The loss of a legend It was with great sadness that I learned of the recent passing of media research legend and mentor to many, Erwin Ephron. I never met Mr. Ephron, but hearing of his passing feels like I lost an admired colleague. I discovered his writings early in my career and later made…
KMTT-FM The Mountain is no more
103.7 The Mountain ends its schizophrenic format streak and becomes Rhythmic Hot AC The unofficial end of summer isn’t the only thing Labor Day signals. As is true with many long holiday weekends, it’s also when radio stations make changes in preparation for the fall book, as well as do some jockeying to position themselves…
Seattle Market Review: All That Glimmers is not Economic Gold
It’s been a while since I lamented the state of Seattle’s local economy and the continued decimation of the nation’s economic backbone – small businesses, and with it the middle class. So after a hiatus due to some shuffling of work priorities accompanied by fits and starts, plus a recovery from knee surgery, Seattle Media…
Where will all the KPTK-AM Listeners Go?
After days of panicked speculation and a call-letter change to KFNQ in November, CBS Radio officially announced the switch of KPTK-AM from a Progressive Talk format to a CBS Sports station (branding it “The Fan”), effective January 1, 2013. This follows the same format switch (but to FOX Sports) that took place in Portland, OR…
Politics Not As Usual
If you watched any TV at all prior to the November election, this news might be astounding to you: According to a recent Market Profile from Media Life Magazine, television political advertising was down in the Seattle market in 2012 – almost 25% from the anticipated $45 million expected. While it appeared the airwaves were…
That’s a Wrap!
Apologies to regular Seattle Market Review readers who access the reports from this site. Seattle Media Maven has been on a much-needed and most welcome hiatus. As we stare into the mighty abyss of the fiscal cliff and you ponder what could be in 2013, you can temper your outlook with all the good and…
Revving up for a Recovery: Seattle Market Review, October 2012
There is a lot going on in and around the market that theoretically is positioning it to go full throttle once we get a go signal on the recovery. While we wait, the Seattle market continues to sputter along, looking one minute like the lead car and the next as running on fumes. As noted…
Technology Sector Masks High Seattle Unemployment: Seattle Market Review, September 2012
After a jaw-dropping drubbing at the first presidential debate, the Obama administration dug deep for some good news and came up with a drop in the unemployment rate, to 7.8%. Seattle Media Maven remains unconvinced and eagerly awaits the adjusted figures, likely to be released sometime after November 6th. According the Labor Department, about 15%…
Up, Down, Sideways – It’s Anyone’s Guess: Seattle Market Review, August 2012
While Seattle continues to chalk up some impressive rankings and revenue successes, the bottom line is that the recovery, if that is what you want to call it, has all but flat-lined with minimal growth and limited confidence across the nation. Recent news articles highlighting weak real income, scarce jobs, inventories outpacing sales and a…
KVI-AM Returns to Lucrative Conservative-Talk Roots
After spending the past two years as first an Oldies station and then sliding back into a Lifestyle/Talk format last November, KVI-AM 570 has returned to its conservative roots. All the familiar conservative voices will be returning, including local political wonk John Carlson who has spent the 20-month hiatus on sister station KOMO-AM. The line-up…