Could a Music Mix Like This Work in Columbus?

[Nu_Roo_2]

First, some background:
I was reading about Clear Channel’s new corporate programming senior management structure. Apparently the “smaller” markets will be overseen by Columbus’ market head Tom Thon and Cincy’s market head Dave Crowl, with both being promoted to Senior VP/Ops. A Senior VP of Programming was also name to report to each, with Phil Hunt taking that position under Thon.

I hadn’t heard of Hunt so I did a little nosing around and see that he’s been heading up CC programming in Little Rock. I looked at the Little Rock stations he’s been involved in, and found one that is light years away from any music mix ever tried in Columbus. It’s KHKN Tom-FM, which had been a longtime Classic Rock until they flipped it late last year. From what I can see it’s doing better than its predecessor 12+ (and maybe better still in-demo).

Here’s a chunk of today’s playlist for Tom-FM, from yes.com, starting around 10:30 a.m.

What do you think? Could something like this form a successful foundation for a local station? Maybe 93.1, which has sunk back to its usual 3 share 12+? Or 97.1, which is even lower? It sure would be a departure from anything ever done around here, and an ultra-departure from anything ever done on a big signal here.

C&C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm....
Billy Joel - It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
Joe Jackson - Breaking Us In Two
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Kiss On My List
Tal Bachman - She's So High
Annie Lennox - Walking On Broken Glass
The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger
Benny Mardones - Into The Night
The Fixx - One Thing Leads To Another
Don Henley - All She Wants To Do Is Dance
Abba - Dancing Queen
The Kinks - You Really Got Me
The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23
Faith Hill - Breathe
INXS - Suicide Blonde
Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown
Grand Funk - The Loco-Motion
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
Goo Goo Dolls - Slide
Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
Big Country - In A Big Country
B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone
Michael Jackson - Rock With You
David Bowie - Let's Dance
Foreigner - Feels Like The First Time
Shawn Mullins - Lullaby
Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World
AC/DC - Back In Black
Dr. John - Right Place Wrong Time
U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Rick James - Super Freak
No Doubt - Hella Good
Amy Grant - Baby Baby
Chicago - Feelin' Stronger Every Day
The Outfield - Your Love
Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman
Scandal - Goodbye To You
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down
Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
Cyndi Lauper - She Bop
Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone
Modern English - I Melt With You
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy
Billy Joel - Uptown Girl

 

[V.Riley]

Looks like a great mix of tunes. Lots of well liked 80s songs in there. I think that would do very well in Columbus. If 97.1 didn't want to try and compete with NCI by playing the latest music I could see them taking an interest in a format like this, but maybe not NCI as they seem to be more of a tween station. Although this being a Clear Channel listing, maybe one of their bottom of the barrel stations would give it a try. Keep in mind I thought if TED-FM had kept their DJ personalities, had more depth to their variety and a stronger signal, I think they would still be on the air today, so my opinion may not compare well with the folks that get paid the big $$ to make the choices.

 

[KFodor]

Sounds like they're trying to still play in the "Adult Hits" arena (think "Jack").

But, I will admit, it's an interesting mix of music. I don't see many songs there that I know to be stiffs. I think the question would be the presentation and, of course, music scheduling would be critical on a station like this.

 

[alans613]

First, some background:
I was reading about Clear Channel’s new corporate programming senior management structure. Apparently the “smaller” markets will be overseen by Columbus’ market head Tom Thon and Cincy’s market head Dave Crowl, with both being promoted to Senior VP/Ops. A Senior VP of Programming was also name to report to each, with Phil Hunt taking that position under Thon.

I hadn’t heard of Hunt so I did a little nosing around and see that he’s been heading up CC programming in Little Rock. I looked at the Little Rock stations he’s been involved in, and found one that is light years away from any music mix ever tried in Columbus. It’s KHKN Tom-FM, which had been a longtime Classic Rock until they flipped it late last year. From what I can see it’s doing better than its predecessor 12+ (and maybe better still in-demo).

Here’s a chunk of today’s playlist for Tom-FM, from yes.com, starting around 10:30 a.m.

What do you think? Could something like this form a successful foundation for a local station? Maybe 93.1, which has sunk back to its usual 3 share 12+? Or 97.1, which is even lower? It sure would be a departure from anything ever done around here, and an ultra-departure from anything ever done on a big signal here.

*C&C Music Factory - Things That Make You Go Hmmmm....
Billy Joel - It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
Joe Jackson - Breaking Us In Two
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Kiss On My List
Tal Bachman - She's So High
Annie Lennox - Walking On Broken Glass
The Police - Wrapped Around Your Finger
Benny Mardones - Into The Night
The Fixx - One Thing Leads To Another
Don Henley - All She Wants To Do Is Dance
Abba - Dancing Queen
The Kinks - You Really Got Me
The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23
*Faith Hill - Breathe
INXS - Suicide Blonde
Lipps, Inc. - Funkytown
Grand Funk - The Loco-Motion
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
Goo Goo Dolls - Slide
Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
Big Country - In A Big Country
B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone
*Michael Jackson - Rock With You
David Bowie - Let's Dance
Foreigner - Feels Like The First Time
Shawn Mullins - Lullaby
Lisa Stansfield - All Around The World
*AC/DC - Back In Black
Dr. John - Right Place Wrong Time
U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love)
*Sara Bareilles - Love Song
Rick James - Super Freak
No Doubt - Hella Good
*Amy Grant - Baby Baby
Chicago - Feelin' Stronger Every Day
The Outfield - Your Love
Chaka Khan - I'm Every Woman
Scandal - Goodbye To You
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down
Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy
Cyndi Lauper - She Bop
Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone
Modern English - I Melt With You
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
Earth, Wind & Fire - Fantasy
Billy Joel - Uptown Girl

Fly 92.9 in Dayton plays or has played about 95% of these songs. I've noted the ones I haven't heard on Fly. with an asterik.
The next question you have to ask is would Adult Hits work on a real signal in Columbus?(TED was horrible on so many levels, not to mention the bad signal). I'm willing to bet that the numbers would spike at first, and then crash back down to Earth soon after, much like Fly's recent numbers(5.6-4.3 in one TREND-YIKES!).

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Fly 92.9 in Dayton plays or has played about 95% of these songs.  I've noted the ones I haven't heard on Fly.    with an asterik.   
The next question you have to ask is would Adult Hits work on a real signal in Columbus?(TED was horrible on so many levels, not to mention the bad signal).  I'm willing to bet that the numbers would spike at first, and then crash back down to Earth soon after, much like Fly's recent numbers(5.6-4.3 in one TREND-YIKES!). 

Most of the really successful Adult Hits stations fully expect that kind of drop 12+ from their original spike at some point, but then they remain solid -- especially among adults.  E.g, Bob-FM in Austin dropped from 5.4-4.1 Summer-Fall '07 but has climbed back up to 4.7 and remains a solid winner, especially when you look past 12+ to the demos.  And note that 92.9 is still doing a lot better than when it was CHR, especially in the money demos. Note also that WLVQ is always a big player 25-54 (especially in men) even when its 12+ is down to the mid 4's.