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Could a format change be on the way in Tampa?

A

adidasjames87

Guest
Last night I listened in on my wife doing a survey for "Tampa Bay Radio Research." It didn't seem like the "usual" survey.

They did the whole "What is your favorite radio station and why?" questions. After several questions on additional stations she may listen to, the reseach company played about ten music medleys - I'd say about seven of them combined all formats of music: country, rock, pop, rap, eighties, ect. Following each of the medleys came two questions:

1. Is there a station in your area that sounds like that?
2. "If a new station signed on playing stuff like that, would you listen to it a little less, a lot less, a little more, a lot more, or about the same as you listen to your favorite radio station?"

After the medleys were all done and over with, then the really focusing questions started coming through, when the research company was asking about radio personalitys in the market:

1. Have you heard of Nancy Alexander, if so, what station is she on?
2. Have you heard the Nancy & Mike Morning show?
3. Have you heard of the Chad & Kristi morning show, do you listen to them?
4. Do you listen to radio in the morning for music, talk entertainment, or talk information concerning news and traffic?
5. Have you heard or listened to Kristi Knight on Mix 100.7?
6. Do you listen to 101.5 The Point in the morning?
7. Have you ever listen to 101.5 The Point for music in the morning?
8. Do any stations, on the weekends, play music you haven't heard in a very long time - that you like?

Then the surveyor had my wife pick a number 1 - 5 to determine the next question. She picked and was asked, "About how many hours a week do you listen to Mix 100.7 compared to your favorite radio station?"

Many questions really focused a lot between WMTX and WPOI; no other formats were questioned. Personally, I don't think WWRM is planning to flip anytime soon. So I think either Clear Channel or Cox is researching for an upcoming format change. I'm really thinking it's Clear Channel doing the research. Several of questions of "If a new station signs on..." I'd say a company is researching for the JACK format - based on what I heard in those music medleys: Christina Aguilera going into The Eagles, into Tim McGraw, into Elvis, then Missy Elliot?

Tried to get the person to say what radio company commissioned them to research. ALMOST slipped... but caught themself.

Interesting stuff

Can Tampa handle being JACKED?
 
I think you are on to something. I got a call with similar questions about Ron Diez on Thunder 103.5 about two months before his show was killed. They ask extensive questions about 103.5 and 102.5. I thought it was either CC or Cox (Cox is known for doing extensive research). Then Thunder axed the local morning show and then Thunder became country. Hmmmmm....

> Last night I listened in on my wife doing a survey for
> "Tampa Bay Radio Research." It didn't seem like the "usual"
> survey.
>
> They did the whole "What is your favorite radio station and
> why?" questions. After several questions on additional
> stations she may listen to, the reseach company played about
> ten music medleys - I'd say about seven of them combined all
> formats of music: country, rock, pop, rap, eighties, ect.
> Following each of the medleys came two questions:
>
> 1. Is there a station in your area that sounds like that?
> 2. "If a new station signed on playing stuff like that,
> would you listen to it a little less, a lot less, a little
> more, a lot more, or about the same as you listen to your
> favorite radio station?"
>
> After the medleys were all done and over with, then the
> really focusing questions started coming through, when the
> research company was asking about radio personalitys in the
> market:
>
> 1. Have you heard of Nancy Alexander, if so, what station is
> she on?
> 2. Have you heard the Nancy & Mike Morning show?
> 3. Have you heard of the Chad & Kristi morning show, do you
> listen to them?
> 4. Do you listen to radio in the morning for music, talk
> entertainment, or talk information concerning news and
> traffic?
> 5. Have you heard or listened to Kristi Knight on Mix 100.7?
>
> 6. Do you listen to 101.5 The Point in the morning?
> 7. Have you ever listen to 101.5 The Point for music in the
> morning?
> 8. Do any stations, on the weekends, play music you haven't
> heard in a very long time - that you like?
>
> Then the surveyor had my wife pick a number 1 - 5 to
> determine the next question. She picked and was asked,
> "About how many hours a week do you listen to Mix 100.7
> compared to your favorite radio station?"
>
> Many questions really focused a lot between WMTX and WPOI;
> no other formats were questioned. Personally, I don't think
> WWRM is planning to flip anytime soon. So I think either
> Clear Channel or Cox is researching for an upcoming format
> change. I'm really thinking it's Clear Channel doing the
> research. Several of questions of "If a new station signs
> on..." I'd say a company is researching for the JACK format
> - based on what I heard in those music medleys: Christina
> Aguilera going into The Eagles, into Tim McGraw, into Elvis,
> then Missy Elliot?
>
> Tried to get the person to say what radio company
> commissioned them to research. ALMOST slipped... but caught
> themself.
>
> Interesting stuff
>
> Can Tampa handle being JACKED?
>
 
...and that's exactly what they seemed to be doing - focusing on mainly WPOI and WMTX, and somewhat WWRM... I notice my household gets a LOT of surveys from this company - they seemed to have called now each month for the past 5 months. This survey was totally different that the others that I've heard.

So... my thoughts are between WMTX and WPOI ... Is JACK/Ben/Whatever Coming? Or is this market in need of another format?

> I think you are on to something. I got a call with similar
> questions about Ron Diez on Thunder 103.5 about two months
> before his show was killed. They ask extensive questions
> about 103.5 and 102.5. I thought it was either CC or Cox
> (Cox is known for doing extensive research). Then Thunder
> axed the local morning show and then Thunder became country.
> Hmmmmm....
 
I doubt very seriously if any of the AC stations will be changing anytime soon.

1. WWRM... Magic 94.9 is still "NEW"! Ha ha couldn't resist. Honestly, that station is pretty established in this market. Doubtful Cox would blow up a station like that before The Point. Gotta figure The Point or even The Dove would go before Magic.

2. WPOI... Even though the ratings still seem to be ok in Tampa Bay, the "80's and more" format is fading. Very few stations still around the country doing it. If Cox is conducting this research, it could signal the future demise of 101.5 due to a potential squeeze by Mix, Magic, and the return of Q-105. When WRBQ added 80's music, the jukebox sounding Point's life was probably shortened.

3. WMTX... Although I think this station could be programmed better, Clear Channel is probably not gonna toss in the towel on 2 years of re-marketing and re-imaging this station. Could they be in for a tweak in music imaging? Could they lean towards a "Jack" type sound? Absolutely. Are they gonna change the Clear Channel AC brand name from "Mix"? Doubtful.

These days all the big companies are constantly doing reseach no matter what the ratings or communities say. Infinity obviously did it in launching La Nueva 92.5. Clear Channel also did it in launching The Beat 2 years ago. Does reseach signal a format change.... not necessarly. It's all about keeping your product on top and research is the tool the big boys use to do it.
 
Is this Point moot?(probably.)

If it is Cox (and I know this will never happen) how about flipping WSUN to Jack/Ben/BillyJoeJimBob, then move 97X's Alternative format to 101.5's better signal?

They could even call the new Variety hits format "Sonny".

Of course, I'm sure:

A: Cox is counting on the Point's current listeners to stick around at the same frequency.

B: Cox figures 97X is faring OK on the lesser signal, where a new format might not, especially with Mix, Magic, and Q105 competing for the same ears.

..thought I'd throw it out there anyhow.
 
101.5 is designated by the FCC (Fercacta Cox Company) as Tampa Bay's Official FAD FORMAT frequency

Jammin' Oldies, 80's, etc.

By FCC (Fercacta Cox Company) edict, no format on this station shall run more than the length of the average car loan.
 
Re: Is this Point moot?(probably.)

> If it is Cox (and I know this will never happen) how about
> flipping WSUN to Jack/Ben/BillyJoeJimBob, then move 97X's
> Alternative format to 101.5's better signal?
>
> They could even call the new Variety hits format "Sonny".

Only if they rename one of their other stations "Cher".

(Sorry; couldn't resist.)
 
Re: Me too!

I got the same type of phone call, and just a few weeks later, my favorite "colon blow" show moved from WTAN to WHNZ.

I'm surprised Cox hasn't switched 101.5 to an all 90's format. Hasn't the lease run out on their all 80's yet?
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
Re: Me too!

> I got the same type of phone call, and just a few weeks
> later, my favorite "colon blow" show moved from WTAN to
> WHNZ.
>
> I'm surprised Cox hasn't switched 101.5 to an all 90's
> format. Hasn't the lease run out on their all 80's yet?

Turn 101.5 to a WMMO adult hits clone, and let it remain The Point, or resurrect The Bay.
 
Re: Me too!

> > I got the same type of phone call, and just a few weeks
> > later, my favorite "colon blow" show moved from WTAN to
> > WHNZ.
> >
> > I'm surprised Cox hasn't switched 101.5 to an all 90's
> > format. Hasn't the lease run out on their all 80's yet?
>
> Turn 101.5 to a WMMO adult hits clone, and let it remain The
> Point, or resurrect The Bay.
>

Amen...either that or a Triple A!

<P ID="signature">______________
Who's your Buddy?</P>
 
Re: Me too!

Not a bad idea. Most 'adult hits' formats are late 70's to early 90's-strong. I think Point would be able to hold on to their current 80's audience, while broadening their appeal a bit. I think 'The Point' or 'The Bay' would certainly be better than another John, Dick, Harry, Frank, Bob, or Leroy!

I got the same type of phone call, and just a few weeks
> > > later, my favorite "colon blow" show moved from WTAN to
> > > WHNZ.
> > >
> > > I'm surprised Cox hasn't switched 101.5 to an all 90's
> > > format. Hasn't the lease run out on their all 80's yet?
>
> >
> > Turn 101.5 to a WMMO adult hits clone, and let it remain
> The
> > Point, or resurrect The Bay.
> >
>
> Amen...either that or a Triple A!
>
 
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