Magic 98.3 turning into a Hot AC

[nd2023]

I heard some changes I didn't like on Magic recently. Their legal IDs are no longer voiced by the DJ on air, and the imaging implies that WMGQ is leaning towards a more "contemporary" direction than "adult". Out with the Temptations, in with Katy Perry :'(
Magic was the best mainstream AC in the last few years, with every other AC station receivable in NJ leaning younger. Now Magic is following the footsteps of Now 97.5. Why?!?!
WEBE 108 in Connecticut has kept its mainstream AC sound and is at the top of the ratings in multiple markets, so Mainstream AC is a solid format. Magic 98.3 pulled the horrible Saturday Night "Dance" Party which had Magic playing songs that don't belong on any AC station like Usher-Yeah. Yes, I like that song, no I don't like hearing it on 98.3.
I don't like the sound of "Today's Magic 98.3", I want "Yesterday's Magic 98.3" back! If I want to hear today's hits, I'll tune to the stations located 2 mHz above or 6 mHz below Magic.
In a year, I don't even know if Magic will remain on my presets. Even my parents have stopped listening to Magic. The best mainstream AC in New Jersey is now WFPG or WOBM. I hate the crap that passes for Hot AC that ruined my enjoyment of 94.5 PST, Now 97.5, B101, and 106.7 Lite FM, please don't let Magic be the next casualty.

 

[Radio411]

"Evolution is Inevitable!!" Again YOUR assessment is fine and great but are YOU specifically in the "all important" Target Demo?? Based on the fact that you are a male (judging by your username) I would tend to lean towards NO. Similarities between NOW 975 and Magic could be attributed to the fact that they are indeed "sister-stations" in the Greater Media family. Personally I think the step towards "opening up the library" is a welcomed one and makes the station a hell of a lot LESS predictable. My only real issue is that they are typically SO LATE on adding currents that by the time they DO other stations have already battered the hell out of them, thus prompting me to reach for the dial.

Radio today is NOT PROGRAMMED, it's CONSULTED!! HUGE Difference... there is really no formula just one man's interpretation of what HE/SHE feels the Target Demo wants to hear. Thing is, it varies by market, region and state. If Magic is attempting to mimic 975's programming well theres one more station yearning for the peace of the 25-54 pie and it doesn't help that 97.5 puts a good signal into most of the 98.3 listening area. A station can be 2 things: Everything to Everyone OR Unique (ala The Breeze).

From my casual listening it sounds like the station has indeed taken a different route. I hear new voices, new imaging and the Legal ID being voiced by the jock has been gone for a long time now... something else that made the station "UNIQUE." Based on the last PPM trends looks like Magic needs to decide whether to show progress or perhaps regress back to what people have come to expect from the station.

Just my $0.02 ;D

 

[d21ofnj]

Whats next for Magic..."Central Jersey's Hit Music Channel?"

 

[nd2023]

Whats next for Magic..."Central Jersey's Hit Music Channel?"

Of course. Central Jersey really needs another CHR station. My presets are 92.3, 94.5, 96.5, 100.3, 102.1, 106.3. I would have to remove one CHR station to have room for 98.3. I always wanted another CHR station to listen to when the others are playing commercials. There isn't that much competition, I mean, Magic 98.3 will be the only CHR station licensed to New Brunswick! I hope they play the same 6 songs in a row over and over because I really like that! I can't wait for Central Jersey's Hit Music Channel! Matter of fact, all stations should be playing only today's hit music, who needs rock, oldies, country, dance, AC, classical, R&B, etc, all we need is CHR.

 

[VeteranPD]

The programming at WMGQ is NOT really controlled locally, but by "corporate" up in Braintree. Honestly, I like 97.5 and wouldn't mind the same format on 98.3.

 

[nd2023]

The programming at WMGQ is NOT really controlled locally, but by "corporate" up in Braintree. Honestly, I like 97.5 and wouldn't mind the same format on 98.3.

Magic 106.7 sounds better than Magic 98.3 in my opinion.
The day I hear Beyonce - Single Ladies (or something similar) on Magic 98.3 is the day Magic 98.3 goes off my presets for good.

 

[Radio411]

The programming at WMGQ is NOT really controlled locally, but by "corporate" up in Braintree. Honestly, I like 97.5 and wouldn't mind the same format on 98.3.

Magic 106.7 sounds better than Magic 98.3 in my opinion.
The day I hear Beyonce - Single Ladies (or something similar) on Magic 98.3 is the day Magic 98.3 goes off my presets for good.

I've personally heard it played on 98.3...perhaps you missed it. Guess that would officially mean you won't be listening then huh??

Again unless you had a sex change you are NOT in the target demo and your perceptions of the format mean close to NOTHING!! Same can be said for ANY male in t he listening audience...

Happy 4th...

 

[nd2023]

Did you hear it on the failed Saturday night "dance" party or in regular rotation?
I've been listening to Magic since 1999 and liked its format until recently.
What is so different about music tastes in Boston than New Brunswick that makes Magic 98.3 skew younger than Magic 106.7? Last time I checked, Fresh 102.7 and Now 97.5 aren't setting the ratings on fire.

 

[bigtom101]

Did you hear it on the failed Saturday night "dance" party or in regular rotation?
I've been listening to Magic since 1999 and liked its format until recently.
What is so different about music tastes in Boston than New Brunswick that makes Magic 98.3 skew younger than Magic 106.7? Last time I checked, Fresh 102.7 and Now 97.5 aren't setting the ratings on fire.

If you want a older leaning A/C station, might I suggest WLTW HD-2, "Classic Lite"? I know you don't like HD Radio, but it seems to be a better solution than bashing your head against the wall every time 98.3 plays Lady Gaga.

 

[d21ofnj]

Lady Gaga was also heard on PLJ, so it's basically most A/C stations around here that wanna be CHR leaning.

 

[nd2023]

Lady Gaga was also heard on PLJ, so it's basically most A/C stations around here that wanna be CHR leaning.

PLJ isn't an AC station and has never been an AC station.

We have enough CHR stations to fill up a section of my presets, the AC stations don't need to start playing the same stuff too.

 

[nd2023]

I heard Lady Gaga - Just Dance in regular rotation this evening :-( I like that song, but I don't like it on Magic 98.3
R.I.P. the Magic 98.3 that I grew up with. I hope those soccer moms start blasting Magic 98.3 out of their minivans.

107.1 The Breeze has replaced my Magic 98.3 preset.

 

[mjb1124]

I was listening the other day and they totally sound like a Hot AC now. Among the songs I heard were Pink's "So What" and Sugar Ray's "Fly", the latter with Super Cat's chants fully intact along with the heavier section in the middle of the song. As far as my personal tastes go, I don't like them any more or less than before. But I think they're jeopardizing their status as the default non-intrusive background music station in this area, for better or worse. I can see a lot of offices and mom-and-pop outfits switching to Lite, The Breeze, and even CBS-FM.

 

[nd2023]

As bad as Magic is now, Lite FM is worse. Fresh is worse than Lite.
Just checked the playlist, Single Ladies was played tonight. Bye bye, Magic! Maybe I'll come back to Magic during the Christmas season. But for now, I will listen to the 7+ other stations that play the same CHR songs that Magic is playing.

 

[mjb1124]

Lite isn't what it used to be, but I think it still sounds considerably more "adult" and office-friendly than Magic does these days. That said, The Breeze is probably the best bet for those turned off by most of today's pop music, or those who just don't want to hear the same songs over and over again.