(Rachel Belle from KIROFM's silly, drivetime Ron & Don Show)
They already had the best website in the market, the best online/on-air integration in town and now they've scared up the dough and the wherewithal to kick it up a notch.
Digital will and the money for radio are scarce commodities around here, and you (we) should commend 'em.
Mynorthwest.com is the site for Bonneville International's Seattle cluster. That's the KIRO's (which include the ayem with sports talk and the blowtorching wattage, and the effem heard in the basements but not the living rooms - or vice versa- in homes 'cross the Puget Sound region) and KTTH, the satellite support system for Rush and Glenn Beck, with a strange and inadequate nod to live & local programming in the person of one Dave Boze (KTTH m-f, 3-4p).
And you know... they're right. Hooked up to a flock of neighborhood blogs, your own 'hood's or small town news comes right up. (KOMO's is far less direct: their neighborhood feature only has a few headlines in each and blogrolls these blogs). Mynorthwest remembers you and brings your chosen neighborhood up when you come back (or so they say... we'll come back and see: you know how soon they forget...)
There's the big news page which breaks news big and local, pithy and mundane, and picking up sexy, click-sucking headlines from talents' show blogs ("Monson in a Minute -Is raping goats really rape or... a precious boyhood rite?").
Bonneville writes: "... the new website makes it easier for users to engage with their favorite on-air personalities and listen to all the best on-air moments from 97.3 KIRO FM, 710 ESPN Seattle and AM 770 KTTH. If it happened on-air, you’ll find it in the new On Demand Audio section."
This is not new- but they get to brag it off: It's always been a strength of the MN site. We can quick check to see if John Curley (KIROFM m-f, 7-10) has shown up for work; if Dori has hated-on anything outside his creepy little realm of crunchy snacks, Ballard reminiscences, sports and old pop stars. (All with the added benefit of not having to listen to either of them on the radie-yo!)
We love that every single on-air talent on the KIROs must maintain a blog. And there are some great ones: Gotta say it, Dori's is; he can get listener's up to his page like nobody else. He knows, as do frat-boy wannabes Ron & Don, the best bet is to tease licentious YouTubes, then blog them. (These days, radio hosts can debate material the FCC would never allow on-air by the putting the offensive stuff on their web pages and alluding to it).
R & D's blog has been taken over by Rachel Belle, who gets it. Unfortunately, no one in the imaginary "Ron & Don Nation" apparently reads it- every comment string on every blog entry seems to be a string with Ron thanking everyone for participating in a Japan relief drive they ran recently. (the heat-seeking, tabloid Ron & Don Show is the exact spiritual and intellectual opposite of the NPR's All Things Considered, which is their biggest competitor and whom they, scarily, on occasion, beat in the ratings).
(photo: Bill Radke hangin')
We recently discovered Bill Radke's blog whose wry look at life is expressed in short bursts with no commercials. His morning partner, Linda Thomas is a veteran and prolific blogger who got the concept long before she got the job (it's part of the reason she got the job). Ross & Burbank's blog bears detectable signs of both hosts...
(photo: Linda Thomas gets it)
And that's a good thing. Even homey right-winger Dave Boze's KTTH blog isn't just a collection of videos anymore... he or someone writing as him writes words in it every single day.
Listener participation on-line (except when they're listening to podcasts or live stream) doesn't show up directly on the PPM's, it probably isn't paying, but it may be breaking even thanks to the HUGE, NEW REAL ESTATE SECTION pretending to be actual content and not an advertising section. There's a tech plug-in with GeekWire.com that no one will find or read, but probably pays somehow.
On the whole, the new site is easy to navigate and use for those of us with the Geezer Factor, the Ajax menus popping up smartly guiding the elderly as they should.
Bonneville's taken a risk, spent some dough to lead with this impressive experiment This interaction with listeners, this extension of personalities to the internets is what could save the deeply troubled news talk format. Fisher, with their KOMO is foolish to have let themselves fall so far behind. (Or maybe they'll just quit radio, who knows with them and their troubles).
I will say this for John Curley, the show seems to be improving and he's been taking unscreened phone calls. They are regular callers at times but real live calls just the same, imagine that on KIRO!
Posted by: dave (not dave ross) | April 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM
My opinion of KIRO 97.3 has been headed downward for years. I seldom listen anymore because of the "tinkering" done with Ross's show; Bill Radke in the morning still doesn't know how to pronounce Dave Marriott's name (It's mary-et, not mary-ought); Ron and Don are just not suitable for a major market, they belong in Dusty, WA; the 2 year turn-around of PD's belies Bonneville's mis-directed management. I still say the change to FM has ruined the value of the station.
Posted by: Bill Wippel | April 15, 2011 at 02:06 PM
I enjoy obliterating the leftist filth in their comment section very day, bunch of Maddow fans, what is it that the left sees in that man?
Posted by: KPTK plays no commercials, only PSA's. | April 15, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Just checked KPTKs website and they allow you to post comments but none of the stories have any, not one, just like they dont have any commercials during morning or afternoon drive.
Oh well, Miller should start blowing Maddow, but she already did when she moved to NYC and left after catching a VD from Madcow.
Napoleon complex Norm needs to do a better job of tongue polishing Big Eddies rectum so he'll toss him some leftovers, oh wait, the big red head has no commercials either. FAIL!
Posted by: KPTK plays no commercials, only PSA's. | April 15, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Like Anti-Dori said, Tommy.....
Posted by: sparky | April 15, 2011 at 11:10 PM
I called the Dave Ross Show the other day to try and give as first hand story of how a TSA agent patted down my 5 year old at SeaTac but the screener Andrew said Dave is not taking calls anymore. I asked "why not ?". He tried to make me sound like an idiot and said Dave hasn't taken on-air calls in months. I again asked "why not?" and I was rudely hung up on.
I then heard this stupid 'filler' about 'the important stories we tell on KIRO'. What!?! Is this story time at the local library. Is talking about Charlie Sheen or American Idol waht listeners want to hear about? Is talking about the debt crisis for 5 minutes acceptable?
I honestly think the station is finished.
Posted by: Dad | April 15, 2011 at 11:57 PM
the Curley show proves that the hosts at least have the option o ftaking calls, even if they have ben discouraged to do so by the suits. Ross and Monson actualy believe people want to hear them jackign their jaws for four hours straight. i believe dave has had screeners that make peope feel liek idiots for years, not just now. Dave had an ass working fo rhim in the late nineties who treated me the same way. this no-callers thing will destroy the station, i agree.
Posted by: Tommy008 | April 16, 2011 at 12:21 AM
A good call screener makes all the difference in the world in terms of content, pacing, and bringing in a point of view counter to the Host.
How the Host handles callers when on air is also telling.
Listen to a Ronn Owens of KGO and how he handles callers. The best in the business. PRobably why he gets good calls. Not necessarily those that agree with him but those that can bring salient points to the discussion.
But even a Ronn Owens needs a good call screener.
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 16, 2011 at 07:27 AM
We can all credit the Ron & Don Show for KIRO's current state of affairs. Dispite all the rumors heard on this blog about their near demise they are still going strong. Obviously the topics and ratings must have been kicking enough butt to cause the suits to take their FM programing and turn it upside down. Fluff talk with a side-kick must be proving to be a ratings bonanza.
I think what I hate as much as anything is how KIRO's daytime hosts (9-3) change topics after every commercial break. Its like they feel their listeners have no ability or desire to hear anything in depth. And God help them if they have to defend their comments to callers.
Then there is the endless sound bites played over and over. Almost as bad is how they then repeat the topic in the third hour. Even I, and even Joanie, or most anyone, could handle a talk show these days.
Just to show how intolerant shows have become I remember something on Dori's show yesterday. (For the life of me I can't remember the thought). But Dori's side-kick made a comment that slammed Dori. Anyone could tell that Dori got pissed. He didn't respond at all. Sounded like the "delay button" was hit.
What is happening on KIRO is what I have seen coming for some time. Give people fluff radio. Keep the masses entertained. Avoid too much reality. It just upsets too many. Its sad. Disagree with one another as much as we all do on this site, at least most of are interested in issues that affect our lives. Its a pity that we are losing, or have lost, one of the great sources for airing opinions.
KIRO will continue on this path. Dave Ross will work until his retirement or his contract expires. Dori, I predict, will work until his contract expires, then move on to another radio station where he can promote is issues with fervor. Ron & Don will continue their schtick. Don't know about evenings. No one listens to radio after 6 pm.
Now don't get me going about what has happened to the 5 AM to 9 Am news block. Its just disgusting.
I just remembered what got Dori's side kick shut down. They were carryng on about what they might name their babies. Jake said he might name his daughter, DORI. HEEEE!!!!!!
Posted by: Ryder | April 16, 2011 at 08:21 AM
good stuff, ryder.
the thought of joanie having a talk show: 'CARP Talk'
Posted by: Puget Sound | April 16, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Right on Jake! I wonder if he will be back on Monday ....
Posted by: AprilMayJune | April 16, 2011 at 09:16 AM
Jake seems a competent producer, shows up on time, screens calls, a nice-enough guy, but his on-air contributions are, well, amateurish and in a word, unhelpful.
And how come there are practically no guests on the show? I can't listen every day, but what happened to the hold-their-feet-to-the fire interviews with city and county officials and legislators? Same with Ross/Burbank. It's talk but without the news.
Posted by: WJE | April 16, 2011 at 10:36 AM
There is life after six, ryder. It is mixed up between Randi - until her ego gets in the way - KUOW, and Malloy.
I sure do miss the old Dave. I really do.
Thank you, PS, for again telling us what we should think. Schultz doesn't screen. I love Schultz. He's the best in the business. Oh, I guess that means Ron Owens isn't?
Posted by: joanie | April 16, 2011 at 11:57 AM
KIRO has definitely moved away from news and information. With a 30-something program director trying to make his mark in the media world, they shifted their focus to a much younger audience--one they think doesn't really care about the state of world affairs. Unbelievably, their ratings have increased, so maybe they're right. Now that's scary...
Posted by: Radio Queen | April 16, 2011 at 01:38 PM
Catching up on Sirota's Friday podcast. He's at "Starfest" in Denver and talking about science fiction. Right now he's comparing Stars Wars to the Republican party. That's what makes his show so good. He comes at it from a different point of view. He can integrate a youthful perspective with an experienced and studied political expertise. Sirota's take: Star Trek is more liberal and Star Wars is conservative. He sees Star Wars as a metaphor for what's going on in the Republican Party. You'll have to listen to get more.
760 Progressive Talk online. Voted best radio show in Colorado for a reason.
Posted by: joanie | April 16, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Anyone remember Linda Thomas' maiden name?
Posted by: james chan | April 16, 2011 at 03:43 PM
Who is Dave Marriett?
Posted by: Everyman | April 16, 2011 at 04:34 PM
I don't like the new website so much. There's a lot of white space, which is good. But it's too busy, and it seems sort of sterile, somehow. Maybe it's the typeface they're using? Not sure.
Blatherwatch is a good example of a reader-friendly website. Another example is nypost.com which I read occasionally. I like KOMO's website, too.
At any rate, it doesn't matter to me that KIRO has a shiny new website. I rarely listen to the station anymore, and have no reason to go to the site. I'll continue getting info from KOMO and a couple other complementary sites.
Posted by: Joe | April 16, 2011 at 04:41 PM
"I just remembered what got Dori's side kick shut down. They were carrying on about what they might name their babies. Jake said he might name his daughter, DORI. HEEEE!!!!!!"
what hour of the show on 4/15?
I want to check out the podcast...
Posted by: james chan | April 16, 2011 at 05:43 PM
Hour one but it went on for all three hours. Interviewed the 7 footer - chuwacki or something like that.
Posted by: joanie | April 16, 2011 at 05:54 PM
Very interesting picture, indeed, just look at the license plate. The Ford Expedition is identified by Ford as a passenger SUV, so how did KIRO get a passenger vehicle licensed as a truck? On my I-5 drive I watched for Expedition plates and all I saw had passenger vehicle plates.
Posted by: Cueburner | April 17, 2011 at 07:55 AM
As I recall, and remember that I am senile, it was right after the bottom of the hour. Or maybe just before. I know it wasn't the first hour. Or so I think. I beet he removes it from the podcast.
Posted by: Ryder | April 17, 2011 at 07:59 AM
you can license any passenger vehicle as a truck in washington, my hybrid suv is done that way because i use it for work and it's easier to use loading zones. for a while some people licensed trucks as cars for a lower tax rate, not sure if that can still be done.
Posted by: dave (not dave ross) | April 17, 2011 at 03:14 PM
What's the deal with Radke? He came back to Seattle with the reputation of being some big NPR guy and a stand up comedian. He's definitely an NPR guy (a whiny liberal who proclaims he's not a liberal). He's definitely not funny. Sarcastic, mean spirited, undercutting yes, but funny. I don't think so, do you?
Posted by: NoBS | April 17, 2011 at 06:17 PM
I would love it if they brought back the old "Dave Ross show"!!! I felt like I learned some thing each and everyday. Now not so much, Dave deserves better. I miss his old style where he can take the time to interview a guest, and not have to speed through the time spots. And have to dumb him self down for Luke and always having to be sarcastic.
Posted by: Triage | April 20, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Something I missed when I first looked at the new website: In the blog section, the following "disclaimer" appears when you post a comment.
MyNorthwest.com -
Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.
Hmmm... Good advice? Censoring?
Posted by: Radio Queen | April 27, 2011 at 04:41 PM