Cox changes?

[OldSchoolWoman]

Any thoughts on taking 101.5 to Hot AC to compliment WWRM and forcing Mix to change format like they did to Thunder? 101.5 would be a great signal for Hot AC and even possibly Hot AC leaning to CHR since I think 93.3 is still almost Churban. CC had the sole CHR in Pittsburgh , It was really Churban and now faces competition from a resurgent main stream CHR (B94) ANYBODY think this could work ? I think Mix was once a good station when they had Larry London and Carrie Kirkland. I think it is mess now, much like Thunder became in its last years as Classic Rock or Hits or whatever it was. Anybody, or is this idea just too out there?

 

[Obtuse1]

The biggest issue with the X though (other than lack of promotion and a weak signal) is the aging of the audience. Alternative is a very flukey format-- what was alternative three or four years ago isn't now. The alternative of the early 90's, the music that launched the format 15 or 16 years ago, isn't cool to the kids who were born after Kurt Cobain blew his brains out. How 97X remains relevant to the younger end of the 18-34 demo while keeping the older end of the demo tuned in will be a tough balancing act.

It's a balancing act they have (thus far) managed to pull off. The older portion of 97X's audience know they can hear the occasional grunge track without it being followed by 80's hair band or mullet rock (the stuff that turned them to Alt. Rock in the first place), and are generally receptive to new artists, though I'd imagine they'd prefer some Clash, Talking Heads, and Cure in the mix. The young end, I'd imagine are just fine with the post '92 stuff (in moderation), especially considering many of the core artists from that era (and even before) are still quite relavent (Red Hot Chili Peppers and Radiohead come to mind).

Perhaps someday there will room for a kind of "Alt. Gold" station, focused on Alternative from the 70's-90's, with currents in the mix, akin to what Orlando's "Real Radio 104.1" does on weekends and on HD., but that's the listener in me talking.....

The most that will happen in Tampa, (I'd imagine) is the music of that era will be folded into a voicetracked Jack-type presentation.

98Rock has the most to lose here, as the young end of the Rock audience stick with 97X, and the old 98Rock listeners flock back to Bubba.

 

[OldSchoolWoman]

But what about the Point flipping to Hot AC?

 

[John Waywoods]

Is Hot AC doing well in any large market? I am not arguing against Hot AC, I have proposed the format for 100.7 on this board, previously. Clear Channel is actually quite good with the Hot AC format. It is too bad you can't tell from WMTX's poor performance. In my opinion they are trying to be what Q105 would have sounded like today if they had never gotten slaughtered by FLZ in the 90's. However, a Hot AC would require real on air personalities which I do not believe Cox will do to get basically the same 2+ share they are alrady getting with a minimal investment.

New York
WWFS 2.7
WPLJ 2.0

L.A.
WBIG 2.0
KYSR 1.4

San Fran
KIOI 2.4

San Diego
KMYI 3.6 - they are doing OK.

Boston
WBMX 2.3

 

[4ever_radio]

Hot AC will do great in any market if it's programed right. It's like soda. When people are asked to name the top 3 sodas in America, they respond with Pepsi, Coke, and Sprite. What's interesting is that Coke sells more than Pepsi, it's just that Pepsi is marketed and or advertised more. People bought a product because of consistency and taste. They trust what there getting. In my years of interacting with clients, and listeners, they want the same thing; Consistency, reliability, and value.
Radio is the same - They know what to expect out of each hour musically (consistency), choose the flavoring, regular, diet, clear [personality of the jocks and their show] (reliability), Knowing what they'll get out of it with the combo of music, jocks, and in between(value). That's what keeps the listener coming back for more.
People will always surf channels, but will come back for their favorite station if they know what they're getting.