A J'Ville Radio Trip

[John FL]

At this time of year as I think of the number of snowbirds making their way through Jax on 1-95 to South Florida, I wonder what they think of our town. I also wonder, for those who are actually listening to the radio, if there are positive impressions made. Even though there are lots of cookie-cutter formats, I would suspect the average listener prefers to gravitate to what reminds them of what they listen to at home. But, will it be as good?

I’m not sure if my situation is unique or if there are a growing number of people like me who just feel like they are traveling through a community and don’t really have a sense of belonging to the very place they live in the radio sense. I also wonder if technology is making this happen.

Let me start by saying I like living here. There was a time I was a snowbird too driving between NJ and South Florida and I have to admit hating the trip through Jax. The view from I-95 seemed to show a city in disrepair, neglect and really nothing memorable.

Today, it is significantly different. If you come into our city from the south, it just shouts out big city. “Jacksonville” is prominently displayed as a welcome to travelers by Old St. Augustine Rd and soon one comes upon the I-295, 9A interchanges and the super highway look. All in all, it’s quite impressive. Various office parks dot the trip all the way. The other day, I visited the River City Marketplace on the Northside and thought this would make a favorable impression with travelers given the restaurants and stores.

While I may sound like I’m with the Chamber of Commerce, I just wanted to drive the fact that I’m proud of this community and all that has been accomplished.

I realize radio preferences are all subjective. When I think about what is popular or even what was once popular in Jax, I’m just not in sync with it. Lex & Terry have had a loyal following and earned high ratings for a long time. I never understood why. In the number of times I’ve tuned in, their usual routine is playing Dr. Phil and giving relationship advice. I can’t relate to any of it. While my personal life is my personal life, I’ve never cheated and I’m sure many are in the same camp or perhaps many just want to forget that they have. It's the same kind of radio like talking about your kids. It's not something that appeals to all elements of your audience.

Bubba seems to get Tampa intensive too often and so I tune out. Rock 105 is tired and the ratings show it. The Greaseman has history in this market. I didn’t grow up here and so I don’t have that bond. I just can’t relate to his humor. It doesn’t make him bad – it’s just personal likes. I am not a country music fan so there are 3 more stations you can add to the never tune in list. Two stations that feature angry music for angry young men, no thanks – I’m not in the target demo anyway. CHR doesn’t do it for me either as I don’t know the music. The only time I hear WEJZ is when I’m stuck in an office somewhere and I’m not familiar with a lot of the music either. I can’t listen to WSOS as it puts me in a state of depression in how they are just wasting that signal and it how it sounds like creeping death to me – no life. Eagle is too restrictive (No Motown, Pop, Soul, Dance, Beach Boys, 4 Seasons, Roots of Rock ‘N Roll, Michael Jackson – get the picture) and it’s devoid of personality. So there you go. All that’s left is talk and lately even the daily pounding of all that is bad does little to make you feel motivated.

Now, let’s get back to technology. I have mentioned this before but I feel at home listening to WCBS-FM, a station that is at least 1000 miles away. This is radio I can relate to as its personality driven, the music has tons of variety and it never gets stale with constant innovative programming. Ever so subtly, even 90s titles are being added on special occasions. There’s so much great music no one in our town plays. I don’t know, there is so much lost opportunity to generate excitement and reflect the changing community. So for all the people driving through our town, I can only hope they don’t judge our city negatively based on what they hear on the radio. I live here and can relate to very little.

Some of you no doubt will conclude that I am a part of a demo no one wants and that’s why little appeals to me. All I will say is many radio stations, despite format, attract a certain number of listeners not in target. It takes creativity and hard work to make a good showing in 25-54, even with adult formats. Few want to invest the time and effort and that’s the biggest issue I have. The recession hasn't made things any easier for radio but my gosh, I still hope someone will realize they can do better and build a better product. I suppose that’s why radio here makes me feel like I’m just passing through town on the way to seeking utopia – somewhere else.

 

[Nostalgia]

John,
Interesting comments although I really know nothing about Jax radio. However one thing you said did hit me. I too have taken to listening to the WCBS-FM stream now and then. I have not listened long enough to see how deep their playlist goes, maybe they are recycling a couple hundred songs that I just happen to like, but I do enjoy the jocks and the fact that they speak in normal tones of voice- not yelling like their sister (or maybe ugly cousin station) Q-105 here in Tampa. Their ad replacements on the internet stream annoy me when they cut away and rejoin the air stream but only because everything else is so smooth.

For all that has been written about chains making cookie cutter formats and distributing them to all their stations, this is one they should duplicate. It is their flagship station and number 2 in the NYC ratings so it must be doing something right!

 

[John FL]

Nostalgia, thank you. Given this is the North Florida board, all I will say here is listen to them longer and then make your decision. I'm hooked. I'm confident you will be too. Yes, their playlist is very deep.

I recognize and understand the limitations markets such as Jacksonville have and no one is expecting a station here to emulate what a CBS FM can do. We have a different business model here and no station can really support almost 24/7 jocks. But I still believe in choice and I believe innovative programming can make a station stand out, attract listeners and grow. There is plenty that can be done from a programming standpoint even if voice tracked. However, my opinions are not shared by most.

I'm happy to see there are those out in radio land who do my kind of radio and it is being met with huge success. I'm grateful to have choice elsewhere but I would really love to root for the home team.

 

[A#1]

Been driving through the beautiful city of Jacksonville enroute to Daytona since the early 70's. Grease and the Mighty 690, Sunny 600, I think and 930AM are some of my favorites from way back when and 1530 sometimes. In recent years, the old Cool 96.9 and now I show my age, mainly 1220 and their FM beautiful music station and even 1010 from time to time. Up until about a year or so ago, I enjoyed those overnight oldies on 1010. Overall. always enjoyed listening to Jacksonville radio, although I can't believe how many AM's and FM's there are in that place. Wow!

 

[gchasse]

I moved here in 91. I had previously lived in southern New Hampshire, so I was used to the Boston stations. At the time I moved here, I thought that, although this was not Boston, there were several stations that had personality and overall the music selections for the stations were pretty good. There was something for pretty much everybody.

In the last 5 years, to me, it has really gone downhill. Althought I did not listen to it all the time, I really liked Cool 96.9, not only for the music, but the radio personalities and professionalism of the broadcasts. When I go to LA, I listen to Kearth 101 and it reminds me of that station.

Today, the music selections seem more limited, and the stations that carry music I would like (The Eagle for example) have no personality at all. If anyone is driving through, unless they catch a personaility, and there are not many, will find this stop blandsville with respect to radio.

I have pretty much decided to get XM. I have many options there I don't get here, and many of these stations actually have personality.

 

[John FL]

In the last 5 years, to me, it has really gone downhill. Althought I did not listen to it all the time, I really liked Cool 96.9, not only for the music, but the radio personalities and professionalism of the broadcasts. When I go to LA, I listen to Kearth 101 and it reminds me of that station.

Interesting that you use 5 years as a measurement in your radio assessment. As hard as this may be to believe, we are just shy two months of the 5th anniversary of the demise of Cool 96.9. The other day a friend who enjoys reading my posts asked me what I was planning to write about it. He was disappointed with my response but there is no point in rehashing all of that and so I will say nothing about it. For those who fondly remember how it was, cherish those memories, enjoy alternatives and delight in the fact no one can take those fond memories away from you.

 

[Parttimer]

The description of driving through Jax is about the same as driving through any market #11-75 as far as the radio choices are concerned.

I spent 11 years in north FL and have been gone for about 6 years now.... always thought WOKV was solid news operation (and by the way, Paul Rasmussen is doing a nice job now on KDKA here in Pittsburgh). Also thought Jax was one of the best sports-talk markets I ever heard (with the exception of Greg Larsen and his 4 listeners back on 970, but that was entertaining because it was so bad.... same went for WJXR...). 600 The Ball was a marvelous locally driven station, and that seems to have been recreated on 1010 now from what I can tell.

Cox stripped all the personality out the the Ape and Rock 105, and the country and urban formats are not on my radar either. So as far as music goes, you could be living 50 other places and have about the same experience you're getting now.

 

[John FL]

Yes, the overall state of radio in Jacksonville can be compared to other markets when we talk product decline, diminished format choice and leaving significant numbers of its community the feeling that they are just left out in the cold. I never understood this business model where needs of listeners are way down the “list.” True, there are bright spots here in WOKV and in 1010 XL which I consider the better sports outlet.

Some of my closest friends and even some in and out of the business of radio have told me I should just give up the fight and stop living in the past because I can’t change anything.

Call me anything you want but I would love to take a Twilight Zone or Fantasy Island trip where all of a sudden I was a kid again experiencing life as it was when I was growing up. It is said we tend to remember only the good things of our past and not the problems. Radio here and elsewhere, as in all business, has changed as well it should as nothing can stay the same but somewhere on our journey to now, we have lost our way.

Perhaps it’s natural to want to return to all things familiar and comfortable and to wax nostalgic wishing radio can be exciting as it once was. Today, living isn’t easy –it’s a freakin’ rat race. Collectively our attitudes and motivations revolve more about pleasing ourselves than caring about others. Unless non-profit, business exists to make money but it has often times lost focus because screwing the public is more the rule than the exception.

I grew up in your average middle-class family. My dad did not draw a regular paycheck as he was a self-employed roofing contractor. Often times, the mom and pop grocery store down the street would extend credit with the attitude to pay it back when you could. When I was sick, our family doctor walked 8 city blocks through the ice and snow to take care of me. Imagine today if a doctor decided to take his life in his hand and walk around with a drug bag. Imagine a time when health insurance was an unfamiliar product and a doctor would say pay me when you can.

Yeah, this is about local radio so sorry for the digression. I do realize things change but all I look at how things once were and it seemed we were all better off, even when we didn’t have as much. There’s a lot of really good radio and there is evidence of that, although limited, here in Jacksonville. I just hope we can find some kind of balance between making bucks and caring about customers/listeners just like business once did many moons ago.

 

[Promo174]

John..
For the most part, I agree with your comments. And, through sheer necessity I have moved on to streams of stations on the internet. Check out WOMC 104.3 in Detroit. It's a top notch oldies station. And, middays you'll hear "J.T" (John Thomas) formerly of The Eagle here in Jax. Actually, he doesn't sound like he did here. They had him pulled in pretty tight with the personality on Eagle. But, he has a great time on OMC.. fun to listen to from time to time.

I got XM too a few years ago and talk about a huge change. At first, it was the perfect place to hear ANY song you could think of in any format. Call in and request a song.. boom.. you got it. But, now that Sirius has blended in and the owners have revamped their thought process (which was not a good thing) they have cut the play list back. So, now, when you call in for a song they ask that you choose the artist and they will pick the song. Can you see the pattern here? Radio stations use to be have huge play lists with lots of requests and personalities. Then, they started cutting back on both. So, XM was a great choice! Now, they are acting like radio.

There are a lot of options of good stations on the internet. . for now. But, I agree with you. If there are other markets who are willing and successful at doing something fun for the listener.. why can't we have that in Jacksonville? Might be too late now, though. Most of us got tired of giving them a chance and have moved on. But, man, I'd love to see some excitement again.

 

[John FL]

Promo, thank you for the info but I believe I still need to make something clear because I get the feeling my message is not really understood. “Oldies” as we once knew it is no longer a viable format for a major FM station nor do I advocate its return. I used to subscribe to XM but internet streaming is satisfying me so it didn’t justify the expense. I’ve heard WOMC and really I’ve very high with anything CBS Radio. To me, they are the best major corporate owner around because they build good products around the listener and they are not unrealistic because we don’t live in a Logan’s Run world. If you have HD or an internet provider such as AOL, they play real old stuff on their HD2.

I envision something different and exciting for Jacksonville as I believe there is a large, underserved and even demographic appealing demo representing coalitions of audience. Like it or not, there are listeners out there who through no fault of their own have been born prior to 1970. Today, they are scattered all over the dial from Rock 105 to Eagle to talk to WEJZ to large numbers (although not measured) at Jones College Radio. Given the crowded signal forest, the goal for virtually everyone is to make a respectable show in key demo(s) in 25-54. We all know this – nothing new here.

As I described my life experiences in my youth, I also thought about CHR in the late 70s and through the 80s. The music as I remember it when I lived in South Florida and listened to Y-100 was really great as variety was the star. What I recall and what I would love to see created here is a format that spans hit music across numerous decades from the 60s through the 80s and to include special programming featuring an occasional 90s tune as well. There is room for the format to grow overtime and not get stale.

This station would offer significant departure from what exists here today. I guess I can’t hide the fact that I love radio and I have spent SIGNIFICANT time listening to “real” classic hits across the country like the one you mentioned both for the enjoyment and to use it as learning experience. I will admit to having prejudice against 80s music and I was a believer that the shorter the playlist the better. That was then and this is now. I have evolved and I have come to realize the public expects something more. The kind of format I propose would almost mirror a typical iPod listener as the variety would be the big draw.

As this would be an adult hit music station, the music would have to be inclusive of multiple format types that I see as 1/3 ACish. 1/3 Eagle-ish, and 1/3 unique, upbeat just short of Movin’ type format. If there are typically around 15 songs an hour aired, I can envision 4, possible 5 60s (biggest artists/hits) and 2-3 80s and the rest 70s. Currently, I’ve got around 350 songs just from the 80s alone. Some stations don’t have this for their entire library. When was the last time you heard the Gap Band or cuts from Thriller on an adult station? I’d minimize plays for artists like the Police and Huey Lewis and rotate more “partyish, upbeat tunes yet also add lots of Lionel Richie/Commodores and even a real easy listening type sound like “All this Love” by Debarge. Yep, it’s something different and I think it would represent a good, viable alternative to what we have bringing some needed excitement to the Jax radio landscape.

What usually happens on these boards is that there are those who want to always rip things apart. I think the best way to show what I would love to see created is to illustrate it. They say every picture is worth 1000 words. In just taking the letter “I” and staying in the 80s, consider the overall sound we are trying to get. Given there are hundreds of tunes on the list from the 80s and minimal airplay per hour, risk of burn-out is greatly reduced which is a major problem. No, this isn’t a part of your father’s oldies station. The times have changed and hopefully Jax will eventually move along with it and forget about the failures of the past. The format is not only working, it is seeing audience share growing while making increased inroads into 25-54. I am very much sold on this kind of radio.

I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU DAN HARTMAN
I CAN'T GO FOR THAT (NO CAN DO) HALL & OATES
I CAN'T TELL YOU WHY EAGLES
I DIDN'T MEAN TO TURN YOU ON ROBERT PALMER
I FEEL FOR YOU CHAKA KHAN
I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU STEVIE WONDER
(I JUST) DIED IN YOUR ARMS TONIGHT CUTTING CREW
I KEEP FORGETTIN' (EVERY TIME YOU'RE NEAR) MICHAEL MCDONALD
I LOVE ROCK ROCK 'N ROLL JOAN JETT & BLACKHEARTS
I LOVE YOU CLIMAX BLUES BAND
I MELT WITH YOU MODERN ENGLISH
I RAN (SO FAR AWAY) FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR U2
I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW TIFFANY
I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER PRINCE
I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY WHITNEY HOUSTON
I WANT A NEW DRUG HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS FOREIGNER
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU BON JOVI
I'M ALL RIGHT KENNY LOGINS
I'M ON FIRE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
I'M SO EXCITED POINTER SISTERS
I'M STILL STANDING ELTON JOHN
(I'VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE BILL MEDLEY/JENNIFER WARNES
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME CHER
IF THIS IT HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
IF YOU LEAVE ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK
IN THE AIR TONIGHT PHIL COLLINS
IN YOUR EYES PETER GABRIEL
INFATUATION ROD STEWART
INTO THE GROOVE MADONNA
INTO THE NIGHT BENNY MARDONES
INVISIBLE TOUCH GENESIS
IT'S ALRIGHT HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
IT'S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE DENIECE WILLIAMS
IT'S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME BILLY JOEL

Rock On!

 

[John FL]

With all I said, I forgot to mention a huge consideration - who would have the guts to provide this variety classic hits format? Let's start with the obvious. The Renda operation wouldn't touch it or consider it - period. It takes a lot of planning, time, work, resources and buy-in by the GM. It ain't gonna happen there folks.

Next we have Cox Radio. Some may make the convincing argument that Eagle is doing very well so why mess with that? Well, Rock 105 has seen better days. If Eagle moved to attract more females 35+ as what I envision hybrid classic hits would accomplish, many middle-aged Joe 6 Pack types would move to Rock 105 enhancing that station and representing a good fit for Bubba who I believe is mostly unnoticed in this market. I think Bubba is pretty good, he's just not on the right station. Could this happen? No. Cox Radio is not interested in personality radio, and they certainly don't subscribe to deep, varied playlists and I believe they are too afraid the format will attract too many in their 50s.

That leaves Clear Channel. As I see it, the only possible station that I believe has long-term vulnerability is KISS FM. Vindicitive radio seems to exist nowadays and in one flip, CC could impact Eagle and to a some extent WEJZ. Will it happen? Maybe. The maybe part is I believe something will eventually happen but as things are usually done here, they will (hopefully not) elect to just go after a narrow demo like a Generation X nostalgia jackish format. This has failed in a lot of places but with revenue being the only concern, they may think this is the best option. I don't agree but I rarely do with how things are done here.

 

[Promo174]

Yes, you are right. Words typed here can be misinterpreted. I did not mean to give you the impression that I thought you were pushing the oldies format. My comment about the station in Detroit was given as a response to your efforts to convey that radio can still be done in a way to appeal to people without having to voicetrack and play from a 100 count playlist.

I do listen to radio on the internet more so than any other place. And, all of the formats that I do like are well represented there.

Thanks for offering up your list.. I won't be ripping it apart because I like it!

 

[gchasse]

John,

You make some very good comments. I also saw what you would like to see in a format.

Your observation about the last 5 years has some merit. I loved Cool 96.9, but it was not just the music. It was the DJs and their approach. They were entertaining, and in a fun way.

I was a DJ at a college radio station in Maine. We had great liberty in what we could play, and the format for most DJs was AOR. It gave the station great personality as the music was really defined by who was on the air. The station was a 150 watt station, but to give a clue as to how popular it was, for the range of the station, it was the second rated station where it could be heard behind the country music station. Of course, it was not commercial, so it was not in the official ratings.

To give an impression of what I think of many of the stations here, it is like Muzak except this has the real artists. There is no personality.

I also saw the kind of station you would like. Well, if I won the lottery, I would do something even more different. I grew up loving AOR. It is a dead format today, but I believe that after having heard so many of the same songs over and over, I would love to see some type of station like that with radio personalities. I love the 60s music, but no one, except for one channel on XM, plays it the way I like it. I like the psychedelic music, so stuff like Jefferson Airplane (some of their lesser hits), Moody Blues (again, some of their lesser known songs), Yes (Tempus Fugit is my favorite), Rolling Stones from their 80s stuff, lesser played Beatles stuff, things like that. There is also music from the 80s and 90s that is good, but does not get a lot of play (or any) because it is not mainstream. However, adding this to some mainstream music is what would make a format more interesting. But none of it would be that meaningful without the personalities to go with it. The Eagle plays good songs (although they play them again and again and again…), but this station could be used in a Stephen King movie. It is devoid of any personality.

In any event, I mainly listen to WOKV, and part of the reason is that they are so well run. I believe it is the best run station in town.

I hope at some point someone might do something that will cater to our crowd, but I am not holding my breath. We are not where the money is.

 

[John FL]

Gchasse, I enjoyed reading your post and your life experiences that really help make you who you are today. Like you I worked in college radio but I had a 5 minute career on the air. I preferred being behind the scenes because that was more in my comfort zone and I hated the "Neil Sekaka" sound of my voice. When I was about to graduate an opportunity presented itself on a northern NJ radio station in their promotions/research/programming area. The guy who ran the station actually caught the oldies show I was doing and he liked how I selected the music. He loved my "discipline" as I was a format nut even back then. Even in the early 70s, I loved the oldies format. I turned down his offer down because radio, even in the early 70s was too insecure for me. I had strong ties with my family and I couldn't see myself in the never ending cycle of getting fired and moving all my life. So, for many decades I wound up in a corporate job that for the most part I hated. I always felt like I was out of place and didn't really belong. For a long time, I have regretted that decision.

Today, I'm very grateful to forums such as R-I where people have the means to express themselves and share their views with the world. There's nothing I can put on a resume as it applies to radio but over the years I got things right way more than I got them wrong as an observer on the sidelines. I suppose when you really enjoy something as much as I love radio, then a lot of things just come naturally. I know that sounds like big ego but I'm not really like that at all.

My never-ending frustration today revolves around the feeling that most people still don't understand a lot of what I am saying. Markets such as Jax are not totally unique in that I realize and understand that certain formats are the ones that make the money. This is a main reason why you see so many doing the same thing under the umbrella of just a few formats.

There are positive things that exist here that are worth noting. The limited signal stations offer specialized formats and that's a good thing because they can't compete doing the same format as the blowtorch powerhouses. Where I live, I'm noticing more and more Hispanic-owned businesses. In the few I've visited, I've heard 105.7 playing in the background. I've only been here since '97 and the growth and increased diversity has been almost mind boggling.

To your point about AOR, I agree that the format is not really viable especially for a major FM signal. But let's consider what we have in place here. Outside of urban which is a category all it's own, we have 4 main format buckets - country(3), rock(4 - 2 new/2classic) , AC(2) and CHR(2). On paper, it may sound like a lot but as we know, there's a lot of fragmentation and holes. I think we can do a better job in being more inclusive. This is another area where I am misunderstood because we are not taking advantage of the changes in this market.

I have always wanted to work within the format umbrella that has the best billing potential. This is why oldies as we knew it would be a financial drain on a major FM. It's just my nature to be friendly with people and in casual conversations with total strangers, I get a lot of cool info about radio.

Last weekend I was in line at an electronics store and I couldn't help but notice this child who must have been around 9 or 10 who was very excited about getting that remastered Beatles collection. The "dad" looked like he was in his mid 30s and I got into a conversation about his son's love of the Beatles - music popular long before he was born. I mentioned how it's a shame we don't hear Beatles music on the radio here and he just waved his hand in disgust saying radio is just lame here. There's a lot of stories like this. I can't tell you how many stations across the country did special A-Z Beatles programing in honor of the Fab 4's continued popularity. Did that happen here?

This is why I have continued to push as I have over the years. Opportunity is being lost everyday. The King of Rock 'N Roll has long left the building here, the King of Pop is not part of royalty here and the First Coast with the thought of Florida and beaches has no regularly heard Beach Boys tunes. Something is radically wrong with how we operate.

When I speak about being inclusive, I'm also referring to the large African American community we have in Jax. We shouldn't make the assumption that if you are black, you just listen to urban - nonsense. Before radio became fragmented the hit music stations of the day played to an audience who lived in the city, the burbs, young/old, white or black. I saw a study a few weeks ago where African Americans (35+) have discovered today's classic hits format and they like hearing music they grew up with. Outside of urban, who in this town plays Motown, Soul, Disco along with classic American hits, British Invasion and songs you can just sing along to.

I think the time is long overdo that we look at the total community and build a station that can attract a wide range of listeners. This is happening in markets outside Jax. We also can't make the assumption that music popular before one's birth is not familiar and not liked. Tell that to the boy at Best Buy. I was very dissapointed when the former Rooster signal left town. I was hoping an independent operator would come to town and offer another version of classic hits spanning many decades and offering real music variety.

Personally, I would love for a Cool 96.9 to return but I know it's unrealistic. But I would still rather hear a few songs per hour representing the greatest creative wave ever in music history than to not hear them at all. Yeah, there's the internet but one has to continue to ask why more and more markets have CBS FM type stations and we don't. I often wonder if there are a lot of 30 somethings, like the guy I talked to at the store, who have given up on local radio. There's a lot of missed opportunity and it's just a weird way to do business if you ask me.

 

[pocket-radio]

John Inside Jacksonville stations Nobody thinks hey let's run a Beatles special this week.

They THINK, how are we trending, oh geez two bad trends our fall book is going to be bad..
They think revenues are off, we have to cut people... I've got budgets to hit..
Ya we're number one with women 25-54..
Our mid-day guy sounds old..
My goal is to bring down WXXXX...
We need more NTR.. spot sales are going away..


You see so long as the boat isn't leaking there's no reason to change.
So long has I'm in the top 5 nothing is wrong..Why change..

The very stations and market you love, believes nothing is wrong with radio..
Let's just focus on making more money.. and do more with less

They perceive no reasons to change, unless the ratings are tanking..
Then there's big wholesale changes.. replacing the morning team
firing the PD..

You believe the products have become stale..
Secretly they might think the same thing too. But they'll brag how great their stations are.

The best thing to happen to Jax is CC, Cox or Renda go bankrupt!
I bet you'll see big changes then.. Until that day happens, don't count on anything more than what you have, which is wallpaper radio.. working on automatic...





.

 

[John FL]

A company’s method of doing business may not be in line with individual opinion. But, banking on economic ruin such as bankruptcy as a way to affect change is extreme and there is no guarantee our market will be better as a result. I wouldn’t want to see more people loose their livelihood resulting in even further diminished product.

Radio managers have many of the same responsibilities as their peers in other business. When I managed a banking center, I was charged with increasing revenue, growing market share and maintaining customer service standards. This wasn’t easy, especially when my staff was constantly cut. I had to be creative and I had to be proactive. I believe the same rules apply to radio – doing more with less.

But where methods seem to part are in areas of creativity and being proactive. I don’t see much of it until the situation gets way out of control. By that time, then change happens but it comes to stop the bleeding and I continue to ask why the bleeding is allowed to happen in the first place.

While it seems contrary to normal business operations, I have long believed that in the Jax market formats are allowed to die on the vine to satisfy some kind of timeline to justify an eventually format flip. I make the comparison to a restaurant. The owner can decide to concentrate only on revenue by letting service staff go and charging the same menu prices for food using inferior ingredients. Customers will go elsewhere. It takes a lot of work and effort to make things work with rising prices and a tough economy. But many do and my hat is off to them.

Contrasts can be made to radio here too. It may not be as rapid a turn-off for the consumer, but I still believe it has negative effects in the long run. Overall, when new formats are introduced here, there’s a lot of buzz in the beginning. But over time, the eventual station burn-out begins to take hold. The Point serves as a perfect example as very little changed in enhancing the playlist over its’ history. Perhaps Cox Radio had their sites on Planet for the last couple years but I still can’t see the logic of running a station into the ground to justify change.

There is so much more to the 80s than what was represented at the Point. When Eagle came on the scene, many of us questioned why the Point didn’t offer more variety in their music to bring other, new listeners to the fold so they could still compete even if on a different level.

We live in very exciting times as a result of having the world available to us by just a click of the mouse. As I have been attempting to make my pitch for today’s classic hits in this market as an alternative to Eagle, I find “You Tube” an invaluable resource. I have a lot of great memories of CHR of the mid 80s and it has been a source of a lot of inspiration recalling the tunes that all seemed to work together.

I have recalled 80s songs I haven’t heard in a while such as ABC’s “Look of Love,” KOOL & The Gang’s ”Get Down on It,” Gap Band’s “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” Asia’s “Only Tell Will Tell” and Champagne’s “How ‘Bout Us” just to name a very few. I became curious and found them all on You Tube. It was the comments about the songs that really made another impression on me. Many were written by young people who talked about hearing their parent’s play these songs and now they love them too. Many also recalled their high school days and how old school is the best school.

There is a need for new music in every market. But there is an audience out there who respond to music that brings back special memories. We need to treat listeners with respect and not insult their intelligence. The things said to listeners in sweepers is disgaceful. 50 minutes of music means less commercials. Eegads. Format variety seemed to work for a long time. I believe it’s time has arrived once again. If done right and executed slowly, listeners will respond to something different. This is why I recommended the music mix of the 60s, 70s and 80s as I did because a core audience needs to be attracted first.

Listeners are finding wide and varied kinds of music and it’s not happening in radio in our market. The 80s had Phil Collins, Hall & Oates, Journey & Bon Jovi, but there was a lot more. I talk a lot about lost opportunity. After it’s all said and done, I believe more than ever putting out the least effort is not going to bring the biggest rewards – in the long haul. There’s more than one focus but sadly in the end, I really do see this market as Pocket-Radio descibes it.

 

[gchasse]

John,

All good comments.

Here is where I think things are.

What is missing here are two major things. The first is variety. Not that long ago, we had what we have now (just not so much of the same) plus we had an classic rock station in 100.7 (they were different than rock 105, more AOR), a smooth jazz station, an oldies (60s/70s) station, and an 80s station. I liked it because I could find a station that met my mood of the time. Now, I live in St. Augustine, and I get 105.9 out of Orlando, or I just listen to talk radio (although that is one thing that has improved).

The second what I call the entertainment factor. It makes a difference when there is a personality at the other end of the dial, not some prerecorded jingle (The Eagle is no longer new, let's move on now). This is the biggest area the big chains have cut, people. It feeds unto itself. Radio loses market share because there are other options. So what do they do, take away the personailities, one of the draws. Then it becomes bland radio against other options that usually mean playing what you want to hear or have satellite or internet radio. The problem with these owners is that bland radio loses to all these options if there is not something to make them a draw. So then there are people praying they go out of business because they want something other than this zombie approach.

Will it change. Maybe, maybe not. I scan the airwaves every so often to see if something new shows up. Not much new here in a long time.

 

[John FL]

Gchasse, thanks for posting. When you talk about missing things, one that I wish was absent in our market would be apathy. It surrounds us and radio here is knee deep in it. These boards are a forum designed to talk about all that is radio in the market. If it weren't for our friends to the west, it would be very quiet here. Look, I try to stir the pot as best I can to get people to think. I can only hope some out there are seeing the bigger picture but just choose not to post. For me, it would be way more interesting to discuss things when there are more opinions to consider. However, there is a lot more at stake then postings.

There are a number of times you have mentioned Eagle and I believe a basic question needs to be asked to help demonstrate where we are and where we are heading. Is Eagle a success? The answer is a resounding YES. The station is established, billing is good, talent/salary expense has been cut to the bone and they get numbers. Many of us may want variety in the music and to hear more personality but in the case of Eagle, they are wallpaper just as pocket-radio descibes stations here. They are not going to change anything but one thing is clear - they do well because no one challenges them. However, to me they are the prototype of what is wrong with radio as I believe there is more than one way to success.

Over the past few weeks, it seems no matter where I go, I hear Eagle playing in the background in stores, restaurants and even in my dentist's office. Funny thing about the dentist's office is for as long as I had been going there, they always had WEJZ on so I'm not sure what is going on over at EJZ that may be driving listeners away. Then again, it could just be a fluke in the area in which I live. Ratings are the real report card.

I think a lot about PPM and what it means for our market. As I look at PPM ratings, it seems that stations that offer a format that appeals to multiple demos and the kind that can be heard in public places are the ones who tend to do very well. If nothing changed from where it is now, WOKV could be Top 5, but no longer #1 and a see-saw between WEJZ and WJGL at #1 would be likely. Urban and/or WAPE could round out the Top 5.

It would seem unlikely to me that by time we get to PPM that we would have 2 alternative stations. I even wonder if this market can still support 2 CHRs because I see WAPE continuing to spiral higher. The PD there is making a difference and you can't beat live and local. This market cannot support 3 country stations in the long run, but I'm tired of that subject. I think about the future of Lex & Terry and wonder if they would do better on a sports station/guy talk type station if WPLA winds up simulcasting sports from their AM becoming Sports World or something goofy like that to play off the Planet brand. It's just a thought as Alternative isn't a top performer in PPM. I'm not sure he would be interested but I can even see the Arf on such a station and even Bubba moving to PM drive. If there is anything positive I can say about the Arf is he seemed alive when he talked sports both on Arrow and KOOL. Now, something like that would be different and I think you would maximize the talent while consolidating stations. It's just a wild and crazy thought I suppose.

A lot could happen but I think in the end, quality still rules and listeners will respond to it. I know I sound like such a broken record to many of you but when I continue to make the case about variety classic hits, it is because the format is proven to do well in PPM. It's Top 5 in many large markets across the country and it usually beats Eagle style classic hits. Look at Tampa, a market that isn't to unlike us - there is an audience for both and it's so good to see the Tampa market offers listeners choices. I think it's better for radio and the listener.

We are approaching the time of year when I'm sure management begins strategy planning for 2010. This is one reason I started this string. There is a lot to consider and tripping over each other with duplicate formats is not wise for a future that is already here. Internet radio is a big drawer and before you know it, we will have it in our cars. Why we seem content in not making efforts to strive for better or involved in deliberate strategy that results in a limited and fragmented audience escapes me. You have to be honest. If everyone in Jax suddenly had internet radio capability in their cars, what do you suppose would happen? Do you really believe we can compete given what is on the air here and what is on the air in the rest of the country? People listen out of habit. So for many of you who do well in the ratings, I don't believe it represents validation of your efforts. WOKV is excluded as they are a class act and they have earned great numbers and my respect.

 

[gchasse]

John,

Very well said.

To emphasize what I am trying to say about the Eagle. I like the music the station plays. The problem is they play it over and over and over, and I rarely hear a live person. The only difference between them and Muzak is that they use the real artists.

I find it very intriguing that you mention internet radio. I think that is the next thing that will make a difference. You want oldies radio, I like Kearth 101 in LA. They are mostly 60s, some 70s and I think they play a few 80s now. I love that station. They have the same guy that made some of the announcements that Kool 96.9 did, they guy with the deep voice (not the announcer, but the voice that would announce things like "It's a Beatles weekend" and stuff like that). They have the DJs, and they are a CBS owned station, since that has been mentioned elsewhere. I also would listen to WEEI out of Boston, the best sports talk station in the country (they have won this award more than once), and being from New England, that works for me.

Blaupunkt was supposed to have one out there this fall, I have lost track of whether that is out there or not. Right now I am considering XM, but internet is what I really want. At that point, it won't matter what these locals do anymore. That is at the point where I think you and I will start seeing changes we like.

 

[John FL]

On this radio trip, it was nice seeing recognition extended to those who have earned it. Among "winners" listed in Folio's Best of Jax '09 reader survey was Jacksonville's Big Show on WQIK as best local radio show and Arthur Crofton of WEJZ as best local radio personality. Congratulations! I was equally delighted in both picks because it does demonstrate that even though radio executives attempt to influence listeners and endeavor to retire and silence "old" voices, the public responds to something else and it's all about identifying and being comfortable with the talent. It should be noted that Folio attracts large numbers of younger demos and so I believe these wins are even more impressive.

I wasn't surprised readers chose X102 9 as best local radio station. For as long as I can remember, that honor went to Planet. There is no doubt X102 9 has made huge inroads and gained favorable listener response. I can recall giving them kudos for impressive numbers and building something that was no doubt missing. Now, I have very mixed feelings.

This isn't a new way to promote but personally I never believed slamming your competitor was the right course. Stand on your own, build a playlist that's creative and exciting, involve yourself in the community, sponsor concerts, market yourself and be responsive to what your audience says (in ratings ups and downs) and endeavor to outwit and outplay competition. Maybe they have been doing this all along but yesterday I heard X102.9 say something like "last hour Planet played 16 commercials and we played 9." Do you know how bush league and small town that sounds? When some workers were next door and I was in the yard, I actually thought they were listening to Planet as I heard so many references to that station. Is this how they will operate for the next few years? Clearly another case where listeners are manipulated and treated like idiots. I don't like it. It's entirely possible Planet has shorter spots and may even get back to the music quicker. This is just another in many examples why radio is so bad here. I can well imagine someone listening online outside our market thinking the music is good but this Planet stuff doesn't mean anything to me. Small time thinking.

Arthur and the WQIK morning team are class acts. Can you just imagine Boomer and Robbie slamming the Gator morning team at every turn or Arthur calling Eagle boring and lifeless? It's still good to see idiotic thinking isn't all over the dial and there are a few remaining class acts still on the air.