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98.5, midnight, Sunday-Monday
- Thread starter fybush
- Start date
N
Nascarjoe43
Guest
I saw on NEWR that they switched @ Midnight to Jersey's Country. So Im assuming thats all true.
Great. Just what the area needed - another tired, bland, predictable format that we already have. I was expecting something from Press that would be very predictable in nature, and I was not let down. Newsflash, guys - turn on 107.3 and you'll find it, WPUR, Cat Country. Not only that, but it recently posted its best ratings to date. Someone didn't exactly scout the market before they decided to greenlight this format. Where do you think we are, the Ozark Mountains? Last time I checked, there wasn't a hopping cowboy bar with lots of line dancing or a rodeo stadium, or an auto racing track out here. Nothing against the Country format, but why would the Jersey Shore need two (mostly) overlapping stations with the exact same format? It puzzles me to say the least.
When is someone going to wake up and give this area what it really needs - Active Rock (WRAT puts a poor signal into much of Ocean County), Adult Standards, Smooth Jazz, or Urban? We don't have any stations with these formats in the market - wouldn't that have made a lot more sense?
When is someone going to wake up and give this area what it really needs - Active Rock (WRAT puts a poor signal into much of Ocean County), Adult Standards, Smooth Jazz, or Urban? We don't have any stations with these formats in the market - wouldn't that have made a lot more sense?
E
eatspaste
Guest
If you think about it, XTU and Cat both get into southern Ocean County and they pull a combined 1.4 12+. I mean, who wouldn't want to be the third station in a race for their piece of a 1.4? Makes sense to me. Add in WADB, which didn't show up again, and now they're the fourth player in the area for country for a 1.4.
Regardless of format, I can't see anyone putting a stand-alone format on a station that far away from the population center of the market (Monmouth County). Wouldn't it have made sense for them to move the Breeze from 99.7 to 98.5, for (really) full market coverage of The Breeze? They could have thrown some satellite format on WBHX and operated it at a loss for a tax write-off. LOL
Regardless of format, I can't see anyone putting a stand-alone format on a station that far away from the population center of the market (Monmouth County). Wouldn't it have made sense for them to move the Breeze from 99.7 to 98.5, for (really) full market coverage of The Breeze? They could have thrown some satellite format on WBHX and operated it at a loss for a tax write-off. LOL
A Country format in Monmouth County would have been a great idea. However, being quite familiar with the range of 98.5 WKOE (formerly WBBO), I know that the signal starts to fade in the 90's on the GSP, barely within the southern tip of Monmouth. I think it's absolutely foolish to target Monmouth County with a station that barely reaches it. Why not serve Ocean County instead with a format it doesn't have?
As I'm typing this, sure enough, Press confirms what we already knew by signing on with their predictable Jersey Kountry format on 98.5 . Are they trying to operate at a loss, or what? Methinks that must be the case. Need I remind these people that WJRZ tried doing a Country format a few years ago and FAILED? And mind you, Cat Country was only on the air for a short time during their run.
If Press wants to do a Country format so bad, maybe they should go buy a station in Mississippi where people actually want to hear it. They missed yet another golden opportunity here. Guess I'll have to continue to listen through static if I want to hear Active Rock or Urban formats (hint hint) ... oh well.
As I'm typing this, sure enough, Press confirms what we already knew by signing on with their predictable Jersey Kountry format on 98.5 . Are they trying to operate at a loss, or what? Methinks that must be the case. Need I remind these people that WJRZ tried doing a Country format a few years ago and FAILED? And mind you, Cat Country was only on the air for a short time during their run.
If Press wants to do a Country format so bad, maybe they should go buy a station in Mississippi where people actually want to hear it. They missed yet another golden opportunity here. Guess I'll have to continue to listen through static if I want to hear Active Rock or Urban formats (hint hint) ... oh well.
Hey there, pardner, maybe if one good thing were to come out of this dang Country format, we'll get them funny Blue Collar guys to do a show here in the middle of hillbilly country, the Jersey Shore! Them guys sure is funny. I'll put on my Stetsons with the spurs on the end, have some biscuits and gravy for breakfast, ride in on my horse, have a redneck tailgate party where everyone dresses like a trucker, and slap my knee all night long. I'll get my friend Billy Bob and his wife Sally Mae to ride in on their tractor, and we'll all have a country hoedown! After the show is over, we'll send them off with "Y'all come back now, ya hear?". Yeah, we're rednecks and darn proud of it! ...
Sorry, I was channeling my redneck alter ego, Jimmy Jack. I'll tell you, the Country fans must be happier than pigs in mud (sorry, couldn't help myself there) with all the different choices they have out here. When is someone going to realize that there are other formats out there besides Adult Contemporary, Classic Rock and Country? Even the Alternative station is a lighter version of the format that censors screaming from their songs (see AFI - Miss Murder among others). We need some new blood in this market to shake things up a bit. Yeah, I guess I'm hard on this market and its predictability, but it could be worse - take a look at Philly or NYC, for instance. Too many overlapping formats in both markets, and it's even worse than it is here.
Sorry, I was channeling my redneck alter ego, Jimmy Jack. I'll tell you, the Country fans must be happier than pigs in mud (sorry, couldn't help myself there) with all the different choices they have out here. When is someone going to realize that there are other formats out there besides Adult Contemporary, Classic Rock and Country? Even the Alternative station is a lighter version of the format that censors screaming from their songs (see AFI - Miss Murder among others). We need some new blood in this market to shake things up a bit. Yeah, I guess I'm hard on this market and its predictability, but it could be worse - take a look at Philly or NYC, for instance. Too many overlapping formats in both markets, and it's even worse than it is here.
E
eatspaste
Guest
KMKI - Radio Disney, Dallas
WMKI - Radio Disney, Boston
WWMK - Radio Disney, Cleveland
KMKY - Radio Disney, San Francisco
KMIK - Radio Disney, Phoenix
WKMK - Real Jersey Kountry
Atleast they have a back-up plan.
WMKI - Radio Disney, Boston
WWMK - Radio Disney, Cleveland
KMKY - Radio Disney, San Francisco
KMIK - Radio Disney, Phoenix
WKMK - Real Jersey Kountry
Atleast they have a back-up plan.
eatspaste said:
God help us. I've seen billboards for a Radio Disney affiliate on an AM signal in the area - if Press has any connection to it and this fails (if they have no plans for a Monmouth simulcast, it will - mark my words), unfortunately we just might get hit with an onslaught of bubblegum pop. Again, I think they would be absolutely crazy to attempt this since the format has absolutely zero adult appeal (which many have said about the Urban format - for the record, I'm pushing 30 and I listen to a good amount of hip-hop and reggae), but since they decided that Ocean County needed another Country station, I can honestly say that nothing surprises me any more.
sheesh, i didn't realize there were so many country haters in the area.
speaking as a listener and not an industry person (i am only a college kiddie after all), im quite happy they added a country format. 92.5 can only be picked up in Toms River on a good day, and 107.3 has its (many) bad days with static in the area. 98.5 always seems to be clear in toms river.
if it fails it fails. if it succeeds, it succeeds. everyone likes to cry on this board about how the area needs an urban format yet nobody seems to be planning to launch one... could it be because the senior citizens in ocean county aren't looking for urban and there's no money for it in the area?
i only got to listen to a few minutes, i caught brad paisley's new song followed by a "k985 classic" which was all my exes live in texas... if they keep a good mix of new, old, and classic country (more of what XTU does than PUR) then i think they've got a good shot. i dont think they'd launch a format if they didnt expect SOME success... right? ok maybe not.
we'll just have to wait and see. hopefully the next few months won't be an "ocean county needs urban" bitchfest.
speaking as a listener and not an industry person (i am only a college kiddie after all), im quite happy they added a country format. 92.5 can only be picked up in Toms River on a good day, and 107.3 has its (many) bad days with static in the area. 98.5 always seems to be clear in toms river.
if it fails it fails. if it succeeds, it succeeds. everyone likes to cry on this board about how the area needs an urban format yet nobody seems to be planning to launch one... could it be because the senior citizens in ocean county aren't looking for urban and there's no money for it in the area?
i only got to listen to a few minutes, i caught brad paisley's new song followed by a "k985 classic" which was all my exes live in texas... if they keep a good mix of new, old, and classic country (more of what XTU does than PUR) then i think they've got a good shot. i dont think they'd launch a format if they didnt expect SOME success... right? ok maybe not.
we'll just have to wait and see. hopefully the next few months won't be an "ocean county needs urban" bitchfest.
B
buzzrockradio
Guest
from what you posted it seem like G ROCK RADIO but country. F
From Retro to Right Now
From Retro to Right Now
Message Board Quarterbacks And Armchair Program Directors
Unfortunately, the majority of this thread crystalizes why most message board postors have never and will never program a radio station.
With no personal disrespect intended, this nonsensical bunkum demonstrates not only an inability to comprehend the fact that broadcasting is a business, but also shows how some are extremely out of touch with popular culture. One completely destroys his own argument when he resorts to comments like those.
No, today's Country (capitalized because I'm talking about the specific radio format, not necessarily a type of music itself) is nothing like the stereotypical ramblings quoted above. I've seen comments here and elsewhere suggesting Press should have gone with a more "mainstream" format for this 98.5 station. Sorry to burst some bubbles, but in 2006, Country IS mainstream! The enormous popularity of this music, particularly to younger female demos, is not the flash-in-the-pan we saw during the "country line dance craze" of the early 1990s. This fanbase is real, it's growing, and it's very desirable to advertisers. (And, if I may deviate from radio for a moment, let me assure any 18-34 heterosexual males that they're bound to find some of the most beautifully striking young women in the world at any Country station promotional event -- I'm talking a caliber unmatched by the P1s of any other format -- but, anyway, a FAR CRY from the hillbilly redneck idiocy the postor above used to try classifying such listeners...)
And why do you suppose that is? Were you seriously trying to use this statement to SUPPORT your argument? Ever think for a second this is PRECISELY WHY you're now hearing Country on 98.5?
And perhaps I'm missing something here (I'm not anywhere near your area, though I am mildly familiar with it in a radio sense), but what pray tell are these other phantom Country stations in town you speak of? WXTU is Philly, and Cat Country is Atlantic City. We're talking about three totally separate markets. The fact that a radio geek (or anyone else) can pick up an Atlantic City or Philly station in Toms River with a fancy-schmancy antenna or radio is inconsequential. Radio is a business. More specifically, it's an ADVERTISING business. As far as I know, the Monmouth-Ocean market for advertising on a local Country station was wide open until now. Don't tell me about Philly or Atlantic City. (Again, if there is some REAL existing full-powered FM Country station out there please accept my apologies.)
Another thing that needs to be remembered is that the "failure" of Country on WJRZ something like SEVEN or EIGHT YEARS AGO has absolutely zero impact on this discussion. So much has changed in that time, not only in radio, but in the music, demos listening, and ad buying habits. Not to mention, who's to say WJRZ did it right back then?
For what it's worth, I'm personally not the biggest fan of today's Country format anyway. Too many sleepy ballads. To me, Country sounds like what AC used to. (I probably would prefer that hillbilly stuff.) But I'm not in the target demo. From everything I've read and heard, Country is doing exactly what it needs to do (and quite well).
Country is one of the few bright spots if music on today's terrestrial radio is to survive. As long as Press doesn't completely screw this up, it should do well. And if it does really well, look for the company to consider launching a simulcast on another of its properties.
Unfortunately, the majority of this thread crystalizes why most message board postors have never and will never program a radio station.
SoulCrusher said:
With no personal disrespect intended, this nonsensical bunkum demonstrates not only an inability to comprehend the fact that broadcasting is a business, but also shows how some are extremely out of touch with popular culture. One completely destroys his own argument when he resorts to comments like those.
No, today's Country (capitalized because I'm talking about the specific radio format, not necessarily a type of music itself) is nothing like the stereotypical ramblings quoted above. I've seen comments here and elsewhere suggesting Press should have gone with a more "mainstream" format for this 98.5 station. Sorry to burst some bubbles, but in 2006, Country IS mainstream! The enormous popularity of this music, particularly to younger female demos, is not the flash-in-the-pan we saw during the "country line dance craze" of the early 1990s. This fanbase is real, it's growing, and it's very desirable to advertisers. (And, if I may deviate from radio for a moment, let me assure any 18-34 heterosexual males that they're bound to find some of the most beautifully striking young women in the world at any Country station promotional event -- I'm talking a caliber unmatched by the P1s of any other format -- but, anyway, a FAR CRY from the hillbilly redneck idiocy the postor above used to try classifying such listeners...)
And why do you suppose that is? Were you seriously trying to use this statement to SUPPORT your argument? Ever think for a second this is PRECISELY WHY you're now hearing Country on 98.5?
And perhaps I'm missing something here (I'm not anywhere near your area, though I am mildly familiar with it in a radio sense), but what pray tell are these other phantom Country stations in town you speak of? WXTU is Philly, and Cat Country is Atlantic City. We're talking about three totally separate markets. The fact that a radio geek (or anyone else) can pick up an Atlantic City or Philly station in Toms River with a fancy-schmancy antenna or radio is inconsequential. Radio is a business. More specifically, it's an ADVERTISING business. As far as I know, the Monmouth-Ocean market for advertising on a local Country station was wide open until now. Don't tell me about Philly or Atlantic City. (Again, if there is some REAL existing full-powered FM Country station out there please accept my apologies.)
Another thing that needs to be remembered is that the "failure" of Country on WJRZ something like SEVEN or EIGHT YEARS AGO has absolutely zero impact on this discussion. So much has changed in that time, not only in radio, but in the music, demos listening, and ad buying habits. Not to mention, who's to say WJRZ did it right back then?
For what it's worth, I'm personally not the biggest fan of today's Country format anyway. Too many sleepy ballads. To me, Country sounds like what AC used to. (I probably would prefer that hillbilly stuff.) But I'm not in the target demo. From everything I've read and heard, Country is doing exactly what it needs to do (and quite well).
Country is one of the few bright spots if music on today's terrestrial radio is to survive. As long as Press doesn't completely screw this up, it should do well. And if it does really well, look for the company to consider launching a simulcast on another of its properties.
OK, I went a little overboard before, due to my frustration with how predictable and bland radio is in the Monmouth/Ocean market. Doesn't anybody have the courage to go against the grain, realizing that maybe it will pay off big time since no one else is doing it? We already have Country stations in the market, why do we need another one. I even listened to it finding that it was mostly bland "New Country", just like Cat Country 107.3. It would have been nice had they gone for a different approach, but nooooo, not those bold, daring folks over at Press. There just isn't a need for two sound-alike stations in a market like this. As I said before, Monmouth County could have used a Country format, but 98.5 barely reaches Monmouth, so what's the point?
I'm actually not a Country hater by any stretch, as I do enjoy Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and others. It's this "New Country" that I can't stand. These days the scene in Nashville isn't too different from your typical bubblegum boy band/pop tart breeding ground - it seems like the main criteria is for Country singers to be photogenic, and if they can't sing, write, or play an instrument, it doesn't matter. Witness style over substance acts like Rascal Flatts and Shania Twain to see what I'm talking about - yes, they sell millions of albums, but so did Britney Spears and 'N Sync as well. I also don't like the fact that the songs pretty much sound identical, and the subject matter is all the same - it's either "let's drink whiskey and hook up" or "I love my wife/husband" or "I saw a fine honey while I was fixing my tractor" or some other really cliched lyrics. It tries too hard to appeal to the lowest common denominator, and that's why I find the format boring. Just my two cents. I even gave this station a chance, but unfortunately they're deciding to go head on with Cat Country rather than offer something different in even the slightest way. Being that we're not in the Ozarks or Alabama or somewhere else with tons of cowboy bars and racetracks, I don't see the need for this format overkill. And if Press had really studied the market, they would see that a Country format failed here just a short time ago! What does that tell you?
I'm actually not a Country hater by any stretch, as I do enjoy Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and others. It's this "New Country" that I can't stand. These days the scene in Nashville isn't too different from your typical bubblegum boy band/pop tart breeding ground - it seems like the main criteria is for Country singers to be photogenic, and if they can't sing, write, or play an instrument, it doesn't matter. Witness style over substance acts like Rascal Flatts and Shania Twain to see what I'm talking about - yes, they sell millions of albums, but so did Britney Spears and 'N Sync as well. I also don't like the fact that the songs pretty much sound identical, and the subject matter is all the same - it's either "let's drink whiskey and hook up" or "I love my wife/husband" or "I saw a fine honey while I was fixing my tractor" or some other really cliched lyrics. It tries too hard to appeal to the lowest common denominator, and that's why I find the format boring. Just my two cents. I even gave this station a chance, but unfortunately they're deciding to go head on with Cat Country rather than offer something different in even the slightest way. Being that we're not in the Ozarks or Alabama or somewhere else with tons of cowboy bars and racetracks, I don't see the need for this format overkill. And if Press had really studied the market, they would see that a Country format failed here just a short time ago! What does that tell you?
It tells you press dont know how to do anything but copy other stations or ruin anything that was good. not that I like G-Rock, but country is soooo much worse! But personally thinking I dont think that ocean county needs another country station, but I also dont think Urban will do well there either... best station for ocean county would be rock, but not like g-rock like k-rock used to be... but what do I know... maybe someone will do it one day.
MMiller said:
Maybe, but people need to get past the stigma so often associated with this area. Perhaps this areas was home primarily to senior citizens 20 years ago, but things have changed a lot. The population (and the commercial development) in Barnegat Twp. and Stafford Twp. has grown by leaps and bounds in that timespan, and Dover Twp./Toms River is the sixth or seventh most populated township in all of New Jersey. Once radio programmers begin to realize that it's not 1986 anynore, we may get a Active/Alternative Rock station that actually targets male listeners.
You can't possibly dispute that Ocean County, and especially Toms River, is home to mostly senior citizens. Look at the large amount of old folk's communities on Route 70 near lakewood, Whitesville Rd, New Hampshire and Old Freehold Rd, etc. Go to a mass at St Joes (the biggest parish in the area), the WalMart, the Shop Rite, or any other major chain store, and a majority of people there are in their 60s or over. Yes there's lots of young couples and middle age families, but there's a very large share of seniors as well.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Try getting WPUR in Toms River on a summer day (especially one with conditions similar to good DX conditions). It's a ton of static. And this is on a fairly decent Pioneer car stereo. Some days I can't even get it at all. Even in winter it has ridiculously spotty days. And just forget about even trying to get WXTU here, it works maybe one day out of the month.
Do you people claiming the area already has a country station even listen to them? Just because Radio-Locator shows the signal reaching this area doesn't mean it's a CLEAR signal.
Do you people claiming the area already has a country station even listen to them? Just because Radio-Locator shows the signal reaching this area doesn't mean it's a CLEAR signal.
R
radroad
Guest
well lets see if the country listners suppport it this time around
Press Communications should have made an experiment that would have cost a lot less money: They should have opened up a racetrack, a rodeo park, or a cowboy bar with a mechanical bull on the inside. I really don't know if this was an informed decision on their part, given the recent failure of a Country format covering the very same area. If they had made one of the aforementioned experiments and it succeeded, then maybe they could have greenlighted the Country format. They're taking a big gamble with a format that already failed once. But maybe enough people have moved here in the 4 or 5 years that have passed since for this format to work ... we'll see.
I still think this area needed an edgy Active Rocker, like 102.7 The Ace (WJSE - http://www.TheAce1027.com ) in Atlantic City/Cape May . WRAT comes in rather poorly south of Lacey and isn't edgy per se (closer to sounding like WMMR than WJSE, although it does play more hard rock than the former), WCHR (105.7 The Hawk) is a soft Classic Rocker that's really intended for an older audience, and WHTG/WBBO (G Rock Radio), though it performs well in male and female demos, definitely targets the latter with a much softer take on the Alternative format. An edgier Active Rock station would be different enough from G Rock Radio that I don't think Press would have needed to worry about its sister station losing ratings. But alas, we have another Country station instead. I've gotta go find my mouth harp and play a sad song, because I've drank my last can of Natty Light and I have to go buy some more, and the ball & chain is monopolizing the TV so I can't watch NASCAR ... LOL.
I still think this area needed an edgy Active Rocker, like 102.7 The Ace (WJSE - http://www.TheAce1027.com ) in Atlantic City/Cape May . WRAT comes in rather poorly south of Lacey and isn't edgy per se (closer to sounding like WMMR than WJSE, although it does play more hard rock than the former), WCHR (105.7 The Hawk) is a soft Classic Rocker that's really intended for an older audience, and WHTG/WBBO (G Rock Radio), though it performs well in male and female demos, definitely targets the latter with a much softer take on the Alternative format. An edgier Active Rock station would be different enough from G Rock Radio that I don't think Press would have needed to worry about its sister station losing ratings. But alas, we have another Country station instead. I've gotta go find my mouth harp and play a sad song, because I've drank my last can of Natty Light and I have to go buy some more, and the ball & chain is monopolizing the TV so I can't watch NASCAR ... LOL.
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