Q100's Name

[RadioFreeAtlanta]

When 100.5 signed on in 2001, I was surprised to hear they had taken on the name "Q100".

I understand why they did it (heritage name in the Atlanta market, easy to remember, etc.); however, it still struck me as unoriginal and dowdy. In 2001, the moniker "Q" sounded dated. As we approach 2010, it definitely seems out of place. Back at the turn of the century, stations were taken on new names outside of letters. It would have been nice had Susquehanna thought outside the box. (Then again, with the way the station sounds now, "Q" might fit it perfectly.)

Also surprised that 100.1 chose an 80s moniker of "Power."

 

[TheRealOtherNeil]

I just talked to Rob Roberts and he agrees. Effective tomorrow, Q100 will be known as "Power 100 at 99.7, you know, where 99X used to be. Oh by the way, 99X is now at 97.9. Go Yankees!" Rob seems to feel that the jocks will have no problem saying that phrase 8-10 times per hour.

 

[jabba17]

When 100.5 signed on in 2001, I was surprised to hear they had taken on the name "Q100".

I understand why they did it (heritage name in the Atlanta market, easy to remember, etc.); however, it still struck me as unoriginal and dowdy. In 2001, the moniker "Q" sounded dated. As we approach 2010, it definitely seems out of place. Back at the turn of the century, stations were taken on new names outside of letters. It would have been nice had Susquehanna thought outside the box. (Then again, with the way the station sounds now, "Q" might fit it perfectly.)

Also surprised that 100.1 chose an 80s moniker of "Power."

I wouldn't call Q100 a heritage name, unless you want to dredge up memories of 94Q or Warm 100. Which, as you say, would make sense if you are trying to go AC.

 

[caller10]

When 100.5 signed on in 2001, I was surprised to hear they had taken on the name "Q100".

I understand why they did it (heritage name in the Atlanta market, easy to remember, etc.); however, it still struck me as unoriginal and dowdy. In 2001, the moniker "Q" sounded dated. As we approach 2010, it definitely seems out of place. Back at the turn of the century, stations were taken on new names outside of letters. It would have been nice had Susquehanna thought outside the box. (Then again, with the way the station sounds now, "Q" might fit it perfectly.)

Also surprised that 100.1 chose an 80s moniker of "Power."

I wouldn't call Q100 a heritage name, unless you want to dredge up memories of 94Q or Warm 100. Which, as you say, would make sense if you are trying to go AC.

Darn! I knew I should have suggested original Q100 night talent Suzy Tavares host a show called "Jazz Flavors".

 

[caller10]

I just talked to Rob Roberts and he agrees. Effective tomorrow, Q100 will be known as "Power 100 at 99.7, you know, where 99X used to be. Oh by the way, 99X is now at 97.9. Go Yankees!" Rob seems to feel that the jocks will have no problem saying that phrase 8-10 times per hour.

This goes back to one of my original posts on this board, which one poster at the time said was one of the worst posts ever. Here we go again:

Q100 should have positioned itself as "Hot Hits 100 point 5 WWWQ" coming out of the jocks mouths .... with the emphasis on the "Quuuuuuue" like the emphasis on the "N" back in the early 80s in New York for WNnnnnnnnnnnnnnnBC". So it would be "Hot Hits 100 point 5 WWWQuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue !!!!!!!!!" And the given air personality would have the flexibility of dragging out the "WWWQuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue !!!!" so they can drag it into the post! Now that's great radio.

As an added twist, Cumulus can try this nifty extended liner or tune:

"Double The Music!

Double The Fun!

Plenty of music for everyone!

Good ole' WWWQ. WWWQuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuue! College Park/Atlanta!"

 

[electroboy73]

Yeah, well speaking of old-skool liners, (AND SOMETHING THAT FITS THEIR FORMAT), how about,  ....."Cooooool.....3WQ!"

BTW: Q's "all the hits" playlist from the other day...(notice the pattern of the songs)!!
(MIND YOU, THIS WAS SOMETIME LAST WEEK...i dunno, between like 1, 2 or 3pm)

Jordin Sparks - "Battlefield"
Lifehouse - "Hangin By A Moment"
Miley Cyrus - "The Climb"
Daughtry - "No Suprise"
Jason Mraz - "I'm Yours"
Justin Timberlake - "Cry Me A River" ("...there ya go!" ..."This way, pepole can't say we don't play hip-hop!")...(from 10 years ago) (and still played 3 times in one day!)
Rob Thomas - "Her Diamonds"
Fergie - "Big Girls Don't Cry" (at least twice everyday...STILL!)
Nickleback "If Today Was Your Last Day"
One Republic - "Stop And Stare" (at least 8 times in one day)
Kings Of Leon - "Use Sombody"
Black Eyed Peas - "I Gotta A Feeling" (Pseudo-hip-hop....which MUST be REALLY pushing the envelope for Q100!)

(THIS NEXT ONE CAME OUT OF A LEGAL ID! Okay, and here's Q-100 KICKING OFF ANOTHER EXCITING, THRILLING "#1 TOP 40" EXPERIENCE....right?
And the song is.................
Buckcherry - "Sorry" (which btw, is played at least 6 times a day....STILL!)

(...wash...rinse....repeat)...AND THE SAME PATTERN OF MUSIC JUST DROOLS ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON.....and on ...and on......and on........"COOL......THREEEEEEE....W....QUUUUUUUEE!!!"

 

[ck dexter haven]

How about a jingle that goes: "Right on SUPER Q!"

No?

Well....ok....

 

[Wildstyle K]

When I hear "power" or "WiLD", I think "rhythmic"
When I hear "kiss", I think "top 40"
When I hear "Mix" or "Star", I think Adult AC..
Energy = Dance
Majik = R&B
Que Viva / Super Estrella / Que Buena = Spanish Top 40 or Latin Rhythm
The Beat = usually has something to do with hip hop

But I guess when you use a letter, you're pretty free to be whatever you wish with no preconceived expectation. When I first heard Q, it sounded appropriate for them. I never thought about what it sounds like to me now, but I still don't see too much wrong with it. It's better than those stations that don't even bother to use names, although the one's that don't use names probably do better when it comes to their listeners remembering call letters. I think the name is ok for now. The playlist should be focused on first, then name later. If Star*94 didn't already exist, then I wouldn't participate in beating up Q so much, but with the way it is right now in Atl. I find it silly to have two things somewhat identical while something else that people clearly know that could work (WITH an incredible amount of proof to prove it), is non existent. At least with WHTA and WVEE, there is a very noticeable difference. Earlier today I was thinking of the possibility that Q and Star together could be blocking a traditional top 40 station from coming in, because you've got to think; if that happened, then what would Q (or Star) do? Just all exist there all together with the new top 40 and 95.5 The Beat? I guess it could work, but it would also be a bit silly as well.

Does Atl even have an Adult AC station (alternative leaning hits from 80's, 90's and today)? What about a rhythmic AC? I guess if the new top 40 came in, then someone could fill in one of the AC sounds I mentioned - IF Atl doesn't already have them.

 

[RadioFreeAtlanta]

Earlier today I was thinking of the possibility that Q and Star together could be blocking a traditional top 40 station from coming in, because you've got to think; if that happened, then what would Q (or Star) do? Just all exist there all together with the new top 40 and 95.5 The Beat? I guess it could work, but it would also be a bit silly as well.

It doesn't appear possible that Atlanta can maintain three traditional CHRs. It was tried back in the late 80s: Z-93, Power 99 and 94Q (Adult Top 40); after about a year Z-93 finally capitulated.

In 2001, even 95.5 The Beat had the sense of skewing to Rhythmic when Q100 signed on as it, again, would have given Atlanta three mainstream CHRs (Star, Q and Beat) had it not switched.

The Beat was a carbon-copy of Power 99 when it signed on: hot, current and relevant. Maybe Q should have been the rhythmic station!?!?

 

[jabba17]

Does Atl even have an Adult AC station (alternative leaning hits from 80's, 90's and today)? What about a rhythmic AC? I guess if the new top 40 came in, then someone could fill in one of the AC sounds I mentioned - IF Atl doesn't already have them.

Dave is supposed to be AAA, although they are quite light on 80s alt. Kiss 104.1 is urban AC.

 

[DToTheJ]

How will starting a second page on this thread affect Q100?

 

[Wildstyle K]

Does Atl even have an Adult AC station (alternative leaning hits from 80's, 90's and today)? What about a rhythmic AC? I guess if the new top 40 came in, then someone could fill in one of the AC sounds I mentioned - IF Atl doesn't already have them.

Dave is supposed to be AAA, although they are quite light on 80s alt. Kiss 104.1 is urban AC.

So this leaves no Rhythmic AC?
I guess a Movin style could work, although I believe they'd play quite a bit of things people are unfamiliar with in Atlanta, since many of the older rhythmic songs they might play would be unrecognizable.

As far as having 3 chr styles not working because it didn't work in the 80's, I can say that this is sufficient proof that it couldn't work today, due to the fact that times have changed since then. It would most likely work - and just end up forcing someone else to have to "do better" or flip to something else. I do bet if a traditional top 40 were dropped in Atlanta, somebody else would also try to tweak their format and try to start sounding traditional as well. I can bet big time this would happen... And based on what I've read, Q100 is the real "troublemaker" here? It seems as if they are always the ones adopting a sound that someone else is already doing.

From the looks of things, Z93 seems to be more alternative than Adult AC. Actually, I shouldn't say "Adult AC", but rather Hot AC is what I meant to say. That's also missing in Atlanta... to some degree.

 

[RTibbs]

Earlier today I was thinking of the possibility that Q and Star together could be blocking a traditional top 40 station from coming in, because you've got to think; if that happened, then what would Q (or Star) do? Just all exist there all together with the new top 40 and 95.5 The Beat? I guess it could work, but it would also be a bit silly as well.

It doesn't appear possible that Atlanta can maintain three traditional CHRs. It was tried back in the late 80s: Z-93, Power 99 and 94Q (Adult Top 40); after about a year Z-93 finally capitulated.

In 2001, even 95.5 The Beat had the sense of skewing to Rhythmic when Q100 signed on as it, again, would have given Atlanta three mainstream CHRs (Star, Q and Beat) had it not switched.

The Beat was a carbon-copy of Power 99 when it signed on: hot, current and relevant. Maybe Q should have been the rhythmic station!?!?

While 3 CHR's probably wouldn't work, I am not sure you can use the 80's as that barometer. Just looking at the total number of stations and the population at that time, it bears no resemblance to the present.

 

[Wildstyle K]

As far as having 3 chr styles not working because it didn't work in the 80's, I can say that this is sufficient proof that it couldn't work today, due to the fact that times have changed since then.

"can" here is supposed to be "can't"

Oh ..And speaking of Rhythmic AC, does anyone in Atlanta ever play "oh sheila" by Ready For The World? ..Or is this just a westcoast thing? Now that I think of it, a traditional Rhythmic AC probably wouldn't work there right now. There would be too many songs they'd have to leave out to avoid alienating their listeners... but in Atlanta, "leaving out" seems to be the on going trend in many stations, so it's hard to say. It sort of explains why many of Pitbull's songs were ignored for the longest time. Most of ATL didn't know many of the songs he was sampling, so it didn't do as well there. Any rhythmic ac there would probably not want to play anything by Connie, Stevie B, Lil Suzy, ...etc.