How would the return of oldies to CBS-FM impact WBZO?

[mkdanz]

IIRC B103 enjoyed a small bump after 101.1 went Jack. Their numbers have been respectable in market 18, in terms of market position. Will B103 drop at all if CBS returns to oldies? What if anything should they do to protect its market share?

 

[starcastle]

I think it all depends on if CBS brings back the classic jocks and the overall sound of that station, I would think the powers that be at B103 are not sleeping that well these past few nights. But B1043 always enjoyed their own little local numbers that were not that awful, they will survive. ;D

 

[starcastle]

But B1043

sorry make that B103

 

[fang39]

IIRC B103 enjoyed a small bump after 101.1 went Jack. Their numbers have been respectable in market 18, in terms of market position. Will B103 drop at all if CBS returns to oldies? What if anything should they do to protect its market share?

B-103 had their chance to grab hold of the reins as "NY's Only Oldies Station" after the demise of CBS-FM. But after about 2 months, they abandoned that slogan, dropped the mention of "Oldies" from their imaging and ID's and positioned themselves as "playing Long Island's Greatest Hits" and later "playing the FUN hits of the 60's & 70's," instead of establishing themselves as "the heir to the throne." A re-launched WCBS-FM, with it's veteran lineup (Dan Taylor, Bob Shannon, Bill Lee, et al) and updated music mix will certainly impact B-103.

 

[mkdanz]

B-103 had their chance to grab hold of the reins as "NY's Only Oldies Station" after the demise of CBS-FM. But after about 2 months, they abandoned that slogan, dropped the mention of "Oldies" from their imaging and ID's and positioned themselves as "playing Long Island's Greatest Hits" and later "playing the FUN hits of the 60's & 70's," instead of establishing themselves as "the heir to the throne." A re-launched WCBS-FM, with it's veteran lineup (Dan Taylor, Bob Shannon, Bill Lee, et al) and updated music mix will certainly impact B-103.

Barnstable must be the most uncreative, risk averse media company around. They 'acted' as if they were going to jump in and do something different with 94.3 when WLIR went east, and then did nothing. They had their opportunity to make a real splash with the NYC oldies fans, but after a short time bailed on that as well. I hear that they bill well, but they must be the most boring, unimaginative company in radio.

 

[RJF]

The bean counters decided that the term "oldies" was bad because it made an aging generation feel 'old' and didn't embrace the younger generations. It's so bad that even the 'classic hits' and 'classic rock' stations are staying very clear of things like mentioning how old a core artist is on their birthday... Now it's just a birthday acknowledgement, not "so and so is 63 years old today" or "born on this date in 1943", just "happy birthday to so and so". Ahh, consultants.

 

[chuckydoll]

Not if the new CBS-FM sounds like the old one

I think it all depends on if CBS brings back the classic jocks and the overall sound of that station ...

That is a recipe for disaster. See my posts on the New York board.

At least those on the East End can tune in 102.9 DRC-FM from Hartford.

 

[nd2023]

I had the pleasure of listening to B103 and 92.1 WLNG this morning in New Jersey. No other station sounds like WLNG, they are simply the best oldies station I ever heard. The reverb and music selection is unmatched. B103 also sounds great, much better than 98.1 WOGL in Philly, which is also owned by CBS. I really hope that CBS-FM will sound like B103, but it probably won't.

 

[Big T LI]

DRC is EXCELLENT

 

[wgliradio]

Barnstable must be the most uncreative, risk averse media company around. They 'acted' as if they were going to jump in and do something different with 94.3 when WLIR went east, and then did nothing. They had their opportunity to make a real splash with the NYC oldies fans, but after a short time bailed on that as well. I hear that they bill well, but they must be the most boring, unimaginative company in radio.

There is no must be to this. It's a fact.

 

[starcastle]

There is no must be to this. It's a fact.
[/quote]

Thats because they are run by a management team that thinks that the radio stations are a sales and marketing business. So if they are making money selling what they are, why mess with the formula?
Sure I know your answer, it cold be so much better sounding and reach more ears, and be what some oldies people around here consider great. Barnies not interested in listeners, they want money!!

 

[OldiesCat]

The bean counters decided that the term "oldies" was bad because it made an aging generation feel 'old' and didn't embrace the younger generations. Ahh, consultants.

That has nothing to do with it.

The problem for most with using "Oldies" is that Oldies is a well defined brand name for the past 20 years or so, and it stands for a beloved set of music that's basically centered in the '60s. As I've said before, using "Oldies" if you're most stations now playing a mix of 60s/70s and perhaps a little 80s could be problematic. It would be like using the term "Kleenex" (which is a brand name and generic reference) for a new line of paper towels- Kleenex stands for tissues, period. Ther brand "Oldies" represents, for the most part, late 50s to early 70s music with a certain style, delivery, production and presentation.
Saying "Oldies" does not make somebody in their late 50s and early 60s think, "geez, I feel old when I hear that". Say it to somebody in their 40s and they'll think, "not my music".

The whole "if you use the term Oldies it makes people feel old" is one of the great myths out there- MYTH being the important attribute.

 

[Barry45RPM]

If I were at BZO, I'd add music from 1960 onward to the mix. Girl Groups, Dion, etc. The playlist is already too limited, and they would pick up the people who can't get the full "60s, & 70s sound" on CBS-FM. They're hungry for it, and aren't getting it. BZO doesn't have to add more than 3-4 tunes per hour from that era (Pre Beatles) to rightfully claim thjey're playing "The Greatest Hits of the 60s and the 70s". There would be CBS defectors on Long Island for sure.

 

[OldiesCat]

If they were indeed that "hungry for it", CBS-FM would be playing them (50s/early 60s).

LET IT GO!!! Elvis is dead- Wolfman Jack is in r&r heaven. "Happy Days" has been cancelled and the Fonz retired. LET IT GO!!!

 

[Barry45RPM]

If they were indeed that "hungry for it", CBS-FM would be playing them (50s/early 60s).

LET IT GO!!! Elvis is dead- Wolfman Jack is in r&r heaven. "Happy Days" has been cancelled and the Fonz retired. LET IT GO!!!

All of your above named Jocks/Shows are currently on air in syndication, making money. (Syndication is used in Radio too to make money) Elvis makes more money now than when he was alive. Henry Winkler is a Director/Producer. At the same time as some people shout "Let it Go", others will ask for it. Don't be one of those who say "We all have the right to an opinion as long as its the same as mine." You will never "win" by shouting down someone with a differing opinion. Thats why there ar so many different frequencies on the radio dial, yet everyone is doing the same thing.

Because CBS & BZO overlap in listening area to a great extent, population wise, they shouldn't sound exactly the same. BZO is so white bread, and so underpumped and safe. Its a shame.

 

[OldiesCat]

If they were indeed that "hungry for it", CBS-FM would be playing them (50s/early 60s).

LET IT GO!!! Elvis is dead- Wolfman Jack is in r&r heaven. "Happy Days" has been cancelled and the Fonz retired. LET IT GO!!!

All of your above named Jocks/Shows are currently on air in syndication, making money. (Syndication is used in Radio too to make money) Elvis makes more money now than when he was alive. Henry Winkler is a Director/Producer. At the same time as some people shout "Let it Go", others will ask for it. Don't be one of those who say "We all have the right to an opinion as long as its the same as mine." You will never "win" by shouting down someone with a differing opinion. Thats why there ar so many different frequencies on the radio dial, yet everyone is doing the same thing.

Barry, it's simple: the 50s have been abandoned by Oldies stations because spot buys are not targeting 55+. And this obsession for hanging on to the 50s music by so many will kill the Oldies format faster, not save it.

There may be many frequencies on the dial but think of cable TV: yes, there are hundreds of channels but a handful get the most viewing most of the time because Americans' tastes in music/entertainment is not as vast as the offerings of cable channels (or radio stations) is. Oh, sure, the Soap Channel gets viewing and the Discovery Channel does OK but their viewership still pales in comparison to the major TV networks. Heck, even TV Land has evolved past nothing but 50s and 60s shows reruns- they have MASH and Three's Company, SEVENTIES SHOWS, just like the smart Oldies stations have evolved into the 70s. It's by necessity.

If you want to program an Oldies station and try to make your living on Heartbreak Hotel and In The Still Of The Nite, have at it and God bless ya. Just don't expect any decent advertisers to support your station with enough revenue to make a living doing it.

(disclaimer: not of this is personal, it's business. It's just that far too many on these boards for get that the show business were in is part "show" AND part "business", the latter usually forgotten).

 

[tony marzocco]

If one REALLY wants to hear the most myriad collection of 50s, 60s. 70s and 80s, listen to WLNG's automation overnight (with great voice tracking by Al Case). Talk about shuffle ! Andything from Jake Holmes to Frieda to Guy Mitchell. Serendipity RULES here (midnight-5:3AM) ! Like Michael Kay used to say, " go out, buy a computer, plug it in" and then listen!

 

[OldiesCat]

WAIT! I thought automation was the devil's work. Better be careful, my friend-you're likely to get skewered for suggesting anything but 100% live, local, real-time DJs in the studio 24/7.