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94.3 is WIGX

Remember when the 80s stations were all the rage. Even 94.3 was one for a period of time. Almost all of these stations were "rockish". John Cougar Mellencamp into Huey Lewis into Dire Straits. I for one was like, hello? Where is the pop? Where is Michael Jackson, Madonna, Tina Turner, George Michael? No wonder that format died.

Island 943 when it started played a good mix of music, and they started for a few weeks with no jocks, just music, yes it was rock leaning, but it was also managed very poorly, the pds immediate boss was the pd of KJOY, so any change in music was crapped on, I know one person who worked there and this is what happened. Anyone remember them playing We Will Rock You by Queen, and not We Are The Champs to follow, Bill George was the PD of KJOY at the time and protected his station by under programming the music on Island, and when the PD of Island tried to stand up for his efforts, and fought back, he was sent packing. That PD wanted to play the Jackson, Prince Hall and Oates and Huey Lewis and was told NO. :eek: The format died across the country because the 80s had so much music, so many types that you couldnt play them all without ticking someone off.
 
I appreciate what they're trying to do, but I agree that the music is a bit too wide a variety. I definitely see the value of the Wow factor with many of the songs they are playing. The risk is that the novelty may wear off too quickly to be lucrative in the long term.

I'm also surprised that in the busiest shopping season of the year, that the choice was made for commercial free weekends. I think Barnstable should have flipped to all Christmas. They have the library for it between K-Joy and Love 96. They could have promoted it a bit and generated buzz and lots of ad revenue. They also could have beaten WALK and Lite to the format. This of course would also generate the anticipation of what they'd do after Christmas.

I think when you have a station with signal limitations such as 94.3, you really do have to do something different. That is obviously what they are trying with the GenX format. Unfortunately it seems to lack a focus with too many selections or genres mixed together, and no on air staff to tie things together for continuity. I myself tune out whenever a rap song comes on that I don't like. I'm trying to give it a chance though.

I think there are other viable choices for 94.3 if this new format doesn't prove to be lucrative.

One choice is a station that caters to spanish speakers. There is a very large concentration of latino and hispanic people within 94.3's primary coverage area. The tower is in Brentwood, right next to CI, and puts a good signal into Huntington Station and Selden. I almost wonder if the La Fiesta/Party radio group approached Barnstable about acquiring 94.3 and they said, "No, but well sell you the two stations out east." The problem with this idea though is that there are several big signal stations in NYC that cover this area. It would be tough to compete with their big budget level of presentation on a shoestring. Still, it might be a lucrative advertising venue for the local businesses that serve the surrounding communities. What! a local station serve local interests? Un-Heard of!

Another option that I think deserves consideration is AAA. Look at the success of EHM and the loyal following of The Peak and WFUV. I think the LI audience has enough potential AAA listeners. Then again I'm surprised New York City, the Starbucks Capital of the World, has no true AAA station. Then again, I'm also surprised that there are no country stations on LI or in NYC. I'm not going to get into that though. This is a format I really believe could make strides on Long Island. There are a lot of Gen-Xers in the pool of potential listeners. Many of them have matured, and so have their musical interests.

It is necessary for a station like 94.3 to do something different and interesting. In our radio market it is uneconomical to try and match the level of programming coming out of the big signal stations with the popular formats. You just won't get the bang for the buck due to the limited signal. That is why they must do something unique, because even if its not as flashy and polished as the popular formats, at least it will attract the audience that has no where else to turn for what they seek. The tough part is determining just what that missing format is that the listeners are seeking. We'll see how 94X does. If people want it, then it will last. If not, then I suggest trying one of my suggestions from above.

Good luck to 94X, and congratulations to Barnstable for actually taking the risk to try something different.
 
Starcastle, there are 80s stations that have survived and thrived. While I agree with your general assessment, take a look at the Point, in Tampa. While it is a "Best of the 80s and More" station, it has carved itself a niche.
 
Their web site is now updated with the usual links you would expect to find on a radio station web site (DJs, contests, events, etc). So far the only jock listed is Jon Daniels (10a-2p).
 
JoeyBagODonuts said:
Their web site is now updated with the usual links you would expect to find on a radio station web site (DJs, contests, events, etc). So far the only jock listed is Jon Daniels (10a-2p).
Click to expand...

Start with your worst and flesh it out from there.
 
OMG - Malibu Sue was fired for..............

LEEANA

BARNSTABLE = SOGIANW
(same old garbage in a new wrapper)

How surprising?!
 
YoYoGo said:
OMG - Malibu Sue was fired for..............

LEEANA

BARNSTABLE = SOGIANW
(same old garbage in a new wrapper)

How surprising?!
Click to expand...

Definitely a cost saving move. Half the price for half the talent!!
 
You obviously hadn't listened to Malibu Sue the last few years. She had sounded like she was bored to tears. Leeana is young. Give her a chance.
 
Rather than bash people I'll focus on music choices... I think the PD has vastly overestimated the lasting appeal of the backstreet boys. Novelty value degrades pretty quickly when you repeat the joke over and over again. Unless.... it isn't an ironic joke?
 
braniganslaw said:
Rather than bash people I'll focus on music choices... I think the PD has vastly overestimated the lasting appeal of the backstreet boys. Novelty value degrades pretty quickly when you repeat the joke over and over again. Unless.... it isn't an ironic joke?
Click to expand...

Doesn't really matter. I heard that there's an interested party to buy the remaining Long Island Radio Group stations and X isn't in their vocabulary.
 
I honestly dont think that Barnie would sell off those places. I would be really shocked if they did.....
 
starcastle said:
I honestly dont think that Barnie would sell off those places. I would be really shocked if they did.....
Click to expand...

Their willingness to part with their east end stations, and for what I consider an undervalued price, should signal otherwise. The only delay I would imagine is the much higher price those stations would demand.
 
what was the grand sum of money do you know??

Both stations could be great if operated right, a radio company bought them, lets see if they can do better than the sales and marketing compeny!
 
starcastle said:
what was the grand sum of money do you know??

Both stations could be great if operated right, a radio company bought them, lets see if they can do better than the sales and marketing compeny!
Click to expand...

Around 3 million. Which, properly and soberly run by a "company" with resources, good people and brains, should be what those two stations could bill in a year. Is JVC such an outfit? I'd imagine there are others more informed than myself in this community and better prepared to make such judgements. But if their NJ experiences are indicative of anything, I doubt it. Unless that was the radio version of Mel Brooks' The Producers, in which case I feel bad for the little old ladies.
 
Usedupmic said:
Maybe mr. Salkowitz will turn it into a dance station, he has had very much success with them in his career, I beleive he worked for at least 6 of them, all gone now; but they were legendary. That Party 105 he was at is actually still around and i think the only one of his past stations that proved to be successful.

NMC
Click to expand...

Joel is also an independent consultant (Sound Ideas Programming Consultants) and would advise on whatever format a station is doing. He's not just stuck to dance in this case.

As far as his track record goes...
WQHT (Hot 103/Hot 97) 1986 - 1993
WTJM (Jammin 105) 1999 - 2001
Sirius 2002 - 2004
WNYZ-LP (Pulse 87) 2008 - 2009

He was never at Party 105. Those honors would go to Andre "The Dredog" Ferro (2001 - 2008; not counting that Channelcast "hiccup"), Vic Latino (2008 - 2010; in terms of PD) and currently Matt Goldapper. I forget who was PD from 1998 - 2001
 
starcastle said:
I honestly dont think that Barnie would sell off those places. I would be really shocked if they did.....
Click to expand...

Why would you be shocked? Barnie has been looking to get out of radio for years. Barnie is getting older and from what I hear the son doesn't want anything to do with radio. The writing is on the wall.
 
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