Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2006 > May > 07 > Entry
5/8: Arbitron ratings breakdowns
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Besides the River’s monstrous openings, there were some smaller stories going on:
— After just a year at 105.3, the Buzz has overtaken 99X among 18-34 men and is tied 12 plus.
— WGST had probably its worst ratings in its history. While Rush still pulls a 4 share among 25-54, it was ranked 23rd among 25-54 year olds, behind the Beat, 790/The Zone and 105.3/The Buzz. Even among 35 to 64 year olds, WGST was just ranked 16th place. Kimmer saw his numbers drop sharply without Jim Gossett.
— Kicks 101.5 had one of its worst morning numbers in quite a long time, ranked just 10th among 25 to 54, down from 7th in the fall and 4th during the summer. Bandy & Bailey were let go in October. Craig Cornett came on soon after but was only around a few months, leaving in February to take care of his ailing dad. They are seeking yet another replacement. Other dayparts remain solid. (For folks who read this earlier, I accidentally had that last sentence under GST.)
—The Q100 signal upgrade in October has yet to lead to any major improvement in the ratings though things did rebound slightly in the winter over a relatively weak fall. The Bert Show remains #2 women 18-34.
— Lite fell back to earth after its Christmas-music fueled fall. The station also may have been impacted by the River.
—Viva has had its weakest performance since it launched in the fall of 2004. It’s still ranked No. 3 among 18-34 behind only V-103 and Hot.
—The departure of Jamz didn’t hurt Hot or V-103, both of which had solid ratings. Hot’s new “A” team morning show had its strongest 18-34 ranking since the Ryan departure (#3). Kiss also had another good ratings period. After a nice blast from Michael Baisden’s intro in the afternoons on R&B 102.5 in the fall, the station remained about flat. The 107.5 smooth jazz station also ahd its best showing in a year.
—In the sports battle, the Fan’s big fall book after two years of losing to the Zone proved to be a fluke as the Fan’s numbers settled back to the lower end of its recent historical averages.
Comments
By screaming tony s
May 8, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Let’s see now. On GST having it’s worst book ever, Rodney ends with,”other day parts remain solid.” What? RODNEY: That was a mistake. I meant to add that sentence to the Kicks info, not GST. As predicted, the “sports station battle” would get mentioned by good old Rod. 1.0 to 0.7 in the 12 plus. Great! So tell me now about the “target” demos and how well they did. I”ll bet they are scaring the pants off V103 and WSB. Oh by the way, was WSB included in the ratings book? Rod always seems to leave them out. RODNEY: WSB did great, as usual. The Zone in certain dayparts is top 10 25-54 men. That’s their money demos. Buck & Kincade were No. 15.
By stan
May 8, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
Careful Rodney, just pointing out the obvious ratings collapse at WGST on the Georgia Gang got your colleague Dick Williams banned for life by the egomaniac Bloomquist. Randall might put out one of his psychotic memos declaring you “dead” at WGST, like he did in regard to Dick. Talk about shooting the messenger!
By cantlisten
May 8, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
“Other dayparts remain solid” at WGST?? The “buddies with management block” of Tom Hughes and Denny Shaffer are coming in at a 0.6 share.
Now that’s what I call solid.
By ROCK
May 8, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Hello Rodney, I was confused by the Sports Talk comment. I assumed the message indicated that 680 the FAN ratings slip this quarter. I am somewhat surprised if this was the case. I was once a big fan of the STEWS. However, this national show truly sucks.
By christine
May 8, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
Dick Williams was my choice for the am show on WGST.
By J
May 8, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
The only thing going on at WGST that is worth paying ANY attention to at all is John Adams’ Real Estate Show on the weekends. I even tune off of AM640 and listen to the Braves on FM radio these days.
By Mark
May 8, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
Not anymore. Randy got rid of him too.
By grimreaper
May 8, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
Anyone who doubts WGST Program Director Randall Bloomquist is anything more than self absorbed psycho should read a letter he wrote to the Charlotte Business Journal after leaving WBT Radio in disgrace. (see:www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2000/09/25/editorial1.html) In the letter Bloomquist gives a rambling account of his many “successes” at WBT and then closes with the following: “Ratings-savvy readers are no doubt shaking their heads at my contention that we succeeded in revamping WBT over the past four years. They know the station’s share of the all-important 25-54-year-old audience is no bigger than when I arrived. True enough.” Bloomquist ADMITS the ratings when nowhere during his tenure (in fact they actually went down)yet he devotes nine painfully long paragraphs to patting himself on the back for his “accomplishments”! No wonder the magazine printed it, they were able to show Charlotte what a nut case Bloomquist is with his own words. I guess the staff of WBT should consider themselves lucky. At least they didn’t lose 45% of THEIR target audience in four months, like GST has done under Bloomquist.
By B.J.
May 8, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve stayed away from discussing WGST despite its obvious problems—especially with Randall Bloomquist. The reason I’ve done this is because I didn’t want to speak ill of WGST since I’ve done a show there, and was hoping that I’d get the opportunity to do a show there again soon. However, those plans have been placed on hold—at least until Bloomquist is FIRED from his position (once AGAIN)—and it WILL happen, write it down, take a picture! He’s the newest member on my sh*t list, and it is all about his LACK of professionalism. As defensive as I was about him, I rewarded with a backstabbing from him. I can’t begin to tell you the ridiculous things I was willing to do to help that man keep his job, and get WGST’s poor ratings out of the toilet. However, he chose to take the no response, no return call approach (mind you AFTER interest was expressed), which lead me to contact the executive within Clear Channel that I know personally. He wasn’t pleased with my handling of this matter, and we have severed our ties after a brief discussion this morning. My last words to Mr. Bloomquist were: “Good luck—you will surely need it.”
Mr. Bloomquist is stuck—he is in between a heavy-handed corporate interference with his assigned duties to bring programming to WGST that the LISTENERS would enjoy. The primary culprit here is Denny Shaffer. I honestly believe that if it were up to Bloomquist ALONE, then Shaffer would’ve been fired & replaced LONG ago, however corporate LOVES Shaffer (I have an executive email that confirms this), therefore he stays—for now. What corporate is beginning to realize (far TOO LATE I might add) is that the LISTENERS (which is what this is supposed to be about) do not resonate with him, and that’s why he needs to be replaced. Don’t worry, he is about to get to that point, because WGST cannot survive in the 1’s in ratings and secure enough revenue to handle the Braves contract. So they are in much more serious trouble than we can ever imagine.
Randall might have been right to get rid of the people that he has, but notice that he hasn’t even TOUCHED the everyday program lineup. Phil Hendrie left on his OWN—and so did Tony Snow. Kemmer is still there DESPITE his falling numbers also—and with the fact that the STATION MANAGEMENT doesn’t like him—so why is he still there? Inquiring minds want to know….
Short Answer: Corporate HEAVY involvement with this station.
As long as corporate (Clear Channel) is going to run this station ALL THE WAY FROM San Antonio, and undermine the program director in the process, then WGST will NEVER be able to service the LISTENERS of Atlanta, Georgia—NO MATTER WHO THEY HIRE AS PROGRAM DIRECTOR. I already know that some industry people will cringe once again, as I write yet more derogatory things concerning internal issues about a radio station, however, they are TRUE, and I believe that the listeners need to know how this industry works. It is the ONLY entertainment media that works in this fashion. They have been rewarded and unnoticed for too long, and if they don’t utilize the same methods for hiring talent as all the other entertainment mediums, then they need to be EXPOSED for what they actually are. I don’t know how many times someone has to get FIRED from the SAME position before people realize that they MIGHT NOT BE GOOD AT THAT POSITION—I’ll just leave it at that. Just remember, that my nose will NEVER be brown (except from pigmentation alone). That’s my two cents.
By stan
May 8, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
Limbaugh only pulling a four share, a fraction of his pre Bloomquist ratings, is an insult to Rush. Insulting Rush seems to be a favorite pastime for Randall. In his days as a “writer”, Bloomquist delivered the following observation which has been quoted in about every left wing blog imaginable, including that of Rush’s “ally” Al Fraken. “It was almost as if every step away from the studio, he grew smaller and less confident, shrinking with each step into the real-life Rush Limbaugh,” Randall Bloomquist, an editor at Radio & Records newspaper, told the Los Angeles Times in 1995. You’d think this potshot at the centerpiece of Clear Channel’s talk lineup combined with giving Rush his weakest major market lead in the country would disqualify you from any job with the company. We’ll see.
By Amy
May 8, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
“must resist urge to make negative comment about WAOK…must resist urge to make negative comment about WAOK…don’t need to unleash the wrath of Dante and Whatever..must stay positive”
By B.J.
May 8, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
AMY: Of course there’s NO need to mention WAOK, because they are virtually NO station. They have NO advertisers (other than V-103 carryovers), NO talents, NO intelligence, or NO listeners. But they DO have “civil-rights” and BLACK racism, which lures a littany of OTHER black racist idiots. It’s too bad that there are too many blacks in this town with brains that are currently IN USE, and that’s why they don’t resonate to such garbage of a station. Anyone with a BRAIN can understand that, and that’s why Danta and Whatever canNOT understand this.
By wendi
May 8, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
I think Randall is great!
By Dante
May 8, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this
Hmmmm, Betty Joe (BJ), I was looking for the ratings for the station that you work for in Atlanta. Oh, I forgot, nobody wants you. It’s been a year now and still no show in Atlanta. I guess your uncle felt sorry for you and gave you a time slot for a radio station OUTSIDE of ATLANTA! Betty Joe I have never met anybody like you who hate themselves so much. You try so hard to tell people I’m not those blacks you see on TV, I love working in the house! BJ, if you have so much talent, why has anybody in Atlanta picked you up? You sound like a broken record. You are so quick to put down WAOK and saying that they are corrupt. What about your buddy RUSH! You had nothing to say about his ordeal. You’re a hypocrite!
And for Mr. Andy (AMY), which I believe that BJ and Amy are the same or know each other outside this blog, you need to stop resisting; you might be able to get a LIFE then.
By Big Money
May 8, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
Hard to believe 680’s behind The Zone. Even though their morning show is still one of the worst out there, the rest of the day is pretty solid. And who cares if some of it isn’t local? No one wants to hear about the Hawks anyway. Got to say though, nobody’s more annoying, less entertaining or more clueless than 790’s Mike Bell. My dial’s been de-Zoned thanks to him.
By jerry d.
May 8, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
I agree with BJ that Denny Shaffer is beyond pathetic, but why does Tom Hughes escape scrutiny? Tom’s numbers are even lower than Denny’s and he’s been a consitent drag on the station for years. If John Hogan wants to reward his weekend houseguest so much, why doesn’t he put Hughes in management where his years of failure would make him a welcome addition. (see Marc Chase). It would be a lot cheaper than losing millions in morning show revenue just to take care of a pal.
By B.J.
May 8, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Ms. (Danta) Houston (definitely NOT Whitney): So the rules of engagement are that one must mention the “habits” of all personalities they support? Then where did you “mention” the CRACK-headed Coz Carson? Are YOU a hypocrite too?
As for why I’m not on a station in Atlanta, have someone ELSE read this to you:
http://www.bjellis.com/suppression.htm
There you will find the answer to your question. Now get back to work for your WHITE-owned company in the Colony Square Building.
By Dante
May 8, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this
BJ, why you are so busy doing a background check on me, why don’t you do some research on why in the world did somebody dropped you on your head when you were a baby. I understand now why you keep repeating the same thing over and over. Stop stalking me! I like women not boys. I know that you have become obsessed with me, but I don’t go down that road. Why don’t you try to hook up with Andrew (AMY). Like you running late for a date with J.L. King, I’m gone!
By Whatever
May 9, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this
Well, just thought I’d cruise out here to see what’s going on. I see that B.J. is STILL bitter about being unwanted in the radio world. What’s up Dante?! You know I was actually thinking the SAME thing about the ratings of that little rag tag station in Memphis that broadcasts that little 2 hour per week show of B.J. Didn’t it even SEE it LISTED for ratings. DAYUM!!! And “Amy”? Still as psychotic as EVER! Just so you know B.J. (and “Amy”) I really don’t cosign for WAOK, as I am pretty much a WCLK listener. It does have it’s place though. But you can continue with your stereotypes you loser. Oh… no matter what you blare about ratings all the time, the fact of the matter is, they are ON THE AIR broadcasting to their listeners (and have been for what 30 years or so now?), while you sit like a little child outside in the downpour looking in the window WISHING you could come inside. MUUUWWUUUHHAHAHAHA!!
By gunny
May 9, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
yeah no kidding, this BJ guy is constantly slamming Atl radio jocks claiming that his show and/or skills are somehow better? What proof do you have? Ratings? A long syndication list?
By B.J.
May 9, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
See Amy, I told you so. Say anything about the WMoron AM (WAOK), and here comes the idiots out of the woodworks. Let’s get back to the talk about REAL radio stations.
By B.J.
May 9, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
Hey Gunny: Scroll up and click on the link I provided to Danta and Whatever. Get somebody to read it to you so you can have your questions answered.
By Amy
May 9, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
Oh my God…I just agreed with something Whatever wrote. I listen to WCLK, too- mainly the 2pm to 6pm shift and Ed Gordon’s show from 6pm to 7pm…the world must be about to end.
By Whatever
May 9, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
Yes, I guess the world IS about to come to an end, but therein lies the point. One can attempt to marginalize people out of bitterness until they’re blue in the face, it doesn’t negate the fact that people generally have a diversity of thought even when you do not expect them to. Truth be told, while WCLK is my station of choice, I consume some WJZZ, some Denny Schafer, 790theZONE, Michael Baisden, some Dennis Prager, some Air America, and yes some Limbaugh for a few minutes a week (when I can stomach him). Why? Because no one perspective is no more (or less) correct than the other. It is a matter of personal taste, experience and identification. Because someone does not display the total picture to you does not mean it is not so. I just have a problem when people attempt to put all in a little box for whatever reason and write ALL off because of the failures of SOME. There is quite a lot of radio that gets on my nerves, yet who am I to slam them? Obviously there is a market for it or it would not exist. And that same market will dictate when changes are necessary, not a SINGLE bias or opinion.
By Eric B.
May 9, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
Man, go on vacation come back and waok is still the talk of this forum. I think Amy and BJ are right on just tired of reading about. what can we do about waok, nothing. the station is horrible, i was told by a former host the pd said he wants waok to be the black version of wsb——Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! i’m out like a dog in dekalb county.
By Whatever
May 9, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
B.J. You know B.J…in the process of reviewing this BLOG I decided to follow your little link. What I found really clarifies what you are all about. I knew this from the beginning, your link just reinforced things for me. B.J. do you actually expect any radio station across this country to pick you up anytime soon. With the attitude you present I just do not see that happening. Hate to say it, but YOU ARE PLAYING THE RACE CARD ON THIS ONE. You try to put a slick little “spin” on it, but you are doing just that. Yet, you get down on your own people for always doing it?? You and Cyntiha McKinney may actually have more in common than you’d like to admit dontcha think? You don’t think these execs at these stations communicate? You are most likely BLACKLISTED (for lack of a better term) in the industry and most likely have been for quite some time. You are basically the Jesse and Al Sharpton of the radio industry, an agitator of sorts…I think you should re-evaluate your approach and position because obviously your current one is just NOT WORKING.
Reducing others in order to elevate yourself is a flawed position to hold. Your article actually had me feeling sorry for you for a second because you do such a great job or portraying yourself as a victim. Straight up, there’s a small part of me that would love to see you on the air so that you could be subjected to the same negative criticisms that you so gleefully heap on others. And honestly I would be one of the first ones to do so. In my honest opinion I do not feel it takes a whole lot of talent to host a radio talk show, you just have to be able to carry a conversation and keep the subject material flowing. Any loudmouth with an opinion can get on the air and do that. After all look at what’s out there. It comes down to this, just like everything it is about who you know and what they can do for you. And most importantly do they LIKE YOU and believe in what you bring to the table. You might want to consider those things..
By gunny
May 9, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this
BJ after reading your painfully long diatribe on why you aren’t on the radio in Atlanta, it occurred to me that you might have left out one important detail… you just might not be a very good talkshow host. I always wanted to be a major league second baseman but it only took me a few years of little league summers to figure out that I really suck at baseball. I still have an opinion on current players but I’d never make the claim that I could do better or that I’m being suppressed because of some other reason I’ve cooked up to make myself sleep better at night. Maybe the stations are catering to their audience. Ever thought of that? Middle aged white men apparently like getting their commentary spoken to them by other middle aged white men. Sad but true. If you put as much energy into your show as you do in writing speeches on this radio blog you might have a better shot at reaching your goal.
By B.J.
May 9, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
Gunny: Do me a favor and send me your latest post to my email—truthinstrument@yahoo.com. I’d love to have this comment on record, and I’ll actually read it on my show, and respond there. However, you might want to question your taste—I wouldn’t be surprised if YOU were another WAOK worshipper and defender also.
Furthermore, if these stations CATERED to their AUDIENCE, then the stations wouldn’t rate LOW. Do you understand how ratings work? The Atlanta market is the only top 25 market that alienates its listener base as bad as it does.
I’m also glad that you have so intelligently judged my talent and ability BEFORE you have listened to ONE-SECOND of my shows. See, I have listened to your mentors at WAOK, and it’s no wonder that they rate the way that they do. I’ve LISTENED to Denny Shaffer, and Chris Krock—I KNOW they are bad. I love to hear from people like you that have NEVER listened to me make assessments on my show. What you fail to realize is that even those who disagree with my politics absolutely LOVE the show because it is GOOD. I don’t have to be on “the plantation” to be accepted. I am who I AM—regardless if clueless people like yourself don’t want to take the time to experience it for yourself. Better yet, while you are taking the time to personally attack me, why don’t you use that energy to CORRECT the perceived inaccurate statements I’ve made on this blog. Comment on the CONTENT, not the PERSON. Then we can have a true dialogue.
By Whatever
May 9, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this
Hey Gunny. Can this guy B.J. be real??? He tries to get everyone to “send their posts to his ‘radio show’ email, so he can read them ‘on the air’. You would think this guy could just simply cut and paste the text from the BLOG into a document and then do so. HELLOOO000 B.J.!! Earth to B.J.!
I just gotta call it man. You’re acting like a SPOILED BRAT man! You are definitely attention starved. I’d be interested in knowing how you were raised. You probably wouldn’t give the “TRUHTH” on that one though. How can one respect you with the way you snivel? It’s gettin’ oolld, REEEEALL old man! Post under a different name….or something. That way we can at least pretend that there is at least someone else out here who too is so starved for a “shot” that they are bitter because the MAN IS TRYING TO KEEP THEM DOWN!
By Whatever
May 9, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
B.J.
You have become EXACTLY what you despise SO MUCH..an ANGRY BLACK MAN who does nothing but make excuses and blame everyone else for his own inability to achieve and accuses the WHITE MAN of trying to keep him oppressed. Spin it however that’s the TRUTH junior. And anyone who reads your posts can clearly see that. Just calling it like it is “bruh”.
Well.. actually you were always this person. You’ve just been in denial.
By B.J.
May 9, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
Whatever/Gunny: Just send it to me on email..if you have the conviction and the COURAGE to stand behind what you say, then email it to me directly…truthinstrument@yahoo.com. Let’s see if you have the courage to share YOUR email address with us.
By Truthhurts
May 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Can you pillow biters please find something else to argue over?
By Whatever
May 9, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
B.J. I have nothing to prove. YOU DO, apparently. “TruthHurts”.. bite ME.
By CMckinney
May 10, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
Hey B.J. Please give me a call. I understand you are holding a race card that you’d like to play. I have a couple myself. Heck, if you put yours with mine we have ONE HECKUVA HAND (LoL)! We just cannot win because we are black. Even though we have genuine motives no one will ever see it our way. In fact I’ll have Coz pull some strings for you over at WAOK. Maybe he can set it up so you can get in, I’m sure you can singlehandedly bring at least a 5.0 share to them almost immediately. Gimme a call okay?