Nanette Lee-less K104 continues to slip in the ratings
The latest Arbitron radio ratings were released today and though I have not seen them, I've been briefed on how the preliminary numbers are looking. According to sources, K104 is trending towards #6 overall in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. Dallas-Ft. Worth is the #5 radio market in the country
Radio Online has K104 ranked #4 for Spring Phase 1, down from second in the Winter 07 rankings. Radio One's KBFB – 97.9 The Beat ranks #2 on Radio Online's list, and is apparently trending towards second in Arbitron as well.
For years, K104 maintained #1 status, mostly due to the highly successful Skip Murphy & Company morning show. Apparently the latest rankings will be a 16-year low for the station, their worst since Tom Joyner left the KKDA outlet.
The fortunes of K104 seemed to change after The Wig was released from the station, but things have gone from bad to worse since Nanette Lee was dismissed back in January. The latest ratings could cost Skip Murphy his job at some point: I think he may need to dust off his resume. It's a sad story of messing with a good thing. The family atmosphere on the morning show hasn't been the same after Wig left, and since the departure of Nanette it's just a bunch of folks talking and laughing too loud.
See fan reaction to Nanette's dismissal here .
According to Wilton Hollins, a friend of Ms. Lee, she has enjoyed lots of "me time" over the last few months. She continues to host Phat Tuesday at the Addison Improv, with a show coming up on June 19. Nanette is looking forward to her next endeavor and isn't ruling out a return to the airwaves.
