I listen to Hot 95.7 online quite a bit, and I don't think Now or Amp either one sound like Hot. (Unless you are strictly talking about music). Musically, they ARE pretty similar, but productionwise, Hot blows both Amp and Now out of the water. They have a much better voiceover guy, better sweepers, and they actually have jingles. (Guess Now won't be doing jingles as they have a sweeper on right now making fun of Z100 using jingles). That sucks. CHR without jingles just doesn't cut it for me.
So far, I'm not really very impressed. It may change once they add jocks and get over the initial launch phase, but as of right now, I don't see Now beating Z100. Z100 sounds like New York, and is very personalized both productionwise and musically. On the other hand, Now sounds like a national jukebox that could be anywhere. Also, as a radio geek, sure it's fun to hear the Z100 slams, but I really wonder how wise that is. Most of the younger end of the audience doesn't even remember or know about the "hot rockin', flamethrower" references, etc., and the older portion of the 18-34 demo that does, relates to that and grew up with those elements and people like Elvis Duran as being part of the New York heritage. I really don't know that slamming that is enduring anyone in their late 20s and 30s to Now. Instead, I can see it turning many off. Right now, it seems as if Now is mainly aimed at teens and the very young end of 18-34. I think Z100 will fend them off for the more coveted 20 and 30 something females.
Unless they improve and personalize Now more into something that sounds customized for New York, I think Z100 will easily survive this attack, just as they did away with 'PLJ in the 80s and early 90s. From a first listen, I have to think that the people at Clear Channel and Z are breathing a sigh of relief. I usually really like CBS's CHR's, but they are going to have to bring something better than this to the table to take on Z100. Just my opinion from listening to the first couple of days.
