New Miami FM - The Shark

[AMRocks]

Getting back on target for this string...104.3 --
I'm NOT a rock or alternative listener. Not at all. But I've been listening to "The Shark" since its debut. And, oddly enough, I recognize most of the songs. I'd say about 75-80%. That means that most of the songs that The Shark plays also play (or played) on CHR at some point.
So the station, right now, is not really "Alternative." It's more of an "Alt40". I'm sure that will change with time. But right now, they are trying to grab as many listeners as possible. They got me.....

 

[NewsStud]

And, oddly enough, I recognize most of the songs. I'd say about 75-80%. That means that most of the songs that The Shark plays also play (or played) on CHR at some point. So the station, right now, is not really "Alternative." It's more of an "Alt40". /QUOTE]

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

The name "Alternative Rock" is a pretty wide net. I think we hear that word as we start thinking 1990's core acts like Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Hole, Smashing Pumpkins, etc. These were bands with voice-straining vocals, distorted guitars, etc. But "Alternative" really covers a much bigger berth.

No Doubt was by no real means grungy. They were considered to be Alternative. So were Luscious Jackson. One might put The Killers in the Alternative category but they remind more of Europop. As did Blur.

On the Shark I've heard "Safe And Sound" by Capital Cities. That's a song that's been all over Hot AC. It's beat-driven and dance-hall friendly. But I'd still put it in the Alternative column.

I guess what I'm saying is there are non-grunge beat-friendly alternative songs and acts out there, and that's probably what you need to play on an Alt. station in a market that often favors rythmic to rock.

 

[Brian Sherwin]

Deena Lang back on the air - ironically at the 104.3 FM dial. (Remember this frequency WAS Sunny in WPB where she was canned). Heard her promo this morning - she's doing the 10am hour on The Shark. Good for her! She deserves it!

 

[AMRocks]

Has anyone noticed the music changing already? It's definitely playing more not-as-CHR alternative tunes.

Also, who is the guy coming up with the liners? They are just awful! "The great white of South Florida radio." There was one promoting Deena that was so terrible that I can't even remember it. Is this 1972 and George Johns is at the helm? Jeez. Entercom. I thought you'd be better than that.

 

[puddingpop]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but Miami hasn't had a rock station (other than Classic Rock) for a full decade, right? If that's the case, that's way too long of a gap for any past results to be relevant. Lots can change in the space of ten years...not only the tastes of listeners, but also the formats themselves.

As others have pointed out, Miami is much more of a pop market than others--and on top of that, the format is WAY more pop-based than it was when Zeta left--so it should be no surprise that it sounds the way it does.

Brand new radio stations almost always stick with a very tight, safe, gold-heavy and hit-based playlist for several months while they feel out their listeners, do some research, slowly add hosts and programming features, and figure out what they need to sound like in the long run. I mean, heck, The Shark still only has one on-air personality so far, with nobody in mornings or afternoons yet.

Also, Entercom historically allows each of its Alt stations develop their own identity, and they tend to be unique from most other corporate Alt stations (particularly all the ones trying to be KROQ clones).

It's probably going to be a long while before we know what The Shark is really going to sound like, or whether it will succeed or fail.

 

[TheBigA]

Lots can change in the space of ten years...not only the tastes of listeners, but also the formats themselves.

That assumes the population make-up has remained consistent in the last ten years. Has it?

 

[puddingpop]

Lots can change in the space of ten years...not only the tastes of listeners, but also the formats themselves.

That assumes the population make-up has remained consistent in the last ten years. Has it?

Actually, that question points out yet another way in which a radio market can change over the course of a decade.

 

[MarkW]

The Shark

LOL -- a 1.4 share in the latest ratings book....with that MASSIVE signal. This station is showing zero ratings momentum. Good luck trying to make money with ratings like that, especially in a format that has lousy power ratios in the first place.

Entercom picked the wrong format for S. Florida. There aren't a ton of granola eating hipsters walking around.

A broad based contemporary rock station would earn better - albeit certainly not great - numbers.