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Alt 92.3 Music Changes

Rock is a very good format for advertisers if you want to reach out to men. Or maybe young college students. But most companies want to reach women
 
We once had an Alt-rock station here in Cleveland branded “Radio 92.3”, owned by then-CBS. It’s been a Sports talker for a decade now. That’s what came to my mind when I read that suggestion.

Yeah, there is a ZERO percent chance Audacy rebrands a station as “Radio”. Given their desire to be “more than (traditional) radio”, I’m surprised they still have stations with the “FM” branding (such as FM 101.9 in Orlando).
 
You are a very, very condescending person and talking down to people on Christmas Eve of all days says more about you than it does the person you’re replying to.

On a technical basis you are correct but you do not have to phrase things in such a way. This smugness is what drives me crazy about this forum in spite of its useful information.
Once again, sarcasm doesn't always translate well on the internet. The bit about people who discuss ratings was a pre-emptive strike of sorts, because, well, someone ALWAYS needs to remind folks on this board that the ratings are meaningless to "real" radio people, right? I'm just a listener myself, got nothing to be condescending about.
 
Rock is a very good format for advertisers if you want to reach out to men.
Not really, unless you are talking only about Classic Rock, which has its greatest strength among the older male demos.
Or maybe young college students.
Not likely. Try hip hop and related music forms. Rock has been declining among younger listeners for over two decades.
But most companies want to reach women
That is not true, either. There are buys for young, older, male, female, and, of course, Black and Hispanic. They balance out pretty well.
 
This thread is a perfect example of the audience for alternative and why it’s a dying mainstream radio format due to infighting of what is and isn’t “alternative.” Streaming eliminates that issue. Just sayin’.
To be entirely fair, most fans of the format probably have sources for discovering new music that extend far beyond an Audacy FM radio station. At this point, it may be in Audacy's best interest to try to rethink the format (whether that means leaning only toward classic alternative or sticking to tracks that fit CHR). With that being said, the loyal audience that existed before is gone. There seems to be some expectation that traditional fans of the format will stick around, but I personally see that as a difficult balance. I'm sure there is a lot to be said about the need for the format to appeal to a younger demographic. While I don't dispute that fact, we know that it's not exactly easy to get younger demographics excited about radio, so I'm not entirely sure I'd want to bank on this new direction financially. This seems like it could be a case of chasing an audience who might not show up.
 
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To be entirely fair, most fans of the format probably have sources for discovering new music that extend far beyond an Audacy FM radio station. At this point, it may be in Audacy's best interest to try to rethink the format (whether that means leaning only toward classic alternative or sticking to tracks that fit CHR). With that being said, the loyal audience that existed before is gone. There seems to be some expectation that traditional fans of the format will stick around, but I personally see that as a difficult balance. I'm sure there is a lot to be said about the need for the format to appeal to a younger demographic. While I don't dispute that fact, we know that it's not exactly easy to get younger demographics excited about radio, so I'm not entirely sure I'd want to bank on this new direction financially. This seems like it could be a case of chasing an audience who might not show up.
While these are real issues, the fundamental one affecting alternative rock for more than a decade is the fragmentation of the 90's core group into subsets, each of which has significantly different like and dislikes.

More than a radio problem, this is an issue affecting the music industry and the way it promotes songs and artists.
 
Perhaps Audacy should consider changing 92.3 to a Jack type station. Then they can play a mix of rock, alternative and pop music. I believe the average person enjoys a variety of music, rather than just one specific genre.
As Jack is not tied to a specific format, the music can be tweaked as they find which songs work best.
 
Perhaps Audacy should consider changing 92.3 to a Jack type station. Then they can play a mix of rock, alternative and pop music. I believe the average person enjoys a variety of music, rather than just one specific genre.
As Jack is not tied to a specific format, the music can be tweaked as they find which songs work best.
You think Audacy will Blow up 92.3 next year?
 
Here's a list of the most programmed radio formats: Country and News/Talk lead the list. Alternative is at the bottom:


Trending in the other direction are 11th-ranked Adult Contemporary, with 23 stations exiting the format for a 4.0% decrease, Hot AC in 12th place losing eight stations and down 1.7%, and Alternative Rock at 13th which lost 10, off by 2.3%.
 
While these are real issues, the fundamental one affecting alternative rock for more than a decade is the fragmentation of the 90's core group into subsets, each of which has significantly different like and dislikes.

More than a radio problem, this is an issue affecting the music industry and the way it promotes songs and artists.
Thank you for the insight, David. I know that we’ve definitely discussed the issue of segmentation of the format before (so I didn’t mean to sound like I wasn’t listening). I think I’m still a bit confused, as it seems like there are many examples of successful alternative stations out there that have picked a direction. One station that I’m particularly fond of has decided not to play most of the new alt pop and alt electronic, and to focus on guitar driven music instead. I understand that this can also be a problem if there isn’t enough new music to play, but as I’ve observed, it seems that many of the current new alt tracks sound similar to new wave tracks that were popular decades ago.

In short, I wonder if WNYL would benefit from picking a direction rather than trying to be a safe happy medium. I understand that advertising agencies need to be satisfied, but I can’t really imagine that any agency would be thrilled with how things look right now. Even if they have to be classic alternative to hold listeners, I think it would be better if they weren’t so hesitant.
 
Here's a list of the most programmed radio formats: Country and News/Talk lead the list. Alternative is at the bottom:

Interesting to see a format with such terrible demos as news/talk (generally) has growing.

Also surprised not to see Contemporary Christian #1 considering how many are popping up weekly.
 
Interesting to see a format with such terrible demos as news/talk (generally) has growing.
This is a favorite format for AMs (or AMs with translators) that have few other format choices. Local direct accounts will buy the format, even if many agency accounts won't touch it.
 
Based on the source (Precisiontrak.com) I'd say this list is only commercial stations. CC is mostly non-com.

Based on the article itself, I'd say you're wrong.
"... the Variety umbrella, including many non-commercial FM and AM outlets, is off 0.4% with a loss of five stations year-over-year."

To be honest, I can't think of a single commercial "variety" station in my neck of the woods. That characterization would only apply to block-programmed college or community noncomms.
 
To be honest, I can't think of a single commercial "variety" station in my neck of the woods.

How about variety hits?

But yes, that Top 10 lists religion and contemporary Christian, so you 're probably correct.

I based my comment on this in the PrecisionTrak description: "Commercial radio remains the most complex medium in the country."
 
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