I'm not sure where Denver stands but KINK has been AAA since 1976, when it evolved from Progressive="Rock, Folk, Blues, Jazz", beginning in 1968.
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KFOG Flips To KNBR Simulcast
- Thread starter TheBigA
- Start date
I'm not sure where Denver stands but KINK has been AAA since 1976, when it evolved from Progressive="Rock, Folk, Blues, Jazz", beginning in 1968.
That made me wonder: Wasn’t the original definition of “AAA” (aka: Adult or Eclectic Rock in the trade papers) in its start in the mid 70’s basically a Progressive station that *didn’t* switch to AOR/Lee Abrams Consulting back then?
You mean like WHFS in DC?
I started listening to KFOG when I moved to SF in 1991. My understanding has always been that AAA started out as a format for older rock fans who wanted to keep up with what was new (but not too abrasive) and who also wanted to hear classic artists (but not necessarily those artists' most-overplayed songs). Which is actually also a description of Lee Abrams' "Superstars 2" format, which KFOG had been doing a version of in the '80s. In recent years AAA has turned into a rock-leaning version of Hot AC (at least to my aging ears).
Yeah. That being said, ‘HFS was unique that they advertised themselves as Progressive Rock well into the early 90’s...some 10 years after the last few Progressive stations gave up the ghost and flipped to AOR or “Adult Rock”. I’d argue you could throw WXRT, KINK, and KBCO (even though the latter started on a daytime AM) in there too. KFOG was similar as they were specifically trying in the beginning to emulate the recently departed KSAN-FM.
If you took out the psychedelic/hard rock tracks heard on Progressive radio stations and replaced them with with lighter pop-based rock/folk/singer-songwriter stuff that would fit most early AAA stations to a T.
DJs still got to pick most of the music (at least for another decade or so), they could drop a good word in for causes they supported (assuming they weren’t too radical), and it was probably much easier on the sales team in a major market to sell “Adult Rock” as a format rather than Progressive — which (in my Archie Bunker mindset) conjures up images of long-haired freaks smoking dope while playing records with that Indian twangy thing in them.
I was at a South By Southwest conference in maybe 1988 or 1989 where they had a forum on the format. Representatives from KBCO and KGSR were on the panel, and they basically identified only a few stations that were doing it, and they talked a lot about how stations could implement the format. Sort of like it was a "new thing". At that time KFOG had some competition from KKCY on the 98.9 frequency. It seemed both of them were trying to be the coolest, and it was a good time for new music in that format. John Hiatt & Michelle Schocked come to mind, and the Grateful Dead had some of their biggest shows.
Dave B.
Which is why those stations are an anachronism to what radio is now. Yes, there are a handful of stations that still operate as though it's the 20th century, but it's becoming increasingly difficult, especially 20 years into the new century. Most people don't use radio or media that way any more. Those who do are mostly over 50. Sooner or later, they'll all meet the same fate as KFOG.
I believe Progressive came out of Free Form, which was what KSAN originally called themselves. Free Form could go in any direction depending on the DJ. The DJ made a big difference in the listening experience. Progressive (KOME) was still influenced by the DJs, but with a Rock format (think a lot of Yes, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Beatles deep cuts etc.). AOR (KMEL, KFOG) came after Progressive and was a much tighter, controlled format, with a regular playlist, albeit one that tried to play the 2nd or 3rd track off an album and avoid the #1 track that was found on Top 40. AAA followed AOR as a blend of safe classics and soft alt rock, again with controlled playlist.
And of course KSAN came out of KMPX. All credit to Tom Donohue, his wife, and Thom O'Hair. Donohue had a lot of influence on Metromedia's investment in rock radio in NY, LA, and other places. But even they gave in to the pressures of ownership as the format became less "progressive," and more AOR. The KSAN experiment was short-lived after Tom died. The station ultimately flipped to country. All that was almost 40 years ago. It's amazing that influence was able to survive this long, but all things ultimately come to an end.
Didn't AAA begin as a 25-34 station as opposed to Rock's 15-24?
I hate to break it to you but I think it's 50!
Superstars and the equivalent formats done by Pollack, Jacobs and others was very specifically 18-34 and 25-39 focused.
AAA was more a 25+ broad format in the days when rock pretty much cut off in the 40's.
In a sense, AAA was the MOR of album rock. It was intended to appeal to a lifestyle more than a very tight age group in an era, the 70's, when demographics were not quite the sales issue they are now.
I hate to break it to you but I think it's 50!
Semoochie, I think BigA meant the flip to Country---which will be 40 years next October.
God, I wish this thing had "like" buttons. That's exactly right.
Correct.
Earlier in this thread, someone joked about the folks at KSAN being on watch. Is The Bone strong in its current form?
Would Cumulus reap any rewards long-term from putting 560 or more likely 810 on 107.7 or are those talkers are already a total lost cause?
Would Cumulus reap any rewards long-term from putting 560 or more likely 810 on 107.7 or are those talkers are already a total lost cause?
They had the option to move AM talkers to FM is all their other major markets and the only place they did it was DC. So my guess would be no. The demos for those two stations are higher than KFOG, so there's no upside to replacing The Bone. Although some tweaks are in order.
Maybe KFOG could of flipped to CHR/Pop instead! Cumulus already owns a very successful CHR in Modesto, KHOP!!!!
Maybe KFOG could of flipped to CHR/Pop instead! Cumulus already owns a very successful CHR in Modesto, KHOP!!!!
Sure except the market already has two CHRs: Now and Wild. This was really the best option.
Maybe KFOG could of flipped to CHR/Pop instead! Cumulus already owns a very successful CHR in Modesto, KHOP!!!!
KNBR is the top billing station in the market, with more revenue than both CHR stations combined. The potential for ratings growth in desirable under-55 listeners is much greater than doing CHR in a crowded field.
Localized sports is far less vulnerable to streaming based on demand competition and has the highest possible revenue. KNBR recognized the long term dying of AM and is protecting its future.
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