• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

New York's NOW 92.3 Is Here

I guss evryone is too caught up on talking about it on the NYC board and forgot to mention it here. 8)
 
Well their call letters are only one call letter away from my local WNOU Radio Now 100.9,,, so who says that the midwest USA cant influence bigger markets... They arent owned by the same company, but I expect 92.3 to start off with Active Hits, including both Rhythmic and Rock, and probably a real dance music Weekend show, more dairing than z-100s, KTUs and Pulse,, including Jumpstyle/Hardstyle, Drum N Bass, Break Beats, Mashups.... ect... but only time will tell... As much as I love Z and KIIS, I think its time they both got some comp to keep them on their toes....
 
I've been listening for the better part of the last couple of days online, and I'm just wondering; Is anyone else not overly impressed so far with Now FM? I know they are still in the initial launch phase and everything may change, but so far, I just don't see anything particularly special about it. I don't think they sound nearly as good as Hot 95.7 in Houston, and not even as good as 97.1 Amp Radio in L.A. The production and voiceover guy is kind of boring, and there are no jingles either. Also, while Z100 sounds like New York both productionwise and musically, Now sounds more like a national jukebox that could be plopped down anywhere. It just doesn't have a "New York flavor", at least so far.

Also, as far as the attacks on crosstown Z100 go; yeah, as a radio geek, they are funny to hear, but I really wonder how effective and smart they are. The younger end of the demo isn't going to even remember or know what the "hot rockin', flamethrowin'" references are, so it's kind of lost on them. And the older end of the CHR demo (late 20's and 30's), grew up with that and dj's like Elvis Duran and view that as part of the sound and heritage of New York. So they may view the slams negatively. So I'm not really sure how effective this is for them. New York is different from a lot of markets, and they actually value heritage and traditions, and this is a double edged sword that could easily backfire on Now.

Right now it sounds as if Now is mainly interested in the very young end of the CHR demo. They may pick up teens, but I just don't see this as unseating Z100 so far. I think the late 20 and 30 something females will stick with Z. Don't get me wrong, I usually love CBS's CHR's, but I just think they are going to have to bring something better than this to the table if they plan on taking Z down. So far, I have to think that the crew at Clear Channel and Z100 are breathing a sigh of relief. As I said, this may change as the station evolves and adds personalities, but so far, I certainly think Z100 is a much better sounding station. And I think if Now doesn't step up and personalize more for New York, Z100 will handle them the same way they did 'PLJ/Power 95 in the 80's and early 90's. (Or who knows, maybe CBS is planning on just running the station cheaply and not unseating Z100, but just taking a bite out of them as a second tier station. I wouldn't think this would be wise in New York, but in this economy, who knows. All I know is that if they want to seriously make a run at beating Z100 in the ratings, they are going to need more effort and more of a New York "vibe" than what they are bringing now.)
 
I would have to agree with BRH. Although this station doesn't sound settled yet, their presentation seems relatively cookie-cutter for a large market, at least so far. They seem close in this respect to Kiss FM Chicago. (Although not quite as Rhythmic, and without the personality) I probably couldn't tell Now from any other similar-sounding, medium market CHR station aside from the brand name. Right now they aren't bringing any compelling reasons to switch from Z-100. They "play the hits". So does Z-100, and they have a newer, fresher, more familiar, and more varied playlist and personality. Now doesn't sound like a bad station by any means. Just nothing more than average. Their playlist (and presentation, for that matter) does sound a bit younger and more Rhythmic than Z-100 to me. I can't see them pulling much more Rhythmic or Urban, as this area is already over-saturated as it is. They seem more like the station that you switch to when Z-100 is not playing a decent song. To me, they don't have enough to take away that priority preset their wanting demo has, but only compete with it.

That all said, I wouldn't put down CBS just yet. These are just my first impressions. It took quite some time for B94 in Pittsburgh to actually exist. That may be the case here.
 
I really like what you guys are thinking here on this board! Hence why I visit all the time!

As far as NOW FM, all your comments are indeed correct. This is New York, I feel like this is a mid-market CHR that is the alternative station. I bet from 5pm-12am the day of the launch, Z100 was getting kicked around by NOW to hear a cookie-cutter NYC CHR. Let's see what they can come up with, but I personally do not see them getting any better. B94 in Pitts is giving KISS a hard time, but to be honest, it seems that CC stations particularily do better. I'd be interested to see which CBS CHR beats a CC CHR. When personally, I think CBS has the resources to do better.

My reaction to NOW: NOTHING to what it could be and definitely not a threat to Z100 in the long run.
 
Im really not impressed.... Z-100 NYC.... and Y-100 Miami--(OFF TOPIC) are my two favorite CHR stations in North America,,, other than Z1035 Toronto,,, but its in Canada...(DONT Count).... 93.3 FLZ is a close second behind Z-100 and Y-100....... I think they would be better off to just play the top 20 CHR hits right now for about a month,,, Including all Rhythmic and Rock hits.. Then slowly add some DJs and a Morning show, which better be a good one to compete with Elvis.... They are never gonna touch Z-100 while being an Urban station for White Boys.. its like Hot 97 and Power 105 LITE..........

They need to turn and burn the powers at first, but they will never beat the Z or I'll eat my ex G/Fs dirty socks..... (Okay sorry,,, bad thought,,,, about barfed on my monitor).... Okay,,, instead of competing directly with Z head on, they need to be a true Top 40, but include some Dance Hits,, and some newer Hip Hop before Hot or Power jumps on it,,, maybe a very small light does of Reggea,, and play a bit of Rock to get at least some P2s that no longer have a rock station in NYC.... Similar to stations like Z1035 Toronto,,,,, Play 99.6 and Beat 102.5,, both in Middle East Jordan,, but they are all english music and DJs, and also,, look at 104.4 Mix FM in Beruit Lebanon,,, and the network of NOVA stations in Australia... Play some songs like MGMT-Kids,, and maybe have a mid day Mashup mix.....
 
I like that you brought up the Nova stations from Australia as I was really hope that concept would be brought over States-side.
Z-103.5 would have been another cool option, but who knows. Let's give this station time to grow and evolve. You did after all mention 93.3 FLZ, and Domino did use to program that station.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom