3WS

[toddjammin]

It seems to me that 3WS is almost turning into a classic rock station. I never remember the station before this past year leaning so heavy on classic rock artists, such as Manfred Mann, Lee Michaels, CCR and TOTO. Has this been a trend for other oldies stations across the country? Maybe 3WS is trying making up for the loss of the old WRRK? Not that it is a bad thing at all in my opinion.

 

[Johnny Morgan]

It's not unheard of. There's two roads and oldies station can take--WMJI in Cleveland did both between 1996 and 2005. 3WS has also done both.1. Rock-based. This fits in some of your more rock-ish artists and tunes, like Manfred Mann, ELO, Lou Reed, etc. It's geared more males, but still has some pretty wide appeal. Women can do "Walk on the Wild Side" in proximity to "Strange Magic".2. Pop-based. This gives you more Carpenters, Seals & Crofts, Barry Manilow. It's females targeted, and not as wide appeal as the rock titles. Guys just aren't diggin' "Summer Breeze" followed in short order by "Mandy".WMJI did the rock first (96-00), under PD Denny Sanders, an ex-WMMS guy. KILLER RATINGS, #1 25-54 all, M, and F for 5 years, plus awards and recognition. Under PD Dave Popovich from 2000-2005, it was more pop-based. Still #1 25-54 all and F, they lost the guys, and the ratings, while still high, were off from the Sanders period.3WS is just the opposite. They've done the pop stuff under Labrozzi. Now, under Sheri Van Dyke, they're going more rock. This is interesting because the classic rock station is co-owned. In Cleveland, Infinity owned the classic rocker, so there was no stepping on toes.

 

[corporateradiosucks]

LOL at SVD's name getting censored.

 

[toddjammin]

Good Point on SVD Corporateradiosucks.I noticed Johnny that 3WS have slipped with SVD in the ratings during the fall05 and winter06 period. However, they have remained in 4th place. WHether BOB FM have taken some of the 3WS listeners away is hard to say? I wonder if 3WS decided to go the rock and pop based oldies route combined, would it work? I know they would be targeting a bigger audience with more than likely a bigger playlist. I say it is worth a try.

 

[Johnny Morgan]

"Strange Magic" into "Mandy"?This isn't 1975.Although how "Mandy" tests well is beyond me. They should try Scott English's original "Brandy" with the PGH research crowd. Bit more rocking, faster, and English is a regional legend (yes, the same Scott English who did "High on a Hill").

 

[Radio_Realist]

"I wonder if 3WS decided to go the rock and pop based oldies route combined, would it work? I know they would be targeting a bigger audience with more than likely a bigger playlist. I say it is worth a try."There's a better chance of that than of them going even heavier on the classic rock content. As a Clear Channel station, 3WS can pretty much do anything they want to in order to increase their ratings, so long as it isn't at the expense of WDVE. Before anything is done at any Clear Channel station, it first has to pass the "will this hurt WDVE?" test. If it won't hurt 'DVE, then it's a go. If it would hurt 'DVE, then forget about it.

 

[toddjammin]

I agree. I think 3WS going all classic rock would hurt DVE a bit but not much. I know they are both Clear Channel stations, but people have way too much of a following with DVE. DVE will always be remembered as the best rock station in Pittsburgh, as well as great Steeler Pre Game, Game, and Post Game coverage. I still do miss Myron though.