99X dead, Q100 to 99.7, new rock station at 100.5

[jal41]

To recap today's breaking news:

According to what I am reading, 99X will stay on through Sunday night. there will be a weeklong simulcast of Q on both stations (possibly with an audio watermark interrupting on 100.5). The new rock station (AOR?) will launch on the 21st.

I suspect the WWWQ callsign will go to 99.7, WNNX temporarily goes to 100.5 until the new station launches (and 100.5 will get a callsign to match).

Rodney Ho is reporting it as a swap. Technically, 100.5 will be a brand new station. (Like the "move-up" of 105.3 The Buzz WBZY to 96.1, which took the Project name and the existing WKLS callsign.)

 

[goldradio]

2 "rock" stations now?what about the other music?we have to go 2 internet for all of our sources of music now? that's what stood out about 99X.they had a variety. eccentricity. guuess i'll be listening to 92.9 dave.

 

[96atl]

99X dead

That is really the part that seems to be getting missed. Continuing online really doesn't count. This is a pretty big deal, although not that surprising. 99X although quite bad over the last several years, was once a great station.

You're right, it is not a swap. From what I understand 99X will not become 100X.

From what I get- Bert Show is only on both signals the week of Jan. 21. 99X will continue (10am - 6am) until after Fri 1/25's Bert Show and then Q100 will start being on 99.7 all day long. I don't know what the hell 99.7 is doing during mornings during next week, it seems it would have been smarter to maybe fire all these people next Friday. Probably 1/25 forward- Q will continue to be on both signals for a while. I doubt the new rock station on 100.5 will launch till close to mid-February.

Since they are keeping 99X "alive" on the 99.7 HD-2, I would think the new rock station will not be too much like it- not alternative. Do you all think the new station will be classic rock, active rock, or mainstream rock (like what 96rock was pre-2004- which was pretty classic rock leaning)?

 

[faaradar]

It's possible that Cumulus might make it a "Pure Rock" much like they did to SuperTalk 96.5 in Cincinnati.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

So assuming Q100 will still be called Q100, there will be 2 stations with some form of 100 in their moniker.

Is there really enough rock audience in the market to make the new 100.5 a smart decision? As profitable as Q100 reportedly is, I probably would have left it at 100.5 and done something else--maybe AC--with 99.7. I guess the Dickeys are determined to beat Star 94.

 

[Tibbs4]

Roddy:

I usually agree with you, but this time, I think Crumulus is right (there is a first for everything.)
This is the first time Star really took their eye off the ball. I am surprised Crum reacted to this
almost perfectly. To move a rising star over to a 100kw signal is a triple:

1.) Publicity, publicity, publicity (adds a point to the ratings and takes the hype, if there
would have been any, away from Star's changes)
2.) Shot fired over the bow of Star (whose possible weak morning mess fiasco is almost
now assured.)
3.) Weakens the enemy --- LF screwed up by dismantling a heritage station while trying to
unload it. Guess it might be a little harder for Crum to buy. But, if Stars not careful all they'll
have to sell is the stick itself.

This is one of the few times I have seen good moves in radio lately. Game on!

Next move, McCoy in the Morning --- on a Hot AC station geared toward women?
Sweet move. Why should McCoy have to wait for his contract to be up? He got
fired. If Crum pays up, which of course it won't, he could be on the air soon, right?

Bravo Sierraless Cumulus. Wow!

 

[monkeymanmoi]

Yeah, bring on another AC or Star-type station. There's nothing as excting as a pile of steaming pop squeeze. :

What's a "pure" rock station? Haven't heard that format before.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Tibbs2, after reading your well thought out post, I have to agree with you.

 

[taylorengineer]

Where would MCoy go?
Do you think the Regular Guys coming back is a BAD idea? Do you think RIVER is vulnerable to a *well planned* attack with a oldies leaning classic rocker with RG including Andrews & SSS?
How would this affect River, Project, DAVE?

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Tibbs2, after reading your well thought out post, I have to agree with you.

And to add to that, Star is certainly in a vulnerable position, mainly due to the new and significantly different morning show. But, I wouldn't go as far as to say that Star took their eye off the ball; I think they've been paying lots of attention to their product.

 

[smashedcd]

Yeah, bring on another AC or Star-type station. There's nothing as excting as a pile of steaming pop squeeze. :

What's a "pure" rock station? Haven't heard that format before.

Atlantas Pure Rock Station 96 Rock ala..1990.

 

[doublecashkgb]

Where will Steve Craig and his ego fit in the ATL? Goodbye airplane.

 

[smashedcd]

Yeah, bring on another AC or Star-type station. There's nothing as excting as a pile of steaming pop squeeze. :

What's a "pure" rock station? Haven't heard that format before.

Atlantas Pure Rock Station 96 Rock ala..1990.

I have airchecks when it was btw. christopher rude/lona love mornings Atlantas pure rock all day..96 Rock.

 

[radiosanchez]

Rob, Rob, Rob.......

.....knew it was only a matter of time before the guy who killed Miami's Zeta would do the same to ATL's 99X.....

....and he does the same thing here, too, "keeps it online"....hahaha.

 

[BIGSTICK]

WHY cant we have OLDIES????????????????????????

 

[pbf1]

WHY cant we have OLDIES????????????????????????

Demographics. (Or lack thereof.)

 

[BIGSTICK]

OK, Atlanta is number 8??? I think their are more than enough people that would listen to oldies again.


c'mon

 

[smashedcd]

OK, Atlanta is number 8??? I think their are more than enough people that would listen to oldies again.


c'mon

This is from my own personal research..but generally speaking the age group of 50s early 60s oldies dont even listen to the radio anymore.At least all of them I talk to say that. And they sure arent going to go buy something being advertised on the radio. If it was late 60s -early 80s it might work. wasnt 1690 oldies before?

 

[Tibbs4]

Can you provide your research numbers? Fact is, this generation of 50 to 60 year-olds does listen to radio and
would listen to more if the choices were better for their tastes. And, unlike 15-20 years ago, this demo does like
rock not elevator music. It's just another miscalulation from con-sultants and ad agencies that this demo is
not viable to advertisers. Real question --- what stock would you rather put your $$$ on? One that is less familiar
or interested in fooling with alternative sources of music venues (iPods, online like aol, XM, Pandora) that has
disposable income still or a new young generation that prefers to program their own music and looks as radio
as an outdated source of music that thier parents listened to but complained about sucking all the time? The mid-20
generation round of listeners is quickly approaching 30+ with no real warm feeling or loyalty to radio. This will
catch up with radio. Current logic will mean you can only gear a station to a narrowing set of ages. I believe the
50-60 demo should be respected and catered to with music and programming that they would like and that IS
ROCK more than it is 50's and 60's oldies. Putting all the effort into the younger dems is going to get less results
than the demo common wisdom has cast aside blindly. Some radio station should seize the opportunity to market
and program to this forgotten generation of loyal radio fans that have nothing interesting to listen to. BTW, check
the real numbers on Talk Radio and see the trends. You ain't dead at 50 or 60...you're ready to live and have some
fun...radio just is not fun anymore.

 

[trusty]

...generally speaking the age group of 50s early 60s oldies dont even listen to the radio anymore.

There's a reason for that. Think about the chicken and egg question, and figure it out.