Could Jack work?
Don Day | June 26, 2005
The Jack FM “variety hits” format launched in another market Friday — Las Vegas, NV. That brings the total number of licensed Jack stations to 17 – including 2 of Boise’s regional sister markets: Salt Lake City & Seattle.
But what would happen if a station decided to throw caution to the wind and get all Jack-ed up. For the sake of argument — let’s say that Jack grabbed the following percentage of overall share (12+) from these stations.
- 15% from KCIX
- 10% from KXLT
- 10% from KQXR
- 15% from KJOT
- 5% from KZMG
- 5% from KSAS
- 20% from KRVB
- 15% from KKGL
- 15% from KJOT
- 15% from KTHI
- 15% from KLTB
Admittedly, those numbers are all possibly a bit high — and even a bit random. The River gets a higher number purely because the formats are more alike, KZMG and KSAS likely wouldn’t lose a large chunk of audience… etc.
Now, let’s expand that and say that Jack would get about 5% of the “others” (country, the ether – etc.) Add that to the numbers from above – and Jack would score a 7.29. That would make it the second highest rated station in the market. OK… let’s step back in this hypothetical exercise and say that my assumptions are twice as high as they should be. That a 3.65 — not nearly as impressive.
But — Jack would have to take over one of the market’s frequencies. Let’s assume it wouldn’t be the country stations, or AM. So that means it is one of the stations already listed above. What station would you flip? At least for now, it won’t be Mix or Lite — or Kiss or Magic. Clear Channel could be bold and follow Infinity and blow up it’s heritage Oldies, KLTB — but I don’t see that in the cards right now. So what’s left? KJOT or KKGL. Perfect. Think about it — two established rockers in a town that of late doesn’t seem to be able to support both. And through a nice coincidence — they have an identical 12+ share: 3.7.
Let’s say that the station loses half of it’s share to the other rocker — but holds on to about half. Add that 50% percent to my lowball number above: 3.65 — and you have a 5.3, which sandwiches you between KTHI & KXLT — not bad company to be in.
This is all 100% pulled out of left field of course – but you can see where I’m going with it. The new station would get a huge buzz factor (trust me – here in Seattle, I hear a lot of people talking about the new Jack), and could possibly be a player.
All cume, no TSL. Hallelujah.
Valid point — a recent study shows that the average TSL is at just about 6:30. (details here)
There is one station in Seattle actually kicking everyone’s ass but it’s seems to be to radical or extreme for our little Boise, Idaho?
This Jack format is garbage!
If I want an Ipod, I’ll go buy one!
“But  Jack would have to take over one of the market’s frequencies. Let’s assume it wouldn’t be the country stations, or AM. So that means it is one of the stations already listed above. What station would you flip? At least for now, it won’t be Mix or Lite  or Kiss or Magic”
“Clear Channel could be bold and follow Infinity and blow up it’s heritage Oldies, KLTB  but I don’t see that in the cards right now”
Big Jack has the “real” oldies audience, the playlist and the outlet to do what he needs to do to be successful.
It’s just too bad he has to deal with a playlist from SLC and some A-Hole down the hallway who consults someone on how to do there job…
“So what’s left? KJOT or KKGL. Perfect. Think about it  two established rockers in a town that of late doesn’t seem to be able to support both”
WOW! Thanks for stating exactly what I have been saying on this website for over two months now, Only if the people at Journal or Citadel would listen…KJOT and KKGL both do that same thing with a very little share of the market. J-105 is PRIME for a format change. Has been for years.
I mean really, who want’s to be “Still Rockin’” when the target demo is in their 40’s and 50’s?
There’s one format besides this Jack Crap that would just kick Boise’s ass…
Too Bad no one has the stroke to pull it off…
And the guy who can’t get a job does have the “stroke?” Right…
All I know is if I can’t do it, It’s can’t be done :)
well, Dizzle still hasnt mentioned his kick ass miracle format… soo what is it? Radio disney? lol
Im sure you would have the “stroke” to pull that format off!
The eagle seems lately to be alot different than J-105, I can actually listen to The eagle for more then one song at a time!!!!
It sounds like fun, and in fact here at the X we did a “shuffle” weekend, which as expected had heads and ears tuning in to hear what it was all about, but these Jack stations aren’t exactly destroying and until there is a decent history of success who is going to risk flipping a station when this could just be a fabb!
Why is it everytime I visit this site, all Dizzle wants to do is blow up J105?
And for what? A format everybody on this board, including Dizzle, seems to agree wouldn’t pull any better numbers than what is on the air right now.
Why not blow up Oldies like NY did? 105 & The Eagle have had better ratings than they have had for the last year!
Why not blow up Kiss FM? a top 40 station FINALLY jumped over our supposed Mendoza line in the last book after a year of smoking them.
So we fell not quite a point in the 12+ category. I know of SO many people born in 1993 that listen to us every day & night, all day long.
A quicker deeper look at the ratings actually do show both the Eagle & J105 doing very well in the demos we are intended to hit.
So if Jack bores you to death, but you can’t wait for it to come to town, what format are you next ready for? All 90’s, all day long! All Wilson Phillips & The Smashing Pumpkins all day & all night!
You said “This Jack format is garbage! If I want an Ipod, I’ll go buy one!” Then five seconds later, you’re all gung ho for it! “So what’s left? KJOT or KKGL. Perfect. Think about it  two established rockers in a town that of late doesn’t seem to be able to support both, Only if the people at Journal or Citadel would listen…KJOT and KKGL both do that same thing with a very little share of the market. J-105 is PRIME for a format change. Has been for years.”
I still think you’re the Iraq Minister of Information.
Cale…I just think your in denial…
Sounds like you want to blow up a “heritage” station too?
It’s called broadcasting?…You’re trying to get your message out to a “broad” audience? The most amount of listeners? What both Classic Rockers are fighting for is just too small in Boise.
“Any ideas here, Lumbergh?”
This Jack format is just a huge fad and an attempt to combat evolving technology. Computers, PDA’s and cell phones with broadband capibility are becoming more popular and available to the general public.
Gen-X is next!…and in our generation, we can spot something fake in a heartbeat…The Jack format is Fake and in a year no one will care…
Dizzle…..The Eagle seems to be different from J105?? What the f&^k? Have you heard all the butt-rock on the Eagle lately? Tesla, Skid Rowe, Motley Crue, Poise, DIO?
All the Eagle does is cherry pick J105’s playlist.
J-105 Used to be a rock station that really had ROCK! Current music and selections from the past. The Eagle is just the old school generation of Classic Rock.
To me, they both sound like clones…