92.7 change imminent

[101tm]

I do agree that 107.9 should have been kept instead of 104.7. 104.7 is a brutal signal to the west and south. I’d rather them have kept 107.9 and its format as well. The only other bad signal I can think of is 106.5 which also struggles to the south due to being so far to the NE. Other than that, the Charlotte market is interesting - largely controlled by two operators, both with 5 class C FM’s. You normally don’t see that kind of strength/dominance in most markets. Radio One is a relatively small and weak operation in Charlotte compared to those big two.

If The Block goes to 102.5, it almost seems like Radio One is tossing an opportunity since it does get at least a 2 share generally. I would at least put The Block on 100.9 and let the station with the weakest demographics (Praise) go to the 102.5 signal. Outside of some markets like Memphis and Atlanta for example, gospel is heavily 55+ and is difficult to make money off of unless it’s a package sell. I’d think The Block would be much more valuable to keep around on at least a full signal.

 

[UrbanRadio718]

It’s official 102.5 The Block and 92.7 WFNZ is in the process of swapping.

Source: https://radioinsight.com/headlines/220640/frequency-swap-in-process-in-charlotte/

 

[101tm]

The Block should have gone to 100.9 and Praise to 102.5.

Stupid move especially with 92.7’s recent performance, but I don’t see anybody asking me.

 

[CLTRadio]

The Block should have gone to 100.9 and Praise to 102.5.

Stupid move especially with 92.7’s recent performance, but I don’t see anybody asking me.

I don’t agree with that. 92.7 was not competitive as The Block. There were times when Streetz 103.3/100.5 beat them in the ratings, and they’re on a translator. When Rickey Smiley moved over to the UAC side I deleted 92.7 out of my presets. Nothing worth listening to on that station. The jocks and music are stronger on Power and Streetz.

Praise has been on 100.9 since 2005. They have a consistent listener base, and they’re not going to disrupt that. Praise and 105.3 complement each other, especially during the political season. Plus, the listener base continues to decline on urban.

 

[101tm]

I don’t agree with that. 92.7 was not competitive as The Block. There were times when Streetz 103.3/100.5 beat them in the ratings, and they’re on a translator. When Rickey Smiley moved over to the UAC side I deleted 92.7 out of my presets. Nothing worth listening to on that station. The jocks and music are stronger on Power and Streetz.

Praise has been on 100.9 since 2005. They have a consistent listener base, and they’re not going to disrupt that. Praise and 105.3 complement each other, especially during the political season. Plus, the listener base continues to decline on urban.

Noted, good points, but I do believe a well programmed urban could damage WPEG (and WBAV more than WOSF has). The main issue 92.7 has always had is signal. It simply can not compete with 97.9 or 101.9. I feel like Radio One has spent years rebranding and adjusting the format on 92.7, thinking that would help instead of taking in to account how limited that signal is. However, the recent low 2’s 6+ aren’t that bad for how they’ve historically performed.

If iHeart had a signal to flip and saw a need, they could probably do more damage to WBAV or WPEG than Radio One. They know the format better than the company that supposedly specializes in it does.

 

[UrbanRadio718]

Noted, good points, but I do believe a well programmed urban could damage WPEG (and WBAV more than WOSF has). The main issue 92.7 has always had is signal. It simply can not compete with 97.9 or 101.9. I feel like Radio One has spent years rebranding and adjusting the format on 92.7, thinking that would help instead of taking in to account how limited that signal is. However, the recent low 2’s 6+ aren’t that bad for how they’ve historically performed.

If iHeart had a signal to flip and saw a need, they could probably do more damage to WBAV or WPEG than Radio One. They know the format better than the company that supposedly specializes in it does.

I totally agree with the whole rebranding thing. I feel Radio One haven’t invested in The Block personality (DJ) wise and community.

I thought with their current OM, he would have a budget to build a strong team like he did at Power 98. Currently, The Block only has one local personality in the afternoons. Their about to syndicate nights with Posted On The Corner with Incognito from Hot 107.9 ATL.

 

[101tm]

I totally agree with the whole rebranding thing. I feel Radio One haven’t invested in The Block personality (DJ) wise and community.

I thought with their current OM, he would have a budget to build a strong team like he did at Power 98. Currently, The Block only has one local personality in the afternoons. Their about to syndicate nights with Posted On The Corner with Incognito from Hot 107.9 ATL.

Q92.7, My 92.7, the frequent tweaks etc did not help. Like I said earlier, Radio One didn’t invest in 92.7 properly. I doubt it could crack over a 3 share consistently just with the signal, but Radio One didn’t spend much on talent because of the low ratings which were largely affected by the limited signal. Honestly, putting 610 on it probably makes the most sense to just let it hum along and probably help The Fan’s demos. Hopefully they turn the stereo carrier off so the signal is a bit clearer further out.

I will point out that considering the slump Urban stations have been in for the last year, 92.7 seemed to be outperforming.

In Atlanta, Radio One’s Majic 97.5/107.5 simulcast loses badly to Kiss 104.1 WALR, and iHeart’s rimshot 105.3 The Beat is starting to nip on Hot 107.9’s heels. There are obviously programming errors going on.

Ironically, the best sounding Radio One station in Charlotte is Mix 107.9 which is a format they don’t know much about. They should park the WQNC calls there, those are pretty cool….Queen City NC.

 

[UrbanRadio718]

Q92.7, My 92.7, the frequent tweaks etc did not help. Like I said earlier, Radio One didn’t invest in 92.7 properly. I doubt it could crack over a 3 share consistently just with the signal, but Radio One didn’t spend much on talent because of the low ratings which were largely affected by the limited signal. Honestly, putting 610 on it probably makes the most sense to just let it hum along and probably help The Fan’s demos. Hopefully they turn the stereo carrier off so the signal is a bit clearer further out.

I will point out that considering the slump Urban stations have been in for the last year, 92.7 seemed to be outperforming.

In Atlanta, Radio One’s Majic 97.5/107.5 simulcast loses badly to Kiss 104.1 WALR, and iHeart’s rimshot 105.3 The Beat is starting to nip on Hot 107.9’s heels. There are obviously programming errors going on.

Ironically, the best sounding Radio One station in Charlotte is Mix 107.9 which is a format they don’t know much about. They should park the WQNC calls there, those are pretty cool….Queen City NC.

Love your observations. Made a lot of good points.

 

[CLTRadio]

Q92.7, My 92.7, the frequent tweaks etc did not help. Like I said earlier, Radio One didn’t invest in 92.7 properly. I doubt it could crack over a 3 share consistently just with the signal, but Radio One didn’t spend much on talent because of the low ratings which were largely affected by the limited signal. Honestly, putting 610 on it probably makes the most sense to just let it hum along and probably help The Fan’s demos. Hopefully they turn the stereo carrier off so the signal is a bit clearer further out.

I will point out that considering the slump Urban stations have been in for the last year, 92.7 seemed to be outperforming.

In Atlanta, Radio One’s Majic 97.5/107.5 simulcast loses badly to Kiss 104.1 WALR, and iHeart’s rimshot 105.3 The Beat is starting to nip on Hot 107.9’s heels. There are obviously programming errors going on.

Ironically, the best sounding Radio One station in Charlotte is Mix 107.9 which is a format they don’t know much about. They should park the WQNC calls there, those are pretty cool….Queen City NC.

The Block has actually been underperforming lately. The 92.7 signal has been in the 2’s 6+ for most of its existence through the various formats. They’ve been in the 1’s for most of the last year or so, and even got as low as 0.9. Part of that can be attributed to the declines in the demo, but I’ve never seen it consistently that low.

Majic and Kiss in Atlanta are usually about tied 25-54. They go back and forth. Kiss has more of a broad audience demographically and that helps them in the 6+ numbers. You can’t always go by the overall numbers, it’s the demos that matter.

Radio One doesn’t give their PDs as much flexibility as a lot of other companies. Most of the programming is corporate controlled. They have to get permission from DC to play anything not in their database. A lot of red tape.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Noted, good points, but I do believe a well programmed urban could damage WPEG (and WBAV more than WOSF has). The main issue 92.7 has always had is signal. It simply can not compete with 97.9 or 101.9. I feel like Radio One has spent years rebranding and adjusting the format on 92.7, thinking that would help instead of taking in to account how limited that signal is. However, the recent low 2’s 6+ aren’t that bad for how they’ve historically performed.

If iHeart had a signal to flip and saw a need, they could probably do more damage to WBAV or WPEG than Radio One. They know the format better than the company that supposedly specializes in it does.

iHeart does not know Urban radio, sorry! More than anything they destroyed it! Radio One here in Atlanta lost it’s mojo in my opinion due to consistent musical chairs in local jocks. Steve Hegwood / Jerry Smokin B has a powerhouse with the STREETZ 94.5 here. Local jocks, local street appearances and live broadcast and a party station vibe works!

 

[UrbanRadio718]

iHeart does not know Urban radio, sorry! More than anything they destroyed it! Radio One here in Atlanta lost it’s mojo in my opinion due to consistent musical chairs in local jocks. Steve Hegwood / Jerry Smokin B has a powerhouse with the STREETZ 94.5 here. Local jocks, local street appearances and live broadcast and a party station vibe works!

I agree in regards to IHeart. The majority of their urban stations outside the Top 10 markets are voice tracked and as well the mixshows. As for Steve Hegwood and Streetz I wish he invested in the Charlotte property like ATL.

 

[CLTRadio]

iHeart does not know Urban radio, sorry! More than anything they destroyed it! Radio One here in Atlanta lost it’s mojo in my opinion due to consistent musical chairs in local jocks. Steve Hegwood / Jerry Smokin B has a powerhouse with the STREETZ 94.5 here. Local jocks, local street appearances and live broadcast and a party station vibe works!

I wouldn't say that iHeart doesn't know urban radio. Their urban stations are usually near the top of the ratings in most markets. If you look at markets like Philadelphia and Detroit, Radio One never came close to beating any of the iHeart urban stations.

iHeart does go heavy on the voice tracks, but that's not just on urban stations.

 

[101tm]

I wouldn't say that iHeart doesn't know urban radio. Their urban stations are usually near the top of the ratings in most markets. If you look at markets like Philadelphia and Detroit, Radio One never came close to beating any of the iHeart urban stations.

iHeart does go heavy on the voice tracks, but that's not just on urban stations.

Agreed, their Urban in Columbia is near the top and it was as just “re-launched” a couple of years ago.

Looking at the performance of WVEE, WPGC, etc., all heritage urban stations, I’d say Audacy has a problem if any major operator does unless it’s a situation like the triad where they own the audience.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

I wouldn't say that iHeart doesn't know urban radio. Their urban stations are usually near the top of the ratings in most markets. If you look at markets like Philadelphia and Detroit, Radio One never came close to beating any of the iHeart urban stations.

iHeart does go heavy on the voice tracks, but that's not just on urban stations.

POWER 99 in Philly and WJLB are powerhouse stations with powerhouse coverage! They can’t be touched. Then, you have markets like New Orleans where an iHeart Urban will win by lack of competition. Voicetracking and no local connections really hurts Urban radio. I really hated when this became a trend for Clear Channel/iHeart. Radio One seems to now be following this trend and I wouldn’t be surprised if all of there Urban stations lineup went as followed:
•Morning Hustle in the mornings
•Mo Quick in middays or local jock
•Quick Silva in afternoons
•Incognito at nights

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Agreed, their Urban in Columbia is near the top and it was as just “re-launched” a couple of years ago.

Looking at the performance of WVEE, WPGC, etc., all heritage urban stations, I’d say Audacy has a problem if any major operator does unless it’s a situation like the triad where they own the audience.

Sadly V-103 has been buried in the grave. Musical chairs in the mornings killed it. Reminds me of the path 102 JAMZ in Orlando took before they died.

 

[UrbanRadio718]

POWER 99 in Philly and WJLB are powerhouse stations with powerhouse coverage! They can’t be touched. Then, you have markets like New Orleans where an iHeart Urban will win by lack of competition. Voicetracking and no local connections really hurts Urban radio. I really hated when this became a trend for Clear Channel/iHeart. Radio One seems to now be following this trend and I wouldn’t be surprised if all of there Urban stations lineup went as followed:
•Morning Hustle in the mornings
•Mo Quick in middays or local jock
•Quick Silva in afternoons
•Incognito at nights

I just notice Mo Quick is gone from 102.5 The Block. The local host Cam Cooper take the 12 Noon - 7 PM shift.

 

[CLTRadio]

Sadly V-103 has been buried in the grave. Musical chairs in the mornings killed it. Reminds me of the path 102 JAMZ in Orlando took before they died.

It’s not an issue of musical chairs, it’s just that Big Tigger is not a strong morning show host. Afternoons/evenings are just reading liners and thirty second breaks. You have to actually come up with content and be entertaining in morning drive, and honestly Big Tigger is not that good. If you look at Headcrack’s morning show it’s the same thing, Really generic, nothing worth listening to and the ratings are down across the board. The move from Rickey Smiley to Headcrack on the Radio One stations has been a disaster.