Urban Radio Format Excellence, We Are The Programming Leaders Everyone Is Waiting For

November 15, 2023 by

To get attention and score in Nielsen, success with any format is having the right music position and the right on-air talent that are relevant for today’s radio. Data shows us that there are four different types of urban formats. To win you must be in the right format depending on many market factors. Your format selection is how you set yourself apart from everyone else. If you currently have low ratings, it might be time to change your format completely or make minor or major adjustments to your current format.

Your odds of winning listeners and ratings are highest depending on the type of the format for Urban Mainstream, Urban AC, Urban Oldies, Rhythmic, Rhythmic AC or Gospel. Data proves that if you have a competitive signal, then get the right balance and percentage of currents, recurrents and power gold, good things can happen. Every market is different, but these basics deliver a more appealing sounding station to your target listeners.

Lyles Media has proof that our format presentations combined with highly targeted listeners create a winning combination and are at the core to win and generate ratings successes. A format where everyone is welcome (Not everyone is welcome, because not everyone is going to participate in the Nielsen’s). We work hard and hold ourselves accountable to facilitate new ways to grow your station: understanding the needs of the local listeners, connecting with dignity, and growing market respect and awareness.

One underestimated component is a strong morning show to set the tone for your station. A great morning show has a positive impact on all of the other dayparts. Getting all of the pieces in harmony with the music strategy, then marketing it properly (on and off-air) is a power formula for success. Lyles Media can help you with your morning show strategy.

In order to grow the programming playbook, you must change based on today’s competition, and not only from radio, but from many other sources. By working together as partners and striving for today’s radio excellence, collectively we can grow and succeed.

A winning station can change your revenue world and we want to partner with those that are performance-driven through the lens of the local focus. Our track record of results with stations we’ve worked with speaks for itself.

If you seek better results, let’s start a conversation. Email us at: hlyles@urbanradio.com or call us: (770) 594.7171. We’d love to hear from you.

We set urban formats up for success to achieve Nielsen excellence.
A programming system supporting your market objective.
“Hold programming accountable, but giving them the tools to succeed.”
Prepare. Present. Practice. Follow up.

Filed Under: Press

THE PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT PATH TO RATINGS SUCCESS

August 10, 2023 by

THE PROGRAMMING DEVELOPMENT PATH TO RATINGS SUCCESS

Ratings success for any station starts with an entertaining, fun morning show magnet – it’s the engine that drives the rest of the station. A morning show that sets the tone and style of morning drive can say a lot about the stations position. Beware, locals know in any market if you are serious or not.

The Programming Development Path Encompasses:

1)     Teaching – Introducing new ideas that fit;
2)     Coaching – The approach, behavior and stations attitude; and
3)     Encouragement – Growth and understanding of the station objective and overall direction. With any format a market self reflection asking discovery questions is where we start to create a change for ratings success.

Our clients are in the business of getting ratings. Not breaking records, but playing hits the locals want to hear. Listeners in any market are not complex, they get it. Being all things to all locals is a mistake. The job is to do things properly or ask questions if you don’t know. Music risk taking is a death sentence.

Format performance is a high priority along with the overall station components that must fit. If the components don’t fit it could create unnecessary issues. Most PD’s are editors of the sound making sure the station is giving its absolute best on-air sound.

Musically the recipe is simple, play hit music THEY want to hear and stay in your music lane. Music research if available proves how to play the music tested positives, meaning category balance, style and content FIT. Overall blend of the music, not up and down, but a smooth blend. This attention to detail within the entire package helps prevent wobbles within your TSL.

History teaches us that the primary goal for any targeted format is to become “THE” local station that reflects the cities expectations in a positive supportive way, and with class. It’s your appeal, likeness; overall positives and making sure the non-components are in place and fit. Strive to be performance driven through the lens of your locals. Creating a winning format today demands that you can’t just be good- collectively as a team you must strive for perfection and radio excellence 24/7.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

At Lyles Media, our mission is to help stations develop their programming objective. Our job is to help you to stay focused and understand where your station is on its development path. Together we can partner to, train, coach and encourage station growth.

Let’s start a conversation about your station’s objectives. We will start with a free market review and an assessment of your station’s programming. If you are looking to increase your ratings in Nielsen, please email us at hlyles@urbanradio.com or call at (770) 594-7171.

Filed Under: Press

“7 Ways To Create A Radio Experience That Improves Nielsen Ratings”

May 27, 2023 by

THE RADIO PROGRAMMING MISSION 2023: To inspire and nurture the local human spirit- one person, one song and one neighborhood at a time.

  1. Know your market — With any format, our listeners must be at the core of everything we do. What is the station known for? Know the stations expectation and make sure all the components fit.
  2. You can unlock value through connectivity — A culture and format of warmth and belonging where everyone is welcome is key. We’re in the ratings business. Meaning, the music philosophy should be determined by demographic demand and appeal and known popularity.
  3. Act with programming courage — Challenge the status quo and find NEW ways to grow programming and each other. Strive to embrace change which is a constant in any business. The ability to lead through change allows us to innovate and elevate our radio performance and meet our listener’s evolving needs.
  4. Be present — Connect 24/7 with dignity and respect, and pay close attention to programming content detail. Relevant content that connects gets attention, not irrelevant content. Be a station that provides consistency every day to create a sense of certainty in an uncertain world.
  5. Deliver your very best programming — In all we do to hold ourselves accountable for the results, the ones closest to the programming action must make it work and score in Nielsen.
  6. Know the BASICS, BASICS, BASICS — Nail the BASICS (e.g., hit music, relevant talent, specialty programming, contests and promotions, all social media, station marketing, etc.) every time, then over deliver so the listeners come back and take you seriously. Local listeners know if you are serious or not.
  7. Work with a sense of programming purpose — A format doesn’t have to fail. A listener is not an accident. The word is singular because you only talk to one person at a time. How do you win the Nielsen game? In short, if you’re warm, positive, represent class and fun, you’ll win listeners in any size market. Have fun! It comes through if you are having fun.

Are you looking for better Nielsen results? Let’s start a conversation about your station objectives. We will start with a free market review and an assessment of your station’s programming. If you want to take advantage of this free station review, and if you are looking to increase your ratings in Nielsen, email us at hlyles@urbanradio.com or call at (770) 594-7171.

At Lyles Media we have One Urban Music Mission, to score in Nielsen:
“How does it work, “Hold station employees accountable, but give them the tools to succeed.”

 

 

Filed Under: Press

Radio, Living Our Mission & Values

April 22, 2023 by

The Lyles Media Radio Mission is direct, clear, and based on the changes radio is going through. Most stations, not all, are in the business of creating great radio. Lyles Media is in the business of ratings and playing the Nielsen game with our clients. How do we do this?  By having local station formats that inspire and nurture the human spirit, one listener, one song and one neighborhood at a time.

  • We start by helping you know the primary and secondary demo. We also insist you play the hits the locals know and like.
  • Do you know what your station is known for or should be known for from the listener’s perspective? Try being performance driven through the lens of the locals who like what you do.
  • What is the station’s format expectation?
  • What are the overall components to get ratings?
  • Do all the songs FIT the format?
  • Do you use research to create the best menu of music every day and the high positive titles the most?
  • Do you blend the music based on target demo? Are your non-music elements important to the listener also?

As we always say, a “ratings issue” is the gap between where you are today and where you could be.  If performance matters, ratings issues are always an opportunity for improvement. When you exceed the listeners’ expectation you can create an advantage against all competitors.

Call Lyles Media, ask for Harry, and let’s have a conversation, (770) 594-7171.

Filed Under: Press

Low Ratings: It’s Not A Nielsen Issue, You Have A Format Issue

February 17, 2022 by

Harry Lyles, President Lyles Media

As we have discussed, a “ratings problem” is the gap between where you are today and where you want to be. A ratings problem offers a new opportunity for a new direction and growth. It works like this, low ratings in any format is a sign that the local consumer who is participating in the ratings game doesn’t like the flavor of your station. Doesn’t matter if it is a PPM or Diary market. The good news, one winning station can change your revenue world. This is all fixable.

The game is simple, when you deliver and create the right music format from the local listener’s perspective ratings happen and the revenue will follow. Today, we all must work harder to improve and exceed the listener’s expectations. With the right change it can help ensure that you maintain a competitive advantage and continue to exceed the local music expectations.

At Lyles Media we understand that, on a personal and professional level, it feels good to partner with experienced radio folks and be a part of the solution for a format fix for success. Format adjustments are part of radio. Great radio stations that win become local leaders uplifting people who come back every day. We’ve learned through the years to be performance driven helping others win and succeed by achieving a winning result. With more music outlets today, you need to do much more to stand out; and every element must count and be connected to make the station stick in the listeners mind.

Work with us. We Push. We might make you nervous. BUT, we get results. Lyles Media is not your typical radio partner. We dissect where you are and plot a course for where you need to be based on your vision and company expectations. We partner, teach and coach for performance and development. We demand that, our process is highly collaborative until you are satisfied. Now is the time to start a conversation because performance matters. Let’s work together in 2022. It all starts with a confidential conversation and your market objective. Email Harry Lyles (hlyles@urbanradio.com) or call us at (770) 594.7171. We’d love to hear from you.

Filed Under: Press

What’s A Ratings Problem? It’s A Fixable Problem!

February 17, 2022 by

Harry Lyles, President Lyles Media

At Lyles Media we’re in the listener programming business giving listeners what they want one local listener at a time. A ratings problem” is the gap between where you are today and where you want to be. Example, it could be as simple as not meeting the primary and secondary demographics.

A ratings problem often presents itself as a barrier from achieving the programing main objective. We’ve learned a ratings problem represents a new opportunity for improvement and growth. We are strong believers in change so to improve and exceed the listeners’ expectations. Change is the beginning of a foundational change.

Often you don’t hear or see the problem until it is too late. They can be hidden in the work done every day. At Lyles Media we focus on solving ratings problems that impact the station and your sales. The main mission is to make the necessary programming adjustments for a different ratings result. A different results to generate station revenue starts with a confidential conversation.

A winning station can change your revenue world. Let’s work together in 2022. Email us at: hlyles@urbanradio.com or call us (770) 594.7171. Ratings success is YOUR choice.

Filed Under: Press

No Market Music Data? Good Luck!

November 1, 2021 by

Over the years we’ve learned setting a station up for success isn’t hard or complex. In moving forward, the format should be built with a focus on growth. And yes, you can make adjustments along the way.

The right format plan and mindset can create the environment for growth when playing the Nielsen game. The real question to answer is “Are you delivering the most fun and excitement from the listener’s perspective”?

When it comes to any format, the music philosophy should be determined by the local demographic demand and appeal, based upon popularity. Once you find that information, the format should be developed to present the music in a consistent and repeatable pattern. We always also suggest you create a model “targeted listener” profile that the on-air talent can talk to.

When it comes to marketing of the format, all references to the station should be written to present the “Unique Selling Proposition” of the station. All marketing components must deliver the same, consistent message, over and over again.

When it comes to the sound and technology of the station, you must work hard to have the best audio sound in your market. Why? Because you want the locals to notice the music just sounds better on your station.

Promotionally, all contest and promotions, whether they be listener or sales oriented, should be demographically relevant to the life group of the format. Most important, all contesting should be simple and easy to win. As a programming partner to many formats, it is important that you and your on-air talent ensure the format maintains a competitive advantage and continues to exceed the listener’s expectations every day.

Remember, Lyles Media believes in the power of change when ratings are low. We are always looking for incredible stations and companies to partner with. Reach out if that’s you and let’s discuss how to make your station successful. Our job is to help you find peace of mind through success.

For a confidential conversation, call Harry Lyles at (770) 594.7171 or email at hlyles@urbanradio.com.

 

Filed Under: Press

Programming To Inspire, One Listener at a Time

October 28, 2021 by

Programming, Harry Lyles, President Lyles Media

With all the competition radio has today, your station must sound as if you want to win. Listeners know if you are serious or not. With more competition than ever, you need to do much more to stand out.

Your programming values must be at the core. All the elements and individual parts of the station must play together and connect with the audience.

When you create a format that challenges the status quo and creates a culture of warmth, dignity and belonging, the listener has a safe and familiar feeling and responds. This is especially true when your mission is to respect one listener at a time. A listener is not an accident. The word is singular because you only talk to one person at a time.

When format decisions are made through the lens of the listening experience for the consumer, they come back day after day.

To score in the game of radio, the performance of your best elements matters when you hold yourself accountable for the end result. Radio, more so today, must be performance driven for the local audience to maintain their attention on you. In short, if you’re warm, positive, having fun with class, you’ll win listeners.

As we’ve said before, a ratings problem is the gap between where you are today and where you want to be. Low ratings represent a time for change. The right change or adjustment can be a huge opportunity for improvement for a different result. To understand a ratings problem, it is important to go where the problem is occurring, collect the facts and address the problem with a clear, concise description of the issue that needs to be addressed. Oftentimes, there are more than just one problem.

We wouldn’t be a good radio partner if we didn’t end with a call to action to work together. We’re always looking for incredible stations to partner with. Reach out if that’s you.

Lyles Media is not your typical radio adviser. Before we get started, we like to get to know you and your objective. Tested in all size markets, we will always have your back by giving you our absolute best. For a confidential conversation, call Harry Lyles at (770) 594.7171 or email at hlyles@urbanradio.com.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Press, Programming

A Winning Format Can Change Your Revenue World

September 12, 2021 by

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: (770) 594-7171.

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

 

Filed Under: Press

Are You In It To Win It?

June 28, 2021 by

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.

Filed Under: Press
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