KJZZ Makes News

[101tm]

KOOL had lots of jingles prior to the 80s-ification, so I suspect dropping jingles in this particular case was really needed to freshen the sound.

Looking at the latest numbers for KOOL-FM, they might need to bring back the jingles.

 

[johndavis]

Yeah, if you're going to hang your hat on the 80s, then order up a Warp Factor package.
Although KOOL used to always buy KIIS-FM packages back in the day.

 

[101tm]

Well of course the issues at 94.5 go beyond just jingles. Stations do well with them (CBS-FM, WOMC) and others without (WROR, KRTH). However, KOOL’s last on air makeover that involved jingles being removed may be the reason they’re in the condition they’re in. It’s very dry and non eventful. A decade ago there was a lot of personality in the station, something stations like CBS-FM still have.

KOOL-FM, as pointed out by David E. in another thread, has collapsed across the board and especially in 25-54 very rapidly. They’re not losing listeners that matter to KOAI. Something has become very broken quite fast on what was once a reliable top 3 station.

 

[TheBigA]

Something has become very broken quite fast on what was once a reliable top 3 station.

At the same time, another station in the cluster (KMLE) has seen a very substantial rise. Could be a relation.

 

[asugeorge1]

Well of course the issues at 94.5 go beyond just jingles. Stations do well with them (CBS-FM, WOMC) and others without (WROR, KRTH). However, KOOL’s last on air makeover that involved jingles being removed may be the reason they’re in the condition they’re in. It’s very dry and non eventful. A decade ago there was a lot of personality in the station, something stations like CBS-FM still have.

KOOL-FM, as pointed out by David E. in another thread, has collapsed across the board and especially in 25-54 very rapidly. They’re not losing listeners that matter to KOAI. Something has become very broken quite fast on what was once a reliable top 3 station.

I also think that a problem that might be plaguing KOOL-FM (and other similar classic hits stations), is the ever growing transition to 90’s and 2000’s hits. The 1990’s saw a fragmentation of listener musical preferences that continues to this very day. The addition of R&B and hip hop songs from these decades could be turning off some KOOL listeners in Phoenix. The KOOL listeners who liked the 70’s and 80’s may not like the ever increasing air play of 90’s and 2000’s hits like MC Hammer, OutKast and Technotronic that KOOL is now playing. On the other hand, I don’t see KOOL or other classic hits stations adding any of the country music crossover pop hits of the 90’s and 2000’s yet so that might be another mistake KOOL is making as they transition to a heavier 90’s and 2000’s approach.

What it comes down to is this: Audacy corporate is trying to format KOOL to what works in other big cities like LA and NYC. They are not tailoring the station to Phoenix and the listeners of KOOL. This is a problem and might explain the downturn in the ratings.

 

[101tm]

I also think that a problem that might be plaguing KOOL-FM (and other similar classic hits stations), is the ever growing transition to 90’s and 2000’s hits. The 1990’s saw a fragmentation of listener musical preferences that continues to this very day. The addition of R&B and hip hop songs from these decades could be turning off some KOOL listeners in Phoenix. The KOOL listeners who liked the 70’s and 80’s may not like the ever increasing air play of 90’s and 2000’s hits like MC Hammer, OutKast and Technotronic that KOOL is now playing. On the other hand, I don’t see KOOL or other classic hits stations adding any of the country music crossover pop hits of the 90’s and 2000’s yet so that might be another mistake KOOL is making as they transition to a heavier 90’s and 2000’s approach.

KOOL-FM has actually been fairly conservative with adding a lot of 90s and 00s titles in to the mix compared to some of Audacy’s other classic hits stations like CBS-FM, WOGL, and KRTH. CBSFM and KRTH have been able to get away with it and still do great 6+ and 25-54.

I don’t hear many stations outside of even a dwindling amount of AC’s playing the Shania Twain and Faith Hill stuff from the 90s. I’m not sure if those will ever make it to classic hits or not.

What it comes down to is this: Audacy corporate is trying to format KOOL to what works in other big cities like LA and NYC. They are not tailoring the station to Phoenix and the listeners of KOOL. This is a problem and might explain the downturn in the ratings.

This. Back when CBS ran the show, these stations were all individualized and sounded like the markets they were in. No two were really the same with their classic hits stations. Now Audacy (and I know the reasons etc) has really neutered them and taken a more one size fits all approach outside of KRTH and CBS-FM. Stations like KOOL and KLUV need to be programmed to their specific market.

 

[TheBigA]

Now Audacy (and I know the reasons etc) has really neutered them and taken a more one size fits all approach outside of KRTH and CBS-FM. Stations like KOOL and KLUV need to be programmed to their specific market.

A lot of that happened during the pandemic. It may have been brought up here, but they've been taking a more individualized approach in the last year, particularly with alternative stations. They've gone on a hiring spree hiring a lot of local PDs for alt and country stations, for positions that had been eliminated during the pandemic. They're now addressing some demographic problems that have been specific in Philadelphia, so I imagine they'll do something specific for Phoenix at some point. As I said a few posts back, KMLE had been a doormat for years, and lately its been beating KNIX, so problems can be fixed.

 

[indieradioguy]

The addition of R&B and hip hop songs from these decades could be turning off some KOOL listeners in Phoenix. The KOOL listeners who liked the 70’s and 80’s may not like the ever increasing air play of 90’s and 2000’s hits like MC Hammer, OutKast and Technotronic that KOOL is now playing. On the other hand, I don’t see KOOL or other classic hits stations adding any of the country music crossover pop hits of the 90’s and 2000’s yet so that might be another mistake KOOL is making as they transition to a heavier 90’s and 2000’s approach.

Translation: Much like MTV in the 80's, KOOL is whiter than white. (Well, except for Prince and Michael Jackson.) However, what country music crossover? Taylor Swift? She's too recent for 94.5.

I do know when 93.3, 100.7 and 94.5 are all playing the same Nirvana, the same Green Day, the same one song by Beastie Boys...do we really need to hear "Fight For Your Right" for the umpteenth time when these are the same suits who ignored the numerous Beatie Boys albums *after* that?

 

[TheBigA]

However, what country music crossover? Taylor Swift? She's too recent for 94.5.

In the 80s, you had Kenny Rogers and Eddie Rabbit. In the 90s, Faith Hill and Shania crossed over all the time. But classic hits in general are not doing any of that as far as I can see. They'd rather play rock crossover than country crossover.

However, in my view, if KOOL wanted to completely kill its heritage, but attract a Top 5 share with great demos, they should do 90s country hardcore. Take a look at what happened to KPLX in Dallas. That could easily happen in Phoenix. JMHO.