Holiday 2018 ratings shock no one

[CAwasinNJ]

The holiday period ratings (Dec 6 - Jan 2) are out. Three guesses who came in number one and the first two don't count. Yep, it was FM 100.3 again, and again they had a massive number. Good for them. It makes sense to talk about KLO even though it's really only a mild curiosity. For 3 of the 4 weeks of the survey period KLO was running the Unforgettable format, but 2 of those weeks were Christmas music. Without breaking it down week by week it's impossible to know where each part landed so we're still pretty much in the dark. I'm eagerly awaiting the next survey in about a month. The good news at this point is that they didn't change from the previous period. Had they fallen off a cliff I'd be worried. For now we just have to wait.

Now though I'd like to do something I don't normally do and look forward. I would have to guess that both Unforgettable 1430 and Easy 99.1 are going to be around a year from now. Presumably both will give FM 100.3 some competition for the first time in a few years. I'd be pretty confident that KSFI is going to end up on top again, but the numbers might be a little lower than they otherwise would be. If another full market or rimshot FM steps into the ring things could get very interesting. As I recall Sunny 103 pulled very good numbers for a rimshot when it was around and running Christmas music during the holidays a few years back.

I'd also like to draw attention to Alt 101.9 which actually had a noticeable uptick while everyone else was consistent with their recent numbers or down. I think this bears watching.

[David]

Without getting too political, I've wondered if KLO dropped the Salem talk format to distance themselves from the current administration and its ills. They did receive a few negative comments on their Facebook page after the format change in December (mostly from disgruntled Jim Rome fans), but that seems to have died down now that they've realized the talk format isn't coming back. I can't see KLO doing any worse ratings wise, and given enough time their numbers may increase. Their current format is certainly less controversial than most talk formats, and the musical variety is better than most. Too bad they're not promoting it more.

[CAwasinNJ]

I'll point out that some stations haven't shown up in the ratings for some time because their ratings are too low, so it's definitely possible. As for promotion, have you seen any?

[David]

I've seen no promotion outside of KLO's web site and their Facebook page, but that doesn't mean much. Being a radio geek, I spend most of my time listening to the airwaves rather than watching TV. :-) The most logical way to promote the new format would seem to be local insertion spots on cable and/or digital subchannels like MeTV and Antenna TV.

[levoix]

The most effective marketing is through Facebook ads. You can target specific zip codes within your listening area. Tie those ads back to a contest/appointment promotion and you're good to go.

[CAwasinNJ]

While I agree with levoix that Facebook is one possible avenue of advertising I don't see how calling it the most effective could be true. If you'd like to discuss your reasoning feel free to start a thread in the general section.