Todd and Tyler Unauthorized Forums

Dave · 08-02-2007

From the Omaha City Weekly Media Watch

(I can't find a direct link to this story, nor when the story was published)

Quote:

A New Deal
Todd Brandt and Mike Tyler, Z-92’s prized morning duo, signed a new four-year contract last week. They are being represented by Paul Anderson, a Seattle-based agent who also counts Danny Bonaduce and Ryan Seacrest as clients.

On the air in Omaha at rock station Z-92 since 1993, Todd and Tyler have consistently hosted the No. 1-rated show for the past several years. Last November, T&T went into syndication in two markets: Springfield, Mo. (KZRQ 106.7 FM) and Wichita, Kan. (KICT 95.1 FM).

With syndication came the need to renegotiate new contracts, the details of which are being kept under wraps by all parties involved. But because everyone likes numbers, here’s a guess: Considering that Todd and Tyler are responsible for about $400,000 in advertising revenue each month on Z-92, and since they are now producing their show in three cities, and since they have been No. 1 with adults 25 to 54 for numerous ratings periods, my guess is $1 million between the two annually. That guesstimate was derived by adding base salary, bonuses based on ratings and stock options with the Milwaukee-based Journal Broadcast Group, which owns Z-92. But it’s just a guess, mind you.

The only thing Anderson would say was that Todd and Tyler are “very happy with Journal. And their syndication will continue to expand … I think Journal’s plan is to do it sooner than … sooner than later.

“There are also going to … there’s also some exciting elements that will be revealed later this year about their expanding partnership with Journal.”

As for the next market to syndicate Todd and Tyler? No comment.

T&T Break Out
I sat in the studio last week with the duo and had a chance to catch up with them in their “Jock Lounge” after the show. I hadn’t seen the morning hosts since they went syndicated, and like many new morning shows, it took some time to build audiences in new markets Wichita and Springfield.

“They had no idea who we were,” Tyler said.

About three months prior to going syndicated longtime T&T listeners could hear some of the changes, such as a noticeable absence of Omaha news and fodder.

“We eliminated a lot of local talk ahead of time, and no one really noticed it.” Tyler said. “Then we went on the air and said it, and there was a little listener backlash, some but not much. And now our ratings (in Omaha) are higher than they were a year ago.

“I think it’s a better show now. I think it’s a funnier show now. When you get stuck on car accident dead baby sh** that you always here on the local news. And we get stuck in that rut every once and a while, a local horror story that we’d have to address and it became, eh, kind of a downer. Not that we don’t want to address serious subjects; but we also want to do more of a national thing, more of a regional thing.”

Added Todd: “We don’t have to be completely generic, because it’s still a regional show.”

What does that mean for such people as Husker fans? It means the duo won’t be bashing the state’s beloved college football team as they often did with much zeal in the past.

“If you’re a Husker fan, and you quit listening to us, we’ve stopped bagging on your team a little bit, so come on back,” Todd said.

“A lot of people miss that,” Tyler said. “And I’ll kind of miss it, but it got old for us because it became like a whining. And you have to remember that for every non-Husker fan, there are 30 Husker fans. And a lot of those Husker fans didn’t like it.”

Last week, Todd and Tyler visited Wichita for the first time since being syndicated there. In radio market size, Wichita ranks 98th. Omaha, meanwhile, is ranked 72nd while Springfield comes in at 142nd.

Lincoln, by the way, is ranked 174th, and Des Moines is 92nd.

Gaining More Pull
The added audience power has given Todd and Tyler more leverage when it comes to booking national guests on the show.

“The guests are better,” said T&T producer Big P, who replaced former producer Jeremy Campbell around the same time as they announced their syndication deal.

“We’re making inroads with booking agents and publicists,” Big P said. “If you can give them three cities and say their combined possible listenership is the same as a market size 38, it’s a lot easier.”

As for why Campbell was replaced, Tyler said: “That didn’t coincide with the syndication, that was just a move that was made here at the station. Jeremy moved on, and Puss is simulated into that job now.”

Big P interned at Z-92 in 2000 and has hung around since, filling in wherever needed. Before taking the producing reins for the T&T show, Big P handled overnight duties at the station.

Newsreader Craig Evans and sports reporter Travis Justice remain part of the Todd and Tyler show. Justice has been on the show for several years. In addition, he is the sports director at KMTV-3 and sports talk show host on Big Sports 590, both of which are owned by Journal.

Now under the umbrella moniker of the “Todd and Tyler Radio Empire,” the show goes back to local from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., after the program has signed off in Wichita and Springfield. It’s during this time that T&T discuss Omaha issues and news.

The Journal Broadcast Group, which owns and operates 36 radio stations and nine television stations in 12 states, owns the stations in Wichita and Springfield that are carrying T&T. But that doesn’t mean that the show will be exclusive to Journal-owned stations, the jocks said.

“We’re hiring outside help to help syndicate the show, along with our head of syndication, Tom Land,” Tyler said. “This is not just going to be a three-market deal. We’re looking to get as many possible – and that includes east and west.”

As to whether or not they can still keep their popularity intact after 14 years on the air in Omaha, T&T said it’s all about challenging yourself.

“That’s why we wanted to go with syndication. We were growing weary of being local because we had big plans for ourselves, which included either syndication or moving,” Tyler said.

“Another reason the show has lasted 14 years – it’s not the same. We don’t do bits, got rid of the street stuff. The bottom line – everyday things change because there’s always new stories to talk about.”

As far as people who read the Omaha World-Herald know, Todd and Tyler don’t even exist. The duo has made their ire for the state’s largest daily quite clear, especially after the paper ignored such happenings as T&T being syndicated or signing new contracts.

“Us signing that contract would have been entertainment front-page news in any city that we lived in except this one,” Tyler said.

“They go out of their way … when we got our faces inducted onto the Faces of the Ballroom Floor at the Press Club – they mention every other one of those, and they didn’t have a sentence devoted to us,” Todd added.

“So we wear that as a badge of honor that those pricks will go out of their way just to ignore us.”

(and it doesn't work to link to the actual article, you have to link to the main Omaha City Wekly blog for some reason...)

Omaha City Weekly Media Watch

mike · 08-02-2007

nice article!!

Thender · 08-02-2007

Very nice!

ob1 · 08-02-2007

Congrats on another 4 years guys!

2ox · 08-02-2007

5 years ago I suggested to powers that had not a fucking clue, a Rick Ruben - Jeff "Mutt" Lang type producer for TnT. Not a Donnie, Jerry or Puss type. Although all three are extaordinary at what they did/do, and without them the show would not be where it is now. This show has needed a "mogul" behind the scenes directing it in the right direction for a very, very long time.

I hope the decision has been made with the new contracts. Its reasonable to expect that at some point a VP in charge of "exceptional on air talent" would recognise the needs and direction involved to make what should have been a powerhouse 5 years ago, a powerhouse on the national circuit today.

just a thought....

Flounder · 08-02-2007

Whatever Todd and Tyler are being paid they are worth every dollar. Having been a long time listener I can't count the number of times I've laughed my ass off at something that was said on the show, which happens every day. And for the World Herlad to ignore what they have accomplished is such a load of Bull Shit. The guys, and the others on the show, should be recognized for all their achievements. It can't be easy keeping a show #1 for so long, and I just want to say thanks for so many years of making me laugh in the mornings.

jpa · 08-03-2007

nice article

Hartdude · 08-05-2007

Very Nice!

jackson · 08-05-2007

Money GOOD,

lilyvon schtupp · 08-07-2007

why does trav have a north dakota hoodie on?
isn't that where they found the unibomber?

mike · 08-07-2007

North Dakota?

Notre Dame...........Not sure if they have sweatshirts in N. Dakota...

KUfan_Donnie · 08-18-2007

I must have missed this article; thanks for capturing it, Dave

I eagerly await possible expansion news...

RyanB. · 08-18-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

North Dakota?

Notre Dame...........Not sure if they have sweatshirts in N. Dakota...

AuDoc · 09-29-2007

Congratulations indeed. Thanks for the past and bring on the future!

08-02-2007	#2
mike Drugs Are Better Than Pugs - Just Say No Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: May 2005 Age: 36 Posts: 12,663	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract nice article!! __________________ "Black Tony isn't salty, he's creamy"- Travis Justice

08-02-2007	#3
Thender Always riding the ragged edge of disaster. Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: May 2005 Age: 38 Posts: 18,108	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract Very nice! __________________ Two in the mouth is worth one in the bush. 4th place, 2008 TNTU.net college fantasy football... Bud came in 6th...

08-02-2007	#4
ob1 Sith Chef Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: May 2005 Location: CBIA Age: 38 Posts: 5,806	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract Congrats on another 4 years guys!

08-02-2007	#5
2ox wow Listens: I don't listen Join Date: May 2005 Location: on the poor side of town Age: 44 Posts: 3,303	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract 5 years ago I suggested to powers that had not a fucking clue, a Rick Ruben - Jeff "Mutt" Lang type producer for TnT. Not a Donnie, Jerry or Puss type. Although all three are extaordinary at what they did/do, and without them the show would not be where it is now. This show has needed a "mogul" behind the scenes directing it in the right direction for a very, very long time. I hope the decision has been made with the new contracts. Its reasonable to expect that at some point a VP in charge of "exceptional on air talent" would recognise the needs and direction involved to make what should have been a powerhouse 5 years ago, a powerhouse on the national circuit today. just a thought.... __________________ "Sheep go to heaven, goats go to Daves"

08-02-2007	#6
Flounder I can't believe I threw up in front of Dean Wormer Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,094	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract Whatever Todd and Tyler are being paid they are worth every dollar. Having been a long time listener I can't count the number of times I've laughed my ass off at something that was said on the show, which happens every day. And for the World Herlad to ignore what they have accomplished is such a load of Bull Shit. The guys, and the others on the show, should be recognized for all their achievements. It can't be easy keeping a show #1 for so long, and I just want to say thanks for so many years of making me laugh in the mornings.

08-03-2007	#7
jpa Special Members Listens: Podcast Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Omaha Age: 27 Posts: 6,034	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract nice article __________________ "Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance." --Sam Brown

08-05-2007	#8
Hartdude TnTU Grade School Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 15	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract Very Nice! __________________ Mmmmm... Beer...

08-05-2007	#9
jackson jackson Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 99	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract Money GOOD,

08-07-2007	#10
lilyvon schtupp i ride the short bus because i'm Listens: I don't listen Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: counciltucky Posts: 1,272	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract why does trav have a north dakota hoodie on? isn't that where they found the unibomber? __________________ A man melts the sands so he can see the world outside.--U2, Lemon

08-18-2007	#12
KUfan_Donnie 1-800-BETS-OFF Listens: Podcast Join Date: May 2005 Age: 21 Posts: 3,480	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract I must have missed this article; thanks for capturing it, Dave I eagerly await possible expansion news... __________________ One weekend survived

09-29-2007	#14
AuDoc TnTU Pre-school Listens: Z92 - Mornings Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2	Re: Todd and Tyler Sign New Contract Congratulations indeed. Thanks for the past and bring on the future!

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