First of all, when 97.1 and 107.5 were simulcast together over the weekend, you could definately tell the sound quality difference between the two. 95.5's signal sounded clean and full, while 107.5's sounded muddied and less encompassing on the stereo signal.

Some random bullet observations:

- Rome sounded good in stereo-esque. It kinda helped matters that his show was pretty Portland-oriented.

- The Fox Sports afternoon show was surprisingly interesting. It was a refreshing change from the stale stuffed-shirts on ESPN, although I can tell right now that Fox's "we know more than you do" attitude will wear thin real quick.

- Canzano sounds like a weasel. He just doesn't have a radio voice at all. That being said, his show with Gavin Dawson was mostly entertaining, with a good part of the show taking calls from listeners who just wanted to take pot-shots at him, which is FINE BY ME. Also, getting Barack Obama in an interview has to be considered quite a coup.

- I didn't get a chance to listen to Gavin's solo show (damn wife! Dinner time??? Screw that! I'm listening to the radio!), but listening to him banter with Canzano proved that he's a player whom The Fan were complete idiots to let go.

- Brian Wheeler's hour show was perhaps the highlight of the day, with an hour of Blazer-centered talk with Kevin Pritchard co-hosting (for today, at least). Here's hoping that they can talk Bill Schonley into making regular appearances.

- I'm listening to Kenny Vance and Katy Brown's morning show right now, and it's pretty rough so far, but I see potential. I'd still rather listen to a local Colin Cowherd... I think we've all forgotten how good that guy was during his local show days. But I'm willing to give "K&K" a chance.

All in all, a good first day. 1080 is in trouble. I cannot wait to hear Blazers and Ducks games in stereo.

How long until someone refers to Kenny and Katy as "Big Brown" on the air?

Having traffic reports in the AM and PM drives makes it sound like a grown up station, unlike the Bland and the childish whiner line. The Game is on in PDX, and I hope the Big Suck is the loser.

Here are non-delusional honk observation for 95.5thegame

1. There are way too many threads about this station on this board
2. Yes John Canzano is a weasel but being a weasel and compromising your morals is required when working for Paul Allen
3. There isn't enough content for the station to keep it interesting
4. Everything is relative and even if the 1080 the fan hosts are morons, flip floppers and politicians compared to 95.5 the game, 1080 the fan hosts are smart, have integrity and 1080 the fan has nothing to fear
5. Other than Phil Knight and Nike, Portland's sports leadership is a joke

There isn't enough content? They got Barrack Obama and promised some other big name guests. Who is 1080 going to get besides the Mariners Bat Boy?

Kevin is such an Entercom homer... it's hilarious!

The Game had better guests in its first 24 hours than The Fan has had in a month.

I agree with Chris about Canzano. His voice is not good for radio. He kinda sounds like a girl.

Rome, Meyers, Wheeler, and Gavin's show's where all good. K&K where OK, but given that it was their first show I'm sure they'll only get better. But I'm still not sold on Katy ever having much to offer. I would have liked to see RCR go after Rebecca Harlow (if they wanted a women) or give Gavin the gig with Kenny V.

Katy (giggle, giggle) doesn't do a thing (giggle, giggle) for me (giggle, fake laugh, giggle)

the kicker for me with the Game is they have a LOT of work to do to be a truly listenable station day in and day out, but the sad thing is, their starting point is still farther ahead of where the Fan sits at this point. Credit to KXL for some of that, but the main problem is that KFXX has left itself so vulnerable to this. Their success or failure is in their own hands, and mediocrity will simply not do anymore. Let's see how both stations perform in the next 12 months, it will be very telling for both organizations....

What options does The Fan have at this point? The Game has them blown away for local sports talk and ESPN is as good as it gets for a national sports talk network (not saying much there though).

honestly, apart from Cowherd, i am not at all sure that ESPN is as good as it gets anymore, in fact in most dayparts, i think Fox Sports has the superior hosts. Yeah, its not the "name brand" that ESPN has, but as a casual listener, i dont want to switch back and forth that much and may find i like the Fox hosts better (as i personally have done via XM)

97.1?? 95.5

It's only been two days, but 95.5 has to get a lot better real quick. It sounds like for whatever reason everybody here, with one exception wants "The Game" (how original) to knock KFXX off the air. Sorry folks, it ain't going to happen with that line-up.

1. The morning show is more lame than Cowherd. I've been praying for years for Cowherd to go away, but he's incredible radio compared to that garbage.

2. I could stand Canzano, but the content sucks. Who cares if he has Obama on? If I wanted political talk I wouldn't be listening to sports. And then his question: Did Obama help himself by coming on this show? No he didn't for two reasons. 1. Only 5 people heard it. and 2. He doesn't need help in the People Republic of Portland. Sheesh, half the people in PDX probably think he's too right wing.

3. Chris Myers = piant drying. Sorry, it's true.

On the other hand, the liners are ok except for the one that started the 5 o'clock hour before Canzano. Like that wasn't people around the office making Canzano sound so controversial. He was seriously talking about LeBron James and his mom today. That'll bring in the ratings. Unfortunatly when I turned to 1080 it was Mariners baseball.
Rome sounded good and will probably kill "the Fan" there. Overall, "the Game" sucks worse than "the Fan" so far.

Yeah, I've heard some rough stuff on The Game too, but I'll still take Canzano over the frat boys talking about the superiority of fake boobs, as if they'd know.

Romie was flatter than crap today and knew it. Callers sucked. Somebody needs to convince him to dump the self-indulgent, self-referential clones if he ever wants the mass appeal numbers he's capable of putting up.

Anyway, I think this is just a break-in period. When you switch formats in the middle of the spring book, you don't have any expectations for that book. The Game, I think, has its eye on the fall, when the PBP cume starts rolling in. That's when they'd better have their act together.

I think, so far it is great. A co-worker of mine thinks there are way too many commercials and tuned out.

1. John Canzano brings big-time clout, its why hes on the 95.5 lineup. The PD was smart to pit Canzano (credibility and strong opinions and insight) vs. the fan (immature amateur humor hour). Canzanos by far the No. 1 sports person in the state, he brings credibility. His voice doesn't bother me. Also, the bump music was gathered at the Rose Garden during a Blazers game. I know, my friends are featured in the intro to the show. I thought Canzano show was awesome over the first two days, and adding Gavin was a huge coup. Dawson is very good. Obama on Day 1, and Dr. Jack Ramsay on Day 2. Those are great guests.

2. I think Kenny Vance is a super star. He and Katy Brown are going to be terrific in the morning and I don't know if thats going to translate to ratings but I can see that it's going to equal revenue and billing. Colin's show is good, but to have a local option presents all kinds of interesting issues.

3. I wonder how long it is until the Fan realizes that it probably isn't really the competition of The Game. Based on the incredible number of calls that Canzano took on his first two days from an audience that was all over th eboard. I think KINK and KUFO are probably going to take a hit from the audience.

ESPN RADIO lost a huge part of its appeal when Dan Patrick left. IMO, his show is the best sports talk show on the air right now.

<i>ESPN RADIO lost a huge part of its appeal when Dan Patrick left. IMO, his show is the best sports talk show on the air right now.<i>

I agree 110%! Dan Patrick is a great personality and a professional talk show host.

I love listening to Dan, when he's live on XM between 6 and 9am.....hearing Patrick on KFXX when its 6 hours old, simply has no interest to me, no matter how good he is

Okay, why has there been no comment on the "Big Voice Guy" at The Game?

I'm really enjoying the programming, but wow! That guy sounds like the lead singer of one of those Death Metal bands.

Who the heck is that guy?

Voicer for The Game - to me it sounds like some of Zeus's work.

I believe it is the same guy who does the Westwood One sports bumps.
At least it sounds like the one who does NFL for WW1

I thought the voice guy sounded like the guy who did Z100 in the mid 80's... Can't remember the guys name but seems he was from Chicago...

"the voice guy" is the same one who did/does the NFL on WW1. and he did VERY over-the-top voice on a commercial for the monster truck rally that came through portland several months ago. his liners on the game are nothing compared to that monster truck rally piece. whoa

Also the voice of Lars' Nationwide Show.

When will 95.5 pick up new call letters?

Just waiting for FCC approval expert ...

I think Derby has done a wonderful job rolling this station out. You can tell there was lots of thought in production value-line up of talent etc. I have never cared for Wheeler as a play by play guy (every play sounds like game 7 with 1 second left & tied for the championship)......but his skills as a talker are excellent. If I was Entercom I would be concerned about this one. I'm sure they will be spending a boat load of money promoting this new FM

The Game has Jim Rome's "The Jungle", the Fan doesn't.

Scoreboard to The Game.

The Fan has the incredibly dull Dan Patrick, the Game doesn't.

Scoreboard again to The Game.

'nuff said...

3. There isn't enough content for the station to keep it interesting.

And the FAN does???? COME ON! Use your head besides growing hair on.

hey I'm no expert on talk, but it just doesn't seem to be as big these days.

I don't care to bring up whatever other thread that had the comment that there would be no advertising push for 95.5 The Game, but I saw a bus panel for the station earlier today. So yes, they are advertising the station.

Voicer for The Game - to me it sounds like some of Zeus's work.

NOPE!

David Lee

I get a kick out of the promo's on The Game that bash The Fan. Good stuff! I havent listened to The Fan much (only Dan Patrick) since the launch of The Game. Is The Fan also running promo's that bash The Game?

Has The Fan been able to get Trail Blazer related guests lately? I'm curious if guys like Kevin Pritchard etc. are giving The Fan the stiff arm now that RCR's The Game is on the air.

The Game has to be near the worst station in Portland

I like the The Game it would be a good fit in a multi-prosport town. Luckily Paul Allen is mega-rich and can do what he wants. It's the perfect vessel to promote the Blazers.

Oh Kevin, wah wah wah. Go grab a tissue.

I am a long time listener to The Fan.

Since The Game came on, I tried it, liked it, and have been devoted mornings and PM drive to The Game instead of The Fan.

It's a welcome change.

Yes, the game is a quality radio station and Rambo 4 is a classic

ness...i still listen to the fan every day...
they had tom penn in studio yesterday, and today they had james jones on. I think i remember hearing channing frye last week too.

This from All Access:

-----------------------Costas Adds New Affiliates-----------------------

PREMIERE RADIO NETWORKS clears BOB COSTAS' weekly "COSTAS ON THE RADIO" on a passel of new affiliates, including INDEPENDENCE MEDIA Talk WNUY (FM 100 TALKS)/FORT WAYNE; CUMULUS Talk WWCK-A (SUPERTALK 1570)/FLINT; LOTUS Sports KBAD-A (FOX SPORTS 920)/LAS VEGAS; KIRKMAN Sports WQNT-A (FOX SPORTS 1450 AM)/CHARLESTON, SC; SIGNAL MEDIA Sports KABZ (103.7 THE BUZZ)/LITTLE ROCK; CESSNA Talk WBFD-A/BEDFORD, PA;

ROSE CITY RADIO Sports KXJM (95.5 THE GAME)/PORTLAND;

CLEAR CHANNEL Sports WPOP-A (ESPN RADIO 1410)/HARTFORD; CLEAR CHANNEL Sports WAVZ-A (ESPN RADIO 1300)/NEW HAVEN; LOTUS Sports KHIT-A/RENO; CLEAR CHANNEL Talk WIOD-A/MIAMI; and WINGS COMMUNICATIONS Talk WELE-A/DAYTONA BEACH.

The new affiliates bring COSTAS' total to over 210 stations.

morning show is very weak. The woman has to go. They will get killed by the Fan in the morning. Hell....Bring Rod Luck back!

POOLSIDE!!!

Imus in the morning would not have been a bad shot for them.

morning show is very weak. The woman has to go. They will get killed by the Fan in the morning. Hell....Bring Rod Luck back!

Ok, I will do it.
I work for peanuts, literally, I DO.

I know it's only been a little over a week, but the morning show is still pretty rough.

When he was on The Fan, I never remember hearing Ken Vance squeak when his voice rose. It makes it tough to listen. Katy Brown comes across as a TV person trying to sound like she thinks a radio person should sound. The two of them seem to be lacking any real chemistry. I find myself switchinig back to Colin more and more, which I didn't think would happen. It's certainly a work in progress

I like Chris Myers more than I thought I would. He's not nearly as dry as I was expecting. Better than Mike Trico and real close to Dan Patrick.

Canzano's show seems to have improved since the move to FM. Sorry Jennifer & Kevin S, but he puts you guys (Issac & Suke) to shame.

One thing I really like about The Game is that I can listen to shows and score updates and the information isn't painfully outdated because of tape delays.

The Fan also seems to be scrambling and now by calling themselves "ESPN Sports Radio The Fan." If they folks at Entercom had any programming smarts, they would have started doing that when they first heard rumors of 99.5 going sports. A pro-active, early move is always better than a trying to catch up, late move.

Rod Luck! Where is he now? He was a mad man and perfect for sports radio.

http://www.kusi.com/about/bios/news/1838076.html

Hmmmm.......He might be looking for a new job soon:
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/2008/05/kusi_puts_rod_luck_on_lea ve.html

The new sports station should make a run for Rod Luck. The guy was always edgy & entertaining. Anything but what they stuck on in A.M drive. What are they thinking over there? The other day parts are good.

Ya, that guy would be great radioboy/head! Let him beat the crap outta his female co-host, ya that would work! What a maroon. Another washed up alchy jock bites the dust.
How about NEW blood in Portland? Oh wait, that would be creative.
Never mind.

Anyone know when Bob Costa's Weekly airs?

I agree with you guys, the morning show on The Game needs to step it up, especially Katy. But since they are still new, I'll give them some time before I permantly go back to Colin.

I wish The Game had Dan Patrick!

Good point Paul about The Fan now labeling themselves as "ESPN's Sports Radio". They never did that before, and should have.

Anyone care to predict when The Fan will crumble and The Game picks up ESPN and Dan Patrick?

My favorite part of The Game is Gavin Dawson, funny and actually talks about sports.

I love how he said something like, "we could be doing the top ten songs to do two-man push ups to, but we'll actually talk sports" A nice jab at "The Club" haha.

Anyone remember Todd Mansfield? KXL's old morning sports guy and reporter for FSN / OSU Beavers? I think he'd be great with Kenny. He's filled in before on The Fan and I thought he did a great job.

I agree with Strum. Dawson is awesome! Sing it!

And the show with Brian Wheeler is pretty great also. Check that out.

Wheeler is a better talker than a play by play guy. He should be in prime.

The Game has to be near the worst station in Portland.

That would be KXL AM, KPAM or KFXX.

You can stop smoking Meth now Kevin.

If you think the game is a good radio station than you're an idiot, there's a guy that is good on the radio for that station and even he's no good with all the restrictions

The Game has Jim Rome. <the>
The Fan has Dan Patrick. <gag>

This is all that matters.

Kevin s,

How is someone an idiot because the choose the "Game" over the "Fan"? Rose City most likely felt the "Fan" was vulnerable to a challenge or they wouldn't jump into sports radio.

How do you define "good"?

You seem to have tied your identity to the Fan. A healthy identity comes from within.

so far the Morning show comparision. Never really thought Colin was a big deal though the Morning show on the Game has been hyper focusing on local. Which is good. I don't find them very compelling and wonder what would happen if Colin were to be on a similar signal ( FM vs FM) My guess is that they are fortunate to have the FM since he would probably beat them. Though the localism is good.

If you think the game is a good radio station than you're an idiot.

That's all WE needed to hear. GO BACK TO CLASS!

Kevin is just trying to pick up where Marlow left off but atleast Marlow was pesonality.

no entertainment and no personality is for 95.5 the game but I do miss Jennifer Marlow, "she" didn't know every detail but at least "she" gave a honest opinion which is more than the Limps for the game can do

But I do give credit where's credit due and Dawson is good on the air

I'm sorry, was that "personality" or "wessonality"?

Never heard of sports radio on FM, until now. I don't see it working especially in a market with only one major league sports team.

Which is more than the Limps for the game can do.

WOW!
Keep hittin' that pipe K

I don't hit the pipe Trixter, I'm not a professional athlete or those two callers of 95.5 the game

Promote the game all you want, I'm sick of the dishonesty and the vitriol

Promote the game all you want, I'm sick of the dishonesty and the vitriol.

Do you know Herb? He is the ONLY one I know that uses the word vitriol. 2 callers? Last time I looked the phone lines were light the F up during Canzano's show.....

lit
UGH!

Love 'The Game'. It isn't perfect though: Katie sucks. No opinions, just a bubbly morning personality. Doesn't work on a sports station. Haggard is fine if the content is good. KVance is a pimp and needs a host with funny personality ala Wheels/Toine. Giggling a lot doesn't make you funny.

Canzano has been good - i feel like i learned something with his show as opposed to having my intelligence lowered by Obese Suke, Dawson = Awesome, Wheels needs about one or two more hours added to his show, Chris Myers is a nice fit for afternoons.

They need to start podcasting/audio filing on their website. Should be noted that RCR historically sucks in the web department in terms of content and getting content on the website in a consistent, prompt manner.

team up Gavin Dawson with Kenny Vance and bring Shaun Minton back into portland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Team up Gavin Dawson with Kenny Vance.

In due time.....

I agree. Dawson and Vance would be fantastic together.



So far, I've been listening to The Game 75% of the time and The Fan (Dan Patrick) 25% of the time.

I second that Ness....

same here ,much prefer patrick to Chris Meyers. Dawson is very good would love to hear him in the Am and PM

More Sports Radio for Oregon. This from All Access:

------------------------Roseburg Gets The Score------------------------

BROOKE COMMUNICATIONS Country KRNR-A and Oldies KAVJ (101.1 COOL FM)/ROSEBURG, OR flip to a Sports simulcast as KSKR-A-F (ESPN RADIO THE SCORE). The station is taking the ESPN RADIO feed around the clock.

Sister Talk KQEN-A has dropped the ESPN RADIO programming from the 5:30p to Midnight slot, replaced by syndicated DAVE RAMSEY, JIM BOHANNON, and GEORGE NOORY.

I think its safe to say that The Game's coverage of Thursday's NBA DRAFT will be much better than The Fan. The Game can use its affiliation with the Trail Blazers to get inside/breaking info and interviews that The Fan wont.

AM Drive
Edge to 1080. Cowherd has been more compelling just about everyday. His topics have been pretty good in the last two weeks. The Game AM show still sounds forced and I am not too sure if they will ever get the chemistry right. Give it some points for being local but I don't think it really works. Neither host really helps you get into the show. Just feels forced and lays there. But its still very early.

Midday- The Surprise for me has been Chris Matthews. Better than I tought his show would be. I personally like Rome but he is not for everyone. Dan Patrick is still the same DP.

PM- It's even up between the two stations. If G. Dawson had the slot for himself instead of Canzano they could of had the edge. Though the guys on FXX when they aren't pre-empted by the Mariners are about the same. As for Canzano he should do an hour.....He has been consistent in that if you read his column you know what he is going to say on air. If you read the column why listen?

just an opinion.....

Chris Myers, not Matthews.

The overall sound of The Game is light years ahead of The Fan. The imaging of the station is great. One thing I've noticed on The Game that used to drive me crazy listening to The Fan is old, tired promos. The Fan changed their promos every few weeks. It sounds like The Game changes theirs every day or two. This may change when they start to get comfortable, but for now, The Game is sounding fresh on a consitant basis.

I know...I realized it after I sent the note through.

I wish the Mariners had a 4:00 game today. That would have been hilarious! The Game would have great NBA/TRAIL BLAZER draft coverage and The Fan would be stuck with the pathetic Mariners.

The Game has been talking NBA draft and Trail Blazers all morning. Colin talked about college baseball and other stuff that most of us dont care about.

I am loving the Game!
The Fan is out. Boring, stupid and out of touch with real sports fans.

Don't forget if you are in Salem-Keizer, support local radio, get your Mariners, Blazers and Ducks from your local radio station!

As terrible as the Mariners are, one wonders just how bad the Fan's ratings are going to get once Blazers, Ducks and Seahawks seasons start. I'm glad the Game is here, I was getting tired of Suck-anics' "expert" opinions on pro sports. I'm sorry but with this bio:

Allocated to the NFLEL by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers… Originally signed by the Denver Broncos on April 22, 2002… Waived by the Broncos at the end of their training camp on August 25, 2002… Signed to the Tampa Bay practice squad on October 27, 2002… Released from the Bucs' practice squad on November 18, 2002… Re-signed by Tampa Bay on February 4, 2003...

He barely qualifies as a former pro football player, but tries to come off as an all-knowing veteran in the field of professional sports. There's a reason he's on a failing AM radio show.

Then again, "Enjoys colouring in books and making balloon animals and once met Herve Villa Chez - Tattoo from Fantasy Island," was listed under his "personal info" so, maybe he just wasn't cut out for the pro's.

Way to get on here and bash people! Yay Internet!

Please, as a sports fan in Portland how can 2 sportstalk stations be anything but a positive thing? Now there is something to turn to when the lazy days of baseball are upon us. And during the NFL season we'll get MORE choices for play-by-play with the seachickens on The Game and the national PBP games on The Fan.

The only loser will be the obnoxious commercial spots each of these stations air. The Game goes to break and I punch The Fan. The Fan goes to break and I punch The Game.

Pretty soon with the RIAA ramrodding the AM-FM performance fees through Congress and music radio dies then I can have my choice of 4 or 5 sportstalk stations to listen to in this market! I can't wait!

Jordan Lewis is alive!

Dang nabbit RHead! Why you gots to out me like that?

I was just catching up on the old thread about the big switch and I read your post about being at the FAN way back when and now you got me thinking, which is never a good thing...

And for the record I never died, I just did something else to make money before I got back into radio and this sweet gig. Bach's Mass in B Minor for me tonight at the Schnitz! OBF in P-town, I can't wait!

The Special Master, you are a good man. No doubt or question about it!

Is the game more of a success than jamming 95.5?

It's way too early to know. Ask that question next year at this time.

so it's an fm version of KPAM

Kevin...
That's like asking if The Fan was a success 1 month out of the box?
Was it?
One month?
First book won't even give you a good reading.....

Yeah but a lot of people saw this coming with a drop of ad revenue in radio and the nba scandal didn't help either. I prefer live and local radio but there's not a lot of it because most of it is charity.

Well Kevin, if you like "live and local" radio then why so much love for The Fan? The Game has more "live and local" programing.

I don't listen to the game because I'm like most of the general audience

Ratings will soon proove otherwise.

Kevin,

The Game went on the air expressly so you wouldn't listen. I looks like they have succeeded.

Give 'em hell, Kenny Vance.

I don't listen to the game because I'm like most of the general audience.

Your not a high school graduate? Your income is below $30,000 a year?
"The Game" listeners are above that Kevin.... Keep listening to "The Fan" buddy!

LOL!!!!

The fan is still better and I wouldn't be surprised if Paul Allen listened to the fan and not the game

When you can show up proof then WE will believe. Until then YOUR wrong....

"Kevin s" is not wrong. He is basing his position without having any credible evidence. So, he is basing his statement on his bias of the subject and not any facts.

First of all Trixter, buddy who are we and second why would it matter if Paul Allen had listened to the fan, he's only one person and advertising goes after demographics and not individuals

Jammin' outbilled the Fan on a regular basis. The goal with the Game was never to outbill the FAN, it's been to outbill what Jammin always billed. Rose City Radio already had a more profitable product than the FAN with Jammin. There are a lot of know-nothings on this site, but let me make something very clear. A lot of you talk about ratings, which are important. What you don't understand is that a good sales staff that knows how to get results for their clients will always outbill a higher rated station. If you look at the Miller Kaplan you'll see this statement proven time and time again. It seems the majority of the jokers on this site come from or wish to have a programming background. Silly rabbits, money talks and BS walks. Give me a subpar product and a top-notch sales staff over ratings any day. Rose City Radio will keep busting the market's rump while the "groups" in the market continue to piss off their shareholders by losing business due to cookie-cutter staffs and management. Your advertisers couldn’t care less how many adults 25-54 listen to your station. They only care how many customers come through the door. My 4-year old could tell you that the FAN and the Game are on different playing fields. One station OWNS the Blazers, Seahawks, Rome and the Ducks - the other owns nothing but the second place sports station title. Don't get me wrong, no hard feeling towards the FAN, we're all trying to make a living in tough times. Any of you working for “groups” and planning on making radio a career would be wise to make it your goal to get into RCR come hell or high water. You know your company and shareholders don’t value you, right?

The Fan's website still has a banner ad promoting the Jim Rome show. HA HA HA! What morons!!!

Great post Kiqman.

It seems the Fan has reacted to The Game which indicates to me there is some worry about the future. Fan promos are making a point of being unbiased (because The Game/Blazer affiliation), and having "inside" information from the Big O beat writer (when The Game will have every bit of Blazer news first and have the direct insiders on the air) and have added the ESPN reference to every identifier. The money issue Kingpin references aside, the ratings will definitely sway to The Game after a full season of Blazer games. It's just a matter of time. Personally, as a radio listener, I just don't see a station being successful in a competitive market with "talent" like Issac and Suck anchoring the lineup. Maybe in Fossil but not Portland.

Selling is selling and doesn't matter if it's advertising, fuel, produce, cars or whatever and the major the advertisers know what they want and the big companies like McDonalds or the beer companies want the largest demographics of 18-45 men per dollar as possible.

It's my opinion that this market isn't large enough to support the cost of four or five local radio shows, the seachickens, ducks and blazers.

Your opinion is WRONG!

Kevin_s, I feel you are correct to a point. I would submit however that a demo is not a target and a target is not a demo. Saying, “selling is selling,” is like saying one doctor is the same as any other. Do you want to go to a doctor because he sees 90% of the population or because 90% of the people he sees get better? I’d say the roughly $104 million dollars spent in Portland radio last year is more than enough to, “support the cost of four or five local radio shows, the seachickens, ducks and blazers.” When you (not meaning you specifically) start lumping your client’s customers under broad, often gender-specific umbrellas, you’re assuming that’s the end of the equation. “We’ll work for you Mr. Advertiser because we’re the number one station in town for adults 25-54.” All you’re really doing is telling your advertiser to take their money elsewhere if they can find a better spot rate for the demo. Large national companies have to buy on ratings because the buyers have to answer to boards and shareholders. If sales dip, these buyers have to justify their buying pattern in order to salvage their employment. As a radio station, you have to decide who you want to service. As a salesperson, you have to decide if you want 10% of an agency buy or 20% of a local direct buy. Do you want to deal with a buyer from half way across the country that knows nothing about your market and looks at you only as a CPP, or do you want to deal with a local/regional buyer that buys you because of the results you deliver? (Which buyer do you think sticks with you longer?) Where RCR and the Portland market are concerned it's very clear(this goes for any of the top 200 markets and beyond). The groups catering to national buys based on CPP are losing their butts while the few remaining private broadcast companies out there experience double digit percentage growth. When all you are is a CPP to your client you’ll lose every sale so long as the other station can deliver a CPP that beats yours by pennies. Group stations drop rate in order to get the buy rather than earning it by delivering a better result to their advertiser. Group programmers try to come up with the largest cume audience even if it means that they lose P1’s and programming integrity. It’s the commodity-like nature of group radio that is leading to the atrophy of the industry. Let me try to illustrate with this fact…If you look at 2007’s top 10 radio advertisers in this market, eight of them are local/regional companies whose advertising is purchased by local/regional buyers (Oregon State Lottery, Paramount Equity Mortgage, Sleep Country USA, Comcast Cable, Video Only, Fred Meyer, Shane Co, Toyota, Dick Hanna, At&t) yet the groups are going to “win” by chasing McDonalds and Anheuser Bush!?! Having some guy in San Antonio tell me what’s going to work for my advertiser is asinine. Having some guy in San Antonio tell me what my listeners want to hear in Portland is equally ridiculous.

Kiqman said it as good as anyone could.

I just heard something on Canzano's show on The Game that I hated on The Fan. That is the return of parody songs that Chad whats-his-name always made when he worked at The Fan. He'd make these songs, then play over the phone on Jim Rome's show.

These are an instant tune out for me.

When you make a parody song, don't use half of the lyrics from the original. That's what he seemed to do with his "Gambler" song about Kevin Pritchard that they played this afternoon.

Please make him stop!

I only have two points,

local business are looking at their margins and if advertising doesn't raise those they'll leave too. Money's worth the same no matter if it's local or ethical or neither. It's like oil no one wants to know the details, they just like having it.

And not every locally owned radio station makes money, many of them are breaking even or losing money and a lot of the local radio is financed because of goodwill.

Wow...excellent analysis, Kiqman!

I think we're going to get to see what a sales department is made of. Wanna sell CPPs or results?

Anheuser-Busch has their own problems...Among other things, they're whacking their ad budgets...DEEPLY...in order to fend off an unwanted takeover by another company.

With this, the increasingly higher prices for gasoline, the rest of the economy, the pending election, and maybe some bad tomatoes (or not), things are getting even more interesting...Fasten your seat belt and hang on for dear life...

Kiqman,
although I have always hated the sales weasels, I know that they TRULY rule radio, much as we in programming and on air think WE do.
What you have said is so so true.
Ratings may drive some agency biz, it doesn't get the local stuff.
A great sales staff can sell Chinese Polka music. A bad sales department can't sell the best format and best ratings in the country.
As I have mentioned before, I am blessed to work with a fantastic sales department, all of which spend a TON of time working with their clients, doing those little things that make it personal.
Due to that, we have increased sales another 17% for July.
While the "big boys" in PDX struggle to cut up that pie, we just plug along giving solid service to our clients and most important, deliver bodies into their businesses!
So, if the Game has that sort of sales dept., then the Fan is doomed. Left to condom ads, beer ads and check cashing ads, they won't survive.

Nice work Kiqman. It appears your post wasnt dumbed down enough for Kevin to understand.

I only care because this thread so biased against the fan but the fan is a national format that is proven in keeping cost below revenue and there will always be a market for a financially independent sports source that the game can't provide. With the game you have Paul Allen and there's a story there that isn't the worse thing in the world but it isn't pretty.

Against The Fan?
The thread is FIRST THOUGHTS ABOUT 95.5 THE GAME!
Kevin...
You and Herb need to compare notes before posting....

Dragging this up again:

What happened to Katy and Kenny? They aren't on this morning, they are off the website, and they are running spots for a Gavin Dawson morning show starting soon.

That was a quick yank for K & K.

Wow that was quick.

I wonder if it was related to too many inappropriate comments by Kenny?

VANCE IS THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!