Hot 106 and the "Hits and Hip-Hop Format"

[ScottBurns]

Why hasn't Hot 106 adopted the "Hits and Hip-Hop" format that has been so successful in other markets, particularly nearby ones such as Boston and New London? Is Citadel trying to protect PRO-FM by reducing musical overlap?

 

[radiojay1]

Forget Hot 106, it does not have a decent signal in Providence and the far western and southern part of the state. 92 PRO FM should try something like this, or add more hip-hop and R&B. At least the signal is excellent in Providence and strong throughout the entire state. How ironic that the signal of one of Citadel's own stations, Lite Rock 105, is affecting the signal of Hot 106 in Providence. Look at how close Clear Channel's Kiss 108 and Jam'n 94.5 are in the Boston ratings and how high the numbers are. Jam'n 94.5's rating in Providence is about half of Hot 106's.

 

[wknd92]

radiojay...look at the ratings...why would/should Pro-FM HAVE to play more hip hop & R&B? They seem to be doing great with what they are playing. When Pro-FM has leaned more hip hop & R&B (in the mid nineties) their ratings suffered. The core Pro-FM want the hits-pop music and the popular crossovers from country, rock, alternative, r&B & hip hop.

 

[radiojay1]

Well, wknd92, Clear Channel must be doing something right in Boston, because there is a similar signal problem with Jam'n 94.5 in the city of Boston, yet they and Kiss 108 consistently get high ratings. The formats are almost similar. Where Jam'n is weak in downtown, Kiss 108 makes up for it. Hot 106 is weak in Providence, but 92 PRO FM is strongest in that same area. It was a suggestion to 92 PRO FM to get some of the listeners who cannot get Hot 106 with a decent signal. This whole thing really is ridiculous to begin with, putting a small power hip-hop and R&B station on 106.3 on a tower in Cumberland. Didn't Citadel or whoever owned the station at the time do any research about it to see that the signal in Providence would be affected by the 105.1 tower? And now I laugh when I remember in the 90's when they said "KIX 106, beaming down from top of the Hospital Trust Tower!", and at the same time sounding weak on the west side of Providence and nearby Johnston. Sure a tower on the Hospital Trust Tower would have been ideal, but only in their dreams.

 

[ScottBurns]

Where exactly in Boston is Jamn's signal weak? I cannot ever remember anyone ever having a problem with the signal anywhere within city limits.

 

[radiojay1]

Where exactly in Boston is Jamn's signal weak? I cannot ever remember anyone ever having a problem with the signal anywhere within city limits.

Near the Prudential Tower, which has multiple towers of Boston radio stations. Just like the Hot 106 signal problem, unless you listen on your car radio, you won't get a good signal from Jam'n on most home radios or portables.

 

[wknd92]

RJ,
While both stations in Boston do very well (and former Pro Alum Chris Tyler has a lot to do with that), Providence is a different market, so while Jamn does well in Boston and Fun does well in FR/NB witht he hip hop/R&B lean, Pro FM has double digit ratings and is consistently in the top 3 here in Providence playing the HITS. Pro's core audience has always liked the middle of the road way Pro-FM approaches their music (middle of the road) and have been turned off when they have leaned too far R&B/Dance/Hip Hop or too far Rock.
Hot/Kix's signal has been a problem since day 1 for Providence; but when they originally signed on, they were servicing Woonsocket/Attleboro....