MORE changes in NYC - BIG NEWS Scott Shannon retires soon from CBS-FM

[mikerock]

There is a vocal minority of people (mostly on this board) who long for the days of 50-60's oldies-era WCBS-FM, which is fine; people can have their own preferences and tastes.

The fact of the matter is that the bulk of Scott's listener base listened to him when he was on Z100 in the 80's and PLJ in the early 90's, despite Scott having a career spanning much of his lifetime. CBS-FM has evolved to be (dare I say) the oldies station of the Z100 era, the same way the oldies-era CBS-FM emulated WABC, WMCA, etc., and it has done so successfully, according to the extremely strong ratings it sees across the board.

I thought it was odd since I associate him more so with his Z100, PLJ 80's and 90's success.

The other thing is I remember CBS-FM in the 80's mixing in new 80's songs, like Tina Turner, Bruce Springteen and Madonna's latest at that time in heavy rotation. Even in the 70s CBS-FM mixed in new 70's. So it was not like they were solely 50-60s.

The 1970s is a long time to be holding out for 50-60's to come back to CBS-FM. This would be like me saying I will never listen to Lite FM (which I don't listen to anyway) until it goes back to country Kick 106.7 or WAPP goes back to 103.5 or WPLJ goes back to AOR or earlier WTFM comes back to 103.5.

I cannot remember much about format changes in the the 70s, oh wait, I will not listen to 98.7 until it goes back to 99X.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

There is a vocal minority of people (mostly on this board) who long for the days of 50-60's oldies-era WCBS-FM, which is fine; people can have their own preferences and tastes.

It seems like this, and other, radio discussion boards attract a large percentage of participants in their 70s and up. To that generation, radio was a key part of their lives. With no Internet, all there really was for entertainment was TV, radio and print. Radio was where everyone got their music. Gossip and viral entertainment came from the larger-than-life DJs who were truly local celebrities.

Today's generation doesn't care about any of that. Radio is a commodity they turn on in the car out of convenience. They don't think of radio like older people because they never lived in a world without a million other entertainment alternatives. So not too many join forums like this to talk about it because to them, there's nothing very special about radio.

It's human nature to be nostalgic so all those seniors who grew up when radio was important still remember it that way. They come to forums like this to talk about the good old days, and of course they want to hear their old music. It's too bad the radio industry, fueled by advertisers that only care about youth, can't serve them.

 

[TheBigA]

It's too bad the radio industry, fueled by advertisers that only care about youth, can't serve them.

And yet when you look at the demographics of stations such as WOR, WABC, WCBS, WINS, and even non-coms such as WBGO and WNYC, the average age is over 60. Then there are the suburban stations that have already been mentioned in this thread, such as WMTR. So obviously there is a part of the radio industry that IS in fact serving them.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

And yet when you look at the demographics of stations such as WOR, WABC, WCBS, WINS, and even non-coms such as WBGO and WNYC, the average age is over 60. Then there are the suburban stations that have already been mentioned in this thread, such as WMTR. So obviously there is a part of the radio industry that IS in fact serving them.

Those are nearly all talk stations. We were talking about Oldies music.

 

[TheBigA]

Those are nearly all talk stations. We were talking about Oldies music.

I mentioned WMTR and there are similar stations in LI and Westchester. Plus the AAA WFUV caters to older folks.

Also Q 104.3 plays a lot of 60s and 70s music. Just not the old pop stuff.

As we've discussed, not all old people like oldies. That's a negative stereotype.

You said "Too bad the industry can't serve them," when in fact they do.

 

[AceBiscuits]

It seems like this, and other, radio discussion boards attract a large percentage of participants in their 70s and up. To that generation, radio was a key part of their lives. With no Internet, all there really was for entertainment was TV, radio and print. Radio was where everyone got their music. Gossip and viral entertainment came from the larger-than-life DJs who were truly local celebrities.

Today's generation doesn't care about any of that. Radio is a commodity they turn on in the car out of convenience. They don't think of radio like older people because they never lived in a world without a million other entertainment alternatives. So not too many join forums like this to talk about it because to them, there's nothing very special about radio.

It's human nature to be nostalgic so all those seniors who grew up when radio was important still remember it that way. They come to forums like this to talk about the good old days, and of course they want to hear their old music. It's too bad the radio industry, fueled by advertisers that only care about youth, can't serve them.

I agree with your statement, but my comment is simply the rationalization of the status quo. Will the large companies offer an oldies station to fill that niche? In most of their markets, no.

But, there are many medium to small broadcasters that will or already are. They still make up the radio industry, and it would be remiss to acknowledge them. Even in the posts above, there is a number of alternatives in downstate NY, Long Island, the capital region, and across Jersey that provide the music that those listeners are looking for.

 

[TheBigA]

I agree with your statement, but my comment is simply the rationalization of the status quo. Will the large companies offer an oldies station to fill that niche? In most of their markets, no.

Here's a list of stations owned by iHeart that play oldies:

Oldies Stations | iHeartMedia Stations | iHeartMedia

With more than 860 live broadcast stations in 153 markets across America, there's a local iHeartRadio station virtually everywhere. Discover how an iHeartRadio station can deliver connect your message with your audience, live and local, right where you live.

www.iheartmedia.com

You want them to blow up one of their NYC stations for oldies?

 

[davideduardo]

It's too bad the radio industry, fueled by advertisers that only care about youth, can't serve them.

25-54 is hardly just “youth”. As many radio buys go for 45 to 54 as for 25 to 34.

 

[AceBiscuits]

You want them to blow up one of their NYC stations for oldies?

I didn’t say anything of that nature did I? I simply said I understand and agree with the previous posters sentiment as to why certain generations feel more strongly about this subject. That does not change the fact iHeart, Audacy, Cumulus, etc. will not offer a “traditional” oldies format in the majority of their large-medium markets for reasons discussed many times on these forums, which I agree with.

From that list you sent from iHeart’s corporate site, most of these stations are 80’s-based classic hits stations not much unlike WCBS-FM, which you could argue is now “oldies” in 2022. Only a handful are 60’s based oldies stations of the nature of pre-2005 WCBS, as we are discussing. And in the case of the greater NYC metro, there are many alternatives even on FM to WCBS-FM for oldies.

 

[TheBigA]

And in the case of the greater NYC metro, there are many alternatives even on FM to WCBS-FM for oldies.

Yes I know, I mentioned that in my earlier post. I can add Shannon's Truee Oldies Channel on HD3, and Cousin Brucie on WABC.

Stations do 60s based oldies in places where it has a chance of succeeding. One of those places is Morristown NJ. That station is owned by Townsquare, which is a big owner. Even in Morristown, WMTR is being beaten by WAXQ. So even if you build it, that doesn't mean "they will come." As I said, there's this assumption that boomers want oldies on the radio. A portion of them do, but not enough to make it successful in NYC.

 

[TheBigA]

25-54 is hardly just “youth”. As many radio buys go for 45 to 54 as for 25 to 34.

When you look at the NYC radio dial there are really only two stations that target younger audiences. The vast majority target either middle age or older. If anyone should be complaining about not being served by radio, it's younger people. Although a chunk of them seem happy with WAXQ. How do we expect people in their 20s to develop a radio habit when there are so few stations that target them?

 

[davideduardo]

When you look at the NYC radio dial there are really only two stations that target younger audiences. The vast majority target either middle age or older. If anyone should be complaining about not being served by radio, it's younger people. Although a chunk of them seem happy with WAXQ. How do we expect people in their 20s to develop a radio habit when there are so few stations that target them?

Well, you also have the Urban, the Churban and Univision’s reggaetón based station.

 

[DOB]

Well, you also have the Urban, the Churban and Univision’s reggaetón based station.

In case you know him, the engineer for whom adjusts the processing for WPAT has the best sounding station in New York.
It's totally subjective and I appreciated the breakdown of different sounds for different ears, I just sadly happen to think that those under 30 today seem to not really care about 'sound quality'. It's surprising to me because I'm of the generation where some of my friends when I was 18, had sound systems that were worth more than the car they were in.

 

[TheBigA]

Well, you also have the Urban, the Churban and Univision’s reggaetón based station.

I didn't think about WBLS because of all the throwbacks they play. But I see they're #1 in 18-34 this month. They're also #1 in 6+ so I wouldn't call them a targeted young station.

But I included Churban Hot and Z 100. Forgot about WSKQ. So three targeted stations.

 

[jt99]

I didn't think about WBLS because of all the throwbacks they play. But I see they're #1 in 18-34 this month. They're also #1 in 6+ so I wouldn't call them a targeted young station.

But I included Churban Hot and Z 100. Forgot about WSKQ. So three targeted stations.

There's also iHeartMedia's WWPR (Urban) and Univision's WXNY (Spanish language rhythmic).

 

[davideduardo]

There's also iHeartMedia's WWPR (Urban) and Univision's WXNY (Spanish language rhythmic).

Those are two of the three I mentioned as “Churban, Urban and ‘Univision’s reggaetón station’” just moments ago.

 

[TheBigA]

Those are two of the three I mentioned as “Churban, Urban and ‘Univision’s reggaetón station’” just moments ago.

Where are they in the 18-34? The ones I included are Top 5.

 

[davideduardo]

Where are they in the 18-34? The ones I included are Top 5.

Top stations in 18-34 in NYC are WBLS (0.3 rating), WSKQ and WHTZ (0.2 rating) WQHT, WAXQ, WKTU, WWPR, WXNY, WCBS-FM, WLTW, WPAT, WINS, WNYC, WNEW, WAXQ all rated at 0.1 in that demo.

Since agencies buy rating, I gave the rank by rating.

 

[gr8oldies]

Here's a list of stations owned by iHeart that play oldies:

Oldies Stations | iHeartMedia Stations | iHeartMedia

With more than 860 live broadcast stations in 153 markets across America, there's a local iHeartRadio station virtually everywhere. Discover how an iHeartRadio station can deliver connect your message with your audience, live and local, right where you live.

www.iheartmedia.com

You want them to blow up one of their NYC stations for oldies?

The vast majority of those, with a few exceptions, are closer to CBS-FM than to 60s oldies.

 

[TheBigA]

The vast majority of those, with a few exceptions, are closer to CBS-FM than to 60s oldies.

The point is that the largest radio company in the country has at least a few stations that do a 60s based oldies format.

I was just answering a poster's question. The answer is yes.