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96.5 WTDY (hd2) HAS FLIPPED!

A

atthestars

Sorry. Couldn't resist a clickbaity headline.

If an HD2 changes format, and no one hears it, did it really change? 96.5-HD2 had been turned off since around the time of the CBS/Entercom merger; it had been running CBS's LGBT-Targeted "Prism Radio" (and competed with iHeart's "Pride Radio on 102.1-HD3). Now it seems to be exclusively running episodes of "Acoustic Sunrise," an unplugged acoustic show that runs on the main channel on Sunday Mornings. http://todays965.radio.com/acoustic-sunrise/

96.5-HD3 remains the "Hear Philly" channel.
 
About a year ago I wrote to the big suits at CBS and told them I was in Dallas and heard the Strip on Jack 100.3, HD2 which played great Standards and Classic Country on their HD3. I said why don't you do the same up here in Philly on 96.5, instead of the crap on their now, I know the Philly market would embrace Standards more than the Southern market. To my surprise I received a long positive response informing me that was a great suggestion and they are considering doing it. Boy was I fooled...
 
Gunsmoke said:
About a year ago I wrote to the big suits at CBS and told them I was in Dallas and heard the Strip on Jack 100.3, HD2 which played great Standards and Classic Country on their HD3. I said why don't you do the same up here in Philly on 96.5, instead of the crap on their now, I know the Philly market would embrace Standards more than the Southern market. To my surprise I received a long positive response informing me that was a great suggestion and they are considering doing it. Boy was I fooled...
Click to expand...

Since CBS is now out of the radio business, what that suit told you about a year ago is irrelevant. For all you know, they may have been considering standards and/or classic country at the time but deep-sixed all HD planning when ownership decided to get out of radio. Entercom may still go in that direction -- a 24/7 Acoustic Sunrise rerun station doesn't sound permanent -- but if it doesn't, don't blame CBS.
 
Miguelito said:
ALT 96.5 on an acoustic rock format? I suppose acoustic is an alternative to...uh...everything else? haha.
Click to expand...

I just heard it myself. Definitely using it to establish the brand and keep iHeart from potentially re-branding 104.5. Smart, and low-risk, as I've only heard it in the legal ID. And really, they can brand anything they want to anyway they want to. It could be Polka 96.5 and play hair metal if they really want. lol

Just an interesting wrinkle in the Entercom/iHeart Alt Battle!
 
atthestars said:
I just heard it myself. Definitely using it to establish the brand and keep iHeart from potentially re-branding 104.5. Smart, and low-risk, as I've only heard it in the legal ID. And really, they can brand anything they want to anyway they want to. It could be Polka 96.5 and play hair metal if they really want. lol

Just an interesting wrinkle in the Entercom/iHeart Alt Battle!
Click to expand...

Would Entercom really have legal standing to stop iHeart from using "Alt 104.5" by arguing that they're saying the word "Alt" on an otherwise-formatted HD2 station? I'm no lawyer but I would think that'd be kinda easy to swat down.

And what would prevent iHeart from calling it "Alt Rock 104.5"? (Or as I suspect is more likely, they'll just keep calling it Radio 104.5. haha)
 
Miguelito said:
Would Entercom really have legal standing to stop iHeart from using "Alt 104.5" by arguing that they're saying the word "Alt" on an otherwise-formatted HD2 station? I'm no lawyer but I would think that'd be kinda easy to swat down.

And what would prevent iHeart from calling it "Alt Rock 104.5"? (Or as I suspect is more likely, they'll just keep calling it Radio 104.5. haha)
Click to expand...

I don't see iHeart re-imaging Radio 104.5 since the brand is now well known in Philly. (And Philly like's their heritage items, like the ticker sound on KYW... and the Action News theme). But plunking the Alt name on the HD2 to try to keep Entercom from possibly using the name makes sense. Although Entercom could just use something generic like "FM"
 
It seems like Entercom is paying a little more attention to WTDY-HD2 recently. Previously the playlist had been a mix of replays of "Acoustic Sunrise" and super-safe Alternative hits (think Imagine Dragons, RHCP, Green Day etc.)

But tuning in while driving today, I've heard much more depth and an updated playlist, including Young The Giant- "Simplify", Grandson "Blood/Water", Mike Shinoda/K.Flay- "Make It Up as I Go" and Donna Missal- "Keep Lying". No Acoustic Sunrise.

At the same time, they've ignored imaging, some of which still stated "All Acoustic Sunrise" on the HD2, and you can hear Acoustic Sunrise Sunday Mornings on Today's 96.5, even though it hasn't been "Today's" since March.

Anyway, it's turning into a nice option when Radio 104.5 is in commercials.
 
Great alternative(no pun intended), to constant talk, commercial, safe, repetitious, soccer mom 1045. Seems like their full blown Alternative now, ALT 96.5 HD2. Deeper playlist then most alternatives but they do repeat at times, hopefully, they are just getting started and will improve. Would be great if they are committed to this format and keep revamping it, just hope they can run a title and artist band or use song tags, some cuts are very unfamiliar but great to listen to.
 
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