BREAKING: MY 102.5 FLIPS

[carolinaradio]

107.9 The Link in Charlotte has a similar format and doesn't play 70s. I love that era of music, I agree that it was great, but it just doesn't fit.

Have they dropped the 70s music on weekends?

Yeah, I agree, it doesn't fit. WOLT needs to go 24/7.

Who, The Link or My 102.5? I don't believe The Link dos the "Retro Link" on the weekends anymore, if that's what you mean.
My 102.5 dropped the 70s & 80s weekends when they adjusted the format in July.

Oh, just to add to what was said earlier, very little to no 70s on Saturday. They played about one every hour Sunday.

 

[carolinaradio]

I have to say, I've had my radio on 102.5 this afternoon and have liked what I've heard. Have they dropped the 70s music? I haven't heard any at all. Sounds good!

 

[vchimpanzee]

107.9 The Link in Charlotte has a similar format and doesn't play 70s. I love that era of music, I agree that it was great, but it just doesn't fit.

Have they dropped the 70s music on weekends?

Yeah, I agree, it doesn't fit. WOLT needs to go 24/7.

Who, The Link or My 102.5? I don't believe The Link dos the "Retro Link" on the weekends anymore, if that's what you mean.
My 102.5 dropped the 70s & 80s weekends when they adjusted the format in July.

Oh, just to add to what was said earlier, very little to no 70s on Saturday. They played about one every hour Sunday.

I was referring to the Retro Link. But I do monitor what each station is doing on Saturday. I should have realized they gave that up.

 

[awp69]

I have to say, I've had my radio on 102.5 this afternoon and have liked what I've heard.  Have they dropped the 70s music?  I haven't heard any at all.  Sounds good!

Unfortunately, no. It does seem though that they play much less 70s in the afternoon. The morning drive hours, however, still seem to not only have them, but play them much more. I almost barfed on my way to work this morning hearing "Dancing Queen". And still have to complete shut offf 102.5 when Delilah comes on at 7 p.m. Are they ever going to get rid of her?

To me, it sounds like they've got a mostly Hot AC rotation, but the songs that the on-air talent chooses (not sure what the ratio is. Maybe one or two an hour?) is making the difference. I've noticed that in the afternoon it seems like Dave Kent may be embracing the new stuff more than some of the others. Because you're right, in the afternoon, I rarely hear a 70s song.

In the morning (think it's Marne Mason?), it seems to be the other extreme as far as the mix goes.

I could be wrong. Maybe it's still at the PD level trying to hold onto the older listeners in the morning.

They have been surprising me though with some of the things they throw into there. Just heard the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony".

Also, I know Green Day got much more mainstream (and playable on AC) with things like "When September Ends", but it's nice to hear them actually play some of their punkier hits ("When I Come Around"). Still not like it's really hard rock or anything, but it is refreshing to hear on an AC station at all.

 

[carolinaradio]

I have to say, I've had my radio on 102.5 this afternoon and have liked what I've heard. Have they dropped the 70s music? I haven't heard any at all. Sounds good!

Unfortunately, no. It does seem though that they play much less 70s in the afternoon. The morning drive hours, however, still seem to not only have them, but play them much more. I almost barfed on my way to work this morning hearing "Dancing Queen". And still have to complete shut offf 102.5 when Delilah comes on at 7 p.m. Are they ever going to get rid of her?

To me, it sounds like they've got a mostly Hot AC rotation, but the songs that the on-air talent chooses (not sure what the ratio is. Maybe one or two an hour?) is making the difference. I've noticed that in the afternoon it seems like Dave Kent may be embracing the new stuff more than some of the others. Because you're right, in the afternoon, I rarely hear a 70s song.

In the morning (think it's Marne Mason?), it seems to be the other extreme as far as the mix goes.

I could be wrong. Maybe it's still at the PD level trying to hold onto the older listeners in the morning.

They have been surprising me though with some of the things they throw into there. Just heard the Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony".

Also, I know Green Day got much more mainstream (and playable on AC) with things like "When September Ends", but it's nice to hear them actually play some of their punkier hits ("When I Come Around"). Still not like it's really hard rock or anything, but it is refreshing to hear on an AC station at all.

I listen to them a lot at work, and have since noon - I haven't heard any 70s. Maybe an early 80s song (I heard "Centerfold" earlier, which was from '81, I believe), but that's about all. I haven't noticed the Tiny Dancer, Benny and the Jets, Brown Eyed Girl, Maggie May type stuff in the past few days. The 70s stuff still pops up, but it's less frequent during the week, and nearly non-existent on weekends, so that's good. The ABBA song is enough to make me barf on ANY station.

The music scheduling (i.e. more modern in the afternoon) may be due to their music clock/scheduling for the commercial free hours during the day. Same with the different mix in the morning. I think the commercial free hours end around 3:30pm. I give them credit for a lot of the stuff they play from the 90s, especially....I haven't heard songs like "Semi-Charmed Life" or "Tubthumping" around here in ages!

 

[awp69]

I listen to them a lot at work, and have since noon - I haven't heard any 70s.  Maybe an early 80s song (I heard "Centerfold" earlier, which was from '81, I believe), but that's about all.  I haven't noticed the Tiny Dancer, Benny and the Jets, Brown Eyed Girl, Maggie May type stuff in the past few days.  The 70s stuff still pops up, but it's less frequent during the week, and nearly non-existent on weekends, so that's good.  The ABBA song is enough to make me barf on ANY station.

The music scheduling (i.e. more modern in the afternoon) may be due to their music clock/scheduling for the commercial free hours during the day.  Same with the different mix in the morning.  I think the commercial free hours end around 3:30pm.   I give them credit for a lot of the stuff they play from the 90s, especially....I haven't heard songs like "Semi-Charmed Life" or "Tubthumping" around here in ages!

I don't mind the 80s songs (hey, I was a teen back then so it's still good to me) and do love the stuff they've been playing from the 90s, as well as the newer stuff.

What's funny to me is that my 11-year-old loves B93.7, but he's also not really into any of the more rappy/urban songs that they play. Don't blame them for playing them since JAMZ is killing them in the ratings and they are part of "all the hits".  So when we're in the car together, I've tried getting him to like 102.5 and it seems almost every time I do that, that's when they play some slow 70s song. I know he's not their target audience, but makes it harder for me to get away without listening to Hawk and Tom on the way to dropping them off at school.

MY definately does seem to be improving overall. Hope they stay alive. Only really big complaint is why they're hanging onto Delilah.

 

[awp69]

Think I just need to keep my mouth shut about MY getting better. It seems like everytime I say something positive, the next day, it starts regressing again. In addition to a few 70s songs I heard in the morning, Michael Jackson had been played twice since noon!

Hope 102.5 goes to hell in a handbasket! (not really, just hoping that will remove the jinx).

 

[carolinaradio]

Think I just need to keep my mouth shut about MY getting better. It seems like everytime I say something positive, the next day, it starts regressing again. In addition to a few 70s songs I heard in the morning, Michael Jackson had been played twice since noon!

Hope 102.5 goes to hell in a handbasket! (not really, just hoping that will remove the jinx).

I put them on and listened pretty much non-stop yesterday from mid morning to evening and heard two 70s songs, "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge in the 11am hour and "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson in the 4pm? hour. I double checked online. Heard the same Michael Jackson song again this morning. How terrible, we need more 70s.

I wonder if they'll add any new songs any time soon. I haven't heard anything new lately.

I'll give MY props in one area, for sure - not a bunch of nonsense and carrying on in the morning. I don't like Hawk & Tom's show at all. Same for The Rise Guys. 102.5 is definitely the best station around. Sadly, all of the hip hop stuff IS part of "all the hits" these days. Can't fault B for playing what they claim to play. I like some of the stuff, but top 40 is really irritating to listen to, to me. :

 

[carolinaradio]

I've noticed improvement in MY lately. I haven't heard a true 70s song in a while (early 80s that are questionable occasionally, but not the slow 70s material that didn't fit) except for "Heart Of Glass" earlier today which is from '79. Seems like they're a little edgier - they're playing Hot Chelle Rae, finally, and some more aggressive stuff that I haven't heard before like "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson

Magic 98.9 seems like they're becoming more modern in reaction, and I notice they promote themselves as esentially being 'family oriented' frequently.

 

[awp69]

I've noticed improvement in MY lately.  I haven't heard a true 70s song in a while (early 80s that are questionable occasionally, but not the slow 70s material that didn't fit) except for "Heart Of Glass" earlier today which is from '79.  Seems like they're a little edgier - they're playing Hot Chelle Rae, finally, and some more aggressive stuff that I haven't heard before like "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson

Magic 98.9 seems like they're becoming more modern in reaction, and I notice they promote themselves as esentially being 'family oriented' frequently.

In general, they seem to be improving. Still do hear the occasional Elton John or Billy Joel song that even if it is from the 80s is just still out of place with the rest of the music. No matter what decade it's from there's still songs that sound like they belong on the "sleepy Magic" they claim to not be. And at 7 p.m., all bets are off. Delilah drags the entire station down with her. If it's a contract they're trying to fulfill, I hope it ends soon.

 

[freqdev]

wjmz, wssl, wesc, wmyi, and wspa top 5 12 plus for the summer book

 

[carolinaradio]

Even if 12+ doesn't mean anything, I am glad to see they had a good book. It takes several books to determine success or failure but this is good to see. Their sound is improving. It looks like Magic is still holding up. If the past couple of years are any indication I hope MY going all-Christmas doesn't hurt them. Magic may take that book since all-Christmas fits that station better IMO.

Hopefully the sleepy 80s songs will go away eventually like all of those 70s Elton John ballads and "Brown Eyed Girl" did.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Even if 12+ doesn't mean anything, I am glad to see they had a good book. It takes several books to determine success or failure but this is good to see. Their sound is improving. It looks like Magic is still holding up. If the past couple of years are any indication I hope MY going all-Christmas doesn't hurt them. Magic may take that book since all-Christmas fits that station better IMO.

Hopefully the sleepy 80s songs will go away eventually like all of those 70s Elton John ballads and "Brown Eyed Girl" did.

80s songs are not necessarily sleepy. I heard "Love Bites" on Star 92.1 in Myrtle Beach, for example. And there seems to be universal agreement that it is hot AC.

And yet they are still doing Christmas music. The market doesn't have an AC, though, unless you count WGNI.

 

[carolinaradio]

I know there are plenty of 80s songs that aren't sleepy, but there are just some odd ones (like "Careless Whisper" and "Crazy For You") that they play. Those songs are a minority though, so I just change the station for a few minutes if it's something I don't like

It looks like, 12+ that WSPA was stable despite the change and ratings increase at MY. It'll be interesting to see if MY stabilizes at these numbers, keeps going up, or goes lower - since it was a pretty big change, they probably had a lot of people sampling it in the summer. On a side note, that wasn't a very good book for WROQ or especially WORD.

 

[carolinaradio]

I was gonna add earlier, but forgot...some of these Elton John/Billy Joel songs (as well as others) are actually filler songs that are put online and on iHeartRadio to play while the actual station is playing commercials as they can't broadcast the commercials online. These songs like "Don't Ask Me Why", "I'm Still Standing", "In The Still of The Night" etc. aren't going out over the air. Just a FYI.

 

[awp69]

Yeah, I know they add some filler stuff online, but I still have been hearing things that sound out of place in the car as well. Besides the slower stuff, I heard Billy Joel's "Big Shot" yesterday. Not a big deal. I actually used to be a fan of Billy Joel in my younger years and this was one of his faster songs, but to me it still sticks out just as badly as some of the ballads from the 70s and 80s that they still throw in. I've noticed -- not in their promos -- but by their DJs saying things like "variety" or that's that "fresh variety". Almost like they know themselves that not everything they play is indeed "fresh".

Overall, they're going in the right direction. And even if Christmas books don't drag them down, I still hope they don't go all Christmas in November.

So I guess no one knows anything about Delilah? If it's a contract issue that they're keeping her? Or are they keeping her just because she still brings in ratings? That's really my biggest gripe still. Running errands at night and I won't be listening to WMYI.

 

[carolinaradio]

I'd like to know how Delilah does as well, I don't know if ratings at night even matter, but she sort of brings the whole station down. There have been some larger market stations that have removed her show in the past year or two. They may make money from airing it. I just think of it this way, outside of those 5 hours, the station's pretty decent, much better than anything we've had in a long time, so I can just do without listening to her. I don't think the music on her show fits with the music the station plays at all...that's the worst disconnect

For the most part, the 80s they play can fit on a Hot AC or Hot AC sounding station. Some Hot AC's still play a couple an hour (like WPLJ in NYC and KBIG in L.A.). As slow as "Faithfully" is, it's still a staple on some Hot AC's. My 102 plays Modern English, INXS, Mellencamp, AC/DC, Def Leppard, U2, Bon Jovi, etc...all fit and are heard on HAC. The tracks like "Father Figure", "Careless Whisper", "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", "True", etc. are questionable. Personally, I love 70s and 80s music, as long as it fits where it's being played.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Well,...here we are y'all. Merely one month away from (do we dare say it?)
THE IDES OF NOVEMBER! Will they...or...will they not...go all Christmas, and sacrifice their Fall book to Andy Williams & his closet of Red Sweaters.
If they do, the door is wide open for MAGIC to launch a solid counter play,
unless they too venture into the Dumb, but Festive.

 

[carolinaradio]

Well,...here we are y'all. Merely one month away from (do we dare say it?)
THE IDES OF NOVEMBER! Will they...or...will they not...go all Christmas, and sacrifice their Fall book to Andy Williams & his closet of Red Sweaters.
If they do, the door is wide open for MAGIC to launch a solid counter play,
unless they too venture into the Dumb, but Festive.

They mentioned something a month or so ago about a poll on their website asking when, not if, the listeners wanted Christmas music. I think Magic could do better with Christmas music again this year because it fits their format and station more. MY just made a drastic change to go ahead and break the format next month.

 

[Gatekeeper007]

I have often wondered how many people will switch to another station so they can hear Christmas music if a station doesn't play some seasonal music. How soon and how much I guess depends on each stations format and mix.