• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Does WPAT FM Need to Change?

B

Barry

This Latin A/C station has lower ratings than WRXP. They have gained significantly since April. But I believe that month was when they did not encode in PPM for a while, due to a dispute between owner SBS, and Arbitron. They may temporarily do better this month, due to their broadcasts of World Cup soccer matches.
It seems that as one of only three full signal FM stations in New York broadcasting in Spanish, WPAT FM may be an under performer. The other two, which have similar tropical formats and are aimed at younger demos, are doing far better.
Assuming that SBS holds onto WPAT, are there other Spanish language formats that could pull in significantly higher ratings in New York? Or are two full power Spanish FM's (plus Mexican formatted WQBA) perhaps enough in New York, as increasing amounts of second generation Hispanics may be content to listen to English language stations?
 
It could flip to an English language format that isn't heard on the radio in NYC. Doesn't need to stay Spanish.
 
Since SBS operates Spanish language stations, it seems likely that WPAT will continue to broadcast in Spanish, unless it is sold.
 
'PAT is the lowest rated full-signal class B FM in NY, behind even 'RXP! Obviously, the station needs a makeover to make it competitive. As long as SBS owns 93.1 FM, it will broadcast in Spanish. If SBS decides to sell it, ESPN will have another option.

The NY area (pop. 15.5MM) has a large Hispanic population, larger in sheer numbers than Miami, but not nearly in percentage. Miami-Ft Lauderdale (pop. 3.5MM) has seven Spanish FMs in a market that is about 45% Hispanic. New York currently has three in a market with a 21% Hispanic population. Three full-signal Spanish FMs in NY might simply be one too many given the percentages.

SBS may have to tweak 97.9 to differentiate it from 96.3 but I don't see them ever letting go of 97.9. It was NYs first Spanish FM and that's why I don't think they'll ever sell it. If SBS has to let one station go, it would likely be 93.1. :)
 
Barry said:
Since SBS operates Spanish language stations, it seems likely that WPAT will continue to broadcast in Spanish, unless it is sold.
Click to expand...
KXOL here in L.A. is in English, and SBS operates that station.
 
KXOL/Latino 96.3. (Los Angeles), with its Hurban format, plays some songs that are in English, but most are in Spanish.
I believe that the former WCAA/La Kalle on 105.9 had tried reggaeton/Hurban. Evidently that format did not do well in New York, as it was dropped, well before the switch to 96.3.

Songs Played on KXOL: http://www.yes.com/#KXOL
 
Nick said:
It is rated better than WBAI and WFME.
Click to expand...

True but 'BAI and 'FME are non-comms. 'QXR on the awful 105.9 signal trails 'PAT by only .1 of a point. 'PAT is at 1.9, 'QXR 1.8.

'BAI and 'FME survive on listener contributions but they both barely show in the NYC ratings, both having an 0.2 rating. 'BAI could get that on 105.9. :)
 
I don't see them changing New York's only Spanish AC. Hispanic women like listening to the radio, too, you know.

If anything they might change it to Spanish CHR (like their sister station in PR, La Mega) but I doubt it.
 
radioguy39nj said:
The NY area (pop. 15.5MM) has a large Hispanic population, larger in sheer numbers than Miami, but not nearly in percentage. Miami-Ft Lauderdale (pop. 3.5MM) has seven Spanish FMs in a market that is about 45% Hispanic...
Click to expand...

... and the radio powerhouse in MIA is "101.5 Lite-FM," go figure... ::)
 
Identnut said:
I don't see them changing New York's only Spanish AC. Hispanic women like listening to the radio, too, you know.

If anything they might change it to Spanish CHR (like their sister station in PR, La Mega) but I doubt it.
Click to expand...

SBS can't continue with a 1.9 rating for 'PAT on a full signal, just a fraction ahead of 'QXR on a much poorer signal! I'm not saying to put the 'for sale' sign on 93.1, but some changes are likely in order. :)
 
DToTheJ said:
radioguy39nj said:
The NY area (pop. 15.5MM) has a large Hispanic population, larger in sheer numbers than Miami, but not nearly in percentage. Miami-Ft Lauderdale (pop. 3.5MM) has seven Spanish FMs in a market that is about 45% Hispanic...
Click to expand...

... and the radio powerhouse in MIA is "101.5 Lite-FM," go figure... ::)
Click to expand...

101.5 has been the music leader in South Florida ever since the 70s when it was an easy listening station. They've been able to evolve with the times and still be relevant and successful. :)
 
I say this because...

It's one thing if WPAT can't keep up with another Spanish AC. In Miami they lose to WAMR. In Puerto Rico, they lose to WFID. And in LA they lost to KLVE so bad that they became Hurban.

But we're talking about New York's only Spanish AC here. Their only source for Luis Fonsi, Ricky Martin, and the like. Not everyone is into Aventura, El Gran Combo or Wisin y Yandel, which is what La Mega and X play.
 
Maybe the music is the problem and not the station, necessarily. Ricky Martin hasn't had a hit in years. Juanes is still coasting on his two/three hits from eight years ago. Shakira has fallen in relevance at US radio, even though she still gets to play at the FIFA World Cup.

Maybe they need to revive those old Cuban boleros for a while until they find new music that appeals.
 
stationless listener said:
Maybe the music is the problem and not the station, necessarily. Ricky Martin hasn't had a hit in years. Juanes is still coasting on his two/three hits from eight years ago. Shakira has fallen in relevance at US radio, even though she still gets to play at the FIFA World Cup.

Maybe they need to revive those old Cuban boleros for a while until they find new music that appeals.
Click to expand...

Why would WPAT need Cuban boleros if most of the listeners are either Puerto Rican or Dominican?

I figure WPAT would have stuff like José Feliciano, Marco Antonio Solís and the like. Estereotempo, SBS's AC station in Puerto Rico plays their old "baladas" often.
 
stationless listener said:
Maybe the music is the problem and not the station, necessarily. Ricky Martin hasn't had a hit in years. Juanes is still coasting on his two/three hits from eight years ago. Shakira has fallen in relevance at US radio, even though she still gets to play at the FIFA World Cup.
Click to expand...

Shakira is totally relevant on a Spanish langauge station, and Juanes has lots of relevant material that is highly playable, and he has a new album with the first cut out last week. And there are dozens of other artists of today and the last few years, ranging from Sin Bandera and Luis Fonsi to Paulina Rubio and Ricardo Arjona and Camila... there is plenty of music. Pop / AC is one of the most popular formats across Latin America.

Maybe they need to revive those old Cuban boleros for a while until they find new music that appeals.
Click to expand...

Cuban boleros? That would be music from the 50's, which would have a listener target age of 65 or over.
 
Identnut said:
I figure WPAT would have stuff like José Feliciano, Marco Antonio Solís and the like. Estereotempo, SBS's AC station in Puerto Rico plays their old "baladas" often.
Click to expand...

Estereotempo is a 70's gold station that pretty much plays the songs that were hits on 11-Q in that decade. It does not do all that well, and leans old demographically.

The station in Puerto Rico with a playlist most similar to what WPAT intends to be is WFID.

The larger listener groups for Spanish langauge radio in New York are Dominican, Colombian, Ecuadorian and Mexican.
 
So David, do you think that WPAT FM should stay the course with the Spanish A/C music they currently play, or make some changes to boost ratings?
 
I don't know how well a Spanish FM talker would do, probably worse than Amor...but if SBS wanted to change format and keep to their brand, maybe this route?

And even that, I don't know how well it would do since a Spanish talk station, had never been done before in NYC (on the FM).
 
Tony Santiago said:
I don't know how well a Spanish FM talker would do, probably worse than Amor...but if SBS wanted to change format and keep to their brand, maybe this route?

And even that, I don't know how well it would do since a Spanish talk station, had never been done before in NYC (on the FM).
Click to expand...

Old demos, expensive.

AC/pop, well done, is the broadest in appeal across nationalities of any possible format. Currently, thhe #1 and #2 Spanish language stations in Miami are pop and AC hybrids.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom