I-95 South of Jax - Radio Gets Interesting

[John FL]

I just got back to J'Ville from a trip back home to S. Fla. Usually, I play CDs during the 5 hour drive as there isn't much to listen to once you get out of South Florida, but this time I did a lot of radio listening on both legs of the trip. Overall, I liked a lot of what I heard. Maybe some of this had to do with format variety other markets are offering or maybe it was just hearing talent who sounded like they were enjoying being on the air. Many of the stations I was listening to (even after AM drive) appeared to give the jock a little bit more time to express themselves and more times an hour to do so. No, it wasn't like it was 10 years ago but damn it was good to hear voices giving info and not just sweepers over and over again.

One thing I found interesting was how many oldies stations I came across between Jax and the Miami area and how different they all were from each other. It tells me the cookie cutter approach is not being used for this format but rather it's something created to be unique to the market. I like that. When Jax lost oldies, there was a time not too long ago that I didn't hear the format until I got to St. Lucie County some 200 miles away. That has certainly changed.

I guess I'll start with 105.9. I'm not sure how signals work but I tuned them in around the 295/I-95 area and they were as a clear as a bell through the middle of Brevard County - a large territory covered. I wonder if listeners in St. John's County have found the station in large enough numbers so this will show in the Jax book eventually. It would be a hoot if an Orlando station can get a share or two here. Anyway, they didn't blow me away. Since it's an Orlando station and this is Jax board, there's no point in going through the reasons the station didn't excite me much. But at least Orlando has a format that attempts to put a different spin on the format.

On my way back to Jax, I heard former Eagle personality Jodi Stewart on 103.7 in the Ft. Pierce area.( I think it was WQOL) Man it was nice hearing her again. She sounded great, talked a heck of a lot more than she ever did on Eagle, and she's on an oldies type format that had a weird mix of music. Maybe it works for that market. But again, format variety gives listners alternatives.

I never realized AM 690 had such a good daytime signal. As I was tuning all around, I decided to go to AM and just from preset WOKV popped up. I was in the Melbourne area and they came in like a local so I have no idea how far south the signal can be heard.

All in all, I think most of us agree the Jacksonville radio market has no place to go but up. I suggest this markets' programmers and PDs "take a hike" down I-95 and tune around the dial. When communities such as Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach have more local format variety than a major metro area like Jax, it has to make you wonder why that is. If Orlando could just be another 50 -75 miles closer to Jax, there would be a lot more choice. Maybe that's a problem in itself that we depend so much on just what's available here as we are too far away from other population centers to benefit from other signals.

Anyway, have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend

 

[jsu5381m]

Not suprised of the number of oldies stations. Florida has lots of old people.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

And maybe some retired (old) radio people go to Florida and buy a station and run it the way they have been wanting to.

 

[vadar]

Could we please, please, please get off this oldies dream and fascination coming back to Jax. Ain't gonna happen, Spanish will get here first. Check out 100.7 in Tampa, looks like they are making the move. I know 105.7 is telemundo, but that stick/signal is just plain awful. Nothing good ever came out of Baldwin...........

 

[TommyR]

If Tama had the cajones to simulcast 105.7 on 105.3 (and maybe 105.5), THAT would be a move worth talking about.

Not that I care to listen to spanish language programming on FM, but some non-westsiders might like the opportunity!

As for oldies, if done right--IMO, updated, but not as radically as Kool 100.7--I'd like to think it would have a respectable reception.

Then again, 96.9's numbers went up after the Eagle flip...

 

[vadar]

Tama is a joke, must be a bad business write off. Let me get this straight. This board says I-95 South of Jax, well only one of those frequencies barely reaches south of Jax, 105.5. To put Spanish on three crappy frequencies? holy cow, combined they wouldn't break a 1.5 share.

As for the Eagle, puh-leeze, one of lamest, tired formats alive. How many times can we hear the same claaaaasic hits from Elton John and Fleetwood? A top 40 station has less repetition.

 

[John FL]

I would welcome a Spanish station to Jacksonville because adding this format would reflect a community that is changing and becoming more diverse. This has been my ongoing argument and concern in that Jacksonville radio stations in total do not reflect this diversity and disenfranchise many listeners. People are underserved and this is not good for a communications medium because there are multiple population segments that frankly just settle for what is on the air. They don’t have station(s) they can call their own. In my humble opinion, this is not a good way to do business. We can do better.

The decisions and ways of doing the business of radio in this town continue to baffle me.

When I make the case for oldies, for example, I realize I walk a very fine line. I admit to absolutely loving the format. And I do recognize that just because I like something doesn’t mean it’s viable. But I’m convinced based on performance of stations around the country, that there is life in the old girl.

With that said, I continue to witness radio in Jacksonville sounds smaller town than the markets to our south that are not Top 50.

The problem here is too many stations are owned by those who are not receptive to making changes to reflect an evolving community. They play it too safe guided only by making some kind of showing in demos that are fragmented to a ridiculous point.

Let’s take a look at two Cox stations such as the Point and Eagle. Can we really say this is exciting and engaging radio? Both stations play so much of the same music and they have virtually no personality. And while I can understand they would not be willing to flip or modify Eagle, I still regard the Point as an also ran station. If they went away tomorrow, listeners would have other alternatives. Almost everyone and his uncle play 80s of some sort or another in this market.

When I was on my recent trip and heard a number of hours of Sunny 105.9 from Orlando, I thought, imagine if something like that wound up replacing WMXQ (The Point). But this will never happen as long as Cox Radio owns the station. I know in my heart a greatest hits format would do better than 80s alone. Isn’t the idea to attract new listeners to the cluster and grow a station?

There is room in this market for other alternatives. My goodness, what do we have 4 Gospel stations now and 4 urban type stations? Overkill if you ask me and makes little business sense.

No, today’s oldies are not for old people. When done right, they can attract a broad spectrum of listeners. I’m convinced of that. Tama killing Jazz was an error and Renda Broadcasting killing oldies was another one. Look, the reality is these Urban ACs will never amount to much because there are two heritage stations in place and they have a lock on the urban market.

As mentioned before, I listen to alternatives in other markets. I’m happy to listen to my old hometown station,WMXJ out of Miami almost 100% of the time when I’m at home. If I were given the opportunity to program oldies, they would be my prototype. I love the station and so at least I’m not shut out as a listener who digs the oldies. They go after 35-64 and damn it’s refreshing to see someone not think life ends at 54 and they are successful. It can be done folks. And while I understand each market is different, a greatest hits format would work if programmed to the specifics and uniquness of the Jax market.

Still a shame I have so little choice given what we have here in terrestrial radio. I still believe we will be given more choice down the road. It’s just good business.

 

[Promo174]

JohnJax..

Recently, a former #1 voice of radio in Jacksonville was visiting. This person drove to my house and got out of the car and said "What the hell has happened to Jacksonville radio? I spun the dial and found nothing worth listening to at all!" Granted, a personal opinion. But, the point being made was there use to be some excitement on the dial. Water cooler conversations about what was heard on the stations on the way to work barely exist anymore. Other markets manage to find the excitement. It's sad that in so many ways Jacksonville has blended into one "sound" with one or two exceptions.

So many of us are tired of what is available on terrestrial radio. Or, maybe I should say what is NOT available on terrestrial radio. But, as you said, the owners aren't interested in changing things. That forces us into finding the alternatives. And, by the time they wake up and smell the coffee, we won't be listening.

 

[austingrace]

this may kinda go off topic...
someone was questioning the reach of sunny 105.9's signal.
I have recieved that station as far south as felsmeare but a vary weak signal all the way to the southern part of jacksonville. actually covers st. augustine nicely on a decent radio. the stick is in orange city a good 60 miles from st augustine. i was allways amazed to hear 105.9 and 101.9 in st augustine. i used to go to the florida school for the deaf and blind and took the trip from the orlando area to st augustine back and forth every weekend so that's how i know this .
hope that helped. btw wqol is excelent. i lived in palm bay and listened to them all the time.

 

[WBGR FM 93.1]

Speaking of the oldies, I am not local to this board; I live in North Alabama where the last good oldies station Was flipped by Cox in B'Ham in 2004. I am tired of all the stations up here that play soft rock and an occasional oldie here and there. IMO, tallahassee has a pretty good station; "Tallahassee's Greatest Hits" Q 106.1. They stick to the 60's and 70's, and play songs I haven't heard in a while. I'm not from the baby boomer period, but I believe they do a great job at it.

Travis

 

[tanner]

All you guys are talking about oldies formats. How about an oldiies format like Sunny 105.9 in Orlando with the Top 40 DJ's with the style of the old Mighty 690 WAPE not the WAPE crap of today. Add the contests, PAMS jingles, the whole 9 yards. Now that is a format that would do well Toay. It would appeal to young and old, just like it did back in the 60's, 70's and early 80's.

 

[alcapone]

Pams jingles? Most of us are done with the dark ages of R&R. Not that the early days weren't good but this isn't the 60's. 60's on 6 on XM doesn't get it either. CBS FM New York isn't doing everything right but they atleast have updated the format although their song choices I really question. The CBS oldies in Orlando is just a hodge podge of musical garbage. I'm lost on what they're even trying to do

 

[John FL]

I agree with what you are saying here, VTdude.

If the CBS Orlando oldies station was magically placed in Jacksonville, I believe it would be met with lukewarm response at best and I'm convinced it would not be a challenge to Eagle. Like you, I have no idea what they are doing musically, but I think they have other issues as well. When I've heard the station in AM drive, the commercial sets go on for an eternity followed by way to many songs in a row with no particpation by the host. I guess what I'm trying to say is the station lacks personality. Even the contests in the morning are rushed and just seem to lack warmth for the listener. I have a feeling that may have reached their peak if they don't get it together soon.

My internet service provider, AOL, has an agreement with the CBS stations and I've heard a good number of them. CBS FM earns high marks from me but as you say, some of their song selections (80s) are questionable and I agree.

I think it all comes down to the enormous pressure programmers and owners face to do well in 25-54. This may be the reason so many 80s alternative hits are played. I've always felt that those who like "Point formatted" stations will not tune in to hear 70s disco or 60s Motown. I really do believe that carefully selected music from the 60s and 70s has the ability to attract a wide spectrum of listeners 35+. Playing 80s is OK but I would limit them and stick more with pop and soul/disco from that decade.

While I understand each market is unique, I would be more excited to hear a station come to Jax that sounds like WMXJ in Miami. The station has updated their sound but really stay true to oldies and they are chock full of personality and on-air excitment. I know I have prejudices but WMXJ is my favorite oldies station. This format, brought here, would really have uniquness to it and would give listeners choice. Time will tell but certainly Jax needs some shaking up but it doesn't need another Eagle sound alike.

 

[BIG APE]

JohnJax..

Recently, a former #1 voice of radio in Jacksonville was visiting. This person drove to my house and got out of the car and said "What the hell has happened to Jacksonville radio? I spun the dial and found nothing worth listening to at all!" Granted, a personal opinion. But, the point being made was there use to be some excitement on the dial. Water cooler conversations about what was heard on the stations on the way to work barely exist anymore. Other markets manage to find the excitement. It's sad that in so many ways Jacksonville has blended into one "sound" with one or two exceptions.

So many of us are tired of what is available on terrestrial radio. Or, maybe I should say what is NOT available on terrestrial radio. But, as you said, the owners aren't interested in changing things. That forces us into finding the alternatives. And, by the time they wake up and smell the coffee, we won't be listening.

Damn, Promo, I don't really remember being at your house, but maybe so!.. Nope, the old BIG APE probably wouldn't make it again in JAX or anywhere else..Too many changes in the population and most of us are too old anyway..Don't know if there are any youngins that could do it again..As far as Orlando, CBS has not captured anything there! However, just my "old Goat" Opinion! BIG APE!