Clear Channel & Smooth Jazz

[jeffdfw]

CC seems to know what they are doing with smooth jazz in Chicago...

way up in almost every demo/daypart

From 6th to 5th 12+ (4.3)
From 18th to 13th 25-54
From 3rd to 2nd 35-64

MD Rick O'Dell (middays) #1 25-54 & 35-64 8)

Dave Koz (afternoon drive) from 5th to 2nd 25-54 & 3rd to 1st 35-64 8)

So, clearly if CC wanted to make 97.1 smooth jazz it could be a ratings contender if done right.

 

[Mediafrog+]

WNUA has been around for over 20 years, having started (as the calls suggest) as a New Age oriented format, very similar to the original KOAI on 106.1.

WNUA streams, if you want to hear a sample.

 

[radi0chik]

So, clearly if CC wanted to make 97.1 smooth jazz it could be a ratings contender if done right.

CC won't be doing smooth jazz with 97.1 - but the format will change. You won't be able to gripe about holiday music throughout the holiday season.

 

[jeff715]

Can you back this up? I know that you don't work for CC.

 

[radi0chik]

Mark my words

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

Mark my words

Do your words offer a little more insight than the verbal marks-a-lot? I know this cerebral mystique is sexy and all, but spill it... the suspense is killing us! ;D

 

[radi0chik]

I don't want my "sources" to dry up and blow away. I DID tell Robert Bass what I think it will be. When it flips, he can confirm or deny whether I was correct.

And it just might happen sooner than you think.

 

[Robert Bass]

Yep, she confirmed to me it'll be "All Polka!"

RRahh rahh rahh!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

I am so excited!



R

 

[radioman921]

How about a form of oldies with a slant of Middle of the road? That is what I have heard. Though if they bring rock back they are not very bright. Of course it is Clear Channel.

 

[Robert Bass]

MOR? Like Williams, Mathis, Faith and Conniff?

Sorry, that's the only form of MOR I am really familiar with. If that's the case, wouldn't they be targeting 65+?

R

 

[cklw800]

Yes, WNUA has been doing it for awhile and have been very local. Their midday guy has been there for awhile and I've listened to the stream. He does a great job at referencing wherever possible to the time of day, weather, Chicago happenings, the whole works. Doing it midday he has the at work audience entrenched. Local jocks in key dayparts like midday makes the difference. If you can do that on at least one shift and do the best possible job you will succeed in this format as a station. If you make it all bird it'll be cheaper but the results will be mixed to disappointing. That why WNUA will continue to win programming awards. They do a lot on their own, including weekends. Like I said in another thread elsewhere in radioinfo, it's hard to win a programming distinction in your market if you're broadcasting the same thing everyone else is around the country. Unless they give awards for editing the voicetracks better than another station. The WNUA ratings are no surprise. They will continue to do well as long as they don't go on the cheap. Congrats to WNUA!

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

Yep, she confirmed to me it'll be "All Polka!"

RRahh rahh rahh!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D

I am so excited!



R

Well sweet. I always know to trust the permanently tongue-in-cheek guy. Lawrence Welk, here we come... wheeee!

 

[coop2006]

I Think that they need to make 97.1 a smooth jazz station because it would be a great thing, The Oasis had alot of loyal listners and when it switched to Movin 107.5 the only time you can hear the Oasis is on the internet or on HD raido, but not everyone might not have the internet nor HD radio I think it would be nice for that tho happen

 

[Megapsycle]

I listened to WNUA's stream a little.. they played Spandau Ballet while I was listening. When did that become "jazz"?

 

[MikeShannon914]

As I said in an earlier post, apparently any song that has a horn in it falls under the "smooth jazz" category. I guess that little horn solo in the middle of "True" instantly makes it a SJ song now! (Now if this was Spandau's "Only When You Leave," that argument goes out the window...)

;D

 

[Megapsycle]

I guess that little horn solo in the middle of "True" instantly makes it a SJ song now! ;D

Ha! You got it.. "True" is what I heard playing.

 

[cklw800]

Spandau Ballet's "True" is a good example of how the name "Smooth Jazz" violates listener expectations like yours. Sometime in 2008 the "Jazz" word will be taken out I think. Many sales folks at these stations are selling it as "Smooth AC" so Spandau Ballet won't trip the buyer up as far as understanding what they're being sold. Ambrosia, Genesis, Phil Collins, Chaka Khan, David Pack, Michael McDonald, Doobie Brothers, Marvin Gaye, Pussycat Dolls, Simply Red, Lionel Richie, Kelly Sweet, Babyface, Robin Thicke and more all violate our expectations of what's called "Smooth Jazz." This is "Smooth AC." When the "J" word goes we won't have any complaints. We won't expect "jazz." The format is pretty much dead as a real contemporary jazz format on terrestrial radio. Internet and Satellite radio will have to take it over. Even the current successful terrestrial SJ stations will have to adapt to "Smooth AC" and they'll be huge ratings successes. Expect more crossovers from other formats as they evolve. But don't expect anything resembling contemporary jazz on the air in the foreseeable future. It just can't sell and that's why we have the BA Network---to allow stations to do it cheaply while they figure out what to do.

 

[jeffdfw]

I must apologize for posting eroneous information at the beginning of this thread.

Clear Channel's Smooth Jazz (WNUA) fall -07 trend finished third 25-54, up from fourth, with a half-share gain; not 13th, up from 18th, as previously reported.