A missed opportunity with oldies.

[pqgeorge]

B101 (WWBB) was probably one of the better oldies stations in the Northeast. It had a great airstaff and a wider playlist than most, as well.

I know, I know...... "the demographics for oldies are too high" (according to the beancounters). However, the first thing B-101 should have done when they went "Classic Hits" was to put the oldies format on the HD2 of 101.5 (not some corny comedy channel that it now has) and/or stream the oldies on an associated website for the people who really aren't into "Classic Hits" and who don't want to "Be one with the music". 99.7 was also another missed opportunity when B-101 went away from the oldies format. Here's a signal that covers the market fairly well and could satisfy the oldies audience (and advertisers) as well. WEEI-FM pretty much has the sports market in Providence anyway. Oh, well..... B-101 was a preset for the car radio for years. Needless to say, I find myself listening to other venues for oldies nowadays..... and it ain't "terrestrial".

 

[RadioNut]

Talking about B-101 makes me sad. I actually feel bad when i abandon them because i can't stand to hear " In The Air Tonight", or "When you see a chance take it" on a daily basis. What is the playlist down to now?, 400 tunes? Seems like it cause even though my radio is on B-101 less and less, it seems like even if i only listen for 10 minutes a day, i am hearing the same stuff.

Is there ANYONE in that building who can bring something to the table when they speak with the higher ups and make a push to make B-101 mean something to people?

As far as the talent goes, its gone....don't insult me with this so called "personality". go to B-101.com is all i hear....and as for the actual live shifts, aside from one person, all i hear is "b101 that was, this is, b101.com blah blah"

Clear Channel, you have ruined a once great station!

 

[Moonstruck]

Things won't change as long as they're successful and the average RI listener will just "ho hum" at a change he doesn't like and stay with the station anyway. Like it's been said over and over area stations know people don't really have anywhere else to go. Also radio is not important enough to them. Younger demos seek alternate methods of getting their music. The listener group stations aren't actively seeking are the ones who stick with them. If McDonald's can still sell burgers by cutting down on the amount of actual meat in them, then why not? All the creative juice flows in the morning. Then everything is an afterthought. Oh and as far as HD it's a non factor.

 

[RadioNut]

So what your saying is that pride in the product is also a non-factor

 

[jazzjock]

B101 (WWBB) was probably one of the better oldies stations in the Northeast. It had a great airstaff and a wider playlist than most, as well.

I know, I know...... "the demographics for oldies are too high" (according to the beancounters). However, the first thing B-101 should have done when they went "Classic Hits" was to put the oldies format on the HD2 of 101.5 (not some corny comedy channel that it now has) and/or stream the oldies on an associated website for the people who really aren't into "Classic Hits" and who don't want to "Be one with the music".

But by putting B101 oldies onto HD2 or streaming on the web, you are losing the older listeners you think you are going to help.. That group are possibly less technically savvy than younger listeners, use the internet less, and quite possibly dont want to get an HD radio, let alone understand how it works!

Happy New Year!

Jazzy

 

[pqgeorge]

B101 (WWBB) was probably one of the better oldies stations in the Northeast. It had a great airstaff and a wider playlist than most, as well.

I know, I know...... "the demographics for oldies are too high" (according to the beancounters). However, the first thing B-101 should have done when they went "Classic Hits" was to put the oldies format on the HD2 of 101.5 (not some corny comedy channel that it now has) and/or stream the oldies on an associated website for the people who really aren't into "Classic Hits" and who don't want to "Be one with the music".

But by putting B101 oldies onto HD2 or streaming on the web, you are losing the older listeners you think you are going to help.. That group are possibly less technically savvy than younger listeners, use the internet less, and quite possibly dont want to get an HD radio, let alone understand how it works!

Happy New Year!

Jazzy

I hate to differ from you, but I think you'd be surprised how technically savvy the former listeners of WWBB are. B101 also had a substantial audience in the young adult range (below 35) as well. Many people who are not in the business (and who are in their 20's) are not exactly happy with the switch that WWBB did going to "Classic Hits". If B101 were not to run oldies on the HD2 or the stream (which they probably won't), where do the listeners go then? Surely, not all will stay listening to B101. They go to the internet or as Cousin Bruce Morrow says "the big dog in the sky!" (Sirius). That basically is not a help to terrestrial radio.

BTW: I do own an HD radio. I have had one for over two years. Unless they really beef-up the formats on HD2 (like in WWBB's case) , it ain't going to be much help in getting the radios out there. IMHO.

Likewise "Jazzy", Happy New Year,

-Pete

 

[Runrigger]

So what your saying is that pride in the product is also a non-factor

You might find that a little more prevalent on the talent end of the business. I know that sounds like an unfair statement because no one in management or sales wants to be associated with an inferior product, but you must know that even jocks who understand the business end of it are less apt to accept it without insisting there are other ways to do things. Even a PD in a non-corporate environment doesn't have the luxury of standing by his principles when it comes to the product. I've been there & the best thing to do if you're on the talent end of it is accept it, not walk around bellyaching all day or you're reserving a seat on the next train out, & get in your own little world when you're on the air regardless of what's happening around you...not that jocks aren't in their own little worlds already

 

[jeffryan]

BTW: I do own an HD radio.

Did you save the receipt?

 

[pqgeorge]

BTW: I do own an HD radio.

Did you save the receipt?

: I'm afraid that the statute of limitations have long since elapsed! ;D

Seriously, with the antenna system I have (a CM Stereo-Probe 9 antenna and an in-line RF amp), the Boston Acoustics receiver is rather selective on FM. However, the BA receiver is inherently numb, by itself (with the antenna provided with the radio). Now the AM section, on the other hand, really s**ks, even with my long-wire I use for my ham station. Would I buy it again or buy a similar product? Probably not. (The model I have is no longer in production.) But basically, there's really nothing great on-the-air on HD2/3 to warrant it. Happy New Year!

-Pete