Open Discussion: What makes a format?

[yankee_crankee]

So many times I read people complaining about hearing songs/not hearing songs on stations. Comments like, "WGIR doesn't rock enough", "Prince is funny to hear on this station", "I didn't think Van Halen was classic rock".....so what makes a format a format? What do you feel is the definition of Classic Rock, Active Rock, CHR, AC, Hot AC, etc.....

Which formats are missing in New England.....which formats are sure winners?

 

[Xkrusdx]

Dance/CHR and Hip-Hop is missing. . .and for the Upper Valley area "Nostaglia" or pre-Beatles 1964.

 

[NO DAG]

Missing in all major New England markets on a main / HD-1 signal.. Smooth Jazz. The old "Star 93.7" format in Boston seemed to be an "Adult based CHR" that was very interesting.. ( I think that's on 93.7's HD-2 channel) Any "Jammin' Oldies" stations left on Earth?? A deep based Oldies format that are really centered in the 60's.. (Western VT has this on Scott Shannon's "True Oldies Channel" on 92.1 FM)..

 

[Oldbones]

for the Upper Valley area "Nostaglia" or pre-Beatles 1964.

Not sure if Springfield's considered UV, but speaking of pre-Beatles oldies, when did WCFR change to a 60s-70s classic hits format? Did Bob V. sell it?

 

[NO DAG]

WCFR-AM is playing 60's 70's and 80's.

 

[Xkrusdx]

also, a station with a HD signal. . .i know NHPR and VPR both run HD on their stations, but a little more variety would be nice. it is a treat to drive to Boston if you're a radio geek to experience all the HD-2 and HD-3 formats down there. . .even Springfield, MA has some HD's that pop up. and as much as i hate the sideband hash, it is a treat to listen to rock, or for that matter a Pats or Celtics game in HD.

--D.C.--

 

[nhradiochild]

Not sure if Springfield's considered UV, but speaking of pre-Beatles oldies, when did WCFR change to a 60s-70s classic hits format? Did Bob V. sell it?

Not to my knowledge. It's still hyperlinked to WNTK with the same website and streaming audio.

A post or two earlier, someone mentioned if "Jammin' Oldies" still existed. Is that like older R&B music? If so, there's a Cumulus station out of Copperas Cove, TX that comes close. Kiss (I forget the call letters/freq.). They play Tom Joyner in the morning.

 

[argytunes]

For Yankee_Crankie...

I think any format is defined by the relatability of the music (or talk-show content) to the age of the desired audience for that particular radio station!

Some listeners can enjoy (or tolerate) a broader span of music than others. Maybe this the reason some radio stations have larger playlists than others? :

argytunes

 

[radiothis!]

Isn't a format what you put down in front of a door to keep people from tracking mud all over the house?

Jeez, I crack myself up.

rt!