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Modesto/Stockton Radio Sounds So Stale!

Well, I just came back from visiting family in Manteca California. Boy I sure don't miss the Central Valley. Radio around here sounds so stale. I visited with a few radio friends plus tuned in on my radio. B93 sounds far more Popish than in the past, I am guessing because of KHOP-95.1. Speaking of KHOP, it sure sounds different. I was so used to the Rock Music they used to play. I was meaning to check out the Modesto Radio Museum but didn't have the time. KMPH 840 sounds alright, kind of wished what type of format to stick with. A jumble of Standards, Talk and some type of Asian Programming at night. Rock Radio is sorely missed here. Back in the good old days when I worked at THE ORIGINAL KDJK at 95.1 in Oakdale was the best times of my life. As for 104.1 The Hawk, They sound so repetitive. Give me "96.7 The Fox" anytime. In my opinion, Citadel drove in the nails in Central Valley Radio Coffin, but Clear Channel buried the coffin. Even locally owned 105.5 The River, sounded awful. I'm glad to be back in Kalispell, Montana!
 
Yeah I agree.. Modesto Radio does seem a bit stale.. KHOP is a great station for pop music fans, very high energy.. but there is definitely a hole for a station that plays new rock rather than trying to DX LIVE 105, KWOD or Merced's 92.5 The Bear. The Bear pulls incredible numbers down in Merced and with the new race track going in down in Atwater it seems that maybe a rock station based out of Modesto would be needed in the future and can be supported by advertisers.
 
Major Changes Coming To Modesto in 2007!!!!!!

I have 2 friends still in the radio business in Modesto. One works for Citadel and the other for Clear Channel. Both of them acknowledge that there will be major changes coming up in 2007. I can't tell you which station will be changing, but Modesto is ripe for a "Adult Hits" format, Most likely a "Bob" rather than a "Jack", but as you know, the music is the same. But one thing for sure, neither company wants to do a "Active Rock" or "Alternative Rock" format in the near future. And I highly doubt that Threshold's "KRVR-105.5 The River" will be changing to Rock. I know Entravision owns a few Non-Spanish stations, but I don't know if they own any "Rockers"? Unless Bustos wants to sell 93.9, I don't think that frequency will go "Rock" either. Very sad, as Modesto needs a good "Rock" station, and "The Hawk" doesn't qualify. After hearing my friend's horror stories of the business, I am SO HAPPY :) to be out of the Radio Business!
 
Hmm.. I've been hearing rumors that Citadel was going to flip to a Jack-Type format, which have been circulating for months, which it would make sense. I've noticed that Jack- stations tend to be more classic rock oriented while Bob stations tend to play more of the female leaning and some current tracks. Which would make sense if Citadel were to do it and go after Clear Channel's "Wall of Women" with Sunny 102 (who does a "Cruisin Weekend" of 70's and 80's hits), and the new B-93 (which still plays alot of 80's and 90's gold).. I've noticed some tweaks in KHOP too where they seem to be playing more 90's in their mix and they are even doing a "90's at Noon" type feature AND just last week, B-93 seemed to counter that with a "Retro Lunch" type feature.

I'm curious to see who prevails in the KHOP VS. B 93 wars when the book comes out..

but I know what'cha mean about the hole in the market for new rock. There seems to be an overkill of spanish stations in the market but I doubt that Entravision would flip anything to "Rock" anytime soon as well. The most we can expect from them is maybe a Spanglish format (like Latino 96.3 in L.A.).. Too bad Mapleton couldn't enhance the signal of 92.5 to reach north of Turlock (but then again that might interfere with 92.5 in Sacramento).
 
On Second thought, aside from the low-rated KDLD in Los Angeles (Indie 103.1), Entravision does own one rock station in Texas called Q 94.5 KFRQ in McAllen, Texas a market that is very largely Hispanic and the station was pulling in over a 5 share.. So maybe, just maybe there will be a mainstream rock station here again doubtful that there will ever be an alternative rock station like KDJK (circa 1994 - 1996) again in this market, especially with the format as a whole going under.
 
So maybe, just maybe there will be a mainstream rock station here again

Both Citadel and Clear Channel had a hard time monetizing the format. It could have been the market, it could have been lack of a properly trained sales staff. Regardless, how would you suggest monetizing such a format that two owners have had such a dilemma profiting from?
 
Most of the rock stations that are doing well throughout the country lean older in their music mix and take a Mainstream Rock approach (i.e. "Everything that Rocks"), everything from Nirvana and Nickelback to AC/DC and Hendrix. If a station were willing to take on 104.1 The Hawk and their advertisers with such a format, it just may prove successful. Ratings didn't seem to be the problem based on Rock 96.7's last book before the flip to taco tunes (although ratings in the prior book wasn't too pretty), it was advertising, and advertising is definitely as some say "the life blood of radio" there should also be awesome presentation and promotions.. Getting the station name out, aggressive campaigning and canvassing to go after the competitor and their advertisers.
 
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