Visions of Sound

Coming out of the Persian Gulf War, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the Rodney King beating… political correctness was awakening within America. Social awareness influencing perception, people and media. Song lyrics, specifically in alternative music, started reflecting these changes more and more. The path was paved to reintroduce a socially conscious music video show.

Streamlining the show concept with improved production quality, adding a show host, and becoming an official music video programmer with the record labels, Visions of Sound was ready.

Negotiating a promotional partnership with the Minneapolis/St. Paul alternative rock station, KJJO-FM 104.1, we called on morning DJ and Twin Cities radio legend Brian Turner, to become the host for Visions of Sound.

After several months of negotiations with KARE-TV, we agreed on a straight 50/50 barter of commercial inventory, in exchange for the 30-minute, 1:05 a.m. time slot after Saturday Night Live. In addition to producing, writing, directing, shooting, editing and marketing the show, I took on the role of spot sales to generate revenue and cover production expenses.

Visions of Sound was broadcast for 16-weeks starting in May 1992. Airing at 1:05 a.m., opposite Howard Stern’s first television-based talk show, Visions of Sound regularly won the time slot with an average Nielson rating of 2.46, which represented some of the highest numbers ever attained for the time slot on KARE TV.

While I was able to clear just enough revenue to cover expenses, eventually KARE-TV opted to replace Visions of Sound with the HBO Comedy Hour, ending the successful first season in August 1992.

Minneapolis StarTribune • May 15, 1992
Minneapolis StarTribune • June 13, 1992
Twin Cities Reader • July 1, 1992
Minneapolis StarTribune • July 4, 1992
Date Rating Share Households Total Viewers May 1992 Nielson Sweeps Week
May 16, 1992 2.0 12% 66,000hh 7,920
May 23, 1992 3.0 21% 99,000hh 20,790 Overall Demo Women Men Children Age 2-11
May 30, 1992 2.1 14% 69,300hh 9,702 Age 12-34 3.0 Age 18-34 4.0 2.0 3.0
June 5, 1992 2.4 20% 79,200hh 15,840 Age 18-34 2.0 Age 18-49 2.0 1.0
June 13, 1992 .6 4% 19,800hh 792 Age 18-49 2.0 Age 21-49 3.0 1.0
June 20, 1992 2.8 21% 92,400hh 19,404 Age 21-49 2.0 Age 35-49 3.0 2.0
June 27, 1992 4.0 16% 132,000hh 21,120 Age 25-49 2.0
July 4, 1992 2..9 13% 95,700hh 12,441
July 11, 1992 2.6 16% 85,800hh 13,728
July 18, 1992 2.0 13% 66,000hh 8,580
July 25, ,1992 2.4 17% 79,200hh 13,464
August 1, 1992 2.7 21% 89,100hh 18,711
August 8, 1992 3.2 25% 105,600hh 26,400
August 15, 1992 1.7 14% 56,100hh 7,854
August 22, 1992 2.6 19% 62,700hh 11,913
Average 2.46 16.4% 80,500hh 13,924
Vimeo
SOCIALICON