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

[BIGSTICK]

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as an outdated source of music that thier parents listened to but complained about sucking all the time?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.

Exactly, if choices were better, they, (we), would listen. I am sick of music that I do not recognize or identify with.
New groups today cannot even compare with the likes of the Stones, Beatles, Animals, Turtles, etc.

 

[pbf1]

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 YOUR source?

 

[Kent]

And YOUR source?

I think the numbers pretty well prove 50 and 60 year olds listen to the radio. You haven't seen oldies stations just drop in the ratings out of the blue when the audience turns 55. The problem has never been that audience not listening to the radio; it's been advertisers dictating no 55+ buys to their agencies. 55+ agency buys are very few, and almost all of them go to talk radio. Most of the local advertisers that remain fall into categories that are historic no pays, like restaurants.

 

[Tibbs4]

Off the top of my head journalism.org (State of Radio) ,Arbitron, lots of sources are out there. Type in demo, radio listening stats.
There' surveys and volumes of information that can and will tell you everything you need to know and turn right around and tell you the exact opposite. Doesn't matter how you find various pieces of information. Stuff is pretty interesting for about 10 minutes.

I say USE YOUR LOGIC ON THIS ONE. Since so many in the industry have been conditioned to spew the one size fits all mantra without ever questioning it. Gut instinct --- Do you really believe a 48 year old decides in two years he or she just won't listen to the radio? Do you think that demo is subject to suddenly embracing the hi-tech options compared to a 30 year old or under? Not that you are disagreeing with me necessarily, but this whole mindset is one of the biggest LIES created by this entire industry. Give these folks MUSIC they want to listen to, let them feel respected. One thing that corporate radio does, and trust me I know this because this is what I spend most of my time researching this, is play to the most common denominator. Look at FOX and other evening TV commercials and see where the agencies are targeting dollars to the 45+ market. Radio is missing that by misreading the audience. The TV has become the Viagra capital of the world. Yet, these people wouldn't listen to radio? False. THEY CAN NOT
STAND RADIO TODAY so they do not listen to as much radio as they WOULD.

Also, since everyone has jumped on the out with the old mindset and justified that many of the oldies, classic stations are has-beens, Country and Talk have been gaining those listeners. BUT largely by DEFAULT. Virtually no one has given this demo an
updated 2007 version of real radio with passion and entertainment TO LISTEN TO AND become A PART OF. I could go on, but
why try...

 

[TheMusicMan]

I have to ask - what's the point of the gradual change from 99X and Q100, to Q100 and lame-duck 99X with the Bert Show in the Morning, to Q99.7 and (fill-in-the-blank) 100? What good is putting Bert on 99X in its final days going to do? To me, it makes more sense to spend this week fully simulcasting Q100 on 99.7 to allow listeners in ALL dayparts to make the transition to the new frequency, and launching the new 100.5 next Monday.

 

[bclark71.]

I have to ask - what's the point of the gradual change from 99X and Q100, to Q100 and lame-duck 99X with the Bert Show in the Morning, to Q99.7 and (fill-in-the-blank) 100? What good is putting Bert on 99X in its final days going to do? To me, it makes more sense to spend this week fully simulcasting Q100 on 99.7 to allow listeners in ALL dayparts to make the transition to the new frequency, and launching the new 100.5 next Monday.

The only reason I can think of is to get the new Q99.7 jingles and sweepers ready. It would look very unprofessional to go into this half-assed when the big spotlight is finally on your station.

 

[RTibbs]

Maybe to try and get former 99x listeners to sample The Bert Show. I would expect them to pullout all the stops that week. I wonder how many fake phone calls they will set-up that week. the voice disguiser might short out.

 

[BIGSTICK]

I have to ask - what's the point of the gradual change from 99X and Q100, to Q100 and lame-duck 99X with the Bert Show in the Morning, to Q99.7 and (fill-in-the-blank) 100? What good is putting Bert on 99X in its final days going to do? To me, it makes more sense to spend this week fully simulcasting Q100 on 99.7 to allow listeners in ALL dayparts to make the transition to the new frequency, and launching the new 100.5 next Monday.

Totally agree..............

 

[sman02]

I am truly eager to see what happens with the new move to 99.7. From what was said on the radio, the station ID will still be Q100. I know it's to take on Star 94. Bert even said the station's competition is primarily with Star94 this morning. Star and Q have been in an uphill battle for years now over who is better, has higher ratings, better shows, etc., and I've read that the Morning Mess isn't progressing as Star wanted with the listeners (ratings wise). This is a genuinely smart move on Cumulus' part, especially since 99X hasn't been doing too hot in the rankings. It's unfortunate the station fell apart over the past few years, and I have continued to listen to 99X alongside Q100. In my estimation, to be a top competitor, Cumulus is doing its part as a business to ensure people continue to listen to its core Atlanta station, obviously Q100. Since 99X is dead now, it's time for them to focus on the ever growing Q100 and expand to raise more awareness around Atlanta. There are truly many times when you can't get Q100. 100.5 was never going to be as strong as 100,000 watts, and it was well known when the station was built. The increased power helped but still had numerous areas in which the station couldn't be heard. So what better way for the company to put what's in demand on a better and clearer frequency? WHTA (107.9FM) did this a few years back when they switched frequencies from 97.5FM in Atlanta and it's helped them out tremendously too.

As far as a new format for 100.5, it's inevitable. I honestly thought they would change the station ID for Q100 (current) to something in the 99 level (possibly Q99) but that might just create market confusion. People who love a current station don't want to see change and when there's even a frequency change like this, people will be accepting, especially knowing things aren't changing except the frequency. But change the name of a station and it might not be the same. Steve McCoy coming on as a personality at the soon to be (insert new name here) 100.5 would be smart, especially as an AC station. But only time will tell. As far as the change to 99.7, I'm excited. I do listen to the Bert Show and will be happier with the clear reception!

 

[RTibbs]

I am truly eager to see what happens with the new move to 99.7. From what was said on the radio, the station ID will still be Q100. I know it's to take on Star 94. Bert even said the station's competition is primarily with Star94 this morning. Star and Q have been in an uphill battle for years now over who is better, has higher ratings, better shows, etc., and I've read that the Morning Mess isn't progressing as Star wanted with the listeners (ratings wise). This is a genuinely smart move on Cumulus' part, especially since 99X hasn't been doing too hot in the rankings. It's unfortunate the station fell apart over the past few years, and I have continued to listen to 99X alongside Q100. In my estimation, to be a top competitor, Cumulus is doing its part as a business to ensure people continue to listen to its core Atlanta station, obviously Q100. Since 99X is dead now, it's time for them to focus on the ever growing Q100 and expand to raise more awareness around Atlanta. There are truly many times when you can't get Q100. 100.5 was never going to be as strong as 100,000 watts, and it was well known when the station was built. The increased power helped but still had numerous areas in which the station couldn't be heard. So what better way for the company to put what's in demand on a better and clearer frequency? WHTA (107.9FM) did this a few years back when they switched frequencies from 97.5FM in Atlanta and it's helped them out tremendously too.

As far as a new format for 100.5, it's inevitable. I honestly thought they would change the station ID for Q100 (current) to something in the 99 level (possibly Q99) but that might just create market confusion. People who love a current station don't want to see change and when there's even a frequency change like this, people will be accepting, especially knowing things aren't changing except the frequency. But change the name of a station and it might not be the same. Steve McCoy coming on as a personality at the soon to be (insert new name here) 100.5 would be smart, especially as an AC station. But only time will tell. As far as the change to 99.7, I'm excited. I do listen to the Bert Show and will be happier with the clear reception!

Let's see The Morning Mess has been on the air for a total of 9 official shows including today and management is not happy how the show is progressing ratings-wise? I didn;t realize Star 94 was such micro-mannagers. Based on a sample of 9 shows do they have it pinpointed to a specific 30 seconds so far where the show took a turn for the worse?

Steve McCoy? I doubt they will wait 6 months for a morning show especially since they stated a big announcement would be coming soon. My money is on The Regular Guys especially since Southside Steve left his position at the Eagle on Friday.

 

[sman02]

...only from what I've read. Is this rock format set for 100.5?

 

[RoddyFreeman]

I've read that the Morning Mess isn't progressing as Star wanted with the listeners (ratings wise).

What kind of ratings are available after 2 weeks?