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Bye Bye K-Rock

P

Power91

Guest
It's official...



Infinity Confirms Howard Stern Replacements


After months of speculation, Infinity Broadcasting has confirmed that the replacements for Stern — who will air his final broadcast radio show on Dec. 16 — will be current Loveline host Adam Carolla and former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth. Both will both debut in their new morning roles on Jan. 3; Roth from WXRK/New York and Carolla from KLSX/Los Angeles.

Additional markets to broadcast Roth include KLLI/Dallas, WYSP/Philadelphia, WBCN/Boston, WRKZ/Pittsburgh, WNCX/Cleveland and WPBZ/West Palm Beach. Carolla will also be heard on KIFR/San Francisco (formerly KEAR-FM), KPLN/San Diego, KZON/Phoenix, KUFO/Portland and KXTE/Las Vegas.

ABC-TV late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will serve as a creative consultant to Carolla's West Coast-based radio show as well as an advisor to Infinity. Kimmel will assist in the development of new talent and show ideas for the company and make guest appearances on Carolla's program.

Concurrently, Infinity has launched "Free FM" in seven of the company's top 10 markets. Beginning today, KIFR/San Francisco, WYSP/Philadelphia and KPLN/San Diego will convert to Free FM programming, which offers listeners a combination of local and national talk personalities. Also, KLSX/Los Angeles, WCKG/Chicago; KLLI/Dallas; WJFK/Washington, DC; WKRK/Detroit; and WHFS/Baltimore have all been rebranded Free FM. WXRK/New York will debut as Free FM in conjunction with Roth’s premiere in January 2006.
 
> It's official...
>
>
>
> Infinity Confirms Howard Stern Replacements
>
>
> After months of speculation, Infinity Broadcasting has
> confirmed that the replacements for Stern — who will air his
> final broadcast radio show on Dec. 16 — will be current
> Loveline host Adam Carolla and former Van Halen frontman
> David Lee Roth. Both will both debut in their new morning
> roles on Jan. 3; Roth from WXRK/New York and Carolla from
> KLSX/Los Angeles.
>
> Additional markets to broadcast Roth include KLLI/Dallas,
> WYSP/Philadelphia, WBCN/Boston, WRKZ/Pittsburgh,
> WNCX/Cleveland and WPBZ/West Palm Beach. Carolla will also
> be heard on KIFR/San Francisco (formerly KEAR-FM), KPLN/San
> Diego, KZON/Phoenix, KUFO/Portland and KXTE/Las Vegas.
>
> ABC-TV late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will serve as a creative
> consultant to Carolla's West Coast-based radio show as well
> as an advisor to Infinity. Kimmel will assist in the
> development of new talent and show ideas for the company and
> make guest appearances on Carolla's program.
>
> Concurrently, Infinity has launched "Free FM" in seven of
> the company's top 10 markets. Beginning today, KIFR/San
> Francisco, WYSP/Philadelphia and KPLN/San Diego will convert
> to Free FM programming, which offers listeners a combination
> of local and national talk personalities. Also, KLSX/Los
> Angeles, WCKG/Chicago; KLLI/Dallas; WJFK/Washington, DC;
> WKRK/Detroit; and WHFS/Baltimore have all been rebranded
> Free FM. WXRK/New York will debut as Free FM in conjunction
> with Roth’s premiere in January 2006.
>




Power91:

This Free FM format is a BIG gamble. It's a new format that's making its debut in several markets and Infinity wants to bring it to the major markets.

I wonder did Infinity do any deep research with this Free FM format. If so, where? Did they test the New York market?

If Infinity is going to have the same success they had with FM Talk like what was on WNEW-FM (without the Opie & Anthony controversy)then they should start a new drawing. But this format is not even here yet.



Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy<P ID="signature">______________
Kevin L. Sealy</P>
 
Oh I know it isn't even here yet...this is just the first thing I've seen from Infinity officially announcing the end of K-Rock...trust me, I wish it wasn't this way, cause I feel NYC needs a rock music outfit (ideally one that's mixed with alternative)...I was just making note of the official announcement by the company...

~RM
 
> Here is the article from CNN:
>
http://www.cnn.c> om/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/25/stern.replacements.ap/index.html

I can't believe Q104 is close to being a mainstream rocker! Why would they dump K-Rock instead of Mix? If Q104 shifted to mainstream rock, it'll be NYC's top station.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by My_Humps on 10/25/05 09:01 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> Oh I know it isn't even here yet...this is just the first
> thing I've seen from Infinity officially announcing the end
> of K-Rock...trust me, I wish it wasn't this way, cause I
> feel NYC needs a rock music outfit (ideally one that's mixed
> with alternative)...I was just making note of the official
> announcement by the company...
>
> ~RM
>
Don't worry. There current format will stream as KROCK3.
 
K Rock, Q, and Mix

> > Here is the article from CNN:
> >
> http://www.cnn.c>
> om/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/25/stern.replacements.ap/index.html
>
>
> I can't believe Q104 is close to being a mainstream rocker!
> Why would they dump K-Rock instead of Mix? If Q104 shifted
> to mainstream rock, it'll be NYC's top station.
>

I don't agree with you completely. There is no proof of Q1043 going mainstream rock. I wouldn't be surprised if they mix in a few newer rock tunes, but they have a loyal following and is a successful classic rock station. Plus, with Howard leaving, K Rock's ratings would likely plunge since they don't have many listeners after 10AM. K Rock's days are over. It didn't work out. On the subject of Mix, I don't think it would be smart to flip that station. They are doing well with the classic dance music (even though there is speculation of them flipping to all Christmas). <P ID="signature">______________
The Place for the Latest Happenings in Radio
www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>
 
K Rock, Mix?

While this likely wont happen and (IMHO) makes absolutely no sense,...would it be possible with the announcement for KRock going FreeFM and the possibility that Mix may go Christmas till the end of the year, could Mix then go Rock in January?


...just a .09% hypothetical rambling...
 
I don't thnk FREE-FM will do any better than WNEW-FM did when they tried talk. Despite all their failures with the format, Infinity loves doing Hot Talk. Someone high up in their food chain must really enjoy the format on a personal level. The problem with Hot Talk is that it often comes across as chatter/clutter.

Clear Channel knows how to pull numbers with FM talk with their WPGB/Pittsburgh. WPGB is a traditional talk station that just happens to be on FM, but Infinity has no interest in that type of model for FM talk.

Even if I haven't heard the product and don't know the lineup yet, I'll go ahead and predict a 1 share for FREE. The one good thing for Infinity is that JACK should get somewhat of a boost from displaced K-ROCK listeners.





It's official...
>
>
>
> Infinity Confirms Howard Stern Replacements
>
>
> After months of speculation, Infinity Broadcasting has
> confirmed that the replacements for Stern — who will air his
> final broadcast radio show on Dec. 16 — will be current
> Loveline host Adam Carolla and former Van Halen frontman
> David Lee Roth. Both will both debut in their new morning
> roles on Jan. 3; Roth from WXRK/New York and Carolla from
> KLSX/Los Angeles.
>
> Additional markets to broadcast Roth include KLLI/Dallas,
> WYSP/Philadelphia, WBCN/Boston, WRKZ/Pittsburgh,
> WNCX/Cleveland and WPBZ/West Palm Beach. Carolla will also
> be heard on KIFR/San Francisco (formerly KEAR-FM), KPLN/San
> Diego, KZON/Phoenix, KUFO/Portland and KXTE/Las Vegas.
>
> ABC-TV late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will serve as a creative
> consultant to Carolla's West Coast-based radio show as well
> as an advisor to Infinity. Kimmel will assist in the
> development of new talent and show ideas for the company and
> make guest appearances on Carolla's program.
>
> Concurrently, Infinity has launched "Free FM" in seven of
> the company's top 10 markets. Beginning today, KIFR/San
> Francisco, WYSP/Philadelphia and KPLN/San Diego will convert
> to Free FM programming, which offers listeners a combination
> of local and national talk personalities. Also, KLSX/Los
> Angeles, WCKG/Chicago; KLLI/Dallas; WJFK/Washington, DC;
> WKRK/Detroit; and WHFS/Baltimore have all been rebranded
> Free FM. WXRK/New York will debut as Free FM in conjunction
> with Roth’s premiere in January 2006.
>
 
Re: K Rock, Mix?

> While this likely wont happen and (IMHO) makes absolutely no
> sense,...would it be possible with the announcement for
> KRock going FreeFM and the possibility that Mix may go
> Christmas till the end of the year, could Mix then go Rock
> in January?
>
>
> ...just a .09% hypothetical rambling...

It would be very unlikely for Mix to switch to rock. This format just never worked well in New York City.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
The Place for the Latest Happenings in Radio
www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>
 
> I don't thnk FREE-FM will do any better than WNEW-FM did
> when they tried talk. Despite all their failures with the
> format, Infinity loves doing Hot Talk. Someone high up in
> their food chain must really enjoy the format on a personal
> level. The problem with Hot Talk is that it often comes
> across as chatter/clutter.
>
> Clear Channel knows how to pull numbers with FM talk with
> their WPGB/Pittsburgh. WPGB is a traditional talk station
> that just happens to be on FM, but Infinity has no interest
> in that type of model for FM talk.
>
> Even if I haven't heard the product and don't know the
> lineup yet, I'll go ahead and predict a 1 share for FREE.
> The one good thing for Infinity is that JACK should get
> somewhat of a boost from displaced K-ROCK listeners.

You brought up a possibility that I didn't think about. Now Jack won't have to worry about hurting K Rock, even though Infinity's New York City cluster isn't in good shape right now. I believe Infinity is making bad decisions. If Mix goes all Christmas, I will listen, because I love holiday music, but factually and historically, it isn't a smart idea.

Just my 0.02
>
>
>
>
>
> It's official...
> >
> >
> >
> > Infinity Confirms Howard Stern Replacements
> >
> >
> > After months of speculation, Infinity Broadcasting has
> > confirmed that the replacements for Stern — who will air
> his
> > final broadcast radio show on Dec. 16 — will be current
> > Loveline host Adam Carolla and former Van Halen frontman
> > David Lee Roth. Both will both debut in their new morning
> > roles on Jan. 3; Roth from WXRK/New York and Carolla from
> > KLSX/Los Angeles.
> >
> > Additional markets to broadcast Roth include KLLI/Dallas,
> > WYSP/Philadelphia, WBCN/Boston, WRKZ/Pittsburgh,
> > WNCX/Cleveland and WPBZ/West Palm Beach. Carolla will also
>
> > be heard on KIFR/San Francisco (formerly KEAR-FM),
> KPLN/San
> > Diego, KZON/Phoenix, KUFO/Portland and KXTE/Las Vegas.
> >
> > ABC-TV late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will serve as a
> creative
> > consultant to Carolla's West Coast-based radio show as
> well
> > as an advisor to Infinity. Kimmel will assist in the
> > development of new talent and show ideas for the company
> and
> > make guest appearances on Carolla's program.
> >
> > Concurrently, Infinity has launched "Free FM" in seven of
> > the company's top 10 markets. Beginning today, KIFR/San
> > Francisco, WYSP/Philadelphia and KPLN/San Diego will
> convert
> > to Free FM programming, which offers listeners a
> combination
> > of local and national talk personalities. Also, KLSX/Los
> > Angeles, WCKG/Chicago; KLLI/Dallas; WJFK/Washington, DC;
> > WKRK/Detroit; and WHFS/Baltimore have all been rebranded
> > Free FM. WXRK/New York will debut as Free FM in
> conjunction
> > with Roth’s premiere in January 2006.
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
The Place for the Latest Happenings in Radio
www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>
 
Re: K Rock, Mix?

> > While this likely wont happen and (IMHO) makes absolutely
> no
> > sense,...would it be possible with the announcement for
> > KRock going FreeFM and the possibility that Mix may go
> > Christmas till the end of the year, could Mix then go Rock
>
> > in January?
> >
> >
> > ...just a .09% hypothetical rambling...
>
> It would be very unlikely for Mix to switch to rock. This
> format just never worked well in New York City.
> >
>
I hear that nobody in the building knows whats goin on either...Could Peer be talkin to somebody on the west coast?? Is Rob Cross o-u-t....It is sad to see an end to what was ONCE a GREAT radio station in New York City...But, you gotta ask yourself....When was the last time you listened to K-Rock and thought to yourself "Wow, this is good radio"?
 
A few random thoughts...

It's sad to see another NYC radio station that has been around for so long go away. K-Rock turned into a mess when they dropped the new alternative music, though, and I stopped listening.

So let's see -- we have Oldies, Country, Alternative, probably Free FM -- what format DOES work for this market???

And I also think Infinity is taking a big gamble here -- remember all the hype and hoopla for the last "new, exciting, future of radio" format that Infinity tried? No? You must have "Blink"ed and missed it!


> > I don't thnk FREE-FM will do any better than WNEW-FM did
> > when they tried talk. Despite all their failures with the
> > format, Infinity loves doing Hot Talk. Someone high up in
> > their food chain must really enjoy the format on a
> personal
> > level. The problem with Hot Talk is that it often comes
> > across as chatter/clutter.
> >
> > Clear Channel knows how to pull numbers with FM talk with
>
> > their WPGB/Pittsburgh. WPGB is a traditional talk station
> > that just happens to be on FM, but Infinity has no
> interest
> > in that type of model for FM talk.
> >
> > Even if I haven't heard the product and don't know the
> > lineup yet, I'll go ahead and predict a 1 share for FREE.
> > The one good thing for Infinity is that JACK should get
> > somewhat of a boost from displaced K-ROCK listeners.
 
> > > Even if I haven't heard the product and don't know the
> > > lineup yet, I'll go ahead and predict a 1 share for FREE.
> > > The one good thing for Infinity is that JACK should get
> > > somewhat of a boost from displaced K-ROCK listeners.



Following both Roth and Carolla's morning drive shows, Penn Jillette ( The

taller, louder half of Penn & Teller) will broadcast a one-hour comedy program in

markets including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Detroit, San

Diego, Baltimore and Las Vegas.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by MCNDRWS on 10/26/05 12:55 AM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: K Rock, Mix?

> It would be very unlikely for Mix to switch to rock. This
> format just never worked well in New York City.

Never *worked* well or was never *executed* well? K-Rock, since 1996, has pandered to the lowest common denominator of listener by coming off like high school PA system radio, respledent with (a large majority of) jocks who slur through liners, sound heavily medicated, or think frat-boy humor is a way to "sound cool" while cultivating a slacker image. That said, I concede that a well executed modern rock station in New York is less likely to boast staggering Arbitron ratings. However, there's a misconception on the board that rock radio just doesn't work in this area. Rock radio doesn't work in this area when it achieves a level of juvenile idiocy, even amdist compelling music.
 
Re: K Rock, Mix?

I think putting rock on Mix would just make things more confusing for people, especially since Mix has had so many recent format changes. If the goal is to make rock work in NYC, keep it where listeners are used to hearing it - 92.3.


> While this likely wont happen and (IMHO) makes absolutely no
> sense,...would it be possible with the announcement for
> KRock going FreeFM and the possibility that Mix may go
> Christmas till the end of the year, could Mix then go Rock
> in January?
>
>
> ...just a .09% hypothetical rambling...
>
 
Re: K Rock, Mix?

> It would be very unlikely for Mix to switch to rock. This
> format just never worked well in New York City.
> >
>

Mix used to be a legendary rock station. It worked great in New York. Just in its later years it seemed to lose focus with its constant rock genre shifts, and inevitably fizzle out. But as far as Infinity is probably concerned, rock's time on WNEW is over and the format won't return to it.
 
> I don't thnk FREE-FM will do any better than WNEW-FM did
> when they tried talk. Despite all their failures with the
> format, Infinity loves doing Hot Talk. Someone high up in
> their food chain must really enjoy the format on a personal
> level. The problem with Hot Talk is that it often comes
> across as chatter/clutter.

That's always one thing about Infinity I've wondered. When it comes to talk radio, they sure enjoy doing hot talk on the FM dial, and they always seem moderately successful. "Hot" talkers (I hate that term) really have to rely on their own material and thoughts moreso than political talkers, who just have to relay their opinions on the news and current events and argue. Hot talkers also have to be funny, which is an extreme rarity.

>
> Clear Channel knows how to pull numbers with FM talk with
> their WPGB/Pittsburgh. WPGB is a traditional talk station
> that just happens to be on FM, but Infinity has no interest
> in that type of model for FM talk.

Yeah. That and Orlando, and that's pretty much it. Clear Channel isn't as big on hot talk and favors news/political talk on the AM dial, and sometimes on FM. Their only syndicated hot talk shows are Bob and Tom, Lex and Terry, John Boy and Big Billy, Star and Buc Wild, and Big D and Bubba. All are morning drive shows, and are mainly on music stations. You could also consider Phil Hendrie in this category, but Clear Channel will usually stick him on AM news talkers. If a Clear Channel FM talk station doesn't perform exceptionally well, it will get scrapped quickly for music.
 
Re: K Rock, Mix?

> > It would be very unlikely for Mix to switch to rock. This
> > format just never worked well in New York City.
>
> Never *worked* well or was never *executed* well? K-Rock,
> since 1996, has pandered to the lowest common denominator of
> listener by coming off like high school PA system radio,
> respledent with (a large majority of) jocks who slur through
> liners, sound heavily medicated, or think frat-boy humor is
> a way to "sound cool" while cultivating a slacker image.
> That said, I concede that a well executed modern rock
> station in New York is less likely to boast staggering
> Arbitron ratings. However, there's a misconception on the
> board that rock radio just doesn't work in this area. Rock
> radio doesn't work in this area when it achieves a level of
> juvenile idiocy, even amdist compelling music.

For some crazy reason, I had the KLSX/LA stream open this morning and Howard was coming through... he was talking with the WXRK jocks who are getting launched or cut back come January. While I understand Howard's reason for doing this to create a fight between listeners and corporate radio, it's ridiculous that jocks are crying over getting fired. Isn't this radio? Since when is getting fired a big story, especially when the station is a middlefeeder with a departing star?
 
> I don't thnk FREE-FM will do any better than WNEW-FM did
> when they tried talk. Despite all their failures with the
> format, Infinity loves doing Hot Talk. Someone high up in
> their food chain must really enjoy the format on a personal
> level. The problem with Hot Talk is that it often comes
> across as chatter/clutter.

With news/talk, there are certain obligations. The more news, the more credible you are. News on the hour, on the half, when it breaks. National news, local news, weather. With hot talk, nobody cares... run a traffic report here and there and sell the rest. If WABC, for example, runs 7 minutes of news and 4 minutes of traffic during an hour of Hannity, they've cut saleable inventory in half. And the weaker 12+ numbers hot talk pulls in comparison are because of tighter demos; while news/talk is mainly adults 35-99, hot talk targets men 18-44.

The reason Infinity loves hot talk is because it has certain benefits over music on FM, and also for the same reason CC airs Rush on hundreds of their own stations... they own the shows. As to the chatter allegation, I can say the same thing about a lot of the sludge news/talk has put out as of late. Ugh.

> Clear Channel knows how to pull numbers with FM talk with
> their WPGB/Pittsburgh. WPGB is a traditional talk station
> that just happens to be on FM, but Infinity has no interest
> in that type of model for FM talk.

News/talk on FM is largely a waste. The demo is familiar with the AM band; why use an FM with 10x greater stick value when AM will do? WPGB exists because Pittsburgh was, before its entry, one of the few undertalked markets in the country (by undertalked I mean stations with hopes of surpassing a 0.3). Hannity, Beck, and Savage were all available, and CC's ownership of Premiere meant Rush could come, too (Infinity couldn't do this). As far as I know, only Cleveland and Columbus could see huge benefits from a new talk station, as those personalities are not on decent stations and mostly not at all.

Besides, Pittsburgh has effectively NO good nighttime signals except KDKA. You can't compete without a signal, and this uncommon predicament meant you had to go to FM. Fortunately for CC, they had a whole stable of FMs to pick from.

Don't look for Rush on too many FMs anytime soon. I'd say they'll be reserved for hot talk and possibly younger skewing news/talk with compelling hosts that have never heard of "civil dialogue".

> Even if I haven't heard the product and don't know the
> lineup yet, I'll go ahead and predict a 1 share for FREE.
> The one good thing for Infinity is that JACK should get
> somewhat of a boost from displaced K-ROCK listeners.

Maybe rock will replace JACK. Had to say that for the Jackhaters.
 
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