101.9 is now...

[disney fanatic]

Looks like 101.9 is going back to its roots as a rock station. This format would play alternate rock or new rock. That's right! This is a New York City's version of WRRV in the Hudson Valley, just copy the WRRV stuff and transplant them into NYC. Cumulus, do the math! As for the new station at 101.9, bring back the WRXP calls and make this one a big comeback.

 

[ansky212]

Here's a sampling of tunes in the first hour according to All Access-

BEASTIE BOYS/No Sleep Til Brooklyn
OFFSPRING/Self Esteem
PEARL JAM/Daughter
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE/Guerilla Radio

Since when are those songs "New" rock? I guess they are using the term very loosely.

I nominate No Sleep Til Brooklyn as the most annoying song ever written.

 

[disney fanatic]

Here's a sampling of tunes in the first hour according to All Access-

BEASTIE BOYS/No Sleep Til Brooklyn
ALEX CLARE/Too Close
FOO FIGHTERS/Walk
THIRD EYE BLIND/Graduate
PHOENIX/1901
OF MONSTERS AND MEN/Little Talks
OFFSPRING/Self Esteem
BLACK KEYS/Tighten Up
PEARL JAM/Daughter
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE/Guerilla Radio

Definitely listenable despite the bugs! Mixing in some EDM would be great though, and give it that special NYC edge.

Like I said, just copy this format from WRRV and put it in NYC. This is what will up being on 101.9. Let Cumulus take over Merlin and simulcast a Hudson Valley station and they'll make it 3. One is at Middletown on 92.7 WRRV, another one in Poughkeepsie at 96.9 which is WRRB and the third one will be on 101.9 which will be WRXP. That would be a great idea. Copy this alternative rock format from WRRV and put it on 101.9.

 

[liradioisbad]

Here's a sampling of tunes in the first hour according to All Access-

BEASTIE BOYS/No Sleep Til Brooklyn
OFFSPRING/Self Esteem
PEARL JAM/Daughter
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE/Guerilla Radio

Since when are those songs "New" rock? I guess they are using the term very loosely.

I nominate No Sleep Til Brooklyn as the most annoying song ever written.

The same way people don't like it when Pearl Jam is considered classic rock, nevermind the fact Ten is 20 years old.

 

[nd2023]

Interesting how this is the second simultaneous format flip in both NYC and Chicago. Last time was when CBS Jacked the oldies stations.

 

[radiojomo]

Wow. I never thought Alternative would actually make a comeback in New York.
In addition, I never thought an Alternative format centered around "new" titles would make it into such a market.
I've been listening all morning, and yes, there are a fair share of gold 90's Alternative titles, but the station sounds amazing for a major market Alt station.

 

[iyiyi]

FWIW: 101.9 pulled a 2.6 in the City and was cracking 3 in the suburbs in the last Book, when Merlin yanked the plug on RXP.

ALSO: 101.9 was consistently in the top 25 billing stations in the U.S.A. as a Rocker! What on earth were they thinking when blew up WRXP?

-

 

[mjb1124]

Well, I am very pleased to see Alternative rock back in New York - and without classic rock mixed in, for once! So far the station sounds very much like Q87.7 in Chicago, right down to the imaging and song tags. I'm sure that the station will develop more of its own identity over time, and we'll have to see how much of a library they have, but I like the focus on new music, and all in all this is a good start.

As for DJ's, I would guess that they'll keep Cavalconte on board, and am hoping they might bring Brian Phillips and/or Nik Carter back. But anyone that's professional, engaging and has a love for the music would be welcome. They have added jocks to Q87.7, so I assume they will do the same for this format.

 

[wprt949]

Will cbs Respond and Bring back 92.3 K-rock ?

 

[carolinaradio]

No way is K-Rock ever coming back. 92.3 will stay CHR or go to The Fan/sports.

 

[Giacomo Siffredi]

It is very good to hear an Alternative Rock station back on FM Radio in New York City! ;D

FWIW: 101.9 pulled a 2.6 in the City and was cracking 3 in the suburbs in the last Book, when Merlin yanked the plug on RXP.

ALSO: 101.9 was consistently in the top 25 billing stations in the U.S.A. as a Rocker! What on earth were they thinking when blew up WRXP?

If Emmis hadn't been so cash-strapped and debt-burdened, they wouldn't have sold a majority stake in 101.9FM and probably would have continued operating then WRXP as the rock station it was. WRXP was not a failure. It was a victim to Emmis' poor financial situation as well as the general poor state of the economy.

 

[pjc1961]

FWIW: 101.9 pulled a 2.6 in the City and was cracking 3 in the suburbs in the last Book, when Merlin yanked the plug on RXP.

ALSO: 101.9 was consistently in the top 25 billing stations in the U.S.A. as a Rocker! What on earth were they thinking when blew up WRXP? -

Edit: while composing this post, poster Giacomo Siffredi answered the same question.

What was Emmis thinking re: WRXP? They needed cash quickly to cover debt covenants coming up in Fall 2011, thus the leasing of 101.9 FM to Merlin Media. (Plus WLUP + WKQX in Chicago from Emmis to Merlin.)

Then, they needed more cash in Spring 2012, thus the leasing of 98.7 FM to ESPN.

Then, there's the likelihood of the outright sale by Emmis of KXOS L.A. to Grupo Radio Centro, which is currently leasing the 93.9 frequency from Emmis.

Thus is the business of radio in the 21st Century - at least from the Emmis perspective...

 

[disney fanatic]

In case you've missed it this morning, here is an aircheck of the format flip as heard this morning at around 10 AM.

http://formatchange.com/new-rock-101-9-debuts/

 

[TonySantiago]

Hya Tony,

At least it's MUSIC. That's a start.

Bob 1370 and another poster named Bob hit the bullseye : YOUNGER programmers!

The immediate problem is finding someone that age (as Lee Abrams was when he started out) who actually cares about FM and terrestrial radio and music. That combination mandates a huge search. Current management probably doesn't have that sort of intrigue in their systems.

In any case: you might be up next, Tony. Best of luck to you. (So have that white Travolta outfit starched soon, eh? Lol!)

I may have followed the music back then, was listening to the original 'KTU at 11, but I'm no Travolta! lol.

But, heck I'll say it, if an EDM station does come along on the FM in New York City, I would want to get involved with it in some way. I would certainly want the best formatically and financially

Thank you Steve, I do appreciate it. And as far as the rock fans go....DON'T BLOW IT BY BASHING THE FORMAT WEEKS INTO IT! You got a second chance. Count your blessings!

 

[TonySantiago]

And one more thing.......

ADD DUBSTEP into the format, at the very least as a specialty show.

Even though dubstep is considered part of the EDM fold, the angst and rebellion of the music is something that today's generation can relate to. Rock has always been about that angst so if you're going to hit those younger demos it would make sense to sprinkle in some Skrillex in there alongside Green Day, Radiohead, Coldplay, etc.

 

[Giacomo Siffredi]

Whoever runs the New Rock 101.9 Twitter account was both creative with references to the failed FM news format and spot-on with their first tweet:

"News Flash: Um…yeah, that didn’t work out so well. Alternative is now back on the air in New York! Start spreadin’ the news."

http://twitter.com/NewRock1019

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

Here's a sampling of tunes in the first hour according to All Access-

BEASTIE BOYS/No Sleep Til Brooklyn
OFFSPRING/Self Esteem
PEARL JAM/Daughter
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE/Guerilla Radio

Since when are those songs "New" rock? I guess they are using the term very loosely.

Compared to the stuff on the only other commercial rock station in NYC, these songs are mere pre-pubescents!

 

[erwin33]

Mmm, strange choice now, Under the Milkyway from The Church. It's 80's! Good track though.

 

[mjb1124]

Now, that's the type of 80's music that they *should* be playing. Just leave the Van Halen, GNR, and Tom Petty to Q104.3, please.

 

[ouuc]

NEW ROCK? Under the Milkyway by the Church? Really?