Any Major Format Holes Left?

[KFodor]

Since radio is in business to make money...

A "format hole" should be defined as a type of programming that will bring in a reasonably sized particular demographic audience that is valued by the advertising community.

A format whose audience targets only 12-24 year old listeners and/or the 60 plus crowd will not make anything close to enough money to be viable. Sorry, but that's the way it is. We can argue whether radio is being short-sighted, or whether the advertising community is being ignorant all we want. It doesn't change reality. Radio is a business.

Music formats on AM? Unless you're in a tiny community where your station is the big gun...forget it. It's a dead issue.

In market #1 (as in most markets, but especially in Gotham) you can be unique, just not out of demo...

 

[davideduardo]

I mentioned Manilow, The Carpenters and John Denver as artists who would be played along side more contemporary artists. i cited Easy 93 in Miami and WDUV in Tampa as two examples. I just think there is room for a station like this that would cater to older listeners, not 70 plus.

WDUV has been #1 in Tampa for over a decade... but nearly all the listening has traditionally been 55+. Because of that, the station is around 14th or 15th in billing.

The Miami sister station started out like WDUV, but quickly realized that it could not sell in that market with "geezer demos" and they modified the playlist considerably.

Now, WDUV has "modernized" but it still has trouble getting on buys due to the very old demos.

Miami and Tampa / St. Pete have a bit of the retirement community image, so there may be a little more money against 35-64 than usual (usual being "none" in most markets). A similarly formatted station in New York City is not going to be an economic success today. Read Jason Robert's very well expressed post as to why this is so.

 

[htowler]

Not Really a hole and I'll probably be bashed for it. But NYC does not have a True Rhythmic CHR. Hot 97 is tagged Rhythmic but except for a few Rhythmic tracks in mix shows, they are a straight up Urban station. NOW Z and KTU are all CHR Top 40. Power is Urban. So no stations in between Top 40 and Urban.

 

[ansky212]

Not Really a hole and I'll probably be bashed for it. But NYC does not have a True Rhythmic CHR. Hot 97 is tagged Rhythmic but except for a few Rhythmic tracks in mix shows, they are a straight up Urban station. NOW Z and KTU are all CHR Top 40. Power is Urban. So no stations in between Top 40 and Urban.

What songs would you label as "Rhythmic CHR". I would have a very hard time believing there are songs not being played by Hot 97, Z100, NOW, or KTU.

 

[MoldaMania182]

Not Really a hole and I'll probably be bashed for it. But NYC does not have a True Rhythmic CHR. Hot 97 is tagged Rhythmic but except for a few Rhythmic tracks in mix shows, they are a straight up Urban station. NOW Z and KTU are all CHR Top 40. Power is Urban. So no stations in between Top 40 and Urban.

Clear Channel bills KTU as Rhythmic (Top 40) though obviously the station is sort of unique on it's own. 923 Now is close to a rhythmic top 40 these days...definitely leans that way far more than Z.

 

[TonySantiago]

Not Really a hole and I'll probably be bashed for it. But NYC does not have a True Rhythmic CHR. Hot 97 is tagged Rhythmic but except for a few Rhythmic tracks in mix shows, they are a straight up Urban station. NOW Z and KTU are all CHR Top 40. Power is Urban. So no stations in between Top 40 and Urban.

I'm not going to bash, but you REALLY need to elaborate further.

Do you mean something between what 'KTU and Hot 97 are doing? Or do you mean about what I am fighting for, a dance/EDM station which would be a rhythmic CHR in that sense.

I'm curious :-\

 

[reelyreal]

Not Really a hole and I'll probably be bashed for it. But NYC does not have a True Rhythmic CHR.

What you meant to say was "There's no station that perfectly fits my taste with every single song."

 

[Bill Shadowcat]

Progressive/Symphonic Rock/Metal /Goth or something of the sort.

The likes of Within Temptation, Nightwish, etc. should be on the radio!

what? still too radical for ya?

 

[Morpheux]

We need a classic dance station in NY.Playing 80's and 90's dance music. That would bring in huge numbers.

 

[Barry]

If there is a big demand for 80's/90's dance music, I believe that WKTU could easily mix in a few songs each hour.
IIRC, the unsuccessful Mix 102.7 which was tried prior to the current Fresh, played a lot of old rhythmic music.

 

[Morpheux]

WKTU is essentially CHR today and have been for the last couple of years. People have this notion that KTU is the go to station for older music but that's just not the case.

 

[Morpheux]

This is what they played in the last half hour. Even new music from Flo Rida.


ELLIE GOULDING - Lights 3.2.2013 10:41am

MAROON 5 - One More Night 3.2.2013 10:51am

NELLY FURTADO - Promiscuous 3.2.2013 10:54am

OLLY MURS - Troublemaker f/Flo Rida 3.2.2013 10:57am

RIHANNA - Where Have You Been 3.2.2013 11:01am

CALVIN HARRIS - Sweet Nothing f/Florence Welch 3.2.2013 11:05am





KE$HA - Blow 3.2.2013 11:08am

image
ALICIA KEYS - Girl On Fire

 

[Barry]

WKTU's current format may be mostly current rhythmic music, but if they felt their was a big demand for older dance music, they could modify their programming and add it.
The station has tweaked their music mix numerous times, so I doubt they would have a problem with doing so again.

 

[SonoSational18]

Active rock, urban oldies, gen-x classic hits.

 

[XCountry285]

alternative rock/modern rock
active rock
AAA
Gen X (90's Hits)

 

[TonySantiago]

WKTU's current format may be mostly current rhythmic music, but if they felt their was a big demand for older dance music, they could modify their programming and add it.
The station has tweaked their music mix numerous times, so I doubt they would have a problem with doing so again.

I see your side and Morpheux.

It's a weird tossup because while 'KTU is going mainly for the 25-54 women, you do have a lot of younger women that tune in and on both sides, they like current rhythmic music....keyword: SAFE. And for what they are doing, the billing is good so they're not going to change it anytime soon.

I think it's a question of demand really. I know there are some classic dance stations on the Internet and sure, it can draw folks such as myself into it. But at the same time, there still is a demand for a current based dance that is edgier. I say it like that because honestly I wouldn't want for a dance station in New York City to go "full blown" EDM. You couldn't do that here anyway and be successful at it. But still there are demands at both ends.

To be honest, I wouldn't want for another station to do what 'KTU did in 1996-2006 whereas while they did play current dance, it wasn't really enough and they seemed stuck on the disco classics. Which is another reason why an older dance station may not work this time around...people were burnt out of hearing "I Will Survive" for the 253,634.347th time...if not just on 'KTU, definitely when Mix 102.7 was on air. Even when Jammin 105.1 was on the air.

 

[DToTheJ]

Nobody's mentioned FM news yet... :

 

[BarryATL]

It may have been mentioned earlier in this thread: Christian Country. Cumulus just started that format on a translator here in Atlanta.

 

[joeybabe25]

It may have been mentioned earlier in this thread: Christian Country. Cumulus just started that format on a translator here in Atlanta.

Seems rather like an exclusive and not an inclusive format. I don't get it. If you're Christian but don't like country, or you like country and you are not religious or not a Christian the format is saying "this is not for you".

Narrowcasting gone wild!

Joe

 

[nd2023]

There's no format hole for Christmas music, which is covered by WWFS-HD2. Even on February 5, it's all-Christmas.