Looks like CHR is alive and well to me

[shilton]

Just had to point this out to all the nay-sayers on this board who tell us CHR guys again and again that we are "has beens" and no one cares about the format. Apparently someone thinks its good and healthy. CBS just resurrected B94 in Pittsburgh as of 5:00 today. Sounds pretty much like the station I remember (with newer music of course).

If CBS thinks CHR is still viable, we can't all be wrong here in the Valley either. But it will be interesting to see how the thing plays out. Pittsburgh now has 2 CHR's and you best believe they didn't launch B94 with the intent of peacefully co-existing. Even the Burgh is too small for 2 CHR's. Something's gotta give (sorta like something I have said will happen in State College sooner or later).

Its a good format...still has its place, but I don't know of too many markets that have enough for 2. At least not 2 that are so similar.
I guess let the best man win (here and there???)

 

[clangham]

Steve,
I am still a die hard CHR'er. There is ALWAYS room for a CHR station, and anyone who doesn't believe CHR's are a winner will find out in the next book for B94. Don't be too shocked to see Star 100.7 changing very shortly to another format.

Greetings to all in Happy Valley

Chuck

 

[Spackler1]

With the way CBS has mismanaged their radio division, I wouldn't be pointing to them as an example of somebody doing it right.

 

[shilton]

Steve,
I am still a die hard CHR'er. There is ALWAYS room for a CHR station, and anyone who doesn't believe CHR's are a winner will find out in the next book for B94. Don't be too shocked to see Star 100.7 changing very shortly to another format.

Greetings to all in Happy Valley

Chuck

Good to hear from you Chuck. I see where Clark popped out of the woodwork in the Pittsburgh thread to comment on B94's relaunch. Best station launch I ever heard. We just don't do radio like that anymore in this area and its sad in a way.

Incidentally somewhat ironic for anyone who may not be aware. The mind behind B94.5 in State College was once the Head Kahuna at Pittsburgh's "B". Always wanted to be on the B when I was younger. Guess Happy Valley's version is the closest I shall get. Oh well...at least I am enjoying the ride.

Just curious if anyone has listened to the audio stream yet to comment at all? Sounds like a nice tight, trendy CHR mix to me with no real lean in any 1 direction at all.

 

[clangham]

In a way you are right. Keith Clark and Ryan Mill who head up the Pittsburgh end at CBS are not the best liked "programmers" here in Pittsburgh, but I am not sure if they are the main cause or if is from a higher up (NYC). Either way, since Dan Mason has took the reign at CBS NY, it seems that CBS now MIGHT be heading in a positive direction. Guess we shall see.

With the way CBS has mismanaged their radio division, I wouldn't be pointing to them as an example of somebody doing it right.

 

[clangham]

Hey Steve,
Clarke is now program and operations director of WKFB and WKHB over here in Jeanette/Irwin PA.

P.S. I never get over to "Foreverland" anymore, but I try to keep up on all the changes in SC and Toona.

PM me who the "Big Kahuna" is at B94.5.

Steve,
I am still a die hard CHR'er. There is ALWAYS room for a CHR station, and anyone who doesn't believe CHR's are a winner will find out in the next book for B94. Don't be too shocked to see Star 100.7 changing very shortly to another format.

Greetings to all in Happy Valley

Chuck

Good to hear from you Chuck. I see where Clark popped out of the woodwork in the Pittsburgh thread to comment on B94's relaunch. Best station launch I ever heard. We just don't do radio like that anymore in this area and its sad in a way.

Incidentally somewhat ironic for anyone who may not be aware. The mind behind B94.5 in State College was once the Head Kahuna at Pittsburgh's "B". Always wanted to be on the B when I was younger. Guess Happy Valley's version is the closest I shall get. Oh well...at least I am enjoying the ride.

Just curious if anyone has listened to the audio stream yet to comment at all? Sounds like a nice tight, trendy CHR mix to me with no real lean in any 1 direction at all.

 

[ameyer]

Steve says that 2 CHR's can not exist in the same market? Maybe not in State College, but Pittsburgh maybe. Look at the latest Arbitrends for Boston, both CHR's are #1 and #2 also programed by the same guy....it can and does work.

 

[Snafu]

CHR died earlier in the decade because the type of music that supported it died and was overtaken by rap. With rap's image problems mounting and the reappearence of more mainstream pop/rock CHR is steadily gaining footing again. I don't know that there is room for two in Happy Valley, but in Pittsburgh, yes.

B94s playlist is way too tight right now, but they are literally reinventing the station a day at a time. Don't even have a full airstaff under contract yet and rumor is that Ryan Mill is headed for the door. Station is trying to land as much of its last air staff as it can, including the morning show (all of whom hated each other personally at the end). Question is whether CBS will give them a decent enough marketing budget and if Keith Clarke will survive past the end of the year.

 

[shilton]

CHR died earlier in the decade because the type of music that supported it died and was overtaken by rap. With rap's image problems mounting and the reappearence of more mainstream pop/rock CHR is steadily gaining footing again. I don't know that there is room for two in Happy Valley, but in Pittsburgh, yes.

B94s playlist is way too tight right now, but they are literally reinventing the station a day at a time. Don't even have a full airstaff under contract yet and rumor is that Ryan Mill is headed for the door. Station is trying to land as much of its last air staff as it can, including the morning show (all of whom hated each other personally at the end). Question is whether CBS will give them a decent enough marketing budget and if Keith Clarke will survive past the end of the year.

B94's playlist IS tight, but I think they are trying to really send the message that they are the destination for ALL of the hits since there are tunes that traditionally Kiss has shyed away from. People are hearing songs on B94 at the moment that are on the charts now, but they have never heard on the radio before if they were tuning into Kiss. I have noticed over the past few days, they are slowly introducing more "gold" into the mix and I assume within the next 2-3 weeks once the initial spark has worn off and they have an air-staff hitting the airwaves, we will probably see the rotations better spaced out with more older material tossed into the mix to add the flavor.

I still stand by my claim that even Pittsburgh cannot support 2 CHR's and history proves me right. 96Kix fell to B94, Mix Jamz 100.7 was bought out and dismantled by B94. B94 fell to Kiss-Fm just a few years ago. The Burgh has seen 2 CHR's simutaneously but never for very long and as I said, I dont think B94 came back to settle for "second best". I'd assume their goal is to seek and destroy the very thing that brought them down 3 years ago. Time will tell, but I just don't see 2 CHR's being viable for long in Pittsburgh. Kiss may prolong things by heading Rhythmic and letting B94 has the mainstream audience, but in the end I just don't see 2 surviving when the dust settles.