This is the most important day in Ticket history next to the day it first signed on. More important than any of the acquisitions. More important than any of their physical moves.
The Ticket finally has a long-pants signal, 96.7 FM.
This instantly renders 1310 AM irrelevant, except perhaps in certain pockets south of the metro. And from their discussion of the inauguration of 96.7 FM during Muse in the News this morning, you can tell that the Musers, at least, know it.
Alas, Your Favorite Website did not receive the acknowledgment it was due for sparking demand for this precise change starting in 2011. They all laughed . . . .
The signal was clear as a bell all the way downtown -- and, as Junior said, in the parking garage and in my high-rise office.
I do wonder if Cumulus will take a run at the Mavericks when their 103.3 contract is up, since The Ticket may now be heard at night throughout Cool Metro. I suppose the the Local Management Agreement (LMA) Cumulus has with ESPN for 103.3 plays into that decisionmaking somehow. Can't see them going for the Rangers -- too many day games.
Would Jerry consider a return to The Ticket for the Cowboys now that it has a long-pants signal? Mm, guessing no, but Jerry is a practical man, if not a farsighted football man. We'll take a look at the technical considerations some other time.
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| Smokin' FM |
Gotta be one T.C. Fleming.
ThePlainsman1310@gmail.com
@Plainsman1310
I feel like I've heard or read references to The Ticket being quite happy when their time as the official station of the Cowboys was over. Like perhaps it was a money-losing proposition. I'm far from certain about that though.
ReplyDeleteShaggy, I heard that too. I suspected it, though. Like trashing the pretty girl that dumped you, claiming she really wasn't all that.
ReplyDeleteBut sure, I could understand how the rights would be expensive. I could also see how The Ticket could charge more for ad time on the most-listened-to radio broadcast in DFW if it might actually be heard in all the local counties where Cowboys fans might be found.
I'm sure some market-savvy guy will tell us why having the Cowboys radio franchise is undesirable.
As an Arlington listener, the 97.7 change is very welcome. But it's not just for the reasons mentioned here and in the announcement this morning.
ReplyDeleteEven on days when I can hear 1310 pretty well, it's still problematic when they play a clip, for example, Homer Call, or when Corby plays audio that he recorded. or a movie clip. I would always try my best to hear what is being said, and then I couldn't make it out, and then you'd hear everyone laugh, and I'm shrugging my shoulder, wondering what I missed.
Finally having a clear FM signal will take care of such things.
Obviously, I didn't mean to type 97.7
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I remember Mike talking about how much money they lost on the Cowboys. The rights are mucho $$$, and the Cowboys get a significant cut of the ad revenue.
ReplyDeleteOn Greggo's blog (yeah yeah I know), one of his first posts outlined the business arrangement between the Fan and the Cowboys in more detail. It's a pretty one-sided deal.
"Official Station of the Cowboys" has some cache, for sure. But I don't think our little Ticket really needs the help.
The Stars and just niche enough where it works and doesn't disrupt regular programming too often.
Although if the rumors are true that Ralph and Razor are out after this season, that could be part of a larger Stars-broadcasting shake-up too.
So, how will the ratings work now for The Ticket? Will they combine 96.7 and 1310am together?
ReplyDeleteI could see the AM signal taking a hit, though 1310am stills comes in much stronger in my office than the 96.7fm signal on my trusty little walkman radio.
I'm in North Garland, by the way.
ReplyDeleteEric, where are you getting those R&R rumors? Ralph's contract runs out after this season, and it hasn't yet been renewed. But Razor is good standing, contract wise. What are you hearing?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was just Ralph....
ReplyDeleteI remember a DMN article, right before hockey season started, that mentioned Ralph's contact situation and that new ownership may want to put their own stamp on the broadcast after this season.
And doesn't one of the new pre and post-game hosts have significant play by play experience?
I could be making this whole thing up....just vaguely remembering what has already been reported.
Thanks, Eric. It's always been my thought that we'll eventually lose Razor to a bigger hockey market and/or media outlet--e.g., TSN or a team like the Maple Leafs.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the car radio, but I lose 96.7 in the Woodall Rodgers tunnel.
ReplyDeleteToday was one of the greatest days ever. I always had to listen to the Fan while driving around the metroplex, b/c the 1310 signal was god awful. Today I didn't have to listen to the Fan once. The ticket guys sounded crystal clear. It was weird, I had never heard them that way before. It was like they were in my car talking to me.
ReplyDeleteCBS can not be happy about this. Although the Fan has been getting abysmal ratings, it's only going to get worse for them.
It was amazing to hear the broadcast on 96.7 today. Not only were the voices easier to hear, I actually heard small nuances and sounds on ticket tickers, traffic reports and other "lead in" sounders. Great move...only took 20 years to address it.
ReplyDeleteI heard the back end of Cat talking to THL on the air. Something about the signal not being clear and possibly picking up a Spanish station out of Houston. Driving from Rockwall to Dallas (75 and 635 area) was horrible this morning and I was picking up this Spanish station. Didn't know it was coming from Houston until Cat mentioned it. He mentioned that if you can't get it on FM, to switch over to AM and you're bound to pick it up strong with one of those. That's not what I wanted to hear. I missed most of their conversation so maybe it was indeed weather related and the signal might get stronger? For the most part I'm happy with the change, but hopefully driving to work doesn't always such though.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's as big of a factor as people were saying, although I live in McKinney. Losing 104.1 was pretty devastating to me. There was definitely a lack of quality on 96.7 than compared to 104.1. It's probably a location thing though.
ReplyDeleteWeather conditions this morning were right for the FM signals to "skip" off of the clouds with the cold front moving in. This will happen several times a year. Usually as it warms up the problem goes away. 104.1 used to catch skip from another station in Tyler. When the conditions are right you can hear stations out of Waco and Oklahoma City better than the Dallas stations.
ReplyDeleteI was in parts of Grayson, collin, Fannin and Hunt counties today. The new FM signal was better in all of them than 1310.
It's interesting to hear the accounts of the new FM listeners. I would say 99% of my listening since 2004 was on 104.1 FM even to downtown, but I was probably fortunate in having my business and personal travel in Cool Metro rattling around in the 104.1 signal area most of the time.
ReplyDeleteSo sound-quality-wise, things aren't all that different for me, except (1) no drop-outs, (2) audible under unfavorable conditions (parking garages, buildings), (3) perhaps a very marginal uptick in overall clarity, although I may be imagining that, and(4) no C&W from Tyler.
Yep -- for most terrestrial radio listeners, 1310 AM just became brand nostalgia. Huge day for the P1, not to mention new P1's gathering by the channel for the first time.
T4, when did Cat talk to the HL? What time was it?
ReplyDeleteThanks P-Man, this place has been keeping me expertly informed -- like always -- through this emotional transition.
ReplyDeleteMy adventures generally take me through a vast swath of the Metroplex. I guess I had been just involuntarily toggling between 104 and 1310 when the signal would start to dip. never really noticed it.
I live near Apogee in Denton, and while the 1310 signal has always been a whipping in Den-tron, its straight up inaudible on my block.
This is a BFD for The Little One; I was an extra proud P-1 yesterday.
-Stay hard Confessors
@Dan - It was pretty early on in the show...maybe during What's on Mike's Mind of the 3:50 segment. He did say that the point wasn't to get coverage on both all over the area, but if you tune in and one is inaudible, then the other one should be really clear and strong.
ReplyDeleteYou're correct. Cat came on at 3:49.
ReplyDeleteCame in crystal clear this morning. We live in Texas so we shouldn't have too many weather issues...��
ReplyDeleteNorm's lip smacking and Dan's "eating on the air" now completely free from static. I may be sticking with 1310, at least in the car at lunchtime.
ReplyDeleteFunny moment when Chief David Brown and Omar Villafranca are exchanging (somewhat) heated tweets and Shoopy steps in and invites them to Chili's.
ReplyDeletehttp://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/media-banned-for-40-minutes-of-public-meeting-in-public-building.html/
Now if someone will start doing ratings on exactly when the discerning listener switches off the Ticket on to...well anything else.
ReplyDeleteGordon has to be the leader in mid segment switching!
I'm probably in the minority to care or notice but I really don't like "listening to 1310 The Ticket AND 96.7 fm" that they are now having to include.
ReplyDeleteThere is a completely dead spot In Arlington at the intersection of Pioneer and West Green Oaks. Nothing but static in the afternoon, and it would drive me crazy. Clear sailing with the new signal.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to have this option. I wonder if it will reach any further down i35 and i45 when I make my drives down to houston or Austin?
Ok, I'm wanting to be thrilled about this new signal, but there has been several times I've gotten better signal with the AM.
ReplyDelete"Now if someone will start doing ratings on exactly when the discerning listener switches off the Ticket on to...well anything else."
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you what makes me punch out for a segment. Ranch Reports, The Tom Greive Show, The Jason Witten Show, Gay Not Gay. Snooze fests to me.
this has the makings of a new topic.
ReplyDeletePunchouts for me:
George doing any kind of Red Dirt talk.
Norm's show.
Midweek (T-Th) Ranch Reports.
Musers and Hardline "Around the NFL"
Hardline College Football roundup.
Most hockey talk. (Sometimes I'll do Razor with the Musers, sometimes not)
A couple more:
ReplyDeleteHomer Call is becoming a punchout for me too.
Monkey News
Aggressiveness audio (thankfully BaD hasn't done this lately)
Punchouts:
ReplyDeleteAnytime Tom Gribble speaks.
Norm interviewing a new guest.
Corby political talk.
Corby music talk.
Corby travel talk.
Corby name-drop talk.
More:
ReplyDeleteAny interview
Any time they talk Cowboys
Any time they talk NFL
Any Corby specific segment
Any music talk
Norm
I obviously don't listen much in the fall
Anonymous.......I take it you are a 105.3 fan.
ReplyDeleteI dig the HL music talk since my tastes are similar to theirs. One of the main reasons I can't relate to B&S is I can't relate to their musical preferences.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch many of the same TV series as the Ticket guys (who has time to watch that many TV dramas and sports?), so a lot of that is a punch-out for me.
Homer Call of the Week is starting to get old.
I've never been a big fan of the P1 football picks against the Musers. At the very least, I wish they would drop the HS portion of the segment since its primary purpose is Junes shtick.
Punchouts:
ReplyDelete-musers and HL around the NFL
-homer call
-just about any athlete interview
-ranch reports
-evan grant
-and dear sweet, clean lord...the jason whitten show. His monotone, cliched nonsense takes up almost 40 minutes of BaD on those days. The worst segment in the history of the Ticket.
Tom: Worst segment from a playerman was anything Martellus Bennett Spewed outof his piehole.
ReplyDeleteMy punchout is when I hear Rhyner say..."and when we get back from break, the Snake will tell us about his trip to...." can't punch out FAST enough!!
ReplyDeleteI almost punched out yesterday when sensitive, tolerant Corby went off on that "hatemonger" Ted Nugent.
ReplyDeletePunchouts:
ReplyDelete-Ranch Report
-Any Musers charity function
-Homer Call
-THL music talk
-BADD game shows
-Any BADD segment or story that takes eternity to set up
-Did I mention Ranch Reports?!
Norm's show
ReplyDeleteRace Week
T-box
Any wireless segment
Homer Call
SMU Football
Stars Hockey Live
Almost anything the amazing badly educated Corby says
Mike when he is clearly bored and not paying attention to his own show
P1 Football picks...
Sounds like a lot of FAN "fans" are checking in. If they aren't FAN "fans," then why is it, exactly, they even listen to The Ticket? As it seems nearly every segment of every show that isn't a Gordo bit causes them to punch out.
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on with good ol KT? Heard the musers talking about him kinda this morning. Is he not with B&S anymore?
ReplyDeleteBeen in Vegas for a week and boy howdy was I happy to fire up 96.7 on the way out to Weatherford yesterday. Works like a champ, in the office this morning I tried it..but had to switch it over to 1310.
Tune outs:
Homer call
Fart game
I'm doing great. Actually, I heard that this morning. I actually talked to the Musers a few times at training camp, because we stayed in the same hotel. I thought it was more of a shot at the station than a shot at me. Just having fun, and in obvious distress that Gordon's hand picked successor doesn't work at the chicken anymore. jk everybody.
ReplyDeleteTo the previous question, yes i'm still producing Ben and Skin and doing great. It's nice to be able to pay rent without stealing from distant family members. Take care everyone.
Well, the station is an absolute joke. Glad you can pay rent on your own though. Good luck to you KT.
ReplyDelete@Anon 5:07
ReplyDeleteThe station isn't an absolute joke, it's just not as good as the Ticket. What is?
KT, I understand completely why you did what you did and I would have done the same thing. You have to do what's best for you, even if it's hard. Keep up the good work on B&S!
Yeah, KT, smart of you to stay on good terms with everyone at The Ticket. If KScott and old Followell can leave the confines of the bosomy Mothership and return, I would imagine so could you. Because I can't see the station as is, much less B&S being around this time next year. Not saying it to be a jerk or a wiseacre. Just saying what seems to be obvious. The ratings for all shows keep going further and further down. Unlike RAGE, the station neither hyped up nor (more importantly) sunk a bunch of dough into B&S. Translation: a much shorter rope. Then again, to reiterate, I think it's the whole station, not only the show you happen to be on. I do think you do a real good job. The show hosts, eh, not so much. Same old thing for those boys at every stop. 'Cept now their friend of athlete thang is even more pronounced, and more off putting. So, yes, I do listen. Or at least I've tried to on many occasions and for prolonged periods of both segments and days in succession. And double yes, THL has become so underwhelming that I now have no qualms with not listening to it for segments and even days in a row. I will be giving the Cowlishaw/Mosely gig a healthy shot. I hope I dig it. Else it's mostly punching out from 3:45 to 7:00.
ReplyDeletePunchouts:
ReplyDeleteAny interview that involves an athlete
Troy Aikman interview
The Ranch Reports (all of them)
WTDS
Any segment on the Hardline where they get on their high horse and make fun of a certain type of music they think is stupid or certain types of clothes people wear they think are douchey
Best Segments:
Muse in the News
Fantastic Friday Fan Feedback (really any segment that involves getting P1's to call in)
E-Brake
Junior's Top 5, Bottom 5 lists
What's on Mike's Mind
My radio never leaves The Ticket. I'll listen to whatever they throw out there and rely on my internal filter to sort the crap from the gold.
ReplyDeleteHowever...
Punchouts:
First and foremost and above EVERYTHING else - Cirque de Sirois. They might have more nothing than Ben and Skin. Maybe.
Superlative Corby talking about music he likes or music festivals he's been to. Makes me want to punch him in the face...more than usual.
College football talk - Can't get into it. I've tried. Can't.
Intentional Grounding - I like Wilonsky on Christmas Eve, but that show is just terrrrrrrrrrrible.
Race Week - Cars. Going in circles. Out.
NBA talk - That league has really, really sucked since about 1988. Too many gangsta hoopstas, and they never call traveling.
The Jason Witten Show - Dude has all the engaging personality of a bowl of cold oatmeal.
The Tee Box - Aside from the occasional RosenRosen emergency brake, I just don't care.
Ferrall On The Bench - If I have to explain this one, I can't help you.
Alternately, my *MUST* listen shows/segments:
The Orphanage - Their seething middle aged bitterness makes me so very, very happy.
Anything Ralph and Razor and/or Stars - They're so great and not enough people appreciate that.
Homer Call - I understand why some think it's a little stale. They still occasionally mine gold with it, though...AND THERE AIN'T NO FLAG!
Diamond Talk - Sean Bass does a great job. Also, the post-game show on the Rangers' flagship station is completely unlistenable.
Emergency Brake Of The Week - Listening to them all kick each other in the sack makes me so happy.
We can do what they do.
They can NOT do what we do.
To the 10/25 7:00 pm comment.
ReplyDeleteYou never turn the channel and listen to what is on the station, but your "punchout" list is longer than anyone else's. What is your definition of a punchout?
Maybe we should start a favorite segment list...
ReplyDelete-musers 5:30 / Bad 12:10 / HL 3:30 & mike's mind
These segments are all what made the ticket great...just dudes sitting around talking and being entertaining
-e-brake
-e-news
-gordo's corner
-muse in the news
-CQH
Looking at my lists and reading the other lists on here, I realized nobody likes the sportsy segments. I think most people like the segments that are "ticket-y"...
@Anon 601
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice words. I will say that the station is in great health, and actually gaining some steam. I don't really care or worry about the ratings too much. i see them and am aware of them, but there's also more to the ratings than what Richie blogs. I've never met Richie, and actually think he's a decent blogger, but he has a personal issue with how things went down on his departure so he continuously takes shots at the station.
The station will be around. We're not going away. With G-Bag now in middays we've got a great lead-in show. It's tough going up against the end of Bad Radio and the HL, but Galloway leaving and Rangers day game ratings going away should help us quite a bit. We'll see. I don't lose sleep over ratings though. Probably first off because i'm not a host, but second of all because I really believe in not worrying about things that are kind of out of your control. Do a good show and the ratings will show up eventually I think. The Lil' Chicken is a beast though.
You know, people really want to rag on B & S, but I catch myself going over there more and more. They're not that bad. I wonder if Galloway will get, or even wants, another radio gig. Love Homer call and pretty much any Gordo bit.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THE TICKET BUT PUNCHOUT ON EVERY SEGMENT. EVERY SHOW IS TERRIBLE BUT THE TICKET IS THE GREATEST STATION EVAR.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY HATE A SEGMENT, THEN I CAN LIST THE 300 SHOWS/SEGMENTS/BITS I HATE TO SHOW HOW SUPERIOR I AM TO YOU AND THE TICKET.
BUT THE TICKET...GREATEST STATION EVER. EXCEPT FOR EVERYTHING.
@T4 in Ya-Rockwall - Actually, my punchout list isn't *that* long.
ReplyDeleteA few spare weekend shows, Intentional Grounding and overnights shouldn't count, because nobody's listening then anyway. And I like to think that we ALL have enough intelligence to tune out Superlative Corby each time when he proclaims *THIS* year's version of Oklahoma football or some stupid jam band he likes to be the best ever in the history of Jesus.
Punching out on Jason Witten, NBA talk and college football talk isn't that much, really. A few segments a week, maybe?
So a punchout definition for me is when I know by the pre-segment tease that it's going to be eight to ten minutes of content that I'd rather spend with my radio muted instead.
And no...I won't be flipping over to ESPN or The Fan in those moments. That's like asking me if I would rather have a steaming turd casserole or nothing for dinner. I'd rather just go hungry, thanks.
Oh, and 10/26 at 10:42AM: I'm guessing that was for me. Thanks for that. Looks like you missed the parts about where I said I like The Orphanage and Diamond Talk and so on, though. But thanks for the nostalgia of an all caps response.
@ Corby has....
ReplyDeleteI'm just busting your balls because you said "My radio never leaves The Ticket. I'll listen to whatever they throw out there...". No hard feelings.
I'm not such much a punchout as a walkaway. I am an all day P1, but I will find other things to do for a few minutes. Guaranteed walkaways:
ReplyDeleteFootball picks against the P1
Around the NFL- previews and reviews
Any soccer
Any golf, any tennis, particularly from you-know-who (The Musers are an exception because I count on Gordon to toss a monkey wrench)
I try to catch all the bits because you never know what will happen.
So yes, the observation that everybody's punchouts are sports related is right on the mark. You can get scores and stats anywhere. It's the bits and all purpose guy-talk that make the Ticket the Ticket.