North Shore 104.9 & Easy 99.1

[Retro]

They are the independents in the area, and it shows. Sure they are rim-shotters, however I have founnd the music that both stations play are much more original and not so much the tired, same old, same old.

Does anyone else listen, prefer these stations to the long established competitors?

 

[FPB]

I've heard both stations and I'm totally unimpressed. I wish 'BOQ would go back to jazz (or at least vacate 104.9 so that 'RBB could go farther).

 

[WFNERBSHX]

I've heard both stations and I'm totally unimpressed. I wish 'BOQ would go back to jazz (or at least vacate 104.9 so that 'RBB could go farther).

I'm unimpressed by the local content on WBOQ. For a station that bills itself as "North Shore 104.9", they are sorely lacking on the news side. They do sports well though. I agree with the prior comment about the music selection. I much prefer 'BOQ to WROR or WODS when I'm in the mood for 60s-70s era music. They have a very diverse playlist.

I miss the standards format as well and enjoy those trips up I-95 North when 'BOQ's sister station WNBP (1450) starts coming in clear around Topsfield. Though I loved 'NBP when it was live and local all the time and miss the full service format, they have one of the best playlists around. The only station in eastern Massachusetts to play from the Great American Songbook 24 hours a day, to my knowledge. Too bad they aren't on a better signal.

 

[JustinT]

I've heard both stations and I'm totally unimpressed. I wish 'BOQ would go back to jazz (or at least vacate 104.9 so that 'RBB could go farther).

I can't really speak for WBOQ, but Easy 99.1 has been an extreme disappointment since they flipped to self-described "Lite Classics" around January 2007. While the previous low-budget soft AC format at least put something different on the dial, WPLM now sounds like a very low-budget version of WMJX. And when WPLM is sharing its coverage area with three AC powerhouses (Magic 106.7 to the north, Lite Rock 105 to the west, and 99.9 WQRC to the south), that's not a great place to be. Heck, they've even got 95.9 WATD - a full-budget operation - in their own backyard.

Even though the format has been in an awkward place nationwide, I think BA's Smooth Jazz Network would be a great fit on WPLM. They're really not adding anything to the marketplace as-is, and with WCRB's move to 99.5 leaving South Shore dentists office looking for a new waiting room music source, it could be a good fit.

 

[BRNout]

With respect to WBOQ, I won't comment on the local content issue except to point out that at least they HAVE local news and traffic...unlike ever so many smaller stations these days. I think their mix of oldies is the best in the market (by far) or at least in the northern half of it (I never get to hear what WATD is up to). Musically, they are relatively unique compared with the short playlists of WODS and WROR. Quite refreshing.

I might add that flipping from oldies to something like smooth jazz or classical would result in fewer listeners and less overall appeal. Yes, it might make a very small number of people VERY happy, but it would be a punch out for a much larger percentage of their current audience. For example, I never (ever) tuned in to them when they were classical. Now, they have a button in the car. And, I'm in the 25-44 demo.

As for WPLM, I've periodically listened to this station over the years and it's truly lost its way. It used to be the benchmark for ez-listening in an area with an older overall population. Then they started tinkering around with the format and have not been the same since. What I've heard of them recently sounds dull and uninspired. But, I'll add a caveat: my opinion is based on a relatively short TSL, so I guess they could have been doing great things while I was elsewhere.....but I doubt it.

 

[argytunes]

BRNout's post is the reason so many radio stations sound tired.

A desired demographic and copycat formats have replaced original programming. With most radio stations offering the same types of formats, does it come as any surprise why MP3 and CD players are so popular? :

argytunes

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

I miss the standards format as well and enjoy those trips up I-95 North when 'BOQ's sister station WNBP (1450) starts coming in clear around Topsfield. Though I loved 'NBP when it was live and local all the time and miss the full service format, they have one of the best playlists around. The only station in eastern Massachusetts to play from the Great American Songbook 24 hours a day, to my knowledge. Too bad they aren't on a better signal.

You may have just provided the niche that 99.1 could fill, and probably quite nicely.

I would agree with those who have made the point that WPLM is just an also-ran with its current format.

However......given the older and more affluent demographics of Cape Cod, they would have a really decent shot at doing an "American Popular Standards" format......and NO, I don't mean some cheap cheezy 'bird fed' service, but rather a live locally programmed format not unlike the Sunday Night "Music America" program already running on WPLM.

A format with REAL variety of tunes (both old standards along with new standards by contemporary artists), and locally programmed with people who KNOW the music and LOVE the music. In short, a station that would have its very own niche to program to......and a niche it could OWN if done properly.

 

[pqgeorge]

With respect to WBOQ, I won't comment on the local content issue except to point out that at least they HAVE local news and traffic...unlike ever so many smaller stations these days. I think their mix of oldies is the best in the market (by far) or at least in the northern half of it (I never get to hear what WATD is up to). Musically, they are relatively unique compared with the short playlists of WODS and WROR. Quite refreshing.

I might add that flipping from oldies to something like smooth jazz or classical would result in fewer listeners and less overall appeal. Yes, it might make a very small number of people VERY happy, but it would be a punch out for a much larger percentage of their current audience. For example, I never (ever) tuned in to them when they were classical. Now, they have a button in the car. And, I'm in the 25-44 demo.

As for WPLM, I've periodically listened to this station over the years and it's truly lost its way. It used to be the benchmark for ez-listening in an area with an older overall population. Then they started tinkering around with the format and have not been the same since. What I've heard of them recently sounds dull and uninspired. But, I'll add a caveat: my opinion is based on a relatively short TSL, so I guess they could have been doing great things while I was elsewhere.....but I doubt it.

I think WPLM-FM would be better off if they went all-oldies (50's, 60's and 70's). They've got a good solid Stereo signal covering two markets (South of Boston), the Providence area and the Cape. With B-101 pretty much out of the oldies market and WODS playing "Classic Hits", it might be an option for 'PLM to go with oldies. There's already too many soft-contemporary stations in the area as it is. WBOQ's approach to oldies might be the way for 'PLM to go.

 

[dhoule]

I'm surprised a big company hasn't gobbled them up and put the same programming on both to cover Boston.

 

[BRNout]

BRNout's post is the reason so many radio stations sound tired.

A desired demographic and copycat formats have replaced original programming. With most radio stations offering the same types of formats, does it come as any surprise why MP3 and CD players are so popular? :

argytunes

Whoa argy! Read me again.

I actually complimented WBOQ's local news and large playlist over the tired, tight playlists of Boston stations. But, it does no good to program a station to such a tiny audience as would listen to smooth jazz or classical. If you want to build a "local" station, you need to have music with some general appeal. That's what they are doing and - they seem to be doing it pretty well. THAT is original programming. I hate the tight formatting that stations such as WODS serve up. But, there's also a happy median. Programming Tibetan folk music because it has 10 diehard fans isn't wise either.

 

[JustinT]

I'm surprised a big company hasn't gobbled them up and put the same programming on both to cover Boston.

I believe WPLM-FM has received many offers over the years, but the ownership refuses to sell. WBOQ's really only been around a few years in its current incarnation, it was "sold" from Woody Tanger to his son in 2003.

 

[JIBGUY]

[quote given the older and more affluent demographics of Cape Cod, they would have a really decent shot at doing an "American Popular Standards" format......and NO, I don't mean some cheap cheezy 'bird fed' service, but rather a live locally programmed format not unlike the Sunday Night "Music America" program already running on WPLM.

A format with REAL variety of tunes (both old standards along with new standards by contemporary artists), and locally programmed with people who KNOW the music and LOVE the music. In short, a station that would have its very own niche to program to......and a niche it could OWN if done properly.
[/quote]

The adult-standards crowd, from my experience, doesn't necessarily want the high-profile-DJ introducing songs. It's about 50-50; some do, some don't. At least 50% just want to hear the music with no or little chat. Soooo, what do you propose for an adult-standards station to do here? ---spend TONS and TONS of money ($350,000.00 [including emplymet taxes]) for a full airstaff of knowledgable DJ's to please half the audience and aggrivate the other half? And that is to be paid for by WHAT? --the meager tiny amounts of income from the few advertisers (colon cleansers, get-rich-quick?) that want to target the 60+ crowd? - I'm sure that if your hand, with pen-in-hand at the station's checkbook, would start shaking if you owned and ran a station as you propose.

 

[argytunes]

The adult-standards crowd, from my experience, doesn't necessarily want the high-profile-DJ introducing songs. It's about 50-50; some do, some don't. At least 50% just want to hear the music with no or little chat. Soooo, what do you propose for an adult-standards station to do here? ---spend TONS and TONS of money ($350,000.00 [including emplymet taxes]) for a full airstaff of knowledgable DJ's to please half the audience and aggrivate the other half? And that is to be paid for by WHAT? --the meager tiny amounts of income from the few advertisers (colon cleansers, get-rich-quick?) that want to target the 60+ crowd? - I'm sure that if your hand, with pen-in-hand at the station's checkbook, would start shaking if you owned and ran a station as you propose.
[/quote]

I honestly think 98.7 "The Bay" and 94.9 WHOM have the right idea. Out of a song cluster---the on-air personality does a quick run down of the songs and/or artists that were just played...the jock says something relevant about the area....teases the artists coming up...and then goes into an enormous spot cluster!
Accumulative time for jock to speak: roughly 45-60 seconds. So the format business is taken care of...the on-air personality puts his own 'spin' on a newsworthy or community service event...and then HE or SHE is out!

WHAT I HATE is when 4 minutes of commercials are aired followed by a jock saying: coming up next is a song from ELO or The Beatles followed by another 3 minutes of spots or promos! NOW THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ALIENATES LISTENERS!

There's a major difference between tolerating commercial/promo clusters...and listening to a bunch of car dealers and furniture salespeople sounding foolish or stupid in in a 7-8 minute stopset!

argytunes

 

[argytunes]

BRNout's post is the reason so many radio stations sound tired.

A desired demographic and copycat formats have replaced original programming. With most radio stations offering the same types of formats, does it come as any surprise why MP3 and CD players are so popular? :

argytunes

Whoa argy! Read me again.

I actually complimented WBOQ's local news and large playlist over the tired, tight playlists of Boston stations. But, it does no good to program a station to such a tiny audience as would listen to smooth jazz or classical. If you want to build a "local" station, you need to have music with some general appeal. That's what they are doing and - they seem to be doing it pretty well. THAT is original programming. I hate the tight formatting that stations such as WODS serve up. But, there's also a happy median. Programming Tibetan folk music because it has 10 diehard fans isn't wise either.

BRNout...

While I don't anticipate a huge following for Tibetan folk music anytime soon...I think you have to admit that local radio stations...which have been bought up by large radio conglomerates...have started to become LESS LOCAL? Maybe this was encouraged by a consultant, a numbers expert, or possibly BOTH? But the formats that appeal to the masses often robs the local listeners of music (or talk) that wouldn't be available...except on a satellite or possibly a syndicated show?

How many radio stations (small, medium or large) actually ASK THEIR LISTENERS if the format is what THEY ENJOY? Sure...you'll a diverse group of answers--and at least a few of 'em will be completely off-the-wall! But isn't the original purpose of ANY radio station to...serve its listeners within the area of where the programming is transmitted? ???

Or has the appeal of "broadcasting programming to interested listeners" gone the way of the 25 cent postage stamp!

argytunes

 

[Eli Polonsky]

How many radio stations (small, medium or large) actually ASK THEIR LISTENERS if the format is what THEY ENJOY? Sure...you'll a diverse group of answers--and at least a few of 'em will be completely off-the-wall! But isn't the original purpose of ANY radio station to...serve its listeners within the area of where the programming is transmitted? ???

Commercial stations, and their sponsors, use ratings to guage that, and if a stations ratings aren't high enough to sustain the station with adequate and consistent advertising revenue, they need to increase the size of their audience (and make sure it's appealing to a target demo that advertisers cater to). It's not so much a matter of what an audience that is too small happens to enjoy when they need to broaden their appeal to increase their numbers, and though it may sound like an oxymoron, broadening their appeal to attract more and larger amounts of listeners usually means more mainstream music and programming.

 

[12 In a Row]

BRNout's post is the reason so many radio stations sound tired.

A desired demographic and copycat formats have replaced original programming. With most radio stations offering the same types of formats, does it come as any surprise why MP3 and CD players are so popular? :

argytunes

Whoa argy! Read me again.

I actually complimented WBOQ's local news and large playlist over the tired, tight playlists of Boston stations. But, it does no good to program a station to such a tiny audience as would listen to smooth jazz or classical. If you want to build a "local" station, you need to have music with some general appeal. That's what they are doing and - they seem to be doing it pretty well. THAT is original programming. I hate the tight formatting that stations such as WODS serve up. But, there's also a happy median. Programming Tibetan folk music because it has 10 diehard fans isn't wise either.

BRNout...

While I don't anticipate a huge following for Tibetan folk music anytime soon...I think you have to admit that local radio stations...which have been bought up by large radio conglomerates...have started to become LESS LOCAL? Maybe this was encouraged by a consultant, a numbers expert, or possibly BOTH? But the formats that appeal to the masses often robs the local listeners of music (or talk) that wouldn't be available...except on a satellite or possibly a syndicated show?

How many radio stations (small, medium or large) actually ASK THEIR LISTENERS if the format is what THEY ENJOY? Sure...you'll a diverse group of answers--and at least a few of 'em will be completely off-the-wall! But isn't the original purpose of ANY radio station to...serve its listeners within the area of where the programming is transmitted? ???

Or has the appeal of "broadcasting programming to interested listeners" gone the way of the 25 cent postage stamp!

argytunes

How many radio stations (small, medium or large) actually ASK THEIR LISTENERS if the format is what THEY ENJOY?



The answer is "Yes." Millions have been spent over the years asking listeners what they want.
They SAY they want more variety, larger playlists.

History has shown time and again, these stations would expand their lists and watch their numbers drop.
Bottom line, listeners say they want one thing but do just the opposite. They LIE!!

Joe and Jane Six Pack want to sing along with their favorite hits.

 

[cjf68]

This is something my wife has noticed; Since Sean Casey has left WPLM, The play list has gone back to an
older more soft sound.(somewhat) To me, it still does not work.When I think of WPLM I think of two words:
Unwritten Potential.
I would think that they would at least try a format that is not present in the current market.But based on past E-
mails to the station, they are very arrogant and condesending. To the level of: You are no longer in our demo,We
do not care for you. I just do not understand how you alienate people in this way.
Which is pretty good for a station that has in essence not had a website in nearly 2 1/2 years with no audio
streaming and very little local promotion. Just a lot of the usual; We Play Lousy Music. (and are lazy too!!!)

Now who really cares about them now?????

 

[BRNout]

While I don't anticipate a huge following for Tibetan folk music anytime soon...I think you have to admit that local radio stations...which have been bought up by large radio conglomerates...have started to become LESS LOCAL? Maybe this was encouraged by a consultant, a numbers expert, or possibly BOTH? But the formats that appeal to the masses often robs the local listeners of music (or talk) that wouldn't be available...except on a satellite or possibly a syndicated show?

Yes, sadly that's true. But this is an area where I gave WBOQ credit - at least they make the effort to stay local to the North Shore/Cape Ann area. Almost (though not quite) like one of those old fashioned "full service" stations that used to be common. However, to do this properly, they need to program music that their audience will actually listen to. Smooth jazz is too niched for that. And, so was classical. With respect to the latter, that wasn't always true. But times changed and WBOQ's new owner changed with them. The oldies music that they now program fits very nicely with the rest of their format and thy program a nice, big playlist. Don't confuse WBOQ with a station that's programming to the overall Boston DMA. They're goal is to superserve their local area. Listeners from elsewhere are just frosting on the cake.

How many radio stations (small, medium or large) actually ASK THEIR LISTENERS if the format is what THEY ENJOY? Sure...you'll a diverse group of answers--and at least a few of 'em will be completely off-the-wall! But isn't the original purpose of ANY radio station to...serve its listeners within the area of where the programming is transmitted? ???

Or has the appeal of "broadcasting programming to interested listeners" gone the way of the 25 cent postage stamp!

I think that WBOQ is serving their local listeners quite well. WPLM, less so. Not sure what your beef is with the way that WBOQ is being run. Their format would seem to fit their service area pretty well. And, as others have stated, ratings normally determine formats. Sure, there are exceptions. And, smaller stations sometimes are exceptions - and they sometimes have to use different criteria to come the the conclusion of what to program. But, in this case, I think you are beating your head into a wall if you try arguing that WBOQ's present mix of oldies, local sports and news is not representative of the adult audience in their main service area. Frankly, they are doing what I wish more stations did.

 

[Alec Bova]

I like both stations a lot.

 

[faderraider]

can you imagine what would happen if ATD had the 50,000 big ones PLM has???? 8)