I'll warn you now that this is gonna be a little all over the place.
Let me give you a little insight as to what's been going on at Q100 and 99X the past few weeks. But bare with me 'cause it takes a little bit of history to explain.
The first week we started the Bert Show almost 7 years I told Jeff that I wanted The Bert Show to be the most listened to show in Atlanta. That has always been my goal.
When we started the show 7 years ago we were on a 3,000 watt radio station. Being the most listened to show in Atlanta couldn't happen with 3,000 watts. The top stations have 50,000 or 100,000 watts. So Q100 petitioned the FCC and we got upgraded to 12,000 watts. Four times as many as where we started. But still our signal didn't reach far enough OTP to really be able to ever be number one.
I've always been frustrated by this. Why compete if you CAN'T win? And while morning radio is fun it is about getting the highest ratings and winning. Imagine being a race car driver knowing that the car you were driving in every week could never cross the finish line first.
I'm a workaholic. I know most of you think that The Bert Show must be done working when we get off the air at 10am. But I can honestly tell you that I can't think of the last time I stopped working before 5pm. On what? That's another blog for another time. But I can tell you that it's taken a lot of sacrifice by everybody on the Bert Show to achieve the ratings that we have. I've sacrificed time with my family. My social life has suffered. This job doesn't allow you to sleep very well and you never quite feel 100%.
So many at Q100 have made the same kind of sacrifice that I have made for this radio station. Maybe even more so. I feel like the entire staff has earned and deserves to be on a signal that can reach its optimal potential. We have that now on 99.7 because it's 100,000 watts.
I'm bummed that some aren't here to take the next step together. My former Program Director, Dylan, didn't have his contract renewed. Those decisions are made WAY above my head. But that dude was so passionate about Q100 that I really wish he could have been at Q100 to enjoy the success of something that he worked so hard on every day.
It DOES suck that 99x isn't on the signal anymore. That station defined Atlanta radio for a long time. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went in to making that station a part of Atlanta's fabric. Leslie Fram practically built the damn thing with her own hands. People grew up with that station and its part of your youth. I grew up listening to a station in San Diego called 91x that was very similar. If I woke up and THAT station wasn't on the air anymore I'd be pissed!
But this is a business. It's about making money. 99x's ratings have declined and they weren't making as much money for the mother ship: Cumulus. Cumulus feels like they made the proper moves to fix 99x and couldn't. They also have confidence that the Bert Show and Q100 is ready to reach it's potential.
It has been a mixed bag of emotions in the building over the past week. Q100 employees are happy but reserved to be on the new signal. Watching 99x employees leave the building permanently has been awful.
Yes. I want to be on a bigger signal. If I'm going to put in 13 hour days I want to know that I have a chance of being the best. Did I want that signal to be 99x? NO. Quite honestly, I really thought that Cumulus would buy Star 94 and they'd put the Bert Show on that 100,000 signal.
I think that covers it. I'm really stoked. I'm really excited for the Bert Show. I'm really excited for our production guys, our promotions people, our sales people, our management and I'm happy for the people that work behind the scenes that I see from time to time but don't know even know their names. But, at the same time, I'm also being respectful of the same kind of energy that 99x employees have put in to make that station an Atlanta icon.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
You know, I grew up listening to Power 99. That was THE station back then for people my age who didn't want to listen to B98.5 with their parents or even what Star 94 would eventually become. I loved that station and I remember very clearly what my reaction was when they made the switch to 99x. To sum up...WTF?!? just about covers it.
However, I listened. It was new and edgy and different and like all things new and different it took a bit for me to get used to, but I did and grew to be a fan of 99x.
Because I have eclectic taste in music, (that tends to change) one radio station wasn't enough for me, I needed variety, so I would occasionally channel surf. A friend told me about this new morning show called The Bert Show that was new and edgy and different (see a pattern here?). I tuned in the first week of the show and I've been a listener ever since. In fact, I moved away from Atlanta for about a year, came back and The Bert Show literally welcomed me home.
Now, 7 years after you started..you guys are getting the brass ring. It's a change and in some ways really sad, you're right, 99x is an Atlanta institution but while change is scary I think past experience has proven...change is essential...especially when it's new and edgy and different :-)
Congratulations on your accomplishment, all the best in the new year and you're right...so far, totally the BEST YEAR EVER!
:-) Karen
Bert and the crew at Q100. I am very excited for you and feel you deserve the bigger/higher signal. I also morn for 99X.
I remember the afternoon when I was driving home after work and all of a sudden Power 99 was no longer and 99X was there, wow I had such excitment and could not wait to get home to tell my husband, this was our kind of music! I loved 99X in it's heyday, and to be truthful the reason I left was because of the DJ's, I/they didn't seem to connect. I will miss the music of 99X, but I will be glad to finally get listen to you all the way in on my drive from Spalding.
Bert Show, I LOVE YOU GUYS!! I am in the little older catergory( I will be celebrating the 6th anniversary of my 39th birthday next month)but I am still very young and HOOKED on the show and the staion...I have laughed, cried and shared just about every emotion with the stories and day to day happenings. You guys are TRUE professionals, who so dedicated and passionate about producing a product that is the #1 morning show in Ga and this move is going to make you better than ever!! I live in Flowery Branch and there are so many mornings there is a serious bleed over from the SC Country staion. Then if I have to go into Gainesville, the station is lost all together....Im very excited about the new station. Congratulations!! Im going to be a Bert Show listener when Im 90!!! Thank You, you guys are the greatest!!
PS IM SO HAPPY HOSS PASSED HIS TEST...I believed him from the start, I just hope that no repercussions come from this(I.E. Folks getting fired)
Thank you so much for this blog. I had been wondering about Dylan and his whereabouts...really upset about that :( Wow...this is a lot to sink in and wrap my head around with all these changes! But good changes...great changes!!! I have been with Q100 since day 3! The day Lionel Richie was on air. Time flies and I am stoked for you guys! I travel all over the state and at times have called in just to have Hoss put me on hold so I could hear the rest of a juicy bit ;) Cheers to you all...
Stephanie in Conyers
Bert
I know that it must be very difficult to see 99x employees leave their jobs for ever. But this business is like this and quite honestly you guys are the best and you deserve to be on the 100,000 watts. People love you guys. Best wishes. Hietza, Lawrenceville, GA
Oh Bert. I know you are all very dedicated to Q100 and that you work well past 10 am. But I had to scoff when you said you've had to sacrifice your "social life". I'd say your social life is just fine, and maybe the reason why you're not always feeling 100%...I seem to recall quite a few days with no voice post-partying. Congrats on the bigger and better signal. But what about the name and the website? Will you still be "Q100"?
That blog is so mature Bert! What a great guy you are to work hard for 7 years and finally become Atlantas #1 radio station and still feel bad for the 99x crew. Yall deserve this, business is business and I wish you all the best. I am a devoted listener and continue to stay that way!! Congrats!!!!!!!
I just lost you all online. How can we listen online now that the big move has taken place? Love you guys!!!!
J. White
My daughter turned me on to your show about 2 years ago now and I fell in love with all you guys! I work 10mi. from home but it can take 30min. or an hour sometimes and the ride is much better because of your show and many times I'd sit in the car in the parking lot listening to one more thing before I went in because I couldn't pick you up on my office radio. Then there were the mornings that I couldn't get you in the car, about 3 or 4 days a month and I'd be so disappointed that I had to ride to work with no Bert Show! The morning I heard you were getting a bigger signal I was thrilled and said "it's about time" and now I can even listen in the office so CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU AND ALL YOUR HARD WORK!
Judy - Kennesaw, GA
Congratulations Bert and the Gang for the move to this next incredible step. I too wish that 99X didn't have to go and you guys could have taken over another station, but as you said--such is business.
I am saddened to learn that Dylan didn't have his contract renewed..that really sucks.
Congratulations Bert Show and Q100!! I have been a listener since day 1 (even before the DJ's were on the air-continous music play). Anyway, I'm really excited for you, but I have one question:
What about Mark Owens aka Phil Terrana? I know he left Q100 for 99X, but is he coming back? Don't get me wrong I love Hoss, but I find it ironic Phil left for a promotion with 99X and now.....
I just started listening to the Bert Show this summer. I have heard about from my friends for many years but was never able to listen while I was in college because I couldn't hear you and plus I was in class. I have to say I love your morning show. You make it easier for me to want to go to work, I look forward to hearing you.
But I have to say I am not a big fan of your music. I would change the station to 99x after the Bert show was over. The week while you were in transition was like have the best radio station ever. I had this awesome morning show that played my favorite music. I wish it could have stayed that way.
I will still listen to your morning show, my reason to get out of bed and go to work. I am happy for you and hope you beat Star 94 and become Atl's #1 station. I wish yall the best!!!
Bert is correct with his assertions to the state of Atlanta's radio past and present state. 99x was an Atlanta institution that a Cumulus demolished for money alone. Now the radio market in Atlanta is inane filler; Q100 makes that official. Time to buy an ipod. I will never listen to Q100, ever. Perhaps, you can save the text from your blog for your successor when you are replaced, Bert.
I am so excited about the switch. I listen every morning and it never failed I would start to lose the station. It was so irritating because I got so into the story or whatever you were talking about and I couldn't hear the end of it. But now I never lose the station so I get to here it all!!!
Sean Demery wrote an unbelievable essay about 99x if anyone is interested: http://seandemery.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/hello-world/
Personally, I think Cumulus messed up and have lost an entire generation of listeners. I know I won't be tuning in any more.
Post a Comment