101.5 Jamz Slogan

[radiolives]

I listen to this station sometimes online over the CBS Radio stream. I noticed their slogan is now "Valleys #1 Hit Music Station". The stream box still says "Balzin' The Valley's Hitz and Hip Hop" plus they still sound very Rhythmic/CHR. They aren't playing any pop songs like The Fray, Nickelback, or Taylor Swift, etc.

 

[justthenumbers]

“Hit music” means different things in different markets. In Phoenix, the original KZZP (in the 80’s) was the last station to find success by truly playing all the hits. That changed once music fragmented in the late 80’s/early 90’s. KOY-FM ("Y95", from 1992-93), KKFR ("Power 92", in 1994), and KZZP again (as “104-7 ZZP” from 1999-2001) have all attempted that type of CHR over the past 20 years, and all failed.

The closest thing you will find to a CHR station playing multiple genres of hits is the current KZZP (104.7 Kiss-FM) – but even they lean Rhythmic.

And as a side note (and I point this out since I sense that you are outside the market - most of the regulars here already know about this) - the current KKFR (“Power 98.3”) is another Rhythmic station with the exact same slogan. Their format is even more focused on hip-hop and R&B…I don’t think they play, for example, “Hot n Cold” by Katy Perry (which is in rotation on 101.5 JamZ.) Interestingly, though, I have heard “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga on KKFR.

 

[radiolives]

The station that used that slogan first "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station" should be the one that gets to keep using the slogan. And the other station needs to change. Why can't power just use #1 for Hip Hop and R&B or something like that.

 

[justthenumbers]

The station that used that slogan first "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station" should be the one that gets to keep using the slogan. And the other station needs to change. Why can't power just use #1 for Hip Hop and R&B or something like that.

If you look back through the postings on this board from a couple of months back, you’ll find discussion about both of the points you raised. I don’t think we’ll ever have a truthful answer about who started using the slogan first. Power’s slogan used to be “Where Hip-Hop Lives” (either that or “#1 for hip-hop and R&B – I can’t remember for sure) – they apparently shifted their slogan because Arbitron’s PPM ratings measurement system is just around the corner. In a PPM world, it’s supposedly better to market yourself as a station that appeals to a lot of people (“hit music”) as opposed to one that appeals to a more niche group (“where hip-hop lives”)…even if you haven’t actually changed your format much. It's probably the same reason why 101.5 JamZ changed its slogan as well.

With the economy the way it is – especially here in the Valley, which is among the hardest hit areas in the nation – I don’t think either station is in the mood to pay lawyer$ just to win exclusive rights to the slogan.

 

[Gusto]

Funny thing is, the station that SHOULD have that slogan, would be 104.7

They actually represent Billboard or whatever...if they lean Rhythmic, then it's because Billboard does. That's always been the case, so it puzzles me when people think that Kiss constantly shifts. they go with the trends.

 

[Wildstyle K]

The station that used that slogan first "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station" should be the one that gets to keep using the slogan. And the other station needs to change. Why can't power just use #1 for Hip Hop and R&B or something like that.

Even better, the station that most accurately and sensibly fits the slogan should be the one to use the slogan, case closed.. but that type of thinking is only for people who think logically. We live in an illogical world, so many things that don't make sense, for whatever reasons, will always continue to take place and happen...

But, making sure to STAY WITHIN THE TOPIC OF RADIO and SLOGAN (we have news talk radio to discuss OTHER issues..), Look at 95.5 The Beat in Atlanta. They are almost identical to JamZ playlist wise, with the exception that JamZ does not play any of the most recent hits by P!NK. However, 95.5 The Beat changed from being ATL's #1 hit music station to ATL's New #1 For Hip Hop. They have TWO other urban stations blazin more hip hop & R&B that are strictly urban and not rhythmic, but still claim to be #1. I even saw the ratings....

Then you have Power 106 in LA Where Hip Hop Lives, playing  and featuring other types of stuff that aren't even recognized here outside of Kiss and sometimes JamZ. I'll just say they are pretty open minded for a station Where Hip Hop Lives... but I say that's a GOOD thing - but that's just my opinion. Some people just want one type of music. Logically thinking, Power 106 would be nothing more or nothing less than "hits & hip hop"...

B96 Chicago is a good example of "hit music", or another example would be Q100 Atlanta or Kiss 108 Boston . "Hit music" sounds acceptable for a rhythmic station playing a lot of pop with r&b and some hip hop, especially today, but it's most appropriate with the station that's more open to hits from a wider genre scale. In other words, you may not play any (or too much) alternative or alternative leaning pop, but will consider Britney, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, maybe even P!NK and things similar, which I'd say is acceptable for a "hit music" slogan. Anything "less" than that doesn't really make sense logically, although it has been done quite a bit... but regardless, once I listen and begin to realize it's mainly only one genre of hits, I'll look for the "real" hit music station, playing the most hits, or at least the selection I desire. Sometimes you must apply logic, because when you really think about it, any station or anybody could be "#1 for hit music". Think about MOViN and the amount of hits they play... Think about Club 95 Latino Vibe... Think about....well, Radio Disney! What about 102.5 KNIX? They play their hits, too.

As of right now, I like rhythmic top 40 music, without too much of the alternative rock lean. Any stations similar to WiLD 106.1 Cali, The new Amp 97.1, 95.5 The Beat Atlanta, Power 96 Miami, or WiLD 94.9 from the Bay, with the "REAL" rhythmic sound and artists, those are my favorite stations and formats. I also love the B96 style as well.

I always bring up "logical thinking" everywhere I go, but there are times, business-wise, when it's best (or more beneficial) not to do the most logical thing, depending on your agenda. So, while people could spend all day arguing over the silly slogans, we should also remember the reasoning behind them, business-wise, and remember it's all competition and people doing what's best or necessary for their success, and as silly (or even irritating to those who are sensitive) as some things may be or seem, that is just the reality of the entire situation.