That's what I was thinking. It's the sort of format that might work as a SiriusXM pop-up channel for a couple of weeks or even a month, maybe "curated" by Costello or Debbie Harry or some other New Wave notable as a single-artist-and-friends channel, like Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville or Garth Brooks' channel, with the "curator" playing his own songs every fourth or fifth song. But as a full-time channel or OTA station, no way. Note that Retro is nostalgic for the sound of WFNX, which was always a cult favorite rather than a solid ratings getter in its day. It was kept afloat by the owner's alternative newspaper, The Boston Phoenix, back in the days when newspapers were cash cows.
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Could We See Some Changes
- Thread starter radiolives
- Start date
That's what I was thinking. It's the sort of format that might work as a SiriusXM pop-up channel for a couple of weeks or even a month, maybe "curated" by Costello or Debbie Harry or some other New Wave notable as a single-artist-and-friends channel, like Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville or Garth Brooks' channel, with the "curator" playing his own songs every fourth or fifth song. But as a full-time channel or OTA station, no way. Note that Retro is nostalgic for the sound of WFNX, which was always a cult favorite rather than a solid ratings getter in its day. It was kept afloat by the owner's alternative newspaper, The Boston Phoenix, back in the days when newspapers were cash cows.
Only if they pay in advance.....
XM has had 1st Wave on Ch 33
>> New wave, late 1970s–1980s alternative rock and Deep Classic Alternative; post-punk, first wave punk, late 70s–80s punk rock (non-hardcore); "New Pop/New Music" and 1980s synthpop; 1980s college rock
>> New wave, late 1970s–1980s alternative rock and Deep Classic Alternative; post-punk, first wave punk, late 70s–80s punk rock (non-hardcore); "New Pop/New Music" and 1980s synthpop; 1980s college rock
You're always welcome to pay for radio, if that's what you want.
And that's the point, a niche format not popular enough for terresrrial.
'FNX what was caalled "New Wave" back during the 80's. In the 90's they playing Alternativesecause I guess that was what New Wave/Alternative listeners.
Now Nirvana was in no sense of the word New Wave. What they were was Alternative Rock instead. And while WFNX would still occasionally break out a new record here and there. The older listeners just were not going for its new sound at all.
So who picked up a little bit the slack? WZOU of all stations after they let Sunny Jo White go, after the owner thought that the station was getting way too Rhythmic for his taste.
Then finally WBCN went alternative as well, however it was in no way, shape, or form WFNX/WLYN was.
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The OP suggested a pure New Wave format, if I read the post correctly. But even a mish-mash of rock subgenres like First Wave would have zero chance of survival on a commercial FM.
I'll be the one to say it. Because of the repetitive dribble that is continuously played on FM in the name of "what bills best", I have switched to a combination of XM and Podcasts/music downloaded to my Android phone.
Terrestrial radio (in my opinion) is the only place where the people in the business listen less to the customer. You need us to listen and buy from sponsors. Yet, when the people who are more likely to listen tell you what they are tired of hearing, you go to your idol algorithms of what you know "makes the most money." You all love that quote from WKRP in Cincinnati, so I chose to take a cue. I won't give my money to sponsors from spots on FM stations. Instead I give my money directly to XM. Then when I hear music I like on XM, I buy the songs I like and put them on my phone's expandable memory.
So, thanks for the suggestion. But, I already decided to go that route.
Yea I am amazed at how radio still exists in its current set up. I turn on the radio in the car to get a pulse for the city or hear new music. Most station don’t give me that.
But it doesn’t matter because if I turn on the radio with people in the car they start yelling at me and judging me for listening to the radio and before we even hear anything ask to plug in their phone. Doesn’t matter the city or station.
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