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Is Classic Rock 101.1 going away?

Instead of Buck Country, I wonder why Audacy does not want to return to the Magic format. There still remains a major AC void in the Upstate. Didn't Magic generate decent ratings and demographics all those years on 98.9? I understand they were forced to sell 106.3, but if they were changing formats for WROQ, then why not return to Magic? And move Hawk and Tom to a more age appropriate format. But I guess they wanted more to weaken iHeart on 92.5 and 100.5.
The only problem with moving Hawk and Tom is that, although they would fit better on an AC station, they are the identity for B93.7. How many years have they been in that station? Moms and Dads grew up with them. If they left B, the station's ratings would be toast.
 
This 101.1 flip was obviously because Audacy has wanted a slice of the ratings (which translate to revenue) iHeart has enjoyed with its country duopoly for 2.5 decades. I wonder how long this was planned or considered. Apparently, JB&B were propping 101.1 up which surprises me a bit. JB&B ending gave Audacy an “out” and an attempt to take on iHeart with country, then merge its rock stations on to the other existing rock station they had with a strong local morning show which will likely boost it (even though I’m not sure how well The Planet’s playlist will work, it’s a bit of a mess). This will likely ensure 98.9 remains #2 or #3 even if they can just take a share or two from WSSL. That’s what this all comes down to, and it makes sense now.

I have to admit, the imaging on 101.1 is kinda growing on me. Lots of local references. I have to appreciate its creativity. They’re going after 92.5 and 100.5 pretty aggressively, and in a funny way. I’d rather still have Classic Rock on 101.1, but it makes sense why Audacy is doing it. It’s not their job to put variety on the dial. Hopefully Audacy will fix 93.3’s playlist. Since they’ve added more classic rock fare to some of what they were already playing it sounds like a mess.

Interesting how Classic Rock wasn’t iced like Magic. It’s gone completely. Guess they want everyone listening to 93.3.
 
Instead of Buck Country, I wonder why Audacy does not want to return to the Magic format. There still remains a major AC void in the Upstate. Didn't Magic generate decent ratings and demographics all those years on 98.9? I understand they were forced to sell 106.3, but if they were changing formats for WROQ, then why not return to Magic? And move Hawk and Tom to a more age appropriate format. But I guess they wanted more to weaken iHeart on 92.5 and 100.5.

I would've thought AC would've been the logical hole, too. Then again, I suppose Audacy downgraded and ultimately got rid of Magic for a reason. Not that it never happens, but you rarely see companies get rid of highly profitable properties, especially ones that have been in the company for decades.

I miss Chuck. When I first moved to the upstate, it was the only only station I listened to. The mix was incredible! Whitney Houston, followed by some Journey...and then Johnny Cash, "I walk the line." The station really lived up to the slogan, "we play anything." You never quite knew what you were going to hear.

That was probably what ultimately undid it. Most people tune into a station because they want a certain sound. Despite Bob, Jack and similar stations saying they'll play anything, you can generally guess what they're going to sound like when you turn them on.
 
I would've thought AC would've been the logical hole, too. Then again, I suppose Audacy downgraded and ultimately got rid of Magic for a reason. Not that it never happens, but you rarely see companies get rid of highly profitable properties, especially ones that have been in the company for decades.



That was probably what ultimately undid it. Most people tune into a station because they want a certain sound. Despite Bob, Jack and similar stations saying they'll play anything, you can generally guess what they're going to sound like when you turn them on.
I had forgotten about Johnny Cash being on that station. Good times! Loved it as Chuck and even during the Jack and Awesome FM eras!
 
This 101.1 flip was obviously because Audacy has wanted a slice of the ratings (which translate to revenue) iHeart has enjoyed with its country duopoly for 2.5 decades. I wonder how long this was planned or considered. Apparently, JB&B were propping 101.1 up which surprises me a bit. JB&B ending gave Audacy an “out” and an attempt to take on iHeart with country, then merge its rock stations on to the other existing rock station they had with a strong local morning show which will likely boost it
Actually, John Boy and Billy have been on country stations for several decades. It was the only way stations up north would add them, though a few stations in the South did the country version.

So if they had really wanted to do this ...
 
Actually, John Boy and Billy have been on country stations for several decades. It was the only way stations up north would add them, though a few stations in the South did the country version.

So if they had really wanted to do this ...
They really should have kept JBB until their last show, even if the station flipped formats. It might have kept a few listeners tuned in....and just maybe they would have stayed if they were okay with the music once JBB were gone. (When is there last show planned? I think Dec 31?)

I mean, I know they want folks to flip over to the Rise Guys, but another couple of weeks really wouldn't have made much of a difference.
 
They really should have kept JBB until their last show, even if the station flipped formats. It might have kept a few listeners tuned in....and just maybe they would have stayed if they were okay with the music once JBB were gone. (When is there last show planned? I think Dec 31?)

I mean, I know they want folks to flip over to the Rise Guys, but another couple of weeks really wouldn't have made much of a difference.
I agree. A lot of affiliates are waiting until Jan. 5 to debut their new morning shows, or dropped them early.

I wonder if the timing of the flip had to do with a ratings period or something? One thing you point out that’s true is 101.1 already had some listeners that may like Big Buck. Not starting all over like if they flipped to urban or CHR, for instance.
 
Curious if anyone was listening on Christmas day.
Did Big Buck play country Christmas music?
Did the other two heritage country stations play Christmas music?
 
Curious if anyone was listening on Christmas day.
Did Big Buck play country Christmas music?
Did the other two heritage country stations play Christmas music?
WESC played a lot this year, not even just country. WSSL sprinkled some in. Big Buck played strictly country Christmas songs on Christmas Eve and Day, maybe one an hour or less.
 
WESC played a lot this year, not even just country. WSSL sprinkled some in. Big Buck played strictly country Christmas songs on Christmas Eve and Day, maybe one an hour or less.
Interesting. Personally, if I were Big Buck, I would have not done a Christmas format. There are people who aren't into the whole "listening to holiday music" thing. Maybe that person might have discovered them on the dial, looking for something else to listen to. Counter-programming.

Since I don't listen to the radio much anymore, I'm not sure what happens Christmas 2025. I remember years ago, in other markets where I lived, the ONLY thing in the radio, every station (even some usually talk ones) just played Christmas music on Eve and day. It was actually kind of annoying. By Christmas, I was typically over all the Christmas music and was looking for something "normal."
 
In their defense, they were very light and in format with the Christmas music for just the two days. It was an awkward time to do it either way, which brings me back around to the flip timing. It must be ratings book related or something that they felt the need to flip right before Christmas and not ride JB&B out to the end

I don’t recall 92.5 WESC playing as much Christmas music as they were 1-2 weeks before the holiday this year. They played a lot of classics too that weren’t country or by country artists.
 
i know this will never happen, but i find it unusual that now WAYS and WROQ calls are "sort of" available. No, they haven't been released but WROQ could find a more "Buck - like" set of calls, and WAYS, while not released, is silent. Would those calls work again in Charlotte? What if they could end up on 61/95.1? Yeah, as I said, this will never happen.
 
i know this will never happen, but i find it unusual that now WAYS and WROQ calls are "sort of" available. No, they haven't been released but WROQ could find a more "Buck - like" set of calls, and WAYS, while not released, is silent. Would those calls work again in Charlotte? What if they could end up on 61/95.1? Yeah, as I said, this will never happen.
I don't think the WROQ calls would fit on 95.1 now. The WNKS calls have been on 95.1 for 29 years, and coming up at the end of May they will turn 30 years old.
 
I don't think the WROQ calls would fit on 95.1 now. The WNKS calls have been on 95.1 for 29 years, and coming up at the end of May they will turn 30 years old.
Yes WNKS correlates very well to the Kiss 95.1 brand, which has been very successful for nearly 30 years. The WROQ calls should go to another rock format station somewhere.
 
Any guesses on if Big Buck Country will add DJ’s, or Audacy’s two national country shows their country stations carry? Nothing yet, although it’s just been a couple of months. However, it could go against their “too much yakking” and “no BS, more real country” positioners.

I will say, although I’m not country music’s biggest fan, I’m enjoying Big Buck Country. The imaging was a bit jarring at first, but it’s kinda funny. “101.1 Big Buck Country…guaranteed animal.” 🤣
 
I’m enjoying Big Buck Country although I was critical of the move at first. They’ve added a female “Doe” voiceover. They’re out in the community, and present at almost every country concert going on at the Well, etc. Doing what they should be doing. I’ll be curious over these next couple of months as the last of the classic rock months roll off of the monthly ratings.

93.3 The Planet still sucks. One of the worst attempts at mainstream rock I’ve heard. We’ve seen one month of ratings with classic rock gone from 101.1, and 93.3’s was stuck at a 2.8 share for 2 monthlies in a row.
 
I’m enjoying Big Buck Country although I was critical of the move at first. They’ve added a female “Doe” voiceover. They’re out in the community, and present at almost every country concert going on at the Well, etc. Doing what they should be doing. I’ll be curious over these next couple of months as the last of the classic rock months roll off of the monthly ratings.

93.3 The Planet still sucks. One of the worst attempts at mainstream rock I’ve heard. We’ve seen one month of ratings with classic rock gone from 101.1, and 93.3’s was stuck at a 2.8 share for 2 monthlies in a row.
What is the new playlist for 93.3 like? Have they abandoned all the active Rock?
 


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