Why is that I don’t think I ever knew that
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89X To Return?
- Thread starter umfan
- Start date
Exceptions are only for "specialty" music outside of Category 1, which is basically everything that would ever have the possibility to chart. So basically Classical, Jazz, World Music (good luck defining that one) and Blues (That one's even muddier)
I know of a Classic Rock MD who had to argue with the CRTC about which Eric Clapton songs were or were not "blues."
I know of a Classic Rock MD who had to argue with the CRTC about which Eric Clapton songs were or were not "blues."
How many stations has Audacy flipped to Soft AC lately?
If they want to target the 65+ crowd on FM in Detroit, I think Audacy would be more likely follow their latest pattern of flipping 98.7 to a simulcast of their AM all-news station, WWJ.
98.7 Detroit was one of TWO Soft ACs Audacy had. The other, 94.1 The Sound in Seattle flipped to Hot AC a year ago this week.
Soft AC ratings does not always correlate into revenue. That's why the format has been killed off for lower rated formats in markets such as the aforementioned Seattle and by iHeart in places like Philadelphia
98.7 The Breeze was the only Soft AC that I've ever heard that I actually enjoyed.
That is, unless one counts the Smooth AC format (either a Jones or Sony satellite fed format) found on 100.5 in Grand Rapids in the mid or late 90s. The programming provider called it Soft Hits & Smooth Jazz at the time.
I can understand why it was ditched, though. It was around 13th place in A25 to 54 and facing an environment of office workers being sent home to work remotely because of COVID.
That is, unless one counts the Smooth AC format (either a Jones or Sony satellite fed format) found on 100.5 in Grand Rapids in the mid or late 90s. The programming provider called it Soft Hits & Smooth Jazz at the time.
I can understand why it was ditched, though. It was around 13th place in A25 to 54 and facing an environment of office workers being sent home to work remotely because of COVID.
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Understood. Those that do generate revenue often do so on the strength of Christmas music sales. 98.7 was literally in the midst of challenging the market leader in that, WNIC, when they made the quick flip to ALT in response to 89X changing formats. I figure by March of 2026 it'll be clear if ALT remains viable with a market competitor and if Audacy might be looking for a format change. CHR, Classic Rock etc. are already well covered here so Soft AC might be something to differentiate. They saw value in it five years ago and may again.
That might be a viable shift as well.
"Smooth Jazz and Soft Favorites" (or the reverse) was Jones and spawned from its brief attempt at creating a B/EZ service. I believe it eventually gave way to Jones Smooth Jazz, though I don't remember if that was a format change or if Jones just moved its affiliates to an existing smooth jazz feed. It actually wasn't bad. An AM station where I went to college aired it, at least for a little while. I didn't listen to it all that often, however, because it was on an AM daytimer about 25 miles north of where I lived, and my girlfriend at the time didn't like it. I don't know if it was the music mix or just the sound of being on AM, but, if it was on my radio, she'd punch the FM button before I could get the car out of park!
"Smooth AC" was a Broadcast Architecture product. I don't know if it's still around, but a handful of smooth jazz stations switched to it around 15 years ago after deciding they weren't going to make enough money doing smooth jazz anymore.
First Listen: 89x vs. Alt 98.7 (Sort Of)
The most effective counterprogramming of CIMX (89X) Detroit’s rumored return to Alternative wasn’t from either of its existing competitors, Alternative WDZH (Alt 98.7) or Active Rock WRIF. It was longtime Alternative outlet WLUM (FM102.1) Milwaukee. Shortly after 89X began teasing an August 28...
radioinsight.com
Ross gives a good run down of how the 'new' 89X is shaping up against its Detroit competition.