Ratings: The end of KBOI’s glory days?
Don Day | August 15, 2008The usual “Up in the fall, down in the spring” trend continues to hold true for KBOI, with a 4.7, on par with the last several spring books.
KIDO also generally sees a stronger fall book, but the swings aren’t as great – and the station almost always beats KBOI in the spring, with KBOI taking the fall race. But this next book could be key. Though the station will still produce pre and post game shows for Boise State University football with Paul J. Schneider, it is losing the actual game telecasts and the prestige that goes along with them.
We’ll see how it turns out… With it being an election year, THE election year, this fall will be more than just Bronco football for the News Talk stations. What does KBOI broadcast during the actual game time? Could they possibly rebroadcast the pregame show with Paul J?
It will be a very interesting fall for the big talkers…
Time will tell, but I’m going to bet that KBOI will stay around the 4. range in its ratings. Not great, but acceptable for a 50,000 watt station. As long as they can maintain a local flavor with a morning and afternoon show, they should be able to maintain their audience. The syndicated shows they run still pull a passable audience.
Let’s be very zen about this and say “we’ll see’”
Let’s face some facts…KBOI COULD be a much better “news/talk” station! Yes, it’s only market #102, but I’m amazed that “the powers that be” at Citadel don’t realize what needs to change! You can’t just rely on it being an “election year” OR having the Bronco’s! How about making your station GOOD, period! They did take one excellent step in bringing in a live & LOCAL talk show in the afternoon! Now how about promoting it…outside the station! Oh, there is that money thing.
In regards to the news…it’s “yesterdays news today”! Liners that say “Breaking news, when it happens” “The news authority” are just plain a joke! For example; this mornings lead story on KIDO and TV news…the big liquid meth bust over the weekend. KBOI…nothing on the morning news…not untll afternoon! And that’s the case pretty much every day! WHY?…and it’s been this way for how long now? There are other elements, I won’t go into them all…but simple things like giving the temp…how about giving 2-3 locations in the valley, and THEN “downtown” if you want? How many people care what the temp is downtown?! It’s simple to so in these here modern times, with that internet thing.
And sorry folks, but the morning show is stale, robotic and needs to be freshened up!
Having lost the play-by-play element for Boise State, KBOI now totes huge pre/post game coverage…great! Now how about just getting the 2008 schedule up on the web site, rather than the 2007 results. News/Talk…to be the leader…crank it up a notch.
The investment to be the local news authority is not that intensive. One of the best news operations in Seattle, and one of the most respected, had no news cars, and was run by two guys who never left the station during their shifts. They had a huge roladex of reliable contacts, police scanners and would even listen to ham radio broadcasts during major emergencies. Even the big TV operations would use their services from time to time.
What’s needed and, what seems to be missing, is a passion to be live, local and involved in the community. The real investment to be the “news authority” needs to be a passion for the local community.
I have to agree with you RainShadow on your statement about Passion… there seems to be an overall lack of this necessary quality in the media in general. I am not trying to say its not there in the hearts and minds of radio folks, but something is very much lacking today and that maybe the key word. Over the past few years I have noticed a lack of energy in radio. It almost seems that the business is now treated as a 9-5 routine. News has taken a big hit in this area but its also the mentality of things as well. It would seem that the biz has gone from a pursuit of excellence regardless of market size to it just being a job. Maybe not, but I have noticed some quality is very much lacking. Since people are key to any stations success, they need to be properly motivated with an eye on the prize (not just money) it has to be a sense of pride in their association with being a part of the broadcast industry or station group etc. Anyone else out there had this observation as well?
I think KBOI has some key players and with a little injection of a tad more enthusiasm, really has the potential to kick butt. I enjoy hearing Nate Shelman when I can in the afternoon and think he has done a fantastic job. I can’t really catch most of the morning program, so I won’t comment on that. As for voices, Ken Weaver has a great delivery that beats anything SLC can put out, and coupled with Melissa Dawn and Paul J, it’s an all-star line-up. Frankly I wish the station well. If anything, I find it hard to believe that a syndicated program can beat Nate’s show. It is fast-paced and well done.
As a well known college football analyst would say, “Not so fast, my friend.” I think it is very premature to write KBOI’s obit not knowing what Peak is going to produce in relationship to Boise State Sports and with the established personalities KBOI has in their stable, some of it not used to it’s full potential due to having such a strong team.
KBOI’s programming may be a bit stale now. However, I think it may be that people are beginning to make their political choices and are growing weary of the political discussions. After the election, when the discussions begin to return to local issues and the community, I think you will see KBOI rebound. Losing the Broncos undoubtedly hurts, but they will still be a big shark in the water.
Regarding KBOI and their Bronco coverage…. While the jury is still out as you say Buster, I must say I have to admire the management of 670 for not rolling over and dying just because they lost the game rights. They are smart to keep their marketing intertia going and going like the Energizer Bunny. Not sure what game day coverage will be like KBOI but they are still in the fight. We can all agree on one thing…this is going to be a very interesting season for BSU fans….
I agree, RadioActive. KBOI was seriously wounded in the battle for Bronco broadcasting. They are the wounded animal in this situation and we all know what happens with wounded wild animals. One needs to make sure the first shot counts. If Peak’s first shot misses the mark, it may be the only shot they get.
Deep Buster, really deep.
Considering I have been sick and haven’t slept well for a week, I’m afraid that kind of “quality” analysis is the best you will get this week. There is nothing quite like an Anbesol and Jack Daniels high to enhance your “higher level” analysis skills.
Well Buster, since you’ve been sick and all, let me step up to the plate and point out a key point.
I went back through every single book since Spring 2004. I was specifically looking at adults 25-54, Monday-Friday 6am-7pm…not 12+, not 6am to midnight. In all of those books guess how many times KBOI beat KIDO in “time spent listening”? I’ll make it easy…NEVER!!! Hmmm… now why would that be?
By virtue of that 50k flame-thrower and the Bronco contract KBOI has managed to control the majority of the News-Talk dollars in this town for quite some time despite only winning every other book. I’d submit to you and the peanut gallery that KIDO (as evidenced by the TSL numbers) has put a better product out for quite some time.
Your assertion that KBOI is merely a “wounded animal” to be feared is insulting to my intelligence. This ass-whuppin’ has been coming for a long time. The same institutional arrogance that cost KBOI the Bronco contract has finally caught up with them and lead to their lackluster showing in the book. This theory of yours that KIDO has only one shot to maintain it’s position in the market is clearly another example of your ill-informed , verbose and clearly biased opinion. KIDO has been launching volley after volley of well aimed shots at a stationary target for quite some time and they’ve finally mangaged to land a shot or two below the water line.
Far from your asessment of KBOI as a “wounded animal’ to be feared, a modest amount of research on your part would have revealed KBOI to be the sick old man of Boise radio.
But hey, don’t let the facts interfere with your profound asessment.
BTW, I obtained a copy of the mock broadcast of the Blue and Orange scrimmage that was put out for the affiliates. Behler and Dailey sound as major-market as they come, so there’s a fresh plate of crow for you to chew.
Can I get my crow original recipe Kentucky Fried please? And for sides, mashed potatoes and gravy cole slaw, and baked beans with a biscuit. I’ll take a large Pepsi with that too.
People really do listen to Dr. Laura and Dr. Dean, I guess. I will have to admit I prefer Rush over Dennis Miller though. So, I guess I helped wound the wild animal myself. Give me credit though. I have guts enough to admit it.
Any chance of the mock broadcast being put on the blog for all to hear instead of being kept in your elitist lock box?
I’d love to, but since I don’t own it, it’s really not mine to give.
In fact, if you could make all of your information accessible to us for review it would be a good thing. Without access to information I am forced to accept your theories and that is kind of like accepting the Chinese government’s word that the girls on the gymnastics team are all sixteen. It may be true, but…………..
Well, you’re actually not being forced to accept jack-squat. The information is published in the Arb books for all to see, so it could hardly be catagorized as my “theory”. Go look it up yourself.
As far as bootlegging a copy of the mock broadcast goes…that ain’t going to happen. If I wouldn’t drink with you (and I wouldn’t) why in the hell would I steal for you?
OK guys… let’s not get too rough here…
I am just asking for the information you cite to be made public for our examination. Otherwise, the evidence you cite is simply hearsay.
Hey Knows Don’s Dad- Just asking here, not throwing a punch… What was the purpose of the tape that was made…was if for convincing potential sales clients what the games would sound like?
No one doubts your word, Don’s Dad. We just would like to see and hear the same information you are seeing.
WOOOOO HOOOOOO….KNOWS DONS DAD……..as Wolf Man Jack would say…..Right on, right on, right on, right on.
RadioActive:
They used the scrimmage as an opportunity to insert all the elements and features on a “dry run” basis and were letting the board ops at the affiliates get used to working with the feed Peak will be sending out. Practice, practice, practice.
Well I have to admire and respect an organization that would actually go to the effort and have the foresight to conduct a dry run. Most of my life, all the employers I have had…just wing it, half assed and see what happens. Nice going Peak. That investment of time and effort will probably pay off later on.
It’s probably safe to say there are bound to be a couple of glitches next Saturday, but they’re definitley working to keep them to a minimum.
We have debated this move all spring. It’s time to put differences aside, put on those jerseys, grab a few adult beverages and snacks, unite in Bronco Nation, and play football. I wish Peak the best of luck in their endeavor. Good luck and have a great season.
Go Broncos!!!!