Magic 98.3 sounds a bit more older/softer

[nd2023]

I like the recent tweak to Magic 98.3's format, adding in the older, softer songs. While its still far from a soft AC (or even its sound as one of the original "Magic" stations), it's a step in the right direction. It sounds softer than their sister Magic 106.7 in Boston.
Meanwhile, "Lite" FM is currently playing Blurred Lines, a song many parents of young kids would find offensive.

 

[luperm]

I just drove through Boston and it sounded like Magic 106.7 has moved in the opposite direction -- more currents and hotter cuts -- almost a hot A/C.

 

[Tiger1983]

I believe the '70s are a bit too outdated, and some of the AC stations are dropping them altogether because they are out of their AC demo. A song that came out in 1973 is now 40 years old, and a person who was born in 1970 is now 43 years old.

 

[satech]

98.3 wants to better compete with CBS-FM, that's why they're playing more '70s music now. Lite FM has recently added '70s back to their playlist as well, and they're even promoting it in their sweepers as "Proud to still be playing some of the most legendary music!".

 

[Tiger1983]

98.3 wants to better compete with CBS-FM, that's why they're playing more '70s music now. Lite FM has recently added '70s back to their playlist as well, and they're even promoting it in their sweepers as "Proud to still be playing some of the most legendary music!".

Here are the facts:

1. WJRZ, a sister to Magic 98.3 is an oldies station whose playlist includes the '70s.

2. CBS-FM has some signal issues in the central New Jersey area because of B101 about 35-40 miles south. Both B101 and CBS-FM collide each other around that area(in fact, we were driving to Great Adventure and our car radio was set to B101 until we arrived there. I can hear them with some interference from CBS-FM. When I took my Insignia HD radio to the park, I was listening to B101 for a few minutes while waiting in line, however when I swing my headphone wire in a different direction, some traces of CBS-FM came in).

WJRZ comes in pretty well while at Great Adventure, with some HD locks here and there. Also listened to them while at the park.

So I believe that in my opinion, it would be wise for Magic 98.3 to limit the 70s songs they play to two an hour and focus more on the 80's-now product, just like other mainstream AC stations, and leave all the older music to WJRZ. On the other hand, it was a smart move for Lite FM to bring back '70s music, since that station is heritage and is considered the most listened to station in NYC, at offices and in stores. Most of their listeners are between 35 and 60 years old.

I just don't want to listen to a sleepy Barry White music on WMGQ. It's not my type(unless, of course I listen to CBS-FM or an urban station).

 

[LenoxAve]

WJRZ, a sister to Magic 98.3 is an oldies station whose playlist includes the '70s.

So I believe that in my opinion, it would be wise for Magic 98.3 to limit the 70s songs they play to two an hour and focus more on the 80's-now product, just like other mainstream AC stations, and leave all the older music to WJRZ.

You mention the above points in your post. Do you realize that WJRZ and WMGQ serve two drastically different markets? Their signals barely (I'd even go as far as to say DON'T) overlap.

I highly doubt that WMGQ even cares what WJRZ is doing.

 

[satech]

In the hills and valleys of central NJ where neither the NYC or Philly stations come in well, listeners basically have three choices: NJ 101.5, the Jesus station (Star 99.1), or Magic 98.3. Therefore 98.3 has a pretty wide berth of what kind of music they can play and still get a stable base of local listeners and advertisers.