Classic Rock 94.9 Gives Way To Alternative In Birmingham

[R.D.P.]

iHeartMedia has brought Alternative back to Birmingham as “Classic Rock 94.9” W235BS/103.7 WQEN-HD3 became “Alt 94.9” at 5:00pm today. The Birmingham market hasn’t had a pure Alternative formatted station since the final incarnation of “The X” WRAX signed-off of 100.5 in November 2006. It has since been served by a couple Alternative leaning AAA’s including SummitMedia’s 107.3 W297BF which currently carries the programming of webcaster “Birmingham Mountain Radio. The Classic Rock format signed-off with the appropriate “Sweet Home Alabama” before segueing into Cage The Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked”.

Read More At: https://radioinsight.com/blog/headl...-way-to-alternative-in-birmingham/#more-94433

Dan <><

 

[tomservo]

Interesting. I always thought it odd that they placed classic rock on such a marginal signal, knowing it'd never make a dent in The Eagle's dominance. This move makes a lot more sense, I suppose. It'll be interesting to see if it a) gains any traction and b) affects BMR at all.

 

[passtheword]

Is Alt 94.9 the "real deal" and not merely a stunt (and it could be...remember The Possum/B 106.5 flip-flop that occurred?). If "Rock 94.9" is no more, then Cumulus should blow up "99.5, Nash Icon" immediately, go back to classic rock, and retrieve the "Rock 99" name. Run, Cumulus...RUN! lol.

 

[tomservo]

Is Alt 94.9 the "real deal" and not merely a stunt (and it could be...remember The Possum/B 106.5 flip-flop that occurred?). If "Rock 94.9" is no more, then Cumulus should blow up "99.5, Nash Icon" immediately, go back to classic rock, and retrieve the "Rock 99" name. Run, Cumulus...RUN! lol.

Classic Rock 99.5 wasted away to nothing at the hands of The Eagle — what makes you think they stand a chance after being resurrected?

 

[Charles35080]

Granted, 99.5 is a total waste of a 100K stick as it is now, but where do they go? They could have been successful doing CHR if they put some oomph into it, but they didn't. There are some holes in Birmingham: Hot AC, (maybe, although two attempts on 94.5 have failed wretchedly), full market coverage of classic hits, since the Peach only covers 1/3 of the market...what else, says ye experts?

 

[passtheword]

Classic Rock 99.5 wasted away to nothing at the hands of The Eagle — what makes you think they stand a chance after being resurrected?

I'm just being funny, Zach. I just figured as poorly as the country format is fairing on 99.5, going back to classic rock would be an improvement.

 

[passtheword]

Granted, 99.5 is a total waste of a 100K stick as it is now, but where do they go? They could have been successful doing CHR if they put some oomph into it, but they didn't. There are some holes in Birmingham: Hot AC, (maybe, although two attempts on 94.5 have failed wretchedly), full market coverage of classic hits, since the Peach only covers 1/3 of the market...what else, says ye experts?

Are any of us in here experts? Hot AC has never done well here, as you mentioned the two attempts on 94.5 (once as WMXQ "Mix 94.5" and also the "New 94.5" or whatever it used to be known as). There is a hole for classic country, but I doubt we'll ever see it on a 100 kw stick here...maybe a translator, but not holding my breath. I know some people here in the Birmingham area who regularly listen to WNPT "Catfish Country" in Tuscaloosa, so there must be a demand for the format. Alternative rock just got filled by "Alt 94.9".

 

[golden eagles97]

What about an urban station to go against 95.7?

 

[passtheword]

The market is already saturated with urban stations. In addition to JAMZ, there is "104.1, The Beat" which is doing well. Then there are the other urban AC's to consider...Kiss, Hot 107.7, and the B-106.5 translator.

 

[TheDingo]

on my trip through to Tuscaloosa the other day, sounds like they've adjusted vulcan a bit to cover the void. I don't care how much they call it classic rock, Eagle is still classic hits.