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PUNCH WAR - Mix 1079 Columbus

L

lovejamminoldies

I decided to do my own version of Sean Ross's Radio-Info Punch War... putting 2 stations head to head to compare the two. I picked Columbus's own Mix 1079 against Akron's 98.1 WKDD... usually punch wars are two stations within the same city, but I've always thought Mix should go Adult CHR to have a chance against WNCI. I picked an Ohio station that does what they should be doing. A little history of both...

Mix 1079 signed on after the demise of Mix 97.1/WBNS - Mix signed on as Hot AC but eventually began to backoff the 80s and focus on the 90s and Now. They repositioned as "Today's Best Mix"

WKDD repositioned from Today's Best Music (Hot AC) to Akron's Hit Music (Adult CHR) recently and in my opinion sounds MUCH better.

Mix 1079:

Mornings - Mark Dantzer (Live and Local)
Middays - Zac Morgan
Afternoons - Trisha Moore
Evenings - Billy Bush

WKDD:

Mornings - Keith and Krissy (Live and Local)
Middays - Krissy Taylor
Afternoons - Vacant
Evenings - Billy Bush

Mix is owned by Saga. WKDD owned by CC. Both stations have good imaging. WKDD pitches and has jingles though which I like... so on to the punch war. I took this music log from Yes.com at 12am on Sat morning (Jun 12) - I did not listen to either station while doing this... therefore I didn't let the imaging or overall sound persuade me.

Mix: All-American Rejects - Gives You Hell
WKDD: Jason Derulo - In My Head

Goes to Derulo hands down... hotter artist and not only gaining on Hot AC but already a #1 single on CHR.

Mix: Adam Lambert - Whataya Want From Me
WKDD: Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown - No Air

Goes to Adam! Huge song and tests well on both CHR and Hot AC very well.

Mix: Nelly Furtado - I'm Like A Bird
WKDD: The Fray - How To Save A Life

Both strong Hot AC songs but goes to The Fray - much more recent and familiar - plus still spinned as a recurrent on both CHR and Hot AC.

Mix: Lifehouse - Halfway Gone
WKDD: Katy Perry - Waking Up In Vegas

Katy got a lot of burnout and Lifehouse is still considered a current. Lifehouse wins.

Mix: Short stopset - puts WKDD a song ahead by about 3 mins

Mix: Nickelback - This Afternoon
WKDD: Jay Sean f/ Lil Wayne - Down

Nickelback is gonna be huge! Great summer smash and already showing great results on CHR. We knew it'd do well on Hot AC. Nickelback wins big time.

Mix: The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony
WKDD: Coldplay - Clocks

Two strong Hot AC songs. Coldplay wins - had life on adult-leaning CHR's.

Mix: Matt Nathanson - Come On Get Higher
WKDD: Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug

Ke$ha is just a hot artist right now and the song is fun for the summer. Ke$ha takes it.

Mix: 3 Doors Down - Let Me Go
WKDD: Gavin DeGraw - I Don't Want To Be

WKDD - good gold!! Always fun to hear that huge single from Gavin. Has to sweep 3 Doors Down.

Mix: Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
WKDD: Kris Allen - Live Like We're Dying

Kris Allen wins - Kelly flopped on CHR and is dropping on Hot AC. Kris Allen peaked but was a strong song on both formats.

Mix: Deep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany's
WKDD: Taio Cruz f/ Ludacris - Break Your Heart

This is an example of a song I wouldn't play if I were Mix... you're not gonna take any NCI listeners with this one. Taio Cruz is the #1 song in the country - no question who wins that one.

Mix: Deep Blue Something - Breakfast At Tiffany's... remember, stopset put them behind.
WKDD: Timbaland & OneRepublic - Apologize

Timbo & OneRepublic win by default.

Mix: Shinedown - Second Chance
WKDD: Leona Lewis - Better In Time

Shinedown wins - Leona was strong, but Shinedown is stronger - especially with the success it still has as a recurrent.

Mix: One Eskimo - Kandi
WKDD: Fall Out Boy - Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

Although I respect Mix for playing new music first... unfamiliar artist and song... Fall Out Boy wins due to familiarity issues.

Mix: Goo Goo Dolls - Give A Little Bit
WKDD: Lady Gaga f/ Beyonce - Telephone

As strong as Gaga is no matter what format, it does get tired quickly and that particular Goo Goo song doesn't get a lot of attention. Goo Goo wins. Women dig it!

Mix: Michael Buble - Haven't Met You Yet
WKDD: Stopset

Buble by default.

Mix: Pearl Jam - Daughter
WKDD: Ending stopset into Green River Ordinance - On Your Own

Since technically the stopset was still going when Pearl Jam started, Mix wins that one by default.

Mix: 7
WKDD: 9

With PPM approaching Columbus, it's time Mix drop the 80s and get more risky. Play the hits. Play Columbus' Hit Music... you could technically keep the new positioner "Today's Best Mix" - it fits the station name anyway. WKDD is doing the right thing by keeping it current. Still great for women and keeps your 18-34 happy. In the latest Akron book, WKDD is up - 2.3 to 2.6 - Canton book - 3.6 to 4.3

Saga doesn't subscribe to the Arbs but I'm sure Mix isn't happy with their numbers. Will we see some change with PPM approaching in a few weeks?

Thoughts??
 
WKDD mid-days are actually done by Toni Foxx (from CC/Jacksonville), Krissy is morning co-host. Afternoons are Jon Marochino, he's local.
 
"Breakfast At Tiffany's" HAS to be suffering from burn by now.
Interesting 'VMX plays "Gives You Hell"...WMMX/Mix 107.7 wouldn't touch it...even when it was THE #1 HOT AC TUNE in the country. That still baffles me.
"In My Head" is still relatively new at Hot AC. 'MMX just started playing it a couple weeks ago...'VMX may not have added it yet.
Why in the blue hell is 'KDD playing "Waking Up In Vegas" when Katy's new "California Gurls" is starting to heat up on both Hot AC and CHR charts?
Just heard "Bittersweet Symphony" on 'MMX in Dayton...it's still got life in it, and people recognize it, thanks to that Nike commercial in the late 90s.
Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher" was played quite a bit back on Mix 97.1. Good song for the colder weather months, i'd have to agree Ke$ha would be a better choice.
I will say in closing that comparing an Adult CHR to a Hot AC is like comparing apples to oranges. Remember, your Hot ACs play more gold, whereas your Adult CHRs are more current, so that's probably why you're hearing more gold on 'VMX.
 
Good observation Alan.

WVMX never added Tik Tok by Ke$ha and that heated up the Hot AC charts. I requsted it during Mark Dantzer's shift and he played it. That was the only time I heard it. This makes me think it will be the same situation for Derulo. Mix 971 would be playing Jason Derulo.

'KDD does play California Gurls... just spinned Waking Up In Vegas as a recurrent.

The reason I compared the two was to prove that Mix should transform into an Adult CHR. With it beign Saga and having some corporate involvement there, it's hard to see happen - but this is Columbus. On a weak signal, it's best to have good programming - not saying WVMX is programmed bad, it's just programmed based on the Des Moines station, KSTZ - Star 102.5

Florentino was right. There hasn't been much change to the music since he left for WNCI. However, he has changed WNCI a lot. I'm sure WNCI does not see Mix as a big threat, more Power 1075. I just don't see it being unsafe playing the Adult CHR hits that WKDD does. It's actually pretty weird that Mix 107.9 is being called an Adult CHR station "Wikipedia's - Adult Top 40 Radio Stations" list.
 
lovejamminoldies said:
Good observation Alan.

WVMX never added Tik Tok by Ke$ha and that heated up the Hot AC charts. I requsted it during Mark Dantzer's shift and he played it. That was the only time I heard it. This makes me think it will be the same situation for Derulo. Mix 971 would be playing Jason Derulo.

'KDD does play California Gurls... just spinned Waking Up In Vegas as a recurrent.

The reason I compared the two was to prove that Mix should transform into an Adult CHR. With it beign Saga and having some corporate involvement there, it's hard to see happen - but this is Columbus. On a weak signal, it's best to have good programming - not saying WVMX is programmed bad, it's just programmed based on the Des Moines station, KSTZ - Star 102.5

Florentino was right. There hasn't been much change to the music since he left for WNCI. However, he has changed WNCI a lot. I'm sure WNCI does not see Mix as a big threat, more Power 1075. I just don't see it being unsafe playing the Adult CHR hits that WKDD does. It's actually pretty weird that Mix 107.9 is being called an Adult CHR station "Wikipedia's - Adult Top 40 Radio Stations" list.
Click to expand...
That's strange that 'VMX doesn't play "Tik Tok"...'MMX has been playing it for about three months now.
'VMX will remain Hot AC probably so Saga can continue to own the AC market in Columbus, and sell it in combo with Sunny. I don't know much about Sales but it probably sounds better to say that they're selling both AC and Hot AC instead of AC and Adult CHR.  
Columbus DOES need an Adult CHR(105.7/107.1 Kiss-FM was a GREAT Adult CHR in the 90s)...that's why I was upset when 'BNS flipped to Sports(IMHO so they could run a format on the cheap and cut costs)...'BNS sounded great at the end.  An Adult CHR could be a thorn in the sides of both 'NCI and 'VMX.  We'll see.
Not sure why 'VMX is listed as an Adult CHR on Wikipedia.  Could've been put there by accident, or simply in the wrong place. 
'MMX has started playing "Uprising" by Muse(Top 10 Hot AC I believe)...that surprised me because it seemed "too hard" for their sound, but they've proven me wrong.  Not sure if 'VMX plays that one.
I'm with you on 'NCI...Florentino HAS made it sound a ton better than it was.  I've found myself listening to them more than I have in awhile. 
 
I talked to Jeff Stevens at Mix 1077 and they're trying to sound more current with Channel 945 being so corporate. They can't go Adult CHR because of 945 being in the building, but like everyone, I am surprised by them playing Derulo and Muse and such. Mix 1079 does play Muse I believe... they can play Muse but not Jason Derulo? Weird. Mix 97.1 was a great station and it's about time someone steps in to replace them. Mix 1079 would be the logical solution... if they go harder, it won't hurt Sunny.
 
As for the format distinctions, e.g., Adult CHR vs. Hot AC, they can be pretty nebulous and open to debate.  Many consider those two terms synonyms, while others see distinctions like Adult CHR having less gold and/or a hotter presentation and/or a somewhat younger target.

Some stations are labeled Format X by trade 1, Format Y by trade 2, and then call themselves Format Z in their own sales efforts.  Also, some stations identified almost everywhere as mainstream AC play virtually the same music as others identified almost everywhere as Hot AC.  A year ago I saw one trade calling The Brew Classic Rock, another calling it 80's, a third calling it Classic Hits and a fourth calling it Adult Hits (that last one REALLY seems a stretch, especially a year ago).    Etc...
 
Mix is clearly a Hot AC (Adult CHR-leaning) - they need to keep leaning until they get it right like Mix 971 had it. I know people say, "If Mix 971 was so good, why did they flip?" Mix 97.1 had great ratings... they were beating Sunny. It had to be selling good. RadiOhio wanted The Fan on FM that bad! Sad... they were already using Mix's programming for Buckeye games. Hope The Fan is worth it.
 
lovejamminoldies said:
Mix is clearly a Hot AC (Adult CHR-leaning) - they need to keep leaning until they get it right like Mix 971 had it. I know people say, "If Mix 971 was so good, why did they flip?" Mix 97.1 had great ratings... they were beating Sunny. It had to be selling good. RadiOhio wanted The Fan on FM that bad! Sad... they were already using Mix's programming for Buckeye games. Hope The Fan is worth it.
Click to expand...
Mix 97.1 was mainly doing low to mid 3s 12+ at the end of their Hot AC/Adult CHR run...Sunny usually beat them consistently 12+(Sunny was usually in the high 4s or low 5s), if those are the numbers you're quoting. Not sure how they did in the demos.
The reason 97.1 flipped was a cost-cutting move, so they could run on-the-cheap ESPN Sports with almost zero people. The only two people that survived that bloodbath were the PD/OM Jay Taylor and APD Matt Erhard...everyone else was let go or left shortly thereafter. You're right...'BNS sounded fantastic before they made the much-lauded Sports flip, which still is THE worst format change i've ever heard. :mad:
 
Florentino said:
As for the format distinctions, e.g., Adult CHR vs. Hot AC, they can be pretty nebulous and open to debate.
Click to expand...

Case in point: In the ratings section of Radio-Info, WNCI is listed as Hot AC.
Click to expand...
Good question...why is that Tony? I've always wondered why they listed 'NCI as Hot AC and not CHR/Pop.
 
Don't know whether or not they still do, but the SRDS (Standard Rate and Data Service) long listed WNCI's format description as Hot Adult Contemporary. Maybe somehow this led to R-I using the same designation.
 
alans613 said:
(105.7/107.1 Kiss-FM was a GREAT Adult CHR in the 90s)
Click to expand...

Wow...for the most brief of blips in '93, prior to the switch to Arrow (first on 105.7, later also on 107.1, with a somewhat different approach).

Kiss had nowhere near the effect of "The Fresh New Sound of Hot 105/Hot 107, Columbus' #1 Hit Music Station!" (DAMN, what a mouthful...)
 
pbf1 said:
alans613 said:
(105.7/107.1 Kiss-FM was a GREAT Adult CHR in the 90s)
Click to expand...

Wow...for the most brief of blips in '93, prior to the switch to Arrow (first on 105.7, later also on 107.1, with a somewhat different approach).

Kiss had nowhere near the effect of "The Fresh New Sound of Hot 105/Hot 107, Columbus' #1 Hit Music Station!" (DAMN, what a mouthful...)
Click to expand...

For the love of God, will somebody PLEASE bring back a station like the old HOT 105/107!
 
Hot 105/Hot 107 was pretty Rhythmic leaning when I first found them in the Summer of '93 while flipping stations on my old Magnavox boombox. I still have some tape of them around somewhere.
I LOVED KISS-FM! What always has baffled me is why they would rebrand themselves on 105.7 on December 15, 1993 and then flip to Arrow on April 8, 1994(Or somewhere around that date). That move never has made sense to me. Does anyone know why they did that ridiculous move? At least I was able to (barely) pick up 107.1 so I could still hear KISS...then they flipped 107.1 on January 27, 1995 to a 70s version of Arrow. Ugh.
Brian James did the imaging for Kiss...I still remember the launch of Kiss...an EBS-like beep for a few seconds, then Brian launches into the format change, then Kiss launches. Last song on Hot 105 was "I Can See Clearly Now" by Jimmy Cliff(Clearly in the end Hot was headed towards Adult CHR)...first song on KISS was "Make It Happen" by Mariah Carey. DJ on the air was Bo Michaels.
 
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