PBRTV - Pittsburgh Area Radio/TV Mailbag

PBRTV - Pittsburgh Area Radio/TV Mailbag PBRTV - Pittsburgh Area Radio & TV

PBRTV Mailbag November 1-10, 2005

I really don't like this BOB radio at all. I miss Bob and Tom who always had an interesting twist on current events. I miss Battle Ninni afternoons; they often had callers who made me laugh; they joked about Steve Rohan; they went to Steelers' events; they were real people. Apparently I'm in the minority, and most people like total anonymity; I prefer something more personal that I can connect to. Maybe all those comments on the "f" word being unedited will get to the "airwaves police" and BOB will slowly die in Pittsburgh. (November 10, 2005)

I've read all the negative comments about the new WRRK "BOB FM" format. I guess I'm the only Pittsburgher who actually likes the new BOB FM format. I miss the DJs a little, but I really like the variety of music. They are playing songs that I haven't in years. (I'm in my mid-40's so many of these songs go back to my younger days.) The radio station I used to listen to the most before BOB FM was STAR 100.7, but I got tired of STAR 100.7 playing the same songs all day long. (I like STAR 100.7's Flashback Fridays though.) I'd like to hear if there are other Pittsburghers out there who like the new WRRK format. Donna (November 10, 2005)

Hello, Eric ... Bob & Tom air mornings on Clear Channel's WNCD-FM 93.3 in the Youngstown market. Its 50,000-watt signal reaches the North Hills (presumably before it is obliterated between WRKZ-FM 93.7 and WLTJ-FM 92.9, the latter coincidentally a sibling of former Bob & Tom affiliate WRRK-FM 96.9). From what I gathered, Bob & Tom seemed to be a cleaner (if I can use that term) version of Howard Stern. Then again, I prefer information on the way in to work. If I really need humor I can turn to Jack Bogut on WJAS-AM 1320 (or to Rose putting Jim Quinn in his place on WPGB-FM 104.7, but that's another story.) By the way, BOB FM resembles a haystack where you have to look long and hard for the needles of good songs. (My nephew and I disagree about what constitutes good songs, but I think we agree about the haystack analogy.) Pat. (November 10, 2005)

Eric, Many people are bitching about not being able to hear Bob and Tom anymore. Here in Cranberry Twp. I can pick up CD 93.3 from Youngstown and Bob and Tom are on there in the a.m. I just don't know what the coverage area is beyond my neck of the woods. I never really cared about how far Bob and Tom or CD 93.3 could be heard as long as I am able to hear Quinn and Rose in the a.m. and K-ROCK and The X the rest of the day. Scott (November 10, 2005)

It's a shame that WTAE would run Jerry Martz out of town. Why the heck was he taken from AM show to 100% weekends...Did management shoot at a dart board in order to shuffle weather guys? or is it beacause of the ethnic audience WTAE wants to target with the new guy? Martz has what may have been the best shot at head position at WTAE...It's a shame, he was the only weather guy that had the education ( it seemed) and hometown "guy" to keep me watching...and I probably won't be now...Good Luck Jerry! and thanks for all the hard work here in the Burgh! (November 10, 2005)

Eric's Response: I don't know that 'TAE is actually running Jerry out of town so much as he decided to find something that fit his talent...and rightfully so! I am truly surprised that the same thing didn't happen with Stephen Cropper when they pulled the same stunt with him.

Eric, I concur, I also heard the Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day on Bob-FM the other day, and they left the "F" bomb go unedited. This station really is a Star-100 rip off. Scott (November 9, 2005)

I was shocked to see how many people are unhappy with BOB.fm. I ALWAYS listen to CD's because I don't like anything on the radio-until I discovered BOB.fm. It is the perfect mix of music for me!! I was an instant fan! Toni D, Bethel Park (November 9, 2005)

Eric, the ratings numbers published by Radio & Records, All Access, and other sites are always 12+ total-week audience shares. These are usually the only numbers released to the public. Those of us in the radio business tend to refer to them as the "ratings," even though they are in fact shares, and there are also many other "ratings" which are derived from Arbitron data. If the numbers are something other than 12+ shares, as with Adrian McCoy's article on the top Pittsburgh stations and top morning shows with adults 25-54, they are generally labeled as such. Regards, C.I. (November 9, 2005)

I'd like to report a crime. BOB FM stole all my cd's (I have over 2000) and is actually playing them on the radio! Wait a minute, That's a GOOD thing! I have a wide variety of rock, pop, country, R&B and classic. I am very pleased with the playlist and random but not "too random" variety. A note to all the people that are grumbling about losing Classic Rock on WRRK 96.9 FM: I miss it too but I'm sure you still have all that music on LP, 8-Track, cassette. Make a mix tape or CD and get back too work. When you retire, you can move to Florida with the rest of the snowbirds, and find a Classic Rock ONLY station that might play a /Slightly /different 50 Songs over and over and over......*Variety is the spice of life. Keep up the Great work BOB FM!* (November 9, 2005)

Seems to me, the music being played on the "Jack" & "Bob" stations is the same music that has been being played on WLSW-FM during the daylight hours for years. I guess Stan Wall has been ahead of the curve for a long time. Now if he would just get rid of that inane "Jukebox" of oldies and go back to live DJ's playing oldies, he could complete the curve. Mike Smalley (November 9, 2005)

BOB SUCKS!! I can heard that kind of dumb music on numerous stations in the Pittsburgh area. Bob and Tom provided some laughter in the a.m. which is much needed while traveling the bumpy roads of Pittsburgh. What jerk got this brain fart to change formats? Thanks WRRK-FM!! Ex-listener! joe glath jr. (November 9, 2005)

Obviously WRRK is going jockless and totally staff-less as well... IN three different airplays of Green Day's single "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" over the last few days, the "F" word that appears in the later part of the song is left intact with no sign of being dumped, bleeped, played backwards, and so on and so forth. You would think that the "unedited" version would have been caught and pulled in favor for the radio edit by now, but nobody has apparantly paid attention to what is being dropped in on the station because the same song with the same "F" bomb is still being played... Not that I'm uptight white suit that spends his time complaining about what comes out of Howard Stern's mouth, but in this day and age where anytime Howard does something remotely funny ... err against FCC regs, he gets fined within hours of said infraction....but a small hole in the wall radio station in a minor market city can get away just about scot-free with letting a "F" bomb get on the air. Just my thought, I guess (November 8, 2005)

Eric - I appreciate your links to Radio & Records for ratings updates. I've searched their website - carefully, I think - and did not discover whether the results posted are actually ratings or shares. As satellite radio becomes more prevalent, a station's share of a market (terrestrial stations) could improve while its ratings decline. R&R did not reply to an e-mailed inquiry. Thanks for any help. Bill Davies - North Haven, CT (November 7, 2005)

Eric's Response: I believe it is ratings...share is usually done by percentages I believe. I may be wrong.

I've been working in broadcasting continuously for 16 years, half in radio, half in TV. I've been through many programming and format changes and I've found one common truth: If jumping to judgement were an Olympic event, radio listeners and television viewers would win the gold, hands down. Sorry to say that, but it is fact. Now I'm not going to say voicing your concerns of changes to your TV and radio stations is a bad thing (we do want to know the results of the changes), but do not become angry with the person answering the phone. Please speak to them with a profession tone of voice. When they transfer you the "bullpen" voicemail (a place to put you because the program director's line is already busy from the first 5 people on line), you may rant and rave any way you wish. But, believe it or not, stations do welcome your comments. Now, I realize that viewers and listeners start developing habits to the shows they watch and the music they listen to. But what is commonly forgotten is while radio and TV stations are in the business to entertain, inform, and provide public service, it is still a business, like Giant Eagle or Wal-Mart. If a station is losing money on a format, ratings are low-to-nonexistant, sees an opportunity to go after a competitor (Target vs. Walmart), or finds a niche in the market to be filled, a change will occur. Often with little or no warning. But, if any consolation, it's usually well researched beforehand. No station is just going to dump anything on the air. Scott Bryant (November 4, 2005)

could you tell me where I can find the most recent rating for radio stations in Pittsburgh, PA? I'm curious to see the top 10 morning radio shows. Thanks for any assistance you may be able to give me. (November 4, 2005)

Eric's Response: You can find the 12+ ratings here. The top five morning shows among 25-54 were listed in the Post-Gazette.

I just wanted to see if you could shed some light on why the Bob and Tom show is no longer on WRRK 96.9? I usually listen to them in the morning during my long commute to work and have almost wrecked my car trying to find a station with their show on it. My mornings are not complete unless I can laugh before the long hard day ahead. PLEASE, PLEASE, I BEG YOU......HELP!!!!! I need the Bob and Tom fix prior to work!!! Thanks, A very avid listener. (November 3, 2005)

Eric's Response: Very simple. Often times when stations change formats, all programming associated with the prior format is tossed. The station may run 100% jock-free for a while as the change tends to happen pretty fast. Bob & Tom may not fit in with the new format or, more likely, they weren't picking up enough ratings to keep them on the air.

Eric: Such a shame about Bumper Morgan. I used to see Glen at AFTRA mettings in the mid-80s and early 90s. He was a fabulous air talent and a nice man. Ed (November 3, 2005)

This might sound stupid in a way but, my grandparents brought something to my attention. They told me since ALL of the local news stations have the time and temp on the bottom of the screen during the news they were telling me if the local channels will have an indicator showing the date. I know it is on the morning and afternoon news casts but, they told me to write to you to see if the channels will see if they will put the date on the tv 24/7. I know the elderly are pretty dependant on their dates and all... I thought this MIGHT be a good feture to put on the stations... Thank you, Ryan (November 3, 2005)

Eric's Response: The date might be something that they put on at the beginning of the newscast (ala 20/20 and Dateline). But I don't know how they could possibly put anything else on screens already loaded with everything else.

Just an FYI while cruising through Blog about Bob. WRRK has been a great Classic Rock station for the past 15 yrs or so. There were fans out there who are certainly Classic Rock junkies. But unfortunately, these and other so-called fans of the station never filled out an Arbitron diary...saying how much they love WRRK and listen to it 24/7. No matter what WRRK did to market the station or the jocks, no matter how great the promotions were that attracted people to listen...no matter what the company did to make the station better, everybody continued to write down WDVE and more recently K-Rock down on their Arbitron diaries. Unfortunately, radio stations live by this arbitrary ratings system. This faulty system and the lack of true support could only lead to one and only (yet tragic for the listener) business decision. How long would any of you stay in business when you are not profitable? Advertisers abandoned the WRRK when K-rock came to town...and most fell into questionable advertising deals set up by the two major corporate radio entities. Bob is new to Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh is tough on change. Please don't take it out on Bob because nobody truly supported WRRK...it's not his fault. WRRK was always considered the red-headed stepchild of Pittsburgh airwaves, whether you choose to believe it or not. / I apologize to all of those readers who are red-headed and may have taken offense./ (November 3, 2005)

I just need to vent..... BOB FM really SUCKS!!! I want back the good ol' classic rock. If I wanted to listen to what they are playing... well I would listen to Star 100 or something else. Its just very disappointing and frustrating. I am not a big fan of WDVE either so now what station do I have to listen to. Thanks for listening :) Paula P. (November 3, 2005)

CBS made the call to not show the begining of the game. I am a Bills fan and I was really unhappy. RETT FUHRMAN (November 3, 2005)

Eric's Response: Sorry...

Here's another person who isn't happy about the switch to Bob's Radio! Why is it that every time Pittsburgh gets something good, we have to change it? RRK was such a welcome relief to DVE. They didn't play the same 40 songs. Now they say they play more than 40. Except they sound like every other station out there! Where do I go to hear classic rock? DVE - I don't think so. I knew something was very wrong when they got rid of Judge. Bring him back! Please! K (November 3, 2005)

PBRTY I have an very old picture of my father playing in a band. Maybe back in the 20s, He the only one that I know in the picture. They played blue grass music on WNBO. tHE BAND only had 4 guys. The picture show them broadcasing on WNBO that’s how I found this site I was born in the 40, so I didn’t readly know too much about my dad. He played on the steel guitar which I still have.and the picture. His name was William Anson Hildebrand. I wish I knew more about his band. Thank You,,, Gingersnaps. (November 2, 2005)

So, is there anything the disappointed fans can do to assist WRRK in returning to the line-up they had instead of the new, yet, totally not improved, Bob FM? I can’t believe, as suggested in your blurb, that the intent of this change was to make trouble for 100.7. If fans had wanted that prior to this change, we would have listened to that. If nothing can be done and since this almost seems to be a dead-of-the-night decision on WRRK’s part, I’ll watch for whatever information you receive concerning the whereabouts of the "former" WRRK DJ’s and syndicated shows. In the meantime, guess I go back to The X in the mornings and DVE in the afternoons. This is such a disappointment. (November 2, 2005)

Eric's Response: I don't think it's the intent as much as it is the possibility. There is also the possibility that some of the RRK airstaff will remain with the station. Time will tell. And no...there is nothing a listener can really do at this point...not yet.

What the hell? I want WRRK and Bob & Tom back! (November 2, 2005)

I like the way BOB is set up with the variety of types of music....but my morning drive to work did not wake me up in the least....PLEASE bring back the Bob and Tom show in the am. I need to be able to laugh at the start of the day! lol Thank you! (November 1, 2005)

Eric's Response: Oh...a new member of the "Eric O'Brien is responsible for all format changes" club.

Hey all NO MORE BOB AND TOM!!! I am moving to Indiana Pa!! or at least Johnstown PA!! This is only the normal thing that gets me going in the morning.. That is probably the only decent station that plays good music. Unless you want to listen to top 40 or country.. it could be worse.. it could turn into a country station!! Or well .. I know there are a lot of bob and tom fans that are mad!!.. there were a lot of people that waited along time to listen for them to come to Pittsburgh.. and now Poof!! Gotta love Pittsburgh radio gone to hell!! I just hope someone picks up bob and tom! Joe (November 1, 2005)

Eric's Response: Don't hold your breath.

Bob FM sucks big time. While I was no big fan of Bob and Tom--their laughter at their own jokes was a gagger--this new version of "valium of the airwaves" proves once again that Pittsburgh is no home to creative radio programming...excepting of course for that Radio Nine show on WRCT 88.3 FM Saturdays. Give me more Flap Jackson mornings from 6am to 9am every morning, afternoon and weekends on the Big Frog 109.9 FM. Hits from the 60's, 70's,80's.90's yesterday, today and tomorrow with time on the nines.

Eric's Response: Radio 9? Whoever heard of that?

Hi Eric, I just wanted to let you know 96.9 RRK finally changed their format to 96.9 Bob FM we play anything from the 60's-today. I think this was a long overdue change due to the bad ratings for RRK. I'm surprised Steel City Media beat Infinity Thanks, Todd (November 1, 2005)

Wow, people who live near the West Virginia border are lucky. We get the privilege of seeing who is better - JACK (WOMP-FM) or BOB (WRRK-FM). Although WRRK hasn't updated their website yet to show the change, www.battlenene.com had this a message. Check out the site. I enjoyed BattleNene, and can't wait to hear them again. In the meantime, I'll have the flip back and forth between Bob & Jack and see who plays Donnie Iris or the Clarks first. -Pete (November 1, 2005)

You may know this by now, but this morning (11/1) instead of Bob & Tom WRRK had BOB-FM - we play anything. They proceeded to play Johnny Hates Jazz, Deep Purple, CCR, Prince, Aerosmith, and Murray Head. (November 1, 2005)

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