B98.5 nixes the Steve & Vikki Show
B98.5 has decided to end the Steve and Vikki Show less than two years after a ballyhooed launch in 2008. Steve McCoy is out for sure, confirmed a Cox Radio official close to the situation who declined to be identified because he wasn’t authorized to give out such information.
Tony Kidd, Cox Radio market manager, said he wasn’t ready to discuss the situation just yet.
The pair’s contract is up June 30. B98.5 decided to take them off the air early because the soft-rock station had a deadline to give Steve & Vikki a third year. Management has chosen not to take the option.
Loading ...A friend close to Vikki Locke said she has an offer to stay on, perhaps as a solo morning host, starting July 1. She has not made up her mind but has until next week to say yes or no.
If she doesn’t, B98.5 could bring back Kelly Stevens and Alpha Trivette, the former morning team who helmed the B98.5 morning slot for nearly a decade. The team has not been able to find a radio job since B98.5 let them go in 2008.
Steve & Vikki have been together for more than two decades, most of it at Star 94, where they thrived for many years as the source for soccer moms across metro Atlanta. Star, wanting to veer younger, decided to dismiss them in 2007. B98.5 hired them soon after in 2008. They returned to the air in July, 2008.
Management figured they were a perfect fit for the B98.5 demographic, which is older than that of Star 94.
Steve & Vikki have drawn decent ratings but probably not as good as B98.5 had hoped. Worse yet, the economy took a dive soon after they were hired, hindering B98.5’s ability to offset the higher costs of the morning show compared to the more economical Kelly & Alpha.
Steve & Vikki’s morning numbers lagged far behind B98.5’s mid-day and afternoon time periods, though the station’s emphasis over the years has been to get the “listen while you work” crowd. And since the new people meter measurements have been in place, B98.5 has done extremely well. It even landed at No. 1 during the Christmas holiday season.
As of late evening Thursday night, the Steve & Vikki show remained on the Web site www.b985.com. Ironically, at 11:24 p.m., about 12 hours after McCoy was told the news, WXIA-TV ran an ad featuring Steve & Vikki advertising a free trip to see “American Idol.” The title said that B98.5 is the “new home of Steve and Vikki in the morning.” Yes, they still use “new” after all this time.
The staff has been informed of the situation Thursday. They will go to a more music format for now, led by producer Will Gara. [UPDATE: Steve & Vikki were indeed not on the air Friday morning and Gara was covering. The show aired from 5 to 9 a.m.]
Though B98.5 has emphasized more music, less personality over the years, management saw an opportunity when Steve & Vikki became available. Arguably, since B98.5 is the only pure adult contemporary station in the market, hiring Steve & Vikki was insurance nobody else would hire the pair and take on B98.5 directly. Indeed, nobody has, though 105.7/The Groove and Star 94 are certainly pivoting toward their audience.
There have been management shifts. Two big supporters of Steve & Vikki when they got there are no longer at B98.5: former VP/general manager Dave Meszaros and former market manager Chris Wegmann.
Steve & Vikki more or less replicated their Star 94 show on B98.5. Program directors came and went trying to tweak it to their liking. Clearly, it didn’t work out.
McCoy has not returned a call for comment. In 2007 and 2008, McCoy didn’t talk about his departure from Star 94 until he was hired by B98.5.
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335 comments Add your comment
Mike
February 26th, 2010
12:01 am
Start listening to Dave FM if you’re that sad. It’s 98.5 lite anyway. I honestly don’t know why anyone in their right mind would want to listen to what 98.5 plays on a weekly basis anyway but the Dave channel has quietly mixed the format for the somewhat mainstream/non-fat office worker that doesn’t want to listen to Falco.
At least at Dave you can hear crap like train, Wallflowers, the Counting Crowes and numerous other bands that died in 1997 and should have stayed there. Sorry, I mean 98.5. What’s the difference?
BigHittas
February 26th, 2010
12:15 am
nothing against Steve and Vikki, but I haven’t listened to mornings on B98.5 since Kelly and Alpha left. I’d like for K&A to come back, too!
charles davidson
February 26th, 2010
12:18 am
Radio in Atlanta pretty much sucks……but then that’s true of radio throughout the US. Really hate to see anybody get fired but Steve and Vicki stink….very stale. Bring on more music….PLEASE!!!!!
Mike
February 26th, 2010
12:27 am
Honest question here…what on earth do people like about 98.5 or Dave FM? A cycle of 50 crappy songs mixed in with Christmas music for 98.5…A cycle of a few non top 40 songs mixed in with B98.5 crap for Dave.
Do crappy pop songs from the 80’s/90’s have that much power? Do you just not like good music? Is the mean just a safe place to limit your music listening?
Shannon
February 26th, 2010
1:01 am
Big mistake … Big!
And I seriously doubt Vikki will do the show without Steve.
Radio Fan
February 26th, 2010
1:21 am
I used to work with Steve and he is one of the biggest jerk’s I ever met. Good riddens…nothing good to say about the guy. Hopefully he saved some of his money.
Mr. Smiles
February 26th, 2010
1:28 am
AM 1690 in Atlanta.
Real music, interviews, reviews and history with local artists at the mic.
Break out of the format rut and hear just great music.
(1690wmlb.com)
J.R.
February 26th, 2010
2:02 am
Radio as an entertainment medium (which is what radio is), is going to have to re-invent itself. The industry should look at it’s history, and remember what it’s like to arouse the imagination of the listeners. Put talented entertainers on the air, and not shock-jocks, and empty headed morons who think they are comedians. I can get music anywhere nowadays, put some D.J.’s on who don’t just talk about what was on Tv last night. That’s not entertainment, just re-hashing of a tv program that I did not watch. And if I did watch it, I don’t need to hear a re-hash of it.! Radio was, and could again be such a great medium of entertainment except for the small minds and limited imaginations of the people in charge of Radio companies today.
Lee
February 26th, 2010
2:33 am
I’m so glad AJC finally was able to find an intelligent, opinionated by civil-tongued commentator on something– thank you “Jeff”, whoever you are! I’ve been outside of Atlanta airwave traffic for 5 years, but will always hold a soft spot in my heart for Steve and Vicki. I remember Steve on z93 back when they were Top40 in the mid-80s, and listened to thei pair of them in the mornings forever. God bless both of them, and God bless the brave, good-hearted old-fashioned radio entertainers. Yes, you gotta compete with the iPods, etc. But there will always be an audience of people who want to be with FRIENDS during that god-awful morning run. Best of luck and love to you, S&V!
JASon
February 26th, 2010
3:10 am
Thanks, fm radio. Not only do you continue to fail on the radio show front, but you have failed on the music front by playing the same old same old. But that’s okay, because the internet is here to give us exactly what we need. There IS good radio out there. And the is DEFINITELY good music to be heard, and we can find it ourselves THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Lou from the Bronx
February 26th, 2010
3:20 am
The radio stations down here are terrible—two lame sports talk shows that spend more time talking about movies and girls than sports–a total joke. There is no full time classical station and the regular music channels suck. In New York, we have 2 full time classical channels, tons of great sports talk and lots of good music channels, without all these moron morning hosts like they have here. I miss the Bronx and can’t wait to move back.
Vic
February 26th, 2010
5:58 am
They really need to bring back Jeff Lawrence and his 70’s dance show on Sat. night, and forget about the everyday stuff!
Eric
February 26th, 2010
6:50 am
I went to satellite radio in 2003 and haven’t looked back since. The Steve and Vicki’s of the world along with the endless advertisements were enough for me. Let alone the awful playlists on these stations. It really amazes me that people continue to listen to this garbage.
kris
February 26th, 2010
7:08 am
Those two old goats had a lot of negative opinions about gays and other minorities. Vicki was especially nasty towards skinny, pretty, female celebrities. Karma sucks!
Red
February 26th, 2010
7:10 am
how about just take off all the talk shows and play some music. all the talk show host are idiots anyway. they all suck!
Vince
February 26th, 2010
7:24 am
Should have happened 20 years ago. Lame “celebrities” desperate to hang on to the spotlight even as it becomes a penlight.
Gigi
February 26th, 2010
7:38 am
Once again good people were axed! Forget the music…it’s repetitive anyway. I loved Steve, Vickie and Will’s “bantering” and just good conversations. I will definitely change stations now. Good bye B98.5—hello satellite radio!
Jon
February 26th, 2010
7:40 am
Steve and Vicki were back on the radio?
Same ol same ol
February 26th, 2010
7:45 am
Atlanta radio is awful. Thank goodness for satellite radio.
Roland
February 26th, 2010
7:56 am
They are so lame. Do you think they listen to any other radion station to get any tips? Pull the commericals on TV and Radio. You have been trying for years to make this work.. You won’t make it with these two. Same old music. There are 1000s of musicians and you have found about 5 other of them. There must me a penthouse about the radio station. No one seems to go out and mingle with society.
SNM
February 26th, 2010
7:59 am
I am not sorry to see them go. I was a loyal listener for B98.5 while Kelly and Alpha were there and decided to give Steve and Vicki a shot after the station fired Kelly and Alpha. After a couple of months I grew so tired of them I wanted to puke…..seems they were star struck and all they wanted to do was see how many celebrities they could interview and have on the show, plus their conceited banter was terrible. I finally switched when my wife found a new station and said to give it a try….it was the new True Oldies Atlanta 106.7 and when I first started listening to them, the had Imus in the Morning…didn’t like him at all, but suffered through Steve and Vicki for while. But when the Oldies station brought in Randy and Spiff I became a loyal listener all day longand haven’t turned back or regretted it since….I love the oldies station and will continue listening for a long time….they make my long commute so much fun and entertaining. See ya Steve and Vicki…..
Kelly and Alpha belong back on the air in ATL
February 26th, 2010
8:01 am
I turned off B98.5 the day that they took Kelly and Alpha off the air. Management then did not listen, listening to them in the morning on the way to work they would always make you laugh. I don’t care what kind of mood you were in they pulled you out and made you smile.
Since then the musid has been crappy, nothing like what they were playing. Management didn’t understand that the soft rock was pleasant to listen to at work. I have notived stores and offices that used to play them have chosen no music since their departure.
What Cox did to Kelly an Alpha and all of their fans was terrible. The only way to redeem yourself is put them back on the air and then watch your ratings soar again. I will never listen to any other team.
romer979fm
February 26th, 2010
8:01 am
Radio Fan: I seriously doubt you worked with Steve and could make that comment…
you obviously have no clue, and are just falling in lock-step with the junior high slammers here.
Those of us who HAVE worked with Steve know the truth.
Marko
February 26th, 2010
8:03 am
I quit listenign to Star 94 after they axed Steve and Vikki. They are the ONLY reason I listened to to B 98.5. If they are gone, I am done with listening to B 98.5.
veemmmgee
February 26th, 2010
8:04 am
I still liked Steve and Vikki – it was the music that wore me out. Same old, same old, all the time. I don’t know why the station surveyed their listeners’ opinions if they don’t act on it!! The whole Will thing got old, too – just kick the freeloader out, and be done with it. Period. I am back to Cindy and Ray – loved them when they were on in the afternoons….
Karen
February 26th, 2010
8:04 am
I have enjoyed listening to them for a very long time. I wasn’t offended by their subject matter of which they talked about early in the morning. Too many of the other stations veering towards being crude and playing “hip-hop” type music. I will truly miss listening to them every morning on my way to work. Stupid move 98.5
80's girl
February 26th, 2010
8:07 am
I grew up with Steve and Vicki and have followed them for the 20 years they have been on the radio. The only reason I listened to B98 was because of Steve and Vicki, not the music. I hope they show up somewhere else. They make the morning commute bearable. Good Luck S&V!
leigh
February 26th, 2010
8:08 am
Steve & Vikki were the only reason I tuned and woke up to 98.5, certainly NOT the music AND because I wake up in a better mood laughing from something I heard on their show! I couldn’t STAND the ‘Morning Mess’ that took over 94.1 (glad to hear they were finally let go)…guess if I can’t find Steve & Vikki again soon, I’ll just wake up to ‘Talk Radio’ as long as I can find something humorous.
Keith
February 26th, 2010
8:11 am
@Lou from the Bronx: Delta is ready when you are!
JOe
February 26th, 2010
8:16 am
Bring back the Kimmer! WIth all of the craziness these days we could all use a good laugh on the way to work!
Dissenters flame away…
Carolyn
February 26th, 2010
8:17 am
I have always enjoyed Steve and Vikki. They’re sweet, funny and a clean act for a change. Big mistake.
Susan
February 26th, 2010
8:23 am
IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!! And YES to bringing back Kelly & Alpha where they properly belong!!!!
David
February 26th, 2010
8:27 am
Long live XM, ATL radio sucks for this size of a market.
Julie Painter
February 26th, 2010
8:38 am
I’ve always enjoyed Steve and Vicky. However when they came back to B98.5 their morning show had too much talk.. Not enough news and traffic for the morning hourand of course NOT ENOUGH MUSIC- which is mainly why people listen to the radio. The attempts to arrange marriage proposals was a disaster and the adding of the homosexual banter was a total turn off. Very bad choices but I feel that those choices were not Steve and Vicky’s. Good luck, Steve and Vicky.
John K
February 26th, 2010
8:44 am
Good. Steve and Vicki down. Hopefully Randy & Spiff will follow soon.
Kathi
February 26th, 2010
8:44 am
Thank you Jesus! I’ve been praying for this news and will keep praying for Kelly & Alpha to come back. I did my best to give Steve & Vickie (UGH)a fair chance but it wasn’t long before I switched to AM talk radio.
Jeff – I’m not surprised you like Steve McCoy. The two of you drone on endlessly…
It’s not that Kelly & Alpha were so entertaining. I don’t want entertainment as I deal with the shock of waking up at zero:dark-thirty. They were soothing and non-intrusive – just the ticket.
“Please God, bring back Kelly & Alpha.”
norma
February 26th, 2010
8:57 am
Sorry to say this, but Steve & Vicki leaving is good news. I have changed radio stations because it was a killer. They were so silly, especially Vicki. Need new format on music as well.
MayberryDawg
February 26th, 2010
8:59 am
YES!! Bring back the Kimmer and his cronies Wayne, Snake Davis, etc. He was actually funny before he was neutered by managment.
chris
February 26th, 2010
9:12 am
Atlanta needs to bring in Rick n Bubba out of Birmingham. Before you say that is redneck or low class, their show has some of the most thoughtful discourse on radio and is funny to boot.
Kristy in Cobb
February 26th, 2010
9:18 am
Finally, B98.5 FM has gotten it RIGHT. It was nice to hear Will Gara briefly on-air and lots of music and the local news. This is the type of radio station I want to wake-up to as a mother of 3 children, then listen to with my children as we have breakfast and I drop them off at school before I go to work. After Will I will be able to listen to my music at work with Jordan Graye and then Kelly McCoy – not having to listen to stories or interviews with people I have no idea who they are or care about. THANK YOU for the change B98.5 FM. You didn’t need S&V or K&A at all… just the right format.
Jackie
February 26th, 2010
9:22 am
I stopped listening to 98.5 this morning. There is an audience for Steve & Vikki…I appreciate their style and integrity. 98.5 has screwed up!! I had to turn my dial back to 94.1 this morning and listen to Cindy & Ray. Didn’t enjoy..Steve & Vikki need to be able to use their creativity and fun! I wish them well…
Mike
February 26th, 2010
9:26 am
They used to make fun of Fox 97 – “Good Times, Eight Oldies.” Now Star and B are doing the same thing. They beat a song to death. I didn’t like Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” to begin with, and now I can’t stand Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and that “Say Hey” song.
If your format isn’t top 40, you’ve got a thirty-year window of music to pick from. Why do so many repeats? It’s not like you get a volume discount from BMI and ASCAP.
DamnYankee
February 26th, 2010
9:30 am
I find it so amusing to read all these comments! It sounds like some people with bitter grapes and/or an axe to grind posting their “anonymous” opinions trying to sound like “average listeners” When will you people learn your opinions mean nothing- NOTHING AT ALL !! Just because we have a right to an opinion and free speech (supposedly) doesn’t mean you have to subjugate us with your uneducated, backwoods cracker ideas about business. Go back to your homes and fight for your children to have a 4-day school week. I’m sure most, if not all of you are behind the campaign to change the state bird from a thrasher to a chicken. Did the idea come to you as you looked out the window of your trailer to the front yard?
ME
February 26th, 2010
9:38 am
OH THANK GOODNESS!!!!! AND PLEASE NO ONE BRING THESE TWO PEOPLE BACK TO RADIO.
Estay
February 26th, 2010
9:40 am
I have to avoid this station on my dial b/c of Steve and Vicki. They make me want to puke. Most uncreative, corn ball, lame show in the history of radio. Good riddance.
SPX
February 26th, 2010
9:47 am
what is the change for Dave?
RK
February 26th, 2010
9:52 am
Wait until Atlanta gets peoplemeters — there will be more shakeups than ever. It has turned DC radio upside-down.
Freddie Mercury's Spirit
February 26th, 2010
9:54 am
How about Album Oriented Rock/Pop from the 70s & 80s, not just the same “hit songs” that The River plays over and over and over and over ….
Kathi
February 26th, 2010
9:56 am
Ummm…excuse me DamnYankee…but your post sounds alot like bitter grapes and/or an axe to grind.
Also – no offense but please don’t mix your metaphors. It’s sour grapes – not bitter grapes.
Jack
February 26th, 2010
9:58 am
Jeff you sound like you were fired from the radio biz or maybe you were never hired. You sound like a wannabe–an uniformed one for sure. Have a great weekend.