Alt 92.3 to Become WINS Simulcast

[mikerock]

I say that about commercial radio, not non-commercial radio. This is why I compare folks like you to Goldilocks. The porridge is either too hot or too cold. You want a mass medium to be like a personal audio device. It's never going to happen.



As I said, they play more current alternative and active rock than WNYL ever did. That is what the playlist shows. WNYL also played a lot of older stuff. Yet you want it to return.

You seem to think that because this is owned by a college that the DJs are kids. They're not. Dennis Elsas is on the air now. He is not a kid.

Just another example you have not listened to the station other than knowing Dennis Elsas does a shift and they play a few currents.
You are picking one shift and yes he is one of the few good things about the station. Outside of Denise it amusing listening to these kids muddle through but that gets old after awhile.

There are now multiple people posting the playlist in this thread showing songs by Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin and other non-alternative artists mixed in. No one is going to listen to such dramatic extremes from Alternative to non-Alternative if they actually want to listen to an Alternative station.

 

[TheBigA]

No one is going to listen to such dramatic extremes from Alternative to non-Alternative if they actually want to listen to an Alternative station.

That's because it's NOT an Alternative station. It's called AAA, Adult Album Alternative. It's wider than alternative.

Some people prefer it to Alternative. WXRT in Chicago and KINK in Portland are two popular examples.

 

[mikerock]

WDHA is a good mainstream Jersey rock station. Not my primary favorite kind of music but I'll listen if I drive out that way. I'm not going to make an effort to stream them though.



This has been discussed many times on this forum. Although WFUV plays some interesting currents, and sometimes good alternative tracks, it's a really difficult listen. Just when you think they're on a roll they drop a folk bomb, jam band or burned out classic rock track killing the momentum. WFUV still targets a base of rich OLD donors who will walk away if they don't hear their Dylan, Springsteen and Grateful Dead..

Big A, you're the one who constantly talks about radio needing to play consensus songs. WFUV ain't doin' it. Here's what they played for the past hour:

11/22, 5:38pm Black Out Days - Phantogram
11/22, 5:34pm All I Need To Hear - The 1975
11/22, 5:30pm Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill
11/22, 5:25pm Another Life Goes By (Mississippi Mix) - Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and Big K.R.I.T.
11/22, 5:22pm Want Want - Maggie Rogers
11/22, 5:19pm Friend Of The Devil - The Grateful Dead
11/22, 5:15pm Miles and Miles - The Heavy Heavy
11/22, 5:12pm Radio Nowhere - Bruce Springsteen
11/22, 5:07pm Should've Been Me - Mitski
11/22, 5:04pm You Never Give Me Your Money - The Beatles
11/22, 5:00pm Big Time Sensuality - Bjork
11/22, 4:56pm Where I Go - NxWorries
11/22, 4:51pm Angelene - PJ Harvey
11/22, 4:48pm Lemon Tree - Mt. Joy
11/22, 4:42pm Tangled Up In Blue - Bob Dylan

I did this earlier in the thread to when it was not that far off the reservation. It is unbearable.

That playlist, LOL. What is that like 2 whole Alternative songs in an hour.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

You seem to think that because this is owned by a college that the DJs are kids. They're not. Dennis Elsas is on the air now. He is not a kid.

Dennis Elsas has been on the air for over 50 years which must make him 70-something, just like most WFUV donors probably are. Which is fine, I'm not going to say anything bad about WFUV. It serves its target audience, I don't happen to be one of them. They attract a niche audience which can be seen from WFUV's numbers, which are way less than WNYL's were. Has no bearing on my earlier comments, there's still nothing left on NYC FM radio for me, or many others anymore.

 

[mikerock]

That's because it's NOT an Alternative station. It's called AAA, Adult Album Alternative. It's wider than alternative.

Some people prefer it to Alternative. WXRT in Chicago and KINK in Portland are two popular examples.

Then perhaps it is best not recommended as an alternative to WNYL, no pun intended.

 

[MVB13]

What about WDHA? What about streaming? If commercial radio is driving listeners to non-radio alternatives, why not stream WFUV? You guys are full of excuses. I'm listening to it right now.

WDHA's signal depends on where you are in West Milford. If you are in Hewitt and closer to Warwick you cannot receive it because you do get interference from WDBY-FM on 105.5 in West Chester. You may get WRRV in that area on 92.7. I know 107.1 the Peak sometimes works depending if you are closer to the Ringwood side of West Milford. It was nice having a New York City signal playing full time Alternative Rock that one could get all over town. I live in Montclair now and I can barely get WDHA myself or 107.1 the Peak.

 

[Barry]

It was nice having a New York City signal playing full time Alternative Rock that one could get all over town. I live in Montclair now and I can barely get WDHA myself or 107.1 the Peak.

What about WNYL HD2? At least Audacy is making an attempt to still serve Alt fans in this area.
If one really misses a local radio format, it may be worthwhile to make the effort to receive the HD2 replacement.

 

[davideduardo]

You would think radio would try to survive this by bringing something new to the table rather than going backwards by putting 1010 WINS on 92.3.

One of the big issues for WINS is that much of its audience is in the City and the Boroughs and in apartments. The level of man-made interference today from wall-warts and RF-emitting electronic devices ranging from light dimmers to security systems is so high that AM can't be used in many homes and buildings. To make WINS listenable "again" they needed to add FM.

They certainly were not going to give up on one of the market's absolute top billers.

Those demographics are going to age out and die, then what.

Apparently scientists have found that people age at the rate of one year every 365 days. That means that WINS will continue to have a decent set of P1 listeners for, perhaps, a decade or more.

Hint: what you describe is a very, very slow process.

For the moment, adding FM makes the product more listenable today and may actually increase audience levels in homes and apartments and offices where AM is no longer listenable.

People will already be accustomed to streaming and satellite services if they are not mostly already. The reputation of AM/FM formats will be and already is becoming too irreparably tarnished for anyone to come back to it.

And so, those interested in a quick news summary will continue to listen to WINS, whether on AM or FM or a stream.

P.S. Satellite is growing very slowly and they have been met with extreme cancellations due to the cost of living increases of this year. I called to cancel both cars and kept saying "no, just cancel" to each "better offer" until I now pay half of what one car cost for both vehicles.

 

[MVB13]

What about WNYL HD2? At least Audacy is making an attempt to still serve Alt fans in this area.
If one really misses a local radio format, it may be worthwhile to make the effort to receive the HD2 replacement.

HD-2 cuts out once you hit Wayne, NJ. The signal is horrific. I was in Denville and the signal kept cutting in and out.

 

[JeremyAndrews]

Few things.

Unless someone is in a car or taxi, they’re probably not listening on an AM or FM Radio. Most people get their content online.

Car HD Radios are really poor quality. They are unable to keep the HD signal. Certain table top radios with the right antenna can lock the HD to the fringes, but not car HD Radios. Even in the city grade.

They’re trying get the FCC to let them boost power on HD signals for this reason, but the big problem is interference this causes on analog adjacents. A power increase on HD will result in more noise on adjacents in the fringes and if you were once able to lock nearby HD signals in those areas, that might no longer be possible unless that station bumps it’s HD power.

That said, outside of the car, nobody is listening to the radio except in some businesses where they don’t have internet.

 

[Marcos_C]

That said, outside of the car, nobody is listening to the radio except in some businesses where they don’t have internet.

I disagree. I listen to WINS on my Insignia HD Radio Tabletop at home.

 

[davideduardo]

Unless someone is in a car or taxi, they’re probably not listening on an AM or FM Radio. Most people get their content online.

Of course, actual statistics contradict this. Less than half of all listening is in the car, based on the data from diary markets which segregate home, work and vehicle listening.

Car HD Radios are really poor quality. They are unable to keep the HD signal. Certain table top radios with the right antenna can lock the HD to the fringes, but not car HD Radios. Even in the city grade.

HD is not much of a revenue producer so that does not matter. The profitable HD uses are to justify a translator or to sell to an ethnic or religious or special interest group.

They’re trying get the FCC to let them boost power on HD signals for this reason, but the big problem is interference this causes on analog adjacents.

And adjacents are pretty adequately protected in their intended service area. Keep in mind that digital and analog power are not equivalents, and HD signals at the current maximum power pretty much replicate the analog signal.

A power increase on HD will result in more noise on adjacents in the fringes and if you were once able to lock nearby HD signals in those areas, that might no longer be possible unless that station bumps it’s HD power.

The purpose is not to protect weak signals outside the FCC's intended and protected service areas.

That said, outside of the car, nobody is listening to the radio except in some businesses where they don’t have internet.

Again, actual statistics show more that half of all listening is not in the car.

 

[Larry]

Unless someone is in a car or taxi, they’re probably not listening on an AM or FM Radio. Most people get their content online.

I’m listening at home in the bedroom using an old clock radio and in the office (which does have internet) using a portable/desktop radio.

 

[JeremyAndrews]

Ask anybody under a certain age if they listen to a regular radio outside of their car, assuming they don’t have a connected car. Industry is in a deep state of denial.

This is something I hate saying because I care about this industry and I actually do use radios.

This is a big reason why everybody is pushing apps to an excessive amount. They want their brand where people are listening. Even SiriusXM doesn’t mention or market “Satellite radio” for use outside of a car unless it’s for streaming devices. They used to sell satellite radios for use outside of cars. If they still do, it’s not a priority.

Now when you talk about an older demographic that grew up with radio, they might be listening in their garage. Maybe they have an alarm clock.

But face it, most people under a certain age are using their phones, and if they are not, a growing number are.

 

[TheBigA]

Ask anybody under a certain age if they listen to a regular radio outside of their car, assuming they don’t have a connected car. Industry is in a deep state of denial.

There is no one in the "industry" who is in a state of denial. The ONLY place radio companies are investing is online. The people in denial are the boomers who think all it would take is live & local talent for everyone to give up their phones and laptops. But everyone in radio knows that the future is creating online content.

However, there was an interesting study that says a lot of younger people are streaming AM & FM on their phones, and the number is being undercounted.

Edison: AM/FM Streaming's Share Continues To Grow, Hitting Record-High 17% Among 25-54s.

According to Edison Research's “Share of Ear” study's Q3 2022 findings, streaming now accounts for 17% of AM/FM radio listening among persons 25-54, its highest-recorded share to date. That's up

www.insideradio.com

 

[Barry]

Does anyone know whether there is a significant number of people listening to the FM radios built into many phones?
My guess is, that like HD radio in cars, many people aren't even aware of this feature. I've read that many phones have the circuitry for receiving FM, but lack the software to make it usable. I believe this includes several models of iPhones.

 

[TheBigA]

Does anyone know whether there is a significant number of people listening to the FM radios built into many phones?
My guess is, that like HD radio in cars, many people aren't even aware of this feature. I've read that many phones have the circuitry for receiving FM, but lack the software to make it usable.

It's much easier to stream. With iHeart or TuneIn or whatever.

 

[Barry]

It's at least as easy to use the FM radio on a phone (if there is one) as it is to stream local stations. And not everyone has data plans that make it economical to stream for significant periods of time.

 

[gr8oldies]

Ask anybody under a certain age if they listen to a regular radio outside of their car, assuming they don’t have a connected car. Industry is in a deep state of denial.

This is something I hate saying because I care about this industry and I actually do use radios.

This is a big reason why everybody is pushing apps to an excessive amount. They want their brand where people are listening. Even SiriusXM doesn’t mention or market “Satellite radio” for use outside of a car unless it’s for streaming devices. They used to sell satellite radios for use outside of cars. If they still do, it’s not a priority.

Now when you talk about an older demographic that grew up with radio, they might be listening in their garage. Maybe they have an alarm clock.

But face it, most people under a certain age are using their phones, and if they are not, a growing number are.

Sirius XM especially pushed the app for at-home listening during the pandemic, especially early on.

 

[JeremyAndrews]

Research is flawed. What average young person these days is going to take one of those surveys about their listening habits? We saw this kind of thing with the last election. This is why I have trouble believing a lot of it these days. It’s limited to people willing to take the time to participate. I have doubts that the younger generation with TikTok is going to stop scrolling and do this research as far as the general population goes. The ones that do might not represent the rest of the population.

HD has simply, for people outside of the city grade area, even in those areas has made listening an annoyance. Dropping in and out. A lot of people don’t even know what it is or how to even use it. They just know it’s annoying when it drops in and out.

Alexa, and smartphones are what young people are using outside of the car. Video game systems. Not an FM Radio.