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CBS-FM #2 in NYC June PPM: Lesson For Buffalo?

E

Element9

They say Classic Hits isn't much of a format, that it appeals primarily to 45+ listeners and has little future, but after reading the Inside-Radio ratings rundown of the PPM ratings in the Big Apple, it's very clear that CBS made the right move when they pulled the plug om Jack and reverted to Classic Hits. What is more surprising is that CBS-FM now holds the #2 position in market #1, with a 6+ Share that out-performs market mainstay CHR, Z-100. To be sure, Z-100 still puts up an impressive cume. Classic Hits, as CBS-FM does it with 60s-70s & 80s, might be the template for success in other markets.
 
scooterodell said:
Wasn't Jack technically "Classic Hits" as well?
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One big difference, though.

"Jack" was all over the place- basically "we play what we want", and totally automated.

CBS-FM is mid-60s- 70s- early 80s, with a mostly live air staff of well known NYC jocks.

If you recall, when CBS-FM was originally "Jacked", there was public outrage- and when they went back, their programming honcho actually admitted that it was a mistake to change the format (brilliant public relations IMHO).

Looking at the success Crawford is having in Rochester with "Legends", you'd think there must be someone in Buffalo sharp enough to see the possibilities, especially with the surfeit of ACs there...
 
biggguy said:
Looking at the success Crawford is having in Rochester with "Legends", you'd think there must be someone in Buffalo sharp enough to see the possibilities, especially with the surfeit of ACs there...
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The problem isn't "someone in Buffalo". The problem is "someone at Corporate". I've heard that WHTT's switch to AC was mandated by an edict from corporate that they target 35-44 females in order to broaden the sales possibilities of the entire cluster. It also didn't hurt that such a move would avoid competition with "the franchise" - i.e. 97-Rock.
 
WCBS is doing well because they do have top notch personalities and elements during the day that don't interupt the flow. You get the music and the other stuff too without realizing one takes over the other.

This station clearly shows that people want live talent that has something to say, a little humor and to kept informed on what is going on in the world.

They have gotten this right. Lets hope they let it grow and flourish.
 
SirRoxalot said:
biggguy said:
Looking at the success Crawford is having in Rochester with "Legends", you'd think there must be someone in Buffalo sharp enough to see the possibilities, especially with the surfeit of ACs there...
Click to expand...
The problem isn't "someone in Buffalo". The problem is "someone at Corporate". I've heard that WHTT's switch to AC was mandated by an edict from corporate that they target 35-44 females in order to broaden the sales possibilities of the entire cluster. It also didn't hurt that such a move would avoid competition with "the franchise" - i.e. 97-Rock.
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Was WHTT doing better in the Classic Hits format three or four years ago than it is now as Mix? If so, how does a decision like this get made locally or on the corporate level, especially if a format is doing well? Isn't the local management team in charge?
 
AndrewLawson said:
Isn't the local management team in charge?
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Nope - and that's true in most markets these days. Several of the corporate consolidators are mandating systemic changes, with little regard to the impact in individual markets.
 
Regardless of who and where the decision was made, it wasn't good. WHTT has been "middled" in the AC derby by Star on one side and WJYE on the other. Not sure what the answer is for WHTT. Too many people here under estimate Jack, which is a classic hits station for younger demos, playing a lot of 80s hits and plenty of album rock from that era. 97 Rock might have objected to WHTT doing classic hits because
Jack and WHTT attracted a lot of 97 Rock listeners. Jack was out of 97's control, but they could change 104, which is what they did. 97 plays 70s, 80s and some 90s, which attracts the same demographic for classic hits. The guys next door today had 97 on and it was Boston, Heart, Van Halen, Tom Petty and U2. Would anybody be surprised if Citadel just puts WHTT on autopilot like Jack? It's halfway there already because only morning and afternoon are live. Hard to imagine Mix doing any worse than it does now.
 
SirRoxalot said:
Nope - and that's true in most markets these days. Several of the corporate consolidators are mandating systemic changes, with little regard to the impact in individual markets.
Click to expand...

Rox is correct. And it's all about flanking to keep the cash cows in the cluster healthy, and not about filling a format hole that might "do better".
 
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