One Year From Now

[tvradiogeek]

But what happens when the advertisers wake up and realize those in their 20's and, increasingly, their 30s, have no money?

Or worse: that 20 somethings didn't grow up listening to radio, and don't listen now. WODS as a classic hits station had a solid audience that took vacations, refinanced homes, bought cars, and were preparing for retirement. Lots to sell them. Whatever is AMP selling now, the audience isn't listening, they're on YouTube or Pandora.

It happened in NYC with WCBS-FM. Between Kiss, Jam'n, Hot96.9 and even Evolution 101.7, AMP is destined to fail. It's chances of survival are far slimmer than they were last time CBS tried CHR on that frequency and failed.

Interesting question who is going to survive amp or hot 96.9?

 

[blackgold]

I predict that WODS-FM will switch to a Spanish language format. It'll be CBS's first Spanish format in the USA. And it will served as the flagship of a new national Spanish network. News on the hour and as it happens, with the most varied music lineup.

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

It would be a good idea to bring Jim and Margery in on WGBH. It would raise the profile of the station, which right now is the #2 NPR station in Boston. They would also be able to break a little bit of the stale NPR style without going too far. Liven it up a little bit, but still get the job done.

It would also bring more fundraising come membership drive time to have two names people have known for years asking for money.

And don't let any of them fool you, membership drive time is what it's really all about.

It would make perfect sense for Phil Redo to try to get Jim and Margery to 89.7....especially if it could be done for the right price! Two more voices to drone on and on and on during "Begging Time".

 

[CTListener]

I predict that WODS-FM will switch to a Spanish language format. It'll be CBS's first Spanish format in the USA. And it will served as the flagship of a new national Spanish network. News on the hour and as it happens, with the most varied music lineup.

Why would this happen in Boston and not New York, Miami or Los Angeles?

 

[cqm0724]

Actually CBS radio currently have Spanish FM stations on the following markets:

Dallas -http://www.mega1075.com/
Houston- http://www.mega101fm.com/
Tampa- http://www.925maxima.com/
Washington DC - http://www.elzolradio.com/ (107.9 fm)

It would be unlikely for CBS radio in Boston to switch AMP to Spanish. (If the station does not perform well). They are more likely to try another format. It seems like radio companies in Boston are afraid to touch a different format (urban, urban ac, spanish, etc.) due to the unknown on how successful/unsuccessful it can be. It remains to be seen if this is going to change in the near future. If someone has the guts to do something different. Right now most stations in the market sound the same.

Im glad we got Pandora, sirius xm, and internet radio available ;D

 

[trock]

I predict that WODS-FM will switch to a Spanish language format.  It'll be CBS's first Spanish format in the USA.  And it will served as the flagship of a new national Spanish network.  News on the hour and as it happens, with the most varied music lineup.

Are you being serious? Substitute a format which is on fire right now for a niche format? ??? Amp is here for the long hall folks enough with the crazy talk. I don't see much of a change a year from now unless cc can't make it work with evolution.

 

[crainbebo]

How 'bout Mike FM returning? I like some Adult Hits, a mix of '80s pop, rock, 70s rock, 90s music would work! Just a prediction folks...

-crainbebo

 

[itsthesong]

It always befuddles me when people on here suggest stations with successful formats flip. At least once a month someone will suggest that Kiss flip to talk, spanish, urban - as long as Amp/Kiss/etc are making money for their owners, they are in it for the long haul.

 

[promixcuous]

How 'bout Mike FM returning? I like some Adult Hits, a mix of '80s pop, rock, 70s rock, 90s music would work! Just a prediction folks...

-crainbebo

Yup. Big hole for 80s pop right now. It's silly to have WZLX and WROR be so redundant. Heck, there's a hole for 70s pop right now, too.

GenXers who grew up on John Hughes movies are making their big life purchases right now.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

Yup. Big hole for 80s pop right now. It's silly to have WZLX and WROR be so redundant. Heck, there's a hole for 70s pop right now, too.

While most songs on WROR and WZLX cross over, WROR still plays more pop than WZLX.

Some songs on WROR's "just played" list right now that are not played on WZLX:

Carole King - It's Too Late
Bon Jovi - Livin On A Prayer
The B-52's - Love Shack
The Monkees - I'm A Believer
The Guess Who - These Eyes
Hall & Oates - You Make My Dreams Come True
Stevie Wonder - Part-Time Lover
Bill Withers - Lean On Me
Naked Eyes - Always Something There

Many others that would be occasional at most on WZLX, if they still play them.

 

[crainbebo]

It was stupid to have a "Mike FM stunt" during the 96.9 whirl of formats. Just leave it on Mike FM for crying out loud!

-crainbebo

 

[RedWingCJS278]

I really wonder how a 'Quiet FM' station would perform. Nearly all instrumentals, with just a spattering of vocals here and there. Beautiful Music, New Age, Classical, certain 'atmospheric' pieces by rock artists (for lack of a better term; think some of Pink Floyd's lighter instrumental stuff, or perhaps the German music of the '70s like Can or Tangerine Dream), Standards, occasional jazz, all thrown in a blender. A station for all of us sick of the noise in the world, not aimed at or sold as being aimed toward any particular demographic whatsoever. You PD's reading this, get on it, it's the wave of the future. At least I hope ...

 

[CTListener]

I really wonder how a 'Quiet FM' station would perform. Nearly all instrumentals, with just a spattering of vocals here and there. Beautiful Music, New Age, Classical, certain 'atmospheric' pieces by rock artists (for lack of a better term; think some of Pink Floyd's lighter instrumental stuff, or perhaps the German music of the '70s like Can or Tangerine Dream), Standards, occasional jazz, all thrown in a blender. A station for all of us sick of the noise in the world, not aimed at or sold as being aimed toward any particular demographic whatsoever. You PD's reading this, get on it, it's the wave of the future. At least I hope ...

At last, a cure for insomnia. Safer than pills, for sure. But you could forget about the format ever getting a drive-time audience -- some more meddlesome state attorneys general might even try to get listening to it in your car classified as a public safety hazard.

 

[aerie]

I really wonder how a 'Quiet FM' station would perform. Nearly all instrumentals, with just a spattering of vocals here and there.

I suspect most people on this list would tell you "no way!". But I remember when WJIB 96.9 was number 1 for several years with just such a format. I was in college at the time, and loved rock music, but when I wanted to relax, I would put on WJIB. You would hear WJIB everywhere in offices, stores, etc. the way WMJX is now. WJIB was so popular that soon several other stations went to the same format, which I guess diluted the ratings for everyone and the format died out. WJIB even had open house at their studios a couple of times. I remember walking through seeing the DJ's cueing up the tracks on the turntables. It was all Mantovani and 101 Strings, all the time ding ding.

 

[Signpost]

Yup. Big hole for 80s pop right now.. GenXers who grew up on John Hughes movies are making their big life purchases right now.

Exactly. Credit Hot 96-9 for wisely playing some GenX music, mixing it up with current hits.

Im glad we got Pandora, sirius xm, and internet radio available ;D

Exactly. 20 somethings don't put up with 9 minute stop sets.

 

[The danimal]

Honestly, what's happening in Boston right now reminds me of what was happening with the dial during the early to mid 80's, where you had a revolving door of top-40 stations trying to play 'king of the mountain' all at one time. At one time, I recall, Kiss 108, WHTT, WZOU at and WKKT were all playing the hits at the same time. Kiss was the heritage, as it is now, and prevailed while WHTT had a very short stint at 'Q103' before finding a place as Oldies. WZOU found it's niche as Jam'n when there was absolutely no urban radio in Boston at the time. WKKT found stability as WZLX.

My picks over the next eyar or so...Kiss and Jam'n prevail due to their heritage. Amp indeed goed back to classic/variety hits 'Jack/Mike' type format, 96.9 skews more toward a more grown up/old school/urban AC sound (as much as Boston's demos will permit).

Also, Evolution? I'll give Clear Channel credit for trying to bring the EDM sound to the mainstream on a 24 hour format, though I don't know if it will stick. Bring La Mia up from the AM to 101.7 would be a home run here.

WRKO should look into getting an FM translator with a decent signal covering just the 617/781 area codes.

As much as I am a rock fan, let's admit it, the market was saturated for years. WAAF, WZLX and WBOS are different enough to compliment eachother and with WHJY and WGIR sending decent signals over the metro from their markets, not to mention The River and a bunch of college stations, Boston still has plenty of choices to fill their car settings.

As for easy listening/smooth jazz, etc. Yes, I to am surprised a format hasn't yet evolved to fill that void. I'm sure in this day and age, people really do want to mellow out every now and then. Only time will tell.

 

[trock]

I think the problem with a lot of these predictions is that people are comparing Boston today to Boston 30 years ago. The population and demographics have changed so drastically since then. I don't think you can do that.

 

[HHH]

In a year from now greater media will realize they made a mistake and bring back wtkk
With rush Limbaugh and Sean hannity becoming a top 5 station watch n see

This is a joke, right?

 

[ThatGuyOnTheRadio]

Honestly, what's happening in Boston right now reminds me of what was happening with the dial during the early to mid 80's, where you had a revolving door of top-40 stations trying to play 'king of the mountain' all at one time. At one time, I recall, Kiss 108, WHTT, WZOU at and WKKT were all playing the hits at the same time. Kiss was the heritage, as it is now, and prevailed while WHTT had a very short stint at 'Q103' before finding a place as Oldies. WZOU found it's niche as Jam'n when there was absolutely no urban radio in Boston at the time. WKKT found stability as WZLX.

My picks over the next eyar or so...Kiss and Jam'n prevail due to their heritage. Amp indeed goed back to classic/variety hits 'Jack/Mike' type format, 96.9 skews more toward a more grown up/old school/urban AC sound (as much as Boston's demos will permit).

Also, Evolution? I'll give Clear Channel credit for trying to bring the EDM sound to the mainstream on a 24 hour format, though I don't know if it will stick. Bring La Mia up from the AM to 101.7 would be a home run here.

WRKO should look into getting an FM translator with a decent signal covering just the 617/781 area codes.

As much as I am a rock fan, let's admit it, the market was saturated for years. WAAF, WZLX and WBOS are different enough to compliment eachother and with WHJY and WGIR sending decent signals over the metro from their markets, not to mention The River and a bunch of college stations, Boston still has plenty of choices to fill their car settings.

As for easy listening/smooth jazz, etc. Yes, I to am surprised a format hasn't yet evolved to fill that void. I'm sure in this day and age, people really do want to mellow out every now and then. Only time will tell.

Clear Channel has two "Gen-X" branded stations in Baton Rouge and Louisville. Might they try that on 101.7 is Evolution doesn't pan out as an older demo flanker to KISS 108? Or, perhaps it's own brand of HOT 96.9 being an older leaning Rhythmic AC?

 

[thirdendorsed]

BULLETIN:

Most WJIB listeners are dead.

BULLETIN II:

Limbaugh/Hannity listeners are right behind them.