How long til CC or some company launches Alternative?

[atlantaboy]

WWFS can lean towards Modern AC and include more modern rock/alternative titles in their playlist to test out the waters?

They've sprinkled in songs like the Black Keys' "Lonely Boy" and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie", and I believe they were the first station in New York to play Gotye. Seems like they play more 90's alternative gold than any other station as well. Obviously this won't be enough to appease a diehard Alternative listener, but at least it seems like they're trying to put some of the most popular titles out there without alienating their core audience too much.

The only Alternative title that really sticks out right now in their current playlist is Burn It Down by Linkin Park - they tried the Black Keys, but they dropped it pretty quickly after that

I think it's almost impossible to please both Alternative and Hot AC listeners at the same time - there are Alternative/Hot AC hybrids like Click/Dayton and KTWN/Minneapolis, but they essentially dumped the Kelly Clarkson/Katy Perry stuff, so if CBS wants to move in that direction, I think they'd have to be completely committed to Modern AC - I'm pretty skeptical about Modern AC working in NYC, just cause they tried it in the late 90s (when Modern AC was at its peak), and it didn't work back then

In a market like NYC, I'd think it'd be safer just to go "soft Alternative", like WRFF/Philadelphia or WWDC/Washington

 

[radiojomo]

I think they'd have to be completely committed to Modern AC - I'm pretty skeptical about Modern AC working in NYC, just cause they tried it in the late 90s (when Modern AC was at its peak), and it didn't work back then
In a market like NYC, I'd think it'd be safer just to go "soft Alternative", like WRFF/Philadelphia or WWDC/Washington

In 2007, KYSR 98.7 in LA made a gradual shift to Alternative by introducing more modern rock/90's Alt titles in their Modern AC format. It seemed to be a fairly smooth transition and built up a steady cume against KROQ.
I believe that an Alternative Rock station rooted in 90's Gold and current top Alternative artists could work in New York.

 

[mrbrightside]

I think they'd have to be completely committed to Modern AC - I'm pretty skeptical about Modern AC working in NYC, just cause they tried it in the late 90s (when Modern AC was at its peak), and it didn't work back then
In a market like NYC, I'd think it'd be safer just to go "soft Alternative", like WRFF/Philadelphia or WWDC/Washington

In 2007, KYSR 98.7 in LA made a gradual shift to Alternative by introducing more modern rock/90's Alt titles in their Modern AC format. It seemed to be a fairly smooth transition and built up a steady cume against KROQ.
I believe that an Alternative Rock station rooted in 90's Gold and current top Alternative artists could work in New York.

Agreed, just down the road 90 miles or so, in Philadelphia, Radio 104.5 has this format, and received a 5.0 in the last book, with more cume than our all news AM station, KYW. Don't give the Philly is not NYC crap. If LA can support two (demographics are similar), NYC can support one. It just has to be done right.

 

[atlantaboy]

If LA can support two (demographics are similar), NYC can support one. It just has to be done right.

Biggest difference between NYC and L. A. is the commuting factor - in the L. A. area, most people commute to work by car, whereas in NYC proper, most people commute by subway or walk to work - that kills ratings for formats like Alternative, where most listeners use IPods except when they're in the car

In NYC proper, most people don't spend a lot of time in the car, meaning very few Alternative fans within citiy limits actually listen to the radio

I still think Alternative can work in the New York market, but IMO it's gotta be specifically focused on either the New Jersey Suburbs or Long Island, where people have typical commuting patterns

 

[jhguthlac]

I agree with Atlantaboy. The commute factor is a major issue. The format is going to need to be aimed at the 'burbs.

 

[chrocket87]

I think a Radio 104.5 format would target the 'burbs well. The more AAA sounding Alternatives do better with older and well educated demographics than an active/alt hybrid.

 

[mikerock]

I would be happy if CC brought 94.7 and simulcast 104.5.

 

[XCountry285]

What's EDM stand for?

 

[Brooklyndon]

If WRXP and WXRK provide any "teachable moments", it is that middle of the road 90s alternative attracts nearly, literally, 0 listeners.

Classic hip hop is a far better fit for the New York market.


Jw, folks, they call modern rock "Indie" now, even Cage the Elephant.

 

[XCountry285]

Are you kidding me? Alternative Rock will work in NYC it just has to be programmed right. No one seems to think that it will work in an urban city. Philly it works. What the heck even LA it works!

 

[chrocket87]

If WRXP and WXRK provide any "teachable moments", it is that middle of the road 90s alternative attracts nearly, literally, 0 listeners.

Classic hip hop is a far better fit for the New York market.


Jw, folks, they call modern rock "Indie" now, even Cage the Elephant.

RXP had a 2.5 share at the end and cume numbers around 2 million. I'd hardly say it "attracts nearly, literally, 0 listeners". And RXP sucked for the most part. Is classic hip hop pulling a 2.5 share in any market?

 

[wprt949]

I would be happy if CC brought 94.7 and simulcast 104.5.

radio 104.5 is too soft for an Alternative station at times i find them putting me to sleep

 

[radiojomo]

I agree with Atlantaboy. The commute factor is a major issue. The format is going to need to be aimed at the 'burbs.

The biggest problem for RXP was TSL. The cume was strong, but people weren't listening long enough. Part of this could be the commute problem. An example could be an LA Alternative station, like KROQ, that benefits from long periods of listening while driving.

 

[mikerock]

I would be happy if CC brought 94.7 and simulcast 104.5.

radio 104.5 is too soft for an Alternative station at times i find them putting me to sleep

They are Alternative without the Classic Rock nor are they Triple-A. The new alternative is where the new music is these days that crosses over as well as the ratings. It pulls from multiples demos, both male and female, young and old.

The harder stuff is a tough sell, especially some where like NY. With the market already saturated with Classic Rock and Triple-A, mixing harder Rock would be just repeating the RXP disaster.

 

[mikerock]

I agree with Atlantaboy. The commute factor is a major issue. The format is going to need to be aimed at the 'burbs.

The biggest problem for RXP was TSL. The cume was strong, but people weren't listening long enough. Part of this could be the commute problem. An example could be an LA Alternative station, like KROQ, that benefits from long periods of listening while driving.

They would play new Alternative like M83 "Midnight City" followed by AC/DC ever 1.5 hours or Tears for Fears followed by GNR. They had some weird obsession with playing AC/DC at regular intervals.
AC/DC does not belong on an Alternative station and I suspect doing things like that people angrily changed the station. It is like nails on a chalkboard mixing hard Classic Rock with Modern Rock or new Alternative.

 

[XCountry285]

Alternative only, RXP was a mess.

 

[Brooklyndon]

Folks, they call it Indie now. Good luck programming it if you can't even get the branding right!

 

[Brooklyndon]

I can understand the confusion with the naming. I mean its all New Wave to me. But remember the guy in the room in 92 calling STP New Wave...well that's sort of like calling Best Coast Alternative. Don't be that guy.

All the new New Wave / Alternative bands are now " Indie"