Let the Fall Ratings Wars Begin

[TakeItFromMe]

This market is heating up for a big ratings battle for Fall.  These are must win books for JACK, WOLF, MOVIN, KMPS, KIRO, KNDD, KBKS to name a few and the war is on:

*KMPS/WOLF
  WOLF jumps out on TV first.  Both stations active at the Puyallup Fair.
WOLF directly attacks KMPS with "more Country fewer commercials approach

*KNDD and KBKS Vs KUBE for teens and 18-34
  Both stations mired in ratings cellar and must do something this Fall or face format changes soon.  KNDD and KBKS have gotten more agressive with music and both stations have new strong PD's.  KUBE remains huge, MOVIN could be a surprise spoiler

* JACK and MOVIN
   Both stations are back on TV.  MOVIN spots are everywhere.  Both stations attacking KISS and STAR by emphasizing more music and fewer commercials and callers even mention star and kiss by name.

*KIRO vs KOMO
    KIRO mailer came today and the war is on.  When the Mariners end KIRO hopes to rebound into the top station in the market.  KOMO is attacking KIRO
on the air, saying they really don't do news.

*KBSG vs KJR-FM
    This war is a dead heat.  KJR had picked up steam, but has fallen back some.


Here are my picks for winners in Fall 06: WOLF, KUBE, MOVIN, KIRO, KBSG.
The three stations that can sit back and enjoy big Fall numbers will be KRWM and KCMS (thanks to Christmas music) and KZOK (thanks to no competition). Let the battle rage on and good luck to all.

[yoyo205]

Fitz, how about you take the time you spend on this board, and focus on your morning show.  Your ratings competely tanked in July, and if you don't want to end up like Jackie and Bender, with everyone on this board talking about who should replace the 'Fitz in the morning' show on The Wolf.  You should take that time and energy and focus on ways to improve your show.   

Maybe think of ways to cater to the older audience, you know those 25-54 numbers... Yeah the 14 year old girls probably love you, but that's not gonna keep you around for long buddy. 

Oh, and that comment about the Wolf active at the Puyallup Fair.  You been out there yet Fitz?  It's in Puyallup if you didn't know;)  The Wolf booth is off the main walkway, people are having hard times finding The Wolf at the fair. 

The Wolf is being competely dominated by KMPS at the fair, even Q-country 102.9 has more presence at the fair than the Wolf.  What are they giving out at the Wolf booth?  Flyers with the Wolf logo on it, with your goofy mug on the back.

Fitz:  'Who's better than you??'  EVERYBODY!

[TakeItFromMe]

Couple of quick things:

* I am not Fitz, but have lots of friends at Entercom Seattle.  You should not assume that because air-talent or stations have fans on this board that they actually work for the station.  Bad call.

* I rarely post about the station I do work for, because that is self-serving.

* This board is anonymous so their can be freedom of conversation, without retribution.  Why focus on who makes the post, focus on what they said.

* I have been trying to get conversation going on a number of topics that many found interesting like best pd, best mid-days and now who will win the many battles in Seattle and why.  If you don't like the topic, don't post.  I am curious about others opinions, not on the work habits of FITZ.

[mammaknowsbest]

I know the feeling takeitfromme.  I don't work at WOLF or MOVIN, in fact I don't work in this market anymore, but have many friends still in town and stay closely connected to what is going on.  Just because I like MOVIN, doesn't mean I'm the PD of the station: I am not, must make the PD (Lisa)
laugh, if she even reads this board, I hear she does not.  Most PD's don't have
the time.

I liked your topic.  My votes in the battles are KMPS/WOLF tie, MOVIN up, WOLF up. KIRO up after Mariners end and KBSG back up.   KUBE, WARM and KZOK remain strong as you state.

[yoyo205]

Dude we've all detemined already that you ARE indeed Fitz.  Going back on your prior posts, your comments about the Wolf, and the Fitz in the morning show.  When Fitz in the morning had a great book, nothing but Fitz this and Fitz that from you.  Now when Fitz (you) had a horrible trend, nothing but hostility from you. 

Just stop denying it and come forward and admit it.

[AQH]

Dude we've all detemined already that you ARE indeed Fitz.  Going back on your prior posts, your comments about the Wolf, and the Fitz in the morning show.  When Fitz in the morning had a great book, nothing but Fitz this and Fitz that from you.  Now when Fitz (you) had a horrible trend, nothing but hostility from you. 

Just stop denying it and come forward and admit it.

Don't lose sleep over it.   There are plenty of people who can tell the multiple handles, it's way too obvious.

He did the same thing in Dallas and on All Access, and tanked in the Metroplex.

[djdan]

Enough already.  Back to the merits of the post.  I believe KMPS will gain some ground on the WOLF this Fall.  New stations get about nine months to a year of ratings and then decline.  The key will be how they adjust WOLF in the long run.  KIRO and KOMO is way too close to call, same with KBSG and KJR-fM.  I think MOVIN will have a fine Summer and Fall since they are still in the nine month new station window of growth.  I agree that JACK is either over or will get one last gasp before disappearing next year.  KUBE will easily
beat KBKS and KNDD.

Now a question of my own.  Why do stations attack each other?  WOLF mentions KMPS's commercials and talk.  JACK mentions STAR's commercials and talk.  KOMO slams KIRO for doing talk instead of news.  Isn't it bad programming to refer to other stations?  Doesn't that just give them publicity?

[djdan]

One other question?  How many commercials can a radio station air without turning away listeners?  The Clear Channel market monitor was released.
The most commercial minutes per hour during the day are played by KIRO, KPLZ, KZOK and KOMO.   KIRO leads the AM stations with up to 21 minutes an hour.  KPLZ leads the FM stations with 15.5 minutes an hour.   Lowest was MOVIN 92.5 with 8.5 minutes per hour.  The Clear Channel stations were next at 9.0 minutes. 

[talkerdjdude]

I think if KIRO dropped even 1 spot an hour it'd make a difference, but their bottom line can't afford it. Don't know why stations attack eachother. It's a wasted effort that assumes radio listeners are stupid and can't think for themselves. Maybe they can't, and maybe that's the same reason political attack ads sometimes work.

KOMO has no business attacking KIRO, in my view. It makes them sound cheap and petty. They'd do better to beef up their news quality. How many Murrow awards did KOMO win this year 0. Last? 0 Year before that 0. KIRO's won plenty. NOT that awards mean anything to listeners, but it says something to the quality of KIRO's news.

KJR vs. KBSG is really a who cares battle for old people. So is AM radio for that matter.

The fall book battle between KMPS and Wolf will be interesting because Wolf has bought a ton of TV. So, it'll come down to which makes a bigger difference in radio, hard work (KMPS) or lots of ads (Wolf). I think the Wolf sounds better (and I don't work for them) than KMPS. Ichabod's show is dull the people he's got around him are ridin his wave of success with listeners. Fitz and Mary are more interesting, but they're unfortunate enough to work for Entercom, which hasn't created anything successful, it's simply maintained what it was given.

[mammaknowsbest]

Commercial loads make a huge difference.  Why did Clear Channel, at a huge loss in revenue, cut its commercial loads to eight minutes thirty seconds an hour?  It was worth it to them to grow their stations and every bit of research shows it worked.  MOVIN plays the lowest commercial loads because it is a huge advantage.  If you have no air-staff, you already are less cluttered and to battle KUBE you must play at their commercial load level.  KBKS can never beat KUBE with twice the commercials.  KMPS was smart and lowered their commercial load when WOLF came on, but now it is back up.

Why do stations attack each other.  I believe it only works if you have listeners make the comments and they are legitimate.  It also only works if you are the new station and you want to attack a long-time market leader to point out significant differences.  That is why KOMO attacks KIRO, JACK attacks STAR and WOLF attacks KMPS.  KIRO, STAR and KMPS will never mention another station while they are the market leader in a format.  KISW from time to time takes pot-shots at KZOK too.