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.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
335 comments Add your comment
Amy
March 5th, 2010
8:27 pm
I will miss Steve & Vikki.
Bill
March 6th, 2010
5:58 pm
I just canceled B95.5
Sharon Poland
March 6th, 2010
11:16 pm
All I have to say is thank GOD for XM Radio – I have loved getting my morning started for almost 20 years with Steve and Vikki – NOW I have a reason to bring my portable XM player into the house – now I can listen to RAW DOG – and Sonny in the Morning – I don’t need to know about the crap going on in Atlanta anymore. There are no longer any local radio stations I care to listen to. How sad for Atlanta – with all the good that Steve and Vikki have done for this community……..I won’t be watching WSB TV anymore either. COX – all I can say about them – IDIOTS.
JBMayretta
March 8th, 2010
8:19 am
I agree that it is the music, not Steve & Vicki…I am a faithful listen but have to change stations after a while because you repeat the sames songs over and over and over and over. It gets really old. There is a lot of music out there, change it up some, geez! I love Steve & Vicki.
Joan
March 8th, 2010
8:24 am
I’ve been listening to Steve & Vikki for the whole time they’ve been in Atlanta, and they’re like family. B98.5 has lost another listener!
marcyleigh
March 8th, 2010
8:35 am
Maybe it’s just me but I personally wouldn’t malign anyone who has done as much as Steve and Vikii have for Children’s hospital, and other charities around the Atlanta area. The fact that the most venemous comments are coming from the people who want Kelly and Alpha to come back, gives me a clue as to what type of show they must have. I do remember coming across Kelly and Alpha one time while surfing the radio channels and almost fell asleep before I could get the channel changed. How boring a team they are. I guess it takes an individual with a sense of humor to appreciate Steve and Vikii’s show. I’m probably not going to listen to b98.5 anymore, because the only reason I did listen in the first place was because of them. The stations music selection leaves much to be desired and Will is not worth listening to on his own.
Cheri
March 8th, 2010
9:14 am
I only listened because of Steve & Vikki – not so sure I will continue. I can’t handle Hall & Oats in the morning without Steve.
Robin
March 8th, 2010
8:17 pm
I was sorry to hear about Steve and Vikki leaving. I really enjoyed the show. Now what am I going to listen to???
Lisa Patterson
March 8th, 2010
8:41 pm
I LOVE Steve and Vikki. I was so excited when they were on B98.5 and I switched to them. Now that they are gone I will switch back to 94.1FM. SORRY!!!
Angie
March 8th, 2010
9:18 pm
Walton & Johnson!
Linda Burke
March 9th, 2010
9:17 am
Bring back Kelly and Alpha……..The show has not been the same since they were let go.
hearae
March 9th, 2010
9:28 am
No more Heave and Sticky!
TrapperJohn48
March 9th, 2010
4:22 pm
Thank God for the station’s decision to get Steve McCoy out and please follow with taking Vikki Locke off of the air also. I have changed Atlanta radio stations twice now to avoid having to listen to either of their monotone dribble. They DO love to hear themselves talk! Atlanta morning radion has sucked for years across the entire FM dial. Do us all a favor, Bring back Gary McKee and Yetta Levitt…that was morning entertainment worth listening to!! Whatever happened to the Naked Lady?
Kathy Hunt
March 9th, 2010
5:54 pm
I have followed Steve and Vikki for years. The entertainment that they provided Monday-Friday was the way I was accustomed to beginning my day. I think this is a bad business decision and I certainly will miss listening to these two as I start my day.
Steve & Vikki fan
March 10th, 2010
8:56 am
I, too, will no longer be listening to the 98.5 station. Steve & Vikki made that worth listening to in the mornings – without them, back to Star 94. Still, not the same, but better than the alternative. Good luck Steve & Vikki, hope you land somewhere together again – I’ll be waiting.
JanB
March 10th, 2010
11:52 am
I was totally disgusted when B98.5 removed Kelly & Alpha just shy of their ten year service to them. I was a previous fan of Steve & Vicki on Star 94.1, but felt B98.5 played more the music I wanted to hear and liked Kelly & Alpha and after some months of listening to DaveFM and River, went back to B98.5. I think B98.5 is not the personalites – its the lack of understanding that people that have to sit in traffic like mix…we are a mixed culture in Atlanta – why are we playing the same things over and over and we want some talk/personality but not talk to carry the entire show….the execs have failed in finding the correct combination of contests, music, news/traffic and you can blame the personalities all you want…but that doesnt make it so..there are other ways to cut a budget than people that are known and cared about – LIKE YOURS FOR INSTANCE.
Karen
March 10th, 2010
9:58 pm
You are crazy to take Steve and Vicki off the air. I wake up to them each morning. Bummer.
libois
March 11th, 2010
10:37 am
Have always enjoyed listening to Steve and Viki. It was even funny when they were on with Tom Sullivan. I stopped listening to STAR 94 when they left and only listened to B98.5 in the morning when they were on. Satellite radio is the way to go…will not listen to any Atlanta stations now!
JF
March 11th, 2010
7:24 pm
Put Steve & Vikki back on Star94 in the mornings & move Cindy & Ray back to the afternoons! They should have never messed with that. The younger audience isn’t listening to the radio in the AM – or afternoons for that matter. Come on Star94 – get smart! And B985 – bad decision!!!
Millie
March 15th, 2010
8:07 am
Ir there a remote chance of getting “Sounds of Faith” added on Sunday mornings? The greatest of all programs on 94.9 was awakening on Sunday morning to Alan Kunke’s smooth mellow voice and hearing the many, many, many spiritual selections that made my heart soar. When WPCH disappeared millions of us were heartbroken. Bring back Sounds of Faith please!!
Miss D
March 15th, 2010
10:17 pm
B98.5 made a big mistake by letting Steve go. I like Vikki, but Will is not a good partner for her. I agree the music needed some help too. I only listened to the morning show, so now, I won’t be listening at all! I hope they can find another home in Atlanta, if not, I guess I’ll join the others with the iPod and taking CD’s to work to listen to. All other stations are for the tiny boppers, country (ugh) or rap crap(yuck!). Maybe B98.5 will find a whole new crowd. Just play music for babies.
Jacque Check
March 15th, 2010
10:38 pm
Vicki is not very exciting without Steve, and I am sure that she will agree. The 98.5 show is now, very boring.
They try to keep the show moving with Cousin Will, which is boring, too. Steve added a little pizazz to the show, offering an intelligent, warm, twist to the entertainment. He and Vicki play off of each other very well…at least enough to keep the show fresh and interesting. He adds a personality to the show. Without Steve, you might as well just play music with a few less than exciting comments added to the music variety. I REALLY miss Steve. The show lays flat without him. I love the personalities of Vicki and Will, but they are dull without the comic relief of Steve who is the brunt of their jokes and quips. PLEASE bring Steve back!!! I have spoken to many of my “older” yet “hip” (smile) friends who totally agree. This takes me back to when Randy and Spiff were suddenly thrown off of the air without any explanation to their audience about what happened. Now, I am gladly going back to Randy and Spiff for my morning commute (we old ones DO still go to work at 6:00 in the morning). I would still like to stay attached to modern music, without going completely to the “oldies”. But, you have forced me to choose another route.
Fondly,
An old listener
Jacque Check
March 15th, 2010
10:43 pm
YUCK, NOT KELLY & ALPHA!!
craig
March 16th, 2010
3:52 pm
we need the bobandtom show
Layne Allen
March 17th, 2010
7:35 am
What a big mistake. Steve is great. Vicki is horrible. and Will good lord beat a dying horse over and over again. who gives a rat’s tail about his cousin. Just play decent music. and that other team kelly alpha, they are as bad and stupid as randy and spiff. thank god for CD’s. Bring back Gary McKee, JJ Jackson and the music the baby boomers love to hear. Not all of this crap now.
Lin
March 17th, 2010
10:26 am
Never liked the “new” 98.5 Steve and Vikki but after Kelly and Alpha just didn’t find anything else good for early mornings at 6 a.m. Recently found 104.7 and it is fun,clean and the host are full of positive energy. It might not be for everyone but works for me. I might go back if Kelly and Alpha can be as good as they used to be. I’m probalby an old timer but still work 5 days a week and need a morning that is informative, cheerful and decent music ( please no CAR WASH )
Diana
March 18th, 2010
11:11 am
I think steve was great, I sure miss him, I love the music and Vikki and him made a great team, It’s so sad he’s gone.
Vicki
March 18th, 2010
4:54 pm
Bring back Kelly & Alpha….I got so tired of hearing about the “new” Steve and Vikki show….it was bad enough when it was Steve and Vikki…now that it’s just Vikki (and Producer Will), it’s a total bore. And I don’t listen for the music in the morning….I want traffic, news, and weather most of all.
robin l.
March 18th, 2010
10:37 pm
i love steve & vicki its a shame u dont see the magic. they make the show
Eric
March 19th, 2010
8:13 pm
I used to listen to 94.9 as Peach and Lite FM. Clear Channel lost a loyal listener when 94.9 changed over to country music in December, 2006. I went back to listening to B 98.5 FM… they began airing the syndicated Delilah show at night. Steve and Vikki would end their 17-year run at Star 94 in late 2007, and move over to B 98 in July, 2008. B 98 has been such a breath of fresh air since mid-2008.
Wish Clear Channel would consider overhauling 1 of their existing Atlanta stations… maybe bringing back the WPCH-FM calls, Peach branding, and AC music format. Probably too far fetched.
Eric
March 19th, 2010
9:01 pm
Furthermore, B 98.5 FM may be getting about ready to lose me too.
I could picture Clear Channel bringing back the Peach branding, WPCH calls, and AC format to its former 94.9 dial position. Maybe Steve and Vikki getting a new morning show… and Delilah’s show returning to her Peach/Lite FM roots. Just a thought.
S & V FAN
March 20th, 2010
1:36 pm
I totally agree about Will being a part of the problem and the music! Steve and Vikki definitely not the problem. They are awesome and I will not listen to 98.5 now. I left STAR 94 when they did and now I will leave 98.5 too! They are funny, entertaining and clean! They needed Tom as their sidekick as they had him at Star 94. The 3 of them were a good match. Had me laughing every morning on my way to work. Will, not to funny. Boring is the word. THIS SUX BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
S & V FAN
March 20th, 2010
1:41 pm
I THINK ITS ABOUT THE $$, BOTTOM LINE FOR 98.5. LET THEM GET CHEAPER LABOR, MAKES ME SICK!!! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR FOLKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeanie K Banks
April 13th, 2010
8:54 am
Pleeese bring back Kelly and Alpha. I have hated losing them. They are so wonderful!!!! Steve and Vicki are sooooo dull and boring.
Gwen
April 14th, 2010
12:07 pm
I had listen to Steve and Vickie since the 70’s at various radio stations. I always enjoyed them. I always enjoyed B98.5 also. But when they came to B98.5 it was like they were trying to stay in the young crowd. Talking about gays, sex and other things so freely, that I know they never talked about before. I know Steve has kids and wondered what they thought about their Dad talking like that. I lost respect for both of them because I like B98.5 for it’s conservative format.