S
Soon Yi CIV.V
Guest
A discussion for fans of the all-Christmas format...
WNUW- Who is programming this thing?! After a shaky start during which they spun the tiniest playlist for way too long, 97.5 has completely knocked my socks off. I think they may have more titles in rotation than B101 which is surprising considering they're the new kid on the block. Somehow their rotation of tried-and-true titles is just clicking and flowing better than what I'm hearing from the other guys. Perhaps it's because they've managed to add some new-but-not-annoying records by artists like Sara Bareilles and Colbie Callait. Within the past week, the only time I've tuned away was during a commercial or when they play that damn Drifters song again. (Seriously. Stop.) I like that they're playing Barry Manilow's version of "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me" by Elvis. I would like for them to play some of the stuff Sunny introduced me to like Aretha's "Winter Wonderland" and Barbra's "Jingle Bells" but beggars can't be choosers! Speaking of Sunny (and everyone knows what a huge fan I was): 97.5's version of all-Christmas has gone far beyond any expectations I'd had for someone ever swooping in to fill the gaping hole that opened up when Sunny went away.
WOGL- My second choice because I love the deep library and the on-air presentation (jocks, etc.). When I turn them on, it usually takes a long time before I make my way back to 97.5. In fact, having the opportunity to flip between 97.5 and 98.1 presents a surprisingly low probability of ever having to tune to B101. (WOGL's flip to all-Christmas--in conjunction with 97.5 already doing the format--may be what has put such a smackdown on B101's 12+ and 25-54 numbers.)
WJBR- Their version of the format is just plain interesting. I can't listen to it for too long because the quirks of being in a small market sometimes get a little too quirky...but it certainly gives them some leeway the other guys can't take advantage of. I think they're the only station where I've heard The O'Jays "Christmas Just Ain't Christmas (Without the One You Love)" this year and I don't know why. It's a perfectly great Christmas song which would sound awesome on whatever station plays it. I've also had to run and look up what I was hearing when stuff came up by artists like LeAnn Rimes, Extreme, Billy Squier(!), and an apparent Christian Rock group called MercyMe. (I do wish WJBR would drop "Hands" by Jewel. I get that she recorded a Christmas-y version of the song but it's just never going to be a Christmas song! Try Bette Midler's Christmas version of "From A Distance" instead. Good stuff and undeniably Christmas!)
WBEB- Just as dreadful as they've always been. Why, why, why, why, why do they insist on playing Jimmy Eats World's version of "Last Christmas"? The world was fine without it and I have never heard anyone else play it. And Jessica Simpson singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" with the obnoxious Rosie O'Donnell? Why? Seriously. What's the point? And who is Restless Heart? I'd like to give B101 points for playing Aretha's "Winter Wonderland" (which they never played while Sunny was, as far as I remember) but the whole station is just unlistenable. I've sampled them now and again but it's just awful. Sounds just like last year, which granted got them a 17-share but that was by default. They needed to bring their A-game (or come up with one) this year but they didn't. This is a fine example of B101 resting on its laurels. This year, I think they're gonna get bit in those laurels! Next year, I'd like to see one of two things from B101: Do the format right or leave it to 97.5 and 98.1. In fact, I'd be amused but not surprised if B101 returned to their regular AC format before Christmas this year. I think it's best for all involved!
WHAT- yes.com shows me what they're doing and I like it. But even with my obvious disdain for B101, AM 1340 loses by default. I simply can't hear them most of the time. And when I can, it's in glorious AM mono with an 80% chance of "flurries" (a.k.a. interference).
WNUW- Who is programming this thing?! After a shaky start during which they spun the tiniest playlist for way too long, 97.5 has completely knocked my socks off. I think they may have more titles in rotation than B101 which is surprising considering they're the new kid on the block. Somehow their rotation of tried-and-true titles is just clicking and flowing better than what I'm hearing from the other guys. Perhaps it's because they've managed to add some new-but-not-annoying records by artists like Sara Bareilles and Colbie Callait. Within the past week, the only time I've tuned away was during a commercial or when they play that damn Drifters song again. (Seriously. Stop.) I like that they're playing Barry Manilow's version of "Jingle Bells" and "Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me" by Elvis. I would like for them to play some of the stuff Sunny introduced me to like Aretha's "Winter Wonderland" and Barbra's "Jingle Bells" but beggars can't be choosers! Speaking of Sunny (and everyone knows what a huge fan I was): 97.5's version of all-Christmas has gone far beyond any expectations I'd had for someone ever swooping in to fill the gaping hole that opened up when Sunny went away.
WOGL- My second choice because I love the deep library and the on-air presentation (jocks, etc.). When I turn them on, it usually takes a long time before I make my way back to 97.5. In fact, having the opportunity to flip between 97.5 and 98.1 presents a surprisingly low probability of ever having to tune to B101. (WOGL's flip to all-Christmas--in conjunction with 97.5 already doing the format--may be what has put such a smackdown on B101's 12+ and 25-54 numbers.)
WJBR- Their version of the format is just plain interesting. I can't listen to it for too long because the quirks of being in a small market sometimes get a little too quirky...but it certainly gives them some leeway the other guys can't take advantage of. I think they're the only station where I've heard The O'Jays "Christmas Just Ain't Christmas (Without the One You Love)" this year and I don't know why. It's a perfectly great Christmas song which would sound awesome on whatever station plays it. I've also had to run and look up what I was hearing when stuff came up by artists like LeAnn Rimes, Extreme, Billy Squier(!), and an apparent Christian Rock group called MercyMe. (I do wish WJBR would drop "Hands" by Jewel. I get that she recorded a Christmas-y version of the song but it's just never going to be a Christmas song! Try Bette Midler's Christmas version of "From A Distance" instead. Good stuff and undeniably Christmas!)
WBEB- Just as dreadful as they've always been. Why, why, why, why, why do they insist on playing Jimmy Eats World's version of "Last Christmas"? The world was fine without it and I have never heard anyone else play it. And Jessica Simpson singing "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" with the obnoxious Rosie O'Donnell? Why? Seriously. What's the point? And who is Restless Heart? I'd like to give B101 points for playing Aretha's "Winter Wonderland" (which they never played while Sunny was, as far as I remember) but the whole station is just unlistenable. I've sampled them now and again but it's just awful. Sounds just like last year, which granted got them a 17-share but that was by default. They needed to bring their A-game (or come up with one) this year but they didn't. This is a fine example of B101 resting on its laurels. This year, I think they're gonna get bit in those laurels! Next year, I'd like to see one of two things from B101: Do the format right or leave it to 97.5 and 98.1. In fact, I'd be amused but not surprised if B101 returned to their regular AC format before Christmas this year. I think it's best for all involved!
WHAT- yes.com shows me what they're doing and I like it. But even with my obvious disdain for B101, AM 1340 loses by default. I simply can't hear them most of the time. And when I can, it's in glorious AM mono with an 80% chance of "flurries" (a.k.a. interference).
