How's Q-93 Doing?

[ARDONAVINDA]

How is the new Q-93.1 doing? No one is talking about them. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. ??? I don't live up there so I don't know what's going on? Who's doing mornings? Mid or afternoons? Last I heard before the Christmas holidays they had a morning guy picked out but I didn't catch who it was. Also heard they had a nice sounding jingle package. Are they giving WIVK a bit of a run for their money? Give me the scoop.

 

[knoxbob]

The few times that have had a chance or made an effort to listen they sound pretty much like a country jukebox. I haven't heard any
jocks as of yet and the web site doesn't mention any. The new country music is not my cup of tea. I listen to Merle FM or WLIL-AM 730 out of Lenoir City for my classic country fix. I would like to find out who is doing the engineering for WLIL. The AM sound quality is great, I wonder what kind of audio train they have.

 

[Elkhosen]

How's Q-93 Doing? Hopfully they're ready to give up on trying to compete with WIVK and change to a classic hits format. Give it up. If a 100,000 watt blowtorch like WOKI 100.3 was a few years ago doing country and they didn't even make a splash in the WIVK pond. Why would a class A like 93.1 even try.

 

[ARDONAVINDA]

Haaa that's funny. Classic Hits format? Knoxville already has a Classic Hits format. Jack FM hasn't cracked a 2.0 share since its start in October of 2005 and I may be giving them a generous share. It may only be a 1 share most of the time. Or if you are actually meaning oldies, some people are using the Classic Hits moniker for oldies now because the industry doesn't want to associate "Old" with 1960's and 1970's Top 40 because they want to still try and sell that format. Which I believe is still sellable. Again Knoxville has Scott Shannon's True Oldies format on WOKI. It's at least a 3 or 4 share most of the time I believe.

I really don't know why Journel would do country on 93.1 knowing they wouldn't compete with the mighty frog and its pond. Unless they are wanting to just chip a small corner stone away or be an annoying little flea on the frogs back that WIVK has to sometimes scratch. It does seem kind of silly but what other format do you try? They have tried many and dropped them. The Oldies format would've been good but you have WOKI doing it now, they are the oldies authority in K-town if that's what you like Scott Shannon is who you listen to. Sure it would be cool to hear an oldies station with at least 3 local and live fun sounding jocks the way it used to be other than S.S. 24 7 but with the bad economy and the way jocks are getting blown out these days I don't think it's going to happen. It would just be another piped in grab from the bird broadcast like Jones or ABC Radio anyway.

I'm sure the reason 93.1 doesn't have any jocks yet is due to this economy because a country jukebox isn't going to steal ratings away from WIVK. They have talented air personalities some who have been on for a long time. If you are going after them you better damn well have at least 3 talented men & women on board to make some noise.

Who knows maybe when the economy gets better they hire 3 live dayparts that know new country or act as though they do but are strong on air personalities and just have fun, it could make some noise. Maybe treat it like a fast pace high energy Top 40 with cool jingles and a forward momentum. Maybe, just maybe some WIVK listeners may switch over or at least listen in to see what's going on. New country sounds more like Top 40 anyway it has a younger appeal plus the crossovers.

If 93.1 had exciting jocks and presented it as I explained WIVK could be the station that dad listens to but Q-93 could be the station the younger generation listens to. You never know? Stranger things have happend.

 

[Raingus]

I really don't know why Journel would do country on 93.1 knowing they wouldn't compete with the mighty frog and its pond. Unless they are wanting to just chip a small corner stone away or be an annoying little flea on the frogs back that WIVK has to sometimes scratch. It does seem kind of silly but what other format do you try? They have tried many and dropped them.

Classic R&B is the format to try.  Nobody has had the guts to try that format on the FM dial here in the Knoxville area.

 

[BRH]

I really don't know why Journel would do country on 93.1 knowing they wouldn't compete with the mighty frog and its pond. Unless they are wanting to just chip a small corner stone away or be an annoying little flea on the frogs back that WIVK has to sometimes scratch. It does seem kind of silly but what other format do you try? They have tried many and dropped them.

Classic R&B is the format to try. Nobody has had the guts to try that format on the FM dial here in the Knoxville area.

Would never work here. Knoxville doesn't have the ethnic population to even support a real mainstream urban station here. One doing urban gold would never make it. I do think a rhythmic AC (Movin') type format might be interesting though, as it is a more pop based rhythmic gold format.

I still think the big hole in the market right now is the same as it has been for the past couple of years; either Hot AC, or bright mainstream AC. There is a hole a mile wide in between B97.5 (which has been very gold based since J. Jarnigan came back as PD), and Star 102.1. I think a more current based AC (like "Fresh 102.7" NYC, "Fresh 105.9" Chicago, and "Now 97.5" Philadelphia) would be a very wise move in Knoxville at this time. These stations are AC's that go back no further than the 90's for the most part for gold titles. This current intensive AC format would fill a wide gap between B and Star. Personally, I think B97.5 is one of the worst AC's I know of. It's so gold based that it often sounds more like a classic hits or adult hits/Jack type format than mainstream AC. Anyway, that's my take on where the biggest hole is in the market right now. (basically late 20s to 40 year old females).

 

[GTC]

Unfortunately, Hot AC hasn't made any money for anyone in Knoxville for 10 years. And being slanted newer enters an already crowded demo that no one is willing to buy. And with Star still playing songs from the mid 90s, the hole isn't as big as it seems. Star has the heritage and morning show that relates to a Hot AC target audience to ward off any Hot AC attack that any signal smaller than Class C can bring.

To the original question, Q's going to take a LOT of time to build....I would have thought that having 10K songs in a row without commercials would have bumped up that frequency from Point in the last trend, but as it stood, latest Arb ratings went from 2.4 12+ in the Summer to 1.5 in the Fall. They're all over TV now with Q, maybe that will build something. Personally, I miss Point's 80s. It was a fun filled station that had decent variety compared to WIMZ or B.

 

[tennvol]

For me, 93.1 no longer exists. That preset button now holds the frequency for my Sirius radio.

 

[DoubleC]

Well as I see it from a possible Journal Point of View is as follows
any AC, Urban Or any combination of such will pull numbers from Star & Hot as well as B, so no advantage there. I think as you see in Chattanooga the Classic Country done right has taken US 101 from a 20 share to a 13 granted it is the same company with those stations .....So I would Do a Straight Ahead Classic Country on 93.1 OR Tray to go after WIMZ I know they failed with the Bone but IMZ has no Compettion. Always fun to talk the Format Wheel... I might even say Doing a less gold based Bright AC as mentioned before could Knock a few points off B and elevate Star to jump over B...Have fun on Rocky Top Guys & Girls

 

[BRH]

Back to the topic of Q93. I'm actually kind of liking their sound lately. Granted, current country isn't really my thing, but I do think they are doing a nice job at programming a younger targeted country format. They've recently began using voicetags to identify and introduce songs and they sound cool. Overall, they sound a lot slicker and more produced than WIVK (who have always bored me to tears). Not sure if a younger country format will work, but if it can, they are doing it correctly. I love the CHR type elements and presentation and I'm kind of impressed.

 

[SpeakIngles]

.... The new country music is not my cup of tea. I listen to Merle FM or WLIL-AM 730 out of Lenoir City for my classic country fix. I would like to find out who is doing the engineering for WLIL. The AM sound quality is great, I wonder what kind of audio train they have.

Our engineer sells mulch....

If I told you what's in the chain, everybody'd want some. A big difference is that the STL is hard-wired digital T1 though, not over the air. It DOES sound good doesn't it?
He just wired it in, I tweaked it.

 

[knoxbob]

I glad they are spending a few dollars to make it sell good. I worked there back in 1980 and the civil war surplus equipment that the Wilkersons had was the pits. I saw the new photos on the web page and what a big difference. I haven't talk to Glen in a few years but I would love to get by and check out the new digs.

 

[Paul Orr]

Hi. I'm Paul Moore (Orr) Program Director at Q93 and wanted to say thanks for the kind words. I love to hear pos and neg feedback in my office at 865 824 1711.

 

[SoCentralChik1]

Paul, I wish you good luck. You're gonna need it! Not because of WIVK, but because of the folks you have to work for.
I've heard tons of stories about how folks are taken care of over there. It sounds like they have an inability to execute relevant/current radio. If your OM had his way (and he usually does), everything would sound exactly like 1990's radio. If not for the night guy, HOT would even fail to sound topical. Star is about as hip as it was when Star 93.1 first came on the scene. JBG likes to run off anyone who is talented and willing to work hard. I know several folks who have completely lost the passion for radio recently, and it's all because of JBG's incompetence. Oh, and the 6% pay decrease that everyone just took isn't a good sign either.
I just hope you guys can eventually find a way to get an on-air staff that sounds legit. As long as you can keep everyone involved with the station as passionate as you are about it, you will have a real shot. The biggest obstacle you'll have is fighting complacency in that building.
Good luck.

 

[Paul Orr]

Really? I've never been happier and the buzz on the street is REAL good. I like the way Q93 sounds just the way it is. Rich Bailey is and exceptional boss and man, Chris Protzman is the most inspiring GM I've ever had and Bill Berry and I took a country station in Fort Myers that had a 2 share and brought down one with a 20 share. They told us we were crazy then too. I heard the same thing when I launched The Twister in OKC. There is a wall in my office where those who believe Q93 will beat WIVK are signing their names. If there is complacency in our building, I don't feel it. I sense a spirit of excitement and confidence. Thanks for the motivation. I'll see you in the funny papers.

Here's the script if you'd like to call my office (865 824 1711) and appear on Q93 -

HI THIS IS _______________________FROM__________________________AND I'M PART OF THE Q GENERATION!

 

[RMarino]

Bill Berry and I took a country station in Fort Myers that had a 2 share and brought down one with a 20 share.

That was you guys down there? I was raised in that area and I'm assuming you're talking about "Gator Country" and how they overtook the long dominant "Cat Country." No doubt that was an impressive feat, but also consider the fact that you had more than FOUR times the power. Gator is 100kw and Cat doesn't even have 25kw. Also, Cat Country's owner (the infamous Clear Channel) made a series of boneheaded moves including flipping frequencies with an out-of-town signal and then flipping them back a couple years later! Not to take away all of your accomplishments, but the cards were stacked in your favor in Fort Myers.

Q93 does sound good. I like the imaging and the flow of the station, but as you well know, much of WIVK's 20 share comes from the service elements (news, weather, traffic...) and of course the jocks. And UT games don't hurt either.

Actually I think what really could have made a decent impact on WIVK would have been a classic country FM like "The Legend" in Chattanooga. If Journal could buy another FM (maybe WJZO?) and program a "Legend" then that could the 1-2 punch that knocks WIVK down a few shares... maybe.

 

[Paul Orr]

No doubt, when you are competing with WIVK you're in a whoooole nother league! They are one of the best stations I've ever heard.

You're right about Fort Myers. Later, after we won with Gator, Cat Country hired me as the PD and we were able to bring Cat back as the leading station in the market. We also launched a new country station called Q105 and we were able to beat Gator with both of them. It was a fun time!

My first month here was February and we did have an amazing trend - but we all know a trend is just a trend. Still, I'm encouraged that we are going to surprise some folks.

 

[SoCentralChik1]

There is a wall in my office where those who believe Q93 will beat WIVK are signing their names. If there is complacency in our building, I don't feel it. I sense a spirit of excitement and confidence.

Do you check to make sure those who sign your wall aren't crossing their fingers? Just kidding!!!
In all honesty, IVK isn't untouchable because of their country music programming (which isn't even that good). It's because of all the little tools they have to work with...like relationships with labels, incredibly competent on-air staff, and their overall tradition in this region. People here fear change btw.
Oh, and don't forget about the fact that they are the official station for UT sports. That is a big one to overcome.
Still, if you can find a way (it's gonna take more than just good music programming) to steal a quarter of their ratings, you'll be doing fine. I'm rootin for ya. I pull against IVK like it's the Tiger Woods, the Patriots, or UNC basketball.

 

[BRH]

On the topic of country radio; did WMYL get their transmitter move they were working in? Seems like I noticed their signal being much stronger now in west Knoxville and south of town. Anybody know if they've moved it recently?

 

[knoxbob]

I don't think they were moving their tower but they did come to an agreement with Art Sutton to go non-directional and it looks like they might have dropped their tower height and increased their power to 2800w while staying a class A station. That should help their signal around the Knoxville area.