Ben Out, Hot 97-5 Philly In??

[Joseph_Gallant]

On The Other Leading Radio Board, there is a discussion about rumors that Greater Media might "blow up" WBEN-95.7, and replace it with a format similar to the company's WBQT-96.9 in Boston (which itself has only been around for less than a year).

This discussion also suggests that Ben might get "blown up" very soon with a temporary all-Christmas format replacing it through the Holidays, at which time the new format would be launched.

If indeed Greater Media wanted to do this, I could see Ben getting "blown up" as soon as this Friday, November 1st, with Christmas music through December 25th, perhaps a countdown stunt from December 26th until the 31st, and a New Year's Eve launch.

One thing to me seems certain: If WBEB-101.1 (which has gone all-Christmas every year for at least a decade) has already decided on a date to go all-Christmas, they may have to move up that date should WBEN decide to drop the "Ben" format and go all-Christmas within minutes of WBEN's doing so.

By the way, WBEB's website already (October 27th) has it's annual Christmas music poll, which can be accessed through a link on it's homepage.

Once you get to the survey, one of the questions asks how soon should WBEB go all-Christmas?? Possible answers are "Now", "November 1st", "November 15th", "Thanksgiving" and "December 1st".

But as noted above, if WBEN goes first, B-101 will quickly follow.

 

[wprt949]

The new 95.7 The beat lol

not unless greater media paid Radio one some big Bucks for the hot Moniker

 

[radiophiler]

I have a hard time thinking that if Ben FM is blown up, rhythmic AC will be the new format. Sure, there is no station with that exact format in Philly. But there are plenty of rhythmic stations already. There are two AC stations, B-101 and Mix 106, not to mention WJBR. And, at least in the 12+ ratings we can see, Greater Media's station with a similar format in Boston isn't a worst to first story by far. In the most recent monthly, it was #11, 6+.
It's probably working for Greater Media in Boston because the format it replaced, news/talk, was expensive to run. So far, the Boston station, according to its website, only appears to have DJs in AM and PM drives.
Ben is really cheap to run: only one full-time on-air person.
I don't doubt Greater Media considers format replacements for Ben FM. I just don't think a station similar to what they are running in Boston is it.
So this brings up the question: What is the format hole in Philly, if there is one? I see no obvious big ones. Or, put another way: If you were launching a new FM today, what would you program? A direct competitor to B-101 to take some of its ratings? (Yes, Greater Media tried that with Now FM.)

 

[aindik]

I would think the format would be some attempt to siphon B101's ratings. 96.5 already exists as the attempt to siphon Q102's ratings. I can't see a third CHR.

I know GM tried that on 97.5 but I think on a full strength signal it would turn out differently.

Speaking of 97.5 could we get the typo in the subject line fixed?

 

[wprt949]

Nobody has ever tried to compete with 92.5 WXTU why not try country on 95.7 ?

 

[1005427]

They better not blow up BEN-FM, I love that station! I live in the Lehigh Valley and know plenty of people that listen for the great mix of music they play (1970s all the way up until now). The only "format hole" I can think of would be Oldies. Greater Media has WMTR in Morristown that plays 60s and 70s oldies which I love. Sadly, it's 2013 and no corporate radio owners want to attempt it. I think if you get the right sales people, you can sell the format quite well.