Listeners Protested Outside Power 106 on Black Friday

[Wildstyle K]

The playlist leaned rhythmic, their focus was on a multi-ethnic audience through the "No color lines" slogan...

I remember those "no color lines" slogan from back in the day! I must say that I do have a very unusual taste in music, and I always knew that although I'm African-American, I've always fit into the music demographics of a hispanic, or even a foreigner. As far as U.S. radio goes, I've always been into mostly the rhythmic or top 40 sound because I cannot stand limitations in sound or close mindedness, which is why I prefer how radio is done outside the U.S. more than within the U.S.

I've always enjoyed KPWR's format, although I think Amp sounds more fun musically (judging form the last time I checked over the summer). KAMP is more fun musically, but Power is more fun overall when it comes to action and a party atmosphere or feel. Despite the fact that L.A. has both Amp and Power now, I still say compared to the late 90's, L.A. radio has become boring, even to the point I prefer what we now have in Phoenix more, for certain reasons. I do give credit to Power 106 for all the work they put in to making their station sound as fun and exciting as possible. If it weren't for the active, fun mixshows Power 106 proudly presents to their listeners on a daily basis, then I'd probably be extremely bored with L.A. radio now. Maybe there isn't much of a big difference between L.A. and PHX radio today, but with the state radio is in these days, any small differences could make a BIG difference.

...But enough with my personal preferences. Like I said, I know I'm in the minority with my preferences to variety and new exciting things. The average listener probably couldn't care less as long as their songs are played, and most people have been mentally programmed over the years to expect, enjoy, and desire the "sea of sameness". This is a formula that works, and from a music broadcasting business standpoint, it makes sense to say "less is more" and act on it.

 

[kilamanjero]

By and large, in the 23 year history of Power 106, they have always been a Rhythmic Top 40 station. To have ever labeled them as Urban, is a misnomer. Power has been the best at responding to shifts in the musical tastes of their audience. They kept KKBT at (relative) bay, then hold their own against KXOL, and now have seen a post-PPM resurgence by shifting towards KIIS. A true Urban station would not stand a chance in post-PPM Los Angeles. The demographics are all wrong. That is why we have 2 rhythmic and 2 rhythmic-friendly CHR stations.

Rhythmic Top 40 can be a fickle format, with a young and fickle audience. Shifts to accomodate more or less dance, house, hip hop, straight pop music, boybands, etc. have to be expected with this format.

No matter what variation of rhythmic music Power is favoring at the moment, they have a pretty strong lock on the 18-34 multiethnic market.

I think KDM is correct in his assessment that hip hop has peaked, though. Power has responded by adding Lady Gaga, David Guetta, and other artists that they wouldn't have touched 5 years ago. I would expect to see more variation as Power and other rhythmic stations respond to the inevitable move away from hip-hop to other/new forms of rhythmic that are bound to dominate in the next decade.

If a rhythmic top 40 station can survive in L.A., then an urban station can too. Don't forget there is a huge number of blacks in L.A. County. I bet you most of them don't listen to Power because most of the music played are for teens and females that are mainly hispanic and whites. Power, just like most rhythmic stations, are turning away black listeners and there needs to be more urban stations if this trend continues. Not trying to play the race card, but this is the truth. And whether you guys want to hear it or not, this is what is happening. For Power, they suck, KDAY will dominate over them(only if they can get a strong signal in L.A.). And Power 106 shouldn't have the slogan "Where Hip-Hop Lives." I give praise to the protestors and believe me in 2010, there will be more protests at the so-called hip-hop stations.

The one "true" urban station we have had in LA, KKBT, was not your typical urban station. The playlist leaned rhythmic, their focus was on a multi-ethnic audience through the "No color lines" slogan, and several of their biggest DJs (John London in the morning, Theo) were not African-American. LA is just too multi-cultural for a "true" urban to thrive.

And, yes, while African Americans make up 11% of the population of LA County, and account for about 3% of the OC population (around 9% of the total market share), this is just a number, and it doesn't reflect the true diversity of the market. I would venture to say that in a market as diverse as Los Angeles, rhythmic has always performed better than urban, because it is a more diverse format which includes elements of the urban format, mainstream CHR, etc.

Certainly KHHT, KJLH and KPWR could all work at serving the African American audience better, though.

The KKBT you described was one of the 1990's when it was still on 92.3, after Radio One purchased the 100.3 signal that drastically KKBT changed, and all the Rhythmic songs were dropped. It was programmed like the station was in DC or Baltimore rather than LA under Radio One.

Yes, and where is that station today? No longer on the dial. Thanks for proving my point. LA is, has and always will be a primarily rhythmic market.

KKBT was only successful when they directly challenged KPWR. Now with KIIS shifting towards rhythmic, and the appearance of KAMP, there is no more room for a straight up Urban station.

Actually, I didn't prove your point, I just clarified that KKBT would be viable if there was an owner that had been dedicated to the product.