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Three items this week.
First a reminder. The annual Radio Show hosted by the
National Association of Broadcasters begins on September
21st for three days. This will be a VERY informative
convention. I took at look at the speakers, panelists and
subjects (www.nab.org) and
was very happy with what I read. There will be up to the
second information reference promotion, programming, sales,
new rating devices, engineering, administrative, marketing,
merchandising, etc. The exhibitors look terrific as usual.
One panel I will certainly attend consists of super
programming talent with former Infinity President Dan Mason
moderating. I want to hear from one of the panelists, Bill
Tanner, who is the programming chief for Spanish
Broadcasting Systems. Bill doesn’t appear on a lot of
panels…but when he does he has blockbuster statements. I
have known Bill for a long time and I know what a terrific
broadcaster he is. This is a ‘gotta’ be there’ panel. Hope
to see you at the NAB. If you have not made plans to attend
please do so. This is an important year for new technical
information.
Second. I am going to domicile out of Dallas for three
weeks. This is for a number of reasons. I will be doing a
lot of traveling, and DFW or Love Field is convenient
geographically to all markets…two and a half hours to
anywhere. AND, I will be assisting my brother in law on the
closing of his first station purchase in east Texas. AND, I
want to have a programming lunch with some excellent
broadcasters like Ken Dowe (COO of KKDA in Dallas) and Don
Keyes (voice over king) to discuss the future of radio that
I see as being excellent. Both these guys worked as key
executives for the legendary Gordon McLendon…. one of the
best broadcasters of all time. Both have looked at the
future and have won many wars in the future battleground..
I’m always interested in their “on air product” thoughts.
AND I want to look again at some new condominiums being
constructed in downtown Dallas as a possible investment. AND
I hope to get to Austin to buy a lunch for Ann Arnold, who
has run the Texas Association of Broadcasters brilliantly
for a few decades. AND, I want to drive throughout the state
listening for fresh, great on air talent….because, I can
assure you that VERY SOON the big boy broadcasters will turn
their thoughts to rating increases brought forth by original
sounding talent. I’ll let you know what and who I hear in
upcoming columns.
Third. I note that some broadcasters who have recently cut
commercial loads have been happy with their rating
increases. Imagine that!!! Is that something new…reduce
commercial loads and the ratings go up!!!!!????? REALLY???
Just kidding, of course!!!! The heavy commercial loads on a
lot of stations created a decrease in TSL, and/or cume…as
always!!! There is not a specific load that works for all
stations/markets, but those of us who have faced this
overload problem before have a good working programming
science of the matter. Reduction of the load is a good
thing. I know because I WAS THERE as the loads went up and
down and up and down again!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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