It's the Magic of Christmas

[radiolives]

I feel the same way. There are a few Hot/Fresh AC's that go all-Christmas, but not many. I'm sure there's a reason.

Star 92.1 in Myrtle Beach, but there's not a mainstream or even soft AC located in the market, unles you count Arbitron's erroneous description of easy listening WEZV.

I wonder why Star is hot AC when hot ACs don't do well in the South?

The format does well in Myrtle Beach. I think if AC were to come into the Myrtle Beach market it would be somewhat hard. As they would have to grab listeners away from Movin, Easy, and Star.

 

[carolinaradio]

Not all Hot AC's don't do well in the south. Overall, it isn't a choice format in this region, but if the demographics are right, it works.

 

[awp69]

Not all Hot AC's don't do well in the south.  Overall, it isn't a choice format in this region, but if the demographics are right, it works.

Still hope you're wrong about it's prospects in Greenville. Over the past week or so, I've realized more than ever how much I can't stand radio in this area ...without WMYI's new format. B93.7 rarely plays more than 2 songs in a row that I can listen to. And the Planet...well, that's even more rare..if I flip and hear something like the Foo Fighters or Green Day, I'll listen to it, but 99% of the time the next song is garbage (not the band, I actually wouldn't mind that).

I've got an older car where it's more of a pain than not to set up my iPod to listen to music and the only "long" drive I have is in the morning when I might be in the car for 30-40 minutes driving the kids to school and then WANT to listen to B93.

Anyway, this 24/7 Christmas thing is killing me. Guess it didn't bother me in the past because I really didn't listen to either of the two traditional ACs on a regular basis (aside from flipping).

 

[carolinaradio]

Not all Hot AC's don't do well in the south. Overall, it isn't a choice format in this region, but if the demographics are right, it works.

Still hope you're wrong about it's prospects in Greenville. Over the past week or so, I've realized more than ever how much I can't stand radio in this area ...without WMYI's new format. B93.7 rarely plays more than 2 songs in a row that I can listen to. And the Planet...well, that's even more rare..if I flip and hear something like the Foo Fighters or Green Day, I'll listen to it, but 99% of the time the next song is garbage (not the band, I actually wouldn't mind that).

I've got an older car where it's more of a pain than not to set up my iPod to listen to music and the only "long" drive I have is in the morning when I might be in the car for 30-40 minutes driving the kids to school and then WANT to listen to B93.

Anyway, this 24/7 Christmas thing is killing me. Guess it didn't bother me in the past because I really didn't listen to either of the two traditional ACs on a regular basis (aside from flipping).

I consider MY a "light"/conservative Hot AC though, since they're careful with a lot of newer songs...even though I don't like that they do, I think playing it safe will help them.

All-Christmas is awful, I miss MY also. I can tolerate it occasionally on Magic, since they play a bigger variety of songs. MY plays the same ones over and over and over again even more. I can only tolerate so much of "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rocking Around The Christmas Tree." I miss Channel 96.1 from Charlotte....still no signal. 107.9 The Link from Clt isn't that bad, kinda similar to MY.

I don't give The Planet the time of day. Too bad they can't sound as decent as 105.9 The Mountain in Asheville.

 

[awp69]

I miss Channel 96.1 from Charlotte....still no signal. 107.9 The Link from Clt isn't that bad, kinda similar to MY.

I agree with you about missing 96.1. Still not a great station, but better than B93.7. The Link is a little spotty for me as far as signal goes, but it is on my presets as something to check.

I don't give The Planet the time of day. Too bad they can't sound as decent as 105.9 The Mountain in Asheville.

Way back when The Planet first started out, I was an entertainment writer for The Greenville News, I had high hopes for what it claimed to be "new rock". But even though their mix was slightly better then, I remember talking with Zach Tyler and questioning what the heck they were doing. And how they can still play something like The Cranberries (very occassionally, but it's sort of like how some of the 70's songs stick out on MY) and yet ignore 95% of real "new rock" bands in favor of harder, redneck, Slipknot-flavored rock. It's not just new bands like Young the Giant that we never hear in the Upstate, but even modern rock "oldies" like R.E.M., the Cure and U2 are almost never heard either (until MY occassionaly recently started to play them).

Anyway, getting off topic so I'll end my rant. I'm not a Grinch and don't mind Christmas music while I'm shopping or the week of the holiday, but I don't listen to either MAGIC or MY regardless of which has the better mix of it.

 

[ATOMO]

My wife and I went to Atlanta this weekend and I listened to WOLT each time I passed through the upstate. Best quality sound I have heard on the radio in a long time! I switched back and forth between My and WOLT just to compare the quality. No comparison! Very clean! Sounds more like pure digital and little or no compression. And two things I'd like for WOLT: the 60s and 70s all the time, and enough signal to cover Rutherford County!

Thanks so much for noticing PreacherDude! Anyone who knows me probably thinks I paid you for those comments. Regarding Rutherford County - We at full power on a new transmitter (Class A - not a blowtorch) 'I'm givin' her all she's got Captain!' Back when the 103's were the beloved 103x the PD of WFBC and I referred to them as the hair dryers. Of course, later I'd work for an even more challenged 700 watt hair dryer!

FYI - I think 96-1 is back to the full juice. My son has four buttons on my radio, of which that is one of 'em, and they were blazing into Pauline - which they haven't been as of late.

Now back to your regularly scheduled Christmas music chat....

 

[awp69]

FYI - I think 96-1 is back to the full juice. My son has four buttons on my radio, of which that is one of 'em, and they were blazing into Pauline - which they haven't been as of late.

I hope that 96.1 isn't at their new "full" strength. I can definately tell that it's stronger as I can hear them a little bit between all the static (which I hadn't at all a week or two ago). But they're still completely unlistenable in the Greenville/Woodruff Road area. I used to pick them up pretty well static-free with the exception of when I entered my own neighborhood.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Well,...it's been about two weeks now since both MY & MAGIC donned the Red Sweaters. All Christmas, in November,
in Stereo,...which means...it sounds like Shit...in both ears! Do you feel Festive yet? How 'bout Black Friday...where one Officer's report read that he had to separate two bald women from beating the hell outta each other...over the lone, just one left on the skid, $25 DVD player. He noted that each was "Snatched Bald",...better known as...I.W.R.,...
Involentary Wig Removal! All Christmas in November...believe it or don't, MAGIC will profit from this. It was, without question, the cheap way out, but for once, I agree with their GM. However, MY just plain BOOBED! They were going to merely offer Christmas music on their website, protecting their recent format flippage, but for some unknown reason...called to light in the eleventh hour came the Red smoke...poofing outta the Clear Channel chamber door. What I really want for (me) Christmas is a chance to shake(?) the hands of the Consultants directly respondsible...I look forward to it! All Christmas in November is about as welcome as that fourth Turkey sandwich. "Ah...so what's this in the foil....eeeeeeeeeeeh,...notta another one!"
IS THERE A CAT ANYWHERE AROUND HERE?

 

[carolinaradio]

I don't give The Planet the time of day. Too bad they can't sound as decent as 105.9 The Mountain in Asheville.

Way back when The Planet first started out, I was an entertainment writer for The Greenville News, I had high hopes for what it claimed to be "new rock". But even though their mix was slightly better then, I remember talking with Zach Tyler and questioning what the heck they were doing. And how they can still play something like The Cranberries (very occassionally, but it's sort of like how some of the 70's songs stick out on MY) and yet ignore 95% of real "new rock" bands in favor of harder, redneck, Slipknot-flavored rock. It's not just new bands like Young the Giant that we never hear in the Upstate, but even modern rock "oldies" like R.E.M., the Cure and U2 are almost never heard either (until MY occassionaly recently started to play them).

Anyway, getting off topic so I'll end my rant. I'm not a Grinch and don't mind Christmas music while I'm shopping or the week of the holiday, but I don't listen to either MAGIC or MY regardless of which has the better mix of it.

I find it almost humorous that 93.3 at times plays songs like "Money" by Pink Floyd. LOL. That song is nearly 40 years old!

It's just a shame that to be the biggest media market in the state, we have the worst rock station in the state....no, the Carolinas! It's just awful. Crappy morning show, music, sound...ugh. I really couldn't care less if they flipped formats. It has been a pleasant surprise to hear MY play some of these rock songs that had been forgotten around here for quite a while, save for the short while Charlie FM was on the air.

 

[carolinaradio]

Well,...it's been about two weeks now since both MY & MAGIC donned the Red Sweaters. All Christmas, in November,
in Stereo,...which means...it sounds like Shit...in both ears! Do you feel Festive yet? How 'bout Black Friday...where one Officer's report read that he had to separate two bald women from beating the hell outta each other...over the lone, just one left on the skid, $25 DVD player. He noted that each was "Snatched Bald",...better known as...I.W.R.,...
Involentary Wig Removal! All Christmas in November...believe it or don't, MAGIC will profit from this. It was, without question, the cheap way out, but for once, I agree with their GM. However, MY just plain BOOBED! They were going to merely offer Christmas music on their website, protecting their recent format flippage, but for some unknown reason...called to light in the eleventh hour came the Red smoke...poofing outta the Clear Channel chamber door. What I really want for (me) Christmas is a chance to shake(?) the hands of the Consultants directly respondsible...I look forward to it! All Christmas in November is about as welcome as that fourth Turkey sandwich. "Ah...so what's this in the foil....eeeeeeeeeeeh,...notta another one!"
IS THERE A CAT ANYWHERE AROUND HERE?

Actually, 3 weeks! I've had it with the Christmas music. Agree that it was the right choice for Magic (whether we like it or not) but the wrong choice for MY. I wonder if they really planned to go all-Christmas, or if it was a last minute decision. Every signal I got from them a couple of weeks before they switched was that it'd be online, with occasional Christmas songs on-air, with them gradually playing more as the holiday approached. That made sense and I was OK with it.

Oh...and how creative for both stations to call themselves "The Christmas Station." MY can be blamed for that, they could have heard Magic was already using that and used something different.

 

[awp69]

I find it almost humorous that 93.3 at times plays songs like "Money" by Pink Floyd.  LOL.  That song is nearly 40 years old!

It's just a shame that to be the biggest media market in the state, we have the worst rock station in the state....no, the Carolinas!  It's just awful.  Crappy morning show, music, sound...ugh.  I really couldn't care less if they flipped formats.  It has been a pleasant surprise to hear MY play some of these rock songs that had been forgotten around here for quite a while, save for the short while Charlie FM was on the air.

Honestly, I don't understand how they've survived as long as they have. It just doesn't seem right that there's stations that are decent, like Charlie was, that aren't given a chance and really crappy ones like this one stick around. I can't believe it's been 15 years since they went on the air! WTF. Can't see how Entercom is still profitting from it somehow.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

I'm not sure how this thread spun toward THE PLANET, but I'll spout the truth for a few sentences: Trust me, I know first hand!
What we know today as THE PLANET, launched(or escaped) on September 13th, 1996. It was a format flippage to fill the void left by 103X, after they ankled in April. Today, much like WROQ, WTPT is a pale shadow of what it once was, with no apparent hope of redefinition. Taking a look at the Ratings & Revenue of both or each, I ask...if you would except fractions? As Jed Clampet would say:
"Pittttttti-ful,...jest...pittttti-ful!".

 

[carolinaradio]

I think a lot of the problem with 93.3 The Planet is that horrible morning show. I can't listen to it. What an embarrassment to the market. They also have the worst audio quality - it's been terrible since I can remember. None of the other Entercom stations sound that bad, and I don't really understand why they have that trouble.
I don't really listen to WROQ, but I think The Planet is way worse. Rock 101 says they play "classic rock", which they do - 93.3 says "new rock", but...uh, yeah. I'd ditch the majority of the pre-90s rock on 93.3.

I've hoped lately that maybe The Planet would do what MY did (take a declining, outdated station and spruce it up), but Entercom is just too set in their ways. They never change anything except for the morning show on Magic!

 

[awp69]

93.3 says "new rock", but...uh, yeah. I'd ditch the majority of the pre-90s rock on 93.3.

I'd ditch the majority of what they call "new rock" as well. They play only what I consider to be the crappiest metal-leaning bands (like the aformentioned Slipknot) and ignore everything else that's "new". Where's Foster The People, Young the Giant, Florence & the Machine? All staples on straight modern rock stations. But apparently, that stuff is too soft for The Planet's redneck playlist that also includes four decade old music mixed in.

I've asked this before of staff members of The Planet. They always say they're actually an "Active Rock" station. Why do they have new rock plastered all over the place then? I guess I never understood the active rock label and certainly they don't deserve to be calling themselves New Rock 93.3.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

I completely agree with awp69,...and I'll add a bit: When they began, THE PLANET was an "R&R"...Radio & Records (trade) magazine (weekly)reporting station. They were classified as a "Modern Rock", Parallel two. For that the labels would jump through hoops to keep you happy. It was the only one here, and for that type of music, airplay meant Big sales figures. Today, as I said in an earlier stomping, they are merely a pale shadow of what they were. Both the Playlist, and the airstaff are just Awww-ful. Whoever's calling the shots is to be blamed with the decline. Their Playlist would have some justification, if all the stop-sets were full,...but we know>>>>

 

[carolinaradio]

True, 93.3 The Planet is active, which includes some older rock, but NOT something that's 40 years old! To say New Rock then play Pink Floyd and old Aerosmith is laughable. It's sad that we have to listen to MY to hear Foster The People and Florence & The Machine!

98.1 WYBB in Charleston is a pretty good active rocker. They don't go nearly as far back and play a better variety of currents. Why do we, the biggest market, get stuck with the worst rocker?

I don't get this - Entercom has awesome rock stations in other markets. I thought when they took WTPT over, that things would improve, but nothing's changed. Entercom's pretty big on rock. Makes no sense.

 

[awp69]

I completely agree with awp69,...and I'll add a bit: When they began, THE PLANET was an "R&R"...Radio & Records (trade) magazine (weekly)reporting station.  They were classified as a "Modern Rock", Parallel two.  For that the labels would jump through hoops to keep you happy.  It was the only one here, and for that type of music, airplay meant Big sales figures.  Today, as I said in an earlier stomping, they are merely a pale shadow of what they were.  Both the Playlist, and the airstaff are just Awww-ful.  Whoever's calling the shots is to be blamed with the decline.  Their Playlist would have some justification, if all the stop-sets were full,...but we know>>>>

What's funny is that, yes, they were a bit better when they started out (not much better, but better). But even back then they still played things like Led Zeppelin along side the new rock. When I talked to Tyler about that, he said they played those selected classic rock songs because they were influential on the modern rock they also played. A reasonable explaination, but it still seemed like a stretch. 103X had failed (sadly, they played some good music but also were managed poorly). So The Planet seemed to think they could be more successful trying to walk the line between the former 103X and Rock 101.

And from there it's been a constant decline. The playlist turned more away from a somewhat okay representation of modern rock to it's current shlock that's unlistenable if you compare them to other New Rock stations like Atlanta's 99X.

It's even harder to understand now that Entercom owns both Rock 101 and The Planet.  Why screw with classic rock songs at all on The Planet? Still, as I mentioned above, even the majority of new stuff they play is just screaming, headbanging crap. Guess they still serve one audience -- the guys who drink a case of beer every night with missing teeth and roadkill in the back of their pickup truck for dinner.

Oh...this thread was about Christmas at one time wasn't it. Oh well, the need to vent is still present in the holiday season.

 

[carolinaradio]

I completely agree with awp69,...and I'll add a bit: When they began, THE PLANET was an "R&R"...Radio & Records (trade) magazine (weekly)reporting station. They were classified as a "Modern Rock", Parallel two. For that the labels would jump through hoops to keep you happy. It was the only one here, and for that type of music, airplay meant Big sales figures. Today, as I said in an earlier stomping, they are merely a pale shadow of what they were. Both the Playlist, and the airstaff are just Awww-ful. Whoever's calling the shots is to be blamed with the decline. Their Playlist would have some justification, if all the stop-sets were full,...but we know>>>>

What's funny is that, yes, they were a bit better when they started out (not much better, but better). But even back then they still played things like Led Zeppelin along side the new rock. When I talked to Tyler about that, he said they played those selected classic rock songs because they were influential on the modern rock they also played. A reasonable explaination, but it still seemed like a stretch. 103X had failed (sadly, they played some good music but also were managed poorly). So The Planet seemed to think they could be more successful trying to walk the line between the former 103X and Rock 101.

And from there it's been a constant decline. The playlist turned more away from a somewhat okay representation of modern rock to it's current shlock that's unlistenable if you compare them to other New Rock stations like Atlanta's 99X.

It's even harder to understand now that Entercom owns both Rock 101 and The Planet. Why screw with classic rock songs at all on The Planet? Still, as I mentioned above, even the majority of new stuff they play is just screaming, headbanging crap. Guess they still serve one audience -- the guys who drink a case of beer every night with missing teeth and roadkill in the back of their pickup truck for dinner.

Oh...this thread was about Christmas at one time wasn't it. Oh well, the need to vent is still present in the holiday season.

Yup, it's pure noise - so many of the songs they choose to play are a terrible representation of rock music. There are so many other acts out there that this market has missed out and is missing out on. Could not love your description of the audience more - I don't get the 'redneck' type and have never heard another station quite like it. That's gotta be turning off so many potential listeners...

Rock 101 and 93.3 The Planet have been co-owned since at least around 2000? when Barnstable bought them. Barnstable sold The Planet, WROQ, and Oldies 106.3 to Entercom in 2005 (in turn, Entercom sold 103.3/103.9). That overlap has gone on for years. I caught them playing "Dream On" by Aerosmith earlier - from '73. Great track, but playing it on that station is absolutely pathetic. Like I said, it's been going on for ages, and I thought Entercom, who I consider to be a "rock" company, would have taken care of it after they bought it. Crap sound quality, playlist, and presentation remains.

 

[freqdev]

I completely agree with awp69,...and I'll add a bit: When they began, THE PLANET was an "R&R"...Radio & Records (trade) magazine (weekly)reporting station. They were classified as a "Modern Rock", Parallel two. For that the labels would jump through hoops to keep you happy. It was the only one here, and for that type of music, airplay meant Big sales figures. Today, as I said in an earlier stomping, they are merely a pale shadow of what they were. Both the Playlist, and the airstaff are just Awww-ful. Whoever's calling the shots is to be blamed with the decline. Their Playlist would have some justification, if all the stop-sets were full,...but we know>>>>

What's funny is that, yes, they were a bit better when they started out (not much better, but better). But even back then they still played things like Led Zeppelin along side the new rock. When I talked to Tyler about that, he said they played those selected classic rock songs because they were influential on the modern rock they also played. A reasonable explaination, but it still seemed like a stretch. 103X had failed (sadly, they played some good music but also were managed poorly). So The Planet seemed to think they could be more successful trying to walk the line between the former 103X and Rock 101.

And from there it's been a constant decline. The playlist turned more away from a somewhat okay representation of modern rock to it's current shlock that's unlistenable if you compare them to other New Rock stations like Atlanta's 99X.

It's even harder to understand now that Entercom owns both Rock 101 and The Planet. Why screw with classic rock songs at all on The Planet? Still, as I mentioned above, even the majority of new stuff they play is just screaming, headbanging crap. Guess they still serve one audience -- the guys who drink a case of beer every night with missing teeth and roadkill in the back of their pickup truck for dinner.

Oh...this thread was about Christmas at one time wasn't it. Oh well, the need to vent is still present in the holiday season.

Yup, it's pure noise - so many of the songs they choose to play are a terrible representation of rock music. There are so many other acts out there that this market has missed out and is missing out on. Could not love your description of the audience more - I don't get the 'redneck' type and have never heard another station quite like it. That's gotta be turning off so many potential listeners...

Rock 101 and 93.3 The Planet have been co-owned since at least around 2000? when Barnstable bought them. Barnstable sold The Planet, WROQ, and Oldies 106.3 to Entercom in 2005 (in turn, Entercom sold 103.3/103.9). That overlap has gone on for years. I caught them playing "Dream On" by Aerosmith earlier - from '73. Great track, but playing it on that station is absolutely pathetic. Like I said, it's been going on for ages, and I thought Entercom, who I consider to be a "rock" company, would have taken care of it after they bought it. Crap sound quality, playlist, and presentation remains.

what is missing is that radio listeners don't listen to "formats" they listen to music they like. classifying formats in sub categories is only discussion which is what we do here.

 

[carolinaradio]

The issue, though, is no decent sounding rock station does that. Music from 1973 does not belong on an "active" rock station. I think the numbers speak for themselves, but they never change anything