Fall Evalutrons! Time To Rate The Radio Stations!

This would also be the eighth installment of my invention The Evalutrons, where what really matters is the performance of the radio station in your and my opinion.

There has been a major revision since the Summer survey. Here's what the new point system is broken down to:

1. You
   • (0) You listen to the station very infrequently.
   • (1) You listen to the station but not as regular.
   • (2) You are somewhat a regular listener.
   • (3) You listen to this station regularily.
2. Popularity
   • (0) You know someone who listens to this station occasionally but you don't like it.
   • (1) You don't know anyone who listens to this station regularily but you listen to it.
   • (2) You know at least one person who listens to this station occasionally and you listen to it.
   • (3) You and one or more friends listen to this station regularily.
3. Attitude
   • (0) Jocks or talkers are annoying, rude, or just plain unresponsive.
   • (1) Jocks are at worst boring and unstimulating.
   • (2) Jocks are passable.
   • (3) Jocks are mentally engaging, knowledgable, stimulating, etc.
4. Genre Fill (does not include off-format programming)
   • (0) Doesn't play enough music or talk variety to satisfy the Genre.
   • (1) Infrequent listener; cannot judge variety of music or talk you expect from a Genre.
   • (2) Average range of music or talk that describes the Genre.
   • (3) Covers more than enough variety of music or talk for its Genre.
5. Risk (takes chances on underrated music selections or talk)
   • (0) Small playlist; plays it way too safe.
   • (1) Infrequent listener; cannot judge size of playlist.
   • (2) Average selection of songs but plays it somewhat safe.
   • (3) Takes reasonable chances on underrated music or talk that fits the Genre
6. Off Format Programming (sports games, comedy shows, offbeat hit music, etc.)
   • (0) Plays material deemed unlistenable or is just too out of left field for your personal range of tastes you enjoy hearing.
   • (1) Infrequent listener or cannot tell what off-format programming is.
   • (2) Judged to play it strictly on the genre with minimal off format programming.
   • (3) Plays remixes of songs regularily, airs sports team telecasts or comedy programs, plays novelty songs regularily.
7. Contests
   • (0) Mostly national contests.
   • (1) Some national contests detected.
   • (2) No known contests
   • (3) Contests are all local.
8. Overall Music or Talk Quality
   • (0) If Talk: bad lineup; If Music: Bad selection of songs, plays a lot of songs you can't stand to listen to and you don't bother to tune in.
   • (1) If Talk: uneven lineup; If Music: Doesn't play enough good new music or plays some bad songs that make you tune out for a while.
   • (2) If Talk: passable lineup; If Music: Average quality of music overall on the station.
   • (3) If Talk: engaging lineup: If Music: Plays a better selection of music.
9. Bonus Points - One point for each additional item (program, feature, etc) that gives the station an extra reason why you should tune in more often.
   • (0) No special programming
   • (1) One weekly or daily special programs
   • (2) Two weekly or daily special programs
   • (3) Three weekly or daily special programs

First off, here is D.T.'s Evalutrons for Fall 2000 in my opinion.

SCORE  GRADE       SCORE  GRADE       SCORE  GRADE
-----  -----       -----  -----       -----  -----
   0    F--          11    C            21    A+
   1    F-           12    C+           22    AA-
   2    F            13    B-           23    AA
   3    F+           14    B            24    AA+
   4    E-           15    B+           25    AAA-
   5    E            16    BB-          26    AAA
   6    E+           17    BB           27    AAA+
   7    D-           18    BB+          
   8    D            19    A-           
   9    D+           20    A            
  10    C-
  NR    Not graded by me

Bonus grades are added for doing stuff to be commended of and noted chosen arbitrarily. Up to four bonus grades per station per rating period.

So, let's see how each station stacks up. Note that these may coincide with the Arbitrons or Accuratings in rankings, but those ratings are based on other factors that have nothing to do with performance whatsoever.

Also includes some Los Angeles stations as noted.

Note: This is completely my personal opinion on how good I feel the radio stations in my area are doing and are copyrighted 2000 by David Tanny. Any reproduction or retransmission or adopting its system by other radio columnists or radio deejays is prohibited unless they're exchanged for rights to retransmit their copyrighted works wherever DFS News is posted on the Internet or if they carry such programs like Retro Rewind and Dr. Demento (sorry, Dave Rickards and K--, this goes for you too.)

This ranking system is not tied to how many hours a week I usually listen to a particular radio station either like some other ratings systems do.

Fall Evalutron Ratings

(CC) = Clear Channel Owned Stations (* if it LMA's with other owner)
(IN) = Infinity Stations
(DS) = Disney Owned Stations
(CF) = Califormula
(JP) = Jefferson-Pilot
(MT) = Midwest Televison
(  ) = Other or owns one station in the survey

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL  RANK
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----  ----
*wlir.com     Alt Rock    2    1    3    3    3    3    2    3    1     21     1
102.1 KXST-FM AAA         2    1    3    2    3    2    3    3    2     21     1
 95.5+KLOS-FM Classic Rk  1    1    3    2    3    2    3    3    3     21     1  (DS)
 90.3 XHTZ-FM Urban       2    2    3    3    2    2    3    1    2     20     4  (CF)
  690 XTRA-AM Sports      2    2    3    3    2    3    2    2    1     20     4  (CC)*
 92.5 XHRM-FM R&B Oldies  3    2    3    3    3    2    1    1    1     19     6  (CC)*
 91.1 XTRA-FM Pop AltRoc  3    2    2    2    2    2    3    2    2     19     6  (CC)*
 1070+KNX-AM  News        2    1    2    3    3    3    2    2    1     19     6  (IN)
  600 KOGO-AM Talk        3    1    3    2    2    3    1    2    1     19     6  (CC)
*DFSX         Comedy      2    1    2    3    3    2    2    2    1     18    10
 94.9 KBZT-FM 80s Oldies  3    1    2    3    3    2    2    2    0     18    10  (JP)
      NOTE: Format after Early November
*GrooveRadio     Dance    2    1    3    2    3    2    2    3    0     18    10
 98.9 XHMORE-FM Rock      2    1    2    2    3    2    2    2    1     17    13
 95.7 KMSX-FM 80s Oldies  2    1    1    3    3    2    2    3    0     17    13  (CC)
      NOTE: Format after Early November
  540 XJAZ-AM Jazz        1    1    3    1    3    3    2    2    1     17    13
*theloopfm.com  ClsRock   2    1    2    2    2    3    2    2    1     16    16
104.3+KBIG-FM Pop A/C     2    1    2    3    2    2    2    2    0     16    16  (CC)
102.7+KIIS-FM Top 40      1    1    3    1    1    2    3    1    3     16    16  (CC)
 99.3 XHCR-FM Country     1    1    2    3    2    2    2    3    0     16    16  (CF)
 97.3 KSON-FM Country     1    1    3    2    1    2    3    2    1     16    16  (JP)
 94.9 KBZT-FM Oldies      1    1    3    2    2    2    3    2    0     16    16  (JP)
      NOTE: Format through Early November
 1170 KCBQ-AM Talk        1    1    2    1    3    3    2    2    1     16    16
  760 KFMB-AM Talk        2    1    2    1    1    3    3    2    1     16    16  (MT)
101.1+KRTH-FM Oldies      0    1    3    2    2    2    3    1    1     15    24  (IN)
 93.3 KHTS-FM CHR/Top 40  3    2    1    2    2    2    0    1    2     15    24  (CC)
 98.7+Star-FM Modern AC   0    1    1    3    2    2    2    2    0     13    26  (CC)
 94.1 KJQY-FM 60s Oldies  1    1    2    2    2    1    2    2    0     13    26  (CC)
      NOTE: Foramt after Mid November
 1130 KSDO-AM Talk        1    1    1    2    1    3    2    2    0     13    26  (CC)*
 98.1 KIFM-FM Pop Jazz    0    1    2    1    2    1    3    2    0     12    29  (JP)
 93.7&KCLB-FM Rock        0    1    1    3    2    2    2    1    0     12    29
 93.1+KCBS-FM Classic Roc 0    1    2    1    2    2    2    2    0     12    29  (IN)
 91.7 XGLX-FM Span Pop    2    1    2    0    1    2    2    1    1     12    29
 1360 KPOP-AM Nostalgia   0    1    1    2    1    1    2    2    0     12    29  (CC)
103.7 KPLN-FM Classic Rk  0    2    2    0    0    2    3    2    0     11    34  (IN)
100.7 KFMB-FM Modern AC   1    0    2    2    0    2    3    0    1     11    34  (MT)
107.3 XHFG-FM Span Roc    0    1    2    1    1    1    2    2    0     10    36
105.3 KIOZ-FM Hard Rock   1    1    1    2    2    2    1    0    0     10    36  (CC)
  710+KDIS-AM Radio Dsny  2    1    2    2    0    2    0    1    0     10    36  (DS)
 1240 KSON-AM Radio Dsny  2    1    2    2    0    2    0    1    0     10    36  (JP)
      NOTE: Radio Disney is programmed by Disney, KSON-AM is an affilliate owned by JP
106.7+KROQ-FM Pop AltRoc  0    1    2    1    2    1    2    0    0      9    40  (IN)
105.9+KPWR-FM Urban       0    1    1    1    1    2    2    0    1      9    40
101.5 KGB-FM  Classic Rk  0    0    2    0    0    2    3    1    1      9    40  (CC)
 96.5 KYXY-FM A/C         0    0    2    1    0    1    3    1    0      8    43  (IN)
 94.1 KJQY-FM A/C         0    1    1    2    3    1    0    0    0      8    43  (CC)
      NOTE: Format through Mid November
 92.3+Mega923 R&B         0    1    1    1    2    1    1    1    0      8    43  (CC)
100.3+KKBT-FM Urban       0    1    1    1    1    1    2    0    0      7    46
 95.7 KMSX-FM 70s-90s AC  0    0    1    2    1    1    0    1    0      6    47  (CC)
      NOTE: Format through Early November

By Corporate Average

NOTE: The two formats for three stations covered are pre-averaged before the overall
average is taken.

 FREQ COMPANY OR STATION TOTAL       RANK
 ---- ------------------ -----       ----
*wlir.com     Alt Rock     21          1
102.1 KXST-FM AAA          21          1
      Califormula          18          3
*DFSX         Comedy       18          3
*GrooveRadio     Dance     18          3
 98.9 XHMORE-FM Rock       17          6
  540 XJAZ-AM Jazz         17          6
*theloopfm.com  ClsRock    16          8
 1170 KCBQ-AM Talk         16          8
      Disney               15.5       10
      Clear Channel        14.0666    11
      Jefferson-Pilot      13.75      12
      Midwest Television   13.50      13
      Infinity             12.3333    14
 93.7&KCLB-FM Rock         12         15
 91.7 XGLX-FM Span Pop     12         15
107.3 XHFG-FM Span Roc     10         17
105.9+KPWR-FM Urban         9         18
100.3+KKBT-FM Urban         7         19

Fall Evalutron Scoring

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
  540 XJAZ-AM Jazz        1    1    3    1    3    3    2    2    1     17     
      BONUS: Opera
  570+KLAC-AM Nostalgia  NR
  600 KOGO-AM Talk        3    1    3    2    2    3    1    2    1     19
      BONUS: Padres
  640+KFI-AM  Talk       NR
  690 XTRA-AM Sports      2    2    3    3    2    3    2    2    1     20
      BONUS: Jim Rome
  710+KDIS-AM Radio Dsny  2    1    2    2    0    2    0    1    0     10
  760 KFMB-AM Talk        2    1    2    1    1    3    3    2    1     16
      BONUS: Chargers
  790+KABC-AM Talk       NR

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
  910 KECR-AM Religious  NR
 1000 KCEO-AM Talk       NR
 1070+KNX-AM  News        2    1    2    3    3    3    2    2    1     19
      BONUS: Drama Theatre
 1110+KRLA-AM Talk       NR
 1130 KSDO-AM Talk        1    1    1    2    1    3    2    2    0     13
 1150+KXTA-AM Sports     NR
 1170 KCBQ-AM Talk        1    1    2    1    3    3    2    2    1     16
      BONUS: I Still Q in My Car
 1210 KPRZ-AM Religious  NR
 1240 KSON-AM Radio Dsny  2    1    2    2    0    2    0    1    0     10
 1360 KPOP-AM Nostalgia   0    1    1    2    1    1    2    2    0     12
 1450 KSPA-AM Nostalgia  NR

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
 88.3 KSDS-FM Jazz       NR
 89.5 KPBS-FM Pub        NR
 90.3 XHTZ-FM Urban       2    2    3    3    2    2    3    1    2     20
      BONUS: Local Mixes, House of Z
 90.7 XLNC-FM Classical  NR
 91.1 XTRA-FM Pop AltRoc  3    2    2    2    2    2    3    2    2     19
      BONUS: Resurrection Sundays, Reggae Mekkossa
 91.7 XGLX-FM Span Pop    2    1    2    0    1    2    2    1    1     12
      BONUS: Weekend Mixes
 92.1 KFSD-FM Classical  NR 
 92.3+Mega923 R&B         0    1    1    1    2    1    1    1    0      8
 92.5 XHRM-FM R&B Oldies  3    2    3    3    3    2    1    1    1     19
      BONUS: Saturday Night Dance Party
 93.1+KCBS-FM Classic Roc 0    1    2    1    2    2    2    2    0     12
 93.3 KHTS-FM CHR/Top 40  3    2    1    2    2    2    0    1    2     15
      BONUS: Digital Groove, Top 40 Countdowns
 93.7&KCLB-FM Rock        0    1    1    3    2    2    2    1    0     12
 93.7%KDB-FM  Classical  NR

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
 94.1 KJQY-FM A/C         0    1    1    2    3    1    0    0    0      8
      NOTE: Format through Mid November
 94.1 KJQY-FM 60s Oldies  1    1    2    2    2    1    2    2    0     13
      NOTE: Foramt after Mid November
 94.7+KTWV-FM Pop Jazz   NR
 94.9 KBZT-FM Oldies      1    1    3    2    2    2    3    2    0     16
      NOTE: Format through Early November
 94.9 KBZT-FM 80s Oldies  3    1    2    3    3    2    2    2    0     18
      NOTE: Format after Early November
 95.5+KLOS-FM Classic Rk  1    1    3    2    3    2    3    3    3     21
      BONUS: Jim Ladd, 7th Day, House of Blues
 95.7 KMSX-FM 70s-90s AC  0    0    1    2    1    1    0    1    0      6
      NOTE: Format through Early November
 95.7 KMSX-FM 80s Oldies  2    1    1    3    3    2    2    3    0     17
      NOTE: Format after Early November
 96.5 KYXY-FM A/C         0    0    2    1    0    1    3    1    0      8
 97.1+KLSX-FM Talk       NR
 97.3 KSON-FM Country     1    1    3    2    1    2    3    2    1     16
      BONUS: After Midnite

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
 98.1 KIFM-FM Pop Jazz    0    1    2    1    2    1    3    2    0     12
 98.7+Star-FM Modern AC   0    1    1    3    2    2    2    2    0     13
 98.9 XHMORE-FM Rock      2    1    2    2    3    2    2    2    1     17
      BONUS: Rewire Remixes
 99.3 XHCR-FM Country     1    1    2    3    2    2    2    3    0     16
 99.9#KOLA-FM Oldies     NR
100.3+KKBT-FM Urban       0    1    1    1    1    1    2    0    0      7
100.7 KFMB-FM Modern AC   1    0    2    2    0    2    3    0    1     11
      BONUS: Jeff and Jer Showgram
101.1+KRTH-FM Oldies      0    1    3    2    2    2    3    1    1     15
      BONUS: Shotgun Tom Kelly
101.5 KGB-FM  Classic Rk  0    0    2    0    0    2    3    1    1      9
      BONUS: Rockline
102.1 KXST-FM AAA         2    1    3    2    3    2    3    3    2     21
      BONUS: House of Blues, Music Without Boundaries
102.7+KIIS-FM Top 40      1    1    3    1    1    2    3    1    3     16
      BONUS: Full Frequency, Rick Dees, Club KIIS

 FREQ STATION FORMAT     YOU  POP  ATT  GEN  RIS  OFF  CON  QUA  BON  TOTAL
 ---- ------- ------     ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  -----
103.3%KRUZ-FM Modern AC  NR
103.7 KPLN-FM Classic Rk  0    2    2    0    0    2    3    2    0     11
104.3+KBIG-FM Pop A/C     2    1    2    3    2    2    2    2    0     16
105.3 KIOZ-FM Hard Rock   1    1    1    2    2    2    1    0    0     10
105.9+KPWR-FM Urban       0    1    1    1    1    2    2    0    1      9
      BONUS: Powertools
106.7+KROQ-FM Pop AltRoc  0    1    2    1    2    1    2    0    0      9
107.3 XHFG-FM Span Roc    0    1    2    1    1    1    2    2    0     10
*wlir.com     Alt Rock    2    1    3    3    3    3    2    3    1     21
      BONUS: Saturday Night Electronica Mix
*GrooveRadio     Dance    2    1    3    2    3    2    2    3    0     18
*theloopfm.com  ClsRock   2    1    2    2    2    3    2    2    1     16
      BONUS: Dr. Demento
*DFSX         Comedy      2    1    2    3    3    2    2    2    1     18
      BONUS: Too cheap to afford bonus programming

+ means LA Based
& means Palm Springs based
% means Santa Barbara based
# means San Bernadino-Riverside based
^ means somewhere else
* means Internet only


MINUS NOTES: (most of which are still from quarter after quarter!)
 1130 - Consider doing an all news block for afternoon drives home.
 90.7 - Interfering with KFPK 90.7 in Los Angeles due to SCT of Mexico error.
 91.1 - Ignoring several alternative rock bands altogether.
 92.5 - needs to add some current soul-based music in order to freshen up the format.
  Like traditional rock, R&B is a genre, not a period piece.
  Also participates in a nationwide cash giveaway contest (big minus)
 93.3 - why so many airplays of slow jams and ballads? We already have KYXY for that!
  Also participates in a nationwide cash giveaway contest (big minus)
  The Club 933 mixes are a good idea in itself, but they need to get song ideas
  from their sister station in Los Angeles KIIS-FM as their dance mixes are, in a
  word, groovier than the too many slow jams crammed in to make it a club mix.
  Play some real house music during Club 933 for a change!
  Hint: Listen to Full Frequency with Christian B on KIIS early Sat's for song
  suggestions.
 96.5 - Play more upbeat adult pop songs with more uptempo rhythms to get you
  through the day.  KBIG has a better mix for adults. Drop the rock songs, they
  don't fit!!!!
 98.1 - Play edgier jazz such as Cassandra Wilson.
100.7 - Play more 80's variety.  Play more variety of today's hits.
  Why so many slow tempo songs all of a sudden?  You're playing
  a lot of country pop lately.  While you're playing country, play some Alan Jackson
  and others and make it sound like K-HAY. Yee-haw!
101.5 - Morning show needs more comedy and music.  Too much talk to make it appointment
  radio. KGB seriously needs to be more like KLOS but better and play more new rock
  and roll on a REGULAR basis. Needs more Sunday specials. Needs live concerts. Needs Dr.
  Demento. It's unlikely you're going to get a preset button ever again from
  me until you make ALL of the changes I stated...including Demento. No exceptions.
  And what's so great about the talkative Dave Shelley and Chainsaw anyway? BORING!
  Give me a music and fun intestive morning show instead!
102.1 - Please play a more rockier mix.  Lose Sarah McYawnin' and Seal and those other
  sleepy chick folkies. Why no Van Halen or ZZTop?
103.7 - Time to move The Planet into the new millenium by playing today's rock and roll
  hits, not just the past from the past decades.
105.3 - it's mostly noise instead of the kind of traditional rock and roll I grew up with.
  Howard Stern is beginning to sound dated in the new millenium.

POSITIVE NOTES:
  760 - at least they're local most of the day
 1070 - News when you want it
 90.3 - Urban mix blocks is done live, no pretaped mixes
  They finally brought back the House of Z house mix program late Sat 2am.
 91.1 - Steve West's Sunday Resurrection is worthy of listening to 91X for
  all the four hours of the week.  The other 162 hours needs serious
  work though.
 91.7 - they've just added a remix show on weekends!
 92.5 - Saturday night mixes yielded some old skool songs not heard in years.  Some
  cool special weekend ideas so far.
 92.5 - takes requests live most round the clock
 93.3 - airs The Digital Groove dance mix late Saturdays 1am.
 94.9 - good variety of 80's music
 95.5 - Jim Ladd is entertaining anyday you tune in, 7th Day has albums
  every Sunday night, House of Blues
 95.7 - good variety of 80's music
 98.9 - Rewire dance mixes Fridays 7-11pm!  Now they're playing rewire at random times
  on Wednesdays!
 99.3 - Plays the classic country oldies I haven't heard since the old KSON once aired them.
100.7 - e-mail inquiries are usually swift and responsive unlike Cheap Channel 933.
101.1 - just beginning to program 70's oldies
102.1 - at least this adult-aimed rock is filling a niche in San Diego playing new rock
  music, but could use a rockier sound.
102.7 - Dance Mixes Friday and Saturday nights, better than 93.3's. Also listen live
  on the Internet.  Full Frequency Fri/Sat 1-4am plays the dance hits not heard often
  enough. 
103.7 - A shorter playlist cuts out the filler and boring songs heard on KGB.
104.3 - Playing dance from 70's-today Friday nights are a blast.  They're even playing
  remixes I'm hearing on KIIS's dance mix blocks.
105.9 - Power Tools airs Sat/early Sun 2am playing underground grooves.


WASTED POSITIVE POINTS:
 Any station wish to adopt these?  Here are some clues for you radio programmers
 especially in sleepy San Diego!
- Big cash giveaways that are not part of a nationwide call-in giveaway; offer and
  giveaway all prizes offered to listners hearing that station only, that is, if
  station A offers cash prizes to listners in city A, only listeners in city A can
  win the prizes and not listeners from city B, C, etc., unless their stations in
  cities B, C, etc., offer prizes to their corresponding listening cities. Every winner
  in city A is awarded a prize offered by radio station in city A.
- Club mixes on radio that really sound like club mixes, not like some
  cheap pop alternative rockers or sleepy crooners
- A station playing all uptempo dance, groove, and freestyle music and club mixes
  on a regular basis.
- Full spectrum oldies from the 50s through the 90s
- Dr. Demento anyone?
- Full 80's music spectrum instead of just the 100 songs a station selects
- San Diego's All News Leader
- Truly Alternative Rock and Roll.  Too bad 91X doesn't believe in it.
- Full Hot 100 variety, hits when you want to hear them without listening
  to the oldies
- True progressive rock and roll is what really rocks, not just
  the classics
- Adult contemporary music that doesn't put you to sleep or make you cry.
- Country music that plays more variety instead of just the mainstream stuff
- An international music station with deejays in English playing world
  hits not heard in the USA
- A public radio station that plays music at least 20 hours a week
- Funny morning jocks that are really funny and worth the time.
- All comedy music and sketch programming may work here.
- A children's music format with wider selection of kid-friendly songs