CHR or Alternative should just come back on 94.7. Throwback stations don’t have a good track record
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NYC Metro Radio Ratings November 2022
- Thread starter pjc1961
- Start date
When was throwbacks tried in NYC before this?
Nor does a second CHR or alternative station in New York for that matter, if we're counting.
There was a jammin' oldies station on 105.1 over two decades ago.
WWPR-FM: Jammin' 105 (1998-2002) (Wikipedia)
... and comparing Jammin' Oldies and what is on WXBK is a bit of a stretch. I assume the comment about the classic hip-hop format was referring to its performance nationally.
WXBK should try a Classic Dance format. Similar to what Utopia is doing on SiriusXM. It’s almost what KTU used to sound like from 95-2005. Except they have to add more Latin Freestyle. A must in NYC and lacking from the dial. Not gonna happen but definitely a format that could do well given the demographics of WXBK’s coverage area.
Maybe, but it was the only rhythmic throwbacks station in NYC that I could think of.
Classic dance would be taking some listening away from wnew and WCBS fm, it wouldn't be much, and certainly many clusters have sister stations with more overlap in regards to demos, but that makes it a worse move than the current throwback format which gives their NYC cluster a better compliment to their strongest stations.
I'd love it personally but with all considerations mentioned in these threads, the Block just needs to be tweaked to keep what they have and to try to take a little more from WBLS which is doing great.
With the signal it has and the buys it gets in on, the Block is doing fine, it can just be modified a bit to do even better.
And the Throwback format has been a great addition to clusters in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Vegas..... It's wrong to imply that it's been a failure just because in some markets it had immediate super strong numbers then faded, many of those markets where's it wasn't a long term option. It really depends on each individual market and company.
I'd love it personally but with all considerations mentioned in these threads, the Block just needs to be tweaked to keep what they have and to try to take a little more from WBLS which is doing great.
With the signal it has and the buys it gets in on, the Block is doing fine, it can just be modified a bit to do even better.
And the Throwback format has been a great addition to clusters in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Vegas..... It's wrong to imply that it's been a failure just because in some markets it had immediate super strong numbers then faded, many of those markets where's it wasn't a long term option. It really depends on each individual market and company.
I would think a Classic Dance station would hurt KTU more. If they program dance songs from mostly 95 - Now. I would probably focus 40% of the playlist from 2010 - Now. Then 35% from 95-2010. The remaining 25% 87-95.
If you wanted to go after WBLS then your approach sounds good on paper. Except the demographics don’t seem to be there for it. And WBLS is an iconic heritage station with very loyal listeners who probably don’t even scan the dial for new stations.
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Unique, but too niche for an FM signal in the NYC metro. That concept would be better as a programming block on KTU maybe, but even KTU has evolved away from dance.
KTU still plays dance about 2x an hour. Mostly classic dance from the 90’s that were Top 10 hits. But they also are playing Bebe Rexha and the latest from the Black Eyed Peas. If I’m not mistaken, they moved in a more rhythmic pop direction when Now 92.3 challenged Z 100 for their audience (Edited cause I remember the details).
So not really that niche of an audience. The demographics are definitely there within WXBK’s signal.
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Why? It was the same strategy of playing rhythmic throwbacks which was ultimately sunk by low ratings. Seems like a perfect comparison. In fact, it brings to mind the old saying, 'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.'
If you're going to get down to brass tacks, I'd agree, but I see it as similar but different. I'd argue the demos are different enough where even though it may be a similar approach, the execution differentiates.
I think the format has some chance for greater success, but the signal impairs it and Audacy knows that. In addition, it seems most of the traction towards the station is coming from word-of-mouth. I had heard early on there was an attempt to get the word out about the station with bus advertisements, etc. but that has seemed to stop.
What traction?
The station's overall ratings and cume are about the same as when the format started, over a year ago.
One can blame low ratings in part on a less than stellar signal (though I think the station's signal flaws are being exaggerated by some posters). But there should still be significant growth from when it first signed on, and apparently there isn't.
I agree. They have several people on the station who have heritage with the NYC audience, and I'm sure more people would listen if they knew the option existed.
It has grown but to an extremely minor amount, and it's staying consistent. If no one was listening, it would've just dropped off a lot more, which gives rationale to account this to word of mouth. Audacy could do a lot more to market the station.
With that said, 94.7 did get sued by a pastor recently, so I guess that's one way of getting some word out there.
This is putting the best possible face on the situation.
Any low performing station could benefit from more marketing. How many radio stations in this area have actually been receiving it?
That doesn't make it any less true. Audacy is probably fine with how it is performing, since they are able to sell it better than country did.
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