Jax Format Gap?

[JohnRadioFan]

Recently I commented about Cox Radio flipping their oldies format in Fairfield County CT to an adult hits type station (Coast 96.7). I’ve listened over the past week and I must say, I find the music mix interesting. Y’all know my passion for traditional oldies but I think the overall sound of the station and the playlist shows creativity. I’ve been impressed.

Here’s a 10- song sampling of actual songs played in order:

Shining Star – The Manhattans
Piano Man – Billy Joel
Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
More than a Feeling – Boston
I want it that way – Backstreet Boys
Moondance – Van Morrison
If I Fell – Beatles
Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
One of these nights – Eagles
Heaven – Los Lonely Boys

Jacksonville doesn’t have anything like this and I think an adult hits station can fill a void. WSOS looked promising at first but their playlist grows more insipid each day. We still have 3 country formatted stations and of course Rooster seems the most logical choice for a flip but whether it’s to something like this remains to be seen or I should say heard. The Point is doing well and it may be unlikely that Cox does anything in the short run. The only way that would change is if they determined they could achieve higher billing if they flipped to adult hits.

This type of format would generate interest in offices/listening at work. I believe this would be an alternative to WEJZ and could pull in some decent numbers 25-54. For you guys in the biz, I'd appreciate reading your comments.
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by JohnRadioFan on 04/12/06 11:05 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[OldiesCat]

Format Gap?

Too much of an AC/R&B lean to this to be considered Variety Hits- just looks like an oldies-based AC. The most successful versions of the VH format are more rock-oriented (not hard rock but '70s and '80s classic hits).

Look at Jack in Nashville or Seattle, The ARch in St. Louis, Louie FM in Louisville and The Peak in Phoenix's music lists. R&B is almost non-existent and Backstreat Boys would never make the cut (and, these are among the most SUCCESSFUL VH stations, not some of the low rated versions). From the list below only Billy Joel, Boston, Van Morrison, Eagles and Los Lonely Boys would make the cut on these stations who are doing well.

>
> Here’s a 10- song sampling of actual songs played in order:
>
> Shining Star – The Manhattans
> Piano Man – Billy Joel
> Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
> More than a Feeling – Boston
> I want it that way – Backstreet Boys
> Moondance – Van Morrison
> If I Fell – Beatles
> Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
> One of these nights – Eagles
> Heaven – Los Lonely Boys
>
> Jacksonville doesn’t have anything like this and I think an
> adult hits station can fill a void. WSOS looked promising
> at first but their playlist grows more insipid each day.
> We still have 3 country formatted stations and of course
> Rooster seems the most logical choice for a flip but whether
> it’s to something like this remains to be seen or I should
> say heard. The Point is doing well and it may be unlikely
> that Cox does anything in the short run. The only way that
> would change is if they determined they could achieve higher
> billing if they flipped to adult hits.
>
> This type of format would generate interest in
> offices/listening at work. I believe this would be an
> alternative to WEJZ and could pull in some decent numbers
> 25-54. For you guys in the biz, I'd appreciate reading your
> comments.
>

 

[JohnRadioFan]

Re: Format Gap?

Gees, Oldies Cat, You would think that after we shared that wet kiss in that post a few weeks ago, I'd at least get a positive comment about the "interesting" stuff I usually bring up on this board. LOL....And given the fact you are the only person to comment about the potential for an exciting/different format for Jax shows how much in the doldrums it is here.

Seriously, the point I'm trying to make is the Jax market is devoid of anything else like this. What this market doesn't need is another rock-oriented (even soft) 70s and 80s classic hits.

While the playlist below reflects geography to some degree, I still think there is room for what you call an oldies-based AC. In the almost 10 years I'm in Jax, I've seen a very big change in this community. We are becomming more cosmopolitan and diverse but the current format choices are not really reflecting that.

The fact that we have 3 country music FMers and elements of classic rock/classic hits in up to 4 stations, only 1 AC and 1 very soft/very lame adult favorites type station supports my argument that there is not as much choice as one would think for a market that is growing.

While I have never been in the business, I can say with confidence that over the years my batting average on being right about what the public likes has been right on the money. Jax needs a station like what Cox did in CT. Call it the Coast, call it Star, call it Magic but the bottom line is the market would be better served with the introduction of another form of AC.

> Too much of an AC/R&B lean to this to be considered Variety
> Hits- just looks like an oldies-based AC. The most
> successful versions of the VH format are more rock-oriented
> (not hard rock but '70s and '80s classic hits).
>
> Look at Jack in Nashville or Seattle, The ARch in St. Louis,
> Louie FM in Louisville and The Peak in Phoenix's music
> lists. R&B is almost non-existent and Backstreat Boys would
> never make the cut (and, these are among the most SUCCESSFUL
> VH stations, not some of the low rated versions). From the
> list below only Billy Joel, Boston, Van Morrison, Eagles and
> Los Lonely Boys would make the cut on these stations who are
> doing well.
>
> >
> > Here’s a 10- song sampling of actual songs played in
> order:
> >
> > Shining Star – The Manhattans
> > Piano Man – Billy Joel
> > Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
> > More than a Feeling – Boston
> > I want it that way – Backstreet Boys
> > Moondance – Van Morrison
> > If I Fell – Beatles
> > Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
> > One of these nights – Eagles
> > Heaven – Los Lonely Boys
> >
> > Jacksonville doesn’t have anything like this and I think
> an
> > adult hits station can fill a void. WSOS looked promising
>
> > at first but their playlist grows more insipid each day.
>
> > We still have 3 country formatted stations and of course
> > Rooster seems the most logical choice for a flip but
> whether
> > it’s to something like this remains to be seen or I should
>
> > say heard. The Point is doing well and it may be unlikely
>
> > that Cox does anything in the short run. The only way
> that
> > would change is if they determined they could achieve
> higher
> > billing if they flipped to adult hits.
> >
> > This type of format would generate interest in
> > offices/listening at work. I believe this would be an
> > alternative to WEJZ and could pull in some decent numbers
> > 25-54. For you guys in the biz, I'd appreciate reading
> your
> > comments.
> >
>
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by JohnRadioFan on 04/13/06 10:29 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[OldiesCat]

Format

You're right about that point- I just don't think the station example you listed would work well (be successful) in most places. Jacksonville probably needs a truel Jack or Variety Hits, not some oldies-based AC or typical "Mix" type station.

>
> Seriously, the point I'm trying to make is the Jax market is
> devoid of anything else like this. What this market doesn't
> need is another rock-oriented (even soft) 70s and 80s
> classic hits.
>
> While the playlist below reflects geography to some degree,
> I still think there is room for what you call an
> oldies-based AC. In the almost 10 years I'm in Jax, I've
> seen a very big change in this community. We are becomming
> more cosmopolitan and diverse but the current format choices
> are not really reflecting that.
>
> The fact that we have 3 country music FMers and elements of
> classic rock/classic hits in up to 4 stations, only 1 AC and
> 1 very soft/very lame adult favorites type station supports
> my argument that there is not as much choice as one would
> think for a market that is growing.
>
> While I have never been in the business, I can say with
> confidence that over the years my batting average on being
> right about what the public likes has been right on the
> money. Jax needs a station like what Cox did in CT. Call
> it the Coast, call it Star, call it Magic but the bottom
> line is the market would be better served with the
> introduction of another form of AC.
>
> > Too much of an AC/R&B lean to this to be considered
> Variety
> > Hits- just looks like an oldies-based AC. The most
> > successful versions of the VH format are more
> rock-oriented
> > (not hard rock but '70s and '80s classic hits).
> >
> > Look at Jack in Nashville or Seattle, The ARch in St.
> Louis,
> > Louie FM in Louisville and The Peak in Phoenix's music
> > lists. R&B is almost non-existent and Backstreat Boys
> would
> > never make the cut (and, these are among the most
> SUCCESSFUL
> > VH stations, not some of the low rated versions). From
> the
> > list below only Billy Joel, Boston, Van Morrison, Eagles
> and
> > Los Lonely Boys would make the cut on these stations who
> are
> > doing well.
> >
> > >
> > > Here’s a 10- song sampling of actual songs played in
> > order:
> > >
> > > Shining Star – The Manhattans
> > > Piano Man – Billy Joel
> > > Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
> > > More than a Feeling – Boston
> > > I want it that way – Backstreet Boys
> > > Moondance – Van Morrison
> > > If I Fell – Beatles
> > > Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
> > > One of these nights – Eagles
> > > Heaven – Los Lonely Boys
> > >
> > > Jacksonville doesn’t have anything like this and I think
>
> > an
> > > adult hits station can fill a void. WSOS looked
> promising
> >
> > > at first but their playlist grows more insipid each
> day.
> >
> > > We still have 3 country formatted stations and of course
>
> > > Rooster seems the most logical choice for a flip but
> > whether
> > > it’s to something like this remains to be seen or I
> should
> >
> > > say heard. The Point is doing well and it may be
> unlikely
> >
> > > that Cox does anything in the short run. The only way
> > that
> > > would change is if they determined they could achieve
> > higher
> > > billing if they flipped to adult hits.
> > >
> > > This type of format would generate interest in
> > > offices/listening at work. I believe this would be an
> > > alternative to WEJZ and could pull in some decent
> numbers
> > > 25-54. For you guys in the biz, I'd appreciate reading
> > your
> > > comments.
> > >
> >
>

 

[mburg]

Re: Format

With Jax being a rare three country station market I will side that one needs to flip and that one needs to be WROO.......they are just running themselves into the ground....It will not be long before their shares are under a 1. CC better just take their licking and move on and take WROO on to something new because Renda is not going to flip Gator anytime soon in the future......They will be country for a long time to come.

How about Clear Channel picking up the ABC syndicated Jack-FM format designed for markets 41 and under. 93.3 JACK FM does not sound that bad. But again a full formated station in the Jack variety would needs to have jocks for it to survive here in Jax IMO.

mburg


> You're right about that point- I just don't think the
> station example you listed would work well (be successful)
> in most places. Jacksonville probably needs a truel Jack or
> Variety Hits, not some oldies-based AC or typical "Mix" type
> station.
>
> >
> > Seriously, the point I'm trying to make is the Jax market
> is
> > devoid of anything else like this. What this market
> doesn't
> > need is another rock-oriented (even soft) 70s and 80s
> > classic hits.
> >
> > While the playlist below reflects geography to some
> degree,
> > I still think there is room for what you call an
> > oldies-based AC. In the almost 10 years I'm in Jax, I've
> > seen a very big change in this community. We are
> becomming
> > more cosmopolitan and diverse but the current format
> choices
> > are not really reflecting that.
> >
> > The fact that we have 3 country music FMers and elements
> of
> > classic rock/classic hits in up to 4 stations, only 1 AC
> and
> > 1 very soft/very lame adult favorites type station
> supports
> > my argument that there is not as much choice as one would
> > think for a market that is growing.
> >
> > While I have never been in the business, I can say with
> > confidence that over the years my batting average on being
>
> > right about what the public likes has been right on the
> > money. Jax needs a station like what Cox did in CT. Call
>
> > it the Coast, call it Star, call it Magic but the bottom
> > line is the market would be better served with the
> > introduction of another form of AC.
> >
> > > Too much of an AC/R&B lean to this to be considered
> > Variety
> > > Hits- just looks like an oldies-based AC. The most
> > > successful versions of the VH format are more
> > rock-oriented
> > > (not hard rock but '70s and '80s classic hits).
> > >
> > > Look at Jack in Nashville or Seattle, The ARch in St.
> > Louis,
> > > Louie FM in Louisville and The Peak in Phoenix's music
> > > lists. R&B is almost non-existent and Backstreat Boys
> > would
> > > never make the cut (and, these are among the most
> > SUCCESSFUL
> > > VH stations, not some of the low rated versions). From
> > the
> > > list below only Billy Joel, Boston, Van Morrison, Eagles
>
> > and
> > > Los Lonely Boys would make the cut on these stations who
>
> > are
> > > doing well.
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Here’s a 10- song sampling of actual songs played in
> > > order:
> > > >
> > > > Shining Star – The Manhattans
> > > > Piano Man – Billy Joel
> > > > Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
> > > > More than a Feeling – Boston
> > > > I want it that way – Backstreet Boys
> > > > Moondance – Van Morrison
> > > > If I Fell – Beatles
> > > > Freeway of Love – Aretha Franklin
> > > > One of these nights – Eagles
> > > > Heaven – Los Lonely Boys
> > > >
> > > > Jacksonville doesn’t have anything like this and I
> think
> >
> > > an
> > > > adult hits station can fill a void. WSOS looked
> > promising
> > >
> > > > at first but their playlist grows more insipid each
> > day.
> > >
> > > > We still have 3 country formatted stations and of
> course
> >
> > > > Rooster seems the most logical choice for a flip but
> > > whether
> > > > it’s to something like this remains to be seen or I
> > should
> > >
> > > > say heard. The Point is doing well and it may be
> > unlikely
> > >
> > > > that Cox does anything in the short run. The only way
>
> > > that
> > > > would change is if they determined they could achieve
> > > higher
> > > > billing if they flipped to adult hits.
> > > >
> > > > This type of format would generate interest in
> > > > offices/listening at work. I believe this would be an
>
> > > > alternative to WEJZ and could pull in some decent
> > numbers
> > > > 25-54. For you guys in the biz, I'd appreciate
> reading
> > > your
> > > > comments.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

 

[tibbs]

Re: Format

The Gator should go to Jack right this minute.
The bad part would be that mburg would hang himself
on the Gator sign.

 

[OldiesCat]

Format

Who says they'd HAVE TO have jocks? While I personally believe they'll eventually need some personality component, jockless Jacks and other VH stations seem to be doing very well and in markets a lot bigger than Jacksonville.
>
> How about Clear Channel picking up the ABC syndicated
> Jack-FM format designed for markets 41 and under. 93.3 JACK
> FM does not sound that bad. But again a full formated
> station in the Jack variety would needs to have jocks for it
> to survive here in Jax IMO.
>