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Does anyone think Ben will BENefit this Fall?

R

radiolover78

A few days ago, there was a discussion about how Sunny and B101 will be going all Christmas this year, probably very early, and someone mentioned how 95.7 Ben FM may BENefit (I like saying that! lol) this Fall since B101 and Sunny will be going all Christmas. Now, Ben overlaps more with Sunny and B, much more than when it was "Mix". Do you think the non Christmas fans that normally listen to Sunny and B, will listen to Ben?

What are your thoughts on this?<P ID="signature">______________
The Place for the Latest Happenings in Radio
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</P>
 
> A few days ago, there was a discussion about how Sunny and
> B101 will be going all Christmas this year, probably very
> early, and someone mentioned how 95.7 Ben FM may BENefit (I
> like saying that! lol) this Fall since B101 and Sunny will
> be going all Christmas. Now, Ben overlaps more with Sunny
> and B, much more than when it was "Mix". Do you think the
> non Christmas fans that normally listen to Sunny and B, will
> listen to Ben?
>
> What are your thoughts on this?

Yes, they will, but I don't think Ben will keep them. Really, I say this on nothing more than a gut feeling, but I don't think the product Ben offers ("iPod" playlist, no personalities, a little bit heavier on the rock side) is one that will stay attractive to the average Sunny or B listener. Watch Ben to get a boost for the holiday period only to lose it come January. They won't lose it entirely, but it will be a decent-sized give back to Sunny and B.
<P ID="signature">______________
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Be Mused...</P>
 
> A few days ago, there was a discussion about how Sunny and
> B101 will be going all Christmas this year, probably very
> early, and someone mentioned how 95.7 Ben FM may BENefit (I
> like saying that! lol) this Fall since B101 and Sunny will
> be going all Christmas. Now, Ben overlaps more with Sunny
> and B, much more than when it was "Mix". Do you think the
> non Christmas fans that normally listen to Sunny and B, will
> listen to Ben?
>
> What are your thoughts on this?
>
I definitely think that 95.7 will BENefit this holiday season! This will give them a chance to grab some of those B and Sunny listeners.
 
Re: Umm...Rocket Science??

Do you think the
> non Christmas fans that normally listen to Sunny and B, will
> listen to Ben?

Applying common sense...YES, BEN will see an increase in listenership. With MORE and MORE stations looking for the short-term ratings spike and thus going "All Holiday" I would be inclined to think that MOST people will seek some sort of refuge elsewhere...ie: "Ben"

Fotunately for Ben, there isn't much in the way of direct competition in this instance.
 
Playing Devil's Advocate...

Just a thought:

What if the novelty of "AllXmasAllTheTime" has passed and an A/C (Rock A/C) such as BEN stuck with the hits...playing only a sprinkling of Xmas tunes with that framework...and listeners stayed around in droves? The herd mentality of "they went all-Xmas so we should too" is now trite to the average listener, imho.

If I were programming BEN, I'd stay with the basics, add a few selected Xmas classics that fit within the format and avoid being a member of the copycat stations. After all, BEN just flipped within the last year; people are still cumeing them and discovering what they're all about.

Sounds simple, but, I bet it would score points with the listeners. Comments?
 
Re: Playing Devil's Advocate...

Actually, this might work.

B-101 (WBEB-101.1) and "Sunny" (WSNI-104.5), especially the latter, may see ratiungs growth in the Fall "book" since all-Christmas formats have done very well in Philadelphia over the years.

However, those who don't want Christmas music might find WBEN-95.7 to their liking, and I think it too may see an increase in listeners this Fall, especially after November 1st (which is when I think both B and Sunny will go all-Christmas, probably within minutes of each other).
 
Re: Playing Devil's Advocate...

> Just a thought:
>
> What if the novelty of "AllXmasAllTheTime" has passed and an
> A/C (Rock A/C) such as BEN stuck with the hits...playing
> only a sprinkling of Xmas tunes with that framework...and
> listeners stayed around in droves? The herd mentality of
> "they went all-Xmas so we should too" is now trite to the
> average listener, imho.
>
> If I were programming BEN, I'd stay with the basics, add a
> few selected Xmas classics that fit within the format and
> avoid being a member of the copycat stations. After all, BEN
> just flipped within the last year; people are still cumeing
> them and discovering what they're all about.
>
> Sounds simple, but, I bet it would score points with the
> listeners. Comments?
>
I think it could score some MUCHO GRANDE points with listeners...if, and that's a big if, they put some marketing behind it. I know the commercials have run from time to time, but they need to do something to get the point out there that they're still doing the regular thing (and I believe that definitely can & should include a sprinking of holiday tunes).

Then for kicks, on Christmas eve, go with a very Ben Christmas, doing as much variety with the Christmas tunes as they do with the regular format.
 
Re: Playing Devil's Advocate...

> > Just a thought:
> >
> > What if the novelty of "AllXmasAllTheTime" has passed and
> an
> > A/C (Rock A/C) such as BEN stuck with the hits...playing
> > only a sprinkling of Xmas tunes with that framework...and
> > listeners stayed around in droves? The herd mentality of
> > "they went all-Xmas so we should too" is now trite to the
> > average listener, imho.
> >
> > If I were programming BEN, I'd stay with the basics, add a
>
> > few selected Xmas classics that fit within the format and
> > avoid being a member of the copycat stations. After all,
> BEN
> > just flipped within the last year; people are still
> cumeing
> > them and discovering what they're all about.
> >
> > Sounds simple, but, I bet it would score points with the
> > listeners. Comments?
> >
> I think it could score some MUCHO GRANDE points with
> listeners...if, and that's a big if, they put some marketing
> behind it. I know the commercials have run from time to
> time, but they need to do something to get the point out
> there that they're still doing the regular thing (and I
> believe that definitely can & should include a sprinking of
> holiday tunes).
>
> Then for kicks, on Christmas eve, go with a very Ben
> Christmas, doing as much variety with the Christmas tunes as
> they do with the regular format.
>
Are you proposing that BENFM toss in a few Bob Rivers christmas tunes throught the season? What holiday songs would be "within the format" of Ben-FM ?
 
Re: Playing Devil's Advocate...

> >
> Are you proposing that BENFM toss in a few Bob Rivers
> christmas tunes throught the season? What holiday songs
> would be "within the format" of Ben-FM ?
>
No, no Bob Rivers. But there are tons of Christmas songs from the rock and AC worlds that would fit.

Bruce Springsteen: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Steve Knicks: Silent Night
Debbie Gibson: Sleigh Ride
Faith Hill: Where Are You Christmas
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve Sarajevo
Gloria Estefan: Silver Bells
Wilson Phillips: Silent Night
Crosby/Bowie: Little Drummer Boy
Bob Seger: Little Drummer Boy
Wham (((shudder...but it fits the wide variety))): Last Christmas
Cyndi Lauper: Santa Baby
Waitresses: Christmas Rapping
Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas
Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas
Eagles: Please Come Home for Christmas
Bon Jovi: I Wish Every Day Could be Like Christmas
And, yes, Grandma Got Run Over....can't skip that one.

I know there are more...wasn't trying to come up with a full list, just some songs they could work in without this insane idea that people can't enjoy BOTH the regular format and a sprinkling of holiday tunes.
 
Re: Playing Devil's Advocate...

> Bruce Springsteen: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
> Steve Knicks: Silent Night
> Debbie Gibson: Sleigh Ride
> Faith Hill: Where Are You Christmas
> Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve Sarajevo
> Gloria Estefan: Silver Bells
> Wilson Phillips: Silent Night
> Crosby/Bowie: Little Drummer Boy
> Bob Seger: Little Drummer Boy
> Wham (((shudder...but it fits the wide variety))): Last
> Christmas
> Cyndi Lauper: Santa Baby
> Waitresses: Christmas Rapping
> Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas
> Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas
> Eagles: Please Come Home for Christmas
> Bon Jovi: I Wish Every Day Could be Like Christmas
> And, yes, Grandma Got Run Over....can't skip that one.
>
> I know there are more...wasn't trying to come up with a full
> list, just some songs they could work in without this insane
> idea that people can't enjoy BOTH the regular format and a
> sprinkling of holiday tunes.
>

STOP IT!! It's too soon to think about these songs. Too late. Bryan Adams "Something About Christmas Time" and the Pretenders "2000 Miles" fit the BEN mold also.
 
Ben/Christmas

> Homer...
>
> Nice list! Those would work well.
>

Now if Ben does mix in a few holiday tunes, what amount should they play. One or two an hour? More? Less?

It would be interesting of Ben went all Christmas on Christmas Eve and Day, but I personally don't think they should. They should play some holiday tunes, but not wall to wall. There's B101 and Sunny already anyway!<P ID="signature">______________
The Place for the Latest Happenings in Radio
www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

> > Homer...
> >
> > Nice list! Those would work well.
> >
>
> Now if Ben does mix in a few holiday tunes, what amount
> should they play. One or two an hour? More? Less?
>
> It would be interesting of Ben went all Christmas on
> Christmas Eve and Day, but I personally don't think they
> should. They should play some holiday tunes, but not wall to
> wall. There's B101 and Sunny already anyway!
>
I'd say one an hour for the first couple of weeks, then bump it up to two to three as the holiday gets closer.
 
Re: THOSE Are What I Was Thinking About!

> Homer...
>
> Nice list! Those would work well.
>
Gracias.
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

> I'd say one an hour for the first couple of weeks, then bump
> it up to two to three as the holiday gets closer.
>

That's not a bad formula. We like to add one every half-hour starting on "Black Friday" and go to one every quarter-hour about the first week of December and stay that way until about noon on Christmas Eve...at which time we go all Xmas tunes or start the 24-hour Xmas marathon of programming. We generally end the Xmas stuff at noon on Xmas Day.

What that formula accomplishes is an Xmas "presence" without the unholy AllXmasAllTheTime sledgehammer over the head approach of B101 or SUNNY. People like Xmas music that far out in manageable doses...mixed in with their usual hit music.

Of course, we add Xmas-based jingles, liners, stagers, imagers and sound-effects throughout the broadcast day to "fill in".

Those params seem to work well year after year...of course, they're just guidelines I like to employ; your methods are equally valid.
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

> That's not a bad formula. We like to add one every half-hour
> starting on "Black Friday" and go to one every quarter-hour
> about the first week of December and stay that way until
> about noon on Christmas Eve...at which time we go all Xmas
> tunes or start the 24-hour Xmas marathon of programming. We
> generally end the Xmas stuff at noon on Xmas Day.

Sounds like what I think many people would call a reasonable approach...I always used to think there could be a "wind down" of the Christmas tunes over the week between Christmas and New Years, back to a couple an hour, then wind it down to one each hour or so. It seems like such an abrupt end to a season that can extend a few more days.
>
> What that formula accomplishes is an Xmas "presence" without
> the unholy AllXmasAllTheTime sledgehammer over the head
> approach of B101 or SUNNY.
Bless you! I'm no Scrooge, at least I don't THINK I am, but this dump the entire format routine strikes me as loony. Heck, I could see doing Black Friday as all (or mostly) holiday, then dial it back to a light mix. And the burnout factor with the sledgehammer approach is unbelievable. There was a time when hearing, for example, Springsteen a couple of times over the month leading to Christmas was a nice novelty. Sure I heard it every year, but I didn't mind it. Now...oh man, those songs I like get played so often that they're annoying by the big day.

People like Xmas music that far
> out in manageable doses...mixed in with their usual hit
> music.
>
> Of course, we add Xmas-based jingles, liners, stagers,
> imagers and sound-effects throughout the broadcast day to
> "fill in".

I love those, they're a nice touch that doesn't bang you over the head. Still on cassette somewhere, I have a tape (I think) with little kids reading their Christmas wishes to Santa that Eagle 106 ran (no idea who syndicated them). Each was maybe a minute, and included a Christmas-themed Eagle jingle. Sickeningly sweet? Sure. Probably enough to make some folks gag, but I thought they were a nice touch.


>
> Those params seem to work well year after year...of course,
> they're just guidelines I like to employ; your methods are
> equally valid.
>
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

> > I'd say one an hour for the first couple of weeks, then
> bump
> > it up to two to three as the holiday gets closer.
> >
>
> That's not a bad formula. We like to add one every half-hour
> starting on "Black Friday" and go to one every quarter-hour
> about the first week of December and stay that way until
> about noon on Christmas Eve...at which time we go all Xmas
> tunes or start the 24-hour Xmas marathon of programming. We
> generally end the Xmas stuff at noon on Xmas Day.
>
> What that formula accomplishes is an Xmas "presence" without
> the unholy AllXmasAllTheTime sledgehammer over the head
> approach of B101 or SUNNY. People like Xmas music that far
> out in manageable doses...mixed in with their usual hit
> music.
>
> Of course, we add Xmas-based jingles, liners, stagers,
> imagers and sound-effects throughout the broadcast day to
> "fill in".
>
> Those params seem to work well year after year...of course,
> they're just guidelines I like to employ; your methods are
> equally valid.
>
I constantly hear that statement about small doses all the time. The problem is...the ratings don't back it up. Show me a market..anywhere in the country..assuming both stations have equal signals...that the station that opts for a part time Christmas approach beats the all Christmas station in those important 25-54 female numbers. I doubt there is one..and that's why most big markets have more than one all Christmas station. Remember Philly history...the first year Sunny went all Christmas...B didn't...and it hit them in the ratings.
B has not made that same mistake again.
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

"Ben" (WBEN-95.7) should only play a few Christmas songs a day starting around December 1st, as an alternative to the wall-to-wall all-Christmas formats of WBEB-101.1 and WSNI-104.5, both of whom will probably start the Santathon next Tuesday morning (November 1st) within minutes of each other.
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

> "Ben" (WBEN-95.7) should only play a few Christmas songs a
> day starting around December 1st, as an alternative to the
> wall-to-wall all-Christmas formats of WBEB-101.1 and
> WSNI-104.5, both of whom will probably start the Santathon
> next Tuesday morning (November 1st) within minutes of each
> other.

I'm just saying: You don't have to include both the calls and the frequency each and every single time you mention a station. Feel free to just use one or the other; we'll know what station you're talking about.

Speaking of knowing what you're talking about... Am I to assume it is your belief that both Sunny and B101 will go all-Christmas "on November 1, probably within minutes of each other?" ;)
 
Re: Ben/Christmas

> > "Ben" (WBEN-95.7) should only play a few Christmas songs a
>
> > day starting around December 1st, as an alternative to the
>
> > wall-to-wall all-Christmas formats of WBEB-101.1 and
> > WSNI-104.5, both of whom will probably start the Santathon
>
> > next Tuesday morning (November 1st) within minutes of each
>
> > other.
>
> I'm just saying: You don't have to include both the calls
> and the frequency each and every single time you mention a
> station. Feel free to just use one or the other; we'll know
> what station you're talking about.
>
> Speaking of knowing what you're talking about... Am I to
> assume it is your belief that both Sunny and B101 will go
> all-Christmas "on November 1, probably within minutes of
> each other?" ;)
>

He has been posting about this "flipping within minutes of each other" stuff for a few weeks now. Not every station will flip on November 1st Joseph, my friend! Joe, you do have an interesting philosophy, but it won't be the case in every single market.
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www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>
 
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