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94.7 The Block on Google Home Devices

MikeyD

MikeyD

This is more of a technical issue, but I e-mailed the station and got no response. I figured this is a good place to see if its a "just me" issue or if it happens to others too.

Whenever I ask my Google Home devices to "Play 94.7 the Block" or "Play WXBK" or even "Play WNSH" the devices start playing New York's Country. Conversely, if I ask it to "play New York's Country 94.7" I also get country music. As far as I can tell there is no phrase to play this station.

Maybe I should try "Play Waterfalls by TLC once an hour"? (kidding)
 
MikeyD said:
This is more of a technical issue, but I e-mailed the station and got no response. I figured this is a good place to see if its a "just me" issue or if it happens to others too.

Whenever I ask my Google Home devices to "Play 94.7 the Block" or "Play WXBK" or even "Play WNSH" the devices start playing New York's Country. Conversely, if I ask it to "play New York's Country 94.7" I also get country music. As far as I can tell there is no phrase to play this station.

Maybe I should try "Play Waterfalls by TLC once an hour"? (kidding)
Click to expand...

It works on my alexa device here in the ass end of middle of nowhere alaska
 
Alexa isn't such a nice lady. Her and I have a love Hate relationship too lol. If I ask her to play Channel 96.3 from Wichita on i Heart Radio she plays X 96.3 in New York City. If you ask her to play 96.1 Kiss FM or Kiss FM 96.1 she plays 96.1 Kiss FM from the Hudson Valley instead of 96.1 Kiss from Pittsburgh.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bizzle13 said:
Alexa isn't such a nice lady. Her and I have a love Hate relationship too lol. If I ask her to play Channel 96.3 from Wichita on i Heart Radio she plays X 96.3 in New York City. If you ask her to play 96.1 Kiss FM or Kiss FM 96.1 she plays 96.1 Kiss FM from the Hudson Valley instead of 96.1 Kiss from Pittsburgh.
Click to expand...
I think it's down to the iHeart app. The stations that the iHeart app recommends are the ones in the media market in which you are located.
 
bizzle13 said:
Alexa isn't such a nice lady. Her and I have a love Hate relationship too lol. If I ask her to play Channel 96.3 from Wichita on i Heart Radio she plays X 96.3 in New York City. If you ask her to play 96.1 Kiss FM or Kiss FM 96.1 she plays 96.1 Kiss FM from the Hudson Valley instead of 96.1 Kiss from Pittsburgh.
Click to expand...
Is it possible that some of the stations you are trying to listen to are geozoned so as not to play music royalties on streams outside their immediate area?
 
DavidEduardo said:
Is it possible that some of the stations you are trying to listen to are geozoned so as not to play music royalties on streams outside their immediate area?
Click to expand...
No, I was able to access both Channel 96.3 and 96.1 KISS the old-fashioned way - with my fingers. bizzle13's example demonstrates why I do not use virtual assistants. Alexa is just doing what the iHeart app tells it to do by playing local stations instead of the desired out-of-town stations.
 
I can play Kiss 108 from Boston, Q 102 in Philly but others like FM 97 in Lancaster I have to say play WLAN and it usually works.
 
You might be able to ask Google to play a specific Audacy station, but other "stations" available on their app cannot be received through Google Home. I got a generic response back when I asked about using the voice controls. (Google keeps looking for "Odyssey," not Audacy. - stupid name for the company IMHO, but I digress.) But my second email to customer service went like this:

ME: I know that I can ask for a specific station through Google, but what about the other channels you offer?
Examples. Dance Party Radio, Boy Band Radio or The 70s? How would I access them using the Google Assistant?

THEM:
Hi there,
Thank you for reaching back to us.
I see that you have concerns related to the stations mentioned. However, please know that the stations are still unavailable on Google Home.
Kindly know that we are working with the Google team to update the utterances.
We appreciate your patience till then.
Best Regards,
Logan

I have found Audacy's customer service to be pretty awful. It's not the first time I had questions regarding that app. I never have issues with iHeart, but lots with Audacy. Many times the issue is with trying to use it through my car's Android Auto. I'm usually told to delete the app and reinstall it.
 
AMRocks said:
You might be able to ask Google to play a specific Audacy station, but other "stations" available on their app cannot be received through Google Home. I got a generic response back when I asked about using the voice controls. (Google keeps looking for "Odyssey," not Audacy. - stupid name for the company IMHO, but I digress.) But my second email to customer service went like this:

ME: I know that I can ask for a specific station through Google, but what about the other channels you offer?
Examples. Dance Party Radio, Boy Band Radio or The 70s? How would I access them using the Google Assistant?

THEM:
Hi there,
Thank you for reaching back to us.
I see that you have concerns related to the stations mentioned. However, please know that the stations are still unavailable on Google Home.
Kindly know that we are working with the Google team to update the utterances.
We appreciate your patience till then.
Best Regards,
Logan

I have found Audacy's customer service to be pretty awful. It's not the first time I had questions regarding that app. I never have issues with iHeart, but lots with Audacy. Many times the issue is with trying to use it through my car's Android Auto. I'm usually told to delete the app and reinstall it.
Click to expand...
IHM will answer your questions thoroughly this was in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
 
pjc1961 said:
From the WCBS880.com website, try:
Ask your smart speaker to play
W C B S Eight Eighty

BTW, for WCBS-FM-101.1:
Ask your smart speaker to play
C B S F M
Click to expand...
I've said WCBS Eight Eighty also and Google assistant says playing "WCBS NEWS RADIO 880 from Auducy" opens the Auducy app to CBS-FM 101.1 I just gave up and just clicked to it myself.
 
I have found Audacy's customer service to be pretty awful. It's not the first time I had questions regarding that app. I never have issues with iHeart, but lots with Audacy. Many times the issue is with trying to use it through my car's Android Auto. I'm usually told to delete the app and reinstall it.
Click to expand...

I am not the least bit surprised.

Audacy / Entercom has been a technological dumpster fire since the CBS Radio acquisition.

Multiple malware/ransomware attacks on their servers, radio station automation systems that do not function as desired, RDS that is not properly maintained (in some cases displaying the names of old station brands that went away years ago), disappearing station web page playlist logs, etc.

Would not shock me if one of the company's executives owns a Denon home theater receiver (which uses "Audyssey" acoustical calibration software). I have a Yami, and while I cannot speak to the usefulness of Denon's calibration software, Yamaha's calibration software is complete garbage.
 
radiolives said:
I've said WCBS Eight Eighty also and Google assistant says playing "WCBS NEWS RADIO 880 from Auducy" opens the Auducy app to CBS-FM 101.1 I just gave up and just clicked to it myself.
Click to expand...
I just tried asking my Google Home to "Play WCBS 880" and 880 did actually start playing. I have never asked Google to play this before.
Based on your and my experiences, I would bet that Audacy has a cache somewhere within the Google Home Database that would need to be cleared. I have no idea how or where to go about clearing that.
 
I had no problem saying "Alexa .....play WCBS ...Eight ....eighty" and my alexa show 8 played it no problem. The other key is youve got to speak a bit slow and clear. you cant say "alexaplaywcbseighteighty"
 
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