https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/08/24/smooth-jazz-fcb-cool
An online station called FCB Cool has just launched.
An online station called FCB Cool has just launched.
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New Smooth Jazz Station in Cleveland
- Thread starter MediaLover
- Start date
That's just an Internet stream, not an on-the-air broadcast station.
That is the best place for it. The format is dead in this town
VintageMac
Banned
It's not necessarily dead but not as popular as it maybe once was. Classical music has been considered a dead format as well yet due to public broadcasting in Cleveland, the format is still on even though the ratings are not great compared to other formats.
However, Classical music listeners tend to be upscale and affluent.
VintageMac
Banned
Same for smooth jazz/traditional jazz as it can trend towards older listeners. But it doesn't really matter in any format if there are not enough listeners to begin with as more people are streaming now at various age levels.
Anyone who is a true traditional jazz fan would be offended by the term "smooth jazz". Real jazz is not ephemeral; smooth jazz is like a novelty cocktail served at a South Beach bar... clever, maybe. Fun, for a while. Lasting appeal, none.
And streaming is a great solution for narrow-appeal genres and mixes.
It lasted for about two decades on many stations, from the late '80s to late 2000s.
My former associate Owen Leach and Cody created it in the later 80's It was mostly dead in its new-age and "light jazz" form by the earlier 00's, so it really only lasted about 15 years with real strength.
Beautiful Music in its Shulke/Marlon Taylor form ran from the very late 1960's to around 1985/1986. Also around 15 years.
VintageMac
Banned
There are many traditional jazz artists who have also done some smooth jazz or what some stations have categorized as such so it's more than a novelty but rather a difference of taste. There is a a lot of variety in jazz. However, some stations have put a lot of R&B along with jazz so it's a mixed format which ultimately does not appeal to the more traditional jazz listener.
And that is what The Wave did in LA. They have a jazzy flavored Urban AC that also appeals to a bit portion of the Eastern European immigrant community for some reason. It fits LA, but likely nowhere else.
"The Wave" Smooth AC format is also on 98.3 CIWV in Vancouver:
www.wave983.fm
WAVE 98.3 FM - Vancouver's Coolest Vibe
Wave 98.3 is Vancouver's Coolest Vibe. Serving “smooth jazz” to Western Canada with contemporary instrumental and pop vocals. Listen Live to Wave 98.3 FM.
Two more Smooth Jazz stations: WEIB Northampton, Massachusetts, serving the Berkshire Mountains, a resort area. And WSBZ Miramar Beach, Florida, serving Fort Walton Beach, also a resort area. Both stations are on 106.3 MHz.
At one time, KTWV 94.7 The Wave Los Angeles was one of CBS Radio's best billing stations. BIA Kelsey had it in the top ten for several years. It still plays some of the Smooth Jazz vocal artists from that era, Sade, Sting, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, etc. No more instrumentals but still a great station. And #2 in the latest Nielsen ratings! Also #2 18-34, #2 18-49 and #2 25-54. Only KRTH beats it!
At one time, KTWV 94.7 The Wave Los Angeles was one of CBS Radio's best billing stations. BIA Kelsey had it in the top ten for several years. It still plays some of the Smooth Jazz vocal artists from that era, Sade, Sting, Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, etc. No more instrumentals but still a great station. And #2 in the latest Nielsen ratings! Also #2 18-34, #2 18-49 and #2 25-54. Only KRTH beats it!
an LPFM..... those types of stations can abnd should do niche, non commercially viable formats.. formats of interest they can support in other ways because commercial statoions cant
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