from the Arizona Republic
November 19, 2001
Richard Ruelas' Column
This doesn't concern me much, of course. But the ratings say his was the top-rated morning radio program in the city, so there must be a few disappointed folks out there.
Personally, I barely noticed when Stern disappeared from the airwaves Nov. 1.
Sure, I heard the show occasionally. But it's not like I listened every day or anything. Maybe five days a week, at the most.
And even then, only for a little while. A few hours maximum.
Stern started a morning show on WXRK-FM in New York City in 1986 and began syndicating it soon afterward. He was picked up in Phoenix in March 1995, broadcasting on low-power stations KEDJ-FM (106.3) and KHOT-FM (100.3).
Earlier this year, those stations were sold and switched to a Spanish-language format, leaving Stern with no home in Phoenix.
Stern is known as one of the original "shock jocks," although his most shocking trait is that he speaks his mind. Stern is credited for influencing such broadcasters as Rush Limbaugh and Don Imus, although much of that credit comes from Stern himself.
His early career is documented in his autobiography, Private Parts, which was made into a critically acclaimed movie.
The radio program itself can be raunchy and sophomoric, based on the bits I've heard. But it can also be highly entertaining and brutally funny.
And, since Sept. 11, very poignant.
Stern's show was able to reveal the anger and confusion the terrorist attacks brought to New York City. He was brilliant on the morning of the attacks, and his show has since been a barometer of the city's mood.
From what little I've heard, that is. As I've said, I don't listen much.
Besides there's so much else on the radio during the morning commute, as I've discovered over the past few weeks frantically flipping around the dial trying to keep my sanity.
There's that Beth and Bill show over on KEZ-FM (99.9). They read birthdays. And sometimes Beth McDonald complains about her allergies, and wrinkles, and the noise coming from the freeway by her house.
There's the morning show at Power 92, KKFR-FM (92.3), where Steve Tingle provides the voice of Clairissa Jayn-kins, a tough-talking Black woman who accuses unsuspecting mothers of being "crack hos," before letting them know it's just a gag.
There are people with funny names like Joe K. Corral who reads traffic on Camel Country, KMLE-FM (107.9). Some stations pay you to listen. There's Fast Cash on KDKB-FM (93.3) and the Cash Cow on KNIX-FM (102.5).
There's all that music the stations play, offering the chance to hear that Toby Keith song again, that Led Zeppelin song again, that Dave Matthews Band song again.
And again. Until you can't stand it.
So, you see, it's really not worth it to fret about the loss of Stern.
Especially since it doesn't look like he's coming back anytime soon.
The details get complicated, but the company that owned the rights to broadcast Stern in Phoenix still has that contract. They just don't own any stations in this market anymore.
So the contract is in limbo. And until it's resolved, and another company pays for the rights, Stern will remain off the air in Phoenix.
Not that it matters to me, of course.
Because I don't listen to the Howard Stern show.
Well, not anymore, anyway.
from The Arizona Republic
November 17, 2001
-snips--
Has the ice started to crack at KZON-FM (101.5)? This week brought a couple of announcements: that Pratt would join the station on Jan. 2 and that Dave Smiley and Greg Simms, the New Guys, would not return.
Still uncertain is when Howard Stern might be back.
Pratt would join the station five months after leaving his long-running, popular morning show on KUPD. A time slot was not announced, pending a resolution of the Stern situation. Both Pratt and KZON's program director, Tim Maranville, worked there.
Eventually, "this will all unfold in a way that makes sense," station manager Clancy Woods said.
--snips--
from fmqb.com
November 16, 2001
from The Arizona Republic
November 10, 2001
Where is Howard Stern?
And where are the New Guys, Dave Smiley and Greg Simms?
The erstwhile morning hosts on the now-defunct Edge and the Zone, respectively, all disappeared Nov. 1, the day after the Edge, Stern's base in Phoenix, went off the air.
The reason, presumably, was that Stern would replace Smiley and Simms on KZON-FM (101.5). That team was offered work at another station owned by Infinity Broadcasting, owner of the Zone. No word was available Thursday on whether they had accepted.
Their boss, Clancy Woods, says they are merely on vacation, and they could be back. Stern, meanwhile, was expected to pop up on the Zone this week. That didn't happen, either.
Trying to find out what is going on is no simple task. Woods, head of Infinity-Phoenix, said Thursday that he couldn't say what is going on, except for a few interesting tidbits. One, that negotiations are taking place in New York; and two, that there is some kind of problem with the contract between the former owner of the Edge, Big City Radio, and Stern.
Complicated contract issues may be one reason Stern is not back on the air.
On the other hand . . . maybe Stern is asking for too much. Woods has said that if Stern is charging $1 million a year, someone else can have him. The Edge was believed to be paying $600,000 to $700,000 for Stern.
Or maybe Infinity is trying to build up anticipation to make itself look like a savior when Stern debuts, possibly as late as early January.
Or maybe Infinity has something up its sleeve that will surprise everyone, like the purchase of another station.
All we know for sure now is that both Stern and the New Guys are off the air, leaving lots of fans of both programs disappointed.
Reach the reporter at mike.clancy@arizonarepublic.com or at (602) 444-8550
from the Business Journal of Phoenix
November 9, 2001
--snips--
Format changes take shape
Dallas-based Hispanic Broadcasting bought three Valley radio stations from Big City Radio in September, adding to its two-station lineup here.
Now all five of the company's stations have switched to Hispanic formats.
The three newly purchased stations, which were all broadcasting the alternative "Edge" format -- KEDJ-FM 106.3, KDDJ-FM 100.3 and KBZR-FM 106.5 -- now run Spanish love songs.
The company's other stations, KHOT-FM 105.9 and KSSL-FM 105.3, broadcast a regional Mexican format.
KPTY-FM 103.9, owned by New Planet, has picked up the Edge's format and staff in place of its former on-air team.
The question that remains is: Where will syndicated shock jock Howard Stern land? He was aired on the Edge stations and has not moved to KPTY.
"There is still speculation," said Clancy Woods, general manager for Infinity Broadcasting's local stations. "Howard has to settle his deal with Big City first."
--snips--
from The Arizona Republic
October 31, 2001
The Edge radio station went off the air at 12:30 p.m. today, setting off a cascade of changes in local radio involving several other stations.
The Edge, KEDJ-FM (106.3) and KDDJ-FM (100.3), was sold in September to Hispanic Broadcasting Co., which took over today and replaced the alternative music format with Spanish love songs. HBC also converted the Edge's sister station, KSSL-FM (105.3), to simulcast La Nueva, KHOT-FM (105.9).
The Edge's on-air staff and musical format promptly was picked up on KPTY-FM (103.9), which had been playing contemporary hits. All the KPTY personalities were fired.
"We basically picked up the entire lineup with the exception of Howard Stern," said Scott Fey, general manager at KPTY, which also dropped the "party radio" moniker in favor of the Edge brand. He said Dave Frye will take over Stern's slot in the morning.
"Alternative seems to be a niche with less competition," Fey said.
As for Stern, one of the most popular morning personalities in the market, that situation remains up in the air. It appears he is headed for Infinity Broadcasting, which operates three Phoenix stations, KOOL-FM (94.5), KZON-FM (101.5) and KMLE-FM (107.9).
That left the possibility late today that Stern would be off the air temporarily, if not longer.
The resolution of that situation will result in personnel moves on at least one other station.
Thanks to RobK for this...
Despite the "up in the air," it looks like Stern is going to KZON. Just this afternoon, after the changes.....THE ZONE removed all mention of their morning team from their website. Other jock listings remain. Strange "tune in" message on main page that wasn't there before.
from The Arizona Republic
October 27, 2001
Media Notes: Oct. 27-Nov. 2
During a week that provided as many questions as answers, let's turn to the hard numbers. Summer Arbitron ratings came out late last week, and oldies station KOOL-FM (94.5) emerged as the highest rated station in more than four years. With a share of 7.0 for the full audience, KOOL surged past the usual suspects in the No. 1 spot. More on them later.
Clancy Woods, general manager of the station, says attentive management, unpredictable music choices and more focused talent turned the corner for the station, which over the years had been winning decent but not great ratings.
Summer 2001 proved to be the worst book, conversely, that country music has had since KMLE debuted in 1988, maybe the worst since ratings were measured. KNIX-FM (102.5), in fourth place, and KMLE-FM (107.9), in a tie for sixth, totaled 8.9 share. A share roughly corresponds to 1 percent of the Valley population.
Country as a format dropped a full share point or more in each of the last three ratings books. Its total audience, according to Arbitron, has dropped by almost 140,000 listeners since summer 1996, a period of tremendous growth in the market.
News-talk, with KTAR-AM (620) finishing second and KFYI-AM (550) coming in sixth, gained only a bit in the ratings, with KFYI actually losing share. But the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which took place with eight days remaining in the ratings period, benefited both stations. KTAR's total audience jumped from almost 400,000 to 533,000, while KFYI moved up from 210,000 to almost 300,000 during the last two weeks of the ratings period.
Other big winners were almost impossible to find. KZZP-FM (104.7), which now calls itself KISS, and KZON-FM (101.5) each gained a half point, with KISS beating KKFR-FM (92.3) among teens for the first time in memory. KZON was tops among women 18-34. KMXP-FM (96.9) also gained a half point, as did KLNZ-FM (103.5).
There were a couple of big losers, too. KYOT-FM (95.5) dropped 1.1 share points, and KSLX-FM (100.7) lost 1.5. KFYI dipped 0.6, most before it returned Barry Young to the 9 a.m. slot.
Around town
Let's play radio station manager. You're in charge of three powerhouse stations - KOOL-FM (94.5), No. 1 in the market; KMLE-FM (107.9), always competitive in the country wars; and KZON-FM (101.5), tops among young adult women. What do you do with Dave Pratt, who is joining the team, and Howard Stern, who is likely to sign on? Both are strong performers with young men, not young women, so putting them on KZON seems unlikely, unless the format is changed. But why change the format when the Edge's 3 share points are up for grabs? The Zone is one station that could inherit those numbers unless one of the Top 40 stations tinkers with its approach. There will be an opening in the morning at KMLE when Ben and Brian leave, but Stern certainly would not fit there, although Pratt might.
And what about Ben and Brian? Now that they have signed with a competing company, why would KMLE want to keep them on the air through June 2002? Will their audience feel abandoned? With Tim and Willy recently signing a new deal at KNIX-FM (102.5), it is likely that Ben and Brian are almost done with Phoenix radio.
from The Arizona Republic
October 6, 2001
Michael Clancy column
Latest word on the demise of the Edge - KEDJ-FM (106.3) and KDDJ-FM (100.3) - has it converting to a Sanish format in mid-November. The future of Howard Stern's program and other Edge disc jockeys remains undetermined.
--snips--
from the Business Journal of Phoenix
September 14, 2001 print edition
--snips--
The deal took place last week and includes KEDJ-FM 106.3 and KDDJ-FM 100.3, simulcast stations known as the alternative rock station The Edge. The other two are KSSL-FM 105.2 and KBZR-FM 106.5.
The deal is expected to close before the end of the year, when the acquired stations will take on a Hispanic format.
Reports are swirling over what will be the fate of the Howard Stern morning show on The Edge and whether another local station will pick up the infamous star.
"Someone in this market will try, because it's too important from a ratings stand-point," said Marv Nyren, general manager for Emmis Communications' four Valley stations, including KTAR-FM 620.
Last spring, Stern reached more than 100,000 local listeners, according to the Arbitron ratings service.
"But there are not many stations that can, because they won't want to displace their existing morning shows," he said.
Nyren said maybe two or three of the stations that target men between 18 and 34 could choose to, such as alternative rock station KZON-FM 101.5. Nyren said he hasn't heard anything yet.
"I would love to put him on KMVP-AM 860's morning drive," Nyren said of the Emmis sports station that targets men ages 18-34. "I'd like to try something different."
--snips--
from The Arizona Republic
September 6, 2001
What happens to Howard Stern?
That is the key question in the wake of this week's sale of the Edge radio station, Stern's home in the Valley.
Wednesday's sale moves the Edge, Stern's station, and another station from the financially troubled Big City Radio to Hispanic Broadcasting.
By Thanksgiving, when the deal is closed, HBC will drop the Edge format, including Stern.
He is most likely to end up on KZON-FM (101.5), according to a survey of Valley radio executives.
Clancy Woods, who oversees KZON and two other stations for Infinity Broadcasting, points out that Stern has a five-year, $90 million deal with Infinity that just started. It's not an automatic fit, however: Woods has a full lineup at KZON, and Stern would not fit on the other stations, oldies leader KOOL-FM (94.5) and country competitor KMLE-FM (107.9).
Chuck Artigue, general manager of KUPD-FM (97.9), which has been Stern's main competition in the morning for young adults, insists that Stern on KZON would make the most sense.
Artigue said he is not interested in Stern. He recently hired a morning team to replace Dave Pratt, who had been Stern's top rival for listeners.
Marv Nyren, who oversees three stations for Emmis Broadcasting, said he would like to put Stern on KMVP-AM (860), his sports station, but he too believes Stern will end up on the Zone.
Woods says it is too early to tell what might happen.
KZON shares music and audience with the Edge, but it has taken a "more mainstream" approach than the Edge, Woods says. The Edge's disappearance will leave KZON alone in the alternative music field.
Stern was the most popular morning personality across the board in the recent Arbitron ratings for spring. Typically he competes for the No. 1 spot among 18- to 34-year-olds, and he usually is in the Top 5 for 25- to 54-year-olds. He sometimes cracks the Top 5 among the full audience.
A problem has been fitting Stern's program into a station. On the Edge, the audience plummets after Stern's show ends. Among his strongest age group, the station dropped to an average of eighth place among Valley stations after his show ends.
The Edge went on the air as a modern rock station in January 1993, displacing a classical music station, KONC, at the 106.3 spot. KDDJ, which had been a hot-talk station, began simulcasting in July 1995. Stern's program started on that station in March 1995.
from The Arizona Republic
September 6, 2001
The Edge, Howard Stern's radio home in the Valley, has been sold with its sister station for $34 million.
The sale moves the Edge and Que Buena from Big City Radio to Hispanic Broadcasting Co. The Edge, with an alternative music format, is broadcast over KEDJ-FM (106.3), KDDJ-FM (100.3) and KBZR-FM (106.5). Sister station Que Buena is KSSL-FM (105.3), which airs a Spanish contemporary hits format.
The deal is expected to close sometime during the holiday season.
Hispanic Broadcasting owns KHOT-FM (105.9) in the Valley. It has been looking to expand its holdings here since it moved into the market two years ago.
Hispanic, one of the nation's largest Spanish-language radio companies, will use the Edge frequencies for a new Spanish-language station and the KSSL signal to simulcast KHOT, said station manager Michelle Falo, who just started this week. She said the addition of the KSSL signal will help KHOT cover the heavily Hispanic neighborhoods of the West Valley, which it could not reach before.
It plans to shut down the Edge format, possibly dropping Stern, who was the Valley's most popular radio personality in the most recent Arbitron ratings. Stern is likely to pop up at another Valley station.
Big City purchased the stations in 1999, hoping to simulcast its stations on adjacent frequencies. That plan never worked out, and aside from Stern, neither station was a popular success.
from The Arizona Republic
August 4, 2001
Howard Stern is No. 1 in Phoenix.
For the quarter covering April through June, no morning show - not Beth and Bill, not Ben and Brian, not Heidi and Heywood - had higher ratings.
For the first time, Stern's program, which airs from 5 to 10 a.m. on the Edge - KEDJ-FM (106.3) and KDDJ-FM (100.3) - swept all key demographic areas. He won the 12-plus audience, edging Beth and Bill on KESZ-FM (99.9); the 18- to 34-year-old group, his normal stronghold; and the 25- to 54-year-old gang, again outperforming KEZ.
Stern's rise was one of the distinguishing features of the recently released spring 2001 Arbitron ratings. And it makes people wonder why Infinity Broadcasting, which syndicates Stern, lets him broadcast for a local competitor.
In other points of interest:
- KTAR-AM (620) continued to lead its main rival, KFYI-AM (550), in the 6-10 a.m. hours, although it appears Bill Heywood brought some of his audience on KTAR with him to KFYI. KFYI, on the strength of Rush Limbaugh, wins middays, but KTAR is back on top afternoons and nights.
- In the feisty Top 40 race for a young audience, KKFR-FM (92.3), dropped substantially, but the audience did not appear to go to its main rivals, KZZP-FM (104.7) or KPTY-FM (103.9). All three were whipped by KUPD-FM (97.9) and KZON-FM (101.5), with KMXP-FM (96.9) coming in third.
- KYOT-FM (95.5) and KSLX-FM (100.7), both of which had their best numbers in recent memory, were especially strong middays and afternoons.
- Finally, the move of Laura Schlessinger's show to evenings on KFYI-AM gave that station a big nighttime boost, but not as big as the Suns and Diamondbacks season gave KTAR-AM.
--snips--
Ed. - I received this email from the Arizona Republic when I asked how Howard was doing in the latest ratings:
Not that well. Dropped from 6th to 8th place 12+, dropped from 2nd to tied for 4th 25-54; remained 1st 18-34. I have nothing against Howard and don't really mean to neglect him, just that I have to focus my coverage on local personalities.
from the Arizona Republic:
In the latest full ratings, covering the last three months of 2000, Howard finished in fifth place among 25-54 year olds. I don't have the 18-34 numbers, but he was not Top 10 in 12+.
from Radio Digest.com
KNIX (102.5 FM) regained the No. 1 ranking in the just-released spring 2000 Arbitron ratings. The longtime country giant moved from a third-place finish in the winter book to the top among listeners ages 12 and older this time, from 5.7 to 6.1. A tip of the ten-gallon hat to Clear Channel vice president of programming Alan Sledge and KNIX program director George King for the win. Rival Camel Country 108 (KMLE 107.9 FM) slipped from 5.5 to 5.2 for sixth place.
New KTAR (620 AM) programmer Tisa Vrable has reason to celebrate. The news-talk station jumped from 4.8 to 5.9, finishing second. Rival talker KFYI (910 AM) was flat at 4.5 in seventh. Business KFNN (1510 AM) inched up from 0.4 to 0.5, tying for 25th.
Power 92 (KKFR 92.3 FM) is more than living up to its name, jumping from 4.9 to 5.6 and finishing third. Program director Bruce St. James now enjoys a full two-point lead over mainstream hit music station KZZP (104.7 FM), which rose from 3.3 to 3.6 for 13th. New programmer Lisa Trygg seems to be driving upstart The Party (KPTY 103.9 FM) in the right direction. Its move from 1.4 to 2.1 is the third-biggest increase for a Phoenix station this book. Party ranks 19th.
Oldies KOOL (94.5 FM) lost half a point, from 5.9 to 5.4, placing fourth and tying with jazz station The Coyote (KYOT 95.5 FM), which rocketed (smoothly) from 4.2 to 5.4. Credit program director Nick Francis with the biggest jump in the book.
The biggest drop belongs to KEZ (KESZ 99.9 FM), which plunged from 6.0 to 4.3 and from first place to eighth. KEZ always comes down from its huge Christmas-music-driven winter numbers. But this year, the competition's stronger. Longtime rival K-Lite (KKLT 98.7 FM) is maintaining a winning streak, moving from 4.1 to 4.2 for ninth. It's the first time in years that K-Lite has been within one position and a tenth of a point of overtaking KEZ. Mix 96.9 (KMXP 96.9 FM) slipped from 4.0 to 3.7 to tie for 11th. Modern adult contemporary The Zone (KZON 101.5 FM) moved up from 2.4 to 2.8 in 17th place. Urban adult contemporary Majik 107 (KMJK 106.9 FM) dipped from 0.7 to 0.5, tying for 25th.
Rocker KUPD (97.9 FM) dropped from 4.7 to 3.8 for 10th place. Sister KDKB (93.3 FM) is flat at 3.0, tying for 15th with co-owned KSLX (100.7 FM/1440 AM), which lost four-tenths of a point.
Adult standards KOY (1230 AM) dipped half a point, from 4.2 to 3.7 and tying for 11th, as the Snowbirds flee the Valley heat. Even so, program director Danny Davis ties or beats five 100,000-watt FMs (Mix 96.9, KZZP, KDKB, KSLX and The Zone) with his 1,000-watt AM at 1230 on the dial. Beautiful Music KAHM (102.1 FM, licensed to Prescott, 90 miles north of Phoenix) moves from 0.7 to 0.8 to tie for 21st. Music of Your Life affiliate KMYL (1190 AM) resurfaces from a no-show to a 0.5, tying for 25th.
Alternative The Edge (KEDJ 106.3 FM/KDDJ 100.3 FM) slipped from 3.3 to 3.1 in 14th place.
Regional Mexican KHOT (105.9 FM) moved up from 2.2 to 2.5 for 18th. Rival La Nueva Z (KLNZ 103.5 FM) fell from 2.0 to 1.4 and into 20th place. Spanish adult contemporary K-Viva (KVVA 107.1 FM) ticked down from 0.6 to 0.5, tying for 25th. Regional Mexican KASA (1540 AM) went from a no-show to a 0.4 in 29th. Spanish news-talk Radio Unica (KIDR 740 AM) moved from zilch to a 0.3 for 30th.
Sports KGME (550 AM) slipped from 1.2 to 0.8, tying for 21st. Rival KMVP (860 AM) moved up from 0.4 to 0.6, tying for 23rd.
from the The Arizona Republic
May 12, 2000
by Michael Clancy
It's Stu Evans, who has held court for years on KMLE-FM (107.9). Evans has been No. 1 or 2 in each of the past three ratings books.
Marty Manning of KEZ, who held the fort alone after illness sidelined partner Maggie Brock, was No. 3 overall and No. 1 among 25- to 54-year-old listeners. It was Manning's last hurrah as a host on his own; he recently returned to the Beth and Bill team, relinquishing afternoons to new music director Craig Jackson.
Neither KTAR-AM (620) nor KFYI-AM (910), the news-talk stations, do very well during the afternoon drive compared with mornings. KTAR with Tony Femino finished 10th, although his ratings improved among the 25-54 group. Grant Woods on KFYI finished 13th.
During other times of the day, the lineup pretty much follows the ratings results published last weekend.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a time slot that covers parts of two programs on most stations, the top five were KOOL, KEZ, KNIX and KMLE, as well as KFYI-AM (910), which airs Rush Limbaugh and Laura Schlessinger in that slot. David Leibowitz, who has the unenviable job of taking on Limbaugh for KTAR-AM (620), lost audience overall but gained among 25- to 54-year-olds.
At night, it appears that young people take over radio listening, with KKFR-FM (92.3), KZZP-FM (104.7) and KUPD-FM (97.9) occupying three of the top five spots. The other two are KTAR, which airs Phoenix Suns or Arizona Diamondbacks games most evenings, and KYOT-FM (95.5), the main music choice for older people. In fact, the declines that KTAR experienced appeared to be almost entirely attributable to the lack of baseball during the winter months.
Nights also have been strong for KFYI, with Bob Mohan and Art Bell. Bell's recent departure is sure to have an impact.
--snips--
from The Arizona Republic
May 5, 2000
By Michael Clancy
Of the top 20 stations rated by audience share, 11 had ratings shifts of more than 0.7 share point, compared with the previous three months. Normally, 0.7 represents the largest swing.
Last winter, seven stations had ratings changes of that magnitude. From fall '98 to winter '99, only six stations lost or gained audience like that.
The big changes favored KESZ-FM (99.9), which took over first place; KOOL-FM (94.5), which moved up to second; and KOY-AM (1230), which regained the audience it had lost when it moved from 550 AM.
Also moving up in a big way were KKLT-FM (98.7), with its biggest audience share since who knows when, and KMXP-FM (96.9), which showed the greatest leap of all. Howard Stern and the Edge also had a big gain.
On the other hand, big drops were recorded for KNIX-FM (102.5), KTAR-AM (620), KYOT-FM (95.5), KZZP-FM (104.7) and, the biggest loser of all, KZON-FM (101.5).
KESZ's No. 1 spot was cemented by the morning show numbers for Beth and Bill, who knocked Bill Heywood and KTAR out of the top spot for only the second time since Heywood returned to the station in March 1998. The last time that happened was fall 1998, and Beth and Bill were No. 1 that time, too.
--snips--
from The Arizona Republic
November 26, 1999
TV/Radio Michael Clancy
The Edge -- KEDJ-FM (106.3) and KDDJ-FM (100.3) -- quietly has begun broadcasting on KBZR-FM (106.5), one of the three stations Big City Radio purchased when it moved into the Valley market in May. KEDJ, with transmitters in Sun City, and KDDJ, out of Globe, did a reasonably good job of covering the market. KBZR is based in Arizona City, south of Casa Grande. Eventually, the Edge will be broadcast exclusively on 106.3 and 106.5, with hopes of covering the Valley as well as it did when 100.3 was the simulcast partner. Meanwhile, Big City is working now on a trade of KDDJ for KLVA-FM (105.5), another Casa Grande station. It would then pair that station up with the previously purchased 105.3 FM, now KMYL, in Wickenburg. Michael Mallace, general sales manager, says it is likely the station at 105.3/105.5 will be Spanish, especially in light of the recent merger of Big City with Hispanic Internet Holdings. The Edge, he says, isn't going anywhere.
--snips--
from: YAHOO! Business
Company Press Release
August 2, 1999
The acquisition was announced May 3, 1999.
Employing its unique Synchronized Total Market Coverage (STMC®) technology to combine these four signals into two stations, Big City Radio expects to enhance the station's value by generating significantly higher ratings and revenue than the stations previously generated on their own.
Michael Kakoyiannis, Big City Radio's president and chief executive officer said, "We are very excited about the completion of this phase of the transaction. We will continue to broadcast the highly successful modern rock format known as 'The Edge,' with the Howard Stern morning show. This strategic purchase heralds the Company's presence in the nation's sixteenth-largest radio market in advertising revenues.
"Big City Radio continues to successfully implement its strategy of minimum investment and maximum coverage. Our total investment to form two separate, full coverage radio stations in Phoenix that still simulcast on adjacent frequencies will be approximately $37 million, or an average of approximately $18.5 million per station. This is far less than the $45 million to $70 million recently paid for one Class C station in Phoenix.
"Big City Radio now owns fourteen properties that have been combined into five radio stations in four major markets for a total purchase price of $122.6 million. This amount is less than the purchase price of a number of single station transactions completed in the New York and Los Angeles markets. We are moving fast to complete our engineering and programming enhancements, which will again demonstrate our ability to create unprecedented value with low entry costs."
Big City Radio Inc. owns and operates radio stations in four of the largest radio markets in the United States. Its recently acquired radio broadcast properties are located in or adjacent to major metropolitan markets and utilize innovative engineering techniques and low-cost, ratings-driven operating strategies to develop these properties into successful metropolitan radio stations. Stuart Subotnick, chairman of Big City Radio Inc. and a general partner of Metromedia Company, is a majority shareholder of the Company's Common Stock.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing and various other factors beyond the Company's control. This also includes such factors as described from time to time in the SEC reports filed by Big City Radio Inc., including the most recently filed Form 10-K and 10-Q.
They celebrated Christmas at KEZ on Wednesday. "We had some candy canes left over," program director Mike Del Rosso said after Arbitron's fall ratings came out.
The ratings might as well have come all wrapped up in a pretty bow for the station, KESZ-FM (99.9). The home of the popular morning show of Beth McDonald and Bill Austin finished in first place among the full audience and in the 25- to 54-year-old group, which is coveted by advertisers.
"We're very happy, and may I say deserving," Del Rosso said. "We've worked hard for this."
The big jump in numbers appeared to be because the station, a powerhouse among 25- to 54-year-old women, played Christmas music exclusively from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day. It boosted the station's cumulative audience from an average of 270,000 for October and November to almost 450,000 for December. Add that to a strong on-air lineup and strong marketing, and it results in a winner.
Other stations that did well:
* KMLE-FM (107.9), always a fine station, which got a boost from its "secret sound" contest.
* KKFR-FM (92.3), which jumped two ratings points among its 18- to 34-year-old audience. Krazy Kid's morning show saw a big leap, too. "It's nice and gratifying to see the numbers be where we think they should be," program director Bruce St. James said.
* KOOL-FM (94.5), which showed some recovery from a yearlong slump as the efforts of a new program director took hold.
* KZON-FM (101.5), which showed some nice gains in its morning show and in the 25-54 demo.
On the other end were the stations that did not have such a good fall, such as:
* KZZP-FM (104.7), which dropped every which way. Despite that, Dave Pugh, general manager at KZZP, said he was happy with the results at that station and its sister, KMXP-FM (96.9), which completed its first full book. KZZP, he said, had a bad October in terms of Arbitron ratings, but the numbers have recovered. Both stations, he said, are strong in the demographic areas where they want to be strong.
* KDKB-FM (93.3), a Top 5 station in the 25-54 demo two years ago, No. 14 now. The station recently brought back Tim Maranville as a full-time program director.
* KTAR-AM (620), showing its worst numbers in a long time. Since the summer ratings, KTAR has lost about 20 percent of its audience, and even more compared with last fall. The audience did not go to competitor KFYI-AM (910), which outperformed KTAR (except for mornings and weekends), but remained even with its ratings for the past year. KTAR program director Laurie Parsons said several factors hurt the station, from lack of early-season Phoenix Suns games to impeachment coverage, which she called a "no-win story."
Other tidbits:
* The morning shows on KMLE and KNIX-FM (102.5) are neck and neck in the 25-54 demo. Tim and Willy on KNIX are more popular with the audience as a whole. KMLE overall drew a bigger audience share, especially in the 25-54 group.
* Take away Christmas music, and Howard Stern was the most popular morning personality in town.
* KHOT-FM (105.9), despite riding a new format wave (R&B oldies), is winning a scant 1.7 share.
* KPTY-FM (103.9) almost doubled its share. Amazing what a little publicity can do.
--snips--
And the most listened to station in Phoenix during the summer of '98 was ... KNIX-FM (102.5), even though it lost audience share from the spring.
KNIX finished with 6.1 percent of the listening audience in the summer Arbitron ratings, released Thursday. It was the lowest winning total since the summer of '97, when 5.9 percent was enough to win.
Even with the top slot, it's hard to see how the station can be happy. It was the first full ratings period, or book, for the team of Tim and Willy, who lost ground compared with the spring numbers.
The rest of the Top 10, in order: KZZP-FM (104.7), KTAR-AM (620), KMLE-FM (107.9), KFYI-AM (910), KKFR-FM (92.3), KESZ-FM (99.9), KUPD-FM (97.9), KYOT-FM (95.5) and KOOL-FM (94.5). Big winners: KESZ, KUPD and KYOT.
The Edge, simulcast on KEDJ-FM (106.3) and KDDJ-FM (100.3), finished with a 4.5 - good enough to make the top 10. Among 18- to 34-year-olds, it attracted 9.2 percent of the audience, good enough to tie KZZP for first.
Howard Stern, by the way, is the top-rated FM morning show. His audience share was 7.7 among the full audience, second only to Bill Heywood on KTAR. Stern is tops among 18- to 54-year-olds by a wide margin. Go figure.
Among the stations dropping off was KOOL, which has been sinking in the ratings for more than a year.
The Eagle, KGLQ-FM (96.9), ended its life with another ratings increase. Not enough, however, to keep it alive. The station changed call letters, to KMXP, and formats, from classic rock to a hybrid "mix," at the end of the period.
The Starr report on President Clinton was released in September, too late to affect ratings of the Valley's two primary news-talk stations, KTAR and KFYI.
--snips--
Crunch, crunch.
That's what I've been doing to a monstrous pile of numbers. The long columns of decimals and asterisks come from Arbitron, a company that charges radio stations a mint to measure listeners.
As important as these numbers are, you'd be surprised at how few radio station employees get to see them. The owners are a secretive lot.
So for all of you, here goes (using listeners 12 years and older from 6 a.m. to midnight as the base):
No. 1: Kissin' country cousins at the Camel collect copious kudos. According to the winter ratings, a huge number of you don't need to be told I'm doing a poor imitation of H.G. Listiak from KMLE. KMLE had a spectacular book, retaking not only the country audience but dominating the entire market.
Congratulations to Ben and Brian, Lisa Malay and H.G. for riding the Camel to a 6.2!
No. 2 (tie): The KZZP sales staff won't be reading the paper today; they're too busy thumbing through the new Lexus catalog. Pop music pulls in a 5.7. Up a full point from the fall book.
With one eye on the uncomfortable "for sale" sign around its neck and the other on the mixed messages from Arbitron, KTAR is tied for No. 2 but lost 0.7 of a point to finish at 5.7. The morning show is No. 1 in the 12-plus demographic, holding rather steady at 7.2. The fall book had KTAR skewing younger, but that trend isn't holding up in the winter numbers.
No. 4: Who would have thought Billy Joel and Patsy Cline would end up on the same playlist? But it's a winning lineup for KOY, which shows a slight but steady yearlong trend upward to 5.4.
No. 5: Nice recovery for Bruce Kelly and Power 92. The fall book was a little scary but KKFR, including Kelly's morning show, gains about a point to 5.3.
No. 6: KESZ shows a steady rise at 5.2 (4.9 in the fall, 4.2 a year ago). The morning show, featuring the can-do-no-wrong duo of Beth & Bill, does even better. Beth and Bill are at 6.6 (up from 6.2 in 12-plus). That puts them at No. 2 behind the KTAR morning show and just ahead of Ben and Brian (6.2) and Howard Stern (6.2).
No. 7: KNIX. Ouch. The station loses a point and a half all around. But a 5.1 (mornings as well as all-day parts combined) is an extremely competitive market share in this day and age. It's the downward trajectory that stings.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
* KFYI loses a half-point in 12-plus all-day parts combined (4.7). But in 25-54 all-day parts combined, KFYI is not only up by roughly the same amount for a 4.0, it beats KTAR, which is down by 0.7 (3.7). Talk stations love to be trending up in the 25-54 demographic, not down.
* Howard Stern (KEDJ/KDDJ) ties for No. 3 with Ben and Brian in 12-plus (6.2) mornings.
* KUPD. More smooth sailing for the Morning Mayor. Dave Pratt has a 5.1 (mornings 12-plus, No. 6).
* KDKB Tim and Mark. The patient is off the critical list! After a truly rotten fall book, the rocker gets its sea legs back: 4.5 in mornings 12-plus to squeak into the top 10 at No. 10.
* KGLQ. Charlie Van Dyke's Eagle maintaining altitude slow and steady. No. 16 in 12-plus all-day parts combined (2.4).
* KPTY. The Snake's Party struggling with a 2.2 (No. 18) for all-day parts combined 12-plus. The newly approved increase in power to their signal should be a big help.
* Tim and Willy's Wild Country not exactly burning up the charts. 1.9 for 12-plus all-day parts combined (No. 19).
* KHOT debuts at No. 20 in 12-plus all-day parts combined (1.5).
The moment has arrived that will unleash the swaggering, the weeping, the nervous breakdowns and the rapid-fire rationalizing. That is to say, the radio ratings are in.
According to Arbitron, this is who we've been waking up to for the last three months:
-- Beth and Bill (KESZ-FM). You can't go wrong with this pair. They are the No. 1 morning show in the 25-54 age group, pulling in a 7.7 share, up from their summer book of 7.0. In the 12-plus age group, the elegant blonde and the self-deprecating jester show up as the No. 3 morning show, gaining half a point from their summer book - 6.2, up from 5.7.
If you don't know who Beth and Bill are, you don't drive. This morning team is on a jillion billboards. Taking all day parts, KESZ gained a full point in 25-54. . . ranking No. 3 at 6.2.
-- Steve and Carrie (KNIX-FM). Somebody is playing the country market like a LeAnn Rimes riff. This management team plopped Tim and Willie back into the competitive mix without pulling a single listener from the mother ship. In fact, Steve and Carrie have gained more than a full point and are the No. 2 morning show in the 25-54 age group - 7.2, up from the summer's 6.0. In 12-plus, Steve and Carrie are also gaining momentum, 6.6 from 6.2.
For all day parts combined, KNIX is No. 1 in both age groups. That sound you hear is champagne corks popping.
-- KOOL-FM. The Breakfast Bunch has the No. 3 morning show for 25-54, where it's trending up (5.9 up from 5.6). But in 12-plus, the Brian Casey, the Coach and John Gibson are trending down (4.6 down from 5.0). In this age group, KOOL has the No. 8 morning show.
-- Howard Stern (KEDJ-FM). Holding steady at No. 4 in both age groups. Technically, he moved a tenth of a point in opposite directions. Stern has a 5.8 share (slightly down) in 25-54, a 5.2 (slightly up) in 12-plus.
-- Ben and Brian (KMLE-FM). This is where the carefully aimed Tim and Willie bullet hit its mark. But, really, it's hardly even a flesh wound. In 25-54, Ben and Brian lost.9 of a point, leaving them with a still highly successful 5.5. In 12-plus, Ben and Brian lost.7 of a point, leaving them with 5.0. Can't complain about that.
-- Dave Pratt (KUPD-FM). Always a steady performer, Pratt is trending up in 25-54 with a 5.3 (up from 5.1). Trending up in 12-plus as well with a 5.0 (up from 4.8).
-- KTAR-AM Morning News. Here's an intriguing trend. The station is skewing toward younger. The KTAR morning show is trending up with a 5.0 (up from 4.1) in 25-54. That makes it the No. 7 show in this age group. It is No. 1 in the 12-plus age group, but trending down. Here Bruce Kirk, Ned Foster and Ed Phillips pull in 7.6, a most excellent number but not quite as excellent as last summer's 8.4.
Overall, the station is trending up quite nicely. For all-day 12-plus the station is 6.4 (up from 5.6) and in 25-54 all day, 4.4 (up from 2.9).
(Copyright 1998 Phoenix Newspapers, Inc.)
Thanks to Roger for sending the previous story in.
Thanks to Robert and Clay for sending this in:
In Phoenix, The Howard Stern Show, in these various demographics, is in these ratings positions: 12+ = #2 (5.2 rating), Adults (18-34 & 25-54) = #1, Men (12-24; 18-34; 25-54) = #1, Women (18-34) = #1. Overall, in the 25-54 demographic, Howard's ratings share is a 5.8.
Howard has moved up to 7th Place with a 5.7 Share (12+) demographic.
Howard has dropped back to a 8th place in Phoenix with a 5.2 share of the 12+ demographic, even though his total share is up.
Howard has dropped back to a 3rd place in Phoenix. Currently, the show has a 4.8 share of the 12+ demographic.
Don't know the exact numbers, but a caller today, (7/31/96), was congratulating Howard on Phoenix's #1 rating. Other reports have Howard at #5, trailing country music and one other rock station. Either way, Howard is doing well here.
September 1995 - The Howard Stern Show is named "Best Morning Drive Radio Show" by Phoenix's "The New Times" newspaper.
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