95.7 Ben-FM

[MarcB]

95.7 BEN-FM was one of the stations I was listening to during my trip to King of Prussia Wednesday-Saturday. I know the station is Variety Hits, but I think it's a train wreck. (I know I shouldn't use the term train wreck considering a train is how I get to Phily from Connecticut). And the liners are cheesy. One of the liners I heard:

"The best cheese steak in Philadelphia is [PAUSE] the one you're eating when you're listening to BEN-FM."

When I was tuned in Thursday afternoon I heard 4 songs and I was like "How are these all on the same radio station?" I guess they think it works because they played a liner in-between each song.

I wanna be Sedated by The Ramones into Don't Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany Into "Fatboy Bust A Move" into "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel.

 

[davideduardo]

95.7 BEN-FM was one of the stations I was listening to during my trip to King of Prussia Wednesday-Saturday. I know the station is Variety Hits, but I think it's a train wreck.

When I was tuned in Thursday afternoon I heard 4 songs and I was like "How are these all on the same radio station?" I guess they think it works because they played a liner in-between each song.

I wanna be Sedated by The Ramones into Don't Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany Into "Fatboy Bust A Move" into "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel.

Given the ownership, we have to assume that the station has done research and determined that the mix they have is the best way of competing.

They are, in 25-54, within striking distance of WBEB and WOGL. They are 6th or 7th in 35-54, which is a very salable demo.

Beasley is a very smart group, and they have nearly a third of the Philly radio revenue. We have to consider that Ben fits nicely for combo sales WMGK, WXTU and WMMR, as well as with their successful sports station.

 

[Rich_M]

I wanna be Sedated by The Ramones into Don't Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany Into "Fatboy Bust A Move" into "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel.

Good! That's the only somewhat decent variety we get around here.

 

[Larry]

Listening to BEN-FM for an extended period for the first time in a while I realized it’s a good station to play in in the office as background music while one is working.

 

[JH_Radio]

My first thought when I saw the topic title was "Oh no. again?"
My thought after reading this is, adult hits is variety based, and my personal opinion? Skip this and put on
https://doorcountydailynews.com/thegoat
But that's just what I happen to like better and it'd not work here.
Having said that, not every market has an adult hits station. Somehow this one has managed to last.
John

 

[Miguelito]

I happened to spend a few minutes with BEN-FM while scanning the "dial" yesterday during two short car rides. The first time, they were playing Michael Jackson (I think it was "Thriller") and I can't remember what I heard the second time. The titles weren't thing thing though; what actually struck me was the sound quality. I would use the word "bright" to describe it. (Maybe also "crisp," though my mind is less clear on why it wants to use that word. LOL.) I scanned around a few times and came back to see if maybe it was just in my head, but, no, it was plainly evident to me yet again. I've always liked their library and now they seem to be one of the best-sounding stations available.

 

[Radi0411]

I've always liked their library and now they seem to be one of the best-sounding stations available.

and they say people don't notice the finer details when in fact, some actually do. Considering the compressed mess that most files are when they reach a station, referring to newer music specifically, it's a refreshing listen to hear the "older" music that was clean and crisp, directly from the source material which then correlates to a great listen. I haven't tuned into Ben for a while but you have piqued my interest!

 

[Miguelito]

and they say people don't notice the finer details when in fact, some actually do. Considering the compressed mess that most files are when they reach a station, referring to newer music specifically, it's a refreshing listen to hear the "older" music that was clean and crisp, directly from the source material which then correlates to a great listen. I haven't tuned into Ben for a while but you have piqued my interest!

Well, to be sure, I'm aware that I'm a radio geek. I don't know if any normal listener would think "Well, I'm gonna keep it tuned right here because it just sounds better." Honestly, from a radio geek perspective, I don't understand how people are listening to B101.1. It has sounded terrible to me for months. "Muddy" and "waaay too much bass" come to mind.

I've mentioned this before of course but it's another thing that regular folks don't seem to notice: I stopped on Q102 twice yesterday--Lizzo, the first time; Harry Styles, the second (naturally)--and couldn't stick around because the pitching made them sound like The Chipmunks.

 

[DOB]

Ben-fm sounds fine, and if it's working its part for the group then why mess with it?
102.9 and 93.3 work nicely together and 95.7 is a compliment to those. It can't go any more into "rock" or would cannibalize those two sister stations.

So what exactly would you do that would improve the demos and money it helps bring to the cluster? Maybe a rhythmic ac like WSTR in Atlanta? There are 2 CHRs here and they would adjust by playing the best of your library, especially during mid-days.

If I were them I would observe the super high testing pop songs from 1978-1998 that are getting much fewer spins on WOGL, now that 98.1 is all about shedding its W-OG-OLDIES 98 image and leaning heavy on rock hits as to chase WMGK listeners and distance themselves from sister WBEB.

It's all about adjustments in response to competitor adjustments in regards to overall cluster strategy. Some market's this is a chess game, and others it's Candyland! ('Ruth'-Julia Garner-Ozark---who would be my 1st choice to play a young Justin Timberlake if they ever decide to make a NSYNC bio-haz...pick).

 

[victorres43]

If I were them I would observe the super high testing pop songs from 1978-1998 that are getting much fewer spins on WOGL, now that 98.1 is all about shedding its W-OG-OLDIES 98 image and leaning heavy on rock hits as to chase WMGK listeners and distance themselves from sister WBEB.

I don't think WOGL is allergic to rhythmic material despite their new, stripped-down BIG imaging. I doubt a Rockist would stay if he or she hears I Will Survive or Here Comes the Hotstepper.

But 'OGL is now playing Sublime and Avril Lavigne. Those are...odd choices for Philly.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

How are they odd? If they test well enough with the audience, play them in the appropriate rotation.

I’ve heard plenty of “non rock” on WOGL. It just may be that more of the rock tunes from the “heart” of their current timespan happen to lean that way. Influence of WMMR in its prior heyday, before the struggles it endured? Those songs just stood up better no matter what WCAU and WEGX played back in the day? Dunno. But if those records test well, WBEN has enough room to borrow heavily from WMGK in particular but present it and surround it with enough elements to differentiate it.

 

[victorres43]

How are they odd? If they test well enough with the audience, play them in the appropriate rotation.

Personally, when I think of Philadelphia [music fans], Sublime are not the band that comes to mind. Dave Matthews Band, maybe.

 

[atthestars]

Personally, when I think of Philadelphia [music fans], Sublime are not the band that comes to mind. Dave Matthews Band, maybe.

You gotta remember what the current target demo listened to growing up. I'm just aging into the WOGL target demo. I grew up on Y100, WDRE etc. "Santeria" by Sublime would DEFINITELY be "Classic Hits" or "Classic Rock" to me.

Avril Lavigne? "Complicated" was a huge hit, especially with females. If it tests well, why wouldn't you play it?

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

Personally, when I think of Philadelphia [music fans], Sublime are not the band that comes to mind. Dave Matthews Band, maybe.

But the thing is they aren’t going by one personal opinion, it’s research. No doubt there may be plenty of DMB fans. And if some tunes test well from them, great.

 

[victorres43]

You gotta remember what the current target demo listened to growing up. I'm just aging into the WOGL target demo. I grew up on Y100, WDRE etc. "Santeria" by Sublime would DEFINITELY be "Classic Hits" or "Classic Rock" to me.

Avril Lavigne? "Complicated" was a huge hit, especially with females. If it tests well, why wouldn't you play it?

Of course the station has to move on with the times. I just thought the choice of Sublime is surprising, given that their music is not played on WCBS-FM or even rock-leaning WROR. And I wasn't sure if Sublime were especially supported by WDRE, WMMR, WPLY, etc. in comparison to everywhere else. I brought up Dave Matthews Band given that their concerts do extremely well on the East Coast (and beyond) for many years.

As for Avril Lavigne... if Complicated is going to be a mainstay for BIG/WOGL from here on out, it's another confirmation that Philly is more "pop punk" friendly (or even rock friendly in general) compared to NYC, where CBS-FM relies on Britney and Ricky for their late 90s/early 00s music.

 

[jt99]

Ben-FM sounds fine, and if it's working its part for the group then why mess with it?
102.9 and 93.3 work nicely together and 95.7 is a compliment to those. It can't go any more into "rock" or would cannibalize those two sister stations.

So what exactly would you do that would improve the demos and money it helps bring to the cluster? Maybe a rhythmic ac like WSTR in Atlanta? There are 2 CHRs here and they would adjust by playing the best of your library, especially during mid-days.

If I were them I would observe the super high testing pop songs from 1978-1998 that are getting much fewer spins on WOGL, now that 98.1 is all about shedding its W-OG-OLDIES 98 image and leaning heavy on rock hits as to chase WMGK listeners and distance themselves from sister WBEB.

It's all about adjustments in response to competitor adjustments in regards to overall cluster strategy. Some market's this is a chess game, and others it's Candyland! ('Ruth'-Julia Garner-Ozark---who would be my 1st choice to play a young Justin Timberlake if they ever decide to make a NSYNC bio-haz...pick).

I think they may already be doing that, as I've noticed they've gone a bit more pop following WOGL's rebrand and accompanying music adjustment. It seems to be working relatively well, based on what David said earlier in the thread.

Of course the station has to move on with the times. I just thought the choice of Sublime is surprising, given that their music is not played on WCBS-FM or even rock-leaning WROR. And I wasn't sure if Sublime were especially supported by WDRE, WMMR, WPLY, etc. in comparison to everywhere else. I brought up Dave Matthews Band given that their concerts do extremely well on the East Coast (and beyond) for many years.

As for Avril Lavigne... if Complicated is going to be a mainstay for BIG/WOGL from here on out, it's another confirmation that Philly is more "pop punk" friendly (or even rock friendly in general) compared to NYC, where CBS-FM relies on Britney and Ricky for their late 90s/early 00s music.

There are a few Classic Hits stations playing Santeria, and while they're not on the east coast, I don't think it's a strange selection for a rock leaning Classic Hits station that is trying to experiment with 1990s music. While the changes Audacy has made to most of their Classic Hits stations haven't been well received by some on this board and have garnered mixed results, I have to give them credit for the improvement at WOGL, now 3rd in 25-54 as of the July book. Some of the song choices may seem odd, but clearly it seems to be working.

 

[atthestars]

Of course the station has to move on with the times. I just thought the choice of Sublime is surprising, given that their music is not played on WCBS-FM or even rock-leaning WROR. And I wasn't sure if Sublime were especially supported by WDRE, WMMR, WPLY, etc. in comparison to everywhere else. I brought up Dave Matthews Band given that their concerts do extremely well on the East Coast (and beyond) for many years.

As for Avril Lavigne... if Complicated is going to be a mainstay for BIG/WOGL from here on out, it's another confirmation that Philly is more "pop punk" friendly (or even rock friendly in general) compared to NYC, where CBS-FM relies on Britney and Ricky for their late 90s/early 00s music.

Sublime was huge on Y100, WDRE, Max 95.7, WYSP etc., and still is on WMMR and Alt 104.5. Hell, even Q102 had "Santeria" in their gold library for a while.

While Y100 and all of them might not have had the biggest ratings back in the diary days, the station WAS influential to my generation, and mining their old playlists for hits to play on Classic Hits and Classic Rock isn't a bad idea in the market. Hell, if Ben FM were to spike in something like "Banditos" by the Refreshements, they'd probably get a lot of listeners singing along "WELL EVERYBODY KNOWS... THAT THE WORLD IS FULL OF STUPID PEOPLE!!"

 

[Miguelito]

I don't have any evidence to back this up, but I suspect that "Santeria" test through the roof in 25-54.

 

[CTListener]

Of course the station has to move on with the times. I just thought the choice of Sublime is surprising, given that their music is not played on WCBS-FM or even rock-leaning WROR. And I wasn't sure if Sublime were especially supported by WDRE, WMMR, WPLY, etc. in comparison to everywhere else. I brought up Dave Matthews Band given that their concerts do extremely well on the East Coast (and beyond) for many years.

If concert attendance determined airplay, New York would still have a country station.

 

[AbrahamJSimpson]

As for Avril Lavigne... if Complicated is going to be a mainstay for BIG/WOGL from here on out, it's another confirmation that Philly is more "pop punk" friendly (or even rock friendly in general) compared to NYC, where CBS-FM relies on Britney and Ricky for their late 90s/early 00s music.

We don’t know the extent to which it will or won’t be a mainstay, but even if it is, it may be that song (and/or a select set) that test well now, and not necessarily something that can be extrapolated to a larger genre…without some more data, anyway 😉