ax is swinging at 99.1 WPLM

[Oldbones]

Hey Oldbones give them a listen I think you'll be surprised at what they are playing.

Actually, I do listen when I'm on the south shore (or at least when I think of it), and you're right I do enjoy a lot of what I hear (at least music-wise....the mic processing/studio noise they're trying to mask/whatever) does detract from the experience. My comment was more their image of being that of, if not your grandparents' station at least your parents' station.

 

[Gregg]

I think there should be a place on the dial for a station playing the Soft Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

At one time WMJX Boston and WWLI Providence aired soft hits that one could play in the background, relax to, work to, have dinner with friends and family to. Now that these stations play Pink, Nickelback and other uptempo artists currently found on the AC charts, I don't think they're filling that role. I'm not sure I want to be sitting in my dentist's office or at work writing an important report with "If Today Was Your Last Day" or "Who Knew" playing on the radio.

That said, I think WPLM is poorly run. Some of the music leans too much toward Adult Standards stuff. And some is too current and uptempo. And they really should drop those weekend syndicated shows. I also don't think Delilah is helping much. Why not just run the format all the time if the music is right? That's what Easy Listening stations did for many years. Today you don't want to play easy instrumentals. But Soft AC hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s should be a no-brainer.

I wonder if whoever is choosing the music really has a feel for what the station is trying to accomplish. I listen on line to WDUV Tampa. They've got the right music selection and they're always #1 in the Tampa market, sometimes with double digit ratings. OK, WPLM is hampered by a signal that doesn't fully cover the Boston market. But they still should do better than they do. And WPLM's signal does cover the Providence market well. So why aren't they doing better in the Providence ratings?

WPLM doesn't have to re-invent the wheel. Just copy was WDUV does and hope for something close to their ratings.



Gregg
[email protected]

 

[jdnglobal]

Watching this happening over the last few days ...

PLM should be proud that it has not caved into the Clear channels etc ... have listened for the last 10 yrs give or take ..

The most recent PD really seemed to tap into a more acceptable Adult Contemporary format ...prompted me to advise friends and family but if you choose to spend no $$$ on promos, what's the point? Also, "Strictly Sinatra" topped by the rosary at 5AM (friends report) just doesn't speak to a contemporary audience .... what's that about?? more research later ..

 

[BigBobby]

Hopfeully the new PD will hire new jocks The current line-up has no talent. And bring back the real easy listening artists they used to play like Striesand, the Carpenters, etc. There is aplace in Boston radio for that.

 

[CAPECRUSADER]

WOCN, Ocean 104, at 104.7 on Cape Cod still plays the "Soft Rock" songs
zzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[ssetta]

I know that the format at WPLM/99.1 competed with other stations in the area for years. I know that it was a Big Band station for many years, until around 1993 or so, when it became "Variety 99.1" I actually remember that station, and it was my absolute favorite at the time. I know that Mix 98.5 referred themselves as "variety," but WPLM had such a wider variety than Mix. In fact, I don't think there was much music that they didn't play. But apparently, not very many people listened, since it was too much like Mix, which came in so much better in most areas. In June 1995, it flipped to "Smooth FM" and became a smooth jazz station. I remember I was actually very upset when this happened, because I didn't think there would ever be another station like it. But I know that just about 6 months or so later, WSSH 99.5 also flipped to Smooth Jazz, "The Oasis." Now the 2 stations were competing once again, but 99.5's signal only reaches a small portion of 99.1's signal. In 1997. WOAZ 99.5 moved to 96.9, as WSJZ, providing a much better signal in Boston, where most people would be listening to Smooth Jazz. Then in January 1999, is when WPLM switched to "Easy 99.1" I think at the time, they mostly played standards. Even a few years ago, in 2006 or so, they mostly played softer music, though some of it was more modern. It's just something that happened gradually.

I'm surprised nobody on here has mentioned WJIB 740 AM from Cambridge. It doesn't have a very strong signal, but it is perfect music for relaxing. They play standards, and some very soft music from after that, and some is completely instrumental.

 

[hasbeendj]

There's nothing wrong with the air talent at Easy 99.1! They all have major or medium market experience. The new PD should focus on the website, promotions, and keeping the imaging fresh. Easy 99.1 has definitely improved their sound over the last couple of years, and hopefully will continue to do so.

 

[Deleted User]

they were the last station to embrace the internet, their website was under construction from the time Al Gore invented the internet until late last year.

Say what you will about WATD, but they get out there and do remotes to be seen in the community.

Heck even WBOQ has a bumper sticker budget.

 

[cjf68]

That`s the thing; WPLM gave up on being "The radio voice from America`s home town" When The owner (Jack Campbell?) Passed away in 1993.They have been trying to be a "Boston station" ever since. They really should try to connect with the South Shore area again.I think that WATD does a great job with Their remote work and their local news.

Of course, WPLM should Change their format also.


I`ll duck and run now.

 

[IngramMess]

I've been listening to the station for about two years now, and based on what I'm hearing AND on what I'm reading here on the board, it sounds like they know what direction to go in, but they clearly have no clue as to how to convey that direction properly. The whole situation reminds me of something I read in a book written by the people at the "Television Without Pity" website, and it's in reference to cable network Bravo (Stay with me on this...)

They mention how the Bravo network started out as this high end artsy network that showed Primarily Opera & Documentaries et. al., And then they said something interesting...something to the degree of "But then Bravo Realized 'Hey, the World Already HAS a PBS!'" So naturally, they skewed away from the high-class stuff that was already being seen on one venue, and they became their own identity later on. And they became super successful because of it.

To put it in the form of an old SAT Analogy, PBS is to Bravo, as Magic 106.7 is to Easy 99.1. Boston Already HAS A Magic, and is doing miles beyond better than Easy. And the main way for Easy to pull ahead of the field is if it becomes something unique, different and Marketable...Though given what I've been reading about the Campbell family's steadfastness on this page, lots of luck in that department.

If it were me, I'd blow up the whole thing and start fresh with something completely out of left field; and with the audience as low as it is, would they really be taking that big a chance if they did?

 

[blackgold]

I'd like to see WPLM re-connect with its South Shore roots by playing a mixture of big band, Dixieland jazz, easy instrumentals, country love songs and world music. And they should also start doing live remotes from high school football games again.
Or maybe, it might become the new home of Rumba(which has been kicked off of 1200 AM).
Hey, whatever happened to Steven Horatio Coleman?!

 

[DToTheJ]

... the Bravo network started out as this high end artsy network that showed Primarily Opera & Documentaries et. al., And then they said something interesting... something to the degree of "But then Bravo Realized 'Hey, the World Already HAS a PBS!'" So naturally, they skewed away from the high-class stuff that was already being seen on one venue, and they became their own identity later on. And they became super successful because of it.

To put it in the form of an old SAT Analogy, PBS is to Bravo, as Magic 106.7 is to Easy 99.1....

And now, you can say, Bravo is to VH1, and MTV, and E!...

 

[IngramMess]

And now, you can say, Bravo is to VH1, and MTV, and E!...

And yet, Bravo Still looks classy in comparison to the latter today, but that's not the point I was trying to make.

All I'm saying is that if a well established brand is already made available to the masses and it looks like there's nothing that can be done about topping it, 99.1 should just carve out a nitche of their own. Not be a copy of the already established brand in Magic.

 

[evolve991]

CBS Freeform advertiser support is not there because CBS sales SAYS theres no return on it. Many people enjoy Freeform radio but the suits give it negative publicity and the companies naturally shy away from spending advertising dollars where they are told its a waste.

 

[cjf68]

I've been listening to the station for about two years now, and based on what I'm hearing AND on what I'm reading here on the board, it sounds like they know what direction to go in, but they clearly have no clue as to how to convey that direction properly. The whole situation reminds me of something I read in a book written by the people at the "Television Without Pity" website, and it's in reference to cable network Bravo (Stay with me on this...)

They mention how the Bravo network started out as this high end artsy network that showed Primarily Opera & Documentaries et. al., And then they said something interesting...something to the degree of "But then Bravo Realized 'Hey, the World Already HAS a PBS!'" So naturally, they skewed away from the high-class stuff that was already being seen on one venue, and they became their own identity later on. And they became super successful because of it.

To put it in the form of an old SAT Analogy, PBS is to Bravo, as Magic 106.7 is to Easy 99.1. Boston Already HAS A Magic, and is doing miles beyond better than Easy. And the main way for Easy to pull ahead of the field is if it becomes something unique, different and Marketable...Though given what I've been reading about the Campbell family's steadfastness on this page, lots of luck in that department.

If it were me, I'd blow up the whole thing and start fresh with something completely out of left field; and with the audience as low as it is, would they really be taking that big a chance if they did?

A very good comparison. My idea for WPLM would be To re-brand it to "Music 99.1."

From Bartok to the Beatles .... From Mitch Miller to Steve Miller...From Stevie Wonder to

Wonderland by Night............A station that truly plays everything!!!

I know it would be a disaster, It would be fun to listen to.....and be different.

 

[raccoonradio]

Have the BOQ folks buy it and put on similar format; slightly re-work jingle
"We play your good time favorites--south shore ninety-nine point one.."
(OK maybe they want to be seen as more than just covering south shore...Cape too a bit right?)

 

[Eli Polonsky]

CBS Freeform advertiser support is not there because CBS sales SAYS theres no return on it. Many people enjoy Freeform radio but the suits give it negative publicity and the companies naturally shy away from spending advertising dollars where they are told its a waste.

Sam Kopper just announced that "FreeForm 'BCN" will soon be running some commercials, but only on their web stream at wbcn.com, not on the radio on 100.7 HD3. I don't know what the issue is with airing the ads on the internet only, and not on the HD radio channel.

 

[CAPECRUSADER]

99-1 PLYMOUTH ROCK

 

[pqgeorge]

IMHO (Re: ax is swinging at 99.1 WPLM)

Trying to emulate what WMJX is already doing (and has been doing it quite successfully for 28 years) is not what WPLM-FM should be doing. Providence already has WWLI/105.1 for Light Rock and Boston already has Magic 106.7. Since WODS has faded away from the oldies format as did WWBB in Providence, WPLM-FM should go for the modified oldies format a-la the current WCBS-FM format. WODS is not running the same format as 'CBS-FM. It's QUITE different. 'PLM should keep some of the specialty shows like "Music America" with Ron Della-Chiesa and maybe add in some other special shows to make the format well balanced. With 50,000 watts of effective radiated power (in Stereo) WPLM-FM is strategically located halfway between Boston and Providence and does a bang-up job on the Cape (signal-wise of course). They could do quite well with both the Boston and Providence markets. It will never be a "BOSTON" station. They should not be marketing the station that way. Rather, they should market it as a regional station covering practically all of Southern New England and stream it on the web so the people in offices Downtown can listen (and then some). In New York, WCBS-FM is marketed in such a way that people know it has it's roots in the oldies. But they also have gained a new set of listeners who like the not-so-oldies sound of the late 70's and early 80's but will sample the older material because it's new for them. And if the presentation is good, like I know WPLM-FM is capable of doing, the audience will follow. As the late Richard N. Hughes of WPIX would say on his "PIX Editorials" "What's your opinion? We'd like to know!".

 

[Deleted User]

Word is out.... (and so is Mitchell.... lol) Now that THAT anchor has been cut loose let's see if they can finally make like Stella and "get their groove back" !!

Maybe they may really get smart and dump Delilah and figure out a way to bring back J.J. Austin, a show that exuded class, committment to great music, a sense of caring about what the audience enjoyed and NOT just about what the Program Directors' enjoyed.

I don't know if Break19 is still reading the board, but I finally heard back from J.J. today and she appreciated your kind thoughts.