Jacking Mix (without the Jack)

[Power91]

Infinity is clearly the biggest pusher of the "Jack-FM" format, so it shouldn't be a shock that they're trying to do it in Boston (esp. after they flipped WCBS-FM & WJMK)...Entercom beat them to the male-name punch though with Mike, so Inifnity had to get creative, and I think the results have been positive.

Mix 98-5, as a hot ac, which seems to be a dying format if you look around (unfortunately I might add) was teasing the idea with their "whatever weekends." While they're still doing those weekends and they now are "the best variety of the 80s, 90s, today, and whatever"...and are clearly starting to sound like a Jack-FM station.

I've railed and railed against this format, for the fact that it's formatless, but even I must confess that I don't have a problem still listening to Mix (not that I ever did before)....rather than forcing 98.5 Jack-FM on the city, Infinity has kept the Mix name, the mix jocks, and just tweaked the music...we'll have to see the results, but hopefully they're positive for what was once considered one of the true pioneers and influential stations in Hot AC radio...

Mix means variety...and isn't that what Jack is....if this new format is going everywhere, maybe in Boston we can have it presented in the best way possible...

~RM

 

[Feralcat]

> Mix means variety...and isn't that what Jack is....if this
> new format is going everywhere, maybe in Boston we can have
> it presented in the best way possible...

I agree on the Mix comments. They have a good line up of people going for them, they play currents, & their whatever weekends don't go off the deep end with the music. I'm not wild about the way they seem to make the jocks work the word "whatever" into their breaks in ways that sometimes sound forced but then a good staff handles that as well as they can. We've all had to say silly things on the air because that's the way they want it done.

 

[Frish]

> Infinity is clearly the biggest pusher of the "Jack-FM"
> format, so it shouldn't be a shock that they're trying to do
> it in Boston (esp. after they flipped WCBS-FM &
> WJMK)...Entercom beat them to the male-name punch though
> with Mike, so Inifnity had to get creative, and I think the
> results have been positive.
>
> Mix 98-5, as a hot ac, which seems to be a dying format if
> you look around (unfortunately I might add) was teasing the
> idea with their "whatever weekends." While they're still
> doing those weekends and they now are "the best variety of
> the 80s, 90s, today, and whatever"...and are clearly
> starting to sound like a Jack-FM station.
>
> I've railed and railed against this format, for the fact
> that it's formatless, but even I must confess that I don't
> have a problem still listening to Mix (not that I ever did
> before)....rather than forcing 98.5 Jack-FM on the city,
> Infinity has kept the Mix name, the mix jocks, and just
> tweaked the music...we'll have to see the results, but
> hopefully they're positive for what was once considered one
> of the true pioneers and influential stations in Hot AC
> radio...
>
> Mix means variety...and isn't that what Jack is....if this
> new format is going everywhere, maybe in Boston we can have
> it presented in the best way possible...
>
> ~RM
>


difference is that Mix does well in it's demo whereas the other stations mentioned CBS fm I know didnt really have much going for it outside of sentimental value.

 

[Garrett]

I disagree, slightly...

Mix 98.5 is NOT a Jack FM, not even close. They may be loosening up the playlist to compete, but that's a far cry from the Jack FM format Infinity wanted.
If you read further down the page, it's now been reported that Infinity was hours from switching 98.5 to a Jack FM, when "Mike" beat them to it. I have yet to see a market where these formats go head to head. But you should also keep in mind that Mike and Jack not the same either, not the same consultants. All other stations (like Mike) are just independent copies of Jack, trying to do the same thing.

Mix98.5, while now playing lots of different shtuff, is not the same format by any stretch since: They are still able to take requests; they still have dj's; it's still the 80's and 90's to some extent. There's few 70's, no 60's, and probably no 50's.


By the way, WPLJ in NY has been taking a similar approach. So this is more of a Hot AC answer to Jack.

> > Mix means variety...and isn't that what Jack is....if this
>
> > new format is going everywhere, maybe in Boston we can
> have
> > it presented in the best way possible...
>
> I agree on the Mix comments. They have a good line up of
> people going for them, they play currents, & their whatever
> weekends don't go off the deep end with the music. I'm not
> wild about the way they seem to make the jocks work the word
> "whatever" into their breaks in ways that sometimes sound
> forced but then a good staff handles that as well as they
> can. We've all had to say silly things on the air because
> that's the way they want it done.
>

 

[JustinT]

Re: I disagree, slightly...

> Mix 98.5 is NOT a Jack FM, not even close. They may be
> loosening up the playlist to compete, but that's a far cry
> from the Jack FM format Infinity wanted.
> If you read further down the page, it's now been reported
> that Infinity was hours from switching 98.5 to a Jack FM,
> when "Mike" beat them to it. I have yet to see a market
> where these formats go head to head. But you should also
> keep in mind that Mike and Jack not the same either, not the
> same consultants. All other stations (like Mike) are just
> independent copies of Jack, trying to do the same thing.
>
> Mix98.5, while now playing lots of different shtuff, is not
> the same format by any stretch since: They are still able to
> take requests; they still have dj's; it's still the 80's and
> 90's to some extent. There's few 70's, no 60's, and probably
> no 50's.
>
>
> By the way, WPLJ in NY has been taking a similar approach.
> So this is more of a Hot AC answer to Jack.

Perhaps Infinity is slowly preparing 98.5 to go JACK in the event that Mike FM becomes a success in the market. As I had said in another post, earlier today I had heard Will Smith's "Switch" on Mike, which is something that no Infinity-programmed JACK would play. There are definately differences between JACK fm and Mike, and if Mike can prove that such an audience exists, Infinity will be ready to take on the listeners, after pruning the Mix listeners over the last few months.

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

Infinity And "Jack"

Despite Entercom's WMKK-93.7 (a/k/a "Mike FM") programming a "Jack"-type format, should Infinity decide to bring a real "Jack FM" to the market, they'll "blow-up" WODS-103.3.

Remember that in recent weeks, Infinity has replaced oldies with "Jack" in a few cities, including New York and Chicago at the same hour (5 P.M. EDT, 4 P.M. CDT) last Friday (June 5th).

 

[JustinT]

Re: Infinity And "Jack"

> Despite Entercom's WMKK-93.7 (a/k/a "Mike FM") programming a
> "Jack"-type format, should Infinity decide to bring a real
> "Jack FM" to the market, they'll "blow-up" WODS-103.3.
>
> Remember that in recent weeks, Infinity has replaced oldies
> with "Jack" in a few cities, including New York and Chicago
> at the same hour (5 P.M. EDT, 4 P.M. CDT) last Friday (June
> 5th).

It's true, WODS is certainly not in favor. But, Mix is going so close to becoming a JACK station, that were WODS to become Boston's JACK, then 103.3 JACK fm would be competing directly with sister station Mix 98.5 and with Mike FM. That would be a lot of competitors for what is currently a rather niche format.

Many would claim the Baltimore situation toward your perspective: Oldies station WQSR-102.7 went JACK, while Hot AC WWMX-106.5 "Mix 106.5" remained. However, WWMX was not doing the "Whatever Weekends" that are quickly becoming part of the culture of WBMX; additionally, many are remarking that Infinity now has a disaster on their hands. Similarly, in Chicago, the future of AAA station WXRT seems to be somewhat in doubt.

 

[Power91]

Re: I disagree, slightly...

I understand it's not a total Jack format...so let it be a Hot AC answer. Personally, I don't mind more variety in my music, like Mix is providing, but it is still nice to have personalities, local contests, a morning show, etc. I hope what Mix is doing boosts its ratings (as WODS are still very strong) and at least gives Infinity pause about truly jacking the market...meanwhile, personally, I could care less about Mike...I don't care for the Jack or Mike or whatever formats so much and personally, miss Star...