The big question remains: Why did Clear Channel, in brutal economic times for radio and with its own debt crisis intensifying, spend $14 million on a limited Boston signal just to put a format in a broom closet (Harbor) or a birdfeed format (Evolution) on it?
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End Near For Evolution On 101.7?
- Thread starter DToTheJ
- Start date
@CTListener: If you were Clear Channel, and you saw a commercial FM go on the block in a top 10 market, and you weren't maxed out on your FM properties in said market, wouldn't you pull the trigger on it? Granted, they're on their second format within a year of the Phoenix sale, but perhaps that had more to do with the somewhat sudden nature of 101.7's going on sale.
You may be right, DToTheJ, but I'm still wondering if any format hole exists in the Boston market that would allow 101.7 to be a major player. Any flavor of CHR is out, of course, and I don't think Boston is a solid enough country market to support a rival to WKLB -- they could go for a more gold-centered approach (late '80s/'90s country) but that was a period where country didn't have much of an audience in Boston, so the music wouldn't be all that familiar to most of the potential audience. Classic hits, heavy on pop and disco, with the focus on 1975-1989? Well, it seems to be working in Hartford, but given that WROR has kept its rock lean even after WODS went CHR, maybe the conventional wisdom is that there's no need to put that music back on the radio here. Taking on WMJX and WBMX for the AC audience would appear suicidal on a signal with issues in the suburbs as 101.7 has.
So how does CC get a return on its 14 mil? I'm stumped.
So how does CC get a return on its 14 mil? I'm stumped.
They really should go or the Urban Contemporary. Jam'n has been on a consistent downward spiral for about 7 months. Urban is a tried and true format, it may be down but it will still perform better than anything Evolution could muster up.It would also stop the hemorrhage of listeners to Hot 96.9 and keep some of those listeners in house. They really could just copy paste one of the UC stations they already have into Boston. It'd probably do a little better than Radio One did from '99-'06. Radio One had poor jocks a lack of commitment to Boston and many other markets. Also the Black and Latino Populations have grown quite substantially in the areas suburbs in the 14 years since Hot 97.7's debut. The Black and Latino populations is far too young in this area for an Urban AC. The best choice would be to become a station like Hot 93.7 in Hartford, rhythmic but heavily urban leaning. It'd be better than evolution even if the format isn't hot right now. It also fills a void. I'm thinking WPWE Power 102! or WBAT the Beat 101.7
Evolution is a great station. It is perhaps almost as good at WJIB.... The two best stations on the dial because they are original. I listen to both constantly. Great stuff!!! The other stations all sound the same.... it's awful...! WPLM is great too- good variety......!
UrbanTeenager said:
CTListener said:
In retrospect, the answer is obvious: to find out if it's possible to win the college-aged demo back to radio. Boston, with more than 200 colleges and universities, many of them within easy reach of 101.7's Class A (i.e. relatively inexpensive) signal, is an ideal test market.
4CX1000A said:
So are more college students these days into dance than into alternative or active rock, or is the thinking that the rock audience is too splintered to ever come back to radio while the dance audience, though smaller(?) might be easier to please as a whole?
There are only two things I think Clear Channel could have done with 101.7 when they acquired it last year to make it successful:
(1) Keep the existing WFNX format and airstaff, or,
(2) Launch a contemporary Spanish-language music format.
Nevertheless, I suspect that the current "Evolution" format will remain in place for a while.
(1) Keep the existing WFNX format and airstaff, or,
(2) Launch a contemporary Spanish-language music format.
Nevertheless, I suspect that the current "Evolution" format will remain in place for a while.
Spanish Language would have made a lot of sense given the demographics of their broadcast are north of Boston.
B
Bosch94
Guest
Ok thoughts on WEDX... Personally I am a 25 year old male in the northwest metro area suburbs who grew up on KISS ZOU/WJMN WAAF WKLB and MIX... This station is known as WFNX to be quite frank... Party rave club goers like this EDM crap... Do I no... I dont even care to pass by 101.7 never have the one time i did i felt like i should be on drugs. People listen Personalities... And good music. Growing up as a 90s kid it was about KISS and JAM'N for the hits and WKLB for country... The hype and hopes of this low rated station will soon fade... This market is to overcrowded with the same music... I suspect this one will ride out for a bit and DIE... Hot 96.9 will close in on JAM'N and Amp radio will make Mix 104.1 look like god because KISS still is and will continue to be #1 until the day Matt leaves the morning show then It will be Kiss who? Just my thoughts for a company billions in debt. No way will this station survive and either way i could give too hoots about it RIP WFNX
this station better not end. It's great and 100% better than "Amp 103.3" What 103.3 (can do) is change to (NEW) Country music.
DToTheJ said:
STOP HATING
Let's call it out. This would make you EXTREMELY happy for this to fail. Granted, you don't like dance, and that's fine. I'm not trying to get you or anyone else here that hates dance to convert. But the continual bashing that you and others do I won't allow to happen. Not without me getting involved.
I don't have ANY hate on other formats even if I'm not into the music so please do us all a favor and grow up. You don't have to like the music and I'm certainly not going to shove a radio blasting EDM into your head. But please stop. And I am being nice about this.
TS
I think "Release" is Voicetracked?freqlost said:
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