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Rock radio on the decline

G

gamefreak

Orlando home to WDIZ, Classic Rock WHTQ, WJRR, the original AAA WMMO and O-Rock 105-9, Now only JRR exists.

Gainesville lost Rock 104 and is now relaying on a rim-shot out of Gilchrist County for its rock music. Jacksonville also lost Planet and now only has the choice of Rock 1045.

What happened to Rock radio, especially in Florida. Orlando at one point had some good rock stations. WDIZ, WHTQ and others I have mentioned.

It also seems the the rock stations that still exist have been on the decline in ratings. Is it that repeating "Black Hole Sun" and "Closer" over and over finally taken its toll. Not enough new rock and a increasing reliance on 90's rock that test well. Maybe its the fact that stations like 98Rock are playing Bon Jovi. What kind of Active Rock plays Boston and Jovi. That's not what most people want to hear on a rocker. How about playing some Iron Maiden.

Any thoughts anyone?
 
I'd like to think most of this is cyclical, and "Top 40" is currently on top. But I think it's deeper than that. Look at who Hollywood pushes on us as "talent". People who cannot play an instrument. People who aren't even backed up by a band. People who are transformed by auto tune & electronic beats. These points alone translate into HUGE savings for the industry!

What does this translate into? The ability to manipulate anyone into becoming anything you (the music industry) desire. Let's face it, it's easy to write silly lyrics, put a danceable electronic beat behind it & offer it up as the latest single by (insert oddball here). That doesn't work on Rock Radio.

G
 
The demographics for "rock" suggest the music can be easily found elsewhere (not on FM) these days. Orlando really isn't a "rock" market anymore. Besides, it should be noted that Jacksonville does have a classic rock station; 94.1 WSOS.
 
GameFreak, I agree totally. I miss many great rock radio stations, including 95YNF from Tampa, and WDIZ Rock 100. Maybe some will come back. To suggest that Orlando is not a rock radio market I have to respectfully disagree. I know the demographics have changed but the 30-40 year old rockers haven't died or left Central Florida in droves.

Some markets still do well, Tampa has 97X and the Mighty 98 Rock. Jacksonville still rocks out with Rock 1045 (formerly Rock 105), X1029 and Classic Rock 94.1. South Florida seems to have taken the biggest hit with only Big 1059 and 98.7 Gater (why do they misspell it too?) left for over 6 million in market size from Indian River to Key West.

Still a great format when executed properly. Long live rock!
 
Oh yeah, forget to mention Rock 104 out of Gainesville my all time favorite. I was on air there back in the 80's and had the pleasure of working with Paul (Castronovo, now on at Big 1059 in Miami) and Rich Fields, formerly the voice of the "Price is Right". Great education and great talent came out of Weimer Hall at University of Florida/Gator Nation.

Rock 104, one of the best rock radio stations in Florida. They flipped to Country two years ago, what a shame.
 
I liked Rock 104 as well, great rock station. Such as shame it had to flip formats, especially to a format that WOGK already dominated. 100.5 The Buzz just doesn't compete to what the Rock was. Driving down Highway 121 jammin' to Iron Maiden, what good times.

I also still listen to 98 Rock which has a really good signal were I'm at. I just don't like that now they choose to play music that is not really heavy duty rock, more or less songs you hear on The Eagle. 98 Rock is however the only rock station in Tampa, hopefully nothing happens like that damn FLA simulcast that has been talked about for years.
 
vadar said:
To suggest that Orlando is not a rock radio market I have to respectfully disagree. I know the demographics have changed but the 30-40 year old rockers haven't died or left Central Florida in droves.
Click to expand...

Yup, and to insinuate such is also borderline racist. But if we're gonna go there.....

I wonder why Brevard Co. doesn't have it's own rock station. 'JRR is the reason I know, but there's loads of 20-50 white males in that county that could allow it to support its own rocker.

G
 
Rock Radio will come back. I hope it comes to Brevard too. Brevard has CHR (2 of them), AC, Country, Easy Listening, Sports but yet no Rock. Odd, very odd.

Maybe 95.1 or 99.3, or 98.5 will flip one day. It's ok to dream right?
 
I have a question to ask? Did JRR's ratings actually go up when 96 Rock was flipped to this Tea Party talk format. If so wouldn't that mean rock has an sizable audience. HTQ kept a classic rock format for 20 years, more than in a lot or markets.

The audience for rock didn't leave, the media companies left them. To the world of internet radio and Ipod's.
 
Good question. If the "competition" leaves wouldn't you expect a bump as you are the only game in town?

Nice observation that a classic rocker WHTQ lasted over 20 years in this market. And yes, I'm in my 40's and miss my rock and roll variety.

Long live rock!
 
Earlyriser said:
How about all those upside down "WDIZ" license plates you see. If they had only listened then, it might still be here.
Click to expand...

Upside down plates.

YNF
Zeta
96Rock (Atlanta)
Ron & Ron

What was the upside down plate supposed to represent?

G
 
gamefreak said:
I have a question to ask? Did JRR's ratings actually go up when 96 Rock was flipped to this Tea Party talk format.
Click to expand...

JRR's ratings actually went down.

Classic Rock targets 25-54, Active Rock targets 18-34.

What the JRR numbers most likely mean is that the HTQ listeners were utilizing JRR as a second choice, but they aren't hearing enough of what they like to make it their first choice now, thus the format shift.
 
The days when radio stations actually did candlelight vigils when a famous musician was shot. Thanks cflradio for bringing up that great Zeta 7 article.

Maybe one days a classic rocker with some balls may return. Bring on Hendrix and Slayer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
 
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