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
Elizabeth Robinson
February 26th, 2010
10:00 am
BRING BACK KELLY AND ALPHA W/ NEW FORMAT TO DISPLAY THEIR PERSONALITIES!!!
MP
February 26th, 2010
10:05 am
1- Rhubarb Jones & Easy Listening Format
2- simulcast 680Fan
3- Kimmer
StJ
February 26th, 2010
10:13 am
I will reiterate some of the earlier posts…For a major market, Atlanta radio is crap. 97.1 is about the only station worth listening to if you don’t like country or hip-hop/rap/whatever they call it these days, but the playlist on 97.1 is getting repetitive. There’s a whole lot more good stuff they could be playing. (Some 80s rock is sneaking in there though.)
But, most of the time I listen to the iPod…some of my playlists could go on for days without repeating anything. There is a serious amount of music loaded on this thing. And no commercials!!
V103
February 26th, 2010
10:16 am
RK – People Meters were introduced in the Atlanta market over a Year Ago – and how can you compare ATL to DC?
Howdy Ho
February 26th, 2010
10:16 am
Just a kind word of advice. Never, ever listen to Steve and Vikki after dropping acid. It sent me to Grady man. Bad scene.
A Realist
February 26th, 2010
10:22 am
Nothing but a couple of lounmouths anyway…..will not be missed.
A Realist
February 26th, 2010
10:22 am
Misspelled…..”loudmouths” in post above
Who Cares?
February 26th, 2010
10:23 am
Hey, where’s the post I submitted an hour and a half ago, edit weasel?
Perkle
February 26th, 2010
10:23 am
That sucks. They were the only decent on air people left. Guess it’s back to the buzzer or iPod for my morning alarm. Hopefully they will land on their feet somewhere.
DamnYankee
February 26th, 2010
10:31 am
Kathi- the metaphors may be mixed, but the truth remains the same. And bitter is the correct choice in your case. Quick, log off, it’s almost time for your favorite show- “Hee-Haw”.
George
February 26th, 2010
10:31 am
I live halfway between Atlanta and Birmingham. I like rock (from the 60’s to late 80’s) and old and new country. Atlanta radio has no personality at the moment. The comments to bring in Rick Burgess and Bubba Bussey are dead on. These guys could compete with Neil Boortz. Bring back the old 96 Rock & Z93 from the 80’s and you’ll win the 40 to 60 demographic. Advertise to our age group. You’ll be amazed at what will happen.
RK
February 26th, 2010
10:32 am
V103 — both markets are/were led by urban stations. Peoplemeters in DC have changed that completely; even the venerable Donnie Simpson has been canned, because the ratings aren’t what they thought they were.
Bob
February 26th, 2010
10:33 am
The musical variety and the personalities… I like Randy and Spiff on True Oldies!
RK
February 26th, 2010
10:34 am
Good news, satellite radio lovers:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9E3DNQO2.htm
Sirius XM Radio Inc. on Thursday posted a small profit for the fourth quarter as it added subscribers and cut costs.
RTibbs
February 26th, 2010
10:34 am
Stupid satatements abound today.
Dickey Bros. buy the a top 5 station so the Braves can be heard OTP? Try Rock 100.5 for that since the games will be on there also. It makes more sense than buying another station that Cox won’t sell.
The 97.1 playlist is GETTING repetitive? Seriously? It was repetitive the day it went on the air. After two weeks you heard every song 3 -4 times.
Jeff – Grow a sack will you? AWWWW how precious as a teenage boy you listened to Steve and Vickie. Ohh the thoughts of Vickie keeping me warm at night still cloud my fragile eggshell mind.
Steve and Vickie need to use their creativity and fun??? Steve’s creativity I don’t believe extends beyond his ability to sounds so completely insecere and Vickie well uhhh nevermind. PS how do you use your fun?
SteveAndVickiFan
February 26th, 2010
10:34 am
Hope Steve and Vicki are brought back on Star94 – CindyAndRaySuck
oldude
February 26th, 2010
10:38 am
98.5 is for chicks and gays,(not that there’s anything wrong with that.) I’m 53. 6-10, RegGuys.
All other times, Boortz, Beck, Rush, Cain, Denny and Savage. Yep, conservative. 961 blows
100.5 away. Rock should be hard, always. Reg Guys make you laugh. There’s not a lot to
laugh about these days. I’m also a trucker. My office for 8-12 hrs. is driving the truck. Peace.
VT
February 26th, 2010
10:48 am
As a soccer mom, I do basically like Steve and Vickie…but tend to channel-surf for the music. More music is definitely needed at all ATL radio stations since there’s not a decent host out there. Except maybe Ryan Cameron (WGC alum here). Get a less well-known (but not offensive-kids are in the car too) team that plays a good variety of music, please! Along with several others, I really do miss the stations from the 80s…and that Friday 5 p.m. whistle. Sigh.
On the side – who cares what Vickie looks like, it’s not like 98.5 is a TV program – we can only hear her.
Kat
February 26th, 2010
10:50 am
1) Did Gary McKee move to 90.1?
2) Jeff has WAY too much time to post his novellas.
Zelda
February 26th, 2010
10:52 am
I say bring back Moby in the Morning!
Kat
February 26th, 2010
11:02 am
Music-related: According to London’s Daily Mail, Carly Simon’s song “You’re so Vain,” was written about David Geffen. There’s no word of it here in the States, so perhaps it is BS?
aquarius
February 26th, 2010
11:11 am
I listened to Steve and Vicki for years when they were on Star 94 and loved them and the music. When they came back to 98.5, I found that while I still liked their banter, I did not care much for the music but that is not their fault. I really don’t understand why some of you feel the need to make such nasty and cruel comments about them. If you don’t like a station, all you have to do is turn it off. Steve and Vicki, I wish you the best.
songbird
February 26th, 2010
11:19 am
B98.5 like all of Atlanta’s radio is BORING!!!!! I end of punching buttons to find a song I like or just listen to CDs.
Derek
February 26th, 2010
11:19 am
Jeff – Cox has like 3 of the top 10 radio stations 12+ in Atlanta, and the top TV Newscast. Yeah, they’re doing a horrible job…
Bob
February 26th, 2010
11:20 am
CBS Radio is sharpening the blade and getting ready to put “DAVE-FM” out of its misery.
Howdy Ho
February 26th, 2010
11:21 am
Did you ever hear of the F.C.C.. Yep, that’s me…Frequent Channel Changer.
KMA
February 26th, 2010
11:30 am
Bring Back Kelly & Alpha. My entire office, friends and family stopped listening to the morning show when you let them go and brought in S & V. Co-workers were upset with the fact that they no longer had a good radio station that they could listen to while taking their kids to school then coming to work. You never know what was going to come out of S&V’s mouth. Personally I ended up getting an XM Radio for my car and havent’ listened since. Bring back Kelly & Alpha! Thank you.
KMA
February 26th, 2010
11:32 am
In addition, Kelly & Alpha were with 98.5 for a very long time and had very high ratings because they were good overall, people liked them, the music was good and they didn’t talk garbage and do interviews/talk all the time, it was a perfect combination of them and music!
The NEW 97.1 The River!
February 26th, 2010
11:33 am
Now is a great time to check out Atlanta’s Newest Radio station- the NEW 97.1 THE RIVER! Playing Atlanta’s Classic Hits. Check us out @ 97.1FM. That’s the NEW 97.1 THE RIVER! Remember- The NEW 97.1 THE RIVER!
Jimbo
February 26th, 2010
11:36 am
why don’t they just save a ton of dough & replay kelli & alpha shows? It’s the same garbage over & over again anyway (run by the same 4 or 5 corporations) and no one seems to care! There’s a REASON these 2 have been unemployed since they were fired. They are corny & awful. Terrestrial radio is CRAP. Debating over the same lame 2 or 3 morning teams in town or whether we should hear more fleetwood mac or the eagles for the trillionth time!?!?! Sirius is WELL worth the few bucks a month– I guarantee you will never go back to tired old radio. Can’t afford it? Understandable– then how about listening to an ipod?!?!?
Kimmer Fan
February 26th, 2010
11:40 am
KIM “THE KIMMER” PETERSON…..
… IS Atlanta Radio.
He would be the only reason I would EVER switch from my XM for a 3-4 hours each day.
Simply Radio Gold.
PF
February 26th, 2010
11:43 am
Enter your comments here
Richard Parrilla
February 26th, 2010
11:43 am
This may not be WRFG or anything, but there’s a heck of a lot more variety than that B-rated station:
http://www.merge98fm.com
Gayle Rogers
February 26th, 2010
11:45 am
I agree. It is the music! I love Steve and Vicki. You guys are making a mistake. Change your music and bring them back.
Atlanta Radio
February 26th, 2010
12:39 pm
B98.5 should learn they are not the American Idol audience. I’m tired of David Cook, Chris Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson. Learn to mix it up. I like the 80’s weekends, but please quit playing the same rotation.
Each Atlanta radio station has a playlist and they play it to over and over. Get a clue.
Seer
February 26th, 2010
12:52 pm
‘You’re So Vain’ was about Warren Beatty.
YEAH!!
February 26th, 2010
12:54 pm
YEAH!! I have missed listening. Steve’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard to me. I would catch myself scanning the radio and stop to listen to a great song only to have S&V ruin it. Thank you Tony Kidd!! I can listen again to the music I enjoy!
Courtney
February 26th, 2010
1:09 pm
Kelly & Alpha belong on 98.5 and Steve & Vicki belong on Star 94. The Mourning Mess and The Bert Show belong in a garbage pile.
PAN
February 26th, 2010
1:09 pm
Vikki’s laughter is utterly fake and obnoxious! – And the uninvited guest with Will thing totally STUPID and uncalled for! – I stopped listening to your station because of that! Vickki’s laugh was enough, but the univeted guest just put the icing on the cake! – talking bout beating a horse dead!
Eric
February 26th, 2010
1:27 pm
The only reason I listened to B98.5 in the morning was to hear Steve and Vicki. With them gone, I will change stations. I am really going to miss Quickies from Vicki.
Vikki
February 26th, 2010
1:33 pm
I want to thank a few of you for your nice comments and support. Steve and I were caught completely off guard by this whole thing. Keep Steve in your thoughts and prayers. As for me, I have already lined up my next gig as a lingerie model. XOXO
Winkasdad29
February 26th, 2010
2:20 pm
Too bad for Steve & Viki. I agree the music selection is probably what killed them. B98.5, dig deep into the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s vault. What you’re playing now can be found in anyone’s CD collection.
I have two questions:
1. If B98.5 starts playing some deeper cuts from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, will Atlanta listeners recognize what they’re hearing? I don’t find much sophistication here, and I’ve lived here over 15 years;
2. If playing deeper cuts doesn’t work, then what will? Maybe B98.5 should conduct an extensive survey and ask their demographic what they are looking for.
Good luck, B98.5. You’ll need it.
Leslie Lipkin
February 26th, 2010
3:04 pm
I would really like to see Kelly back on the station. Miss his show terribly!
Lavonne Randall
February 26th, 2010
3:07 pm
Bring back Kelly and Alpha
Lavonne Randall
February 26th, 2010
3:07 pm
Enter your comments here
Larry Larkin
February 26th, 2010
3:30 pm
All of you – Kelly & Alpha are already at another station in Chicago – doing quite well – why would you want them to leave a secure position and return to where they were not bringing in ratings.
Kelly and Alpha fan
February 26th, 2010
3:35 pm
Bring Kelly and Alpha back A.S.A.P
ROFAN@HOTMAIL.COM
February 26th, 2010
3:36 pm
I didn’t listen to S&V but, I do want to say that I am never happy to hear that someone has lost their job. In today’s economy, after getting fired (or leaving a job) is not so easy to find another job. I wish them the best.
Melissa
February 26th, 2010
3:59 pm
Totally agree… the music is not good….Steve and Vikki rock…. 98.5 is off of my preset stations….listened every morning… but not anymore!!! Terrible mistake!!
Kittenmommy
February 26th, 2010
4:06 pm
LOL @ Jeff! I have no desire to be on the radio, plus they’d fire me for playing stuff like “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” instead of the same old Kelly Clarkson songs and worn out light pop from the 80s.