Country---Can there be a # 1 & #2

[Radio_bored-Op]

Timing and Luck be just what . . .
an FM station would need.

Say, the 97Rock/103.3 "combines" all ROCK
and fuses . . . (for argument sake) 103/x
and 104.1 (WHTT) picks up what 97 rock
drops that wont fit at the "new" 103.3 FM
-
so, 96.9/Country Cat is now "available"
to attempt to tackle WYRK.

Timing: A summer format change (post-WYRK) summer concert,
and (some $$$) to push the all-new Country station [in Buffalo]...

LUCK - and maybe good timing with NO Football in the fall
(on 97 rock) could also tie in a back to school blitz(no pun) lol,
and be very music intense / then personality driven!

all it takes is those three little words
(most girls wanna hear) " what the hell "!!!!
[why not] give it a shot !

 

[Obtuse1]

A remote possibility that might work:

Entercom flips WTSS to Country, simulcasting the Bills games there as well. Call it "Bills Country". WKSE picks up the bulk of Star's listeners. Or blow up WEDG, moving Hot AC there.

Since WTSS seems to be doing OK as is...probably not.

 

[TheBigA]

Entercom flips WTSS to Country, simulcasting the Bills games there as well. Call it "Bills Country".

WTSS gets into Rochester...has a 1 share in their book. Entercom owns WBEE, the #1 station in town. They don't want to cannibalize their own #1. But yes, WTSS is doing well...no need to kill off a Top 10 station.

 

[fybush]

Entercom flips WTSS to Country, simulcasting the Bills games there as well. Call it "Bills Country".

WTSS gets into Rochester...has a 1 share in their book.

WTSS used to get into Rochester. When it was WBEN-FM, I grew up listening to it on the east side of town. But as those of us on the ground here know, when they dropped in 102.7 in Rochester (now WLGZ), it wiped out WTSS reception in most of Monroe County, even more so when 102.7 added IBOC.

As with several other Buffalo stations, WTSS registers at the bottom of the Rochester book because of Genesee County diaries. One can reasonably conclude from the typical Rochester book that the Buffalo stations do very well in Batavia and points west. By the time you get out to Pembroke, you're in the Buffalo market in every reality but Arbitron's.

 

[Philip_Airtime]

Here we go again. I don't mean to be disrespectful of others opinions. But c'mon! Suggesting that WTSS and 97 Rock could go country is just plain stupid! NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! I've read some dumb things on this board through the years. If either of these things happen in 2012, I will echo the late, great Bob Curran, who once wrote a Buffalo News column and promised his readers he would eat his column if some outlandish statement one of his readers made came true. Yes, I will print out this thread and eat it if either station goes country! Now, let's return to a discussion of something that's actually possiblle.

 

[SirRoxalot]

If Cumuless decides to significantly change any station in its cluster, it will be WEDG. Ultimately, they could consolidate the rock audience on 97 with a Classic Rock/Modern Rock hybrid targeted 18-45, centered on 35-44. Shredd & Ragan would go to mornings, and Norton would finally retire.

WHTT would target 35-64, centered on 45-54. WEDG would go country, with new calls and largely syndicated programming. Drivetimes might be live and local, but it would cost money to establish new talent in town. My guess is that they'd try to attack WYRK with a "more music" approach and a syndicated morning show before they spent that kind of money.

Entercom's got to deal with the Kiss/Star overlap eventually, but tweaking is more likely than a wholesale change.

 

[TheBigA]

WHTT would target 35-64, centered on 45-54. WEDG would go country, with new calls and largely syndicated programming.

Right now they really don't have anything like that available. The only thing close is their 24/7 formats in Dallas, formerly the Satellite Music Networks, but even Citadel never forced any of their stations to run them. They're usually used in unrated markets. Cumulus Media's only weekly country show, American Country Countdown, is already carried by WYRK. They're not going to take it away from the #1 station in town. This is not to say they can't come up with something. They've hired a lot of top programmers in all formats in the last few months, so a national platform that could work in major markets might be the goal. But they're walking in very new territory.

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

It costs a lot of money to change formats. No company is about to do anything on a whim. There's also the law of unintended consequences. If WHTT can sell the 35-64 numbers (and it seems it can), there's no need to change formats. Same for WEDG and 97 Rock. That's a potent male combo, 18-54. The combo generates healthy cashflow, although WGR and WBEN pose salable alternatives and stiff competition in the demo. From my perspective, Townsquare Media holds a very strong (if not the strongest) hand in this market, especially if reports about the Fall 2011 book are true.

 

[DJ Hukhers Roll Call]

Sirius attempts to split the country format into Prime Country (90s), The Highway (New Country) and Willie Nelson's Roadhouse (Classic Country). I find myself listening more and more to The Highway rather than WYRK because I am just not a fan of classic country or anything from George Strait for that matter. I guess you'd say I am one of those newer crossover country fans who doesn't really like or appreciate the old stuff. I fall into the 18-49 demo and would gladly welcome a 2nd country station in the Buffalo market that plays more new country. The programming, IMO, at WYRK has gotten stale. Their three favorite artists appear to be Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and George Strait. Shake things up a bit already. The Breakfast Club Morning Show with Clay Moden and Dale Mussen is not bad. However, the rest of the DJ's are unbearable. The only one I strangely enjoy is weekend fill-in Craig Matthews. I still think of him from the Oldies 104 days.

 

[chas108]

Their three favorite artists appear to be Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and George Strait.

George is the King...he's Country's Elvis, only George has never become a characture the way Elvis did. I doubt he ever will.

Kenny and Taylor are white-hot. Both deserve props for maintaining their popularity despite moving out of their previous "safe zones" - Kenny's evolution from being the new Jimmy Buffett to a more straight-ahead rock sound...and Taylor's borne of necessity, having aged out of her previous sound and subject matter. New single "Ours" bodes well for her future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ34LlaIk88&ob=av2e

 

[Obtuse1]

If Cumuless decides to significantly change any station in its cluster, it will be WEDG. Ultimately, they could consolidate the rock audience on 97 with a Classic Rock/Modern Rock hybrid targeted 18-45, centered on 35-44. Shredd & Ragan would go to mornings, and Norton would finally retire.

WHTT would target 35-64, centered on 45-54. WEDG would go country, with new calls and largely syndicated programming. Drivetimes might be live and local, but it would cost money to establish new talent in town. My guess is that they'd try to attack WYRK with a "more music" approach and a syndicated morning show before they spent that kind of money.

Entercom's got to deal with the Kiss/Star overlap eventually, but tweaking is more likely than a wholesale change.

More likely (as highly unlikely as these scenarios are) if WEDG were to flip, 97 Rock would most likely continue as mostly Classic Rock (why mess with a winning formula) leaving Buffalo without a current rock outlet (it wouldn't be the first market without one).

At least in Buffalo's case, there are plenty of out of market city-grade signals to serve the (shrinking) new rock audience (CHTZ, CFNY, etc.).

In the end, it seems Buffalo's FM dial is pretty much set as-is, save for 107.7, which I suspect (thanks to the Bills) will be WGR's FM partner before long.

If there were a truly underperforming FM in Buffalo, country might be the way to go.

 

[Philip_Airtime]

Again, we're reading unrealistic speculation here. 107.7FM's future IS settled. It's going to be WBEN. Entercom has invested too much in re-branding 107.7FM as an FM outlet for WBEN to give up on it. If they wanted an FM outlet for WGR, Entercom's managers would have done so last April. Granted, WGR landing the Bills has changed the landscape. But I don't think it's enough for Entercom to make a change.

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

Ok - so I said it wrong, mixing up 97Rock/WEDG,

BUT as this board as stated the TOP heavy population
is starting to lose traction due to a number of factors,
and more younger listeners are tuned in ( to radio, their
ipod, satellite radio, etc) . . .

Just as the "oldies" format has had to consolidate to
a "classic hits" sound - the trend will carbon copy
for the rock format - thus, freeing up 97 rock
(near future) or (NOW)_ flip WEDG: [ and throwing
shredd and ragan to 97 rock] iF that is the station Cumulus keeps -
-
BUT GOTTA REMEMBER A KEY ELEMENT IN This equation:
that presumes s 'nR will still BE ON THE AIRE at Cumulus...
the revolving 5-year contract factors in (if they quit), or
if they are asked to leave, what does WEDG have left ???

 

[Element9]

Isn't crazy-ass-wild-speculation what this board is all about. Look, nobody in his right mind believes Star is going to drop its format for Country. But it wouldn't surprise me, based on what I've heard from sales people over the years, if GMs do some speculating of their own from time to time. The sales people at Star are miffed because Christmas Music didn't perform as well as it did years ago. Didn't get that nice bump. Listeners may have grown tired of hearing "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" beginning two weeks before Thanksgiving. Country on 102.5 isn't as far-fetched as some would argue, but the suits at Entercom aren't going to dump a format that brings in bushels of money each month, a format that's established, a format that works well with sister Kiss (despite the squabbles) in favor of running up against a Runaway train like WYRK. Yeah, there are issues between Kiss and Star and somebody gets paid a pretty good buck to sort it all out, so get it done and make it work. Somebody suggested WHTT is more likely to go Country. For what reason? Is Cumulus in a position to take on WYRK? Nope. They don't have the balls or the will to step into that ring because they know the loss:gain ratio heavily favors WYRK. WHTT will be Classic Hits for quite some time and Cumulus is betting on Shredd & Ragan to stop the bleeding at the Edge. The 107.7 WBEN simulcast? WBEN needs younger-end reinforcement more that WGR, which has almost perfect Male demos. WBEN on FM is not cast in stone. Entercom can change it whenever it wants, but WBEN needs the FM oxygen mask, not WGR, regardless of the weak east signal at night. Check the Sabres ratings. That null doesn't seem to be hurting WGR. But the team's crappy performance on the ice just might. Bottom line? Stay the course. Barkeep! Another round of speculation!

 

[Obtuse1]

IMHO putting WBEN on FM isn't going to draw the younger demos any more than, say, Swing 1270 would.

It's kind of like putting Matlock on MTV so the kids will find it, and hoping they'll watch. They already know where it is, and aren't interested (unless it's a snow day).

It's the programming, not the modulation.

 

[Element9]

It's kind of like putting Matlock on MTV so the kids will find it, and hoping they'll watch. They already know where it is, and aren't interested (unless it's a snow day). It's the programming, not the modulation.

You may have coined a term, "Matlock" or "Matlocked." Good analogy. Nailed it. Funny and true.

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

Pin Point :: the exact reasons all make sense...
(why would established stations take risks that
dont make sense) , but the ONE THING we all
(okay MOST) dont KNOW that read/and write on this Forum:

Inside Info.
Things like Bills' Broadcast rights are made public, but
talents (cotnracts) and talents (personal agenda) are not public.

Do I have any 'scoop?' No... but that usually explains the
shocking surprises. IE: if shredd and ragan, contracts doesnt
renew next time around, (estimates 18 months or so) , then what
does WEDG have to anchor "new rock" ( which rotates alot of 90s music:
ie: GNR, metallica), . .which brings me back to consolidate: WEDG/97 Rock...
... just a thought.
-

*WHAT IF* the COUNTRY format takes a hit ( within the next few books)
and the GENRE itself is NOT what it is today. I KNOW UNLIKELY but
takes a year or so - of NOT A lot of CURRENT artists recording hit music
-that happens in all cycles ( say ROCK has a drought) then the numbers
may go down for a few books,.... or if artists, shift to more POP than country,
. . how much can WYRK survive on the "new" (nu classics), say the 90s library...
-
or, the (new) music being recorded is "soo awful" it drives away listeners,
then. . . what would WYRK need to do ?

 

[Radio_bored-Op]

TEST the Waters:

this response has a Part (A) and (B) scenario:


starts: Friday march 28, 2013 at 5pm:
and stunt a "BIG" Announcement .. ... 6am, TGIF ( fri. march 29),
and .. that is...
( please read (A) and (B) please)

(A) 97-Rock GOES country:
"countryCat 97" sets up a facebook page/wall,
goes jockless and sets up "THE REEELY Big" announcement
for MONDAY Morning ( makes sense) . . . 6am / MONDAY


-these boards/forums take notice,
In scenario (A) it WORKS. Listeners/ people post like crazy,
this is awesome, i have a new fave.station!! (etc etc)...

soo at monday 6am the (REEEELY) "BIG" announcement . . .
countryCat 97 is waiting for .... waiting for .......

(accent on the aaaaaaaa) Aaaapril fools !!"
and no body gets hurt,
jocks enjoy a long weekend/no one (here) can say "Told u so" as eeveryone was fooled;
and it goes as a great radio prank...

-possibly setting up for new imaging (following this) maybe/maybe not.. !!!
-and then the classic rock sounds even more refreshing!!!

scenario (B)
this tanks, people on facebook say
CC-97/country cat sucks, and weather the storm of
the weekend and and it is a harmless prank..
-6am/Monday: "gotcha" and again the feel for the rest of the day,
GLAD we are NOT COUNTRY ( playing back in black) and other tongue-n-cheek
songs, that support the prank.

BUT ,
lets take a closer look at (A)
what if?
-this "stunt" takes off, and gets a life of its own.
facebook hits are real, and are 100's of (positive) comments,
-sat night (at the bandits) Advertise during the game tune into the new 97FM/
-news print ad ( ?) in the Buffalo news ( with enough camoflauge ) and maybe
a 'rediscover' 96.9 fm type of ad. (SO)*IF* it does tank, glad to have 97Rock back!!
[as part of a Re Discover 97 rock campaign!!] and appears to be in on the 'joke'

-since its done (on the thurs, prior to a monday april fools punchline)
it is NOT as "suspect" .. as "that day" wow, they flipped oh yea, april 1st..

OKAY
what would u do , if you were 97 ROCK
after laaagging numbers ( with out the 5-11 bills) carrying your fall book...
and you have an AMAZING SPARK with SOMETHING wow,
NEW AND exciting IN OTHER WORDS: ($$$) to be had, if at MONDAY at 6am
you go forward and its not a joke... or go back to the classic rock format?

[have a good weekend]
and this is a def "what if " scenario -
the author is 100 % understanding of that