Random Comments

[ScottBurns]

I have not made many postings of late, so here are some thoughts on random stations.

WPRO-FM: They sound as bland and conservative as ever for a CHR. Besides Kerry Collins, their jocks are stale and their sound is even less risky than a year ago (as if that was possible). Perhaps the shy away from Rhythmic songs is to protect Hot 106, but even Kiss 108 in Boston - once a more conservative station - has been playing these songs.

Coast: While music variety has increased, I think we can take the "Hot" label off of the "Adult Contemporary" nomenclature when describing this station. While I like to hear some of the older songs, the station seems to be heading for a crash with Lite Rock 105; while Coast is still "Hotter" in terms of AC, there is overlap in some of the older, softer songs being played by both stations.

WHJY: Still my favorite FM station in the market. The jocks are still good - and I will be the lone Charles apologist on this board if need be (that is a topic for another time). The music variety is still top-notch. And for some reason, Clear Channel still bucks its trends with 'HJY - the station has a budget, and they allow their jocks carte blanche in talking on the air.

WBRU: The music variety is good - I love how they still spin many "Classic Alternative" cuts from the 1990s. However, all one needs to do is listen to the jocks and the sound quality to know that this is a college station.

WRZE: David Duran has done a great job here. Besides the jocks, the station's presentation sounds bigger market than either PRO-FM or Fun 107.

Cat Country: Tad Lemire's departure is certainly a shock, but given the quality of the station's other jocks as well as the format uniqueness in this market, the Cat is doing fine. And after having spent a lot of time travelling this summer, I appreciate the variety that WCTK plays.

The Score: The station actually sounds BETTER since Opie and Anthony have been brought on board. The Score must be profitable, as I see no other reason why Citadel has kept its format. Quality-wise, the Score is in Rookie Ball when compared with WEEI. But the two local shows that the Score features have improved - for example, Gresh and Zolak have good banter and listener interaction, yet their contests drag on far too long. Citadel has continued its pattern of doing nothing to promote this station; has anyone heard ANY advertising for Opie and Anthony?

B101: If ever there was a gaping format hole, it is for Real Oldies. The Score would be a perfect fit for it. B101 sounds like an AC/Classic Rock hybrid, almost what an AC station sounded like in the late 1980s. As Coast expands musically, there also seems to be some overlap with B101. I am one who thinks that B101 needs to return to its heritage Oldies, or go all-out Classic Rock. This hybrid format pleases few.

WEEI-FM: While it is networked from Boston, this is truly the best sports station I have ever heard (despite the obnoxious and bigoted Dennis & Callahan Show, and the homofobia of Larry Johnson).

Lite Rock 105: Nothing new here. Same boring presentation as ever.

Hot 106: Is it me, or does the signal in South County seem worse than ever? The station still seems second-rate to me, musically, jock-wise, and presentation-wise.

Fun 107: Far better than its Providence sister station. While the jocks could use a little more life, the music variety is outstanding, and placed perfectly for the market.

WPRO: Doing a good job with news coverage, although I am as tired as ever of all conservative talk, all the time.

WHJJ: Again, I will defend Howie Bart, but that is a post for another time. Helen Glover has good radio instincts, but I abhor the majority of what she stands for. Arlene seems to have moved back to the Right since the station did. And adding Savage was a stroke of brilliance.

 

[Runrigger]

As far as PRO-FM, I'm not up enough on what urban songs are being played there or which could be played, but there's more to a CHR or Urban CHR format than just the music & I think PRO-FM is probably going as far as it can with hip hop. I've lost an appreciation for the format & frankly I think most here are going to have to admit that before criticizing. There are probably only a few here that actually like CHR radio & fewer that like urban.

I always thought Coast should go hotter, but those with access to breakdowns may have ended up at a different conclusion. That being the case, I think midway between Lite & a hot ac may be the way to go. I'm still in doubt as to what it would take to get people not listening to Coast to start listening or start listening more, but I'd say most of the marbles are in the morning show. Coast seems to be aiming at more of a direct hit at Lite so their research may show that's what they should be doing. Don't discount PRO-FM in this race too, especially mornings.

As far as HJY I wouldn't change anything here either. Charles has his followers & you don't fix what isn't broken. Long-term future may be an issue, but who worries about long-term in radio nowadays. I've kind of grown out of this format, but that's just me. I still think they're doing what they should be.

My only other comments are that there's a demographic problem with real oldies & I'm still not over the Lemire thing but unless someone revokes his passport, it is what it is.

 

[ScottBurns]

In terms of listening habits, I divide my music listening between CHR and Country. Having spent some time in Dallas recently - and listening to one of the nation's best CHR stations, KHKS 106.1 Kiss-FM, I can attest to PRO-FM's tame music selection. Examples of songs that PRO-FM is not playing, that others are:
1. E40 - U and Dat
2. Lil Jon - Snap Yo Fingers
3. Get Up - Ciara
4. It's Goin Down - Yung Joc
5. Money Maker - Ludacris
6. Bossy - Kelis

In addition, many of the Rhythmic/Dance selections that they play are not played very often, particularly during daytime hours (although this is done for a reason). An example of such a song is Fergie's "London Bridge."

All in all, it is just sad to hear PRO-FM today compared to the station that it has been historically.

 

[LoveFist]

Scott,

Though I don't know much about the songs you listed that PRO isn't playing. I think they're omission of the songs is certainly intentional. Playing those titles would compete with Hot 106 and alienate any of Coast's younger women demos that PRO gets by basically being a HotAC durring the day.

Citadel seems to use Lite and PRO to squeeze Coast and push them one way or another. Instead of being aggressive and going after one or the other, Coast seems to be happy to sit in the middle and be pushed around... ridiculous.

 

[Feralcat]

Expecting PRO-FM to play every urban hit that's on the CHR charts is like expecting HJY to play every rock song out including the ones you'll hear only on BRU. I really don't see 92 as being all that off target. As far as the jocks, Davey recycles the same half-dozen liner cards over and over but he's done that for years. He's tight and bright which is all he needs to be because it's all the audience is used to or wants. Kerry's good and this J-Buff is the best weekender they've had in a long time.

Coast has never had an identity after the morning show. Good or bad with the exeption of Heidi West Lite 105 has always had well known market veterans on. Coast really does have a better line up after the morning show but there haven't been that many people there with name recognition. Maybe too much damage has been done with Coast's music in the past. I'd really like to know how the Coast vs Lite Rock 105 morning battle stacks up, especially with constant rumors about Joannie and crew in trouble.

As far as Fun I don't agree with Scott at all. Other than Christine Fox there's nothing there that doesn't sound small market. The only thing they have going for them is a musical identity they've never strayed from.