They didn't spend $40 million to put CBS Sports on it either. Even if CBS paid them to do it that just wouldn't make sense. Why fight for the same crumbs that WFAN-AM/FM, and 98.7/1050am are fighting for? It will be something nobody else is doing, or will not even think of doing....that leaves ALT Rock and Country. Both make sense to me.
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94.7 Updates
- Thread starter XCountry285
- Start date
Question about an alternative rock format for NJ/NYC Metro-
Alternative and modern rock had a rather long run on WHTG on the Jersey Shore. Was G Rock flipped to CHR, and then Thunder Country, due to declining ratings? Thunder has been at or near the top of the ratings in its area.
I would think that if WHTG, a heritage alternative rock station in NJ did not do well enough to continue, that could be an indication alternative may be too risky for 94.7.
Alternative and modern rock had a rather long run on WHTG on the Jersey Shore. Was G Rock flipped to CHR, and then Thunder Country, due to declining ratings? Thunder has been at or near the top of the ratings in its area.
I would think that if WHTG, a heritage alternative rock station in NJ did not do well enough to continue, that could be an indication alternative may be too risky for 94.7.
By a few miles. And the signal covers NYC. For this station, the distinction is irrelevant. It's like saying the football Giants are a NJ team, not an NYC team. People from both places watch and go to games. (Nevertheless, I've called them the "New Jersey Giants" since the 70s. Those operating in NJ should admit it.)
These days, I think just about every concert sells out in about 10 minutes, or less. As much as I want a country station, that doesn't strengthen the case.
I don't know about WHTG's ratings being good or bad, but I think Press figured they'd get better ratings with country on that frequency. Listeners to country on co-owned 98.5 (then, Thunder 98) expressed that they wanted to be able to listen to them outside their tiny coverage area, such as when they went to work. That was probably not the sole reason for the change, but it certainly was a factor.
Similarly, a lot of NJ country listeners, especially those from Bergen County (which currently has no country signal either) work in NYC. People don't spend all day, every day, ONLY in the town where their house is.
We could ask "why?" about a lot of things.
http://beatlesite.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-paul-mccartney-dead-sgt-pepper-clues.html
There were a LOT more clues supporting "Paul is dead" than there are supporting the idea that they've chosen any particular format.
I stand by my belief that they are not deliberately planting clues. If they wanted us to figure things out, they'd tell us who the PD is, and who's been hired for on-air.
I honestly think that a modern, uptempo country format would be the wisest option. (The music has evolved tremendously since it was last attempted 10 or so years ago, and is now very pop/rock leaning. Also, most of the country stars are now just as commercial and image focused as pop stars/reality stars, etc.).
But although I think country makes the most sense, my gut tells me it'll be the 3rd revival of RXP's alternative/AAA format
Also, I could see the possibility of an adult hits/Jack FM type format as another longshot. CBS FM plays some 80's, but there's also a hole for a format that focuses on 80s/90s (although, I think this format would be too close to PLJ for Cumulus's comfort). Anyway, I'm hoping country, but guessing rock.
But although I think country makes the most sense, my gut tells me it'll be the 3rd revival of RXP's alternative/AAA format
Also, I could see the possibility of an adult hits/Jack FM type format as another longshot. CBS FM plays some 80's, but there's also a hole for a format that focuses on 80s/90s (although, I think this format would be too close to PLJ for Cumulus's comfort). Anyway, I'm hoping country, but guessing rock.Cumulus bought this "station" because:
1.) It became available.
2.) They had the desire.
3.) They had the means.
4.) The price was right.
and maybe,
5.) They were the only ones to be able to "inexpensively" make it a NYC signal.
If 5.),
then it will become much more valuable regardless of what format.
Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
1.) It became available.
2.) They had the desire.
3.) They had the means.
4.) The price was right.
and maybe,
5.) They were the only ones to be able to "inexpensively" make it a NYC signal.
If 5.),
then it will become much more valuable regardless of what format.
Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
More movement on nashfm947.com, the Coming soon page is gone, now just solid black blank page.
He is absolutely right! Could it be the real deal???? I so wish smooth jazz would be back, at least on an HD2. Since CBS took ownership of 101.9, it's HD was gone. I like how they put some WABC 77 old stuff in there. The voices are so ominous! Weird, just weird. At least this stunt isn't a ticking clock!
Jeff, it IS a NYC signal. Just as much as the Philly stations in Roxborough are Philly stations and 93.7 and the ones out in Newton are Boston stations.
It falls apart a little closer in on Long Island than the other Empire stations, but by the map and my ears, it IS a NYC stick. The 60dBu, and most of the 70dBu covers the 5 boroughs.
This isn't a rimshot that's 30 miles or more from the city. It's not WHUD.
It falls apart a little closer in on Long Island than the other Empire stations, but by the map and my ears, it IS a NYC stick. The 60dBu, and most of the 70dBu covers the 5 boroughs.
This isn't a rimshot that's 30 miles or more from the city. It's not WHUD.
J
Jersey Maiden
Guest
Barry said:
For what it's worth, people use the same argument for why New York should have a rock station. While I favor alternative, I do acknowledge that concert sales don't necessarily translate into radio listeners.
But that brings up an interesting parallel. While alternative and country (as of right now) don't have full-stations in New York, they both have been crossing over a lot more to Top 40 and AC recently. They would both be good choices to fill in the format gaps (and there are many) in New York. That said, I believe alternative is the more likely choice (but I'm not 100% sure) because unlike country, it has a proven record. When Merlin brought in RXP 2.0, their ratings more than tripled with zero advertising. Granted, no one has given country a chance to prove itself in a while. The other reason is that an alternative station will inevitably have a more local flavor. Some bands from the area are Taking Back Sunday, Gaslight Anthem and Matt & Kim just to name a few. Can you name any local country artists? I don't think so.
By the way, Jason Aldean was amazing at the Grammy Nominations. The guy can rap. I'm not much of a country fan but I do think someone should give it a chance.
For those who want alternative back, there's a Change.org petition. Not sure if there's one for another format.
http://www.change.org/petitions/cum...=url_share&utm_campaign=url_share_before_sign
Not sure which way to call it.
Indications they might go alternative:
- Using WRXP call letters
- Both male/female audience.
- Unlike Country, attracts across demographics. This is NY.
- They played classic country during the stunt but no alternative rock.
Indications they might go country:
- The audio setup on 94.7 sounds allot like Cumulus other country stations.
- There is a nashfm947.com web page. No other domain registration for 94.7 for rock or alternative format. The most obvious domains have not been registered.
- Female oriented format like PLJ. NYC radio seems to hate men unless it is a Sports format.
- The Dentist may have inside information.
Indications they might go alternative:
- Using WRXP call letters
- Both male/female audience.
- Unlike Country, attracts across demographics. This is NY.
- They played classic country during the stunt but no alternative rock.
Indications they might go country:
- The audio setup on 94.7 sounds allot like Cumulus other country stations.
- There is a nashfm947.com web page. No other domain registration for 94.7 for rock or alternative format. The most obvious domains have not been registered.
- Female oriented format like PLJ. NYC radio seems to hate men unless it is a Sports format.
- The Dentist may have inside information.
Jersey Maiden said:
For the record, I am not going to put up one for dance/EDM. Just before someone says something here
Besides, I think these petitions are pointless. Obviously corporate is going to do what they are going to do, regardless of fans for whatever musical genre they follow, because it's all about the money. And while I strongly believe in my music, unless corporate has their eyes open about it, they can give two craps. And past examples OUTSIDE of NYC is a weak argument for it.
Whatever happens at 9:47AM on Monday, I wish the very best for the fans of whatever format appears there.
thataveragejoe said:
I've said it before, but calling an NYC country station "Nash" is like calling an NYC sports station "Dodger."
What NYC country fans want is a station that plays New York style country, not Nashville.
San Francisco is the only major market without a country station. When Entercom flipped one of its stations to country a few years ago, it made a point of being LOCAL, not Nashville. When they became more Nashville, the ratings dropped.
Same with The Wolf in Dallas. It was originally Texas country. Once they became more like every other Nashville based station, the ratings softened.
Maybe they will be doing a cross promotion with the ABC TV show "Nashville". And maybe "Nash" is just to bring attention to the frequency. When all is said and done maybe it will just be "94.7WNSH".
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