I106.9?

[DToTheJ]

In Chicago, Merlin is working on phasing out the "FM News" branding, and if that's the case, it may also be true for the New York Merlin station. What about Philly? Suppose the "IQ" bit wears off, anyone think they'll just morph into "I106.9" at some point?

 

[jhguthlac]

Since Philly has a WIOQ, I never would have gone the "IQ" route in the first place. But if they end up spending a lot to market it, why change?

 

[Bill_W]

I think I heard them say something about IQ News instead of FM news during one of the local news reports on the bottom of the hour either during Rush's or Sean's show last week.

 

[DToTheJ]

Hmmm... so Merlin is even phasing out the "FM News" name in newscasts on their non-all-news station in Philly? That's an eyebrow raiser.

 

[ProducerGuy]

i106.9 with a small "i" might work, if it doesn't get them sued by Apple.

 

[nd2023]

i106.9 with a small "i" might work, if it doesn't get them sued by Apple.

WILI in Connecticut is called i98.3. Then again, it had that name before the iPod was invented. It is a CHR station.

 

[ProducerGuy]

Considering the proliferation of "i" products, I think they'd be alright. I would somehow tie the marketing to the fact that live news is one of the only things one can't (easily) get on an iPod.

 

[musichead1029]

Considering the proliferation of "i" products, I think they'd be alright.

To the talk demo, "IQ" means something. "i" is a generic label not specific to any format. It would be a step down.

Since the talk format involves contracts over periods of years, I wouldn't look for too many changes at 106.9 in the near future, outside of the flat pulse morning show and the eventual assignment of a 9 to midnight show.

 

[DToTheJ]

I've been sampling that new i101 from Chicago and one of the liners they run actually goes like this: "iTunes... iPod... i101." I'd be shocked if that format lasted longer than FM News.

 

[mjb1124]

I sampled i101 and liked what I heard. But then again, I seem to be one of the only people who still enjoys hearing 90's hits.

 

[nd2023]

Chicago has Rewind 100.3, which is also an Adult Hits format.

 

[DToTheJ]

Amidst Merlin's recent actions, has anyone else realized that this is the first time a news or news/talk station in a major market flipped in an election year since 96.5 WWDB a dozen years ago?

 

[chrocket87]

I've been sampling that new i101 from Chicago and one of the liners they run actually goes like this: "iTunes... iPod... i101." I'd be shocked if that format lasted longer than FM News.

Yeah, the Gen X format has been just as much of a failure as Merlin's News stations, except the Gen Xers tend to get a book or two of decent ratings before the audience bails.