Would a classic alternative station work in Pittsburgh? I used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but we played some great classic alternative music such as , The Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded me of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not playing as much classic alternative music and just playing more currents. thoughts?
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Alternative
- Thread starter toddjammin
- Start date
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
> Would a classic alternative station work in Pittsburgh? I
> used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but we
> played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded me
> of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
> more currents. thoughts?
As a channel on Sirius or XM, "classic alternative" is a good option. As a format that attempts to reach more than a relative handful of people, forget it.
> used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but we
> played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded me
> of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
> more currents. thoughts?
As a channel on Sirius or XM, "classic alternative" is a good option. As a format that attempts to reach more than a relative handful of people, forget it.
K
KeyTimes
Guest
> > Would a classic alternative station work in Pittsburgh? I
>
> > used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> > Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but
> we
> > played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> > Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded
> me
> > of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> > playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
>
> > more currents. thoughts?
>
> As a channel on Sirius or XM, "classic alternative" is a
> good option. As a format that attempts to reach more than a
> relative handful of people, forget it.
>
I agree regarding a satellite channel. Another way could be an Internet station, such as the several outlets that do "broadcast," so to speak, on the World Wide Web from this area.
As far as over-the-air broadcasting goes, paraphrasing an acquaintance in the business, anyone with 50 cents and seven boxtops could go to any station in this market that sells niche time and, presuming the sponsors are there to keep those pennies and boxtops coming, buy time for classic alternative music.
Otherwise, I think WXVX remains a memory and WXDX-FM 105.9 continues to gravitate toward what some might call mainstream music. (Mind you, this thought from someone who still thinks most mainstream music died in 1985, but what do I know?)
But let me open another vein, so to speak ... beyond "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is there anything that would work as a format in this market?
(Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read them anyway.)
>
> > used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> > Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but
> we
> > played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> > Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded
> me
> > of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> > playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
>
> > more currents. thoughts?
>
> As a channel on Sirius or XM, "classic alternative" is a
> good option. As a format that attempts to reach more than a
> relative handful of people, forget it.
>
I agree regarding a satellite channel. Another way could be an Internet station, such as the several outlets that do "broadcast," so to speak, on the World Wide Web from this area.
As far as over-the-air broadcasting goes, paraphrasing an acquaintance in the business, anyone with 50 cents and seven boxtops could go to any station in this market that sells niche time and, presuming the sponsors are there to keep those pennies and boxtops coming, buy time for classic alternative music.
Otherwise, I think WXVX remains a memory and WXDX-FM 105.9 continues to gravitate toward what some might call mainstream music. (Mind you, this thought from someone who still thinks most mainstream music died in 1985, but what do I know?)
But let me open another vein, so to speak ... beyond "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is there anything that would work as a format in this market?
(Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read them anyway.)
P
Part-timer
Guest
> But let me open another vein, so to speak ... beyond
> "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is there
> anything that would work as a format in this market?
>
> (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read them
> anyway.)
>
I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
I also think that done right, AAA could attract a following (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
> "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is there
> anything that would work as a format in this market?
>
> (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read them
> anyway.)
>
I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
I also think that done right, AAA could attract a following (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
> > But let me open another vein, so to speak ... beyond
> > "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is
> there
> > anything that would work as a format in this market?
> >
> > (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read
> them
> > anyway.)
> >
>
> I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
>
> I also think that done right, AAA could attract a following
> (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
> McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
>
I agree part timer, I would like to see Pittsburgh try the AAA format. Is AAA used mainly in smaller or bigger markets?
> > "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is
> there
> > anything that would work as a format in this market?
> >
> > (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read
> them
> > anyway.)
> >
>
> I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
>
> I also think that done right, AAA could attract a following
> (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
> McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
>
I agree part timer, I would like to see Pittsburgh try the AAA format. Is AAA used mainly in smaller or bigger markets?
P
Part-timer
Guest
> > > But let me open another vein, so to speak ... beyond
> > > "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is
> > there
> > > anything that would work as a format in this market?
> > >
> > > (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read
> > them
> > > anyway.)
> > >
> >
> > I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
> >
> > I also think that done right, AAA could attract a
> following
> > (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> > Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
>
> > McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
> >
>
> I agree part timer, I would like to see Pittsburgh try the
> AAA format. Is AAA used mainly in smaller or bigger
> markets?
>
Not usually found in really small markets unless they're affluent. WTTS in Indianapolis is pretty good.
Usually it's put on a fringe signal that can't compete in a mainstream format, so that makes it a good candidate for a format that will have a smaller but highly loyal audience.<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
> > > "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is
> > there
> > > anything that would work as a format in this market?
> > >
> > > (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read
> > them
> > > anyway.)
> > >
> >
> > I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
> >
> > I also think that done right, AAA could attract a
> following
> > (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> > Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
>
> > McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
> >
>
> I agree part timer, I would like to see Pittsburgh try the
> AAA format. Is AAA used mainly in smaller or bigger
> markets?
>
Not usually found in really small markets unless they're affluent. WTTS in Indianapolis is pretty good.
Usually it's put on a fringe signal that can't compete in a mainstream format, so that makes it a good candidate for a format that will have a smaller but highly loyal audience.<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
R
Radio_Realist
Guest
> > But let me open another vein, so to speak ... beyond
> > "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is
> there
> > anything that would work as a format in this market?
> >
> > (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read
> them
> > anyway.)
> >
>
> I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
Doesn't WDUQ's "hot" jazz come pretty close? I know I've asked before the difference between "smooth" and "hot" jazz. I would get a different answer every time I asked, and from everyone who answered. In any case, if there's a big market for any sort of jazz, wouldn't that be reflected in better ratings for WDUQ in the day parts when they play jazz instead of NPR?
> I also think that done right, AAA could attract a following
> (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
> McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
Isn't that what WYEP plays on some of their shows?
I realize that the listener supported stations are in a special category all their own. But since two of the public stations in town carry those two musical genres, doesn't the response to those kinds of music provide an idea of how well they'd go over on a commercial station?
Personally, I'd like to hear a station play really good classical music. WQED-FM seems too dedicated to proving how hig-brow they are by going out of their way to find obscure classical music, or to go way overboard with chamber music and other lite classical stuff. If there was a station that played more "heavy metal" classical music, like Beethoven, Bach, Tschaikovsky, and Wagner instead of so much Strauss and Vivaldi I know I'd tune them in a lot. I don't know if anyone else would.
> > "Pittsburgh oldies" and a limited variety of talk, is
> there
> > anything that would work as a format in this market?
> >
> > (Yes, I think I know the answers, but I'd like to read
> them
> > anyway.)
> >
>
> I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
Doesn't WDUQ's "hot" jazz come pretty close? I know I've asked before the difference between "smooth" and "hot" jazz. I would get a different answer every time I asked, and from everyone who answered. In any case, if there's a big market for any sort of jazz, wouldn't that be reflected in better ratings for WDUQ in the day parts when they play jazz instead of NPR?
> I also think that done right, AAA could attract a following
> (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
> McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
Isn't that what WYEP plays on some of their shows?
I realize that the listener supported stations are in a special category all their own. But since two of the public stations in town carry those two musical genres, doesn't the response to those kinds of music provide an idea of how well they'd go over on a commercial station?
Personally, I'd like to hear a station play really good classical music. WQED-FM seems too dedicated to proving how hig-brow they are by going out of their way to find obscure classical music, or to go way overboard with chamber music and other lite classical stuff. If there was a station that played more "heavy metal" classical music, like Beethoven, Bach, Tschaikovsky, and Wagner instead of so much Strauss and Vivaldi I know I'd tune them in a lot. I don't know if anyone else would.
Some wise station that's doing HD could program this on another stream.
BTW, I think I've noticed an increase in "gold" cuts on The X since K-Rock came online.
BTW, I think I've noticed an increase in "gold" cuts on The X since K-Rock came online.
P
Part-timer
Guest
> > I think smooth jazz is a gaping hole.
>
> Doesn't WDUQ's "hot" jazz come pretty close? I know I've
> asked before the difference between "smooth" and "hot" jazz.
> I would get a different answer every time I asked, and from
> everyone who answered. In any case, if there's a big market
> for any sort of jazz, wouldn't that be reflected in better
> ratings for WDUQ in the day parts when they play jazz
> instead of NPR?
I don't know what DUQ plays. However, the simplest explanation I can give you is that the core artists in the Smooth Jazz format are people like Kenny G and Sade, and the format often leans on instrumental versions of pop hits, and usually plays non-jazz vocals ranging from Luther Vandross to Phil Collins for familiarity's sake. It's as much an AC format as anything else.
They would never play Miles Davis or anything improvisational.
>
> > I also think that done right, AAA could attract a
> following
> > (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> > Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
>
> > McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
>
> Isn't that what WYEP plays on some of their shows?
Yes.
>
> I realize that the listener supported stations are in a
> special category all their own. But since two of the public
> stations in town carry those two musical genres, doesn't the
> response to those kinds of music provide an idea of how well
> they'd go over on a commercial station?
Not necesarily.
>
> Personally, I'd like to hear a station play really good
> classical music. WQED-FM seems too dedicated to proving how
> hig-brow they are by going out of their way to find obscure
> classical music, or to go way overboard with chamber music
> and other lite classical stuff. If there was a station that
> played more "heavy metal" classical music, like Beethoven,
> Bach, Tschaikovsky, and Wagner instead of so much Strauss
> and Vivaldi I know I'd tune them in a lot. I don't know if
> anyone else would.
>
The last commercial classical station in America, to my knowledge, was in Miami, and when Cox bought it it became a Churban format as "Party" whatever... although there may still be one in NY, but I think that's it. Cool internet radio idea, though.
<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
>
> Doesn't WDUQ's "hot" jazz come pretty close? I know I've
> asked before the difference between "smooth" and "hot" jazz.
> I would get a different answer every time I asked, and from
> everyone who answered. In any case, if there's a big market
> for any sort of jazz, wouldn't that be reflected in better
> ratings for WDUQ in the day parts when they play jazz
> instead of NPR?
I don't know what DUQ plays. However, the simplest explanation I can give you is that the core artists in the Smooth Jazz format are people like Kenny G and Sade, and the format often leans on instrumental versions of pop hits, and usually plays non-jazz vocals ranging from Luther Vandross to Phil Collins for familiarity's sake. It's as much an AC format as anything else.
They would never play Miles Davis or anything improvisational.
>
> > I also think that done right, AAA could attract a
> following
> > (for instance, I'd like a station that would play the
> > Grammy-nominated current material from Neil Young and Paul
>
> > McCartney, or the new Santana CD...)
>
> Isn't that what WYEP plays on some of their shows?
Yes.
>
> I realize that the listener supported stations are in a
> special category all their own. But since two of the public
> stations in town carry those two musical genres, doesn't the
> response to those kinds of music provide an idea of how well
> they'd go over on a commercial station?
Not necesarily.
>
> Personally, I'd like to hear a station play really good
> classical music. WQED-FM seems too dedicated to proving how
> hig-brow they are by going out of their way to find obscure
> classical music, or to go way overboard with chamber music
> and other lite classical stuff. If there was a station that
> played more "heavy metal" classical music, like Beethoven,
> Bach, Tschaikovsky, and Wagner instead of so much Strauss
> and Vivaldi I know I'd tune them in a lot. I don't know if
> anyone else would.
>
The last commercial classical station in America, to my knowledge, was in Miami, and when Cox bought it it became a Churban format as "Party" whatever... although there may still be one in NY, but I think that's it. Cool internet radio idea, though.
<P ID="signature">______________
"With God as my witness, I could have sworn turkeys could fly."</P>
J
JohnnyMorganWXJX
Guest
> The last commercial classical station in America, to my
> knowledge, was in Miami, and when Cox bought it it became a
> Churban format as "Party" whatever... although there may
> still be one in NY, but I think that's it. Cool internet
> radio idea, though.
Cleveland's WCLV is still commercial, and still classical. In 2001, the station was rolled into a foundation as licensee that is supported in part by some non-profit organizations, but it is still a commercial outlet.
WQXR in NYC is still commercial and classical. It's owned by the NY Times.
KING-FM in Seattle is still commercial and still classical.
WGMS, in Washington D.C., is also a commercial classical station.
Then there's WCRB in Boston, whose status is still commercial classical now, but is in the process of being sold by Charles River Broadcasting. The new format is yet to be determined.
> knowledge, was in Miami, and when Cox bought it it became a
> Churban format as "Party" whatever... although there may
> still be one in NY, but I think that's it. Cool internet
> radio idea, though.
Cleveland's WCLV is still commercial, and still classical. In 2001, the station was rolled into a foundation as licensee that is supported in part by some non-profit organizations, but it is still a commercial outlet.
WQXR in NYC is still commercial and classical. It's owned by the NY Times.
KING-FM in Seattle is still commercial and still classical.
WGMS, in Washington D.C., is also a commercial classical station.
Then there's WCRB in Boston, whose status is still commercial classical now, but is in the process of being sold by Charles River Broadcasting. The new format is yet to be determined.
> Would a classic alternative station work in Pittsburgh? I
> used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but we
> played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded me
> of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
> more currents. thoughts?
>
No. Reason why 1059thex?
Well they have been doing this for years playing more currents.
<P ID="signature">______________
Bobfm rocks down the house give me an amen.</P>
> used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but we
> played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded me
> of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
> more currents. thoughts?
>
No. Reason why 1059thex?
Well they have been doing this for years playing more currents.
<P ID="signature">______________
Bobfm rocks down the house give me an amen.</P>
> > Would a classic alternative station work in Pittsburgh? I
>
> > used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> > Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but
> we
> > played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> > Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded
> me
> > of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> > playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
>
> > more currents. thoughts?
> >
>
>
> No. Reason why 1059thex?
>
> Well they have been doing this for years playing more
> currents.
>
Yeah I know what you mean about the X, but do you remember a station about 10 or 11 years ago it was 104.7 The Revolution. It was a great alternative station that played currents with a lot of great classic alternative stuff. It only lasted about 10 months before it went smooth jazz. The X kicked the revolution big time in ratings.
I just miss a lot of those classic alternative songs, and yes I do have satellite xm radio in my car
>
> > used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> > Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but
> we
> > played some great classic alternative music such as , The
> > Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded
> me
> > of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> > playing as much classic alternative music and just playing
>
> > more currents. thoughts?
> >
>
>
> No. Reason why 1059thex?
>
> Well they have been doing this for years playing more
> currents.
>
Yeah I know what you mean about the X, but do you remember a station about 10 or 11 years ago it was 104.7 The Revolution. It was a great alternative station that played currents with a lot of great classic alternative stuff. It only lasted about 10 months before it went smooth jazz. The X kicked the revolution big time in ratings.
I just miss a lot of those classic alternative songs, and yes I do have satellite xm radio in my car
> > > Would a classic alternative station work in Pittsburgh?
> I
> >
> > > used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> > > Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but
>
> > we
> > > played some great classic alternative music such as ,
> The
> > > Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded
>
> > me
> > > of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> > > playing as much classic alternative music and just
> playing
> >
> > > more currents. thoughts?
> > >
> >
> >
> > No. Reason why 1059thex?
> >
> > Well they have been doing this for years playing more
> > currents.
> >
>
> Yeah I know what you mean about the X, but do you remember a
> station about 10 or 11 years ago it was 104.7 The
> Revolution. It was a great alternative station that played
> currents with a lot of great classic alternative stuff. It
> only lasted about 10 months before it went smooth jazz. The
> X kicked the revolution big time in ratings.
>
> I just miss a lot of those classic alternative songs, and
> yes I do have satellite xm radio in my car
>
Yes i do remember 1047 the revolution it was good but i still liked 1059thex better though.
<P ID="signature">______________
Bobfm rocks down the house give me an amen.</P>
> I
> >
> > > used to work at 1510 AM X 15 when it was WXVX in
> > > Monroeville. It was only a 1,000 watt radio station but
>
> > we
> > > played some great classic alternative music such as ,
> The
> > > Judybats, Black 47 and The Sundays. It kind of reminded
>
> > me
> > > of when 100.7 was double X. It seems like the X is not
> > > playing as much classic alternative music and just
> playing
> >
> > > more currents. thoughts?
> > >
> >
> >
> > No. Reason why 1059thex?
> >
> > Well they have been doing this for years playing more
> > currents.
> >
>
> Yeah I know what you mean about the X, but do you remember a
> station about 10 or 11 years ago it was 104.7 The
> Revolution. It was a great alternative station that played
> currents with a lot of great classic alternative stuff. It
> only lasted about 10 months before it went smooth jazz. The
> X kicked the revolution big time in ratings.
>
> I just miss a lot of those classic alternative songs, and
> yes I do have satellite xm radio in my car
>
Yes i do remember 1047 the revolution it was good but i still liked 1059thex better though.
<P ID="signature">______________
Bobfm rocks down the house give me an amen.</P>
- Status