Soft, (or more traditional) AC could also work, IMO.
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Could Something “BIG” Be Coming to 94.1?
- Thread starter DoctorRadio997
- Start date
From what I've seen that's stalled out. I haven't seen any new flips to that format in a while.
If they were to flip, wouldn’t one of the lower performing stations just snatch up the Hot AC format for themselves? Star is doing better than a handful of other stations, I would see that as a smart move for another lower rated station to do.
Considering there are 4 stations in the AC/CHR space (not counting urban)--B98.5, Star94, Power 96, and Q99.7--here are some possibilities:
If they played more 80s/90s material in a variety/adult hits fashion, B98.5 could go modern AC (not necessarily hot AC, but warm AC). In a way, Star and B would be trading places. Musically, B and Star aren't that different, but clearly B is executing much better.
Or B could go soft AC (much, much less likely).
Alternatively, either Q99.7 or Power 96 could go more hot AC. That would be less likely, but more likely than B going soft AC.
B98.5 used to play enough 80s/90s material to keep an Adult/Variety Hits station off the dial, but not anymore.
The real question, though, is how would this affect Q99.7?
I would say B98.5 quite possibly has the largest playlist in Atlanta radio. Everytime I tune in, there’s a song I’ve never heard play on there before. They are constantly adding more songs to their playlist.
No changes so far. Kinda curious what sources this rumor's based on, considering the amount of speculation of Star shifting to classic hits in the past.
I bet they are going to throw the HD2 feed on...IMO
Cox does a great job of maintaining B and River. They use the "turn and burn" approach--they put together a well-tested playlist, burn it, then test it again with a bunch of new songs and turn it over. They do it with a lot of songs and do it frequently. It's not uncommon in principle and it's not rocket science, but they seem to put a lot of time and effort into testing a lot of songs not currently on the playlist and aggressively grooming the ones on the playlist. It's all in the execution.
I don't listen to WALR but considering its format (basically an urban version of B), I wouldn't be surprised if they use that method there as well. And it shows in the book.
facebook.com/big941atlanta
lol big941atlanta.com redirects to Q99.7’s website.
Uh Oh...www.big94atlanta.com goes to Star 941. They forgot the 1.
Usually when stations start registering domains for new formats, they register every derivation of the branding they're settling on if its not already registered.
In any case, looks like the writing is on the wall here. Wonder when they'll flip the switch on it...
Someone is having some fun with misdirection with the web domains and the Facebok page.
Nothing is changing.
Star 94-1 lives on and on and on ...
Nothing is changing.
Star 94-1 lives on and on and on ...
1.) The concerts are all cancelled/postponed or will be, and them being listed is irrelevant anyway. I'm sure WODS had concerts on their site before they flipped too.
2.) Promos also mean nothing.
To go a step further, when Entercom flipped WDZH in Detroit, they had a full blown concert planned and then the format got axed and the concert was cancelled. Never say never. Only time will tell.
Wouldn't most concerts be cancelled (or about to be) due to COVID? A concert listing is especially meaningless today.
94.1 has had essentially the same format for over 40 years, when 94Q flipped out of the Rock 40 format in the late 70s. Ever since then, they've been some flavor of AC or a mild CHR.
Some of the other posters know more, but supposedly the 94Q to Star 94 flip was supposed to push the station in more of a CHR/M direction and away from the AC, but the format change was nixed by Jerry Blum. As a result, there wasn't a format change to speak of.
In a way that was a bad move--Z-93 had just flipped from CHR (CHuRban) to classic rock after getting clobbered by Power 99, so there was room for a second CHR (Peach 94.9 and B98.5 were dominating AC, soft and hot respectively). But it was also good, since CHR was about to hit one of its periodic doldrums in the early 90s. Star did take advantage and go CHR-ish when Power 99 flipped to alt 99X.
Can't the owner of a domain name point it wherever they like? Maybe the pointing of big941atlanta.com to Q99.7 is disinformation.
94.1 has had essentially the same format for over 40 years, when 94Q flipped out of the Rock 40 format in the late 70s. Ever since then, they've been some flavor of AC or a mild CHR.
Some of the other posters know more, but supposedly the 94Q to Star 94 flip was supposed to push the station in more of a CHR/M direction and away from the AC, but the format change was nixed by Jerry Blum. As a result, there wasn't a format change to speak of.
In a way that was a bad move--Z-93 had just flipped from CHR (CHuRban) to classic rock after getting clobbered by Power 99, so there was room for a second CHR (Peach 94.9 and B98.5 were dominating AC, soft and hot respectively). But it was also good, since CHR was about to hit one of its periodic doldrums in the early 90s. Star did take advantage and go CHR-ish when Power 99 flipped to alt 99X.
Can't the owner of a domain name point it wherever they like? Maybe the pointing of big941atlanta.com to Q99.7 is disinformation.
Jabba17, you are correct, except that the CHR/M direction on 94.1 came in January 1989, when it was still 94Q. Z93 had gone classic rock, as you said, and 94Q decided that they would do an adult-presentation CHR format, with the rap and hard rock dayparted to nights. In March, Jazz Flavors was relegated to Sundays only. The "new 94Q" started making inroads with younger women, but Jerry Blum terminated the format at the end of June, saying that the station had ventured into "dangerous waters."
After that, Blum was out as GM and Clarke Brown was brought in. He hired a new PD and management made the decision to change the branding and bring back Jazz Flavors weeknights.
Star 94 was launched in November 1989.
After that, Blum was out as GM and Clarke Brown was brought in. He hired a new PD and management made the decision to change the branding and bring back Jazz Flavors weeknights.
Star 94 was launched in November 1989.
Any word when they are going to make the flip? If they are emphasising on the "BIG" then my money is on a variety hits station like their sister in Boston. This would be an excellent move and could help sway B98.5 to play more 80s. But a true AC station would be nice too so Atlanta can have an official station that plays Christmas music. But that is asking a lot in an overrated and underperforming market but ultimately you have to go where the money is.
Don't say Urban lol
I am waiting for an official ruling from Caller10 on this whole Star94-1 issue. But I tend to think someone is having fun with this rumor.
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