool 94-3"
> 2. AC "Sunny 95"
> 3. All-80's, "94-9 The Max"
> 4. AC "Y 94-9"
>




> Given the combonation of KFAY's less than perfect signal and
> the trend of news/talkers going to FM (including Cumulus'
> new 97.5 in Houston) would something like, "News/Talk 95
> KFAY" be totally out of the question? I mean think about
> it.. you have an FM signal that covers both Faytteville and
> Fort Smith... and all you have to do is move the existing
> shows over to the FM side of the dial and rewire the main
> talk studio to go to FM...
>
> The best thing they could do is to flip KYNF to news/talk
> and go with sports on the 1030 frequency. Any attempts at
> competing as an AC don't seem to be working on that
> frequency.
>
> I did one of the last basketball games on that station back
> when they were "Solid Gospel KDAB" and Prairie Grove was in
> the state tournament...
>
You may have somethin there. The other possiblity is all sports on 94.9. Mo Matingly is not very with happy withthings on the Fan at the Butler Bunker.. Bob is looking for a better station. 103.1 in Ft. Smith is Sports now dropping their AC format. Things are going really godd at KUOA by the way. Business is picking up.
 
Can any of you explain WHY talk raio is going to FM? That makes no sense to me. What are they gonna do with the AM's NOW?

<P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
 
> Can any of you explain WHY talk raio is going to FM? That
> makes no sense to me. What are they gonna do with the AM's
> NOW?
>


Well if you will take a look at the stations that have moved news/talk and sports formats to an FM station, most of them are on a rimshot signal that cannot compete as a music station.

KTTG in Mena is 99 miles away from the metro area.... it couldn't make a dent in the Fort Smith market with a country format... flip it to sports, and it has found it's niche.

Same thing with KRWA 103.1... it flipped to sports in the second week of April. It has a very loyal listenership with local programming.. a good morning show, noon show, and Chuck Barrett's Sportsrap. The sports stations don't pull huge numbers, but on FM a younger generation is starting to find these information formats. Most people under 30 listen to AM about as much as they talk on a CB... it just doesn't happen. But you take an FM where they are likely to come across it while scanning.... there ya go.

Right now I feel like our biggest competition is the I-Pod and the in-car CD player. The only way that we are going to survive is to go back to serving the people with local information, local sports, and local personalities. I have a feeling that more of these FMs are going to go to informational formats. This isn't just a trend.

As much as I hate to say it, unless you've been there forever, AM radio is dying a slow and horrific death. The new generation hasn't found it, and they aren't going to anytime soon. I am afraid that in five to ten years, FM may be the stepchild when the I-Pods and the cars are able to recieve internet radio.

It is a changing business... we will have to adjust somehow.
 
> > Can any of you explain WHY talk raio is going to FM? That
> > makes no sense to me. What are they gonna do with the AM's
>
> > NOW?
> >
>
>
> Well if you will take a look at the stations that have moved
> news/talk and sports formats to an FM station, most of them
> are on a rimshot signal that cannot compete as a music
> station.
>
> KTTG in Mena is 99 miles away from the metro area.... it
> couldn't make a dent in the Fort Smith market with a country
> format... flip it to sports, and it has found it's niche.
>
> Same thing with KRWA 103.1... it flipped to sports in the
> second week of April. It has a very loyal listenership with
> local programming.. a good morning show, noon show, and
> Chuck Barrett's Sportsrap. The sports stations don't pull
> huge numbers, but on FM a younger generation is starting to
> find these information formats. Most people under 30 listen
> to AM about as much as they talk on a CB... it just doesn't
> happen. But you take an FM where they are likely to come
> across it while scanning.... there ya go.
>
> Right now I feel like our biggest competition is the I-Pod
> and the in-car CD player. The only way that we are going to
> survive is to go back to serving the people with local
> information, local sports, and local personalities. I have a
> feeling that more of these FMs are going to go to
> informational formats. This isn't just a trend.
>
> As much as I hate to say it, unless you've been there
> forever, AM radio is dying a slow and horrific death. The
> new generation hasn't found it, and they aren't going to
> anytime soon. I am afraid that in five to ten years, FM may
> be the stepchild when the I-Pods and the cars are able to
> recieve internet radio.
>
> It is a changing business... we will have to adjust somehow.
>

mogul....you are right on the money....i-pods and cd players...not to mention sat radio....are taking the gen x-ers.....so now we are gonna have to completely re-invent radio....it's not just an audible medium anymore...hasnt been for a while...we have to be visible...we have to use the internet...we have to think of new ways to intice listeners...and it all boils down to two words...local relevency...(and no..i'm known as a great speller...lol)....like the guy who gave me my first gig...23 years ago taught me....if it's local and it's happening...people care...and you better care too....we have to endear ourselves to the listener....
whoda thunk it....we may have to go back to the old way to reinvent ourselves....
any ideas?
 
Well...since I made this post, I got an XM receiver for Father's day. I gotta say I'm pretty damn impressed by the programming. The first thing I noticed about the 70s channel was someone there knows how to mix jingles and music together. It's gonna be a tough decade for local radio unless they find the right formula. <P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
 
KFAY-1030 AM has a bad nighttime signal, which doesn't even cover the majority of the market. Obviously, they are protecting co-channel class 1-A WHO-1040 AM in Des Moines. An engineering study might show that they could move their array to the northeast corner of the market, and throw all the signal to the southwest, away from WHO, thus giving it much improved coverage over the market at night. Baring this, what has been discussed with the 94.9 going news-talk may be best.

Mogul throws out for discussion a thing which should be on the minds of station owners everywhere. Radio must stay local, or these new media outlets will erode station listenership and profits. This topic will be getting more and more discussion as time goes on I predict.
 
LOCAL radio???? What's that???? LOL!

Local...Local...Local...but too bad most radio "professionals" don't have a clue that keeping radio local keeps listeners and advertisers happy.

To do local radio, you not only have to cover the local events but you have to be seen at those events. That means yes...GASP...free remotes....hand out those t-shirts and bumper stickers. Heck, at least, have some in stock!!!

The last two companies I worked for had nothing with their logos to hand out. If advertising really does pay then why not ADVERTISE your stations? Strange idea, I know! ;)

Yes, those PSA's are a pain in the hind end but those PSA's are just another way to reach out to the community and *GASP* another way to reach out to those local business owners whose little wives run the local charities.

Vans should never stay in the parking lot...get them out where they can be seen...everyday.

Answer the phones...take requests...play requests...yes, radio listeners can be more than a little annoying but it's those folks who shop and spend money at the advertisers place of business. We should treat them as our clients would when they walk into a store...with respect.

Sales people...here's an idea...don't DUCK calls from difficult clients. You're job is to SERVICE them.

Radio stations were once a service to the community...too bad those days disappeared. It's all about how to cut costs and staff to make the most profit for the management and the owners. Guys, you're going to have to wise up someday and go back to providing service to the community. You might just be surprised at how profitable serving a community might be.





> Well...since I made this post, I got an XM receiver for
> Father's day. I gotta say I'm pretty damn impressed by the
> programming. The first thing I noticed about the 70s channel
> was someone there knows how to mix jingles and music
> together. It's gonna be a tough decade for local radio
> unless they find the right formula.
>
 
Bumper stickers...yeah

> Local...Local...Local...but too bad most radio
> "professionals" don't have a clue that keeping radio local
> keeps listeners and advertisers happy.
>
> To do local radio, you not only have to cover the local
> events but you have to be seen at those events. That means
> yes...GASP...free remotes....hand out those t-shirts and
> bumper stickers. Heck, at least, have some in stock!!!


Has anyone noticed that radio station bumper stickers just aren't all that popular anymore? I remember a time, about 25-15 years ago, when you could be driving around town and see a radio station bumper sticker on nearly every other car. And if you were a kid and did not have a car, you put the sticker in your bedroom window or on a notebook or jam box (Most folks call them Boom Boxes, but I'm from SW Little Rock , and we call 'em Jam Boxes). Nowadays, it seems like they are becoming a rare sight. You are more likely to see a bumpersticker with a web address or a recording artist on it these days.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by brewaskew on 06/21/05 12:29 AM.</FONT></P>
 
KFAY Tower Site

> KFAY-1030 AM has a bad nighttime signal, which doesn't even
> cover the majority of the market. Obviously, they are
> protecting co-channel class 1-A WHO-1040 AM in Des Moines.
> An engineering study might show that they could move their
> array to the northeast corner of the market, and throw all
> the signal to the southwest, away from WHO, thus giving it
> much improved coverage over the market at night. Baring
> this, what has been discussed with the 94.9 going news-talk
> may be best.
>
> Mogul throws out for discussion a thing which should be on
> the minds of station owners everywhere. Radio must stay
> local, or these new media outlets will erode station
> listenership and profits. This topic will be getting more
> and more discussion as time goes on I predict.
>

The 1030 tower site is also on I-540 highway frontage property near the Landers Autoplex which it will make it a very nice piece of land for the ever growing Northwest Arkansas. I heard rumors about people wanting to buy it and even paying for the relocation of the towers, but nothing has materialized obviously.
 
Re: Bumper stickers...yeah

> Has anyone noticed that radio station bumper stickers just
> aren't all that popular anymore? I remember a time, about
> 25-15 years ago, when you could be driving around town and
> see a radio station bumper sticker on nearly every other
> car. And if you were a kid and did not have a car, you put
> the sticker in your bedroom window or on a notebook or jam
> box (Most folks call them Boom Boxes, but I'm from SW Little
> Rock , and we call 'em Jam Boxes). Nowadays, it seems like
> they are becoming a rare sight. You are more likely to see a
> bumpersticker with a web address or a recording artist on it
> these days.
>


Stickers and T-shirts don't have the power they did years ago.
 
Re: LOCAL radio???? What's that???? LOL!

AR Radio Chick:

Couldn't agree more. Well spoken.
 
Re: Bumper stickers...yeah

> Stickers and T-shirts don't have the power they did years
> ago.


Sorry, but I have to disagree with that statement. Even now, working in the library business, we still have affiliates climbing over each other to get our t-shirts. We also put our logo on everything from key chains to pens to leather CD wallets, all part of an effort to get that imaging person's "vote" when it's time to buy a new library. When I look out my studio window, I see a new car belonging to the 19 year-old next door that's plastered with stickers for everyone from the Dave Matthews Band to Godsmack. Even Apple Computer stuck a sheet of Apple logo stickers into the manual of my new G5 in the hope that I'll stick them on something that'll be seen in public.

It's my belief that t-shirts, stickers and other hand-outs went the way of the dodo bird not because of their lack of effectiveness, but rather, because of the corporate bean-counters. In the eyes of a corporate GM, these items generate no direct revenue, so therefore, they're a worthless expense.

The lovely and talented Jerry Lousteau used to drill a idea into all of our heads that he referred to as "the politics of listeners", which included the rule that you always put something in the listener's hand whenever you have the opportunity. Sadly, radio has turned from that idea, and is now on a new quest to sound like an Ipod with weak batteries.
 
Re: LOCAL radio???? What's that???? LOL!

Ya know...sometimes chicks can come up with a decent idea or two...granted, we still can't drive a car worth a dang. ;)

What gets me is that all of these "ideas" are the first things I was taught when I got into the business. To quote the great and mighty, David B. Treadway.... "It's not rocket science...it's just radio."

Yeah DBT...I know you've got to be a lurker around here...thought I would make you smile by remembering a few of your old gems.

> AR Radio Chick:
>
> Couldn't agree more. Well spoken.
>
 
Re: Bumper stickers...yeah

BULL SHITE....have you been out on a remote in the last decade Musicradio???? Do you have any idea how many people ask for something...ANYTHING with the station logo on it? Do you know how cheap it makes a station look to the public when you have NOTHING?

How can a radio station promote how wonderful advertising is for a client when they don't fully utilize advertising themselves?




> > Has anyone noticed that radio station bumper stickers just
>
> > aren't all that popular anymore? I remember a time, about
> > 25-15 years ago, when you could be driving around town and
>
> > see a radio station bumper sticker on nearly every other
> > car. And if you were a kid and did not have a car, you put
>
> > the sticker in your bedroom window or on a notebook or jam
>
> > box (Most folks call them Boom Boxes, but I'm from SW
> Little
> > Rock , and we call 'em Jam Boxes). Nowadays, it seems like
>
> > they are becoming a rare sight. You are more likely to see
> a
> > bumpersticker with a web address or a recording artist on
> it
> > these days.
> >
>
>
> Stickers and T-shirts don't have the power they did years
> ago.
>
 
Don't agree

Nope...but maybe I'm looking at the higher end
of the demographic.

I've done alot of different formats. Some can get quite
a bit of advertising with shirts -- and then, some can't give them
away. Bumperstickers are no good for older listeners.

use coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets, even billboards.
Find something that will used by them.


Good to have some different viewpoints, though.
I appreciate your thoughts on it.
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Musicradio on 06/23/05 02:56 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Don't agree

> Nope...but maybe I'm looking at the higher end
> of the demographic.
>
> I've done alot of different formats. Some can get quite
> a bit of advertising with shirts -- and then, some can't
> give them
> away. Bumperstickers are no good for older listeners.
>
> use coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets, even billboards.
> Find something that will used by them.
>
>
> Good to have some different viewpoints, though.
> I appreciate your thoughts on it.
>

Yeah, I hate bumper stickers! I never have (nor will I ever) put a bumper sticker--of any kind--on my car! (And I drive a rather ordinary late-model Chevy Malibu, not a Lexus or Infinity!) Pins and buttons (to be worn on clothing) seems so 1970's-ish, to me. T-shirts, on the other hand, I'll wear. And I drink coffee by the gallon, so if the coffee mug is large enough, I'll use it daily.
 
Re: Bumper stickers...yeah

> The lovely and talented Jerry Lousteau used to drill a idea
> into all of our heads that he referred to as "the politics
> of listeners", which included the rule that you always put
> something in the listener's hand whenever you have the
> opportunity. Sadly, radio has turned from that idea, and is
> now on a new quest to sound like an Ipod with weak
> batteries.
>

Hey, Bag...You think Uglee would send us some "Gospel 1370 - Canton's Hometown Station" t-shirts?

I would have to agree a significant part of KZOU's success was free stuff. There is also a passage in John Long's web book "Puttin' on The Hits" where he talks about some GM who decided T-shirts would be sold, not given away at one of his radio stations. It was a HUGE marketing mistake.

Free stuff = good politics AND a LOCAL presence....Oh, my bad. There I go with that "local" ranting again. <P ID="signature">______________
Never hold a cat and a dustbuster at the same time.</P>
 
Agree to Disagree...

Wait...wait...wait...I only used tee shirt and bumper stickers as an idea...a starting point. Just PULEAZZZE give the listener something...magnet, coffee mug, bumper sticker, left toe nail of your morning jock as long as it has the station logo emblazed across it.

:)

> > Nope...but maybe I'm looking at the higher end
> > of the demographic.
> >
> > I've done alot of different formats. Some can get quite
> > a bit of advertising with shirts -- and then, some can't
> > give them
> > away. Bumperstickers are no good for older listeners.
> >
> > use coffee mugs, refrigerator magnets, even billboards.
> > Find something that will used by them.
> >
> >
> > Good to have some different viewpoints, though.
> > I appreciate your thoughts on it.
> >
>
> Yeah, I hate bumper stickers! I never have (nor will I ever)
> put a bumper sticker--of any kind--on my car! (And I drive a
> rather ordinary late-model Chevy Malibu, not a Lexus or
> Infinity!) Pins and buttons (to be worn on clothing) seems
> so 1970's-ish, to me. T-shirts, on the other hand, I'll
> wear. And I drink coffee by the gallon, so if the coffee mug
> is large enough, I'll use it daily.
>
 
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