DEC. PPMS........V-103 on Top again by a hair

[wpb1999]

Should Rock 100.5 go away, would Cumulus put True Oldies on 100.5 then do a late 70's 80' and some 90's on 106.7? The True Oldies Channel is "cheap" to run. It would be a good "throw in" for 106.7 rate card.

True Oldies isn't cheap. It is done very well. Look at the success of WLS-FM in Chicago. TrueOldies 106.7 was done similar. Have Scott Shannon handle late mornings and early afternoons. Its working for WLS and they are the top rated music station in a very unpredictable Chicago Market. I would go for a "Sunny" type station that plays Lite AC without the currents. You would pull away from Both River, B, and some Star listeners. And why keep a rock station that: #1- comes up with a new rock format every two months (new rock, classic, active, 90s) and #2 is rated below The Fan. Why put money into something that is rated under an AM semi-sister that's ratings would inly increase if it were able to be heard on a FM station. That's how I see it...I'm sure some people will disagree. BTW, the 70s, 80s, 90s station would NOT be like Journey. They play too much pop music. Maybe evolve into a KVIL type station. Have the Chicago, Journey, Bon Jovi, Elton, Billy Joel but don't have the Tears for Fears and Boy George. And what make Soft AC unique is that you can add softer-leaning currents as well. And you can add older music as well like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. When Christmas rolls around, play Christmas mixed in with the regular music. I think that the public would enjoy that much better than wall-wall XMAS.

 

[secondchoice]

True Oldies isn't cheap.

When I said "Cheap" I meant expensive / labor. All you need is a satellite receiver, with closures or tones to switch the PC. The TOC is one if not the best syndicated oldies services. It would be "free" because Cumulus owns the station and service.

 

[jabba17]

Have the Chicago, Journey, Bon Jovi, Elton, Billy Joel but don't have the Tears for Fears and Boy George.

Ah, boomers vs. GenXers... ;D

I'm not sure if Cumulus would want to have TOC AND Journey AND a soft AC specializing in 70s/80s/90s...sounds like a lot of audience overlap, even if you did manage to differentiate the formats.

I could see Journey and TOC, and a 680 simul. Maybe put Journey on 106.7, 680 on 100.5 and turn off the stereo, and TOC on 97.9 and turn the stereo off as well (nothing sounds quite as awful as listening in a car to an old Beatles song in "Duophonic" fake stereo).

 

[atlantaboy]

B98.5 tried "Soft AC" for almost a year, and it failed miserably - seriously doubt Cumulus would want to try it at this point, especially since it would overlap so much with Journey

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Should Rock 100.5 go away, would Cumulus put True Oldies on 100.5 then do a late 70's 80' and some 90's on 106.7? The True Oldies Channel is "cheap" to run. It would be a good "throw in" for 106.7 rate card.

Rock 100.5 is not one of the 100,000-watt giants, but its signal is virtually as good as the top stations in the markets that do not have C's, including Baltimore and Washington. At almost 1,000 feet from the roof of the Westin Peachtree Plaza, it well covers the metro except for a slight null that affects northern Gwinnett.

The signal certainly has the potential to get a 3% share. I highly doubt Cumulus would use it as bonus for 106.7 clients. It's worth too much.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Wpb1999, I don't always agree with you, but if you're really 12 years old, I'm pretty darn impressed with you.

 

[wpb1999]

Wpb1999, I don't always agree with you, but if you're really 12 years old, I'm pretty darn impressed with you.

No, 1999 was the year I got married again. I am really 46... and am definitely not 12 years old.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Wpb1999, I don't always agree with you, but if you're really 12 years old, I'm pretty darn impressed with you.

No, 1999 was the year I got married again. I am really 46... and am definitely not 12 years old.

Oh, okay. You'd mentioned having worked for CBS. I thought they might have been violating child labor laws .

 

[GRS86]

KDM, on December 21st HOT 107.9 did the 5pm Traffic Jam Mix with bass and pop/dance music. Emperor Searcy was the DJ and he had Twitter going nutz! I've noticed them mixing some Rhythmic songs in during the 5pm mixshow depending on the DJ. As for V103, I personally don't tune in as much now days. Frank Ski's show has turned into a snooze fest. All I hear about is his new restaurant over and over again. I've noticed more hip-hop during the workday with Ramona between 10am-2pm compared to the days when V103 was all R&B during that timeslot. Ryan Cameron Show needs a female sidekick because him and Crash D talk way too much about nothing. V103 may bounce back with the "Free Money Kitty" starting next week. After the departure of Joyce Littel, Miss Sophia and now Elle who's next?

I agree. I think some of V-103's on air personnel have begun to sound and act a little tired.

 

[RR Piper]

What about Dave? I had high hopes for them with the format change…but now feel as though they take 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Example: yesterday they played Terrance Trent Darby and the Pixies. Exceptional, random plays similar to XRT in Chicago. Then today, it’s back to Van Morrison and Tom Petty. Nothing unique, nothing fun. Dave is bleeding out and emergency first aid is needed to get them the bump in 2012. My prediction is the change in the morning show is not going to help them the way they expect it to. ..it could even have an adverse affect. We’ll see. Thoughts?

 

[kilamanjero]

KDM, on December 21st HOT 107.9 did the 5pm Traffic Jam Mix with bass and pop/dance music. Emperor Searcy was the DJ and he had Twitter going nutz! I've noticed them mixing some Rhythmic songs in during the 5pm mixshow depending on the DJ. As for V103, I personally don't tune in as much now days. Frank Ski's show has turned into a snooze fest. All I hear about is his new restaurant over and over again. I've noticed more hip-hop during the workday with Ramona between 10am-2pm compared to the days when V103 was all R&B during that timeslot. Ryan Cameron Show needs a female sidekick because him and Crash D talk way too much about nothing. V103 may bounce back with the "Free Money Kitty" starting next week. After the departure of Joyce Littel, Miss Sophia and now Elle who's next?

Personally, I've been saying for awhile that the mornings needs a third person that is younger, in-touch with the youth, and articulate to go with the mix of Frank and Wanda. However, Elle Duncan wasn't it at all. Also I'm not sure where the female co-host with Ryan Cameron will go because it might require the same set-up type of person needed in the morning. Ramona is still fresh on-air, but I notice when she isn't there suddenly more R&B and old school is spun during middays. It's obvious certain weekend personalities like Sytonnia and Terry Bello will play more R&B during their shifts on weekends and when they fill in during the weekdays. I just think they may need to have more musical freedom with all personalities and add some dynamics to their existing set-up. However, as I warn a few weeks back 2012 will bring more changes at V...

I wonder; What exactly is hurting V103? I don't want to jump to conclusions and start posting things here only to regret it if someone happens to read and think "hmmmm.... maybe he's right - we should discontinue that feature from our station..." then take action based on something I say here, BUT... I must ask; Do certain things V103 play in some mixshows turn people off? I hate to admit that it wasn't until V103 started increasing electro-pop dance that they managed to get beaten. Before blaming any particular type of music or newer features of the station, I want to question a few different angles of the situation here:

I wonder if it could be that:

Electro-Pop and dance are scaring people away from V103 and I was wrong about ever suggesting it there in the first place,

OR

Are the times changing faster than V103 is evolving, causing them to no longer perform at their fullest potential with maximum listenership,

OR

Could it be that certain things they're doing or playing are scheduled with bad timing?

I mean...I'm not complaining, but I will admit - playing electro & dance on an URBAN station - in the DAY time is kind of risky! When I was suggesting that that be tried on an Atl. urban, I never actually thought it would happen during any point of the week before midnight on weekends....

But then again, WQHT Hot 97 in New York has recently begun to add in quite a bit of dance music as well (even playing some of it in regular rotation like WPGC in Washington, DC), so it couldn't be that much of a stretch for V to do it in a few mixshows if that sound is the (new) national trend. However, I could see how some of the electro songs chosen in V mixshows might... well, be "harmful." I would think urban sounding dance, or electro-hip hop would work much better than pop-rock remixes. In other words, I'd say more dance and electro from LMFAO, Usher, Black Eyed Peas, Pitbull, Ne-yo, Flo Rida, Rihanna, or Nicki Minaj would probably work better than house remixes of "Pumped Up Kicks" and things like that that I've heard on V103 - ESPECIALLY if it's mixed in during the day time. I don't think they use LMFAO and Pitbull and similar sounding songs enough, but tend to overuse other poppier less urban sounding dance material and things that may scare off their main demographic target. I guess the Lady Gaga songs are safe to occasionally use in mixes since she's well known regardless of demographic.

I'm not complaining, but I'd program certain mixshow content a little differently, although I personally don't have a problem with them as they are. Electro-hip hop may be more acceptable to the V audience than CHR Pop dance remixes.



Some time ago, I remember talking about Hot 107.9 here when they were starting to mix dance music. Ever since I made those two postings here, it never happened again on Hot 107.9. Whether it was coincidence or something I said to bring it to attention and cause a stopping action to it, I'll never know.

V did spin alternate 'bass mix' version of Lady Gaga and other artists back in 2009, but that fell off by mid-summer of 2010. I think they might need to that because both V and sister station WPGC should have been doing these things when PPM came into play rather than playing the mainstream pop versions of certain songs. These issues are very obvious.

 

[macab4490]

This is what I see or hope to see happening for the new year:

92.9 - DaveFM - Leave it. Atlanta is a young city, meaning there are two good-sized university students that like to listen to AAA. Why flip it. There signal is not that bad at all.
93.7 - Good Sports station. I am wondering, however how strong the signal is. It is pretty clear around Perimeter/Ashford-Dunwoody where I am currently located for the weekend.
94.1 - Hot AC - It's Good. Leave it. But seriously, do not air the Falcons games on it. That's for a Classic/Rock station to do if not a SPORTS station...93.7. DUH!
94.9 - The Bull. Leave it. Country Sounds good in a Southern City like Atlanta. But we do have Kicks. Which one do people perfer listening too is the real question to ask and which one can spark more of the listening range.
95.5 - WSB-AM simulcast. Fine. If people want it, Fine.
96.1 - Now, this is the Question: What to do with it? You have WILD 105.7/96.7 where the signal is yucky. It's nothing like a Wild in San Francisco and boy, the way Atlanta is growing these days, you need to have the reasonable yet common sense to put a CHR/Rythmatic Station on a stronger signal. Out of all the Clear Channel Stations Atlanta has, put it on the Damn strongest radio dial and don't touch with it. Yep, that does not include simulcasting it on a weaker one. Too many simulcasting here in Atlanta which is kind of sad. Houston, Chicago, Miami don't simulcast all if it's FM station's to another FM dial. I would put Wild on 96.1
97.1 - The River. Well, could make it Classic Hits. The Name really fits well with it. However, you do have 106.7 - which takes the point of it being one. So, I'd say leave it.
97.9 - the Journey. Fine, The signal sucks so...
98.5 - AC - Soft AC - Leave it.
98.9 - 99X - haha, same as 97.9 the Journey.
99.7 - Q100 is a good solid CHR. One thing that bothers me is Billy Bush. Umm, Atlanta needs local and fresh talent during the nighttime not a syndicated guy. Cumulus, be smart here. And yes, I am talking about KRBE too.
100.5 - Drop it. The Formal Replacement? I don't know...
101.5 - Kicks - 2 Country Stations in Atlanta is enough. Leave it.
102.9 - Ok, so another simulcast (sigh). Hmm, from where I am currently in - the signal is reachable. But, 107.9 is not. Hip Hop is very important because of the African American demographics.
103.3 - V103 is a good, solid station. Leave it. Remember folks, it's all about demographics.
104.1 - Yup, Kiss is good. But that's two African American radio station's right next to each other by the dial. So, you could do something with 102.9. Radio needs flavor not repetition.
104.7 - Christian AC. Sure...I guess
105.3 - Ok, Spanish is Good. Need a spanish station. But Would WGST be a better fit on this dial?! I can't really know. But go for Talk, here! Especially Talk will be very important for the upcoming Presidential elections... HINT CLEAR CHANNEL
105.7 - Spanish
106.7 - Oldies/Classic Hits
107. 5 - Bring Smooth Jazz Back, haha. IDC about this one
107.9 - Hot 107.9 - Eh, I don't know

Guys, Atlanta needs more variety. Space out the formats with reasonable ones too. Signal, overall is the most important and will reach more ratings for stations that need the ratings. Hint - WILD/99X..etc.

 

[macab4490]

This is what I see or hope to see happening for the new year:

92.9 - DaveFM - Leave it. Atlanta is a young city, meaning there are two good-sized universities that have students that like to listen to AAA. At least, that's what I have seen or heard from. Why flip i?. There signal is not that bad at all. It's a good station that reaches out to the college demographics.
93.7 - Good Sports station. I am wondering, however how strong the signal really is. It is pretty clear around Perimeter/Ashford-Dunwoody where I am currently located for the weekend. But what about midtown and downtown and outside areas.
94.1 - Hot AC - It's Good. Leave it. But seriously, do not air the Falcons games on it. That's for a Classic/Rock station to do if not a SPORTS station...93.7. DUH! Signal could be a tad bit better. Ha, This really goes for a lot of the other stations. Wufff.
94.9 - The Bull. Leave it. Country Sounds good in a Solid ole' Southern City like Atlanta. But we do have Kicks. Which one do people perfer listening too is the real question to ask and which one can spark more of the listening range. Signal, too.
95.5 - WSB-AM simulcast. Sure, it's Fine. If people want it, Fine. Might spark ratings for the 2012 regarding the 2012 Elections. It will be critical to keep them on air.
96.1 - Now, this is the Question: What to do with it? You have WILD 105.7/96.7 where the signal is yucky. We all know that, it sucks to think that CC is oblivious onto making some better switch up's on the FM dial. San Fran surely does not have this problem- It's nothing like a Wild in San Francisco and boy, the way Atlanta is growing these days, you need to have the reasonable yet common sense to put a CHR/Rythmatic Station on a stronger signal. Out of all the Clear Channel Stations Atlanta has, put it on the Damn strongest radio dial and don't touch with it. Yep, that does not include simulcasting it on a weaker one. Too many simulcasting here in Atlanta which is kind of sad. Houston, Chicago, Miami don't simulcast all if it's FM station's to another FM dial. And hey, take off The Elvis Duran morning show. Seriously Clear Channel?. Don't play CHEAP. In conclusion, I would put Wild on 96.1
97.1 - The River. Well, you could make it Classic Hits however you do have 106.7. The Name really fits well with it.. So, I'd say leave it.
97.9 - the Journey. Fine, The signal sucks so... A lot of people take journey's on I-285/85/400 every day so they might as well have music that can keep them throughout the long days of normal hours of the best of Atlanta traffic...
98.5 - AC - Soft AC - Leave it. It's not classic to that guy saying it was. Clear Channel does however (in my own opinion) has better music when they do Soft AC but 98.5 is good. Why would they try to compete so much with 94.1 Compete with 97.1 and 106.7.
98.9 - 99X - haha, same as 97.9 the Journey. But 99X is MUCH Better than 100.5 FM.
99.7 - Q100 is a good solid CHR. One thing that bothers me is Billy Bush at night. Hey Cumulus, Umm, Atlanta needs local and fresh talent during the nighttime not a syndicated guy. Remember Adam Bomb? Cumulus, be smart here. And yes, I am talking about KRBE too, that is in Houston of course.
100.5 - Drop it. The Formal Replacement? I don't know...Polka? Asian/Chinese music?!?!?. Hah, I see a lot of Asians in Atlanta these days..
101.5 - Kicks - 2 Country Stations in Atlanta is enough. Leave it. They're both really good.
102.9 - Ok, so another simulcast (sigh). Hmm, from where I am currently in - the signal is reachable. But, 107.9 is not. Hip Hop is very important because of the African American demographics. But, we all know that.
103.3 - V103 is a good, solid station. Leave it. Remember folks, it's all about demographics. Ok, so Urban Station #2. See next...in a row.
104.1 - Yup, Haha, I am having fun with this. Urban station #3 -- consistency people is contagious at time.. BUT, Kiss is a good station - signal seems solid enough to continue be on-air for many years to come. But that's not two but THREE African American radio station's right next to each other by the dial. So, you could do something with 102.9. Radio needs flavor not repetition.
104.7 - Christian AC. Sure...I guess
105.3 - Ok, Spanish is Good. Atlanta has a big Hispanic population so with all do respect, we need one or two Spanish stations that can be reachable throughout the ATL. They Need a spanish station. But Would WGST be a better fit on this dial?! I can't really know. If I was the deciding factor, I go for Talk, here! Especially Talk will be very important for the upcoming Presidential elections... HINT CLEAR CHANNEL - HINT. Wanna compete, go for Talk...
105.7 - Spanish. Viva should return!
106.7 - Oldies/Classic Hits - leave it.
107. 5 - Bring Smooth Jazz Back, haha. IDC about this one
107.9 - Hot 107.9 - Eh, I don't know.. It's the end of the dial..

Guys, Atlanta needs more variety. Space out the formats with reasonable ones too. Signal, overall is the most important and will reach more ratings for stations that need the ratings. Hint - WILD/99X..etc.

 

[atlantaboy]

98.9 - 99X - haha, same as 97.9 the Journey

At least 99X is now in stereo though, and the sound quality is up to par with the other stations on the dial - Journey 97.9 is still largely in mono, and a lot of the 80s songs sound like they're coming from a cassette player

 

[wpb1999]

98.9 - 99X - haha, same as 97.9 the Journey

At least 99X is now in stereo though, and the sound quality is up to par with the other stations on the dial - Journey 97.9 is still largely in mono, and a lot of the 80s songs sound like they're coming from a cassette player

At least 99x has Axel in mornings and DJs throughout the day...unlike the on air (syndicated) Rick Dees on 97.9

 

[jabba17]

Have the Chicago, Journey, Bon Jovi, Elton, Billy Joel but don't have the Tears for Fears and Boy George.

Ah, boomers vs. GenXers... ;D

I'm not sure if Cumulus would want to have TOC AND Journey AND a soft AC specializing in 70s/80s/90s...sounds like a lot of audience overlap, even if you did manage to differentiate the formats.

I could see Journey and TOC, and a 680 simul. Maybe put Journey on 106.7, 680 on 100.5 and turn off the stereo, and TOC on 97.9 and turn the stereo off as well (nothing sounds quite as awful as listening in a car to an old Beatles song in "Duophonic" fake stereo).

In other news, in Cincy, Cumulus flipped a Journey on 94.1 to country. That won't happen here with Kicks already in the Cumulus stable. They also flipped a classic rocker to CHR in Birmingham.

 

[carolinaradio]

I knew Cincinnati's Journey was on its way out. Listened to it online and it was just terrible, reflected by the numbers. It had current/2000s Hot AC hits mixed in as well, unlike Journey in Atlanta.

I still highly doubt Journey in Atlanta gets a stronger signal.