That would be WWFD AM 820 "The Gamut" also heard on WTOP-HD3, WTLP-HD3, WWWT-HD3 and translator W232DG 94.3 Frederick.
WWFD Wikipedia page and The Gamut - Listen Live + playlist
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KNUC 98.9 has filed for a call letter change
- Thread starter The New Chico
- Start date
WWFD Wikipedia page and The Gamut - Listen Live + playlist
Keep in mind, also, that Scott Mahalick is programming it. While he's mostly associated with AC and Country, I believe he's overseen a few AAA's with both Alpha and Citadel. He's had high positions with both companies. I've always heard the mixed bag about him, but, speaking realistically, if you've held some of the jobs he's had and everyone likes you, you were probably doing something wrong.
Well not exactly. He has a little help:
When you read Mike Henry's background, you know where to put the credit:
Paragon – Building a New Public Media
www.paragonmediastrategies.com
Mike's radio credentials are unimpeachable.
Wow, that's a great playlist! It's mind blowing that a station like WWFD and KPNW are considered the same format.
The WWFD format is pretty close to KEXP during the daytime regular rotation hours.
I think KEXP P1's are likely currently split as P2's between a variety of stations, like KING-FM, KNHC and KNKX (etc). If KPNW sounded like WWFD, they'd probably become the main P2 destination. But it's hard to see that with the mild temperature music I heard today.
They are going to have a hard time gaining much of KEXP P1s with11 spot stop sets. Woof.
WWFD The Gamut is a playground and test bed, i doubt it makes much if any money
Or nothing. There's no advertising on it.
The Gamut is programmed by the chief engineer of Hubbard DC to have music programming for the first all-digital AM signal on WWFD.
It's hard to visualize that format as a viable commercial format. But the other side of that coin is that KEXP is the top public radio station fundraiser in the United States with something similar (or so it seems with a quick visual scan of the WWFD playlist).
The KEXP story goes quite a bit further though-- they're a heritage station deeply rooted in the local music scene.
For all the skeptics out there, I think you should give this format change a chance. It seems like Hubbard genuinely put a lot of thought into this move and tried to do something a little outside of the box. Perhaps that’s exactly what we need right now. I can definitely see how this station will provide a stark contrast to KEXP (which, while eclectic, isn’t for everyone), and KNDD.
As for country music, I think it’s fair to say that the country music format is a little weak at the moment. Even in times when the format was weak, KMPS always had more than enough personality to carry the station. It will be interesting to see if The Wolf tries to make any changes to ensure that they are the undisputed “king of country” in Seattle before anyone else tries a country music format. They are in a great position now that they are alone in the market, but it doesn’t mean that listeners have no other options on the radio for country music if they want it. 96.9 seems to be doing pretty well, and they’ve got some great talent in Matt Case. Some may say that it’s not fair to compare 100.7 and 96.9, but 96.9 is broadcasting directly to a part of the market that is more likely to listen to country music in the first place. If I’m in Tacoma, or anywhere else in the south sound, I’d probably listen to the live and local radio station with a wider playlist of music over The Wolf.
As for country music, I think it’s fair to say that the country music format is a little weak at the moment. Even in times when the format was weak, KMPS always had more than enough personality to carry the station. It will be interesting to see if The Wolf tries to make any changes to ensure that they are the undisputed “king of country” in Seattle before anyone else tries a country music format. They are in a great position now that they are alone in the market, but it doesn’t mean that listeners have no other options on the radio for country music if they want it. 96.9 seems to be doing pretty well, and they’ve got some great talent in Matt Case. Some may say that it’s not fair to compare 100.7 and 96.9, but 96.9 is broadcasting directly to a part of the market that is more likely to listen to country music in the first place. If I’m in Tacoma, or anywhere else in the south sound, I’d probably listen to the live and local radio station with a wider playlist of music over The Wolf.
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True, but the Gamut came into existence prior to AM 820 going all-digital. I believe it was on the HD2 or HD3 of WTOP for several years prior to 820 going all-digital.
I am going to predict success for KPNW. The station does need to dial back the mainstream alt rock a touch perhaps, but overall, day one gave me a favorable first impression. This station will likely never be a major success story in the beauty pageant numbers, but I think it will be reasonably successful among white collar, middle aged listeners. Sounds like the right people are calling the shots.
I believe the last new commercial AAA launch prior to this one on a non-translator in any top 100 market was The Q 94.5 in Grand Rapids, MI, owned by Cumulus. That station shares many programming elements with sister station WQKL in Ann Arbor, MI.
I think the commercial FMs in Seattle most vulnerable to share loss from this new entrant are Jack FM and The End.
Finally a station that actually fulfills the ‘music discovery’ promise - I've discovered several songs already that I didn’t know about.
I like the mixing in of the classic rock, the occasional soul/blues/hip-hop track, the occasional harder song (Smashing Pumpkins “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” etc.) and all the tasteful tunes such as solo George Harrison deep tracks etc.
Just now: John Lennon "Imagine" into Spinners "Rubberband Man". Cool!
Looking at KEXP’s recent #2 finish in several key demos that were posted by someone on this site recently, this is a sound move imo. I wish Cities 97/Minneapolis had gone back to their roots by going in this direction when they rebranded a few years ago. KEXP’s #s were basically screaming to commercial operators to give commercial AAA another try in the market.
According to wiki, this frequency was a forerunner to AAA, carrying a mix of singer-songwriter, AOR and jazz from 1983 to 1990.
103.7 The Mountain’s AAA format is still airing on its HD2 as it has since the flip of the HD1 to Rhythmic Classics 10 years ago.
Agreed with the other posters who stated it’s refreshing to not see a cookie cutter format launch in a major market. Other somewhat recent major market station debuts/relaunches in this outside the box vein include 100.3/Chicago, 91X/San Diego, Hot 97.5/Phoenix and 99X/Atlanta.
I like the mixing in of the classic rock, the occasional soul/blues/hip-hop track, the occasional harder song (Smashing Pumpkins “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” etc.) and all the tasteful tunes such as solo George Harrison deep tracks etc.
Just now: John Lennon "Imagine" into Spinners "Rubberband Man". Cool!
Looking at KEXP’s recent #2 finish in several key demos that were posted by someone on this site recently, this is a sound move imo. I wish Cities 97/Minneapolis had gone back to their roots by going in this direction when they rebranded a few years ago. KEXP’s #s were basically screaming to commercial operators to give commercial AAA another try in the market.
According to wiki, this frequency was a forerunner to AAA, carrying a mix of singer-songwriter, AOR and jazz from 1983 to 1990.
103.7 The Mountain’s AAA format is still airing on its HD2 as it has since the flip of the HD1 to Rhythmic Classics 10 years ago.
Agreed with the other posters who stated it’s refreshing to not see a cookie cutter format launch in a major market. Other somewhat recent major market station debuts/relaunches in this outside the box vein include 100.3/Chicago, 91X/San Diego, Hot 97.5/Phoenix and 99X/Atlanta.
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It was obvious something was wrong at KNUC a little over a year ago, when longtime local morning host Fitz was replaced by the syndicated Bobby Bones show from iHeart.
Fitz Steps Down From Mornings at Seattle’s ‘Bull’ To Focus On ‘Country Top 40.’
One year after taking over as host of “Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40,” Seattle-based personality Fitz will relinquish his position as morning man at Hubbard country “98.9 The Bull” KNUC.
The audience profile for AAA is very different from country music. It's a format that appeals to older audiences. This isn't just a format change. This is a complete change in direction. It will be very interesting to see how they handle hosting duties.
I sometimes listen to The Gamut on 820kHz in MA3 mode on my way into work. It's interesting and horrible at the same time. Most times the shift in music is so stark, it's startling. That station would set a record in 'punch away' factor and low TSL. Even though I listen mainly to evaluate the MA3 signal, it's rate of genre changes even forces me to punch out after no more than two songs.
That's what happens when you let a Transmitter Engineer, program a radio station.
Do those numbers include noncommercial AAA stations? Public radio usually favors older listeners who are among the best donors. I suspect if you were to count only commercial AAA stations in your profile the median age might be a little lower and may even lean a little less male.
The talent part is something I've been wondering about. Usually a press release will hint at adding on air talent, or say if it will be music intensive with no DJ's. No indication of either so far. AAA is known for having well known and liked hosts with a long tenure at the station or format, like recently retired Ginger at KBCO, and WXRT has hosts that have or were, been there forever.It was obvious something was wrong at KNUC a little over a year ago, when longtime local morning host Fitz was replaced by the syndicated Bobby Bones show from iHeart.
Fitz Steps Down From Mornings at Seattle’s ‘Bull’ To Focus On ‘Country Top 40.’
One year after taking over as host of “Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40,” Seattle-based personality Fitz will relinquish his position as morning man at Hubbard country “98.9 The Bull” KNUC.www.insideradio.com
The audience profile for AAA is very different from country music. It's a format that appeals to older audiences. This isn't just a format change. This is a complete change in direction. It will be very interesting to see how they handle hosting duties.
I wonder what legendary or known rock jocks in Seattle they could bring on board?
Robin & Maynard. 🤣
If it were me, I'd try and poach/approach some current or former KEXP talent.
No, strictly commercial radio stations. It fits what I have seen from other AAA stations. The deeper the playlist, the older & more male the listenership.
That's what it would have to be for it to have an impact. Hubbard knows from their experience in St. Louis that they need a strong and heritage morning show to pay for the rest of the day. I suspect they already know who they want, and perhaps it could come from KINK.
Stumbled on an article about the format change.
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