Cleveland and NE Ohio Media in 2023

[vw86]

Let me use this analogy:

There is a legacy Italian Restaurant in Cleveland that has been around for decades called Tony's. The dishes and recipies have remained the same, with a a few minor changes to keep up with the times (ie, adding a gluten-free menu). The restaurant has renovated their appearance over the years to look nice and modern. The restaurant has had changes in owners and managers, but have kept the name of the restaurant the same because people know the name for it's Italian food.

You mean like Majic freshening up their music, presentation, and logo to align with what the current audience wants while still playing feel good upbeat songs from the previous generation or two. All while keeping the name Majic 105.7 because folks in Cleveland know the name as a radio station known for playing "the great old and fun hits my parents used to have on in the car"

Now the restaurant was bought by a new owner who either decides to turn it into a Chinese restaurant or a sports bar serving just a fraction of the legacy food they used to offer -- but they will keep the name of the restaurant the same.

This analogy is that of a format flip. If WMJI had flipped to, say, Alternative Rock or Country in the 2000s and in 2022 was still branded as Majic 105.7, yes, that would be weird.

I'm not sure why folks can't accept that what was the Oldies format has morphed into Classic Hits on a majority of major market stations not out of some weird personal spite, but out of necessity to give the consumer what they want.

 

[radiofollower]

"but out of necessity to give the consumer what they want." Not exactly. There are still a great deal of people who enjoy 50s-60s rock and roll oldies, but they are primarily 50+ and if you are over 50, the major station operators and ad agencies don't care about you regardless of how many people are in that age group.

 

[skiwest]

There are so many legendary artists from the 50s/60s - Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Supremes, Four Seasons, Monkees, Doors, CCR, etc. - that should appeal to listeners who may not have been around during that era. Heck, I don't mind occasionally hearing stuff that was before my time. It doesn't need to be played exclusively, just sprinkled in.

 

[DavidEduardo]

There are so many legendary artists from the 50s/60s - Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Supremes, Four Seasons, Monkees, Doors, CCR, etc. - that should appeal to listeners who may not have been around during that era. Heck, I don't mind occasionally hearing stuff that was before my time. It doesn't need to be played exclusively, just sprinkled in.

Stations have conducted plenty of research and it always shows that such songs will create immense negative reactions and reduce audience appeal.

 

[Northcoast43]

There are so many legendary artists from the 50s/60s - Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Supremes, Four Seasons, Monkees, Doors, CCR, etc. - that should appeal to listeners who may not have been around during that era. Heck, I don't mind occasionally hearing stuff that was before my time. It doesn't need to be played exclusively, just sprinkled in.

That's one thing that I've often wondered about. Could a crafty station do a "60's Saturday", "50's at Five" or similar on occasion and still not alienate regular listeners? Answer? : "I'd hope so"...But, it also might take way too much research to see what remains popular within any given stations listener base. (Not limited by the way, to any particular decades. How about Songs popular during a Summer, love songs on Valentines Day, or whatever else someone could come up with).

The Lake's "A to Z" and "Z to A" weekends, used to be kind of fun. "Magic's Cleveland 500" (Memorial day AND we voted for them)

Stations have conducted plenty of research and it always shows that such songs will create immense negative reactions and reduce audience appeal.

However: Maybe the above quote would be the ultimate answer. (I kind of wish, it wasn't)

I do recall an era when WMJI was to overplaying the Beatles at times, what WNCX was to overplaying Pink Floyd. As a listener, it didn't alienate enough to want to touch the dial.

 

[DarrenVision]

I think WBNX should sold to Tegna or Nexstar making duopolies for either WKYC or WJW. Tegna might invest more in WKYC's newsroom if they consider looking at WBNX. Part 1 buy the MNTV affiliation from Gray TV to fill the 8-10pm slot, Part 2 while adding newscasts 7-10am weekdays and 10pm every night.

 

[DavidEduardo]

That's one thing that I've often wondered about. Could a crafty station do a "60's Saturday", "50's at Five" or similar on occasion and still not alienate regular listeners? Answer? : "I'd hope so"...But, it also might take way too much research to see what remains popular within any given stations listener base.

If you can't sell advertising in a major market on a station that is mostly listened to by people over 55, why turn weekends into a zone where your regular listeners will disappear (and likely never come back) while the new listeners are not attractive to advertisers.

 

[thenetwork]

"but out of necessity to give the consumer what they want." Not exactly. There are still a great deal of people who enjoy 50s-60s rock and roll oldies, but they are primarily 50+ and if you are over 50, the major station operators and ad agencies don't care about you regardless of how many people are in that age group.

...And ad agencies and movie makers **NEVER** use pre-1970 music in their ads (or create jingles using said song's melodies) or their films...Nor will you EVER see a teen or 20-something sporting a Beatles or Rolling Stones tee-shirt on occasion at school or Cedar Point...

There is a reason why local radio stations can't select their own playlists anymore or break songs that THEY think will be hits in the area -- The giant record labels dictate to the giant radio ownerships what they will play nowadays.

SMH

And yes, let's give credit to the smaller stations -- especially college and community non-profit stations -- for sticking with playing what the local stations think will fit with their listeners.

 

[vw86]

That's one thing that I've often wondered about. Could a crafty station do a "60's Saturday", "50's at Five" or similar on occasion and still not alienate regular listeners? Answer? : "I'd hope so"

Could McDonald's sell $25 lobster rolls and jars of caviar through the drive through from 5-5:30pm and from 7-Mid on Saturdays without alienating regular customers?

 

[vw86]

"but out of necessity to give the consumer what they want." Not exactly.

But it is exactly why they do it. If the consumer still wanted 50s and 60s hits, Majic would still be playing them.

 

[DarrenVision]

i feel Iheart, Urban One and Audacy will be the only ones left in a few years in the CLE/Akron market

 

[skiwest]

But it is exactly why they do it. If the consumer still wanted 50s and 60s hits, Majic would still be playing them.

WMJI does sprinkle in a few 60s hits. Last night I heard "I'm A Believer" by the Monkees and "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf.

 

[MediaLover]

i feel Iheart, Urban One and Audacy will be the only ones left in a few years in the CLE/Akron market

What about Salem?