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KPNW back to Country?

Not a joke. Bull is back. As is Fitz in mornings.

AAA airstaff is out.

radioinsight.com

The Bull & Fitz Return To 98.9 Seattle - RadioInsight

Fourteen months after dropping Country for AAA, Hubbard Radio has flipped 98.9 KPNW-FM Seattle back to its former “98.9 The Bull” identity. Also returning to the station will be former morning host Fitz. Fitz hosted mornings on The Bull from April 2019 until the end of 2020. He previously hosted...
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com
 
It was only a matter of time.

0.8 ratings are an April Fool's joke in itself. And KKWF is dominating the ratings. And KEXP is "the" station in Seattle for the type of music KPNW aired.
 
While I'm sorry that KPNW as a AAA did not fare better (I thought the station sounded good personally), this is clearly the right move. Very happy to see Fitz return. The breakup between he and the station several years back was unfortunate.
 
But wait.... There's more...

radioinsight.com

Star 101.5 Seattle To Flip Today - RadioInsight

The flip this morning of AAA 98.9 KPNW-FM Seattle back to Country “98.9 The Bull” is the first of two to take place today. Lotus Radio AC “Star 101.5” KPLZ will debut a new format a 2:00pm, which apparently forced Hubbard to rush its launch this morning. KPLZ-FM currently ranks 20th in the...
radioinsight.com radioinsight.com
 
Wow. Well the numbers clearly weren't there... but I'm sure the station had quite a few enthusiastic listeners who will be sorely disappointed. Very curious what Star has up its sleeve for later today as well... were they thinking country, too??
 
I hope Star flips back and 98.9 becomes Hip Hop. A major city in America in 2023 should have Hip Hop. Seattle and, Minneapolis, & Pittsburgh lack full market Hip Hop Stations. (The translators in Pittsburgh & Minneapolis don't count.)
 
MVB13 said:
I hope Star flips back and 98.9 becomes Hip Hop. A major city in America in 2023 should have Hip Hop. Seattle and, Minneapolis, & Pittsburgh lack full market Hip Hop Stations. (The translators in Pittsburgh & Minneapolis don't count.)
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Have you done any demographic and/or advertiser revenue/support research in these markets? I have. I’ve also been to two of the markets mentioned (actually lived close to one) and seen it with my very eyes as to why your wants won’t happen.

It’s why KUBE 2.0 failed and was shunted off to HD. (Not to mention, Movin’ is literally in the same cluster as 98.9.) It’s why Hot does as well as it does in Seattle. It’s why hip hop in the Twin Cities is relegated to a non-comm and a translator. It’s why hip hop in Pittsburgh is relegated to a translator.

These markets do not operate like market #1. Sorry. There are markets where certain formats will not work - it’s been explained over and over.

Be fortunate that there is at least an option in these markets. Many have none.
 
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sox fan matt said:
As stated I thought KEXP covered the AAA format well in the PNW
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Not for my taste. I love the AAA format. KEXP's version of it is way too eclectic. I'm familiar with 90% of the artists played on most AAA stations (which is perfect) but only familiar with maybe 10 of the artists on KEXP, aside from when they play something intolerable like Two Of Hearts by Stacey Q from 1988 which they did at 12:08 PM this afternoon.

No, KPNW had a well-blended playlist and airstaff. They just didn't give it the proper promotion OR the proper time. Always has to be one or the other.
 
Hubbard never gave it a chance. "AAA" is not a format where you "play the hits". I listened for awhile back in September 2023. 98.9 was wayyyyy too much of a conservative playlist for my taste. 44 year old male. But, I guess I'm out of the demographic. Also, when you play the "Radio edit" versions of songs on a "AAA" format "If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow; "Crush", "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band, you lose me real quick. Best of luck to all the former d.j.'s on 98.9.
 
While I liked KPNW, I cant blame Hubbard for pulling the plug. Perhaps they knew that Lotus would try a country format as well, and decided to get Fitz lined up for a big return before 101.5 could make any inroads.

I hope the move works out for them this time. At the same time, I hope that 101.5 intends to do something different to set themselves apart from the pack. Three country stations doing the same thing is a war of attrition.
 
MVB13 said:
I hope Star flips back and 98.9 becomes Hip Hop. A major city in America in 2023 should have Hip Hop. Seattle and, Minneapolis, & Pittsburgh lack full market Hip Hop Stations. (The translators in Pittsburgh & Minneapolis don't count.)
Click to expand...
KUBE was an epic failure at the end of it's life. I find it hard to imagine that anyone would ever want to try that again knowing what we know now about the format, and how it struggles in Seattle.
 
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