Room For One More In Philly's All-Christmas War?

[DToTheJ]

Right now, we have Greater Media's Now 97.5 and Jerry Lee's B101.1 FM duking it out with their own 24/7 holiday hits playlists. And soon, to some extent, we will have CBS' 98.1 WOGL joining in the fray. (WHAT 1340 was also in the mix, but due to a previous report, is not wall-to-wall with Xmas songs.)

It makes me wonder... Is Clear Channel, who revolutionized the Christmas format in Philly with their now-defunct "Sunny," just going to sit back and watch while all the other radio companies in the market divvy up the yuletide loot?

It also makes me wonder if My 106.1 is in such a shape that would allow CC to flip the switch and create a fourth Christmas station?

Hmmm...

 

[Fakeem]

Dick Cheyney needs to take all those radio programmers out for a day of "christmas goose" hunting.... ;D

 

[wprt949]

if cc is going to flip 106.1 they better do it now it looks like WOGL could flip at any miniute now
just look @ WOGLS website www.wogl.com

 

[tommygraser]

yep tonight going to be it.if you look at there website it says click to listen live to christmas classic. ;D

 

[Soon Yi CIV.V]

Right now, we have Greater Media's Now 97.5 and Jerry Lee's B101.1 FM duking it out with their own 24/7 holiday hits playlists. And soon, to some extent, we will have CBS' 98.1 WOGL joining in the fray. (WHAT 1340 was also in the mix, but due to a previous report, is not wall-to-wall with Xmas songs.)

It makes me wonder... Is Clear Channel, who revolutionized the Christmas format in Philly with their now-defunct "Sunny," just going to sit back and watch while all the other radio companies in the market divvy up the yuletide loot?

It also makes me wonder if My 106.1 is in such a shape that would allow CC to flip the switch and create a fourth Christmas station?

Hmmm...

AM 1340 WHAT is actually all-Christmas except for a 1-hour specialty show weekdays at noon. So, so far three Philadelphia stations are fighting it out in the hopes of getting some of that 17-share B101 had all to themselves last Christmas. And yes, WOGL's web site is now dressed in its Christmas best and appears ready to hop in the sleigh. LOL. I personally can't wait to hear their version of the format. (I like what AM 1340's doing but the reception is something of a turn-off.)

I too am surprised to see Clear Channel sit this out. But since Philly's ratings are measured in a whole different way than they were during the days of Sunny 104.5, maybe CC just doesn't want to take any chances on botching the good thing they seem to be building on 106.1. (Of course, they could always do it where they're building a less-than-good thing: 102.1! I kid, I kid!) If CC secretly does want to do it, I'd think they'd want to get on it today since WOGL seems poised to flip any second.

Can you imagine? 97.5, 98.1, (99.5), 101.1, 106.1, and 1340 all doing all-Christmas?

 

[nd2023]

New York City had a 3 way Christmas war a few years ago. 106.7 Lite FM, a stunting 102.7, and 95.5 PLJ. All the AC stations surrounding NYC were all-Christmas so that made 4 Christmas stations in most areas.

 

[wprt949]

Can you imagine? 97.5, 98.1, (99.5), 101.1, 106.1, and 1340 all doing all-Christmas? [/color]
[/quote] but who would bail out ?

 

[Soon Yi CIV.V]

but who would bail out ?

At this point, I'd say it's too late for anyone to bail. But if Clear Channel were to flip something in an hour, WOGL is in a fine position to do something less than a full-on all-Christmas format. All-Christmas nights or weekends maybe. They never explicitly set up an expectation for an all-Christmas flip...so they could totally back down without having to save face.

 

[aindik]

When CBS-FM flipped, they put their regular non-Christmas oldies format on HD-2 (without the DJs, of course). WOGL will likely do the same thing.

Some speculation in New York that, post-Christmas, CBS-FM HD-2 will transition to older oldies. That would be interesting here. The All 70s format WOGL HD-2 is running seems redundant with the main format.

 

[Soon Yi CIV.V]

Older oldies on HD2? I have a thought on that (well, an opinion really): That is a terrible, horrible, stupendously poorly-thought-out idea. LOL. Using technology that has yet to be fully grasped by the younger set to program a station for the Geritol set simply won't work.

Like I said, it's just an opinion.

 

[PhillyWatch]

Now don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of stations going all Christmas, but THREE stations running it is a bit ridiculous. It will be interesting to see how NOW and OGL tear away at B's monster 12. I feel those at My and Ben will be leaning back and kicking their feet up now that the field has been narrowed (for the time being).

And on OGL's site- the top banner reads "Philadelphia's Christmas Classic Station". I would have every ounce of respect in the world for them if they played one song, non-stop, until the 26th

*No disrespect to WHAT (though I miss Skin Radio!), if anything, THEY'RE the real "Christmas Classics" station.

 

[Soon Yi CIV.V]

I noticed WOGL has now updated the background of their web site so it too is nice and Christmas-y. Since most stations don't update anything about their site until the moment they make the flip (B101 making an exception this year in the face of Now 97.5), I can't help but wonder whether this gradual will-they-or-won't-they thing is just them having a little bit of fun with us geeks.

I saw somewhere that someone heard a rumor (how's that for a scoop?) of WOGL flipping at some point tonight. Seems to me it makes the most sense for WOGL to flip tomorrow afternoon (3:00 or 5:00) so people will be on their way home from work and about to launch into the Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend.

 

[Soon Yi CIV.V]

A few minutes after I posted the above, I noticed that within the past hour Michael Klein reported on WOGL's flip. PD Anne Gress tells him they're flipping at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. She says they'll "play the songs you remember hearing as a kid growing up in Philly. So, sorry, no En Vogue covers of 'Silent Night.' Instead, it's Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Only the best of the best stuff." Sounds good to me!!!

Klein also reports that CBS bought a service mark for "Philadelphia's Christmas Classic Station" which I suppose may explain the mystery of the missing "s." (Though I wonder why anyone else would have a service mark for "Philadelphia's Christmas Classics Station.")

Gress says WOGL will be airing excerpts from classic Christmas movies and shows, which I think are enjoyed by everyone who actually likes the all-Christmas format.

So to address the point brought up earlier: Since WOGL has announced the timing of their flip, does anyone try to beat them to the punch? Would it even matter at this point?

Also: Does WOGL flip back to the Classic Hits format on Monday morning?

 

[John1]

Will this be 24/7 or will Bob Pantano's Dance Party, Elvis, the Beatles & Street Corner Sunday continue as normal? The speciality shows have very loyal audiences, and Bob Pantano' show is syndicated at the shore. And, if these shows go away for a month, will they come back?

 

[Rockin Rob]

Don't expect any "Holiday pre-emptions" on OGL.

As far as other stations, don't forget it's usually "Black Friday" when most ACers flip to the Yule Log. I'm thinking WLEV, WFPG, WVLT, WMGS (I'm talking about the stations I can get here in Montco that are notorious in flipping Santa songs - oh wait, am I in line for a C&D?).

Another point, OGL HD-2 flipping to true oldies? WHY NOT??? CBS did it once with WOGL 1210. This would prevent someone else from doing it. Some should stick to praying for the "danse stayshun" that they'll never get!

 

[Irishfl]

Also: Does WOGL flip back to the Classic Hits format on Monday morning?[/color]

How about does OGl go back to the "greatest hits of the 60s, 70s & 80s" after x-mas? Or will it be the "greatest hits of the 70s & 80s" with more 80s tunes getting played?

 

[KOOL Listener Lauren]

Also: Does WOGL flip back to the Classic Hits format on Monday morning?[/color]

How about does OGl go back to the "greatest hits of the 60s, 70s & 80s" after x-mas? Or will it be the "greatest hits of the 70s & 80s" with more 80s tunes getting played?

I thought that same exact thought about a different classic hits stations that went all Christmas. Like KOOL in Phoenix, for example; still somewhat newly "classic hit-ized", yet the programming of the station seems like it was trying to hold onto as much "oldies" as could fit within "classic hits". By Christmas, we would have had two months of all-Christmas (less Christmas for you lucky Philly listeners it seems), it's the perfect opportunity move forward to do just what you just said. But for the love of KOOL and WOGL... I hope not!

 

[DToTheJ]

Gress says WOGL will be airing excerpts from classic Christmas movies and shows, which I think are enjoyed by everyone who actually likes the all-Christmas format.

What I don't like is that they're "ripping off" Now's presentation with regards to playing such clips between songs. I always considered WOGL to be a leader and not a follower. With that said, who knew that Now would lead not one, but two big Philly stations to trip over their regular programming until December 26th?

Although, to WOGL's credit... they're not running irritating automated backsells after each song!

How about does OGl go back to the "greatest hits of the 60s, 70s & 80s" after x-mas? Or will it be the "greatest hits of the 70s & 80s" with more 80s tunes getting played?

I thought that same exact thought about a different classic hits stations that went all Christmas...

An FYI to out-of-towner Lauren: When WOGL made the positioner switch from "The Greatest Hits of the 60's and 70's" to "The Greatest Hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's", it was right after they ran a Top 1,000 song countdown a few months ago. As you would expect, the countdown included a great number of 80's selections, thus making it an opportune time to switch to its current presentation.

 

[Rockin Rob]

Also, keep in mind that stations like WOGL and CBS-FM are still trying to shed the "oldies" image, thus adding 80's titles will bring in a younger listenership. I grew up in the late 70's/80's and OGL now plays the stuff I listened to as a youth.

 

[Soon Yi CIV.V]

This will be my only response to your drivel so feel free to reply and reply until you wet yourself...

OGL HD-2 flipping to true oldies? WHY NOT??? CBS did it once with WOGL 1210. This would prevent someone else from doing it.

But HD doesn't work and is a miserable failure and no one uses it, remember? Interesting suggestion then that using an HD-2 station for a format targeting a demo who most certainly doesn't have HD radios will stop someone else from doing it. (Not that anyone wants to do it.) I stand by my original statement: It's a pointless idea. And I'm not really sure how "CBS did it once with WOGL 1210" backs up the assertion that it makes sense to do it with 98.1 HD-2.

Some should stick to praying for the "danse stayshun" that they'll never get!

And the pathetic, nonsensical "shot" from 1996. Is it aspergers that you suffer with? I can't really imagine any other explanation for this garbage. Happy Thanksgiving anyway.