99X ON THE MOVE..... AGAIN????

[acheron1982]

This if from 99X facebook page:

If you're on our fb page, then you're a music fan. With that said, less places to hear good music on the radio in Atlanta is not a good thing. Let your friends know that 99X is still around, the new music is great and we have our own exciting announcements coming soon -
Axel Lowe Program Director & Mornings on 99X.
------

Something tells me 99x will be on 100.5. Just a guess. I don't think many will deny this possibility.

 

[carolinaradio]

It's a possibility with Dave exiting the picture. Or, they could just be saying that as a message to Dave-FM listeners to try to get them over to 99X where it is. Who knows. "100X" would be rather odd....I like the sound of "X100" more.

I wondered if they will put ESPN on 100.5 if not The Fan? That would be sports overkill, though. If 99X moved to 100.5, what would go to 98.9?

Rock 1005's numbers are terrible. Something needs to be done.

 

[rho01]

100% chance they're merely trying to capitalize on Dave's pending departure, nothing more...

 

[chrocket87]

I was thinking the same thing. Once Dave goes sports, will Cumulus move the fan to FM to protect it or will they move 99x to 100.5 to grab some of the disgruntled Dave fans? Bringing 99x back to a decent signal and the WNNX calls would be pretty cool.

 

[acheron1982]

I would think if it was only a simple message to Dave listeners to let them know that 99x is still around, Axle would not have ended the message alluding to "exciting announcements coming soon". Then again, those announcements could be just concert alerts, etc.

 

[agentUrge]

just shot in the dark: Steve Craig goes back to mid-days...the Retroplex returns to it's former glory

 

[atlantaboy]

If Dave is flipping to Sports, Cumulus is definitely going to move 99X to 100.5 - they'd have to be crazy not to

 

[danman425]

I feel like by listening and reading their postings that this is more than just some concert announcement. The only time when Axel signs his postings as Axel Lowe Program Director & Mornings is when it is important. They did a similar thing when they moved to 98.9 and said it was a big announcement. If it were a concert they would specify it as a concert announcement . Perhaps 99X, will pick up some Dave FM talents, shift musically to fill in the void, or even move signals to 100.5.

 

[kal30005]

I'm just throwing this out there, but is it possible there is more to this than just sticking Sports Radio on 92.9? Is it possible there could be some asset changes between CBS and Cumulus?

For example, could Cumulus give CBS 680-AM, 100.5 FM and possibly even 98.9 and/or 97.9, in exchange for 92.9?

If they did, CBS could put sports on 100.5 and 680 with the full CBS sports network on both, plus have one or 2 additional frequencies to put maybe a low-power classic hits station and something else.

And Cumulus could potentially move Q100 to 92.9 and put 99X back on 99.7, or maybe just put 99X on 92.9. I think 92.9 is a better signal than 99.7, but I could be wrong. With Dave gone, 99X on a decent frequency might pull decent ratings.

Just a thought. I don't know how easy it is for radio companies to trade assets.

 

[jabba17]

I'm just throwing this out there, but is it possible there is more to this than just sticking Sports Radio on 92.9? Is it possible there could be some asset changes between CBS and Cumulus?

For example, could Cumulus give CBS 680-AM, 100.5 FM and possibly even 98.9 and/or 97.9, in exchange for 92.9?

If they did, CBS could put sports on 100.5 and 680 with the full CBS sports network on both, plus have one or 2 additional frequencies to put maybe a low-power classic hits station and something else.

And Cumulus could potentially move Q100 to 92.9 and put 99X back on 99.7, or maybe just put 99X on 92.9. I think 92.9 is a better signal than 99.7, but I could be wrong. With Dave gone, 99X on a decent frequency might pull decent ratings.

Just a thought. I don't know how easy it is for radio companies to trade assets.

I don't think that 99X, as is, is going to move off a translator to a real signal. 90s-alternative "GenX" stations are dropping like flies nationwide, and the gold is being picked off by classic rock stations, including Rock100.5 and even the River, which has been playing the RHCPs lately, among others.

Could 99X go AAA to not compete so much with Project? Could Rock 100.5 continue to move newer and harder so as to not compete so much with River? Although both River and 100.5 have a recent obsession with Hendrix.

Rock100.5 may not be pulling massive ratings, but they do fill the format gap between River (which doesn't play the harder stuff from the 70s and 80s) and Project (which doesn't play much of anything older than the 90s). Is there a solid niche there? That seems to be the object of 100.5's format "hunting"--finding and filling that gap.

 

[secondchoice]

I guess 100.5 could go AA but what would you do with TRG? IIRC 100.5 has resigned The Regular Guys for "several years". Can TRG "mix" with an AA format? 98.7 could do AA but is there enough coverage?

Why would CBS would trade a C1 WZGC 64,000 watts @ 1115 feet for C2 WNNX 13500 watts @ 961 feet. and a couple of 250 watt signals and AM that at night has an eight tower directional array?

http://www.radio-locator.com/info/WCNN-AM

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WCNN&service=AM&status=L&hours=N

I heard somewhere in the failed sales tax debate that Atlanta is one of the least "population density" (urban sprawl) cities in America, which I believe is true. I just can see see where that trade would be good for CBS. CBS buying 94.1 and 790 would really give the Atlanta cluster a boost. CBS radio has sold some stations in smaller markets lately. The radio division should have a little cash on hand for such an opportunity.

 

[jabba17]

I guess 100.5 could go AA but what would you do with TRG? IIRC 100.5 has resigned The Regular Guys for "several years". Can TRG "mix" with an AA format? 98.7 could do AA but is there enough coverage?

Why would CBS would trade a C1 WZGC 64,000 watts @ 1115 feet for C2 WNNX 13500 watts @ 961 feet. and a couple of 250 watt signals and AM that at night has an eight tower directional array?

http://www.radio-locator.com/info/WCNN-AM

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WCNN&service=AM&status=L&hours=N

I heard somewhere in the failed sales tax debate that Atlanta is one of the least "population density" (urban sprawl) cities in America, which I believe is true. I just can see see where that trade would be good for CBS. CBS buying 94.1 and 790 would really give the Atlanta cluster a boost. CBS radio has sold some stations in smaller markets lately. The radio division should have a little cash on hand for such an opportunity.

TRG would work splendidly on a sports station. Christopher Rude made the transition just fine. They'd have to drop some of the shill segments for George Stein and Oxygen Financial, though...or would they?

A signal swap between Cumulus/Dickey and CBS makes no sense, for a variety of reasons.

I still think that Cumulus/Dickey and CBS are going to work closely on coordinating 680 and 92.9, to the point of appearing monopolistic. I also still think that CBS is going to make a run at the two LFM stations--pick up talent and PBP rights, eliminate a competitor, and get some good branding out of the box, as well as pick up a very successful CHR/hot AC.

Re: 100.5, the question is, will AAA really do any better than AOR? Ratings have been similar the last several books. Yes, you could "combine" the listenership of Dave and 99X, but is there really a there there? Before Cumulus quit subscribing the translators 99X was on a downward trend. How are Journey and 99X doing today?

 

[agentUrge]

So is it possible that the content of the formats is what's changing? Pop will always be pop because it's really the best of the popular genres. But it would seem to me that legacy formats can shift with time...that would be logical, though and I know the industry's definition of the formats is different than that of jon q. public.

 

[danman425]

I'm just throwing this out there, but is it possible there is more to this than just sticking Sports Radio on 92.9? Is it possible there could be some asset changes between CBS and Cumulus?

For example, could Cumulus give CBS 680-AM, 100.5 FM and possibly even 98.9 and/or 97.9, in exchange for 92.9?

If they did, CBS could put sports on 100.5 and 680 with the full CBS sports network on both, plus have one or 2 additional frequencies to put maybe a low-power classic hits station and something else.

And Cumulus could potentially move Q100 to 92.9 and put 99X back on 99.7, or maybe just put 99X on 92.9. I think 92.9 is a better signal than 99.7, but I could be wrong. With Dave gone, 99X on a decent frequency might pull decent ratings.

Just a thought. I don't know how easy it is for radio companies to trade assets.

I don't think that 99X, as is, is going to move off a translator to a real signal. 90s-alternative "GenX" stations are dropping like flies nationwide, and the gold is being picked off by classic rock stations, including Rock100.5 and even the River, which has been playing the RHCPs lately, among others.

Could 99X go AAA to not compete so much with Project? Could Rock 100.5 continue to move newer and harder so as to not compete so much with River? Although both River and 100.5 have a recent obsession with Hendrix.

Rock100.5 may not be pulling massive ratings, but they do fill the format gap between River (which doesn't play the harder stuff from the 70s and 80s) and Project (which doesn't play much of anything older than the 90s). Is there a solid niche there? That seems to be the object of 100.5's format "hunting"--finding and filling that gap.

Yes, alternative stations were dropping like crazy a year or two ago, but now many of them have come back or new ones have been added this year. Clear Channel even launched a 99X in Cleveland not too long ago. There was even an article on all access about how the alternative and pop game is changing with gotye and fun getting heavy airplay on top 40 stations. Alternative is also starting edge away from the 90s music now and is starting to focus on newer music again since most of the grunge songs are now 20 years old. Some of us may here may sound bias when it comes to this format, but it seems like the alternative game is changing from what it was a few years ago.

 

[acheron1982]

Alternative stations are very flexible when it comes to their music. Some of the best alternative stations in the country are ones that dig deeper and play some of the more indie styles of music. 99X in Atlanta is what I like to call a "safe" alternative stations. They stay away from artists like Portugal of Man and Arcade Fire and come out with new stuff weeks after the other alternative stations like Radio 104.5 and FM949. Some of this countries best alternative stations play stuff like the Avett Brothers but 99X has long believed that to be to mellow and allowed DAVE to take it. FUN and Gotye are now played religiously on 99X but both artist were played over a month before 99x started playing them on other Alternative stations in the nation. Only until these songs made it to the charts would 99x then start playing them. The Lumineers is another perfect example. First time I ever heard them in America was on Radio 1045 then Dave started playing them in Atlanta a few weeks later after the song made it to the AAA charts. Only AFTER the band made it to Alternative charts did 99X begin to play them. 99X also limits the music to only a select few songs from each Alternative artist which increases repeat. I've spoke with some from 99X who said their hands are tied due to Cumulus and what they say can and cannot be played. Only recently has Cumulus allowed 99x to shift newer with less 90s music. 99X needs to become a little more adventurous and less safe with their format. Alternative is for those who enjoy the Alternative format and while playing it safe may work for top 40 stations, I think niche formats such as Alternative can with stand a little adventure in the playlist. I also feel they should play more of those artist from the early 2k that we never hear anymore as well. One thing is for certain, Cumulus will NOT bring AAA to Atlanta unless 99x is axed first. I don't think Cumulus wants two stations competing for the alternative crowd. That would be like having a classic rock and a classic hits (rock leaning) format ran by the same company in the same city. Would make no sense.

 

[acheron1982]

Yes, alternative stations are coming back across the nation. You mentioned Cleveland but also, Raleigh will also be getting an alternative station over the next few weeks. All be it, an alternative/active rock hybrid, its still signs of alternative coming back some. I will say that alternative does not work as well as active rock in the south so I would not expect an alternative station such as 99x to compete all that well with Project (active rock). If this was a west coast state or even a New England state, I would argue to opposite.

I'm just throwing this out there, but is it possible there is more to this than just sticking Sports Radio on 92.9? Is it possible there could be some asset changes between CBS and Cumulus?

For example, could Cumulus give CBS 680-AM, 100.5 FM and possibly even 98.9 and/or 97.9, in exchange for 92.9?

If they did, CBS could put sports on 100.5 and 680 with the full CBS sports network on both, plus have one or 2 additional frequencies to put maybe a low-power classic hits station and something else.

And Cumulus could potentially move Q100 to 92.9 and put 99X back on 99.7, or maybe just put 99X on 92.9. I think 92.9 is a better signal than 99.7, but I could be wrong. With Dave gone, 99X on a decent frequency might pull decent ratings.

Just a thought. I don't know how easy it is for radio companies to trade assets.

I don't think that 99X, as is, is going to move off a translator to a real signal. 90s-alternative "GenX" stations are dropping like flies nationwide, and the gold is being picked off by classic rock stations, including Rock100.5 and even the River, which has been playing the RHCPs lately, among others.

Could 99X go AAA to not compete so much with Project? Could Rock 100.5 continue to move newer and harder so as to not compete so much with River? Although both River and 100.5 have a recent obsession with Hendrix.

Rock100.5 may not be pulling massive ratings, but they do fill the format gap between River (which doesn't play the harder stuff from the 70s and 80s) and Project (which doesn't play much of anything older than the 90s). Is there a solid niche there? That seems to be the object of 100.5's format "hunting"--finding and filling that gap.

Yes, alternative stations were dropping like crazy a year or two ago, but now many of them have come back or new ones have been added this year. Clear Channel even launched a 99X in Cleveland not too long ago. There was even an article on all access about how the alternative and pop game is changing with gotye and fun getting heavy airplay on top 40 stations. Alternative is also starting edge away from the 90s music now and is starting to focus on newer music again since most of the grunge songs are now 20 years old. Some of us may here may sound bias when it comes to this format, but it seems like the alternative game is changing from what it was a few years ago.

 

[atlantaboy]

I don't think that 99X, as is, is going to move off a translator to a real signal. 90s-alternative "GenX" stations are dropping like flies nationwide

This isn't true at all - WEMP just flipped to Alternative in New York City (with 90s-Alt gold), and Radio 104.5 in Philly is doing extremely well, so is DC101 in Washington and Radio 92.9 in Boston

"Gen X" isn't the same format as Alternative - not sure why you're mixing those two terms together

The only major markets where Alternative isn't doing well have AAA stations edging into their audiences, or, in the case of Seattle, a Modern AC

 

[RTibbs]

I guess 100.5 could go AA but what would you do with TRG? IIRC 100.5 has resigned The Regular Guys for "several years". Can TRG "mix" with an AA format? 98.7 could do AA but is there enough coverage?

Why would CBS would trade a C1 WZGC 64,000 watts @ 1115 feet for C2 WNNX 13500 watts @ 961 feet. and a couple of 250 watt signals and AM that at night has an eight tower directional array?

http://www.radio-locator.com/info/WCNN-AM

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WCNN&service=AM&status=L&hours=N

I heard somewhere in the failed sales tax debate that Atlanta is one of the least "population density" (urban sprawl) cities in America, which I believe is true. I just can see see where that trade would be good for CBS. CBS buying 94.1 and 790 would really give the Atlanta cluster a boost. CBS radio has sold some stations in smaller markets lately. The radio division should have a little cash on hand for such an opportunity.

TRG would work splendidly on a sports station. Christopher Rude made the transition just fine. They'd have to drop some of the shill segments for George Stein and Oxygen Financial, though...or would they?

A signal swap between Cumulus/Dickey and CBS makes no sense, for a variety of reasons.

I still think that Cumulus/Dickey and CBS are going to work closely on coordinating 680 and 92.9, to the point of appearing monopolistic. I also still think that CBS is going to make a run at the two LFM stations--pick up talent and PBP rights, eliminate a competitor, and get some good branding out of the box, as well as pick up a very successful CHR/hot AC.

Re: 100.5, the question is, will AAA really do any better than AOR? Ratings have been similar the last several books. Yes, you could "combine" the listenership of Dave and 99X, but is there really a there there? Before Cumulus quit subscribing the translators 99X was on a downward trend. How are Journey and 99X doing today?

I said in a post a month or so ago. Fan to 100.5 with TRG in the morning, Rude stays on 680 The Ticket(?) with the new CBS Sports programming. So we go from 2 to 4 Sports radio stations maybe????

 

[acheron1982]

Atlantaboy gets a GOLD STAR. You said it! I can't agree more!!

I don't think that 99X, as is, is going to move off a translator to a real signal. 90s-alternative "GenX" stations are dropping like flies nationwide

This isn't true at all - WEMP just flipped to Alternative in New York City (with 90s-Alt gold), and Radio 104.5 in Philly is doing extremely well, so is DC101 in Washington and Radio 92.9 in Boston

"Gen X" isn't the same format as Alternative - not sure why you're mixing those two terms together

The only major markets where Alternative isn't doing well have AAA stations edging into their audiences, or, in the case of Seattle, a Modern AC

 

[RadioDoogie]

Would 99X work at 100.5 with the Regular Guys in the morning?