WVLZ Knox moves to 93.7 translator

[BRH]

Just noticed Loud Media has moved WVLZ’s rock format from 106.1 to the newly upgraded 93.7 translator. They’re teasing a new format on 106.1 launching next Friday. They appear to have moved the 93.7 translator recently with FCC approval to a new location in Knox (Sharps ridge maybe?). Anyway, I saw where it moved recently & it seems to be a good translator signal now (on par with 99.7 & 97.1 which seem to have the best coverage of Knox translators). My only wonder is if it will get complaints from Reg Mex WKZX 93.5 which is co-adjacent.
Also, who knows what Loud will put on 106.1 with their constantly changing formats. Maybe they’ll finally pair 106.1 with the co-adjacent 105.9 translator to give a more full market signal to whatever they do. Maybe an upgrade for Fun 105.9’s classic hits format? (The 105.9 signal would pair well & cover the Maryville end of the market where 106.1 is weak). Anyways, VLZ’s rock format seems to have been the most successful thing Loud has done. I’m surprised Summit or someone hasn’t filled the market hole for a current based active rock or alternative format on a better signal like 93.1. There’s obviously some demand for it.

 

[RMarino]

I think this is a good move as the 106.1 signal was underperforming as VLZ. I know the 106.1 signal isn’t great everywhere, but it booms in here in my part of West Knox and I believe it has potential to be something good for this area.

At this point I’d probably put on Santa 106.1 and let it ride through the rest of the year. After that, who knows? I’d personally enjoy it if “Fun” moved over there. Or they could bring “Lake FM” back. They recently brought the “Lake FM” name and format to two of their stations in New York.

 

[BRH]

Supposedly, the new calls for 106.1 are WATO. Those belonged to the old AM in Oak Ridge for years. Are they possibly going to try & target just Oak Ridge with the new format?
I also agree that bringing back the Lake FM brand for the classic hits format would make sense if they simulcast 105.9 & 106.1.

And speaking of Loud’s stations. I enjoy 104.9 KVL’s 90s/2000s throwback format, but honestly the signal is pretty crappy. I would’ve thought the relocation from Lafollette to Greenback with the tower at Top of the World would’ve provided a better signal. But it’s honestly not much better than before in Knox. (Just from a different end of the market). I guess it has good Blount Co coverage though.

 

[RMarino]

I’ve given up trying to analyze their call letter choices. We tried for a year to figure out WSMM only to realize it meant absolutely nothing.

Also interesting to note that the new signal for the 93.7 translator is only 9 watts. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

You mentioned KVL. I just can’t get into it. The mixing of the genres is too jarring. If it was all classic hip hop, like so many other stations do, then I’d like it. Or if it was all pop/rock hits, like SXM Pop Rocks, then I’d like it. But mixing hip hop, pop, and rock from the ‘90s/‘00s doesn’t do it for me. The signal is pretty bad too. I work in Blount County and even there I can’t get a clear signal. I still think they should have kept the old signal.

 

[BRH]

I’ve given up trying to analyze their call letter choices. We tried for a year to figure out WSMM only to realize it meant absolutely nothing.

Also interesting to note that the new signal for the 93.7 translator is only 9 watts. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

You mentioned KVL. I just can’t get into it. The mixing of the genres is too jarring. If it was all classic hip hop, like so many other stations do, then I’d like it. Or if it was all pop/rock hits, like SXM Pop Rocks, then I’d like it. But mixing hip hop, pop, and rock from the ‘90s/‘00s doesn’t do it for me. The signal is pretty bad too. I work in Blount County and even there I can’t get a clear signal. I still think they should have kept the old signal

Yeah, I would’ve thought the elevation there off the Foothills Pkwy would’ve provided a better footprint than it has for 104.9’s signal. I figured building penetration wouldn’t be good, but the height would throw a farther reaching signal than it has.

And while i do enjoy, KVL as an option on the dial, yeah, they certainly could be more focused. Loud’s programming is pretty haphazard on all their stations. Besides KVL, WVLZ’s rock format is kind of a mess too. Lots of stiffs being played on both stations (and not just as wow factor tracks every now & then, but as part of the regular rotation.). I get they obviously don’t spend money on research, but their stations would probably do better if they just emulated a playlist from some of the IHeart & Audacy stations in their respective formats. I think there’s definitely a hole in the market for either active rock or alternative, and they could capitalize on it a lot better by tightening up their playlist.

Also, you’re right on KVL too. It’s a bit jarring in the mix of classic hip hop & alternative with hardly no pop in between. Also it leans twrds the hip hop with only a rock song every now & then. Just sounds odd. There’s a format hole there, but they’re way too broad to have any consistent TSL.
And since you mentioned, PopRocks on SiriusXM, thats actually one of my favorite channels on the service. I think that modern AC gold format focused on the period just after grunge from the mid 90s to early 2000s could do well on a terrestrial signal as well. I keep waiting for someone to do this format on FM.

 

[RMarino]

I spent some time listening to 93.7 WVLZ today. I’m not an authority on Active Rock by any means. But I made some observations anyway. First of all, the music sounds more streamlined than it did on previously. On 106.1, I remember hearing wild swings in music from (what sounded like) death metal to ‘90s pop alternative. Now on 93.7 it’s a more consistent sound. It’s more enjoyable now from my personal perspective.

Also, on the Facebook page, some people are commenting that the new WVLZ is not playing any new music. I don’t know enough about the format to determine if that’s true or not. But I noticed their sister station in New York, WABY, which has the same logo, identifies as “‘90s and 2000s Rock”, so maybe that’s what they’ve done with WVLZ.

The signal is impressive for 9 watts. I carried it from downtown to West Knox just fine.

 

[BRH]

I spent some time listening to 93.7 WVLZ today. I’m not an authority on Active Rock by any means. But I made some observations anyway. First of all, the music sounds more streamlined than it did on previously. On 106.1, I remember hearing wild swings in music from (what sounded like) death metal to ‘90s pop alternative. Now on 93.7 it’s a more consistent sound. It’s more enjoyable now from my personal perspective.

Also, on the Facebook page, some people are commenting that the new WVLZ is not playing any new music. I don’t know enough about the format to determine if that’s true or not. But I noticed their sister station in New York, WABY, which has the same logo, identifies as “‘90s and 2000s Rock”, so maybe that’s what they’ve done with WVLZ.

The signal is impressive for 9 watts. I carried it from downtown to West Knox just fine.

Just saw where the 106.1 launch occurred. It flipped to alternative as “Atomic 106, Everything Alternative”. I love the alt format, so very happy to have it back in town. (Although with Loud, it probably won’t last, lol). But it makes sense that they’ve tweaked WVLZ’s active rock format to move farther away by eliminating the alt crossovers & focusing heavily on 90s/2k hard rock/nu metal, etc. Also, since the Oak Ridge end of the market is 106.1’s best coverage, the “Atomic” name & WATO calls are a nice nod.