• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Infinity Planned More Flips, Where Next?

L

lance

Guest
According to a quote in today's Radio Business Report, Infinity was beaten by a day to flip stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Boston to Jack.

For that matter Entercom may have also beaten them in Portland.

Infinity isn't going to stop here. Today KJKK Dallas PD Kurt Johnson was promoted to VP/Jack Programming by Infinity to oversee all of the Jack stations.

Now for speculation as to where:

Orlando: We've had a potential squatter claim potential URL's for Hot AC 105.1 WOMX and Alternative 105.9 WOCL. Cox is doing Rock AC leaning towards Variety Hits at 98.9 WMMO, so this could be an interesting battle.

Tampa: Oldies 104.7 WRBQ and Country 92.5 WYUU could be potential homes.

Memphis: With the recent loss of Classic Hits WSRR, already no Oldies in the market other than a recent rimshot move-in, and two Hot AC's battling for a niche in the market, Infinity's 99.7 WMC-FM and Entercom's 94.1 WMBZ could both be in position to go to Variety Hits.

Cincinnati: 103.5 WGRR seems to fit the mold Infinity is casting. Even with the recent rimshot simulcast flips, the full signaled 103.5 would toss them to the wayside.

Houston and Atlanta both would be great spots for the format as well. However I think there's a better chance someone else would make the flip there. I wouldn't be surprised to see Susquehanna do it in Atlanta, while Cox could be a key player in Houston (and Tampa for that matter) if it decides to evolve its 80s "Point" stations in this direction.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
> Memphis: With the recent loss of Classic Hits WSRR, already
> no Oldies in the market other than a recent rimshot move-in,
> and two Hot AC's battling for a niche in the market,
> Infinity's 99.7 WMC-FM and Entercom's 94.1 WMBZ could both
> be in position to go to Variety Hits.

There's an oldies station in Memphis on 95.3, owned by First Broadcasting. Either Buzz or 'MC might flip.

> Houston and Atlanta both would be great spots for the format
> as well. However I think there's a better chance someone
> else would make the flip there. I wouldn't be surprised to
> see Susquehanna do it in Atlanta, while Cox could be a key
> player in Houston (and Tampa for that matter) if it decides
> to evolve its 80s "Point" stations in this direction.

Either 97.1 or 106.9 will pick up the Jack format in Houston. Maybe Cox might try a Jack in Atlanta.
 
> There's an oldies station in Memphis on 95.3, owned by First
> Broadcasting. Either Buzz or 'MC might flip.

That's the rimshot move-in. 95.3 does not have a strong signal in all of the Memphis metro to be considered a major player.
<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Cleveland?

Infinity doesn't own the oldies station in Cleveland...that's CC's WMJI, with long-time market vet John Lanigan in mornings. Despite the general thought that Lanigan basically carries the station, CC isn't on the Jack Bandwagon, save for about 3 stations that don't use the "JACK" tag in mostly smaller markets.

If Infinity does flip one of its four FMs in the market to the format, here's your choices:

* WQAL "Q104" (Hot AC). It usually gets mentioned first, but supposedly does well right now in the current format. It may be the *least* likely of the three to switch, depending on how Infinity feels about mounting "JACK" up against its own Hot AC.

* WNCX/98.5 (Classic Rock/Howard Stern). Like many Stern affiliates, its listeners basically file for the exit sometime around 10 or 11 AM. It's widely thought that Stern's impending departure at the end of the year means the end of classic rock on 98.5.

* WXTM/92.3 (Alternative). It's picked up ratings with morning host "Rover", who's being syndicated by Infinity to some markets, and being pitched as at least a regional Stern replacement.

* WDOK "Soft Rock 102.1" (AC).

There's some thought that Infinity will move "XTreme" to 98.5 and displace WNCX. Depending on when they do anything with these frequencies, that might mean putting "JACK" on 92.3 instead of classic rock...again, if they think variety hits won't cause too much problem as an in-company competitor for 104.1.

At the rate Infinity is moving, one of these stations could be sporting "JACK FM" by the end of the month. One thing that might slow it down - the only other major group competitor in the market Infinity has to worry about is Clear Channel, and if they're flipping stations to pre-empt other groups from taking the "JACK" or clone mantle, CC isn't likely to do so here in Northeast Ohio.

(The recent WKDD/98.1 stunt or not. ;)

-OA
 
As for Boston...

> According to a quote in today's Radio Business Report,
> Infinity was beaten by a day to flip stations in San
> Francisco, Philadelphia, and Boston to Jack.

By a day? Wow. I'm thinking that it was 98.5 in Boston.

But would Infinity still consider Boston? While 93.7 Mike FM is Boston's variety hits station, it plays far too many rhythmic tunes when compared to an official Jack station. This is all likely due to Entercom wanting to hold on to the former Star 93.7 listeners. Mike did show a slight uptick in the ratings from it's former format.

Boston is definately a rock-loving city, I'd tend to think that an Infinity programmed JACK fm station would work well, and quite likely blow 93.7, for all reasons above and it's powerful-but-rimshot signal, out of the water. I've noticed a specific rumor on the Boston board that if Infinity does not fill the niche soon enough, then 105.7 WROR will become Boston's second variety hits station.
 
Re: More Flips, Where Next? (Fort Myers)

I've started a thread on the Tampa board to speculate where the Jack format might end up in Fort Myers. CR WARO would be my pick, although it might impact sister AC WINK. Rhythmic Oldies WJGO is another possibility, in my opinion.<P ID="signature">______________


New York City Radio and TV</P>
 
Re: As for Boston...

> > According to a quote in today's Radio Business Report,
> > Infinity was beaten by a day to flip stations in San
> > Francisco, Philadelphia, and Boston to Jack.
>
> By a day? Wow. I'm thinking that it was 98.5 in Boston.

Hindsight leans towards WODS. There would be a lot of overlap with Mix, but that's what's going on in Baltimore right now as well. However there were also rumors that Greater Media was going to flip 92.9 WBOS that direction as well.

WOGL and KFRC-FM seemed to have been the other likely spots. San Francisco's rumor mill was stirring enough that Chris Sheibel, PD of Energy 92.7 in SF, registered 973jackfm.com, 997jackfm.com, and 1069jackfm.com along with numerous variations of the name.

<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Re: Cleveland?

> Infinity doesn't own the oldies station in
> Cleveland...that's CC's WMJI, with long-time market vet John
> Lanigan in mornings. Despite the general thought that
> Lanigan basically carries the station, CC isn't on the Jack
> Bandwagon, save for about 3 stations that don't use the
> "JACK" tag in mostly smaller markets.

Clear Channel has a number of Rock AC's in the Northeast especially using either the "Mix" or "River" names that share many musical sensibilities with Variety Hits stations. Cleveland's WMVX was one of the first and most successful of these. Refocusing Mix wouldn't take much work.

If it were Infinity, WNCX would seem the most likely. Many of the Classic Rock titles would still fit with the format. However, what do you do with Howard for the rest of the year? Like you said, WXTM's Rover is rumored to get a couple of his affiliates (Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia have been rumored) so moving him isn't an option.

Like Baltimore there would be a lot of overlap between Jack and Q104, however moving Q in a poppier, slightly younger more CHR direction may do the trick.

>
> If Infinity does flip one of its four FMs in the market to
> the format, here's your choices:
>
> * WQAL "Q104" (Hot AC). It usually gets mentioned first,
> but supposedly does well right now in the current format.
> It may be the *least* likely of the three to switch,
> depending on how Infinity feels about mounting "JACK" up
> against its own Hot AC.
>
> * WNCX/98.5 (Classic Rock/Howard Stern). Like many Stern
> affiliates, its listeners basically file for the exit
> sometime around 10 or 11 AM. It's widely thought that
> Stern's impending departure at the end of the year means the
> end of classic rock on 98.5.
>
> * WXTM/92.3 (Alternative). It's picked up ratings with
> morning host "Rover", who's being syndicated by Infinity to
> some markets, and being pitched as at least a regional Stern
> replacement.
>
> * WDOK "Soft Rock 102.1" (AC).
>
> There's some thought that Infinity will move "XTreme" to
> 98.5 and displace WNCX. Depending on when they do anything
> with these frequencies, that might mean putting "JACK" on
> 92.3 instead of classic rock...again, if they think variety
> hits won't cause too much problem as an in-company
> competitor for 104.1.
>
> At the rate Infinity is moving, one of these stations could
> be sporting "JACK FM" by the end of the month. One thing
> that might slow it down - the only other major group
> competitor in the market Infinity has to worry about is
> Clear Channel, and if they're flipping stations to pre-empt
> other groups from taking the "JACK" or clone mantle, CC
> isn't likely to do so here in Northeast Ohio.
>
> (The recent WKDD/98.1 stunt or not. ;)
>
> -OA
>
<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Re: As for Boston...

> > > According to a quote in today's Radio Business Report,
> > > Infinity was beaten by a day to flip stations in San
> > > Francisco, Philadelphia, and Boston to Jack.
> >
> > By a day? Wow. I'm thinking that it was 98.5 in Boston.
>
> Hindsight leans towards WODS. There would be a lot of
> overlap with Mix, but that's what's going on in Baltimore
> right now as well. However there were also rumors that
> Greater Media was going to flip 92.9 WBOS that direction as
> well.

The one thing about Boston's Mix was that the station was focusing increasingly on their Jack features, including their "Whatever Weekends" and a modified slogan, '80's, 90's, Now and Whatever', somewhat like WTMX/Chicago. I don't recall Mix 106.5 going so close to a Jack format.

92.9 WBOS did make their much hyped change toward the Jack format: 3 days before Star changed formats, WBOS fired the morning show, changed slogans, and added an ecletic-type show with live songs and deeper album cuts at night. Basically, WBOS had the chance to get the Jack format, but ended up just merging closer to a more true AAA. But who knows what would have happened if Star did not flip and Infinity did not flip something.

WODS place in Boston seems to still be up for debate: I doubt that the Dale Dorman breakfast show is cheap to run, and with Infinity's stance on Jack, could Boston still get a change? If Jack proves itself successful in these new markets, I'm certain that Infinity will create 103.3 JACK fm or 98.5 JACK fm.
 
already in Boston

Um, Lance- Boston has a 'jack'- Mike FM and has had for a couple of months.


>
> Hindsight leans towards WODS. There would be a lot of
> overlap with Mix, but that's what's going on in Baltimore
> right now as well. However there were also rumors that
> Greater Media was going to flip 92.9 WBOS that direction as
> well.
>
> WOGL and KFRC-FM seemed to have been the other likely spots.
> San Francisco's rumor mill was stirring enough that Chris
> Sheibel, PD of Energy 92.7 in SF, registered 973jackfm.com,
> 997jackfm.com, and 1069jackfm.com along with numerous
> variations of the name.
>
 
Re: Cleveland?

> Clear Channel has a number of Rock AC's in the Northeast
> especially using either the "Mix" or "River" names that
> share many musical sensibilities with Variety Hits stations.
> Cleveland's WMVX was one of the first and most successful of
> these. Refocusing Mix wouldn't take much work.

Likely not, and WMVX has been going through recent changes in programming and management. But since it's Clear Channel, we'll never see "JACK FM 106-5". Would such a tweaking of Mix hold off Infinity at the JACK PASS here? (Heh.) Who knows?

> If it were Infinity, WNCX would seem the most likely. Many
> of the Classic Rock titles would still fit with the format.
> However, what do you do with Howard for the rest of the
> year? Like you said, WXTM's Rover is rumored to get a couple
> of his affiliates (Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and
> Philadelphia have been rumored) so moving him isn't an
> option.

Of course, Infinity flipped FM talk WBUF in Buffalo to the format, complete with Stern in morning drive (until 1/06). They could do the same with 'NCX, but that means they'd have to do something with Rover at the end of the year, either move him in place on a JACK 98.5 when Howard goes, or move the entire Xtreme format with Rover to 98.5, putting JACK on 92.3. It's a little more complicated here than it is for Infinity in other markets.

> Like Baltimore there would be a lot of overlap between Jack
> and Q104, however moving Q in a poppier, slightly younger
> more CHR direction may do the trick.

That moves Q more along the lines of Akron's 98.1/WKDD...a hot AC with a younger tilt (you could almost call it "adult CHR"), and an energetic presentation.

-OA
 
Re: already in Boston

> Um, Lance- Boston has a 'jack'- Mike FM and has had for a
> couple of months.

You may want to reread the previous posts in the thread. Discussion was on Mike beating Infinity to the punch and reprocussions of that.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Re: Cleveland?

> * WNCX/98.5 (Classic Rock/Howard Stern). Like many Stern
> affiliates, its listeners basically file for the exit
> sometime around 10 or 11 AM. It's widely thought that
> Stern's impending departure at the end of the year means the
> end of classic rock on 98.5.

Yup. 'NCX will likely be Jacked. Cleveland's got 2 classic rockers -- WONE-FM & WNCX. 'NCX is okay, and 'ONE's ratings are the lowest-rated FM in Cleveland. So I'd say for 'NCX to be Jacked.
 
Re: Cleveland?

> Yup. 'NCX will likely be Jacked. Cleveland's got 2 classic
> rockers -- WONE-FM & WNCX. 'NCX is okay, and 'ONE's ratings
> are the lowest-rated FM in Cleveland. So I'd say for 'NCX
> to be Jacked.

A couple of things here:

* A local insider says they're still selling time on 'NCX OK. Then again, despite the fact that it was a decent billing station in NYC, WCBS-FM took the JACK FM hit this past weekend. It may not be "the station makes enough money, so it's OK" with this format, which Infinity is very high on right now...reportedly after seeing good numbers in Dallas and Los Angeles. It makes Clear Channel's involvement with liberal talk (after KPOJ/Portland burst into becoming a top rated station in one book) look tame.

* WONE-FM is not a Cleveland station. It's based in Akron. It has an OK-enough signal in much of the Cleveland market, but it doesn't actively target or do anything with Cleveland. It usually shows up in the 1s 12-plus in the Cleveland numbers.

-OA
 
Re: Cleveland?

> * WONE-FM is not a Cleveland station. It's based in Akron.
> It has an OK-enough signal in much of the Cleveland market,
> but it doesn't actively target or do anything with
> Cleveland. It usually shows up in the 1s 12-plus in the
> Cleveland numbers.

Well, 'ONE is licensed in Akron. If 'NCX flips, 'MMS (currently active rock) could go to a classic-leaning mainstream rock direction (like those Jack-style rock stations such as CHOM Montreal, WFBQ Indianapolis & KSHE St. Louis).
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by PassDutch on 06/08/05 01:50 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Cleveland?

> Well, 'ONE is licensed in Akron. If 'NCX flips, 'MMS
> (currently active rock) could go to a classic-leaning
> mainstream rock direction (like those Jack-style rock
> stations such as CHOM Montreal, WFBQ Indianapolis & KSHE St.
> Louis).

Interesting theory. I'm not sure it happens, frankly, with 'MMS, but it's interesting to think about more rock-leaning Jack stations...and other "base format" variations.

Re: WONE - they are not only licensed to Akron, they *are* an Akron station. They make no significant effort to target Cleveland. If you take a gander at their signal, it's very good in much of the Cleveland market, but not quite a full market signal there. Outer suburbs to the west and east of Cleveland, particularly along Lake Erie, will have problems with the signal.

When CC decided to move 96.5/Akron (then WKDD) into its Cleveland cluster as Kiss FM's new home, they nudged the station's stick north to Brecksville (southern Cleveland suburb). WKDD, of course, landed on Canton-COL'ed 98.1, which itself moved its site north to near Hartville (just inside Stark County).

-OA
 
Cincinnati?

Infinity owns oldies station WGRR in Cincinnati.

Up to a week ago, I thought it would have been "safe" from a flip to "Jack".

But with last Friday's (June 3rd) surprise flip of New York's WCBS-101.1 from oldies to "Jack", no oldies station in a market where there is no big-signal "Jack"-type format (like Cincinnati) is immune from a flip to a "Jack"-type format.

Besides, there was a "Jack"-type format in Chicago (on three suburban rimshots), but that didn't stop Infinity from "blowing-up" longtime oldies outlet WJMK-104.3 and replace it with "Jack".

I'm afraid the next "Jack" flip may well be WGRR, and probably within days.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom