I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94 has segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the signal fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for the day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
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Hitz 94 "New" Format?
- Thread starter eacalhoun
- Start date
B
BamaMedia
Guest
> I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94 has
> segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I
> don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the signal
> fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
> played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for the
> day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
>
My guess is that they need all the advertising that they can get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will do anything for their ratings.
> segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I
> don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the signal
> fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
> played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for the
> day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
>
My guess is that they need all the advertising that they can get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will do anything for their ratings.
> > I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94 has
> > segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I
> > don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the signal
> > fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
> > played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for
> the
> > day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
> >
> My guess is that they need all the advertising that they can
> get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will do
> anything for their ratings.
>
When I was in the area for Christmas, Hitz was already playing an 80's and 90's mix, really a little heavier toward the 90's. Their signal is their biggest drawback. Their signal gets more erratic the further east and north you go in the Triad. A new format isn't going to help that.
> > segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I
> > don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the signal
> > fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
> > played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for
> the
> > day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
> >
> My guess is that they need all the advertising that they can
> get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will do
> anything for their ratings.
>
When I was in the area for Christmas, Hitz was already playing an 80's and 90's mix, really a little heavier toward the 90's. Their signal is their biggest drawback. Their signal gets more erratic the further east and north you go in the Triad. A new format isn't going to help that.
B
BLewis
Guest
It SEEMS their numbers where stronger as an All 80's station!
> > > I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94
> has
> > > segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I
>
> > > don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the
> signal
> > > fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
> > > played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for
> > the
> > > day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
> > >
> > My guess is that they need all the advertising that they
> can
> > get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will
> do
> > anything for their ratings.
> >
> When I was in the area for Christmas, Hitz was already
> playing an 80's and 90's mix, really a little heavier toward
> the 90's. Their signal is their biggest drawback. Their
> signal gets more erratic the further east and north you go
> in the Triad. A new format isn't going to help that.
>
> > > I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94
> has
> > > segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted, I
>
> > > don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the
> signal
> > > fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
> > > played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question for
> > the
> > > day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
> > >
> > My guess is that they need all the advertising that they
> can
> > get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will
> do
> > anything for their ratings.
> >
> When I was in the area for Christmas, Hitz was already
> playing an 80's and 90's mix, really a little heavier toward
> the 90's. Their signal is their biggest drawback. Their
> signal gets more erratic the further east and north you go
> in the Triad. A new format isn't going to help that.
>
B
BamaMedia
Guest
> It SEEMS their numbers where stronger as an All 80's
> station!
They were...
> station!
They were...
> > It SEEMS their numbers where stronger as an All 80's
> > station!
>
> They were...
>
.......and they sounded great too. Hitz played some obscure stuff that other 80's outlets didn't play. They also began to sound like an 80's era CHR for a brief time, which added to the nostalgia.
__________________
Over and out
> > station!
>
> They were...
>
.......and they sounded great too. Hitz played some obscure stuff that other 80's outlets didn't play. They also began to sound like an 80's era CHR for a brief time, which added to the nostalgia.
__________________
Over and out
B
bubbadog
Guest
> Why don't they do the obvious and flip to Spanish before CC
> can move in WFMX?
> ownership. traditional white ownership is afraid to program formats they don't understand. CC goes where the money is.
> can move in WFMX?
> ownership. traditional white ownership is afraid to program formats they don't understand. CC goes where the money is.
T
thegat
Guest
Whatever happened to Ann Thomas?
> > Why don't they do the obvious and flip to Spanish before
> CC
> > can move in WFMX?
> > ownership. traditional white ownership is afraid to
> program formats they don't understand. CC goes where the
> money is.
>
> > Why don't they do the obvious and flip to Spanish before
> CC
> > can move in WFMX?
> > ownership. traditional white ownership is afraid to
> program formats they don't understand. CC goes where the
> money is.
>
A
audiomusiclover
Guest
> Whatever happened to Ann Thomas?
>
>
> > > Why don't they do the obvious and flip to Spanish before
>
> > CC
> > > can move in WFMX?
> > > ownership. traditional white ownership is afraid to
> > program formats they don't understand. CC goes where the
> > money is.
> >
>
Please. Anything but another Spanish
>
>
> > > Why don't they do the obvious and flip to Spanish before
>
> > CC
> > > can move in WFMX?
> > > ownership. traditional white ownership is afraid to
> > program formats they don't understand. CC goes where the
> > money is.
> >
>
Please. Anything but another Spanish
Re: Hitz 94
You know, you can't convince me that an on-air presentation of an 80s format that had the sound of classic CHR back then wouldn't be a ratings success, even with such a niche format. Radio that sounds "fun" with sweepers, jingles, "music sweeps," gaudy contests and personalities would matter. You want to put away the iPods? Give the audience something more than music. They can get all the music they want when they want it with the iPod. Wrap their tunes in something that matters and they'll come back. Yes, this presentation costs money, but the 80s audience is looking for retro in their radio, not just music that they remember.
Hitz had it right with the music, but they didn't present it in the context that it existed. Yes, they ran old American Top 40 shows and other specialty programs, but their on-air presentation then (and especially now) sounds just like everyone else. Come on guys...give us something different. You're locally owned (thank God). Time to give it to CC, and that doesn't have to be Spanish. Just develop a coherent on-air presentation, adjust the playlist (including bringing back many of the obscure 80s songs you played that no one else would touch) and the ratings numbers will follow. But you have to give it time to work...and you have to promote it.
Heck, pull a BIG WAYS ploy the way Dave Lingafelt in Hickory did...buy out old jingles from an old station and use them. I bet that Jim Heavner still has the old 94Z jingles from WZZU's heyday in Raleigh...and he might let 'em go for cheap. I mean, what good are they doing him now? You wouldn't even have to change call letters. Just become 94Z...North Carolina's Hitz (or something like that). You have listeners in both Charlotte and the Triad, so don't tie yourself down with a locale in your promo liners. Pull an old KISS-FM in Asheville trick...put reverb in the mike chain to make the announcers sound bigger than life...and then sponsor some of the old 80s acts as they tour in venues throughout central and western North Carolina.
This is not hard to do,a nd it shouldn't cost a whole lot of money (if you spend judiciously). And I'd bet that you'd blow the doors off of your prior ratings.
It's funny, but what is happening to FM radio now is what FM did to AM in the early 1970s. Instead of seeking out alternate forms of programming, many AMs just laid down as FM took off. Now AM is back, and it is because they are providing programming that can't be found elsewhere. Let's hope the FM guys wise up before they are the AMs of the 2000s.
wncmacs
You know, you can't convince me that an on-air presentation of an 80s format that had the sound of classic CHR back then wouldn't be a ratings success, even with such a niche format. Radio that sounds "fun" with sweepers, jingles, "music sweeps," gaudy contests and personalities would matter. You want to put away the iPods? Give the audience something more than music. They can get all the music they want when they want it with the iPod. Wrap their tunes in something that matters and they'll come back. Yes, this presentation costs money, but the 80s audience is looking for retro in their radio, not just music that they remember.
Hitz had it right with the music, but they didn't present it in the context that it existed. Yes, they ran old American Top 40 shows and other specialty programs, but their on-air presentation then (and especially now) sounds just like everyone else. Come on guys...give us something different. You're locally owned (thank God). Time to give it to CC, and that doesn't have to be Spanish. Just develop a coherent on-air presentation, adjust the playlist (including bringing back many of the obscure 80s songs you played that no one else would touch) and the ratings numbers will follow. But you have to give it time to work...and you have to promote it.
Heck, pull a BIG WAYS ploy the way Dave Lingafelt in Hickory did...buy out old jingles from an old station and use them. I bet that Jim Heavner still has the old 94Z jingles from WZZU's heyday in Raleigh...and he might let 'em go for cheap. I mean, what good are they doing him now? You wouldn't even have to change call letters. Just become 94Z...North Carolina's Hitz (or something like that). You have listeners in both Charlotte and the Triad, so don't tie yourself down with a locale in your promo liners. Pull an old KISS-FM in Asheville trick...put reverb in the mike chain to make the announcers sound bigger than life...and then sponsor some of the old 80s acts as they tour in venues throughout central and western North Carolina.
This is not hard to do,a nd it shouldn't cost a whole lot of money (if you spend judiciously). And I'd bet that you'd blow the doors off of your prior ratings.
It's funny, but what is happening to FM radio now is what FM did to AM in the early 1970s. Instead of seeking out alternate forms of programming, many AMs just laid down as FM took off. Now AM is back, and it is because they are providing programming that can't be found elsewhere. Let's hope the FM guys wise up before they are the AMs of the 2000s.
wncmacs
Re: Hitz 94
A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners. I remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing how many calls I got from people saying thanks for reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this concept work for an Eighties station?
A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners. I remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing how many calls I got from people saying thanks for reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this concept work for an Eighties station?
D
dogman
Guest
Re: Hitz 94
> A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
>
> Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners. I
> remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at
> WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing
> how many calls I got from people saying thanks for
> reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this
> concept work for an Eighties station?
>
I roll through the area 4 or 5 times a year and always listened to 94 because I am a "child of the 80's". And while I'm not the biggest fan of the newer music I think the presentation is much more "fun sounding" than before. I like the jingles, jocks sound like they're having a good time. And their ratings were in the toilet with 80's in the Summer. Uptick in the fall. When did they change the music?
> A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
>
> Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners. I
> remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at
> WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing
> how many calls I got from people saying thanks for
> reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this
> concept work for an Eighties station?
>
I roll through the area 4 or 5 times a year and always listened to 94 because I am a "child of the 80's". And while I'm not the biggest fan of the newer music I think the presentation is much more "fun sounding" than before. I like the jingles, jocks sound like they're having a good time. And their ratings were in the toilet with 80's in the Summer. Uptick in the fall. When did they change the music?
B
BamaMedia
Guest
Re: Hitz 94
> A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
>
> Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners. I
> remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at
> WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing
> how many calls I got from people saying thanks for
> reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this
> concept work for an Eighties station?
>
I was reading the Arbitron numbers this morning and definitely Mr. Gig Hilton needs to do something different with “THZ”. If they are using these numbers to sell, probably they aren’t getting a whole lot of sales. Even that there are some areas in which the signal is not the best, I still think that he isn’t taking advantage of what he has.
> A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
>
> Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners. I
> remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at
> WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing
> how many calls I got from people saying thanks for
> reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this
> concept work for an Eighties station?
>
I was reading the Arbitron numbers this morning and definitely Mr. Gig Hilton needs to do something different with “THZ”. If they are using these numbers to sell, probably they aren’t getting a whole lot of sales. Even that there are some areas in which the signal is not the best, I still think that he isn’t taking advantage of what he has.
R
RobynWatts
Guest
Re: Hitz 94
Hi wncmacs,
Your talking about something that is dear to my heart. I agree with you comments 100% (and I'd like to add a few more):
> You know, you can't convince me that an on-air presentation
> of an 80s format that had the sound of classic CHR back then
> wouldn't be a ratings success, even with such a niche
> format. Radio that sounds "fun" with sweepers, jingles,
> "music sweeps," gaudy contests and personalities would
> matter. You want to put away the iPods? Give the audience
> something more than music. They can get all the music they
> want when they want it with the iPod. Wrap their tunes in
> something that matters and they'll come back. Yes, this
> presentation costs money, but the 80s audience is looking
> for retro in their radio, not just music that they remember.
My ideas (or fantasies) for Hitz 94 are:
Air Talent:
I would hire jocks that were around back then that worked in Top 40 radio at that time or some younger ones that can make the station sound like it's 1985 all over again. Get some airchecks of several Carolina Top 40 stations as well as from other markets and have them study them so they would know what you AND the audience expects out of them. Hire a morning show that has a lot of energy and can target 25-54 adults, both male & female. ANd for the rest of the day, let the jocks be personalities, NOT LINER CARD READERS!!! Emphasize that everyone on the staff interact with the audience whatever it's on the phone or online, at a remote, as well as on-the-air. On top of it all-BE LOCAL! Talk about things that are happening in the area (Which is the single most important step!).
Presentation:
I'd have JAM jingles (pretty much the entire Z-100 catalog, pre-Z World with the KIIS-FM jingles that were done by them as well) and "Outstanding" (a package that was originally done for WLS/Chicago). Hire Mark Driscoll, Mitch Craig, Charlie Van Dyke, Bumper Morgan, or John Young for the sweepers & promos. Heck, hire them all and alternate between them...after all this is MY FANTAISY! Instruct them to make the sweepers and promos sound HOT, but 80's Retro at the same time.
Positioning:
I would position the station as "Retro Radio, Hitz 94" and avoid the pitfalls of calling the station "Oldies" entirely. If the station wasn't already named "Hitz", I would use the positioner "Hot Retro Hits" since it would, in a way, bring back one of the best Top 40 positioners of all time, IMHO...Hot Hits. Either way make it so that the music doesn't sound old at first glance.
Music:
! If I could find copies of the playlists from WKZL, WSEZ & WRQK/WKSI in the Triad, WDCG & WZZU in Raleigh/Durham and WROQ, WBCY, WJZR, & WAYS (from 1980 to 1982 only) I would use it as my basis to tailor the station as one that sounded just like them musically. In addition to American Top 40 rebroadcast (with the WHOLE 4 hours, not just three) I've would strongly consider adding a dance show on Saturday nights playing 12 inch versions of songs that are already on the playlist, and on Sunday night, have a show that plays New Wave/Modern Rock from the era (my version is called "The Flipside"). The core years will be 1978 to about 1991 (after 1991, the music on Top 40 radio changed dramatically) I would add select songs from 1992 and 1993 by "core" 80's artists like Duran Duran & U2 on a case-by-case basis.
Contesting & Promotions:
Have contests that target the lifestyle of adults like giving away trips like a "second honeymoon", cars (especially any HOT cars from back then like a Porsche 944 completely restored, or course). Phone contests like movie & concert tickets & DVDs and music CD's that people can actually win (instead of the national contests that CCU & others do). Hire a street team that is out visibly almost every day.
Engineering & Audio Processing:
This sometimes overlooked step is VERY crucial! In addition to having the station processing "sound" like it had existed in the 80s (which is something that programming and engineering has to work with each other in doing) , make sure that studio & transmitter equipment is always maintained and is in working order! If something doesn't work, make sure engineering is notified ASAP. In my world, I have a full-time engineer that can get the job done and a full-time assistant as a back-up for the engineer. In extreme emergencies or big jobs that require more people, have a contract engineer that you could pay on retainer as a back-up for them both.
Sales & Marketing:
Hire AE's that have THE PASION for what the station is trying to do so that they can be in the right frame of mine when trying to sell advertising. Marketing would work with sales & programming in order to make the station always at the forefront of the listeners and clients minds.
Yes I know what I'm saying is pure fantasy. As the band Motley Crue once sang on their hit song "Home Sweet Home", "You know I'm a dreamer...." All of this would take time to build just like any other radio station, but as they say "if you build it, they will come"!
(Now if I could just get Kevin Costner's voice out of my head...") :>)
You know what's ironic for me? When I had a "Mister Microphone"-type radio station in the mid-1980s when I was 11 years old and VERY INTERESTED in this business, I've named it "94-Hits/WHZS" because to me, the name was uncommon and unique at that time. I've even went so far as to create a fictional radio & TV market called Avalon/Meridian, Utopia, the 51st state in the union (And it's a pretty small state, about the size of Connecticut). I've also created other radio stations in this market like "E-103/WEXY" (a direct format compedator), "Raccoon 102/WRQU" (Country), 101.5 WZVI (Adult Contemporary), "Go97WOGO" (Oldies), "95.7/WRSH aka Rush Rock!!" (Album Rock), "100Jams/WWJM" (Urban Contemporary), I've could go on, but you get the idea.
Oh, BTW, here's a sample of what I've had in mind as the sound of the station:
http://www.reelradio.com/mh/slimkkhr85-1.html#slimkkhr85-1
Thanks for reading my ideas, now where should I hang up my single as a "consultant"? (she said in a demented laugh..HA HA HA!!!) :>)
Robyn
<P ID="signature">______________
"They say you better listen to the voice of reason. But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think it's treason." Elvis Costello "Radio Radio"</P>
Hi wncmacs,
Your talking about something that is dear to my heart. I agree with you comments 100% (and I'd like to add a few more):
> You know, you can't convince me that an on-air presentation
> of an 80s format that had the sound of classic CHR back then
> wouldn't be a ratings success, even with such a niche
> format. Radio that sounds "fun" with sweepers, jingles,
> "music sweeps," gaudy contests and personalities would
> matter. You want to put away the iPods? Give the audience
> something more than music. They can get all the music they
> want when they want it with the iPod. Wrap their tunes in
> something that matters and they'll come back. Yes, this
> presentation costs money, but the 80s audience is looking
> for retro in their radio, not just music that they remember.
My ideas (or fantasies) for Hitz 94 are:
Air Talent:
I would hire jocks that were around back then that worked in Top 40 radio at that time or some younger ones that can make the station sound like it's 1985 all over again. Get some airchecks of several Carolina Top 40 stations as well as from other markets and have them study them so they would know what you AND the audience expects out of them. Hire a morning show that has a lot of energy and can target 25-54 adults, both male & female. ANd for the rest of the day, let the jocks be personalities, NOT LINER CARD READERS!!! Emphasize that everyone on the staff interact with the audience whatever it's on the phone or online, at a remote, as well as on-the-air. On top of it all-BE LOCAL! Talk about things that are happening in the area (Which is the single most important step!).
Presentation:
I'd have JAM jingles (pretty much the entire Z-100 catalog, pre-Z World with the KIIS-FM jingles that were done by them as well) and "Outstanding" (a package that was originally done for WLS/Chicago). Hire Mark Driscoll, Mitch Craig, Charlie Van Dyke, Bumper Morgan, or John Young for the sweepers & promos. Heck, hire them all and alternate between them...after all this is MY FANTAISY! Instruct them to make the sweepers and promos sound HOT, but 80's Retro at the same time.
Positioning:
I would position the station as "Retro Radio, Hitz 94" and avoid the pitfalls of calling the station "Oldies" entirely. If the station wasn't already named "Hitz", I would use the positioner "Hot Retro Hits" since it would, in a way, bring back one of the best Top 40 positioners of all time, IMHO...Hot Hits. Either way make it so that the music doesn't sound old at first glance.
Music:
! If I could find copies of the playlists from WKZL, WSEZ & WRQK/WKSI in the Triad, WDCG & WZZU in Raleigh/Durham and WROQ, WBCY, WJZR, & WAYS (from 1980 to 1982 only) I would use it as my basis to tailor the station as one that sounded just like them musically. In addition to American Top 40 rebroadcast (with the WHOLE 4 hours, not just three) I've would strongly consider adding a dance show on Saturday nights playing 12 inch versions of songs that are already on the playlist, and on Sunday night, have a show that plays New Wave/Modern Rock from the era (my version is called "The Flipside"). The core years will be 1978 to about 1991 (after 1991, the music on Top 40 radio changed dramatically) I would add select songs from 1992 and 1993 by "core" 80's artists like Duran Duran & U2 on a case-by-case basis.
Contesting & Promotions:
Have contests that target the lifestyle of adults like giving away trips like a "second honeymoon", cars (especially any HOT cars from back then like a Porsche 944 completely restored, or course). Phone contests like movie & concert tickets & DVDs and music CD's that people can actually win (instead of the national contests that CCU & others do). Hire a street team that is out visibly almost every day.
Engineering & Audio Processing:
This sometimes overlooked step is VERY crucial! In addition to having the station processing "sound" like it had existed in the 80s (which is something that programming and engineering has to work with each other in doing) , make sure that studio & transmitter equipment is always maintained and is in working order! If something doesn't work, make sure engineering is notified ASAP. In my world, I have a full-time engineer that can get the job done and a full-time assistant as a back-up for the engineer. In extreme emergencies or big jobs that require more people, have a contract engineer that you could pay on retainer as a back-up for them both.
Sales & Marketing:
Hire AE's that have THE PASION for what the station is trying to do so that they can be in the right frame of mine when trying to sell advertising. Marketing would work with sales & programming in order to make the station always at the forefront of the listeners and clients minds.
Yes I know what I'm saying is pure fantasy. As the band Motley Crue once sang on their hit song "Home Sweet Home", "You know I'm a dreamer...." All of this would take time to build just like any other radio station, but as they say "if you build it, they will come"!
(Now if I could just get Kevin Costner's voice out of my head...") :>)
You know what's ironic for me? When I had a "Mister Microphone"-type radio station in the mid-1980s when I was 11 years old and VERY INTERESTED in this business, I've named it "94-Hits/WHZS" because to me, the name was uncommon and unique at that time. I've even went so far as to create a fictional radio & TV market called Avalon/Meridian, Utopia, the 51st state in the union (And it's a pretty small state, about the size of Connecticut). I've also created other radio stations in this market like "E-103/WEXY" (a direct format compedator), "Raccoon 102/WRQU" (Country), 101.5 WZVI (Adult Contemporary), "Go97WOGO" (Oldies), "95.7/WRSH aka Rush Rock!!" (Album Rock), "100Jams/WWJM" (Urban Contemporary), I've could go on, but you get the idea.
Oh, BTW, here's a sample of what I've had in mind as the sound of the station:
http://www.reelradio.com/mh/slimkkhr85-1.html#slimkkhr85-1
Thanks for reading my ideas, now where should I hang up my single as a "consultant"? (she said in a demented laugh..HA HA HA!!!) :>)
Robyn
<P ID="signature">______________
"They say you better listen to the voice of reason. But they don't give you any choice 'cause they think it's treason." Elvis Costello "Radio Radio"</P>
A
audiomusiclover
Guest
Re: Hitz 94
I love the above business ideas for Hitz 94. I don't really buy the fact that their signal pointing east is the determining factor on maintaining low ratings. I remember when I was younger listening to G105 (105.1) from western Winston Salem. It had a weak signal but it stood out in the 80's and I loved that station. I was willing to put up with extra static to hear it over the 100KW closer signals. If Hitz94 would put out a product that would stand out like mentioned earlier, word of mouth would pull in eastern Greensboro and beyond to listen. That great product would include the Charlotte area as well. Someone in this business (I'm just an outsider who loves radio) should submit these changes as a business plan!!!
> > A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
>
> >
> > Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners.
> I
> > remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at
>
> > WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing
> > how many calls I got from people saying thanks for
> > reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this
> > concept work for an Eighties station?
> >
>
> I roll through the area 4 or 5 times a year and always
> listened to 94 because I am a "child of the 80's". And while
> I'm not the biggest fan of the newer music I think the
> presentation is much more "fun sounding" than before. I like
> the jingles, jocks sound like they're having a good time.
> And their ratings were in the toilet with 80's in the
> Summer. Uptick in the fall. When did they change the music?
>
I love the above business ideas for Hitz 94. I don't really buy the fact that their signal pointing east is the determining factor on maintaining low ratings. I remember when I was younger listening to G105 (105.1) from western Winston Salem. It had a weak signal but it stood out in the 80's and I loved that station. I was willing to put up with extra static to hear it over the 100KW closer signals. If Hitz94 would put out a product that would stand out like mentioned earlier, word of mouth would pull in eastern Greensboro and beyond to listen. That great product would include the Charlotte area as well. Someone in this business (I'm just an outsider who loves radio) should submit these changes as a business plan!!!
> > A GREAT post. We should send a copy to the Hilton family.
>
> >
> > Radio SHOULD be fun, and I love the idea of retro liners.
> I
> > remember finding the original 1955 liners in the closet at
>
> > WWIT. They were on the air within an hour! It was amazing
> > how many calls I got from people saying thanks for
> > reconnecting them with their youth. Why wouldn't this
> > concept work for an Eighties station?
> >
>
> I roll through the area 4 or 5 times a year and always
> listened to 94 because I am a "child of the 80's". And while
> I'm not the biggest fan of the newer music I think the
> presentation is much more "fun sounding" than before. I like
> the jingles, jocks sound like they're having a good time.
> And their ratings were in the toilet with 80's in the
> Summer. Uptick in the fall. When did they change the music?
>
Re: Hitz 94
From a business perspective, they are in a very unique position. Since WTHZ is not a true Winston-Salem or Charlotte station, and do not have expensive plants to maintain inside those city limits. Are the studios/offices still in Lexington? If so, they do not have nearly the overhead their competitors do.
If the operation is still in Lexington, they also have an opportunity to present a lower rate card to attract advertisers who can't afford the higher-rated stations. This could open up a whole lot of advertising opportunities.
From a business perspective, they are in a very unique position. Since WTHZ is not a true Winston-Salem or Charlotte station, and do not have expensive plants to maintain inside those city limits. Are the studios/offices still in Lexington? If so, they do not have nearly the overhead their competitors do.
If the operation is still in Lexington, they also have an opportunity to present a lower rate card to attract advertisers who can't afford the higher-rated stations. This could open up a whole lot of advertising opportunities.
A
alexpimp
Guest
Re: Hitz 94
All this talk of hiring big talent and big named voice guys won't help when the format is a fad. Have all the "Retro Hitz" fun you wanna have, but there's only so mnay times you can hear Wham, Billy Ocean, and Madonna singing "Lucky Star".
All this talk of hiring big talent and big named voice guys won't help when the format is a fad. Have all the "Retro Hitz" fun you wanna have, but there's only so mnay times you can hear Wham, Billy Ocean, and Madonna singing "Lucky Star".
Re: Hitz 94
If radio doesn't try something soon to distinguish itself from the morass of blandness and liner cards and out-of-town talent, then it will be the fad. Music has left for the iPod. Your station must give listeners something more, and that may center around 80s and other "fad" formats. But the point is that something has to change, or audience erosion for all stations is going to continue and accelerate.
wncmacs
If radio doesn't try something soon to distinguish itself from the morass of blandness and liner cards and out-of-town talent, then it will be the fad. Music has left for the iPod. Your station must give listeners something more, and that may center around 80s and other "fad" formats. But the point is that something has to change, or audience erosion for all stations is going to continue and accelerate.
wncmacs
B
beltwaybob
Guest
There is not a single decade out there to support a single decade gold based format period, however 2 decades would work. When Ann thomas was there the station sounded a lot more upbeat than they do now, the new PD seems to be playing all the wrong 80's records. I've heard Joey Scarburough <sp> (The greatest American Hero) and Bertie Higgins Key Largo along with some other Medium to slow tempo midchart stiffs from the 80's lately. If it's going to be Hitz 94 it should be a lot more uptempo don't ya think?
Bob
> It SEEMS their numbers where stronger as an All 80's
> station!
>
> > > > I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94
> > has
> > > > segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted,
> I
> >
> > > > don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the
> > signal
> > > > fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
>
> > > > played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question
> for
> > > the
> > > > day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
> > > >
> > > My guess is that they need all the advertising that they
>
> > can
> > > get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will
>
> > do
> > > anything for their ratings.
> > >
> > When I was in the area for Christmas, Hitz was already
> > playing an 80's and 90's mix, really a little heavier
> toward
> > the 90's. Their signal is their biggest drawback. Their
> > signal gets more erratic the further east and north you go
>
> > in the Triad. A new format isn't going to help that.
> >
>
Bob
> It SEEMS their numbers where stronger as an All 80's
> station!
>
> > > > I read on www.allaccess.com this morning that Hitz 94
> > has
> > > > segued from "All 80s" to 80s, 90s, and today. Granted,
> I
> >
> > > > don't listen that often--mainly because I'm on the
> > signal
> > > > fringe--but I thought it had been some time since they
>
> > > > played STRICTLY 80s. Maybe this is my dumb question
> for
> > > the
> > > > day or AllAccess is a little slow on their news!
> > > >
> > > My guess is that they need all the advertising that they
>
> > can
> > > get their hands on. Unfortunatelly I don't think it will
>
> > do
> > > anything for their ratings.
> > >
> > When I was in the area for Christmas, Hitz was already
> > playing an 80's and 90's mix, really a little heavier
> toward
> > the 90's. Their signal is their biggest drawback. Their
> > signal gets more erratic the further east and north you go
>
> > in the Triad. A new format isn't going to help that.
> >
>
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