I know I'm going to get some smart ass answers here, but how in the world can Houston get its Rock 101 back? The Buzz sucks, I hate their top 40-ish rotation of awful "alternative" rock and am craving for some active rock! Dallas got their Eagle back, and I'm sure lots of Houstonians want Rock 101 back! That's all I hear from people since moving here; how much they miss Rock 101 and hate The Buzz.
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How could we get Rock 101 back?
- Thread starter sdh483
- Start date
I
ilistentotheradio
Guest
Put all your favorite songs in on a CD or iPod... then say "Rock 101" every time the song changes.
Do you seriously believe radio station owners and programmers give a tinker's damn what you or any other listener wants? They only play what consultants tell them to play.
The only way to get Rock 101 back on the air is for someone to buy an FM and put that format on it. Good luck with that.
The only way to get Rock 101 back on the air is for someone to buy an FM and put that format on it. Good luck with that.
sdh483 said:
I hate to say this sdh, but by saying that you expect to get smart a** answers, there will be posters who are ready to take advantage of that. The posts that are already here already do as a matter of fact.
K
kendro
Guest
There really are no options here. If you want Active Rock, you have to turn to other media delivery forms.
The powers that be would rather ping niche markets for a few feeder cows.
The radio we remember is long gone. Some will argue but they know.
I miss Rock 101 too but the urge to visit MO. City with a bulldozer has eased a bit.
The best way to hear Rock 101 is to stream KKGB-FM. The sweeps are a cool walk down memory lane.
Just get through the PSA's and Cumulus employment ads.
Buying a city grade Class C is impossible.
If I told you how big the buy-in numbers are and how fast the revenue is tanking, you'd laugh.
The powers that be would rather ping niche markets for a few feeder cows.
The radio we remember is long gone. Some will argue but they know.
I miss Rock 101 too but the urge to visit MO. City with a bulldozer has eased a bit.
The best way to hear Rock 101 is to stream KKGB-FM. The sweeps are a cool walk down memory lane.
Just get through the PSA's and Cumulus employment ads.
Buying a city grade Class C is impossible.
If I told you how big the buy-in numbers are and how fast the revenue is tanking, you'd laugh.
If u live east of a Baytown, Mont Belview, to Dayton line u could pick up KIOC Big Dog 106 in Beaumont(106.1). They mix it up from classic rock, to alternative rock, to even metal such as Pantera or Megadeth once in a while. Not bad for a clear channel station. when i used to live in baytown i used to pick it up good most of time. 3 - 5 years ago i went to Dog Jam (Like Buzzfest) in beaumont. The lineup included Sevendust, 3 doors down, Shinedown, Seether, and others. Most of their dog jams suck now in comparison. Sorry to get off topic.
If their transmitter was taller like most of the Houston towers in Missouri city, i bet their signal would be even be strong enough to listen to good a few miles east of the beltway. I believe the tower of Kioc 106.1 is just over 1000' tall, one of the tallest of the fm's in Beaumont. If i'm not mistaken some of the Missouri city towers reach near 2000'.
If their transmitter was taller like most of the Houston towers in Missouri city, i bet their signal would be even be strong enough to listen to good a few miles east of the beltway. I believe the tower of Kioc 106.1 is just over 1000' tall, one of the tallest of the fm's in Beaumont. If i'm not mistaken some of the Missouri city towers reach near 2000'.
R
rbrucecarter5
Guest
vanpudin said:
That station is a monster. I used to get it all the time in AUSTIN. When I moved to Houston in the 80's, it was almost like a local. I'll be in Houston over the weekend and I'll check out the signal, I bet it is strong all over Houston. If it is HD, I bet an antenna would decode the HD. It was that strong!
Unlike Dallas, where we got KEGL back, I don't think the same will happen for Houston with KLOL. It is popular with Hispanics and actually gets good ratings, making it unlikely that it will ever be a heritage rock station again.
It used to be real culture shock driving from Dallas to Houston and having WRR swap back and forth with KLOL! Now - it is even more culture shock!
As much as I miss rock radio, i've gotta ask you guys something; What about KLOL do you guys want back?? After years and years of the same jocks doing the same schtick and the same 40 rock songs over and over and over and over...why would you want THAT back? In its hayday, it was a great station, no question. But the last couple of years, it stunk like last weeks rotten fish.
I say we need a NEW rock station, with fresh out-of-market jocks, playing great rock music. It can play the no-brianers like Metallica, GNR, and Sabbath, and incorporate bands that may test low but have a loyal following like Tool and Radiohead. How about hand-picking new (to radio) artists like Porcupine Tree, Clutch, and Down?
Hell, put it on an HD station. THIS would actually make me want to go out and get one of those ULGY HD radios.
Until that time, this middle-class hispanic with expendable income that many advertisers would love to get his hands on is listening to classic Pantera on his iTunes. Sad isn't. I work in radio, but don't listen to radio. Sad, sad, sad. :-[
I say we need a NEW rock station, with fresh out-of-market jocks, playing great rock music. It can play the no-brianers like Metallica, GNR, and Sabbath, and incorporate bands that may test low but have a loyal following like Tool and Radiohead. How about hand-picking new (to radio) artists like Porcupine Tree, Clutch, and Down?
Hell, put it on an HD station. THIS would actually make me want to go out and get one of those ULGY HD radios.
Until that time, this middle-class hispanic with expendable income that many advertisers would love to get his hands on is listening to classic Pantera on his iTunes. Sad isn't. I work in radio, but don't listen to radio. Sad, sad, sad. :-[
Active rock is (or should) be a huge target for hispanics. Not every hispanic listens to regional mexican or hip hop. KISS in San Antonio is fueled on hispanic listeners.
No I don't want an active rocker that plays the same 40 songs over, but perhaps sonething like Big Dog 106 in Beaumont. Come on, how come they have active rock and we dont?
How does Q94 in Laredo do? They lean active rock and is one of few english stations in the area (it seems like there are more english language staitons in the Valley now)
No I don't want an active rocker that plays the same 40 songs over, but perhaps sonething like Big Dog 106 in Beaumont. Come on, how come they have active rock and we dont?
How does Q94 in Laredo do? They lean active rock and is one of few english stations in the area (it seems like there are more english language staitons in the Valley now)
S
snoman
Guest
sdh483 said:
Agreed. I am actually floored that Cox has not tried this here yet. However, Cox seems to care a little more about their San Antonio stations. They put very little effort into their four here.
Rock 101, its last few years, stunk badly. It was past its prime. The music mix was terrible. The imaging was ok. And, Walton & Johnson was no match for Stevens & Pruett (I realize some people like W&J, but I just don't get it). CC destroyed it. If you try to resurrect it (i.e. KIOL), it would basically sound like the same tired station it was before. If you're going to do Rock or Active Rock, you need to start fresh. New Name, New Personalities, New Imaging, New Contests, New Music... the works.
I'll be interested to see what happens when the two stations CC has to divest are finally sold. We'll see if maybe someone will bring Rock or Active Rock back.
Cox would be the best fit for returning the Rock format to KLOL for several reasons:
1) Cox does have some history with Active Rock (KISS and WHDR)
2) KLOL would need an edgy morning show ("Bubba the Love Sponge" has done very well on WHPT in Tampa and will certainly be added to other stations. Would his show work in Houston? That's an unknown)
3) Cox can add one more signal to Houston (CBS and Cumulus are a couple who could; not sure if Entercom or Bonneville would go back into the market)
4) A hole still exists for a harder edged Rock station, but it has to be current sounding and not a relic of the past or a carbon copy of KLOL's last several years.
5) The station has to highlight bands that do not receive a great deal of airplay in Houston (Disturbed, Godsmack, Motley Crue, Avenged Sevenfold, AC/DC,) Stations like WRIF and KATT are examples that have blended current and older material and keep the presentation fresh. KLOL could do that if a potential owner is thinking about purchasing and flipping formats.
Having said that, KLOL as a Regional Mexican format has done well in ratings and apparently revenue as well. The new owner may opt for status quo. KEGL has started off well in a return to the format and 99.5 KISS flourished after its ill-fated foray into Oldies between 1990 and late 1991. Other stations who have returned to the rock format have had mixed results (K-Rock in New York City and WYSP in Philly).
Returning KLOL to a Rock format is a risk; the bigger question is the reward.
dlf
1) Cox does have some history with Active Rock (KISS and WHDR)
2) KLOL would need an edgy morning show ("Bubba the Love Sponge" has done very well on WHPT in Tampa and will certainly be added to other stations. Would his show work in Houston? That's an unknown)
3) Cox can add one more signal to Houston (CBS and Cumulus are a couple who could; not sure if Entercom or Bonneville would go back into the market)
4) A hole still exists for a harder edged Rock station, but it has to be current sounding and not a relic of the past or a carbon copy of KLOL's last several years.
5) The station has to highlight bands that do not receive a great deal of airplay in Houston (Disturbed, Godsmack, Motley Crue, Avenged Sevenfold, AC/DC,) Stations like WRIF and KATT are examples that have blended current and older material and keep the presentation fresh. KLOL could do that if a potential owner is thinking about purchasing and flipping formats.
Having said that, KLOL as a Regional Mexican format has done well in ratings and apparently revenue as well. The new owner may opt for status quo. KEGL has started off well in a return to the format and 99.5 KISS flourished after its ill-fated foray into Oldies between 1990 and late 1991. Other stations who have returned to the rock format have had mixed results (K-Rock in New York City and WYSP in Philly).
Returning KLOL to a Rock format is a risk; the bigger question is the reward.
dlf
P
purpledevil
Guest
I don't think even the divesture would be a factor, snoman/dlf. Cumulus' KIOL really ended up sucker punching our hopes for a true rock outlet, leaving other companies to steer clear of the format seeing as how poorly KLOL did in it's final years and KIOL's worse attempt at a resurrection. We all know what the problem was with both stations, but that's because we all have common sense. I mean, come on. How is it that Lake Charles has an Active Rocker, as well as Beaumont, but not Houston? Even Bay City, with more rice fields in the area than people has one. Considering the billing and ratings that KLOL has in its current incarnation, as bad as I hate to say this, Mega is going nowhere. Something tells me that a curve ball is going to get thrown at us and that we will end up seeing more than just these two stations affected once the sale is finalized. I don't know what it is....but Liberman keeps popping in my mind as the front runner for the acquisition. Selling a couple of those rimshots like KXGJ, KNTE, and KQQK would drop them below the limit and finally give them a true Houston signal, not on the AM dial.
sdh483 said:
You must mean McAllen/Harlingen/Brownsville and not Laredo. I got to listen to Q94.5 last weekend while on a family trip; good mix of music, but when you're the only game in town playing rock, I guess you have to be all things to all people. Their morning show plays nothing but classic stuff, and any station that has "One Headlight" by the Wallflowers and "The Reason" by Hoobastank in its playlist should think twice about billing themselves as active rock. If you ask me, there are a few holes that need to be filled in RGV radio (mainstream CHR and classic rock, for starters).
rocknrollisdead said:
I would listen to radio 10 times more than I do now if they did this... Alas, mostly I tune in to see how bad they are sucking today.
The Arrow is just dismally beating the dead horse. Post 101 flip they just play more Def Leppard, Van Halen and AC/DC. Yipee!! Who died and made them kings of the CSI theme songs?
Its just sad that for the first time in 30 years there wasn't a station to play the latest releases from Rush or Ozzy... Oh, but that's right, old artists making new records don't sell much so we can't play them!!! What happened to the days when CD sales were generated BECAUSE something was played on the radio?? I'm sure all those people who went to two sold-out Rush concerts within 6 months of each other, only went to hear Tom Sawyer??? (psyched by the fact that 106.9 plays this now!) Give me a break.
How this topic keeps returning to this board is a testament to the tenacity of the Houston rock (radio) music fan like myself... I think deep down we feel cheated that there is not rock station here in town we can stomach. Sure there is Buzzsaw on Sirius, which kicks @ss, but not a station we can call our own. A station that connects to me on a local level.
I'll be in the next room listening to my Ray Manzarek solo albums if anybody needs me.
c4141
sdh483 said:
San Antonio Hispanics are about 80% English dominant. In Houston, they are over 60% Spanish dominant. Thus, Hispanics will contribute far less to an English language format in Houston than in SA. Still, active rock is a big draw among second or third generation Hispanics.
S
ShaneofTexas
Guest
If I had the money and KLOL 101.1 was for sale, I'd buy it and switch the format back to ROCK in a heartbeat with no warning
I remember back in the day that all Spanish language stations in Houston were on the AM Dial.
Remember these Houston/Galveston stations back in the early 80s?
92.9 KYND - Beautiful Music
93.7 KRLY - R&B (LOVE 94)
94.5 KLEF - Classical
95.7 KIKK - Country
96.5 KSRR - Top 40 (Star 97)
97.9 KFMK - A.C. (98FM KFMK)
99.1 KODA - Beautiful Music
100.3 KILT - Country
101.1 KLOL - Album Rock
102.1 KMJQ - R&B (Majic 102)
102.9 KQUE - M.O.R./Standards (KQ-103)
104.1 KRBE - Top 40
105.7 KHCB - Christian
106.5 KX?? - Top 40 (KX-106 1/2 )
I remember back in the day that all Spanish language stations in Houston were on the AM Dial.
Remember these Houston/Galveston stations back in the early 80s?
92.9 KYND - Beautiful Music
93.7 KRLY - R&B (LOVE 94)
94.5 KLEF - Classical
95.7 KIKK - Country
96.5 KSRR - Top 40 (Star 97)
97.9 KFMK - A.C. (98FM KFMK)
99.1 KODA - Beautiful Music
100.3 KILT - Country
101.1 KLOL - Album Rock
102.1 KMJQ - R&B (Majic 102)
102.9 KQUE - M.O.R./Standards (KQ-103)
104.1 KRBE - Top 40
105.7 KHCB - Christian
106.5 KX?? - Top 40 (KX-106 1/2 )
R
rbrucecarter5
Guest
vanpudin said:
DANG that Beaumont station was strong over the weekend! Clear - out in Cypress, wow! Ordinary factory car radio. It did trade places with other stations as I drove making it annoying to listen to, but those guys are doing some good engineering. Definitely would be on my presets if I moved to Houston. I tried it from the second floor in a motel at 1960 and 290 using a dipole, no HD lock. But to my amazement, I did see the tuner attempting it. If I had a yagi with me - I am almost sure it would have locked.
ShaneofTexas said:If I had the money and KLOL 101.1 was for sale, I'd buy it and switch the format back to ROCK in a heartbeat with no warning
Not only is it for sale, it is a forced sale to comply with the DOJ requirements for the privatization of CCU. Of course, the buyer would be paying mostly for the billing, so it would make little sense to flip format and start over.
I remember when all the stations with ratings were on AM. As the mass appeal formats moved to FM, AM became the home for niche formats in the time when Hispanics were poorly measured. Today, in the US and, to an even greater extent, Latin America, Hispanics use even less AM than non-Hispanic whites do in the US.
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