Bring Back The Planet

We, the loyal and dedicated listeners of KZPL 97.3 The Planet, demand the owners of Union Broadcasting restore the Adult Alternative or World Class Rock format and all of its on-air personalities as soon as possible.

Reasons given for changing to the odious and redundant All that Rocks format include low ratings. We believe that the listener reported diary system used to calculate the ratings are unreliable and have resulted in significant under-reporting of Planet listeners. According to Bad Ratings for Arbitron, Forbes magazine 2003, the response rates for surveys is below 35\%! http://www.forbes.com/home/2003/03/11/cz_sl_0311arbitron.html

The demographic targeted by Union Broadcasting advertisers are more likely to screen calls and/or maintain personal cell phones rather than land phone lines.

Support for The Planet is demonstrated in many tangible ways beyond the flawed ratings system. In a single weekend Planet listeners raised more than $60,000 to come to the aid of the U family as they dealt with the tragic loss of a heroic father. Planet listeners consistently strain the SBC and Verizon Wireless phone lines while attempting to reach the station. The number of quality concerts brought to Kansas City and the attendance at these concerts are a testament to the Planet successfully reaching an interested demographic with money to spend.

Now is the time for forward thinking Radio owners to follow the example set by Noel Crowe, General Manager of a radio station in Australia. He opted out of the ratings system and successfully sued over the misuse of Nielson Ratings survey results as it affected his ability to work with advertisers.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/07/1081222525582.html?from=storyrhs

By demonstrating to advertisers that The Planet does, tangibly, reach targeted demographics, Union Broadcasting can negotiate a fair price for sponsorship and expand the widening crack in the faзade of Nielson, Arbitron, and other market research firms. Stop accepting what you know is flawed!!

Finally, The Planet is a unique station. The symbiotic collection of personalities reached out and connected with the Kansas City community. Many parents who love to listen to Rock music found a station they could share with their children because the personalities could be real without being vulgar. Rock music is not about being foul-mouthed, degrading women, being obsessed with, or obsessing about, bodily functions. The personalities on the Planet understand that it is about the music, the poetry and each individual reflection of life brought to it by the listener.

Bring Back The Planet, Today!!!