Entercom Launches Alt 98.7

[Kent]

Problem is, Lazlo's no longer programming KRBZ. What it became was due to his leadership and team, and now as an "alt" with his hands off the music, that legacy and leverage isn't being put to work for the station. Which is unfortunate because he and the Buzz team created a great brand and incredible loyalty.

From what I have read, that would seem to be the case. I would agree that’s very unfortunate and a missed opportunity for Entercom. Plus, Lazlo had experience managing multiple stations as he’s managed both KRBZ and KNDD at the same time. I do think Entercom was smart making Leslie Scott one of its regional VP's for the format. She’s a friend and former competitor from before she went to Seattle. She’s a really hard worker and is sharp as a tack. I wish I'd have gotten the opportunity to work with her, but my OM at that cluster pushed me out before she arrived and was brought back afterward. That cluster was not going to hire me again, and I would not work for him again under any circumstance.

Lazlo used to be in Detroit on 97.1 and WYCD before he became a name in alt radio. I wonder if his show's coming to 98.7 soon?

He came to KC from Detroit with Afentra. He would be a logical addition to 98.7 due to his Detroit connections. I don’t know if you've had the chance to listen to some of the regional shows on Entercom's alternative stations, but they don’t sound to me like they have much of a local component. The couple or three I've heard sound like satellite programming, but SMN/ABC/Citadel/Cumulus did it better. I know it’s difficult to get exactly right because I've had to produce a program that was heard on two stations, and getting the coordination between the two was incredibly difficult (especially at the station that didn’t have the host in the studio). One would just have thought there was a better way to do it with technology having grown by leaps and bounds over the last couple decades.

 

[tall_guy1]

Problem is, Lazlo's no longer programming KRBZ. What it became was due to his leadership and team, and now as an "alt" with his hands off the music, that legacy and leverage isn't being put to work for the station. Which is unfortunate because he and the Buzz team created a great brand and incredible loyalty.

Lazlo used to be in Detroit on 97.1 and WYCD before he became a name in alt radio. I wonder if his show's coming to 98.7 soon?

Who programs it now? A consultant? All the "alt" stations seem to have relatively different sounds during the day (at night it's national.)

 

[davideduardo]

Who programs it now? A consultant? All the "alt" stations seem to have relatively different sounds during the day (at night it's national.)

The bigger groups don't need outside consultants as they can have a corporate level format head as well as an overall national PD. The hierarchy at each company may be a bit different, but the objective is to provide support, control and guidance for the local stations,

 

[TheBigA]

Who programs it now? A consultant? All the "alt" stations seem to have relatively different sounds during the day (at night it's national.)

When the company announced their new programming lineups a few months ago, they gave programming responsibilities to a group of regional programmers. Of course at the time, there was no Alt station in Detroit. They may announce who's in charge when they announce the talent, which is likely to come this week. If it was up to me, I'd put WXRT in charge.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

WNYL New York/KROQ Los Angeles PD Mike Kaplan remains Format Captain/SVP of Alternative Programming. The Regional Vice Presidents of Programming will be KQMP Orlando PD Matt Malone, KNDD Seattle PD Leslie Scott and WNYL APD Christine Malovetz. KVIL Dallas Music Director Bailey and WNYL MD Bryce Segall will serve as Regional Brand Managers.

 

[macattack]

When the company announced their new programming lineups a few months ago, they gave programming responsibilities to a group of regional programmers. Of course at the time, there was no Alt station in Detroit. They may announce who's in charge when they announce the talent, which is likely to come this week. If it was up to me, I'd put WXRT in charge.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

WXRT is a AAA and is independent from the Entercom Alts and so far it has remained that way, and as a Chicago native and still active listener of WXRT I don't want their brand and music being diluted by Entercom. WXRT being homogenized would be a nightmare scenario for me and many other Chicagoans.

 

[TheBigA]

WXRT is a AAA and is independent from the Entercom Alts and so far it has remained that way

Yep, you're right. Just a thought.

 

[Kevin]

Yep, you're right. Just a thought.

WXRT is a class act. One of the last great stations for FM rock.

 

[macattack]

WXRT is a class act. One of the last great stations for FM rock.

Not many places would dare to put Mt. Joy ("Strangers"), The Smashing Pumpkins ("1979"), The Cult ("Fire Woman"), Pink Floyd ("Hey You"), and Bruce Springsteen ("Letter To You") on the same set, but WXRT literally did that while I was writing this post and can be even more surprising besides.

They really are a bastion for rock lovers on the dial. It's too bad that they're owned by Entercom because considering everything that company is up to, the ax could fall at any time. 93XRT becoming ALT 93.1 would be an awful end for a Chicago radio institution, especially one that has seen a renaissance in recent years.

 

[radiojomo]

Problem is, Lazlo's no longer programming KRBZ. What it became was due to his leadership and team, and now as an "alt" with his hands off the music, that legacy and leverage isn't being put to work for the station. Which is unfortunate because he and the Buzz team created a great brand and incredible loyalty.

Lazlo used to be in Detroit on 97.1 and WYCD before he became a name in alt radio. I wonder if his show's coming to 98.7 soon?

KRBZ had a STRONG legion of P1s. But we're in a different era now...I'm sure some of those listeners have moved on to podcasts, Spotify or other digital options.

It comes down to profits. By saving overhead on local programmers and air talent, and given lower than usual performance in radio, it only makes sense for Entercom to see their alternative and country stations as tentacles on an octopus. Streamlined operations and talent lead to higher profits, which will be crucial if any of these companies want to generate profits amid weakened ad sales.

 

[Kevin]

Not many places would dare to put Mt. Joy ("Strangers"), The Smashing Pumpkins ("1979"), The Cult ("Fire Woman"), Pink Floyd ("Hey You"), and Bruce Springsteen ("Letter To You") on the same set, but WXRT literally did that while I was writing this post and can be even more surprising besides.

They really are a bastion for rock lovers on the dial. It's too bad that they're owned by Entercom because considering everything that company is up to, the ax could fall at any time. 93XRT becoming ALT 93.1 would be an awful end for a Chicago radio institution, especially one that has seen a renaissance in recent years.

I’m sure Entercom will someday change WXRT and Alternative would be their choice of formats. Just hope no one from Entercom reads this post, don’t want to give them any ideas.

 

[TheBigA]

I’m sure Entercom will someday change WXRT and Alternative would be their choice of formats. Just hope no one from Entercom reads this post, don’t want to give them any ideas.

WXRT is getting much better ratings with what they're doing now. Cumulus is doing alternative on WKQX, and they're far behind with a 2 share.

 

[macattack]

WXRT is getting much better ratings with what they're doing now. Cumulus is doing alternative on WKQX, and they're far behind with a 2 share.

The reason why we have this thread is that Entercom flipped The Breeze, who was doing shares equitable to WXRT and had just started their Christmas campaign, to Alternative. If they flipped The Breeze, WXRT is most definitely not safe.

WKQX is also a crappy Alternative station, to the point where I stream my Alt listening elsewhere, but that's besides the point.

 

[Kevin]

The reason why we have this thread is that Entercom flipped The Breeze, who was doing shares equitable to WXRT and had just started their Christmas campaign, to Alternative. If they flipped The Breeze, WXRT is most definitely not safe.

WKQX is also a crappy Alternative station, to the point where I stream my Alt listening elsewhere, but that's besides the point.

I totally agree with you macattack, The Breeze 98.7 had a 4.3 and actually did better than WNIC 100.3 with a 4.1 in the last ratings. So WXRT is not safe from a format change, Entercom has a push for this Alternative format and will do anything to make it happen.

 

[Kent]

I totally agree with you macattack, The Breeze 98.7 had a 4.3 and actually did better than WNIC 100.3 with a 4.1 in the last ratings. So WXRT is not safe from a format change, Entercom has a push for this Alternative format and will do anything to make it happen.

Keep in mind, the Breeze may have had a 4.3, but the real question is how it was doing in the salable demos. A 4.3 12+ won't be successful if the entire audience is 55+ (or teens, though that's not likely in The Breeze's case). I, unfortunately, haven't had access to demo specific ratings in over 10 years now. So, I can't answer that question for us.

 

[AceBiscuits]

So WXRT is not safe from a format change, Entercom has a push for this Alternative format and will do anything to make it happen.

It's no safer than any station frankly, but I do not see Entercom blowing up WXRT to this end. The station has heritage and has performed well. Just this year alone, they had record-breaking ratings. As much as Entercom seems very into alt as a format, this would not be the first station in that cluster I would assume to flip.

 

[MarkW]

The new 98.7 in Detroit continues to sound like complete garbage. The corporate radio goons cannot even get the audio processing right! Pervasive bass washes out all other instruments. Heard Nirvana and Green Day songs that sounded butchered because of the settings. The processor settings sound like something that would be useful for a hip-hop station. Why does corporate radio fail at even executing the basic fundamentals properly?

The alternative audience in Detroit does not care much about "new music discovery." This isn't Denver or Portland. They want to hear the favorites they grew up with in the 90's and 00's listening to 89X. The alternative audience here is an alternative ROCK audience. Doesn't need to be a bunch of nu-metal songs like 105.7 in St. Louis. Just a good mix.

The last time 98.7 tried a format geared to young adults, the ratings stunk. This time will be no different given Entercom's refusal to program the station to Detroit's tastes.

 

[TheBigA]

Why does corporate radio fail at even executing the basic fundamentals properly?

Engineering and programming are two different departments. It's not the same person. That's one of the basic fundamentals.

Aren't you the same guy who said iHeart's rock station in Chicago was terrible, and when the ratings came out, they did pretty good? Give it time, let's see how the station does reaching its goals. We know they won't do as well 12+ as they did with soft rock. They're cleansing the palate now, converting the soft rock audience to something very different. It will take time.

 

[MarkW]

Aren't you the same guy who said iHeart's rock station in Chicago was terrible, and when the ratings came out, they did pretty good?

Indeed, I am! Their very first book was better than I was expecting...no question about that. However, I think the station as currently programmed over the long-term will generate mediocre ratings at best.

Former die hard Loop and Rock 103.5 listeners are giving Rock 95.5 in Chicago a chance. I have trouble picturing them sticking around several months from now if the music formula remains largely the same.

Engineering and programming are two different departments. It's not the same person. That's one of the basic fundamentals.

I'm not sure why you felt a need to mention that; you must assume I am a complete idiot.

Local management should be working to pull whatever strings need to be pulled to fix the horrible audio settings. Sometimes a corporate engineer dictates processor settings; sometimes local staff retains authority over such matters. I am unsure how Entercom is set up in that regard.

 

[TheBigA]

I'm not sure why you felt a need to mention that; you must assume I am a complete idiot.

Let me remind you that the station hasn't announced a PD yet. When that happens, then you can rant about processing.

 

[Kevin]

The new 98.7 in Detroit continues to sound like complete garbage. The corporate radio goons cannot even get the audio processing right! Pervasive bass washes out all other instruments. Heard Nirvana and Green Day songs that sounded butchered because of the settings. The processor settings sound like something that would be useful for a hip-hop station. Why does corporate radio fail at even executing the basic fundamentals properly?

The alternative audience in Detroit does not care much about "new music discovery." This isn't Denver or Portland. They want to hear the favorites they grew up with in the 90's and 00's listening to 89X. The alternative audience here is an alternative ROCK audience. Doesn't need to be a bunch of nu-metal songs like 105.7 in St. Louis. Just a good mix.

The last time 98.7 tried a format geared to young adults, the ratings stunk. This time will be no different given Entercom's refusal to program the station to Detroit's tastes.

I’ve been listening the last few days and disagree with you. I think they sound pretty decent, their music selection seems to be larger than a week ago. Give them some time they could have some good ratings perhaps better than “The Breeze” format. Only time will tell.