KEXX Goes Adult Hits

[EricStein]

Please enlighten me (because I am too lazy to look it up on Radio locator). Wasn't KZGL the station that used to be on 98.3??

The current incarnation of KZGL is on 103.7 FM (its signal can be heard clearly only in Flagstaff and close surrounding areas, since its transmitter is on Mount Elden) and has a current/classic rock mix like KDKB. It's not related to the old KZGL on 95.9 (and briefly on 98.3).

 

[Robctas]

After Riviera butchered KEDJ/KEXX I reckon that Sandusky should buy the station & flip it back to Alternative.
It would complement KUPD, KDKB & KSLX and provide an outlet for the market that has been treated so poorly by Riviera.

It's obvious that Phoenix has the audience for the format as proven in the past by The Edge, but the station had lost touch & wasn't listening to it's core. Having Dave Pratt in breakfast was the nail in the coffin especially with his complete disregard of the music format therfore sticking a big middle finger to core listeners.

At least Sandusky are successful in the Rock genre of radio, I'm sure with the right mix of Classic & New Alternative tracks with a large music universe (loose rotates of songs), KEXX would bounce back from the wasteland it is in now!

 

[Saladressing]

The previous post is exactly correct. The market has supported the alt. rock format in the past, but Classic Alternative (essentially the format they ran for the last few years) has not succeeded anywhere in the tiny handful of markets it has been tried in, among them Minneapolis and the Bay Area. Also, when the format was run in the two aforementioned markets, it evolved and was made interesting with an attempt to sound fresh. Conversely, 103.9 literally played the same RHCP, Tool and Nirvana tracks all day every day for years on end. Yes there were some currents in the mix but the ratio of gold to currents/recurrents of other alt. stations was far outpaced by 103.9. They completely went away from everything "The Edge" used to be about in music and presentation. The station became a living case study for when consulting goes way, way too far.

If you look at the ratings of pure alt. rockers across the US at the bottom of Page 10 in this thread you will see that most of them fair pretty well in their respective markets, even in the age of PPM. The list on that page does not even include solid performances by the tons of alt. rock/active rock hybrids that exist. Maybe someone will at least put alt. rock on HD2 for the time being - there are two AAA HD2s in the Valley, one of them should switch. The format can and will succeed again in Phoenix on FM however.

 

[radioresearcher]

Salad keeps comparing the diary "Edge" versus PPM "FM 103-9" and "X103.9" Apples & Oranges because diary didn't penalize you for a number of things including coverage area. Phoenix is not San Diego or Los Angeles. Alternative overall shares are down the last 7-10 years. Unlike, Top 40 and Rhythmic, the audience doesn't regenerate itself. The overall appeal of rock shares is down dramatically.

103.9 wasn't that much more Classic than 91X or KYSR. BTW, 91X was near death several times over the last few years and was saved when it came back and focused on more gold. Meanwhile, KBZT has gone dramatically in the last 18 months.

Most of those Alt/Active hybrids you reference are not in the Western U.S. and generally don't have Active Rock competitors.

Put Alternative on a South Mountain stick and maybe it's a different result.

 

[XMportable]

The thing I find amazing is that there is a soul ressurgence going on now that has been going on for the last 10 years. The music has the same feeling of the 60's motown and 70's Soul, but today that "positive" music is the one considered "EDGY" in the market of your Beyounce, lil wayne, Drake, etc, etc... the new soul is being igonored mostly by the industry.


I like the idea of the 80's rock thing. I was eleven(even older than both 2son and Dj Perry) in 1981 when MTV was launched. I remember watching most of the day that day because I couldn't beleive it was nothing but video's being pushed all the day all the time. My have the times have changed and so did MTV. KEXX, seems as if they are trying to hit the EARLY MTV folks, but they are hitting with too many songs that really weren't the hits. If they want to reach Gen X they need to cater more to the mid to later 80's and more hits. I did like Van Halen - jump which they have played as that song stood out more from that era. Also, Gen Xers probaly listened to more music in 90's the decade of our 20's. They seem to cater to the very start of the Gen X age bracket.

 

[radioresearcher]

Many of the very successful Adult Hits stations have a similar era footprint to 103.9 - see KFMB-FM/San Diego and KCBS-FM/Los Angeles.

 

[Wildstyle K]

today that "positive" music is the one considered "EDGY" in the market of your Beyounce, lil wayne, Drake, etc, etc...

If these are the artists that first come to mind off the top of someone's head when it comes to defining the sound of today's generation, that's sort of like a sign saying dance music isn't exactly where some of us want it to be yet.

In other words, lets say that you are a Mitsubishi enthusiast and you would love nothing more than for Mitsubishi to be recognized and become the next big thing in the US. It's apparent that within the past few years, Mitsubishi sales have drastically risen and they seem to be doing well nationwide. However, you go out and randomly ask someone who studies the car market to tell you which cars they think represent today's generation off the top of their head and they still say "Toyota and Ford".

 

[DJ_Perry]

Beyounce, lil wayne, Drake, etc[/b], etc...

Those artists are not positive and are only 3 reasons why radio sucks

 

[johndavis]

Many of the very successful Adult Hits stations have a similar era footprint to 103.9 - see KFMB-FM/San Diego and KCBS-FM/Los Angeles.

You can shine this turd all you want, RivieraResearcher, but KFMB stunk up the joint until they hired DSC. Up until that, the same music mix pretty much flatlined.

Adult Hits was the next big thing 5, 10 years ago. It's time for someone to find the next big thing.

 

[Ford]

Many of the very successful Adult Hits stations have a similar era footprint to 103.9 - see KFMB-FM/San Diego and KCBS-FM/Los Angeles.

I wonder how many of these "very successful" stations were on a rim-shot signal in a market already saturated with similar stations. I wonder how many of these "very successful" stations were owned by companies who barely had enough money to keep operating, let alone take on the corporate behemoths down the dial.

 

[XMportable]

today that "positive" music is the one considered "EDGY" in the market of your Beyounce, lil wayne, Drake, etc, etc...

If these are the artists that first come to mind off the top of someone's head when it comes to defining the sound of today's generation, that's sort of like a sign saying dance music isn't exactly where some of us want it to be yet.

In other words, lets say that you are a Mitsubishi enthusiast and you would love nothing more than for Mitsubishi to be recognized and become the next big thing in the US. It's apparent that within the past few years, Mitsubishi sales have drastically risen and they seem to be doing well nationwide. However, you go out and randomly ask someone who studies the car market to tell you which cars they think represent today's generation off the top of their head and they still say "Toyota and Ford".

Don't knoc a BMW until you have driven one. Many that can only afford a Toyoat or Ford have never driven a BMW. Now which is better? It depends on the customer, but you can't deny BMW quality.

 

[OneHorseTown]

Well, this station is hiring...maybe all of us armchair QBs should go work there & quit our p*ssin' & moanin'! ;D

The all new My103.9, (KEXX-FM) in Phoenix, Arizona is seeking one or more gifted, innovative on-air hosts. Expertise in the music when MTV was fun, Cheers wasn’t in re-runs and the Rubik’s cube was more than just a paperweight. Previous experience preferred, but most importantly is an ability to engage listeners and create emotional connections. Must be digitally savvy a social networking guru! Music scheduling and/or production skills a plus.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Ok... this is the second time I've seen the term "Armchair Quarterback" so far within 72 hours. Who started this trend, and why am I not hip to this R-I slang yet?

Also: I guess the BMW would be the oldies / classic hits compared to today's Toyota, Honda, Mazda and Tata Nano music. After all, wasn't the music better in the good ol' days?

Which reminds me... I remember some time ago I brought up the fact that today's Tata Nano hit music is 'worse' than it was back in the day... and people disagreed. If I have time later after class, maybe I'll dig up that post and quote it.

Man...it sucks that there's no permanent edit option on radio-info... and then on top of that, here comes Dj KDM to make it worse by unpredictably digging up and relating back to those past posts we now wish we had never written to begin with! Oh boy... Double hmpf at that!

If only the old school posts were like the hit music situation - made much better back in the day! ;D

103.9 KEXX
Speaking of the hiring and "Music and / or production skills a plus", It makes me wonder if the station (103.9) will be more live and fun than it previously was? What will the new on-airs be like? You've got to admit that if KKFR could afford live on-air hosts, then KEXX could probably also afford live hosts that are appropriate for their format style as well. Also keep in mind that many stations never continue to sound exactly as they are when they first flip in the long run, so I guess it's safe to assume that things will change and people's opinions toward the station might change as well. I don't know. I'm just hypothesizing. But is it possible that the station could become more unique or different over time? A prefix name like "MY" is sort of open to a variety of classic hits / rhythmic ac / rhythmic oldies / Hot Ac / AC possibilities that it could slowly drift towards down the road. I remember how much different KPKX sounded when they first flipped. Same with KZON, KNRJ, KVIB, KYOT, KMVA....etc. Some improved, and some didn't (and I'm talking listener opinion-wise, not ratings-wise, although you could say the same in regard to ratings as well).

I gotta feeling, that... 103.9 will eventually start tweaking toward a different, but particular format sound. Of course, right now, everything is super safe and probably even predictable.

 

[DJ_Perry]

Ok... this is the second time I've seen the term "Armchair Quarterback" so far within 72 hours. Who started this trend, and why am I not hip to this R-I slang yet?

Its something you would only be familiar with if you worked for a radio station. At Energy / Mega, we had many armchair PD's.....meaning they did the scheduling / research and work, but never got the credit as they were working under the actual "PD" while he's tied up in "sales meetings".

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

Who is their voiceover guy? Sounds very familiar.

 

[DJ_Perry]

103.9? Jerry Clifton (former owner of 103.9 KPTY, Arizona's Party Station

 

[Ford]

Ok... this is the second time I've seen the term "Armchair Quarterback" so far within 72 hours. Who started this trend, and why am I not hip to this R-I slang yet?

It isn't really radio exclusive slang. Basically it refers to amateurs who think they know better than the people actually doing the job. Think football...that guy who's sitting in his recliner munching on Cheetos while complaining about the plays the QB is running...as if he could somehow do better.

What will the new on-airs be like? You've got to admit that if KKFR could afford live on-air hosts, then KEXX could probably also afford live hosts that are appropriate for their format style as well.

Or not. I don't think you could get a 30 something air talent (which seems to be what they're going after) to work for the sort of money I'm thinking the KKFR staff gets paid. They'd have to fork over a bit more cash to get someone good. The ad said "one or more" which to me means "one." If I had to guess, they're looking for an afternoon host who can also serve as MD, do production on the side, track weekends, and manage the Facebook page and other social media. I can't imagine they're offering anywhere near what I think that job would be worth.

 

[Wildstyle K]

ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS (HOW USEFUL ARE THEY?):
I guess depending on which aspects of a situation is being judged, an armchair quarterback could provide some beneficial helpful information at times (as long as the suggestions or info being presented isn't superficially based purely on personal emotion). This is a discussion I've brought up a few times within the Atlanta section because there have been numerous times board posters (including myself) would complain about specific aspects of certain stations and formats and we'd all provide suggestions on how to 'fix' the situation and make the station better, and there were always those people who said "it could never be done".

THE BENEFITS OF ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS:
To sum the rest of that story up in a nutshell, a lot of those stations that were complained about had eventually (either knowingly or coincidentally) just happened to finally do precisely as many of the board posters were suggesting all along - and their ratings improved! Which stations specifically? WSB-FM, WALR, and WSTR just to name a few.

THE DETRIMENTS OF ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS:
So, sometimes, outsiders looking in can see things that the insiders are missing. Does this mean they can program the entire format for multiple days and carry out a station long term? No. But it's possible that at least one or two of the suggestions coming from an armchair quarterback could be valuable and beneficial. However, in most cases, I'm not too sure that I'd recommend paying too much mind to an armchair quarterback because most armchair quarterbacks may base their thoughts and decisions based on personal emotions and expect that a station should flip their entire format to fit their format desires and needs.

THE PASSIVE AGGRESIVE ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK:
Luckily for me, I have it easy as an armchair quarterback - not only because KZON has already implemented basically every idea I've (verbally and secretly) had in mind for a rhythmic format, and not only because my favorite sound has once again become a marketable chr format sound, but also because (1) It doesn't take much to impress me radio-wise, (2) I've learned to put sensible limits on everything I suggest/expect in regard to radio, and (3) I will basically take whatever I can get from radio (which explains why I seemingly get overly excited over a weekly one hour house/dance show at 3am... and for those of you who were wondering why, now you know!!). The reason it doesn't take much to impress me radio-wise is because I've basically learned over time how radio works, and know that business, sales, and revenue are the primary focus. Therefore, I know to be very thankful even if it's only for a 30 minute specialty program that caters at least somewhat to my personal obscure musical tastes (which now explains why I always focus my suggestions primarily towards specialty shows and mixshows as oppose to wondering why we don't have a full blown pure dance station!). Also notice how it didn't even take much for me to get hooked on KWSS, yet I praised them as if they made the station for me, personally...

I guess, now that I think of it, I'm not that good at this armchair quarterbacking thing. Either that, or I'm satisfied with what I already have for the most part. I'm like a....Passive Aggressive Armchair Quarterback.

MY ARMCHAIR HYPOTHESIS:
Now, lets say that KZON never existed as they are today. If that were the case, I'll admit - I'd be the BIGGEST armchair quarterback on here complaining and talking about how a KZON style rhythmic format should be tried in Phoenix, and I'd be armchair quarterbacking KZZP, KKFR, and KMVA to go that direction so much that I probably would've broken a world record for armchair quarterbacking a fantasy rhythmic format.

 

[XMportable]

I'll guess take the arm chair QB any day, he could of been really mean and called us a bunch of Diva's in need of a snickers bar.

KWSS I have to listen too online because of that lousy signal I can only pick up in my car.......May the games continue!!!!!! KEXX make sure you get that field goal please.

 

[2Son]

ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS (HOW USEFUL ARE THEY?):
I guess depending on which aspects of a situation is being judged, an armchair quarterback could provide some beneficial helpful information at times (as long as the suggestions or info being presented isn't superficially based purely on personal emotion). This is a discussion I've brought up a few times within the Atlanta section because there have been numerous times board posters (including myself) would complain about specific aspects of certain stations and formats and we'd all provide suggestions on how to 'fix' the situation and make the station better, and there were always those people who said "it could never be done".

THE BENEFITS OF ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS:
To sum the rest of that story up in a nutshell, a lot of those stations that were complained about had eventually (either knowingly or coincidentally) just happened to finally do precisely as many of the board posters were suggesting all along - and their ratings improved! Which stations specifically? WSB-FM, WALR, and WSTR just to name a few.

THE DETRIMENTS OF ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACKS:
So, sometimes, outsiders looking in can see things that the insiders are missing. Does this mean they can program the entire format for multiple days and carry out a station long term? No. But it's possible that at least one or two of the suggestions coming from an armchair quarterback could be valuable and beneficial. However, in most cases, I'm not too sure that I'd recommend paying too much mind to an armchair quarterback because most armchair quarterbacks may base their thoughts and decisions based on personal emotions and expect that a station should flip their entire format to fit their format desires and needs.

THE PASSIVE AGGRESIVE ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK:
Luckily for me, I have it easy as an armchair quarterback - not only because KZON has already implemented basically every idea I've (verbally and secretly) had in mind for a rhythmic format, and not only because my favorite sound has once again become a marketable chr format sound, but also because (1) It doesn't take much to impress me radio-wise, (2) I've learned to put sensible limits on everything I suggest/expect in regard to radio, and (3) I will basically take whatever I can get from radio (which explains why I seemingly get overly excited over a weekly one hour house/dance show at 3am... and for those of you who were wondering why, now you know!!). The reason it doesn't take much to impress me radio-wise is because I've basically learned over time how radio works, and know that business, sales, and revenue are the primary focus. Therefore, I know to be very thankful even if it's only for a 30 minute specialty program that caters at least somewhat to my personal obscure musical tastes (which now explains why I always focus my suggestions primarily towards specialty shows and mixshows as oppose to wondering why we don't have a full blown pure dance station!). Also notice how it didn't even take much for me to get hooked on KWSS, yet I praised them as if they made the station for me, personally...

I guess, now that I think of it, I'm not that good at this armchair quarterbacking thing. Either that, or I'm satisfied with what I already have for the most part. I'm like a....Passive Aggressive Armchair Quarterback.

MY ARMCHAIR HYPOTHESIS:
Now, lets say that KZON never existed as they are today. If that were the case, I'll admit - I'd be the BIGGEST armchair quarterback on here complaining and talking about how a KZON style rhythmic format should be tried in Phoenix, and I'd be armchair quarterbacking KZZP, KKFR, and KMVA to go that direction so much that I probably would've broken a world record for armchair quarterbacking a fantasy rhythmic format.

I still don't see how much better KZON is than KZZP. Sure, I like DJ Decipher's mix on late Saturdays and I like the amount of mixing that they do, but I just don't like many of the songs they mix. It seems that KZON was a little edgier with their music last summer than they are now. When I start hearing Nadia Ali's "Pressure" or something to the likes of that during regular rotation, I may rethink my opinion of KZON. What I WILL say is that KZON is no former Power 92 (circa '95-'97).