The latest Nielsen results are coming out and now is a good time to review where you are. If the format targeting is right, you’ll probably do well.

But the main question is where do you want to be in the ratings?

In the competitive game of radio, performance counts more today than ever. The cheese (the demos) has moved in many formats. And there is a fix for that. Today, you need to make every element count and do more to stand out. Radio is war.

Continuous growth and improvement are a good things if performance matters. To solve an issue, there needs to be a change, a fix, or many times, trying something totally different. Asking the right questions can generate a better result. Most importantly, when asking station questions, start with what do we want to keep.

A ratings problem is defined as the gap between “where you are today” and “where you want to be”. Nielsen problems are opportunities for a new beginning. Radio programming success is a choice for you to make.

Lyles Media is not your typical programming partner. We’ll have your back and give you the absolute best programming advice that focuses on solving issues before they can impact on your performance and we always recommend a call to action. We’re always seeking incredible stations to partner with. Reach out, if that’s you and let’s start a conversation and work together on the next ratings period. All calls are completely confidential. Call Harry Lyles: (404)403.0091.

Rhythmic success in one rating period. WDHT/Hot 102.9, Dayton with minor adjustments had the hightest ratings in the stations history!

Over the years, we’ve learned winning isn’t easy, but it’s also not brain surgery. And yes, brain surgeons are relieved they are not in the radio programming business, but that’s another column for another day.

If your radio station isn’t winning it is because it isn’t set up to win and mistakes get in the way causing audience loss.  Black or Rhythmic formats win by exceeding the listeners’ expectations. It’s a simple formula. Stay away from programming confusion. Avoid it at all cost.

Winning Black and Rhythmic radio stations should focus programming on delivering the best content from the listener perspective. The listener knows what they want. Winning formats maintain a listener-oriented competitive edge and advantage and continue day after day to exceed the listener expectations.

Any format and especially Black stations can’t be all things to all people. Trying to satisfy everyone makes you special to no one.  You should create something distinctive, uniquely yours, that gets liked and noticed and makes the locals talk.  Be famous for something, promote vigorously and score with the locals.

When it comes to formats, Gospel belongs on Gospel, Hip Hop belongs on Hip Hop, R&B belongs on R&B and Talk belongs on Talk.  When you mix a music-driven station with a talk format in afternoon drive you are causing listener confusion. Are you music or are you talk?  You’ve created a split personality radio station, ignoring the listener expectation.

Black talk belongs on Black talk stations. Stay away from impeding your growth as some are doing.  That’s not how it works. Today’s radio is a specialized game where you must stand out from the rest if ratings and revenue matter.

Radio is war, more so today than ever.  In many markets, to win the war means taking no risk at all.  The job is to make sure all the elements of the radio station’s strategic approach are in place and connected as they should be with a disciplined approach to the goals. Black radio does a great deal of sharing with many formats. You can’t afford to take risks in any area and especially music and talent.  If the radio programming isn’t laser targeted, station issues will happen and vulnerabilities will appear.

In programming the best people to identify and solve issues or problems are the one who are closest to the work. It begins with YOU!

We are always looking for incredible broadcasters to partner with who are serious about winning. Reach out if that’s you at 770.594.7171. Come join our list of winners, making money. There is no better feeling on a station management level than seeing a winning station grow and make money when all the station pieces are in the right place in every daypart.

Buzz Sports Radio will debut “The Sports Shop with Reese & Kmac” on Tuesday, July 5, 2019 from 6 to 9 a.m. Listeners have a variety of ways they can listen and watch the program including; 99.3FM/96.5FM/620AM/99.9HD2. The show will also stream (audio/video) at WRALSportsFan.com and with the WRALSportsFan App.  “The Sports Shop” will be the first African-American sports talk morning show in the Raleigh-Durham market.

Dennis Glasgow, Capitol Broadcasting sports radio operations manager and program director says, “We’ve wanted to bring more diversity to our listeners that would reflect the Raleigh-Durham population, and we will do that by bringing a very entertaining and energetic show with ‘The Sports Shop.’”

“The Sports Shop” co-host Erroll Reese said, “We are very excited and humbled to be taking the show to the next level with the move to morning drive. We are very happy to have the confidence of Capitol Broadcasting behind our show.” The Sports Shop is consulted by Harry Lyles of Lyles Media.