College Radios Deevolution

[Jaycifer666]

I still love and listen to my local college stations. But they are very different from the 80's. Back then KUSF, KALX, KFJC and KSJS would play a lot of "three-legged" pop bands that were one album away from making it big time. REM is a prime example. Now it seems they play totally obscure stuff that only 1 in 1,000 may enjoy. Am I getting old or are they just playing total crap? I absolutely have no problem when they play metal though.

 

[radiogeek07]

You can blame the Crappy Music Journal for that one. I've heard some of those CDs. They are terrible!

 

[nd2023]

I agree, my college station's playlist has 99% obscure stuff almost no one has heard of. I think college radio should mix in the hits with the obscure stuff to keep a lot of people listening, which is what I do on my show. I find myself listening to the CHR station more than my college station.

Z88.9 is an example of college radio done right. A dance/CHR format during the day, and specialty shows of various formats in the evening. The daytime format is great, playing the hits along with similar-sounding dance music that is played a lot in the clubs.

 

[DannyGL]

I use to be a DJ over at KSJS, and they battle was always the management of station trying to turn the station into a world type format.

The station had 4 or 5 music formats before.


it's been so long ago I cant remember how it was, but I do remember


Radio Aztlan / Latin Sounds being on from 6pm - 10pm M-F
The Underground / Urban Hip Hop Being on from 10pm - 2am M-F
The Creative Source / Jazz Musics Being on all weekend long


etc, etc



The station first step into making the change was taking away the format's names.


then later on, they broke away to format blocks.


then they have always tried to mix all the misoc formats by making on playlist for everyone.


but the students dont accept that, think they will never accept that

 

[LeeLHeureux]

I think college radio is at an interesting cross roads that some of the stations like KEXP, KXLU and others are really grasping. As technology continues to evolve and the Internet broadcast and podcasts become more popular college radio could find itself in an interesting place. We are not far from internet radio in vehicles which will eliminate much of the signal problems that some of these stations have. Not to mention, most campuses, have a wealth of knowledge, creativity and freedom within reach to create really interesting and thought provoking radio & podcasts. While I don't believe that this is going to surpass mainstream radio outlets, I think if executed well the new means of broadcast could really help to maintain and possibly build the niche following that many college stations have.