New Entercom-Greenville GM

[upstate29651]

Unfortunately, the redneck population on the area is probably more than happy with the show and it may be what's keeping the station afloat. X98.5 is only a translator, but I do think they could bring The Planet's ratings down even a bit more from the sad state they're in now. There's more to "new rock" than the thrashing trash WTPT plays.

I'm not sure how a translator piping out CHR2 is gonna impact Planet anymore than they do. The SMART thing to do would be to program a translator out in Clemson that could play this new rock that's nothing like rock or alternative, I mean, CHR2, since it's those kids who seem to like this kind of music the most.

G

Geez, I don't know where you get your base of knowledge from but TODAY's alternative is much closer to the alternative that started in the late '80s and '90s than it has in a LONG time. But I guess I wouldn't know that being a huge alt fan during that period. You must not consider things like R.E.M. to be alternative. Grunge got it away from what it originally was. And the active rock that permeated Alternative stations largely in the 2000s (and unfortunately continues to even on the supposedly "CHR2" of X98.5). THAT is not alternative. But whatever, I know being in my late teens and 20s when alternative music was popular what it really was and I HATE the vast majority of what CHR plays (except not minding that there has been some crossover which even grunge did). It's not all guitar based rock and never has been. But you must be a genius so no point in arguing.

Go listen to The Planet. That must be what you consider good music.

You did it again.

Your posts tend to be full of "too cool for the room" arrogance & smarm towards music YOU don't care for, as well as towards the people YOU CHOSE to live around. Dislike the music all you want, but just because you prefer CHR2 doesn't make you a programmer, a historian, or any some such. I too was around during the late 70's punk explosion & the early 80's college radio sound that introduced the world to R.E.M. and U2, amongst other bands. Alternative has to have a foundation in rock. That cannot be denied. New bands (most of them....and I won't name them again), have foundations in bluegrass, pop, techno...but not rock. Got it? Some suit somewhere had to decided where to plug this new generation of non-urban CHR acts & decided, "why not alternative"? I can almost guarantee that's how acts like fun. got to share dial space with Foo Fighters & Alice in Chains. There's no logical flow!

So here's the deal: Condescend against other genres of music, and I'll come out against yours. Deal?

 

[awp69]

Your posts tend to be full of "too cool for the room" arrogance & smarm towards music YOU don't care for, as well as towards the people YOU CHOSE to live around.  Dislike the music all you want, but just because you prefer CHR2 doesn't make you a programmer, a historian, or any some such.  I too was around during the late 70's punk explosion & the early 80's college radio sound that introduced the world to R.E.M. and U2, amongst other bands.  Alternative has to have a foundation in rock.  That cannot be denied.  New bands (most of them....and I won't name them again), have foundations in bluegrass, pop, techno...but not rock.  Got it?  Some suit somewhere had to decided where to plug this new generation of non-urban CHR acts & decided, "why not alternative"?  I  can almost guarantee that's how acts like fun. got to share dial space with Foo Fighters & Alice in Chains.  There's no logical flow!

So here's the deal:  Condescend against other genres of music, and I'll come out against yours.  Deal?

Actually, I think it's the complete opposite. You seem to  be full of arrogance and "smarm" towards music you don't care for. You label it CHR2. I'm sorry, but bluegrass/folk and techno WERE part of true alternative stations like WHFS in Washington, DC during the '80s/'90s. They played things like 10,000 Manics, Lowen and Navarro and Lou Reed on the folkier side of things and Erasure, Jesus Jones and The Pet Shop Boys on the techno/pop side of things. They also played raggae and rap. And yes, there was punk and more rock based acts. But the point is that alternative was not originally just rock based. IMO, it was grunge that made people think that it was strictly rock.

Alternative has ALWAYS been a genre that has transcended boudries. The only thing I can agree on is that alternative stations shouldn't use the term "rock" in their advertising.

It's condescending to call a station CHR2 when even though there are some bands on the pop side of things, they still play a ton of music CHR would never play. Even Fun. was different enough that I don't think it would have made it if it had gone straight to CHR.

I'm not going to argue if you don't see my point. But go back and look at the playlists of early alternative stations like WHFS and even 99X when it first came on, you'll see there was more to it than just rock. It's funny that you think I've been arrogant. I'm the one who's offended by your smug attitude.

 

[clemsonbloke]

B 93.7 doesn't play any rap? Well I just turned over to it and heard rapping. How do you explain that?

 

[awp69]

B 93.7 doesn't play any rap? Well I just turned over to it and heard rapping. How do you explain that?

Not sure anyone said they didn't.

 

[carolinaradio]

B 93.7 doesn't play any rap? Well I just turned over to it and heard rapping. How do you explain that?

Not sure anyone said they didn't.

We were saying that they play LESS rap overall. Sure, there are some rap tracks that are still on the CHR charts, thus they should be played ("Thrift Shop", "Can't Hold Us", anything Nicki Minaj/Flo-Rida/etc.). However, in much of the late 90s through around 2008, hip hop/rap DOMINATED CHR. If you listen now, only a small fraction of the format is dedicated to that genre, and quite honestly, although I'm not a rap fan, it's much better quality than that southern rap TRASH that was all over the format in the mid-2000s (50 Cent, Ludacris, etc.). CHR has a nice mix of pop, dance/pop, Alternative, Hot AC'ish tracks, and even a smattering of country. Rap is just a small segment in 2013.

And I agree with your assessment of the Alternative format, awp.

 

[Gatekeeper007]

When I see or hear somebody talk about the redneck population and their living in Greenville South Carolina I think Well Yeah. Greenville is in the north western connor of South Carolina just below the mountains which is where I come from so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out yes there is a very large redneck or as we call it country popluation in that area.

 

[NotARadioGuy]

B-93.7 is just slow to add new music in general.  I guess research has told them that the market is slow to react to new music in general (notice the pattern - most stations in this market that play new stuff are somewhat slow).  I could see them becoming a little more rhythmic friendly (which would be hard with CHR as it currently is) to try to maybe finally obliterate Hot.

Magic's playlist is really their only issue at this point.  Their current air talent and presentation work just fine for the format.  The 70s/80s/90s/00s music, though, needs to be rotated more than once per year.  That's just too little given that their playlist is relatively tight.  Chuck-FM (a station the new GM was also involved with) has done a good job at keeping Magic from getting over a 5 share in the past year.

The Planet is the one I would wonder about. 

B93.7 has had a dismal year, so far. HOT98.1 has all-but taken them out of commission P18-34. (B93.7 is still clinging on to a top 5 position P25-54). The P18-34 numbers at HOT98.1 have been insane this year. Right now, B93.7 is gasping for air. Doubt they'll be "obliterating" anyone anytime soon. However, HOT98.1 is always on shaky ground. Summer 2013 will be interesting with Summit in charge. A new PD at HOT98.1 could mean good things or a DISASTER.

Magic? WORD? Both fighting for #9 & #10 P25-54.... Not sure how much dough they're bringing in, but it isn't attributed to ratings. These stations are broken and I don't think it has anything to do with MY102.5 or the NewsTalk 94.5.

The Planet is a joke. They're hemorrhaging money. I wonder how the crew will feel when Entercom announces the "dumping" of 93.3 The Planet in lieu of an Urban station that will displace 107.3JAMZ and HOT98.1 BOTH?

I still have hope for Rock 101. Its the ONLY station holding it's own in the ratings. Yes, it could use some tweaks. What station in the upstate COULDN'T?

Will the GM succeed at Entercom?
I foresee staff changes by 2014.

 

[carolinaradio]

Welcome to the board, NotARadioGuy.

Thanks for the ratings details. The only reason that I think Hot 98.1 is doing well in that demo is that there is essentially nowhere else for the younger Urban audience to go. The market really has no Hip Hop or Mainstream Urban station. Hot reports as Rhythmic CHR - a format that is struggling greatly in the midsized markets it's in. That's an interesting case.

I've said the market needs another Urban station for probably 5 years, but I seem to be the only voice that's suggested it (personal preferences aside). This market is definitely not "too white" for another Urban station. If properly programmed, it could help take Jamz down and bolster B against Hot 98.1. B does well 25-54, likely due to Hawk & Tom whose listeners have probably been listening since they came on the air and are now in their 30's. I've wondered if B has been successful at helping keep MY at bay.

I can't imagine anybody under 60 listening to WORD. Magic is typical for a mainstream AC. Not exactly sure why they're having issues.

 

[NotARadioGuy]

It's definitely an interesting year ahead with Steve Sinicropi at Entercom. We know one thing, it won't be boring around here with the Clear Channel layoff drama in addition to the Cox/Entercom changes!

Anyone have any insight on the new NewsTalk 94.5? How are they doing?

 

[NotARadioGuy]

Oh, and thanks for the welcome CarolinaRadio! Interesting group here. I like!

 

[Scooter Lesley]

I gave a good listen to News Talk 94.5, and I guess I'm too much of a music (collector)Lover to really get it. I'm sure that they are going to do well in this market, but coming outta my dashboard,...I was bored to tears, and to the point of cheap scotch, even in a clean glass.
Just another reason that I recharge my WMA player overnight,...in
self-defense! My latest fave is Scott Gorham's post-Thin Lizzy band,
The Black Star Riders; the album, "All Hell Breaks Loose".

I believe that we will have to wait on the CC drama to completely play-out, before the new Emperor of Entercom makes his first ruling.
I respect this man, Steve Sinicropi, and for the first time E-GRV has somone with starch, in the oval office. He will rule!