Z93 stunting!

[joplinette]

I understand there are a lot of upset people with the loss of this heritage great, but in the end, give Mainline credit. THEY DID SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE IN RADIO ARE AFRAID TO DO - Listen to the listeners!

Thats right, Mainline asked and paid out the wazoo for it. But the response came in and said..PLAY EVERYTHING!

Research doesn't always lead to truthful results. If you don't believe that, just watch the science headlines that switch nearly daily to what's considered to be carcinogenic and what's not.

No doubt there was a lot of money spent on this research, - buying numbers is expensive. I also do not doubt that their methods are reliable and reproducible since they've done other research on other parts of the US and had success. I do not doubt their data said we want to hear "everything". I would be curious, however, to learn how they get these data saying listeners in the Miami Valley want to hear "everything." There are so many other channels that play a mix and other lighter AC stuff. I really thought Z93 was valued by many people in the Miami Valley.

I know that I, for one, do not like the change. I am also of the apparently much sought after "money spending women 25-44 demographic." Nearly all of my friends/relatives/acquaintances that are of this demo are also devistated to see Z93 go. However, if we are the minority, and the majority of listeners do welcome this change to Jack Mix, then well done. Time will tell, and if the new Fly929 will be a great success, then more power to them. If not, then I predict many of the former Z93 listeners will gravitate toward 94.5 or 102.9, and not just merely conform to the new 92.9.

I just wonder where Mainline gets their data - sampling methods and such.

And further, if there are multiple stations owned by this one company, why did they pick Z93 to be the one to go and use 92.9 as the guinea pig for change (as opposed to 102.9)?

 

[DancinMan]

Isn't Kiss Country (101.7) supposed to move to 101.5? Will there even be an attempt to go after K99?

It will be interesting to see how Fly pans out for them.

 

[radiogeek07]

Remember, 102.9 is also owned by Mainline, so they would welcome you tuning into that frequency. I would not be surprised to see them go to more of a CHR sound, may be that "Wild" you all want so badly.

 

[kentuckymedia]

Their research is accredited by the National Association of Broadcast Measurment Reasearch. Alas the same association that Arbitron, Eastlan, Coleman Insights, Zapoleon and Paragon Media are all a part of.

How do they find the music "mix" is interesting. They will play sample clips from all genres to each study (or case subject). They have branded segments such as "Rhythmic Oldies" has 3 titles, "Rhythmic Hits" has 3 titles, then they will play "Gold Country" with three titles, "Country" with three titles and "New Country" with three titles. All are hooks from the songs and they are very familiar chart topping titles (they dont use obscure stuff).

Then after each is given a 1-5 on the scale of like it, hate it or iffy (not the technical terms) they graph it out.

When you have a chart that comes back with the following sample (Dayton Research 0907)

#1 CHOICE: GOLD BASED ALTERNATIVE
#2 CHOICE: 80'S POP ROCK
#3 CHOICE: CONTEMPORARY ADULT
#4 CHOICE: OLDIES/GOLDIES
#5 CHOICE: RHYTHMIC HITS
#6 CHOICE: RHYTHMIC GOLD
#7 CHOICE: CLASSIC HITS
#8 CHOICE: 90'S POP
#9 CHOICE: 2000'S POP

Now, come up with a format that has all these categories....What is that format look like to you? Yep, your correct...a frickin train wreck. However, Dayton had very high numbers in each of these categories while Contemporary Pop and Rhythmic Urban were trailing off. Hmmmm...

Also a very very unique point and something that slapped Mainline in the face twice. People enjoy the music on WMMX (higher percentage likes the variety on the weekends). However listeners feel that WMMX is completely out of touch, homogonized and shoved down their throat because its the only "variety station". Listeners feel if there was an alternative that played "whatever" during the week (at work, in the car) something they could have on at the desk all day long, they would not have any loyalties to WMMX. Instead, they would be more fond to the new station.

The consultant also prepares a "flow chart" telling where listeners tune to for certain habits.

WGTZ listeners were getting older and flowing to WMMX
WMMX listeners stick with them for much longer than your average Hot AC

WDKF listeners get older and move to WMMX with WGTZ coming in slightly behind
WDHT listeners get older and move to WMMX

Now riddle me this. Why fight the unwarrented fight when 3 stations listeners age and go to one feeding trough known as WMMX?

The listeners however wouldnt mind a second station to rival WMMX causing market splintering.

WMMX will have the most to worry about, followed by WLQT and WTUE

 

[hotpatrick2004]

It will be interesting times ahead when the mainline research comes in for louisville. Since mainline uprooted a chr that had beeen there for years in dayton who knows what they will do in louisville.Change is a comin change is in the air for the ville.Good luck fly don't get swatted!!!

Happy holidays

 

[kentuckymedia]

WDJX is and has been a solid station when it comes to operating and revenue. They actually make money with it.

I heard what the duffs over at Clear Channel said today

Bob Zuroweste, market manager for Clear Channel Dayton, said the new station sounds like what's already being played in the market.

Zuroweste said he thinks Main Line's whole goal with the new format is to not affect just one station in Dayton, but many because of the broad range of music that is being played.

Main Line did a similar format station in Richmond, Va., and had success with it, but it typically has success in the beginning and then wanes quickly, Zuroweste said.

Is the man on drugs? Liberty is still doing well and actually gained quite respectible numbers in their demos this last book. So Mr. Zuroweste...when is #2 Women 25-44, #2 Women 35-44, #3 Women 25-54, #3 Men 25-54 a bad thing? Last time I checked, thats actually a good thing...oh, thats right...your poor sister station Q94 got their ass handed to them sideway by Liberty in that very sellable 25-44 demo, pout..pout.

Anyhow, interesting he says this. WMMX and WLQT rule the #2 and #3 positions in revenue followed by WHIO-A/F at #4 and WTUE at #5. Something tells me your worried a station targeting your Top 3 stations is going to hurt your overall balance sheet.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

"WDHT listeners get older and move to WMMX"

Wrong. WDHT listeners get older and move to WROU. But is WROU staying much longer? I wouldn't count on it.

 

[rpccomputers]

I Could see WMVR (Hits 105.5FM) Sidney switching to more Top40, or possibly Hot102.9 switching to more Top40 to fill the void for REAL TOP40 in the dayton/troy area.... up here in Piqua Channel945 94.5FM don't come in worth a crap. It is a REAL SHAME to see Z93 go down the way it did with all the air staff being canned and the 24 hour countdown. I am sure within the next month there will be other stations in the dayton area changing formats.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

I Could see WMVR (Hits 105.5FM) Sidney switching to more Top40, or possibly Hot102.9 switching to more Top40 to fill the void for REAL TOP40 in the dayton/troy area.... up here in Piqua Channel945 94.5FM don't come in worth a crap. It is a REAL SHAME to see Z93 go down the way it did with all the air staff being canned and the 24 hour countdown. I am sure within the next month there will be other stations in the dayton area changing formats.

HOT 1029 will be TOP 40 within months. At least Rhythmic.

 

[joplinette]

I agree with what you said about the air staff. They were all great, and its just a shame. As for a station picking up the Top40 void, I'm hoping its 102.9 rather than 94.5 because they seem to have such a stronger signal aroud the Miami Valley. However, I'm doubtful since 102.9 too is owned by Mainline, and Top40 apparently isn't what we listeners want.

 

[mustardz]

Had to sign up just for this topic.

I am familiar with 93.7 BOB FM, Norfolk, VA and 98.9 Liberty FM Richmond, VA and 92.9 FLY Compares about the same. It was a shock to see Z93 Go! Didn't expect it (New to Ohio area) and am disappointed. I now have to switch my primary Hit Music station to Channel 945. I really hope Channel 945 will make changes to make it match one of its sister stations Q94 Richmond, VA. Now back to FLY FM. I personally don't see it lasting, because of WMXX. WMXX, has live DJ's and about the same music. Now it would be nice to see Enterprise Radio come into Dayton, and set up a Top40/Hit Music Station. Anyway Channel 945 is going to need to model WNCI or Q94, and hope this happens...RIP Z93

 

[lovejamminoldies]

Had to sign up just for this topic.

I am familiar with 93.7 BOB FM, Norfolk, VA and 98.9 Liberty FM Richmond, VA and 92.9 FLY Compares about the same. It was a shock to see Z93 Go! Didn't expect it (New to Ohio area) and am disappointed. I now have to switch my primary Hit Music station to Channel 945. I really hope Channel 945 will make changes to make it match one of its sister stations Q94 Richmond, VA. Now back to FLY FM. I personally don't see it lasting, because of WMXX. WMXX, has live DJ's and about the same music. Now it would be nice to see Enterprise Radio come into Dayton, and set up a Top40/Hit Music Station. Anyway Channel 945 is going to need to model WNCI or Q94, and hope this happens...RIP Z93

Here's my two cents.

Channel 945 is not going to model WNCI. That would require a lot of work that Drake is just not ready to take on. He's by himself over there. Notice: NO JOCKS. . This is what 945 wanted. They wanted to run Z93 off the air for good. And they did. Their work is done..... they believe. But it's far from not. If I was Channel I would not waste a day. They have A LOT OF WORK to do. First off.. they need to get those listener-created drops off there. They have drops they can run that aren't too old. The question is.. will Drake do it? I think he feels that Channel 945 as it is now won against Z93. Why mess with it? They're going to need jocks and a mixshow. They're going to have to be interactive. Is Drake willing to do it? I don't think so. Channel has ALWAYS been a rhythmic leaning station.. they won't touch it. At least until the owners take over.

Killing Z93 is killing heritage. Z93 has a KILLER signal and using it for "Variety Hits" is incredibly stupid. Are they trying to build at-work listeners? Well they're not going to do it with this format. This format belongs on stations like Max FM but not on 92.9. I am going to start asking people the ETA on when the next countdown begins. Main Line messed up big time. Let's hope they think a little bit more with the remaining stations.

 

[mustardz]

OSHI- I almost forgot what am I going to listen to Rick Dees on now? And Dawson Macalaster?

 

[lovejamminoldies]

OSHI- I almost forgot what am I going to listen to Rick Dees on now? And Dawson Macalaster?

Rick Dees? Good point. DM Live was on Channel until they pulled it. Never on Z93.. from what I believe. However, it is on Q102.

 

[mustardz]

OSHI- I almost forgot what am I going to listen to Rick Dees on now? And Dawson Macalaster?

Rick Dees? Good point. DM Live was on Channel until they pulled it. Never on Z93.. from what I believe. However, it is on Q102.

Rick Dees will be missed...I cannot receive get Q102 to come in from where I live (Southeast of Dayton) "102.1" is interfering with it. Q102 would be my main station if I could pick it up, Having Enterprise come into Dayton would be awesome.

 

[kentuckymedia]

I agree with what you said about the air staff. They were all great, and its just a shame. As for a station picking up the Top40 void, I'm hoping its 102.9 rather than 94.5 because they seem to have such a stronger signal aroud the Miami Valley. However, I'm doubtful since 102.9 too is owned by Mainline, and Top40 apparently isn't what we listeners want.

Let me say a few things, so you understand why what just happened, even happened in the first place.

When you complete a research study, you pose the following questions:

WHAT IS YOUR TOP 3 STATIONS

IF DAYTON WERE TO BUILD A NEW STATION, HOW WOULD YOU WANT IT TO SOUND

REMEMBER ONE YEAR AGO TODAY, AND NOW TODAY - WHAT STATIONS DID YOU LISTEN TO THEN AND NOW

They utilize the hooks to design the new radio station, and they use the station cross sampling to realign the other stations in the market.

As for listeners graduating from WDHT to WMMX, I thought that was screwy too...but RESEARCH IS RIGHT! They know what they are doing and they are asking a target sample of listeners. I would be the first to say they go to WROU, but you also must consider that the Dayton market is much bigger than the center of Montgomery County. A lot of WDHT's bulk comes from Springfield where WROU is barely audible. The 92.1 freq from Lima and 92.3 from Columbus obliterate the signal in most of Clark and Miami counties.

I hate to see Z93 go. But MAINLINE took over stations that were going in the toilet revenue wise. How can you justify to Arlington Capital to just leave everything the same as long as they pony up the $76 million to buy them. No, Arlington needs to go back to its investors and say...look at this profit.

The lesson learned is that Radio truly is a business. You have to satisfy the listener and the client. If you can do both you truly have won.

For example, lets take WPLJ in New York. Its sad to see that thing at #20 everytime you open up the NY Arbs. For the longest time people running all over said...flip it ABC, just flip it will you. Guess what, they didnt. You know why they didnt? MONEY. The stations is a solid #4 in the revenue scene for NYC, now tell me to flip it and watch the revenue fall out of the bottom...and then watch what the investors will do.

The other lesson learned here, MAINLINE did not make a mistake. Joel Hollander comes to mind with WCBS in NYC. He went in there with blinders and no research at all. Look what happened, the station was a failure. Same with Chicago. The man was insane! However, Mainline actually spent money on a research project and listened to the audience. People didnt feel Z93 was what it once was.

Will WDHT stay? Who knows. The research said that people are very familiar with hot and enjoy the company it provides them. However, could Mainline look to make some changes to bring in more money...yeah, if anything turn it into a Rhythmic CHR.

WDKF. The station is getting sold. Chances are the new owner (most likely sold seperately) will not want the FM to make dismal amounts of revenue. Instead, the owner will most likely flip it to something that will make money. Could the new owner flip flop and buy the intellectual rights to WDSJ? Thats the rumor going around town right now.

 

[mustardz]

Channel 945 is now doing Funny Bone at the Greene which kinda pisses me off. Also I have a feeling Channel 945 will always be Hit Music, or another station might come in and be Hit. People would be pissed if there was no Hit Music station in the Dayton Ohio area.

 

[kentuckymedia]

No one said that Top 40 will disappear from the market. Someone will do it, theres not doubt of that. The new owners of Channel may keep the format, but it doesnt make the money it needs to.

 

[KFodor]

For what it's worth: my 2 cents.

KyMedia has been the one (or two) posters on this board today with a shred of sanity and, maybe even, programming sense. (Just remember KYMedia: many on these boards do not work in radio, know little or nothing about programming strategies, are wannabes, board-ops, or never-was's. That's the nature of an internet board.)

So you think it "won't work in the office"? Did you ever work in one? There's people of all age groups who work in offices today and, often times it's difficult for them to find a station everyone can agree on. Fly could be that station. Why? There's 60's songs for the Boomers...there's Nickelback for the younger workers, 80's songs for Gen-X-ers. And every song I heard today, I've heard on...Mix. (Lite, too in some cases, though I suspect any damage there will be collateral.)

What's Fly got going for it? Far, far, far less clutter. A major concern of radio listeners today. (Every bit of research shows that to be the case.)

And I was very surprised, bouncing back and forth between stations today, at major tactical mistakes Mix made. Now, granted...maybe not all of those things needed to be done at exactly 12 noon...but Mix made some whoppers today. (No, I won't tell you what they are...but remember, I've been through a radio battle or two in my time.) They had time to prepare. Suffice it to say, there are things they could have done to have caused "cume confusion" between the stations that they did not do, at least so far. (And who was the master of these techniques? I think his name is Randy Michaels.) Hopefully for them, they'll figure it all out before a lot of cume discovers the new station. But, if they continue down this road, things could get very, very bad.

The fact is: Z had been going downhill since Great Trails owned them, largely due to their precarious financial bind they were in at the end. Radio One made it worse by not putting the money into Z that it needed to win. CHR, just like A/C is a money battle. You gotta spend it to make it. And this wasn't done. Yes, I'm sorry to see them go. (Remember...I worked there for a while.) But, the station the past couple of years had been a shell of what it used to be. It wasn't working anymore. And, it was time.

OK, to some of the other "concerns": How can you play songs like "96 Tears" from 1966 and not include "Rock Around The Clock"? I hate to say this, but: the station is not designed with oldies fanatics in mind. The 60's stuff I heard on Fly today are the same songs you'll hear played on a bar jukebox if they're offered. They're "party" songs. The songs a DJ plays at a wedding or party. And it's not the goal of the station, from what I can see, to be an "oldies" station. The 60's era songs they're playing transcend generations. That's why they are good for at-work.

Yes, Mainline apparently did research. Yes, research can lead you astray, but only if you do it wrong, or make false assumptions about what the research shows. That doesn't appear to be the case here.

Nothing happens overnight in this business. And, a lot of things can happen over the next few months. But, so far, I'm hearing a station that's wide...but not too deep. Focused. And far less cluttered than the competition. That's usually a key to a successful station. How will Mix defend it's turf? Will Hot try to claim the CHR crown? Stay tuned. We'll see what happens.

And, by the way CHR will not leave Dayton anytime soon.

 

[mustardz]

The problem now is the existing radio station:

Channel 945, Signal is weak. One factor that makes the listening region smaller and brings in less listeners.
Music Variety, Channel 945 tends to be to "Rythmic" We all ready have 102.9 Hot, I say stick to one category instead of trying to be to channels.
Shows/Entertainment, Channel 945 Has no mixes or countdowns which makes it dull. Sure they Funnybone at the Greene and Dave & Jimmy. But people would like to see some party music and something like Rick Dees.