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Country FM ?

Z

zell

Guest
Anybody else ever hear the rumor about WRJH going country?<P ID="signature">______________
"ain't gonna let 'em catch the Midnight Rider..."</P>
 
> Anybody else ever hear the rumor about WRJH going country?
>

There's been so much speculation about WRJH over the past year that it wouldn't surprise me if they were to go country or any other format. Much of that speculation had been over the financial troubles of its owner, On Top Communications. I really don't think Hot 97-7 can do any much better than what they're doing now. That they're able to pull three-plus shares with that signal is a positive.

If Hot were to change, that may further fuel speculation as to whether or not Q105.1 goes urban.<P ID="signature">______________
"...and the countdown continues until the neanderthals that govern college football do something about their pathetic postseason."--Tim Brando, Sporting News Radio</P>
 
> > Anybody else ever hear the rumor about WRJH going country?
>
> >
>
> There's been so much speculation about WRJH over the past
> year that it wouldn't surprise me if they were to go country
> or any other format. Much of that speculation had been over
> the financial troubles of its owner, On Top Communications.
> I really don't think Hot 97-7 can do any much better than
> what they're doing now. That they're able to pull three-plus
> shares with that signal is a positive.
>
> If Hot were to change, that may further fuel speculation as
> to whether or not Q105.1 goes urban.
>

When "On Top" declared bankruptcy it made it a bit more difficult to predict what will happen and when. Anybody know who's working the deal on that station? A successful urban station would really lock this market up for Clear Channel. It would address the problem they have bringing in national dollars at the level they need to. I suppose it will have to work itself out eventually-those operating expenses for 97.7 keep mounting with almost no revenue.
 
> Anybody else ever hear the rumor about WRJH going country?
>

That wouldn't make any sense at all. There are already two country stations in Jackson... a third would just be clutter. Of course, that's assuming they go mainstream country. Classic country could be a totally different animal. The younger end of that demo would mostly stay with Miss and US but the older end would definately dig a classic country station.

Wenny mentioned below the continuing speculation that Q105 could go urban. My question on that is why would they do that? Granted, I haven't heard Hot 97 in a long time but the last time I heard them they sounded really good... but heretage is a tough thing to beat when the listeners that you target grew up listening to 99 Jamz and that's all they know. Urban and CHR listeners tend to be the least loyal in most cases but I'd say in this case the heretage of WJMI does mean something. Plus, when I heard WJMI while I was home for Christmas, I thought they sounded really good. I look at their playlist on Mediabase from time to time and it appears that they're playing solid music.

The bottom line to this ramble: If Hot 97 couldn't put much of a dent in WJMI, what makes you think any other station that tried urban would be able to? Just curious as to your thoughts! Thanks.

Jonathan
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Jonathan on 01/19/06 04:14 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> > Anybody else ever hear the rumor about WRJH going country?
>
> >
>
> That wouldn't make any sense at all. There are already two
> country stations in Jackson... a third would just be
> clutter. Of course, that's assuming they go mainstream
> country. Classic country could be a totally different
> animal. The younger end of that demo would mostly stay with
> Miss and US but the older end would definately dig a classic
> country station.

We do have a classic country station on 970 AM WZQK (the former WRKN), which is a simulcast of Forest's WQST-AM. Since 97.7's signal is best in Rankin County, country is one of the best options, though I agree with you that one more country station would be clutter.

>
> Wenny mentioned below the continuing speculation that Q105
> could go urban. My question on that is why would they do
> that? Granted, I haven't heard Hot 97 in a long time but
> the last time I heard them they sounded really good... but
> heretage is a tough thing to beat when the listeners that
> you target grew up listening to 99 Jamz and that's all they
> know. Urban and CHR listeners tend to be the least loyal in
> most cases but I'd say in this case the heretage of WJMI
> does mean something. Plus, when I heard WJMI while I was
> home for Christmas, I thought they sounded really good. I
> look at their playlist on Mediabase from time to time and it
> appears that they're playing solid music.
>
> The bottom line to this ramble: If Hot 97 couldn't put much
> of a dent in WJMI, what makes you think any other station
> that tried urban would be able to? Just curious as to your
> thoughts! Thanks.

In this case, I think Hot 97's signal comes into play. Sure, they have done and are doing better than some 100K-watt signals as far as ratings, but if they had the power of WJMI, I think they could really give WJMI some stiff competition. However, one thing they or any new urban station would have a tough time going up against is the on-air talent. From what I hear, DJ Finesse is putting up insane numbers at night; Alice Marie (AKA Big Mama Drama) and the Mailman have been there since the 99 Jamz era began in 1994. In such situations, familiarity counts. It's the same thing the former Magic 100.9 was up against with Kixie 107: personalities that no one knew vs. longtime staples/market veterans Stan Branson, Lady V, Rob Jay, Jacob Gray and the syndicated Tom Joyner morning show.

You're also right about heritage. I'm 31 and WJMI was pretty much the only urban station I grew up on. While the music has involved into a predominately hip-hop sound over the last decade, it's one of the few stations around where both the parents and the kids can say that they grew up on. WJMI's presence in the community over the years has also been unmatched.

I will say this: any new urban station that decides to come on the air here better hit the ground running from the start or else it'll be like bringing a pick-up truck to a tank fight.<P ID="signature">______________
"...and the countdown continues until the neanderthals that govern college football do something about their pathetic postseason."--Tim Brando, Sporting News Radio</P>
 
I wish they would move WRJH back to Brandon where it belongs. The local businesses need a good place to advertise. I like AM 970's real country format but the Brandon station has some problems with the audio. The 850 frequency usually sounds better but doesn't get into brandon very well. WQST/WZQK should have more programming and advertisements geared toward Brandon. Its barely mentioned except during the legal ID even though Brandon is a bigger town than Forrest and 970 AM is a more powerful station.
 
> I wish they would move WRJH back to Brandon where it
> belongs. The local businesses need a good place to
> advertise. I like AM 970's real country format but the
> Brandon station has some problems with the audio. The 850
> frequency usually sounds better but doesn't get into brandon
> very well. WQST/WZQK should have more programming and
> advertisements geared toward Brandon. Its barely mentioned
> except during the legal ID even though Brandon is a bigger
> town than Forrest and 970 AM is a more powerful station.
>

Maybe it'll be in the long-range plans, but I would like for WZQK to be able stand
on its own. I'm sure there are a lot of businesses in the area that could support it if done right. For the businesses that probably can't afford to advertise on Miss 103 and US 96.3, a more local station station would be a good way to go. And while we're on the subject of advertising in Brandon, I doubt if the current and future owners would want for 97.7 to become a Brandon-only station anymore. There's tons more money to be made in the metro as a whole than in one area.<P ID="signature">______________
"...and the countdown continues until the neanderthals that govern college football do something about their pathetic postseason."--Tim Brando, Sporting News Radio</P>
 
It would be nice to see WRJH 97.7 return to Brandon . Maybe even be WRJH Brandon/Pearl . Rankin county certainly has the business base to support such a venture. As for the format , maybe a tilt towards classic country with some country gospel tunes mingled in since WRJH was a Southern Gospel station all those years .
>
 
> It would be nice to see WRJH 97.7 return to Brandon . Maybe
> even be WRJH Brandon/Pearl . Rankin county certainly has the
> business base to support such a venture. As for the format ,
> maybe a tilt towards classic country with some country
> gospel tunes mingled in since WRJH was a Southern Gospel
> station all those years .
> >
>
how about moving "real country" to FM and returning ex-WRKN/WZQK back to gospel. There are no Southern Gospel stations anywhere around here. WIIN tryed several years ago but they have been playing musical formats for many years. I think the spanish will stay for a while, and I wouldn't be surprised if you see another spanish station in the near future (have you been to Wal Mart lately?)
 
> > It would be nice to see WRJH 97.7 return to Brandon .
> Maybe
> > even be WRJH Brandon/Pearl . Rankin county certainly has
> the
> > business base to support such a venture. As for the format
> ,
> > maybe a tilt towards classic country with some country
> > gospel tunes mingled in since WRJH was a Southern Gospel
> > station all those years .
> > >
> >
> how about moving "real country" to FM and returning
> ex-WRKN/WZQK back to gospel. There are no Southern Gospel
> stations anywhere around here. WIIN tryed several years ago
> but they have been playing musical formats for many years.
> I think the spanish will stay for a while, and I wouldn't be
> surprised if you see another spanish station in the near
> future (have you been to Wal Mart lately?)
>


I'll tell you why there are no southern gospel stations around here - you can barely generate enough revenue to keep the lights on. I like the format myself and there is actually a pretty good southern gospel satellite format available... but... when you can't get advertisers to support you, it doesn't matter how popular the format is.

RFB
 
> > It would be nice to see WRJH 97.7 return to Brandon .
> Maybe
> > even be WRJH Brandon/Pearl . Rankin county certainly has
> the
> > business base to support such a venture. As for the format
> ,
> > maybe a tilt towards classic country with some country
> > gospel tunes mingled in since WRJH was a Southern Gospel
> > station all those years .
> > >
> >
> how about moving "real country" to FM and returning
> ex-WRKN/WZQK back to gospel. There are no Southern Gospel
> stations anywhere around here. WIIN tryed several years ago
> but they have been playing musical formats for many years.
> I think the spanish will stay for a while, and I wouldn't be
> surprised if you see another spanish station in the near
> future (have you been to Wal Mart lately?)

I know what you mean, but I'm gonna keep comments to myself.

The closest thing you'll get to southern gospel in this area are the two Yazoo City stations, WJNS 92.1 and WBYP 107.1. I believe BYP plays southern gospel at night.
<P ID="signature">______________
"...and the countdown continues until the neanderthals that govern college football do something about their pathetic postseason."--Tim Brando, Sporting News Radio</P>
 
> > > It would be nice to see WRJH 97.7 return to Brandon .
> > Maybe
> > > even be WRJH Brandon/Pearl . Rankin county certainly has
>
> > the
> > > business base to support such a venture. As for the
> format
> > ,
> > > maybe a tilt towards classic country with some country
> > > gospel tunes mingled in since WRJH was a Southern Gospel
>
> > > station all those years .
> > > >
> > >
> > how about moving "real country" to FM and returning
> > ex-WRKN/WZQK back to gospel. There are no Southern Gospel
>
> > stations anywhere around here. WIIN tryed several years
> ago
> > but they have been playing musical formats for many years.
>
> > I think the spanish will stay for a while, and I wouldn't
> be
> > surprised if you see another spanish station in the near
> > future (have you been to Wal Mart lately?)
>
> I know what you mean, but I'm gonna keep comments to myself.
>
>
> The closest thing you'll get to southern gospel in this area
> are the two Yazoo City stations, WJNS 92.1 and WBYP 107.1. I
> believe BYP plays southern gospel at night.
>

Don't forget about WMBU 88.1 Forest... and if you live north of the city and strain your ears, you might be able to pick out 107.9 WFCA<P ID="signature">______________

Deep In The Heart of Dixie
Alabama/East TN/Kentucky/Mississippi</P>
 
>
>
> I'll tell you why there are no southern gospel stations
> around here - you can barely generate enough revenue to keep
> the lights on. I like the format myself and there is
> actually a pretty good southern gospel satellite format
> available... but... when you can't get advertisers to
> support you, it doesn't matter how popular the format is.
>
> RFB
>
Back when WRKN was gospel most of the advertisers were of business right near the radio station. the Shell station down street, Brandon Cash and Carry next door and of course whatever that was that was next to the three legged water tank in good old Pokeville. I have neighbors that are what some might call quartet junkies, or groupies. If there is a gospel singing somewhere you can bet they are going to be there. They know all the groups and their members and follow them around to various shows, they especially like it if there is dinner on the ground or a catfish dinner, like South Fork Fish House in Magee. Looks like someone could do one on the cheap and put on the Solid Gospel satilite, and bring back the catfish joint and lube rack commercials.
 
> >
> >
> > I'll tell you why there are no southern gospel stations
> > around here - you can barely generate enough revenue to
> keep
> > the lights on. I like the format myself and there is
> > actually a pretty good southern gospel satellite format
> > available... but... when you can't get advertisers to
> > support you, it doesn't matter how popular the format is.
> >
> > RFB
> >
> Back when WRKN was gospel most of the advertisers were of
> business right near the radio station. the Shell station
> down street, Brandon Cash and Carry next door and of course
> whatever that was that was next to the three legged water
> tank in good old Pokeville. I have neighbors that are what
> some might call quartet junkies, or groupies. If there is a
> gospel singing somewhere you can bet they are going to be
> there. They know all the groups and their members and
> follow them around to various shows, they especially like
> it if there is dinner on the ground or a catfish dinner,
> like South Fork Fish House in Magee. Looks like someone
> could do one on the cheap and put on the Solid Gospel
> satilite, and bring back the catfish joint and lube rack
> commercials.
>
I learned thru experience that I could do more for my church by tithing than by paying the light bill for a struggling Christian music station.... it feels good to do it for a little while.... then it's just frustrating when businesses support you with their lips and not their advertising budgets.
 
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