Franchise/Sports Animal radio sports wars.....early results??

[SoonerDave]

Was wondering if any of the media types lurking about had any early insights on how the first full fall with "The Franchise" fared vs the old "Animal?" Hearing the Franchise running some commercials about being #1 Nielsen rated in the 18-35 demographic, so I wasn't sure if that was a win the "business" considers legitimate, or is that for public consumption purposes?

Suspected that the Franchise's morning show would be successful, but that lead-in would wane during the day and favor Traber on the Animal side toward the afternoon. Just curious if there was any word on how the first quarter went.

Now, for what it's worth, I really don't want to start an "Animal sucks/Franchise sucks/Host XYZ sucks" thread, really just wanted to see how the first quarter with the "new guy" on the block worked out and whether the big play by Tyler Media has proven successful..

[5alive]

Fall 2013 Nielsen Audio Quarterly Report (Updated: 01-02-14)
12+ Population: 1,194,300

Fall 13

WWLS-FM 4.1

KRXO-FM 3.5

As you can read this is for 12+. Obviously this can be broken down many ways...men 18-24 etc.

Typical break downs are...

12 – 17

18 – 24

25 – 34

35 – 44

45 – 54

55 – 64

65+

No doubt each station is winning some demographics, but for a station this new it seems to be quite an accomplishment

[SoonerDave]

Fall 2013 Nielsen Audio Quarterly Report (Updated: 01-02-14)
12+ Population: 1,194,300

Fall 13

WWLS-FM 4.1

KRXO-FM 3.5

As you can read this is for 12+. Obviously this can be broken down many ways...men 18-24 etc.

Typical break downs are...

12 – 17

18 – 24

25 – 34

35 – 44

45 – 54

55 – 64

65+

No doubt each station is winning some demographics, but for a station this new it seems to be quite an accomplishment

No kidding! Even without getting the "Traber coup" as they obviously intended, they've done very well, and I suspect the folks at Tyler have to believe that if they can figure out something (whatever that might be) to at least challenge Traber in the afternoons, they'll be in a very strong position going forward. Mind you, not a Traber "hater/apologist/whatever," just really intriguing to watch the competition.

Do you happen to know any numbers for the same period last year for the Animal, in terms of audience drop (if any)? If so, did it all go to KRXO, or did some go elsewhere, or ???

Thanks for the info.

[OKCretro]

I always wondered about the sports animal remotes. Does the remote host pay a certain amount for each host, or do the remotes just pay the hosts who is there salary for the day? Does each host have a different remote cost?

[SoonerDave]

I always wondered about the sports animal remotes. Does the remote host pay a certain amount for each host, or do the remotes just pay the hosts who is there salary for the day? Does each host have a different remote cost?

My understanding (which could be completely wrong) is that an advertiser pays the station for the time, but they pay the talent directly, which to me implies the amount paid to the latter is entirely negotiable? Not sure.

[shawnw]

Sorry for an ignorant question, but how are radio ratings determined? How do they know who's listening to what? Or is it like TV where a subset of users has a device that tracks their habits?

[traxx]

Fall 2013 Nielsen Audio Quarterly Report (Updated: 01-02-14)
12+ Population: 1,194,300

Fall 13

WWLS-FM 4.1

KRXO-FM 3.5

I thought that the classic rock station (now at 104.5) was still using the call letters KRXO and that The Franchise had different call letters. Am I wrong?

If The Franchise could've gotten T Rowe, Dusty and Teddy, they would've crushed the animal in short time. No one can stand Traber anymore, none of the other "talents" on the animal actually know anything about sports but the station that Toby and Dusty and Teddy is on has too weak of a signal to gain many listeners from other stations. Sure the Ref simulcasts on 1340 but then 1340 switches to Dan Patrick at 8am. Which I have nothing against DP, I actaully enjoy his show. But 1340 only simulcasts the Ref when it's convenient for them.

[windowphobe]

I thought that the classic rock station (now at 104.5) was still using the call letters KRXO and that The Franchise had different call letters. Am I wrong?

Actually, the 104.5 facility is officially K283BW; however, since it's a rebroadcast of KRXO-HD2, expect that call to be used. The Franchise will never mention KRXO except when it's legally required to.

[SoonerDave]

I thought that the classic rock station (now at 104.5) was still using the call letters KRXO and that The Franchise had different call letters. Am I wrong?

If The Franchise could've gotten T Rowe, Dusty and Teddy, they would've crushed the animal in short time. No one can stand Traber anymore, none of the other "talents" on the animal actually know anything about sports but the station that Toby and Dusty and Teddy is on has too weak of a signal to gain many listeners from other stations. Sure the Ref simulcasts on 1340 but then 1340 switches to Dan Patrick at 8am. Which I have nothing against DP, I actaully enjoy his show. But 1340 only simulcasts the Ref when it's convenient for them.

Well, considering Cumulus just paid him the kitchen sink to stay at The Animal, and Tyler apparently was willing to do the same, seems that someone must still be listening to him.

[betts]

I'm listening to the Franchise pretty exclusively now, but still don't like the morning show all that well. Later in the day. I think it's great.

[SoonerDave]

I'm listening to the Franchise pretty exclusively now, but still don't like the morning show all that well. Later in the day. I think it's great.

I think Steely has loosened up quite a bit since the changeover, and I really like him paired up with Rohde. I'm neither here nor there on Lump; his humor is kinda crude for me much of the time, but not all of the time.

I tried listening to the new "morning animal" pack with Fitzpatrick and Spinozi, but they've just got too many voices on there at once - think there are, what, five guys on there now?? Too much of a zoo. I kinda like Spinozi, but its just meh otherwise.

I had really developed a liking for Dave Garrett with Casillas in the afternoon, but dang it, Tyler pushed Garrett to the evenings and brought in some new guy I've never heard of, and he just has all the pizazz of a bowl of mashed potatoes. Think DG and Tony were at least starting to get some chemistry as Casillas finally seemed to be getting more comfortable as a radio guy (although he still has a way to go).

The mid-mornings are more or less a wash - I like Rodgers on the Animal "ok," and the guy on at that time on 107 is "ok," but neither is can't-miss stuff IMHO. I've been listening to Steely in the mornings, and probably 70/30 Casillas in the afternoon. That said, I have a feeling the new guy may have been brought in to redo that whole show, so I'm not sure how much longer Casillas is going to be in that mix going forward. Just speculation on my part. Think Tyler knows they have to really be aggressive to counter Traber in terms of ratings and overall draw, and perhaps this first really detailed internal book (the kind they're not allowed to release publicly) told them DG and TC weren't cutting it. Who knows.

Overall, though, I like the Franchise. It's very nice to have options.

[traxx]

Well, considering Cumulus just paid him the kitchen sink to stay at The Animal, and Tyler apparently was willing to do the same, seems that someone must still be listening to him.

I guess I should've qualified my statement. No one I know or talk to can stand Traber.

[Mike_M]

The Morning Animals are now a lot better. I'd much rather listen to guys boringly talk about sports as opposed to guys who aren't funny anymore try to tell the same jokes from the 90's (Steeley/Lump).

I work during the mid/morning so I don't have much to go on. Mark Rodgers is probably the last talented person on the Animal, but I would assume that Kelly Greg has great stories from the league.

Afternoon/Evening is no contest. Traber and Eshbach are unbareable (Franchise dodged a major bullet there). Dean Blevins and Barry Tramel are basically personalities from the 60s (Think Andy Griffith and Barney Fife. Thank me later). Casillas is a great personality and the other two guys know how to keep the conversation moving. Having Desmond Mason helps with Thunder pre-games as well.

I feel like one thing the Franchise did is really focus on getting either young/relevant personalities and/or former professional players. It's nice having Kelly Greg, Desmond Mason, Tony Casillas, and Sam Mayes add to the conversation with relevant stories and even personal interactions with current players is pretty nice.

[traxx]

I feel like one thing the Franchise did is really focus on getting either young/relevant personalities and/or former professional players. It's nice having Kelly Greg, Desmond Mason, Tony Casillas, and Sam Mayes add to the conversation with relevant stories and even personal interactions with current players is pretty nice.

I wanted Casillas to be good. And he may yet. But so far he's tough to listen to. Dave Garrett saves his butt often. Tony often gets people's names wrong when they're talking about someone. He's kinda like on the Key and Peele skit where the valets talk about Bruce Willy and Liam Neesoms. Tony stumbles often because he can't find the word he wants to say. I'm an OU fand and Dallas Cowboy fan so I like Tony, but his show makes him come off like a dumb jock.

The reason I like Dusty and Teddy's show so much is that they give player perspective, they've been there recently and they have intelligent conversation. I love when they talk Xs and Os - they talk about 2 technique, 3 technique etc. and linemen shading and so on.

Steely used to be nails in the late 90s. He had a mid afternoon show that was just him. He had his comedy bits but they were just bits or soudbites. They weren't a 10 minute skit. Plus he was knowledgeable. He could talk about nearly any sport with intelligence. He knew his stuff. After they put him in the morning animals timeslot, he just stopped caring and started phoning it in.

[ou48A]

When it comes to football nobody in our market can touch what Dusty and Teddy brings....We are a football dominant market. They can be heard on several stations around the state. I have been fans of their show since day one... They are much improved and are now doing a much better job when talking about other sports.

[ou48A]

When Eshbach wouldn't even attend 2 of OU's last 3 bowl games it's pretty clear the has put his career in coast and intends to milk the system for as long as he can get away with it.


In a few years Traber be receiving a great MLB retirement package. The last I knew, by contract it would be the same amount as what the USA president receives. Unless poor heath gets to him first he will continue to be an every day walking argument on our local air ways until his retirement package kicks in.

[BoulderSooner]

When Eshbach wouldn't even attend 2 of OU's last 3 bowl games it's pretty clear the has put his career in coast and intends to milk the system for as long as he can get away with it.


In a few years Traber be receiving a great MLB retirement package. The last I knew, by contract it would be the same amount as what the USA president receives. Unless poor heath gets to him first he will continue to be an every day walking argument on our local air ways until his retirement package kicks in.

Max pension for mlb with 10+ years of service is 185k. Traber has 3 years service his will be under 100k. A year still great with 100% medical. But not in the ball park of the president

[ou48A]

Max pension for mlb with 10+ years of service is 185k. Traber has 3 years service his will be under 100k. A year still great with 100% medical. But not in the ball park of the president

Then its changed.... Traber said for many years he would be getting whatever the US president received in retirement.....
But I last heard that was maybe about 10 years ago?

[Stan Silliman]

Jerry Ramsey of the Franchise is starting a podcast with possibly excerpts on the radio. It should go into more depth on certain sports subjects.

[CaptDave]

But not in the ball park of the president

Nor should it be.....

[5alive]

One of the reasons I am listening more and more to The Franchise. It's the morning after the Thunder put away the Heat. I want to hear more about it. It's a little after 9 a.m., I turn on the Sports Animal and BBJ is on remote talking about a fantasy football league so I switch to The Franchise and there is a discussion of the game. I get into my car a little after 10, turn on The Animal, and I'm not making this up, BBJ is again talking about fantasy football! This after the Thunder-Heat game the night before. Unbelievable!

[td25er]

One of the reasons I am listening more and more to The Franchise. It's the morning after the Thunder put away the Heat. I want to hear more about it. It's a little after 9 a.m., I turn on the Sports Animal and BBJ is on remote talking about a fantasy football league so I switch to The Franchise and there is a discussion of the game. I get into my car a little after 10, turn on The Animal, and I'm not making this up, BBJ is again talking about fantasy football! This after the Thunder-Heat game the night before. Unbelievable!

BBJ is an idiot. The Mid Morning Mayes is my favorite thing right now. Those 3 are pretty funny. Kelly Gregg has the worst grammar I've every heard (embarrassing for Edmond Schools..lol), but he's otherwise pretty good. Casillas gets everybody's name wrong, but he's otherwise okay. I like Zach McCrite. Erik Gee bugs me but is okay.

[Richard at Remax]

new routine is franchise til 11 or noon. then switch to sports animal to listen to crazy middle of the day callers and hope for beer pours

[traxx]

new routine is franchise til 11 or noon. then switch to sports animal to listen to crazy middle of the day callers and hope for beer pours

Is Rosie O'Donnel still the middle of the day guy on the animal? I don't see how people stand to listen to him. Plus, I thought he was leaving sports news to run a casino or something.

I'd rather listen to Jay Mohr sports.

[Lance_the_Red]

I can't stand anyone on the Franchise, really. I think the Morning Animals and only turn to The Show during commercials-- but I usually switch back after about 20 seconds. Steely and Rohde are the worst-- two prudish, grumpy old men. And holy heck-- Steely takes 2 or 3 minutes to say anything "becauuuuuseeee, uhhhhhh, he draaaags, uhhhhh, outtttttttt [long pause] almost everrrrrry, uhhhhhhh, wordddduh!" His grandiose affectation is murder on the eaIt kills me every time he talks. And Rohde and Lump sound the exact same, so I have no idea who's actually talking.

Conversely, the Morning Animals-- while they do have 4 voices (5 if you count the producer who chimes in on occasion), they are all distinct in terms of sound and personality. I like the mix of two sports guys with two "morning drive" guys. It's very funny, since the conversation often veers from typical sports radio fare. And I must be one of the few people who likes to listen to the Traber, Al & Traber, and then Al. Both of those guys do a great job of taking phone calls that aren't the most boring thing on the planet.

That said, not all of WWLS is great. BBJ is lazy-- his recap of the Final Four games a few weeks ago was basically that they were all entertaining. Brilliant! And who on earth does Craig Humphries have a job? I have to change the channel when he comes on for Thunder games. ALL HE DOES is just read numbers. "Let me read you some stats..." and then you want to kill yourself. HE IS JUST READING STUFF HE PRINTED OFF OF ESPN.COM! There is no analysis. Just numbers. "The Thunder looked good (or bad) last night. Listen to this..." aaaaand BANG!

The evening Franchise guys all sound like good ol' boy jocks who picked on you in high school. But the format is good with call-ins from actual journalists where the hosts ask good questions. I just wished you could tell them apart-- and that they all didn't sound like they were extras from the Dukes of Hazzard.