Mix 105.1 changes

[AbqAnonymous]

So AGM has decided to make some changes at their low rated Hot AC Mix 105.1 shifting to playing "Feel Good Throwbacks"
Here is a sample hour from about 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM:

Backstreet Boys - Quit Playing Games With My Heart
Linkin Park - Numb
Benson Boone - Beautiful Things
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Spice Girls - Wannabe
<commercial break>
Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah!
Backstreet Boys - Everybody (Backstreet's Back)
The Weeknd - Blinding Lights
<top of the hour ID with a long promo about the new format>
Sean Paul - Temperature
The Cardigans - Lovefool
Rihanna - Pon de Replay
NSYNC - I Want You Back
Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber - Stay
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Alanis Morissette - Ironic
Rema ft. Selena Gomez - Calm Down
Spin Doctors - Two Princes
The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey - Closer
Ed Sheeran - Azizam
<commercial break>

So it looks like this format is aimed mostly at Millennial women. It appears to pick up where KABG leaves off in the musical timeline. I noticed that KKSS is listed as Hot AC on Radio Locator and the ratings listings but as far as I can tell it still sounds like a Rhythmic CHR. So could this do anything to impact the market?

 

[K.M. Richards]

Good. They can play all the throwbacks that I decided were too intense for the new format on 103.7 and get into a battle with 97.3 (which is already in a battle with our 101.3).

And it obviously has no impact on 93.7, the original station in the cluster that I have been consulting for over 2½ years now.

As far as ratings are concerned, Don Davis and I believe the real ratings come from the advertisers. If they get results, they keep renewing ... and the more mainstream a format is, the easier it is to sell.

 

[lanceventa]

Good. They can play all the throwbacks that I decided were too intense for the new format on 103.7 and get into a battle with 97.3 (which is already in a battle with our 101.3).

I would think this is all about targeting KPEK and KOBQ. Why would KKRG want to hurt co-owned 97.3 KKSS, which it also shares a PD with?

Too intense? Every song listed was a mainstream hit. This is definitely Classic Hits for millennials shooting right at the female 25-54 core.

I noticed that KKSS is listed as Hot AC on Radio Locator and the ratings listings but as far as I can tell it still sounds like a Rhythmic CHR.

Radio-Locator is not a credible source for format info. Not sure what ratings listing has KKSS as a Hot AC, but they are definitely Rhythmic CHR. (And our info has Nielsen listing it as such too Albuquerque)

 

[K.M. Richards]

I would think this is all about targeting KPEK and KOBQ. Why would KKRG want to hurt co-owned 97.3 KKSS, which it also shares a PD with?

You got me, but it sure seems like they will have a lot of their playlists in common now.

KKRG was kind of a mess without clear direction before, so I suppose AGM had to do something. Not sure why they would go up against iHeart and Cumulus at the same time, though.

Too intense? Every song listed was a mainstream hit. This is definitely Classic Hits for millennials shooting right at the female 25-54 core.

Which isn't what KOAZ is after. Maybe this is a way to sell better in combo with KABG?

Radio-Locator is not a credible source for format info. Not sure what ratings listing has KKSS as a Hot AC, but they are definitely Rhythmic CHR. (And our info has Nielsen listing it as such too Albuquerque)

R-L is called "last resort for coverage maps when Michi's site isn't available" in my book.

 

[AbqAnonymous]

Not sure what ratings listing has KKSS as a Hot AC, but they are definitely Rhythmic CHR

It was the Radio Online listings https://ratings.****************/content/arb141
It could also be trying to go after KMGA which still plays some 80s hits or perhaps KABQ 95.1 although this format is more pop than rhythmic. They took on KPEK for years and never really got anywhere with it averaging around a 1.0 since it launched at the end of 2017. Your article also mentions a new operations manager at AGM so she likely decided on this change at KKRG. KKRG Relaunches With Feel Good Throwbacks; Michelle Matthews Joins As Operations Manager

 

[K.M. Richards]

Not sure what ratings listing has KKSS as a Hot AC, but they are definitely Rhythmic CHR.

It was the Radio Online listings https://ratings.****************/content/arb141

That explains everything. That site whose name I will not repeat has always been full of errors and is notorious for taking forever to get format changes into their database.

Quoting them automatically casts doubt and aspersions about whatever conclusion one may draw from them. Especially since we have Lance for accurate information.

It could also be trying to go after KMGA which still plays some 80s hits or perhaps KABQ 95.1 although this format is more pop than rhythmic.

Except that the song list you posted has no 80's titles ...

I'll stick with my theory that this move is designed to add value to a buy in combo with KABG.

 

[lanceventa]

I'll stick with my theory that this move is designed to add value to a buy in combo with KABG.

KKRG was always a flanker for KABG and KKSS, from conversations with the PD this was to try to give it more of its own lane than simply being the same musically at Q and Peak.