KISQ Flips To Soft AC

[davideduardo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n65OTj0-t4Y

Interestingly the last time a station did well in Soft AC was when KOST-FM Los Angeles had Dick Clark do TV promo's for that station.
Note as of 2016 KOST is MainStream AC for Iheart Radio. I'm not sure how Soft AC is going to work in 2016.

KIFM in San Diego is a softer more traditional AC and the latest 6+d has it #1, and despite the music skew, is now in the top 10 in 25-54.

Similar things have happened with WFEZ in Miami and the adjusted WDUV in Tampa.

 

[MarioMania]

What's next on Q102 hit list, KMEL?

 

[only1moore]

I don't think KMEL will flip. KYLD did them a favor when they shifted to Top 40/CHR in early 2015. Besides, KMEL is the Bay Area's version of KRRL/Los Angeles.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

If you look at WDUV or WFEZ, you find they have considerable spillage into 55+, but the 25-54 is solid due to the upper end of the demo and perfect to be combined with a cluster that is bottom heavy and needs more 35-54 or 40-54.

Of course, those stations are in Florida, aka "retiree heaven".

 

[davideduardo]

Of course, those stations are in Florida, aka "retiree heaven".

Miami is certainly no longer retiree heaven. And there is little or no ad money against 55+ in Miami, and little in Tampa any more.

And WFEZ is #3 on average in 25-54.

WDUV and WFEZ both have a lot of spillage into 55+, but they target the top end of 25-54 and are most successful.

 

[sfradio]

I have to admit I am gonna miss hearing rappers delight for the millionth time.

 

[semoochie]

It seems to me I brought this up about a year ago and it was decided that the target was too high and narrow because they would always have to keep replacing listeners.

 

[CTListener]

It seems to me I brought this up about a year ago and it was decided that the target was too high and narrow because they would always have to keep replacing listeners.

Precisely what I was getting at in my post on the previous page. The last time mainstream pop had a significant soft aspect was the mid-late '90s, with Jewel, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and the like. Their hits are nearly 20 years old now and should be part of soft AC formats soon, if not already. But think 15 years down the road, when the thump-thump-thump-thump musical generation starts moving into the target demo. Do you just blow off the aging remnants of the listener base who remember when CHR had a mellow side or try to work, say, "California Gurls" (Katy Perry) into the mix?

 

[semoochie]

Precisely what I was getting at in my post on the previous page. The last time mainstream pop had a significant soft aspect was the mid-late '90s, with Jewel, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and the like. Their hits are nearly 20 years old now and should be part of soft AC formats soon, if not already. But think 15 years down the road, when the thump-thump-thump-thump musical generation starts moving into the target demo. Do you just blow off the aging remnants of the listener base who remember when CHR had a mellow side or try to work, say, "California Gurls" (Katy Perry) into the mix?

There have been people with several soft songs. Bruno Mars comes to mind. We had some songs awhile back that were about one step away from the Kingston Trio!

 

[LKellerIII]

It occurs to me that the radio format graveyard is littered with stations that tried to take on KOIT. I can recall K-Lite 93 (KLHT 93.3) in the 80s, 98.1 KABL-FM in the early 90s, the K-Bay simulcast of 93.3 and 94.5 about a decade ago, and even 99.7 KFRC for a couple of months between their Oldies and Classic Hits formats in the early 00s. None of them lasted very long. I realize KOIT isn't quite the monster ratings behemoth it once was, and that it has morphed a bit in recent years to a more upbeat sound, but its still really 'Light Rock.' I can't see how a more "relaxing" version of KOIT will attract many listeners in the Bay Area.

If I was iHeart, I'd hold onto to the KISQ call letters and jocks, and keep a "Kiss-FM is back!" scenario as a possible fall back position.

 

[Bob Eubanks]

Precisely what I was getting at in my post on the previous page. The last time mainstream pop had a significant soft aspect was the mid-late '90s, with Jewel, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and the like. Their hits are nearly 20 years old now and should be part of soft AC formats soon, if not already. But think 15 years down the road, when the thump-thump-thump-thump musical generation starts moving into the target demo. Do you just blow off the aging remnants of the listener base who remember when CHR had a mellow side or try to work, say, "California Gurls" (Katy Perry) into the mix?

The audience will make it clear what they want when the time comes.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

It occurs to me that the radio format graveyard is littered with stations that tried to take on KOIT. I can recall K-Lite 93 (KLHT 93.3) in the 80s, 98.1 KABL-FM in the early 90s, the K-Bay simulcast of 93.3 and 94.5 about a decade ago, and even 99.7 KFRC for a couple of months between their Oldies and Classic Hits formats in the early 00s. None of them lasted very long. I realize KOIT isn't quite the monster ratings behemoth it once was, and that it has morphed a bit in recent years to a more upbeat sound, but its still really 'Light Rock.' I can't see how a more "relaxing" version of KOIT will attract many listeners in the Bay Area.

If I was iHeart, I'd hold onto to the KISQ call letters and jocks, and keep a "Kiss-FM is back!" scenario as a possible fall back position.

KISS-FM?? Umm not so fast first of all at some point will panic in the ratings and realize that 98.1 might have to cannibalize Playlists from Star 101.3 to get an audience to 98.1. Also bring mainstream AC to 98.1. Umm we have to wait and see who KISQ's demographics are in the next ratings book

 

[sfradio]

KISS-FM?? Umm not so fast first of all at some point will panic in the ratings and realize that 98.1 might have to cannibalize Playlists from Star 101.3 to get an audience to 98.1. Also bring mainstream AC to 98.1. Umm we have to wait and see who KISQ's demographics are in the next ratings book

They could also do what Sunny 104.5 did in Philly and add some rhythmic songs in the mix if the ratings are not good.

 

[MarioMania]

I always like Kiss, I still think iHeart got scared and gave up and switched formats

In West Sac, I can't even get 103.7 or 101.3 only 98.1 and 99.7, Well 99.7 on hot days

 

[stewie]

I always like Kiss, I still think iHeart got scared and gave up and switched formats

In West Sac, I can't even get 103.7 or 101.3 only 98.1 and 99.7, Well 99.7 on hot days

But no 97.3? I ask because KISQ and KLLC are on the same tower (I think). Definetly at the same site.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I have to admit I am gonna miss hearing rappers delight for the millionth time.

That's one of my favorite rap songs. Seriously.

It's even better with the video. I was in Journeys buying shoes one time and it was playing on their TV screen. A pretty girl in a bikini was dancing.

 

[1069_KIFR]

They are less and less unusual as AC becomes hotter and hotter.

Miami, San Diego and the morphed WDUV are good examples of softer AC stations that get decent 25-54 numbers.

KOST-L.A., Lite FM-NY

 

[davideduardo]

KOST-L.A., Lite FM-NY

Neither of those are more traditional / softer / relaxing AC stations. They have become quite contemporary and thus have left a certain degree of void in the markets of LA and New York for a softer AC.

It's precisely because the heritage AC stations in most markets have become brighter tempo and more contemporary in focus that the few softer ACs have been able to prosper.

 

[1069_KIFR]

David, Give me proof of flipping KISQ to Hot AC? I think they just gave in, They lost to Q102

Yes, Q-102 handed KISS their ass

 

[1069_KIFR]

10,000 songs in a row. That repeat every two hours!!! I heard Lisa St. Regis on The Breeze this afternoon. Looks like she survived the axe. As I am sure she is voice tracked, just like KISS FM was. Plus she voices many iHeart stations up and down the west coast