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Maybe it'd not totally a dying format after all...

I

icycool7227

I don't know if anyone here has a 100000watts.com subsciption but I just noticed here that two stations flipped to smooth jazz believe it or not - from the site:

WGRU 840 Mims FL has flipped from talk to smooth jazz as "840 the Groove."

KLZS 1450 Eugene OR flips from ESPN Deportes Spanish-language sports to smooth jazz.

So obviously smooth jazz is going to be an AM format mostly now?
 
I do think that struggling Sports/News Talk and even Standards stations (whether they be on the AM or FM dial) represent an intriguing opportunity for this format in the right markets. But it will still take a commitment from station operators to program and market it smartly. The "same old" approach won't get it done.
 
icycool7227 said:
I don't know if anyone here has a 100000watts.com subsciption but I just noticed here that two stations flipped to smooth jazz believe it or not - from the site:

WGRU 840 Mims FL has flipped from talk to smooth jazz as "840 the Groove."

KLZS 1450 Eugene OR flips from ESPN Deportes Spanish-language sports to smooth jazz.

So obviously smooth jazz is going to be an AM format mostly now?
Click to expand...

For a while, anyhow. This scenario looks very similar to what occurred when the beautiful music FMs jumped ship and abandoned the format back in the late 80's and early 90's...the format would move to a co-owned AM, or another AM in the area would pick up the format. I never really understood why AMs during that time wanted to switch to beautiful music, as most listeners had already become accustomed to hearing the format on FM (with better fidelity) for quite a while. Of course, those beautiful music AMs didn't hang around too much long, either. I would suspect the same type of situation will eventually play out with these AMs changing over to smooth jazz, unfortunately. :'(
 
passtheword said:
icycool7227 said:
I don't know if anyone here has a 100000watts.com subsciption but I just noticed here that two stations flipped to smooth jazz believe it or not - from the site:

WGRU 840 Mims FL has flipped from talk to smooth jazz as "840 the Groove."

KLZS 1450 Eugene OR flips from ESPN Deportes Spanish-language sports to smooth jazz.

So obviously smooth jazz is going to be an AM format mostly now?
Click to expand...

For a while, anyhow. This scenario looks very similar to what occurred when the beautiful music FMs jumped ship and abandoned the format back in the late 80's and early 90's...the format would move to a co-owned AM, or another AM in the area would pick up the format. I never really understood why AMs during that time wanted to switch to beautiful music, as most listeners had already become accustomed to hearing the format on FM (with better fidelity) for quite a while. Of course, those beautiful music AMs didn't hang around too much long, either. I would suspect the same type of situation will eventually play out with these AMs changing over to smooth jazz, unfortunately. :'(
Click to expand...
I hope these two stations can 'make a go' at it. Unfortunately Cincinnati's WCIN went this route with the format from Jones which while it seemed to be a good format is now gone as is WCIN. All I hope for is that both stations come up with an innovative playlist and that they LAY OFF MOST OF THE DAMNED REMAKES!!! I myself wouldn't have a problem listening to innovative music on AM, but that's me.

On a different note, while the station isn't 'smooth jazz', I think Chi-town's WNTD is quite innovative between 6PM and 5AM. Check 'em out at: http://www.avenue950.com/
 
It's good to try Jazz on AM. It's a format that doesn't get much respect though it does have a loyal but small following.

Now that the sports format is landing on FM in most markets, it's time to rethink what format will thrive on AM.

My picks are:

1) CHEEZY FM http://www.cheezyfm.com/ -- IN THIS CASE CHEEZY AM :)

2) Brokered radio - my friend makes a fortune brokering his stations to people that just want to be on radio-- he puts up lots of billboards with sayings like.. "Host Your Own Radio Program call..." , "Radio Personalities Wanted No Experienced Required" etc., I think half the population would like to have their own radio program... we all think we have something to say that people would like to hear...

3) Foreign language - another small but loyal following though Spanish radio has a large number of listeners- but you'll never get a true reasonable, Arbitron rating as many hispanics are illegally in this country.

4) Disney- kids are listening

5) Real community radio.. country store, a fishing program, polka, lots of remotes etc.. best example of that is WSNJ 1240 in Bridgeton, NJ http://www.wsnjam.com/

6) news

7) political talk - though I suspect owners will realize this format could thrive on Am as Sports has done.. I expect Rush, Hannity and the like will find a bigger audience on FM


8) I do like the idea of Jazz on AM-- run a satellite feed, bring in a couple of local guys/gals to augment & hire anyone that wants to sell radio (forget that last comment - every station owner is on the look out for anyone that has an interest in selling radio.)

josh .. sometimes i'm too long winded :D ..

Are there other formats that you think would thrive on AM? ..If so, which ones??? josh
 
Not sure about this. I think it may be only a knee-jerk reaction, or an experiment. I've only known of "1" AM to go smooth jazz, and that was several years ago, with 1350 from Laconia, NH. They had kind of a querky mix of jazz & pop vocals if memory serves... but since it's the ONE format that's anchored itself on FM for so many years... I think a transition like that is a bit more of a longshot. I know I'd much sooner hear "Bread" or Neil Diamond on AM, than Chris Botti. ;D
 
No music format is dying its just the AM/FM and HD Radio stations are obsolete today all forms of Music simply moved out to the web and XM.
 
icycool7227 said:
I don't know if anyone here has a 100000watts.com subsciption but I just noticed here that two stations flipped to smooth jazz believe it or not - from the site:

WGRU 840 Mims FL has flipped from talk to smooth jazz as "840 the Groove."

KLZS 1450 Eugene OR flips from ESPN Deportes Spanish-language sports to smooth jazz.

So obviously smooth jazz is going to be an AM format mostly now?
Click to expand...

Just passing this along that I read on the front page a couple of days ago. You all probably have already read it, for those who haven't ...

http://www.radio-info.com/news/making-moves-thursday-march-24-2011

CFLRadio.net says daytime-only WPGS-AM (840) in Mims, Florida has dropped smooth jazz for country music ...
Click to expand...
 
The Mims Fl is just a clone of an existing station, WGRV, that is using multiple LPFM and now AM signals to cover territory so it isn't a new startup. The future of this music and any type of adult oriented music that is not just a repetition of old tired songs is on the internet. There is simply no room for fresh music in the post consolidation/post PPM world.
 
What many music related businesses don't realize is the adult audience still buys music and CDs- I view a huge downward spiral was when Circuit City went out of business. Outside of Tower they were great supporters of Jazz,RnB and other "Adult Music" formats. None of the other retailers picked up the slack. Many folks do not know where to go to get a good selection of music and I encounter many people who don't want to buy online
 
the other thing the music biz doesn't "get" is that adult oriented music has a longer shelf life and a longer reaction time than the teen stuff.. Adults don't run out and grab things on release date, it's more of an awareness curve over the first month or two then can sell steady for a long time. The industry seems to think if a sales spike doesn't happen the first week the album is a stiff..so not so.
 
producer57 said:
What many music related businesses don't realize is the adult audience still buys music and CDs- I view a huge downward spiral was when Circuit City went out of business. Outside of Tower they were great supporters of Jazz,RnB and other "Adult Music" formats. None of the other retailers picked up the slack. Many folks do not know where to go to get a good selection of music and I encounter many people who don't want to buy online
Click to expand...

That's very true, 57. :) I'm twenty six and I rather have cds than a MP3 download. I like to read the booklets and the information that goes along with it.

Posted by: AnotherCat

the other thing the music biz doesn't "get" is that adult oriented music has a longer shelf life and a longer reaction time than the teen stuff.. Adults don't run out and grab things on release date, it's more of an awareness curve over the first month or two then can sell steady for a long time. The industry seems to think if a sales spike doesn't happen the first week the album is a stiff..so not so.
Click to expand...

The classics live on, this teen stuff will gone in no time flat like you said Another Cat.
 
Retailers don't believe in Long Shelf life-They want to move product and they want to move it fast-Music is a commodity to them
 
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