94.7 Updates

[badjef]

wouldn't that be something Tony? lol. always love your replies to the threads here! always informative, entertaining, and very intelligent!



you will get your dream station soon! wherever it may be!

Hmm that would be something wouldn't it I seem to recall a Billboard article back in August 1986, talking about how WAPP 103.5 was almost going to be a classic rock station, but that an eleventh hour decision was made to make it HOT 103 WQHT... No one in the industry was expecting it at all...Ya never know I guess ... Weirder things have happened

I remember it well...

The request for, I think it was Joe Walsh albums, was a "smokescreen" as the intention was to bring a version of Miami's WHQT to New York.

The change happened at 12:01am 8/16/86. And for the first couple of weeks they were calling themselves "Hot 103 Point 5" - with the emphasis on the "point 5".

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[badjef]

Those complaining about the length of the thread are contributing to its length by posting your complaints on the very thread length you are complaining about.

...duh.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[CTListener]

This thread reminds me of the ongoing, endless thread in the Boston forum a couple of weeks ago when WTKK 96.9 flipped...and the format wheel eventually led to what is now Hot 96.9. Someone brought up a "Jamz 94.7" format that was basically exactly what Hot is here in Boston. I think it would definitely work.

The difference is that rhythmic formats have been underrepresented on the Boston dial forever, and most people expected 96.9 to go rhythmic in some form. The only speculation concerned the possibility that that format might be urban AC or full-out, hip-hop-heavy urban. But it turned out to be Hot 96.9, which was more in keeping with what traditionally works in Boston -- watered-down urban. In contrast, New York's FM dial is full of rhythmic formats, including Spanish-language stations (of which Boston has zero), so most of the speculation here seems to center on rock (with its aging, splintered demographics) and country (which hits a big demographic and attitudinal wall in New York City). I still wouldn't be surprised at all if 94.7 turns out to be yet another flavor of rhythmic; the market can certainly handle it and it would appear to be the safest and easiest format to sell on Madison Avenue.

 

[Jeffrey]

This thread reminds me of the ongoing, endless thread in the Boston forum a couple of weeks ago when WTKK 96.9 flipped...and the format wheel eventually led to what is now Hot 96.9. Someone brought up a "Jamz 94.7" format that was basically exactly what Hot is here in Boston. I think it would definitely work.

The difference is that rhythmic formats have been underrepresented on the Boston dial forever, and most people expected 96.9 to go rhythmic in some form. The only speculation concerned the possibility that that format might be urban AC or full-out, hip-hop-heavy urban. But it turned out to be Hot 96.9, which was more in keeping with what traditionally works in Boston -- watered-down urban. In contrast, New York's FM dial is full of rhythmic formats, including Spanish-language stations (of which Boston has zero), so most of the speculation here seems to center on rock (with its aging, splintered demographics) and country (which hits a big demographic and attitudinal wall in New York City). I still wouldn't be surprised at all if 94.7 turns out to be yet another flavor of rhythmic; the market can certainly handle it and it would appear to be the safest and easiest format to sell on Madison Avenue.

Actually New York doesn't have "that" many rhythmic formats compared to alot of other cities. We have HOT 97, Power 105.1 and WBLS. There's also KTU and to a lesser extent 92.3 NOW as well as hispanic stations but if you look at other cities, ie. LA, Philadelphia, etc. they've got more than we do at the moment.
I was very suprised when Emmis blew up Kiss-FM. Might another urban AC be more of a sure bet with 94.7 than country or alternative rock?

BLS pulls in a 6.0 so assuming you'd split the audience just as it was split w/ Kiss-FM, you've got a 3.0. That's surely more than country or alternative rock would do. Plus it wouldn't take a way from the "aging splintered-dwindiling suburban soccer mom demographic fan base" that already listens to PLJ and that country would draw. Alternative rock might do better but it's not a ratings buster in this market.

If you look on PLJ's facebook page most of their listeners are from the suburbs. Why on earth would Cumulus want to put itself in competition with it's own PLJ? Even if they combine their sales team their still all going after the same demographic. It'd be interesting to see if a city based station asked it's listeners what format they wanted what the choices would be.

 

[erwin33]

It'd be interesting to see if a city based station asked it's listeners what format they wanted what the choices would be.

But they don't give damn what listeners want, it's only for fun and keep the attention on 94.7 and to create a buzz. They know what they want, even lonnnng before the sale was approved...and it's NOT gonna rhythmic so stop with that speculation.

 

[TheBigA]

But they don't give damn what listeners want,

Actually they DO give a damn what the listeners want. Just not listeners in general, but a very specific group of listeners.

 

[Barry]

Today's InsideRadio.com has a very positive article about the country music format's growing appeal to younger listeners. It states among other things, that it is increasing in popularity among the 18-34 demo.
"The format was top five in the demo in nearly two thirds of PPM markets in November."
The piece also mentions that the country audience is less fragmented than many other genres, another big plus. People of various demos are all enjoying the same country artists.

Country Music Striking a Chord With Young People: http://insideradio.com/Article.asp?id=2606264&spid=32060#.UPmJDtgo51s

 

[erwin33]

But they don't give damn what listeners want,

Actually they DO give a damn what the listeners want. Just not listeners in general, but a very specific group of listeners.

No, because Cumulus already decide what format they gonna start on 94.7 already.

 

[UncleBozzle]

They did the research, a segment of the population likely said they wanted "format x" and that is the direction they chose to go in. So in reality they do give a damn about the listeners, just not those who like other formats. It's business.

 

[LenoxAve]

Was anything mentioned on the air about 94.7 this morning with Scott & Todd? I see that neither Facebook page (PLJ or Scott & Todd) has anything about it, which is a departure from the norm over the past few days.

 

[TheBigA]

No, because Cumulus already decide what format they gonna start on 94.7 already.

But they made that decision in part by considering what their target audience wants. These radio companies don't program stations for themselves.

 

[erwin33]

No, because Cumulus already decide what format they gonna start on 94.7 already.

But they made that decision in part by considering what their target audience wants. These radio companies don't program stations for themselves.

Yes, I know but they did that before the sale was official already. Researchers and consultancy are did that. Not what listeners want on there social mediapages.

 

[islndbreze]

That being said, i just had one of those moments of clarity... Cumulus decided to buy the station before it was known that RXP was being pulled, again. Therefore alternative was never an option. They later took the wrxp calls to generate buzz among those desperate for the return of RXP (such as myself) and to produce angst in the hearts of the folks who were sure it would be country. But who knows, they will probably make it dance or some other overplayed genre. I wish people who loved music were in charge but unfortunately it is always numbers and statistic that win in the end and so no real risks are ever taken... Oh well.

 

[Morpheux]

Since this thread is bound to go on infinitely, excuse me for reiterating previous thoughts. Dance is not out of the question. Cumulus just my just want to take down KTU and the "wall of women" that Clear Channel has a lock on in the city. 94.7 being a city targeted signal might be the answer for that strategy. Country seems more obvious because it is Cumulus after all. And the trend with Country has been skewing younger like the above posted article stated.

 

[islndbreze]

FWIW... just got out of my car and I noticed that 94.7 is no longer identifying as WRXP-FM on the RDS, as for 95.5, the RDS was displaying a message about listening to them online and following them on twitter. I don't remember seeing that message before on 95.5 and 94.7 had been displaying WRXP-FM....

 

[Jeffrey]

I wish people who loved music were in charge but unfortunately it is always numbers and statistic that win in the end and so no real risks are ever taken... Oh well.

I do too but with all the other mediums and online radio stations it really isn't necessary. I like radio because I'm of a certain age and have a history with it but in New York how many 20 year olds identify with radio nowadays? It's a dying animal. You can stream from anywhere nowadays. I can stream from my smart phone to my car radio, etc, etc...

 

[TonySantiago]

wouldn't that be something Tony? lol. always love your replies to the threads here! always informative, entertaining, and very intelligent!

you will get your dream station soon! wherever it may be!

Thank you! To God's ears on that one

My thinking is just a shot in the dark buttttttttt one I would wish on somewhere . Though I still say for the country music fans that if 94.7 does go that way, that you all have been long deserving of it.

Dance/EDM will be here eventually. I think Clear Channel WANTS to do it here pending the Boston numbers on Evolution 101.7. It would probably be at the expense of Power 105.1 should that occur but then again, stranger things have happened.

 

[islndbreze]

I wish people who loved music were in charge but unfortunately it is always numbers and statistic that win in the end and so no real risks are ever taken... Oh well.

I do too but with all the other mediums and online radio stations it really isn't necessary. I like radio because I'm of a certain age and have a history with it but in New York how many 20 year olds identify with radio nowadays? It's a dying animal. You can stream from anywhere nowadays. I can stream from my smart phone to my car radio, etc, etc...

I'm an optimist and I believe deep in my heart that radio will make a comeback... I know locally, after "super-storm" Sandy hit the only thing that really worked were battery operated radios. I didn't lose electric but I didn't have internet, or television, or cell phone service. I depended entirely on radio to find out what was opened and closed and what was going on in the world.

 

[Jeffrey]

Today's InsideRadio.com has a very positive article about the country music format's growing appeal to younger listeners. It states among other things, that it is increasing in popularity among the 18-34 demo.
"The format was top five in the demo in nearly two thirds of PPM markets in November."
The piece also mentions that the country audience is less fragmented than many other genres, another big plus. People of various demos are all enjoying the same country artists.

Country Music Striking a Chord With Young People: http://insideradio.com/Article.asp?id=2606264&spid=32060#.UPmJDtgo51s

I hate to beat a dead horse (pardon the pun) but while I agree country is a hugely popular format and appealing to younger demos, those demos are not in New York City. Undoubtedly there is a huge population in the NY suburbs that would love a full market country station, as we can see from PLJ's Facebook page but is it ratings killer? Can it sell on Madison Avenue? I have my doubts but if Cumulus does go country I'm sure they have their reasons why they believe that this time around it will work and/or because of a national network. I'm not optimistic however given the history with country and the forever increasing ethnic demographics of New York and it's suburbs.
I know I sound anti-country. It's clear I'm not a fan so am not rallying around every article and pro-country post in hopes of getting my preferred format on the radio but if it works I'm happy New York will have a more diverse dial. We should be so lucky as to have a radio dial as diverse and with as many stations as Los Angeles but I just don't see songs about church and god with a pop twang as having much appeal to those walking the NYC streets.

 

[Jeffrey]

I wish people who loved music were in charge but unfortunately it is always numbers and statistic that win in the end and so no real risks are ever taken... Oh well.

I do too but with all the other mediums and online radio stations it really isn't necessary. I like radio because I'm of a certain age and have a history with it but in New York how many 20 year olds identify with radio nowadays? It's a dying animal. You can stream from anywhere nowadays. I can stream from my smart phone to my car radio, etc, etc...

I'm an optimist and I believe deep in my heart that radio will make a comeback... I know locally, after "super-storm" Sandy hit the only thing that really worked were battery operated radios. I didn't lose electric but I didn't have internet, or television, or cell phone service. I depended entirely on radio to find out what was opened and closed and what was going on in the world.

I hope so too. I love spending time on these boards, sampling stations and doing all the things that nerdy radio buffs do. People think I'm nuts driving down the LIE seeing how far I can pull in NYC stations and listening to static while doing so but I'm less optimistic that radio will make a come back. I'm in zone A in Brooklyn and was evacuated. During that time I had my smart phone and Ipad and while slow I could get internet. If there'd been more wind damage instead of just flooding radio towers would have been out too so radio won't always save you. How many people have a battery operated radio nowadays anyway for those twice in a life time events like Sandy. I don't even and I love radio vs. intenet stations and satellite.