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Oldies 107.9 in danger of a flip?

R

rockthisworld

Guest
With it's very close sibling WFLB/Fayettevile "Oldies 96.5" having changed formats to classic hits, is Oldies 107.9 next in line? They keep good numbers, but so did WFLB -- so that's obviously not a factor here. I have noticed over the past year or so a lot of 70s and even 80s tracks have made it into the playlist. They can only go so far before they start dipping in WSFL's listener pool, unless Beasley wants to employ a Classic Hits/Classic Hard Rock duo tactic here.

Thoughts?<P ID="signature">______________

Eastern NC & Raleigh/Greensboro Board Moderator</P>
 
> With it's very close sibling WFLB/Fayettevile "Oldies 96.5"
> having changed formats to classic hits, is Oldies 107.9 next
> in line? They keep good numbers, but so did WFLB -- so
> that's obviously not a factor here. I have noticed over the
> past year or so a lot of 70s and even 80s tracks have made
> it into the playlist. They can only go so far before they
> start dipping in WSFL's listener pool, unless Beasley wants
> to employ a Classic Hits/Classic Hard Rock duo tactic here.
>
> Thoughts?

WFLB was never the station that WNCT is. Look at the fact that they both have the same grade signal into the Raleigh MSA, with WFLB covering the more populated areas of the TSA. WFLB never showed up in the Raleigh ratings, while WNCT consistently has. WFLB's talent was never near WNCT's and they never got into the community the way WNCT has.

At Beasley Fayetteville, if it isn't about WKML, it isn't happening.

Another factor is that in Fayetteville is a small market. The fact that this change comes when a book hasn't even come out tells me it's a money saving decision to can the talent. Fayetteville is a standard market, while G-NB-Jax is a continuous measurement market. More often than not, ratings have nothing to do with format decisions in standard and condensed markets.

Oldies is a fat niche in G-NB-Jax. I don't think WNCT has anything to worry about.
 
> > With it's very close sibling WFLB/Fayettevile "Oldies
> 96.5"
> > having changed formats to classic hits, is Oldies 107.9
> next
> > in line? They keep good numbers, but so did WFLB -- so
> > that's obviously not a factor here. I have noticed over
> the
> > past year or so a lot of 70s and even 80s tracks have made
>
> > it into the playlist. They can only go so far before they
>
> > start dipping in WSFL's listener pool, unless Beasley
> wants
> > to employ a Classic Hits/Classic Hard Rock duo tactic
> here.
> >
> > Thoughts?
>
> WFLB was never the station that WNCT is. Look at the fact
> that they both have the same grade signal into the Raleigh
> MSA, with WFLB covering the more populated areas of the TSA.
> WFLB never showed up in the Raleigh ratings, while WNCT
> consistently has. WFLB's talent was never near WNCT's and
> they never got into the community the way WNCT has.
>
> At Beasley Fayetteville, if it isn't about WKML, it isn't
> happening.
>
> Another factor is that in Fayetteville is a small market.
> The fact that this change comes when a book hasn't even come
> out tells me it's a money saving decision to can the talent.
> Fayetteville is a standard market, while G-NB-Jax is a
> continuous measurement market. More often than not, ratings
> have nothing to do with format decisions in standard and
> condensed markets.
>
> Oldies is a fat niche in G-NB-Jax. I don't think WNCT has
> anything to worry about.
>
Back to the Fayetteville flip, is Beasley doing anything different with standards WAZZ 1490 AM? Maybe taking it in more of an oldies direction to supplant WFLB?
 
> With it's very close sibling WFLB/Fayettevile "Oldies 96.5"
> having changed formats to classic hits, is Oldies 107.9 next
> in line? They keep good numbers, but so did WFLB -- so
> that's obviously not a factor here. I have noticed over the
> past year or so a lot of 70s and even 80s tracks have made
> it into the playlist. They can only go so far before they
> start dipping in WSFL's listener pool, unless Beasley wants
> to employ a Classic Hits/Classic Hard Rock duo tactic here.
>
> Thoughts?
>


It's a numbers game - but with dollar signs. Ratings are one thing, selling it and making budget is another. Plus...what is the long term outlook 3-5 years down the road? CAN it be successfully morphed, yet still be "oldies".

I love oldies, true oldies (80s aren't "oldies"), but if P25-54 is what corporate wants, they're not gonna get it. Oldies is a 35-64 format, and does VERY well there. If that's not good enough...then it's time for the format to go.

<P ID="signature">______________
Chuck Matthews Voiceovers
[email protected]

http://voices.planetcharley.com
http://chuckmatthews1.voice123.com</P>
 
> > With it's very close sibling WFLB/Fayettevile "Oldies
> 96.5"
> > having changed formats to classic hits, is Oldies 107.9
> next
> > in line? They keep good numbers, but so did WFLB -- so
> > that's obviously not a factor here. I have noticed over
> the
> > past year or so a lot of 70s and even 80s tracks have made
>
> > it into the playlist. They can only go so far before they
>
> > start dipping in WSFL's listener pool, unless Beasley
> wants
> > to employ a Classic Hits/Classic Hard Rock duo tactic
> here.
> >
> > Thoughts?
>
> WFLB was never the station that WNCT is. Look at the fact
> that they both have the same grade signal into the Raleigh
> MSA, with WFLB covering the more populated areas of the TSA.
> WFLB never showed up in the Raleigh ratings, while WNCT
> consistently has. WFLB's talent was never near WNCT's and
> they never got into the community the way WNCT has.
>
> At Beasley Fayetteville, if it isn't about WKML, it isn't
> happening.
>
> Another factor is that in Fayetteville is a small market.
> The fact that this change comes when a book hasn't even come
> out tells me it's a money saving decision to can the talent.
> Fayetteville is a standard market, while G-NB-Jax is a
> continuous measurement market. More often than not, ratings
> have nothing to do with format decisions in standard and
> condensed markets.
>
> Oldies is a fat niche in G-NB-Jax. I don't think WNCT has
> anything to worry about.
>

WTRG showed up in G-NB-Jax more than WNCT showed up in Raleigh. If WNCT did show, at best it was .5 12 plus.
<P ID="signature">______________
Chuck Matthews Voiceovers
[email protected]

http://voices.planetcharley.com
http://chuckmatthews1.voice123.com</P>
 
> I love oldies, true oldies (80s aren't "oldies"), but if
> P25-54 is what corporate wants, they're not gonna get it.
> Oldies is a 35-64 format, and does VERY well there. If
> that's not good enough...then it's time for the format to
> go.
>

If you can sell the format and keep it cash flow positive, it doesn't need to go anywhere. Everyone wants that almighty 25-54 demo because it spends the most money, but if you can get the advertisers to see potential money elsewhere and give them results, it doesn't become such a big hurdle.
 
> WTRG showed up in G-NB-Jax more than WNCT showed up in
> Raleigh. If WNCT did show, at best it was .5 12 plus.

WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is not in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through most of ENC.
 
> WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is not
> in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through
> most of ENC.

But for a long time (in the end it was a little on the sucky side) WTRG was a MUCH better oldies station that WNCT could dream to be. I guess it all depends what you like... I'm more on the big city sound, which WNCT clearly doesn't have.<P ID="signature">______________

Eastern NC & Raleigh/Greensboro Board Moderator</P>
 
I lived in SE Raleigh and I could get both stations, and I thought Oldies 107.9 had a "fresher" sound than WFLB. I liked both stations, but if I had to choose between one it would be WNCT.
After Oldies WTRG flipped did WNCT's ratings climb? It would seem logical because WTRG covered most of the Greenville/New Bern market well.
 
> > WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is
> not
> > in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through
> > most of ENC.
>
> But for a long time (in the end it was a little on the sucky
> side) WTRG was a MUCH better oldies station that WNCT could
> dream to be. I guess it all depends what you like... I'm
> more on the big city sound, which WNCT clearly doesn't have.

Up until CC bought them, WTRG was a wonderful station. When they first switched to oldies, Randall Bliss had them playing the oldies with a classic rock attitude, "Music whose time has come....again" with that scalloped triangle logo. None of that wimpy "good times great oldies fun fun fun" junk.
 
> > WTRG showed up in G-NB-Jax more than WNCT showed up in
> > Raleigh. If WNCT did show, at best it was .5 12 plus.
>
> WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is not
> in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through
> most of ENC.
>

I could hear WNCT loud n clear in Raleigh. I'd listen at times on my way to work. Was better than JB&B on 'TRG!<P ID="signature">______________
Chuck Matthews Voiceovers
[email protected]

http://voices.planetcharley.com
http://chuckmatthews1.voice123.com</P>
 
> > WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is
> not
> > in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through
> > most of ENC.
>
> But for a long time (in the end it was a little on the sucky
> side) WTRG was a MUCH better oldies station that WNCT could
> dream to be. I guess it all depends what you like... I'm
> more on the big city sound, which WNCT clearly doesn't have.
>

WNCT's jingles were really old. And often didn't match. When I left (Nov04) I believe they had just gotten some new ones from Tony Griffin, the Superhits package. Imaging was...ok.. considering it was the MJI Oldies kit almost verbatim. And I'm not a fan of Merkel as VO for oldies. I prefer Charlie Van Dyke, Bumper Morgan or Jeff Laurence, who we had at WTRG from April 03 to the flip. IMHO Van Dyke is starting to sound a bit old, even for oldies, and he's expensive. Jeff sounds young, vocally, and is more versatile with his reads. Merkel sounds a little hokey. We were fortunate at WTRG/RDU to have someone who's sole gig was to do imaging - me (2000-04). Whether it was good or not...not for me to say. Some may have liked it, others not.

I too prefer the bigger, slicker sound. Having worked at WMJI/Cleveland for many years, I'm accustomed to a bigger market sound. Resources can be an issue sometimes.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by cmatthews on 01/13/06 07:04 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> > > WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is
> > not
> > > in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through
>
> > > most of ENC.
> >
> > But for a long time (in the end it was a little on the
> sucky
> > side) WTRG was a MUCH better oldies station that WNCT
> could
> > dream to be. I guess it all depends what you like... I'm
> > more on the big city sound, which WNCT clearly doesn't
> have.
>
> Up until CC bought them, WTRG was a wonderful station. When
> they first switched to oldies, Randall Bliss had them
> playing the oldies with a classic rock attitude, "Music
> whose time has come....again" with that scalloped triangle
> logo. None of that wimpy "good times great oldies fun fun
> fun" junk.
>


When I arrived May 2000 WTRG was owned by AMFM, and sounded musically similar to WMJI. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" in rotation, as well as a few other "classic rock" tunes. Arguably pop/R&B is the way to go in the "south". At WMJI we played The Who, Kinks, Argent, Lou Reed, and some other "classic rock" artists. A perceptual and music test came in Fall 2000. Music changed. It changed quite a bit over the next five years as different PD's, OM's, etc were involved. Most music tests after 2000 were compilations (consolidated research) from like markets. Not always the best way to program. But it was cheaper. WTRG's biggest issue wasn't the music, it was JB&B. Having them in AM drive over 4 years led to WTRG's downfall. JB&B ran off all the women. We were essentially a male dominated station in most dayparts. Oldies needs to be 45-60 percent female. Females make 80% of the household purchases. And/or influence 80% of the purchases. <P ID="signature">______________
Chuck Matthews Voiceovers
[email protected]

http://voices.planetcharley.com
http://chuckmatthews1.voice123.com</P>
 
> > > WTRG was also located within the G-NB-Jax TSA. WNCT is
> > not
> > > in the RDU TSA. WTRG/WRVA comes in like a local through
>
> > > most of ENC.
> >
> > But for a long time (in the end it was a little on the
> sucky
> > side) WTRG was a MUCH better oldies station that WNCT
> could
> > dream to be. I guess it all depends what you like... I'm
> > more on the big city sound, which WNCT clearly doesn't
> have.
>
> Up until CC bought them, WTRG was a wonderful station. When
> they first switched to oldies, Randall Bliss had them
> playing the oldies with a classic rock attitude, "Music
> whose time has come....again" with that scalloped triangle
> logo. None of that wimpy "good times great oldies fun fun
> fun" junk.
>

Randall is a good programmer.

When I arrived May 2000 WTRG was owned by AMFM, and sounded musically similar to WMJI. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" in rotation, as well as a few other "classic rock" tunes. Arguably pop/R&B is the way to go in the "south". At WMJI we played The Who, Kinks, Argent, Lou Reed, and some other "classic rock" artists. A perceptual and music test came in Fall 2000. Music changed. It changed quite a bit over the next five years as different PD's, OM's, etc were involved. Most music tests after 2000 were compilations (consolidated research) from like markets. Not always the best way to program. But it was cheaper. WTRG's biggest issue wasn't the music, it was JB&B. Having them in AM drive over 4 years led to WTRG's downfall. JB&B ran off all the women. We were essentially a male dominated station in most dayparts. Oldies needs to be 45-60 percent female. Females make 80% of the household purchases. And/or influence 80% of the purchases.

I personally prefer "Greatest Hits of All Time". It's a positioner that allows for the station to evolve. I'm not a fan of the word "oldies", nor a fan of era definition (60s/70s) in positioning. It pigeonholes you. Hence, "Greatest Hits of All Time".

I also think that "The Home of Rock and Roll" can be used for oldies. It's been used for classic rock, but "rock n roll" was coined in the 50s. It doesn't apply to classic rock, or rock period. "Greatest Rock and Roll Hits of All Time" would work as well.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by cmatthews on 01/13/06 07:18 PM.</FONT></P>
 
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