• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Possible new format on WRZK?

  • Thread starter TightwadSquarepants
  • Start date

T

TightwadSquarepants

Guest
So I hear from a little birdie that WRZK might be removing all their modern/alt rock songs and going to a classic rock format. I wonder if this is just a rumour or if there is any validity to it. I can understand why HVBC would make the switch (larger demographic in classic rock, more possible ad buys from national agencies and car dealers), but seems to me that WXBQ is more vulnerable right now than WQUT. I would've gone with a "young country" format over classic rock, but what the hell do I know? At least they're picking one format of rock and going with it, rather than playing a little classic rock and a little modern rock.
That is, of course, if this rumour is true or not. I guess the station just couldn't make it without me! (Just kidding!)

Peace,
TWSP
 
Boy, that "Little Birdie" sure does get around. If this is the same Little Birdie that has posted on some of the other boards, I don't know whether him or not. He doesn't have a very good track record. He told some one on the Nashville that WSM-FM was going to change formats from country to classic hits Eagle 95.5 a little over two years ago, but they are still country. He told a poster on the Memphis board that Rock 92.3 in Jackson was changing to Jack-FM back during the summer, but I was down there earlier this week and they are still ROCK 92.3. So I wouldn't put much stock in what the "Little Birdie" says. Someone else, maybe, but DEFINITELY not the "Little Birdie"!!
 
To quote a classic rock song, believe half of what ya see, and son, none of what ya hear...of course an old George Thorogood song off the album "The Baddest" may fit better for ya here...figure it out... :-*
 
I've always thought that another country station could come in and take some numbers away from WXBQ, but it has to be done right. If George will let loose of some money to bring in the talent, WXBQ can be brought down a few notches. The Rabbit's numbers haven't been the same since my last book there. Good luck to whatever format they decide to go with, if indeed they do anything.
 
Alright, haven't posted in a while. Welcome back J-Street! {applause, applause} So about this post, let's get to the bottom line here and stop beating around the bush... I may not be the most well traveled radio employee around, but it seems to me that K-Rock and Z-Rock seem to be close. One book Z-Rock is ahead, the next book, K-Rock is ahead. Will either one of them be able to compete with WQUT? That's a big I DON'T THINK SO. Sure they could probably take a few numbers, but competition for WXBQ would be more likely. It would be hard to take from WQUT or WXBQ but I agree that IN THIS MARKET, a country station, DONE RIGHT, could possibly take some of WXBQ's numbers, but that's not to say, their numbers would be any better than they are now. There keeps being rumors about HVB changing a station to country. Well, personally, I think that birdie is on crack. Only time will tell.
 
Sorry guys,
Remember "US-99"(WUSJ) The predecessor to Electric 99-3. Besides having really bad management, they were a joke to many back in the 80's-early 90's. I think Crossman was there for a while. Uncle Dave Hogan was morning man(I think mornings, but he was there).Maybe if it's done better than they TRIED to do, oh well. Back to the Kibbles & Bits.....
 
WRZK is in for big changes....so I hear.

You're right TWSP they have bounced back and forth with new rock - classic rock. Not a wise choice. They should notice their competitor, Z-ROCK, who stays with one consistent format.

Then the "Monday Night Edge", whick you hosted, falls away. Again not a wise choice. I know a lot of people who listened to "Monday Night Edge".

Then recently, after running automated, for 2 months, in the evening (after 7pm), they add this new dude from 7-10pm to try and build listeners with an all request show.

Don't think they will compete with Z-Rock using this method.
WRZK has "NO CONSISTENCY". Bad, bad,inconsistency choices. This hurts them especially in this market.

STICK WITH ONE THING, DO IT RIGHT, AND BURN THE AIRWAVES WITH IT!!!!
 
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think that WRZK can compete with QUT, if they decide to make the switch. And even though they have a better shot at competing with BBC/XBQ, I don't think they can pull that off, either. And that's not because they don't have the talent. I worked with those people for 15 years and I know they are just as talented as anyone else in the market (airstaff, that is), the problem is is that they are not allowed to be personalities. Every break is the same (call letters....positioning...backsell the song...intro self...liner....frontsell...OUT!) And after a while, you lose any personality at all! Scott Highland is one of the best jocks in the market and a good friend. I wish they would let him go all out on that station. K-Rock would be a top five contender every book and I believe that!
Plus they don't spend enough money on marketing the station. Not enough on Book Promotions, advertising, anything. If HVBC really wants K-Rock to be a winner, they have to be obnoxious about getting that name out to the public and in a new, exciting way.
The fact remains, though, if they want a rock station, forget classic rock. Go back to what they were three years ago and let the jocks loose. That's the only way they are gonna beat TZR. WRZK's numbers were pretty dang good before Z came on to the scene and I think they could be again, if they go back to what got em there in the first place.
 
Jason,

I didn't mean anything by my earlier comment. There indeed are some very talented individuals at HVBC. You were talking about Scott Highland. I remember when I was working there and he came in, just as green as new money. He has certainly made some great strides during his time there, just as you did, I remember when you first came in. Talent is being stifled all over the market, not just at HVBC. I would imagine that if they changed the format at Z-Rock, the current staff could do something good with the station, but only if they were given the freedom to do so. But don't look for that to happen anytime soon.
 
crossman, You mention quite frequently that xbq's numbers slumped when you left. Sorry to burst your bubble, but when you have the numbers they do, 4 or 5 points one way or the other is mere ebb and flow of audience. That is comparable to a 3 or 4 share station dipping .3 or .4 either way. If your not trying to sound like an egomaniac, try again. Anyone could fa#t on the air and pull a 15 over there. Signal, format and heritage.....plain and simple. And 7p-12mid numbers swing more than any other daypart.

Now, Rzk flipping? I've heard that rumor for years. Here's my take: no flip. The 12 plus numbers don't mean anything. Both K and Z do pull numbers 18-34 AND 25-54. Add the 2 together and you'd have a number 2 or 3 player in some very key demo's. And its not just men, we're talking men and women. If there was a flip, classic rock makes the most sense. QUT pulls most of thier numbers with the morning cackle shack, and the other dayparts are hit or miss. And selling the AC/CR combo makes more sense than the AC/new rock they have now. I just don't think they'll let the new rock format go, and give up that 18-34 audience to electric and Z.
 
No, I'm not trying to sound like an egomaniac. I've been in this business 28 years and I know that my numbers could be on top of the world one book and be down in the shi**er the next book. I was just as surprised as anyone that my numbers were as good as they were, so if I sounded like an egomaniac, I surely didn't mean to. I know I'm lucky if I gain any measure of success in radio. That's just the way books are, and not just in the Tri-Cities market. I still honestly believe that someone could bring in a country station and take some of the numbers away from 'XBQ. Cut them in half? Probably not...but someone could do just enough to have Butch racing to the drawing board. Does HVBC want to put forth the wealth and the resources to give it a go? Only time will tell. Citadel would be the only other company in the market to try it, but they have 'GOC and they seem to be pleased with it. It would definitely make for some interesting radio, though.
 
If......and it is a big IF......someone went with a country format, they would scrub a solid 4 or 5 points from XBQ. An intial sampling in the first book or 2 might yeild a higher rating, but 4 or 5 would be about it in the end. And the funny thing is, I don't think the rabbit would drop that much. Look at the other country station in the BBC chain that is in a rated market.....Charleston WV. They have a direct country competitor that does quite well, But they didn't get their numbers from BBC's country station. You cannot discount the loyalty of a country music audience. XBQ is also very active promotionally. I think the best target would be QUT. Outside of morning drive its anybody's game. They start bouncing around after that god awful morning show and are most inconsistant in the ratings. You can't blame book placement for inconsistancy because they are one of the few with total market coverage. Obviously they run hot and cold. If Holston had the pocketbook and patience, a run at WQUT would make the most sense. Yes, the rabbit by far has the biggest ratings, but with HVBC having WTFM as thier flagship, they'd risk damaging thier flagship station with a country format. As far as cluster management goes, the AC/CR marriage makes perfect sense. For both programming and sales. And when I say CR, I personally would play Classic Rock, and stay away from the lighter Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and schew a little harder, and throw in new cuts from old school artists. Kind of like ROV in Roanoke. I think if that were to happen you'd see sizeable gains for Z-Rock and to some degree, Electric. But after saying all of that, I still think a rumored format change will stay just a rumor. A flip would be a huge gamble for Holston.
 
Bored-Op...You're right and wrong about a couple of things. Yes, crossman likes to toot his own horn. A horn that can now only faintly be heard from somewhere on the outskirts of Fayetteville, NC. I hear a muffled "Please remember me!!! For the love of God, please somebody, remember me!!!" BTW Crossman, if you haven't heard...There's an opening at XBQ. But I'm sure you've already heard about it. Now for the wrong part...QUT's numbers aren't exactly as squirrelly as you made them out to be. Although, you're probably right about QUT being a better choice to go after than XBQ. But even excluding JimBoy and Bobby in the morning, in most of Z-Rock and K-Rock's key demos (18-34), they are trailing QUT. It's supposed to be their bread and butter, yet in some cases recently, you can combine Z & K's 18-34 numbers and QUT's is still higher. My question is this : If they can't even beat QUT (a classic rocker) in their own target demos...What makes anybody believe they can win in QUT's demo? Only time will tell, I guess. Personally, I think they should go to the new "Copperhead Road" format. Nothing but the Steve Earle Country-fried 1988 rock classic 24-7. They could snag some serious points from somebody here. They could give away dental coupons & deoderant at remotes. :p Kidding of course...Well, kind of anyway.
 
Jason!!!!

Quite frankly..Friday nights haven' been the same at HVBC(on the AM Side) since I was Doing DB,You were doing Tenn Hi and Scott was doing Scirnce Hill.


GCC @ Crossroads and/or Stone Drive
 
Turd, look back a year or two and compare book to book. QUT swings up and down about as much as the Alt stations. But they don't have the signal troubles. ALOT of button pushing. If I were flipping, I'd take the shot by putting an ROV type rock format right in between Z and QUT. Leaning a little more classic. Stage it hipper than QUT and see what happens. QUT sounds really stale to me, I think they are the ripest for the picking in the top 3. Just my two cents, and its worth about that.
 
Turd, it's good to know the idiots are still around. Thanks for restoring my faith. I don't care if anyone remembers me or not. I'm not one of these so-called "icons" that people are gonna think about whenever anyone mentions Tri-Cities radio, like Hogan or Daddy O Don. That's what they have you there for. And BTW, I know about the opening at WXBQ...not interested.
 
Yes Crossman...The idiots are still around. If by idiots, you mean the people that call you out everytime you start your bragging. But...I'm not here to be "inflammatory". That sounds like a job for hemorrhoids. Bored-Op...I'm just in this for my own curiosity...What does it even mean when someone says a statio nsounds stale? Are we talking music? Are we talking jocks? Imaging? Canned Morning shows? What? "Stale" is one of those words that gets thrown around so loosely, that it's hard to tell what you mean. I mean, radio period sounds pretty stale. XBQ sounds pretty much like every other country station I've ever heard. WTFM sounds like every sissy rock station I've ever heard. And Electric sounds like every train wreck I've ever heard. Same goes for the Alt stations. The only difference there is that the Jocks don't seem to have that real "Rock" edge like they do in most markets. But, am I wrong? And as for numbers at QUT...I have gone back in the previous books. And yeah, there's a couple of jumps here and there. But for the most part, they appear to be pretty solid all the way through. As much as anybody's numbers are. But, to your credit, I think you're right about : Of the two (QUT & XBQ), it would be in their best interest to go after QUT if they're gonna flip. And didn't WRZK try that ROV type of thing about Seven years ago or so? Or am I imagining that? I think somebody finally realized that Rock, indeed does have rules.
 
I guess by "stale", I mean passive. The music obviously is the same as every pure classic rocker anywhere....But I think it just rolls and rolls. It seems like music never gets changed in and out like any good retro station should. The imaging is stale and does nothing to grab by attention, johnboy and billy are the same ole good ole boys they have been for years (GAG), and the station does the same promotions they've done for years. The live jocks are OK. As far as the K and Z jocks sounding like rock jocks, what does a rock jock with edge sound like? That fake Jack Daniels and cigs gravely voice telling d!ck jokes? To me, that sounds pretentious.

I think a programmer worth thier salt could come in with an edgier, more in your face version of QUT. More targeted to the younger end of the 25-54 male audience and take some numbers. I mean, Skynard has a bunch of tunes, how come I only ever hear 3. Same with Floyd, Aerosmith, and so on. Music is the biggest issue, and I think carefully added new rock from old artists is the key to keeping it fresh. That, and rotate the core in and out every few months. I've programmed a retro station and it was always my theory to treat it no different than a contemporary station. I was always tweaking the music. You have to, and I don't think QUT does enough of it......but I'm not there so I'm guessing, going by what I hear. If they are fiddling with the tunes, they are doing it in un-noticeable increments. I can hear no difference in the station now, than when I came to town years ago. I guess that is my definition of stale. But to keep on track with the thread, I still don't think there will be any earth shattering format flips anytime soon.
 
Turd, I see myself agreeing with you on the fact that all radio sounds stale. Back in the good ole days, all radio, no matter what the format, seemed to have a certain edge to it. You were talking about 'XBQ...there are five major country signals around me: 106.1 The Rooster and 94-7 QDR in Raleigh, WKML in Fayetteville, Eagle 92.9 in Florence and WHEELZ 100.5 in Marion (Florence) and, with the exception of the Rooster, it's just plain stale, dull country radio. The only reason the Rooster doesn't sound stale is that it's currently jockless, just having switched formats from Classic Rock a couple of weeks ago. The loss of the edge comes from the "political correctness" that has swept all radio over the past few years. I'm not saying we should have a bunch of Howard Sterns in the market...that would be too risque' for me, and I'm sure a lot of other people. My all time favorite radio station still has to be 62 WRJZ in Knoxville back in the late 70s and early 80s. That was a station with an edge, and one I haven't heard since then. There are some creative people and talented people in radio, Tri-Cities market and otherwise. Management and corporate are holding back the creativity, thereby stifling whatever "edge" there could be in radio. I'm not the most creative person in the biz, but I know I could enjoy radio much more if there were more creativity and not spend my time channel hopping like I normally do. Now I've gotta go. I did AM drive this morning and now I have to do PM drive. An overworked, underpaid DJ's work is never done.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom