Even with Entercom's love for Alternative I didn't see this one coming, WQMP seemed to be doing well and filled a hole in the market as WXXL and WPYO are basically Adult CHR and Urban respectively. How will ALT fair against WJRR and does it make more sense for Entercom to attack JRR over XXL?
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Another AMP to ALT...
- Thread starter radiolife3
- Start date
I was quite surprised today when I was flipping around the radio and heard alternative on 101.9. It's interesting for sure. I think it is a good move. Makes the radio interesting in the market again.
I was thinking that Entercom would've flipped 101.9 AMP Radio back to 102 JAMZ, but it seemed that Entercom had "alternative" plans after all.
Entercom seems to have no faith nor interest in the AMP Brand. I think what can't be flipped to ALT will be flipped to something else, and AMP Radio will be completely gone by June 2018, if not sooner!
I agree that it's likely that Entercom isn't interested in keeping AMP Radio in any of their markets, much like how iHeartMedia decided to flip most of the "Jammin' Oldies" stations when they acquired AMFM in 2000.
I think the issue is billing and, of course, ratings. The AMP in LA is doing well in both, and might be kept, improved, renamed... but the idea of having a CHR in LA and fragging KIIS is not a bad one.
Is Orlando really that much of a rock town? When WOCL was originally an alt station the ratings tanked after Howard Stern left. The 107.3 translator of WCFB HD-2 dropped alt for Spanish. WTKS recently brought alt back to most of the weekends and weekday overnights even though their playlist includes some mainstream rock as well. I wonder if they'll adjust their playlist now. Hopefully WJRR won't need to change.
I thought Amp 101.9 was doing well not to terrible. Was bad idea going Alt I think. Classic Hip Hop would been good or eve maybe Country going after K 92.3
No. The estimates are that by Spring, the market may reach 40% Hispanic, nearly all from Puerto Rico. There is essentially no Alternative music played on the Island.
Add in the near-20% African American population, and 60% of the market will have very limited interest in Alternative.
Entercom definitely does not understand highly ethnic, particularly highly Hispanic, markets very well.
Orlando proper certainly isn't a rock town, nor is Osceloa County. I'd beg to differ however once we start moving towards Brevard, Volusia & Seminole Counties.
What's this talk about Alt taking on JRR? JRR is active rock & alt = CHR for the past 8 years or so. Only crossing over ever so often on a Green Day, Foo Fighters or Blink 182 song. I'd say Alt is on the attack vs. XL.
What's this talk about Alt taking on JRR? JRR is active rock & alt = CHR for the past 8 years or so. Only crossing over ever so often on a Green Day, Foo Fighters or Blink 182 song. I'd say Alt is on the attack vs. XL.
I have had some time to listen to this station and I love it. It really reminds me of the old Orock. I have heard some CHR crossover on there but not much. Will be interesting to see what they do with it. If it was me, live and local and specialty shows would be a huge drawing point. A little OT but I remember on Sunday nights back in the late 90s we had alternative static on XL. But I for one will be listening a good amount to this channel.
This is the reason why Entercom/CBS is not long for this world
David is exactly right (as always) Entercom has absolutely no brains. It started when these genius's hired Susan Larkin away from Cox. As Market GM, this woman singlehandedly destroyed the Cox radio cluster in Orlando. Name ONE Cox station that is better off than they were 10 years ago where virtually all the Cox stations were at the top in the ratings and revenue. One could say WMMO has improved, but their "success" is due in huge part because WPOZ is no longer encoding.
Unbelievable!
Tx
David is exactly right (as always) Entercom has absolutely no brains. It started when these genius's hired Susan Larkin away from Cox. As Market GM, this woman singlehandedly destroyed the Cox radio cluster in Orlando. Name ONE Cox station that is better off than they were 10 years ago where virtually all the Cox stations were at the top in the ratings and revenue. One could say WMMO has improved, but their "success" is due in huge part because WPOZ is no longer encoding.
Unbelievable!
Tx
After further listening to ALT 101.9 I have to admit the mix is pretty good. Some of their songs I've heard on Sirius's AAA station The Spectrum. Also couldn't help but notice that quite a few songs are also on WJRR's playlist, even more are on WTKS's playlist when they're playing music. Someone is going to be tweaking soon. Not enough room in this town for 3 sound alike stations. Kind 'a like having 3 sports stations in one town.......oh yea we have that too : ) Now I'm wondering if their sister station WOMX is going to tweak their playlist as well and put in some more urban like songs that AMP previously played. Mix 105.1 is practically a CHR already, might as well go full tilt top 40.
It all seems driven by one man's love of the music or the format -- and that man happens to be the big boss. It's his money, I guess, but still, don't most major radio chains place formats according to market research and not just because their top executive digs the tunes? There's got to be something more to this. Maybe all these pop-up Alts replacing CBS's Amps are just placeholders until Entercom decides what format will make the most money in each market.
It's about bringing in the most return for the properties you've invested in. 101.9 was most likely doing OK but was never gonna top XL based on the numbers I've heard about. In fact, with Mix, they were burning two signals on essentially the same format. Because "Mix" is the long time heritage brand on 105.1, they can have success against XL and Magic on the younger end, and with females if programmed correctly. Sunny is covering the older audience by playing 80's and 90's and targeting both males and females. ....So why not take 101.9 in a different direction targeting males and females in a way that targets both young pop rock and alternative that Gen-X isn't getting from active rock WJRR? Seems like a good move to me with one problem.... the balance between new and "classic" alternative is tricky. These new "alt" stations from Entercom must find that proper mix without upsetting the older demo vs. the younger one.
Some kind of tweaking has occurred, but it's not the music mix, it's the slogan. WQMP is no longer calling themselves Alt 101.9, it's now FM 101.9 (I'll bet those call letters will eventually change too). Apparently WJRR has been using the alt slogan on their HD-3 sub channel that I never knew existed because I don't own an HD radio, but then again how many people in this market actually own an HD radio?
I find it interesting that "O-Rock 105.9-HD2" is still on the air. Why in the world wouldn't you shut that off and if anything... run a loop on 105.9 HD2 directing people to the new 101.9? Really mind boggling since it's pretty much the same format. I'll take credit now for when this actually happens. You're welcome.
Another thing.... is there that much demand for Gospel music on 101.9 HD2? Seriously.
Another thing.... is there that much demand for Gospel music on 101.9 HD2? Seriously.
Wouldn't surprise me if the suits at Entercom didn't even know about the HD sub channels. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't even know what HD radio is.
Who was using the term "Alt" in the market? Oh, that would be iHeart! Can you say, "Cease and Desist"? I thought you could!
It has now been over a year since WQMP 101.9 flipped from CHR to an Alternate format. When it first came on the air, the ratings were relatively strong (in the mid to upper 3 shares ) but now the ratings have fallen to 2.1 share according to the latest February 2019 Nielsen Audio Ratings book for Orlando, an all time low for WQMP. The station is now one of the worst performing full market commercial FM radio stations in the Orlando market. With the ratings of WQMP now tanking, is Entercom planning a format flip for the station? What are your suggestions for WQMP?
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