A Pondering Regarding X1067

[purpledevil]

As you’ve likely read, Cox Radio has launched new “X” branded alternative rock stations in Orlando and Atlanta recently. Considering that Cox owns the San Antonio version of the “X” and it is a classic rock station, at some point, someone will take notice that SA’s 106-7 goes against the grain when it comes to the branding being launched right now by corporate. With an adjustment of co-owned active rock 99-5, isn’t there potential for Cox to relaunch as 106-7 a new rock alternative?
Am I overthinking this? This idea would eliminate the slight overlap of KISS and X that currently exists, as KISS would pick up the stuff like Jimi and Floyd to add to the Metallica and Disturbed already on the playlist, and X would play all the new releases and recurrents going no earlier than 2008.

Just kicking the can down the street, for conversation’s sake. What do you think? Could Cox have San Antonio on their list of rollout markets for alternative?

 

[Kent]

My gut feeling is that Cox is considering swapping out of San Antonio (and a few other markets) to get stations in Boston, Memphis and Seattle, where it has TV stations.

 

[purpledevil]

http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/89222/radio-ramifications-to-coxfox-tv-swap/

Just swapped San Fransisco for Boston and Memphis. I would argue the opposite, Kent. I think San Antonio would be one of the markets they'd want to hold onto in the long run. I mean, if they give up SA, wouldn't that just leave Houston for them in Texas?

I mean the Cox cluster here has the #1 station in town ratingswise, the only classic rock station in town, spread across two rimshots, and a classic country jukebox. But that's it. 3 rimshots and a Mo. City stick. That's all you're going to have in your portfolio? In Texas?

I'd suspect Cox would try to add TV in both markets, as opposed to ditching the radio properties in either. Also, I'd imagine they'll make a play to get in to the D/FW market sooner or later.

 

[Kent]

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Cox was interested in swapping out of Houston, too. If it weren't for the WEEI Network, a Houston, San Antonio and Long Island for Boston, Seattle and Memphis swap with Entercom would work almost perfectly. The WEEI Network, though, probably throws too big of a monkey wrench in a deal like that. It would require some additional cash, but, if they could talk Greater Media into leaving its hometown, Houston could make up a good portion of a trade. Of course, it really doesn't matter if that was Cox's only cluster in Texas. Spot radio isn't bought regionally.

I don't think a San Antonio for Memphis trade with Entercom works without Entercom throwing in a truckload of cash. Entercom's Memphis cluster does pretty well (especially given its ratings), but it's nowhere near what Cox San Antonio does.

Plus, unless they can pick off KPRC-TV and KSAT from Post-Newsweek or settle for second-tier stations, Cox has nowhere to go for TV in either market. They either passed on WOAI-TV (despite getting some of Newport's other stations) or came up short in bidding against Sinclair. I suppose there's a chance Cox could grab the Post-Newsweek stations as there was a rumor Post-Network was up-for-sale, though such a deal wouldn't likely be cheap.

 

[E-Cam]

I posted here a couple of days ago asking about the same thing myself (my message was never posted though).

Listening to both X stations in Orlando and Atlanta (as well as longer established X97 in Tampa Bay and X102.9 in Jacksonville), they both seem to pull what I call an "Alt-40" (a mix between alternative rock and maybe modern AC, acting similar to CHR). The primary bands include The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Capital Cities, Kings of Leon, Muse, Bastille, Young the Giant, Imagine Dragons, Mumford and Sons, The Killers, and among several other indie bands and pop/rock bands.

Most, if not all, of the bands mentioned have had some or a lot CHR airplay (i.e. "Safe and Sound" "Radioactive" "Royals" and "Pompeii") from both KXXM and KTFM. And San Antonio is one of those markets in which we don't have a new rock station of some sort (I will not count KISS because they're obviously stuck in 2002 with the same Nickelback-like bands of 10 years ago). I feel that San Antonio is ready for a full-time alternative rock station while KISS and the current X106.7 merge and KISS focuses on 70's-90's classic rock.

I do hope Cox will make this happen. Hearing "San Antonio's New Alternative" sounds so much better than "Commercial Free Classic Rock."

 

[willdav713]

As you’ve likely read, Cox Radio has launched new “X” branded alternative rock stations in Orlando and Atlanta recently. Considering that Cox owns the San Antonio version of the “X” and it is a classic rock station, at some point, someone will take notice that SA’s 106-7 goes against the grain when it comes to the branding being launched right now by corporate. With an adjustment of co-owned active rock 99-5, isn’t there potential for Cox to relaunch as 106-7 a new rock alternative?
Am I overthinking this? This idea would eliminate the slight overlap of KISS and X that currently exists, as KISS would pick up the stuff like Jimi and Floyd to add to the Metallica and Disturbed already on the playlist, and X would play all the new releases and recurrents going no earlier than 2008.

Just kicking the can down the street, for conversation’s sake. What do you think? Could Cox have San Antonio on their list of rollout markets for alternative?

Does the market where Cox has Alternative radio already have a rock station? Are those rock stations that aren't Alternative also owned by Cox radio?

I'm surprised KISS doesn't just flip to Classic Rock, and X 106.7 becomes KKYX, with Cox placing Sports Radio 860 on the 104.9 translator.

 

[Kent]

I'm surprised KISS doesn't just flip to Classic Rock, and X 106.7 becomes KKYX, with Cox placing Sports Radio 860 on the 104.9 translator.

The KKYX audience is overwhelmingly 55+ and unsalable to advertisers. There's little chance it will be placed on a 100,000 watt FM stick unless the format undergoes a major revamp. You're more likely to see Sports Radio 106.7 than KKYX there, though there's little chance for either.

 

[E-Cam]

Does the market where Cox has Alternative radio already have a rock station? Are those rock stations that aren't Alternative also owned by Cox radio?

I'm surprised KISS doesn't just flip to Classic Rock, and X 106.7 becomes KKYX, with Cox placing Sports Radio 860 on the 104.9 translator.

There is WSUN/97X in Tampa Bay and WXXJ/X102.9 in Jacksonville that I can remember on the top of my head. Doing some research a couple of months ago, they're considered alternative because they still play alternative bands (i.e. The Black Keys, Muse, Lorde, Bastille, etc.) but can be active rock leaning (usually playing older songs from hard rock groups like Rage Against the Machine, Alice in Chains, Disturbed, System of a Down, and Rob Zombie). Occassionally, bands like Three Days Grace, Chevelle, Avenged Sevenfold, and The Pretty Reckless do get some Cox alternative play but focus more on indie/alternative acts.

With Orlando (X107.3), they have Clear Channel owned WJRR as an active rocker that's been around for a long time. Atlanta (X107.1), has Clear Channel owned alternative Radio 106.7 and Cumulus mainstream rocker WNNX "Rock 100.5" (after the famous 99X on 99.7 went off the air). I don't know why Cox decided to have a second alternative station in Atlanta. That should've been here in San Antonio instead because I'm sick of hearing Lorde, Imagine Dragons, Bastille, and other alternative acts on the same station as Justin Beiber, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga.

I rather have X106.7 go alternative rather than another talk station. Talk radio failed on 106.7 (and 92.5) while 99.5 goes classic rock. Oh, and speaking of 99.5 Kiss, I wish they would quit playing that stupid "Get Away" song from Earshot (yeah, a song that everyone complained that it sounded too much like a "Tool" ripoff). It came out in 2002, not 2012! Just like 10 years ago, the song is still stupid and still no one likes it. Dumbest overplayed song on that station.

 

[Jair]

I'm really hoping that we can get an alternative rock station in San Antonio, it's long overdue.

By the way 99.5 Kiss sucks, they've been playing the same songs for over 10+ years. Can this station update its damn playlist, I'm tired of played out 90s grunge and 00s nu-metal crap.

 

[E-Cam]

I'm really hoping that we can get an alternative rock station in San Antonio, it's long overdue.

By the way 99.5 Kiss sucks, they've been playing the same songs for over 10+ years. Can this station update its damn playlist, I'm tired of played out 90s grunge and 00s nu-metal crap.

I know what you mean.

Like I said, it's not 2002 anymore so Korn, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Kid Rock is not as hip anymore like it was. I like me some "Down With the Sickness" but at least throw in some Three Days Grace, Five Finger Death Punch, The Pretty Reckless, or Volbeat in there. There's a new Chevelle album out and all I hear is "The Red" and "Send the Pain Below" like it's brand new! Honestly, I feel like the DJs went back in time or were frozen in time and think it's 2004.

Oh, and 99.5, I'm sure you will hear hot new bands like 30 Seconds to Mars, Fall Out Boy, Paramore, and Panic at the Disco sometime next year (since they are 10 years behind in music).