Formats Needed (and Not Needed) in Cleveland Radio

[JimH]

While the "major" stations with "major" signals will of course be doing so-called mass-appeal formats, there are a lot of stations in NE Ohio that aren't gonna get even a 1.0 share no matter what they do: 1520-Kent, 1490-Cleveland Hts, 1330-Willoughby, 1310-Alliance, just to name 4 on AM. Hence a lot of these marginal signals are probably better off doing some niche format since none of them are likely to get major ratings or agency buys from advertisers.

So urban oldies, 50s/60s oldies, black talk, etc could (and have) found a home of these types of stations.

 

[HHH]

I definitely think at least by 2015, when 87.7 will be forced off the air, that locally focused alternative format should be placed on either 106.5 or 107.3. Being the home of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, I think we need this. 106.5 the Lake is sounding too much like the old Mix 106.5. Also, since WDOK is much hotter sounding now than they were 2 years ago, 107.3 could flip to a soft-AC perhaps mixed with adult standards format to pick up the audience WDOK left behind when they went hotter and more up-tempo. They could always do what WRVF 101.5 the River does in Toledo...run a smooth jazz program on Sunday mornings. WRVF has a program called 'Sunday Brunch' hosted by Suzanne Carroll Sundays from 8am to Noon where they play smooth jazz. According to her website, she is hoping to pick up other markets to syndicate it. Maybe Cleveland can be the first:

http://www.thejazzbrunch.com/meet_suzanne.htm

I definitely think at least by 2015, when 87.7 will be forced off the air, that locally focused alternative format should be placed on either 106.5 or 107.3. Being the home of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, I think we need this.

Alts are tanking in the ratings all over the country for the most part. Probably won't be any better in 2015. And even though 87.7 is not really an alt station (I tried to listen again this morning, and I have no idea WHAT they are trying to be), they are only sitting around a 1 share with only a couple of thousand listeners per average quarter hour. You can't make any money with those kind of numbers.


Also, since WDOK is much hotter sounding now than they were 2 years ago, 107.3 could flip to a soft-AC perhaps mixed with adult standards format to pick up the audience WDOK left behind when they went hotter and more up-tempo.


WDOK left behind that audience for a reason: Old, old demos. Soft A/C with Adult Standards? Come on.

 

[marconis gallbladder]

Being the home of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, I think we need this.

You're kidding, right? You can't possibly think that matters even a little bit.

106.5 the Lake is sounding too much like the old Mix 106.5.

Except that WMVX was never super successful. WHLK is #2 6+. Only someone incredibly clueless would blow it up.

 

[Buckeyes2001]

Well it's apparent from the 2 responses above that my ideas were idiotic and stupid and I apologize and perhaps I should have never given my input in the first place.

 

[CleveFan]

Well it's apparent from the 2 responses above that my ideas were idiotic and stupid and I apologize and perhaps I should have never given my input in the first place.

I think your ideas are cool! Not idiotic and stupid at all. Your input is welcome and you have a right to post them.

 

[chrocket87]

Alts are tanking in the ratings all over the country for the most part. Probably won't be any better in 2015. And even though 87.7 is not really an alt station (I tried to listen again this morning, and I have no idea WHAT they are trying to be), they are only sitting around a 1 share with only a couple of thousand listeners per average quarter hour. You can't make any money with those kind of numbers.

http://www.arbitrontraining.com/Programming/2013Jun13_Mays-PPM-Format-Trends.htm
The format has actually been gaining in most markets in the country. Doing much better than they were about 2-3 years ago. You got the second part dead on, as no one really knows what the hell 87.7 is trying to be and IMO, that's what is really hurting them. 'Superfreak' into 30 Seconds to Mars into light folky stuff= trainwreck.

Tampering with the Lake would be just downright stupid. It's perhaps the most successful flip in any market over the past five years.

 

[CleveFan]

87.7 just made their production director the new program director replacing their last one. Bull is also now music director along with hosting middays.

 

[wffm78]

Really enjoy the Bull Program and the music selection. Always liked him at WENZ and he is the best addition to the 87.7 lineup. Much better than listening to Archie in the morning. But, the turnover in PD's has to be concerning. What is it that they're seeing that makes them quit after 3-6 months?

 

[CleveRadioInsider]

Probably knowing the station is going to cease to exist in 2015 is a safe bet.

 

[Morpheux]

Why a Spanish Language CHR? Why not a Spanish language News/Talk or Sports/Talk?

An uptempo station playing Latin Rhythmic and Tropical music will be able to gain a wider audience than any other Spanish language or bilingual format.

 

[MichaelP]

Why a Spanish Language CHR? Why not a Spanish language News/Talk or Sports/Talk?

An uptempo station playing Latin Rhythmic and Tropical music will be able to gain a wider audience than any other Spanish language or bilingual format.

Anyone here remember the 3 Spanish language bootleg stations that were no the air briefly sometime around 2004? While I do not understand the language I enjoyed listening to the music.

 

[CleveFan]

I remember 90.7 back in the late '90s. That was a pretty good station.