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Savannah gets JACK'd

98.3 - check it out. Discuss amonst yourselves.
<P ID="signature">______________
Russ
APD/Middays
97-3 KISS FM (WAEV)
Savannah, GA</P>
 
Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!?

Terrible, terrible move on SO many different levels. Where shall I begin?

For one, Oldies had so much heritage and was doing very good in the ratings, even in the Spring Book with Cool. 98.3 has a great signal that covers the entire Coastal Empire, and the station did well in South GA too. Triad just handed thousands of listeners to Cool 103.9 - Cumulus must be licking their chops right now, because they know that even with that crap signal they're on, they'll soar next book. I wouldn't be surprised to see 'TYB up over 3 shares by this time next year.

Second of all, the Jack format is still somewhat unproven in a number of other markets. Why the hell would you dump a format that is doing well with the target audience and has the potential to be around for a number of years down the road for this? Don't get me wrong, I actually think the format is cool and I may even listen to Jack some, but from a business and competition standpoint - just sheer stupidity.

And look around the market people! We've got Wave, The Drive, Q105.3, I-95, The River - a good five stations (with the latter three doing quite well) trying to appeal to the same audience that Jack will and playing a lot of the same music. I really don't think our market, along with many others, will support 3 "rock variety" stations, yet that's what we've got now. And in Triad's OWN CLUSTER, The Drive and Wave are floundering - yeah, they're on pretty bad signals, but still - and 104.9 is basically the same exact format. Shouldn't they focus on making their other stations work before launching Jack? And if they HAD to do it on a big signal, why not on 107.9? Standards is dying off a LOT faster than Oldies, people.

Like I said, I personally don't have an issue with the format itself. But this was just not a smart change to make at this point in time. I'd like to know what exactly the Triad people were thinking, because right now I'd like to slap them.
 
Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!?

Terrible, terrible move on SO many different levels. Where shall I begin?

For one, Oldies had so much heritage and was doing very good in the ratings, even in the Spring Book with Cool. 98.3 has a great signal that covers the entire Coastal Empire, and the station did well in South GA too. Triad just handed thousands of listeners to Cool 103.9 - Cumulus must be licking their chops right now, because they know that even with that crap signal they're on, they'll soar next book. I wouldn't be surprised to see 'TYB up over 3 shares by this time next year.

Second of all, the Jack format is still somewhat unproven in a number of other markets. Why the hell would you dump a format that is doing well with the target audience and has the potential to be around for a number of years down the road for this? Don't get me wrong, I actually think the format is cool and I may even listen to Jack some, but from a business and competition standpoint - just sheer stupidity.

And look around the market people! We've got Wave, The Drive, Q105.3, I-95, The River - a good five stations (with the latter three doing quite well) trying to appeal to the same audience that Jack will and playing a lot of the same music. I really don't think our market, along with many others, will support 3 "rock variety" stations, yet that's what we've got now. And in Triad's OWN CLUSTER, The Drive and Wave are floundering - yeah, they're on pretty bad signals, but still - and 104.9 is basically the same exact format. Shouldn't they focus on making their other stations work before launching Jack? And if they HAD to do it on a big signal, why not on 107.9? Standards is dying off a LOT faster than Oldies, people.

Like I said, I personally don't have an issue with the format itself. But this was just not a smart change to make at this point in time. I'd like to know what exactly the Triad people were thinking, because right now I'd like to slap them.
 
> 98.3 - check it out. Discuss amonst yourselves.

Boy, the herd instincts in radio run strong. Everyone with an Oldies station seems to have headed for the exit all at once. Here in the Greenville, SC metro, Entercom flipped Oldies 106.3 FM YESTERDAY. They did so as soon as they closed on the station, WGVC-FM, along with WTPT-FM and WROQ-FM. It is the second time since 2001 they bought an Oldies station in Greenville and then killed it off. No "Jack" here. Entercom moved "The Walk" which is a country/Christian hybrid format from 103.3/103.9FM which they sold to another company.

I really enjoy the Jack format... for about 24 hours and then I'm done with it.<P ID="signature">______________
Jerry

"You should always believe what you read in the newspapers, for that makes them more interesting." - Rose McCaulay

</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Jerry Stevens on 10/07/05 09:47 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

The JACK format would do VERY well in Savannah. However, with three other stations in town that have similar formats...something's got to give

...I just think Savannah needed other formats rather than JACK...though a decent sales team can sell it well...probably just as well as an oldies station with a direct competitor

This could be interesting

Radio-X<P ID="signature">______________
If a DJ talks into a microphone, and no one's there to listen to him, does he make a noise?</P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> The JACK format would do VERY well in Savannah. However,
> with three other stations in town that have similar
> formats...something's got to give
>
> ...I just think Savannah needed other formats rather than
> JACK...though a decent sales team can sell it
> well...probably just as well as an oldies station with a
> direct competitor
>
> This could be interesting
>
> Radio-X
>
COOL 103.9 PAT GARRET,AND HOYLE DEMPSEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING RINGS AROUND OLDIES 98.3THEY ARE SO MUCH BETTER SOUNDING AND MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THEY ARE PLUS THEY ARE GOING TO 50.000 WATTS SO WHY CANT THE SKY BE THE LIMIT WITH THESE TWO KEEP ON ROCKING SO DONT BOTHER KNOCKING PEACE OUT GARDEN GIRL PS DONT FORGET ABOUT DAVE MURPHY IN THE AFTERNOON HES THE CUTEST AFTER ALL
 
The R&R article mentioned the announcers were getting placed with other stations in the cluster. But they did not mention Debbie Bolton who was doing mid days when I last listened a few months ago. Was she still there and where did she end up?

Rick
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!?
>
> Terrible, terrible move on SO many different levels. Where
> shall I begin?
>
> For one, Oldies had so much heritage and was doing very good
> in the ratings, even in the Spring Book with Cool. 98.3 has
> a great signal that covers the entire Coastal Empire, and
> the station did well in South GA too. Triad just handed
> thousands of listeners to Cool 103.9 - Cumulus must be
> licking their chops right now, because they know that even
> with that crap signal they're on, they'll soar next book. I
> wouldn't be surprised to see 'TYB up over 3 shares by this
> time next year.
>
> Second of all, the Jack format is still somewhat unproven in
> a number of other markets. Why the hell would you dump a
> format that is doing well with the target audience and has
> the potential to be around for a number of years down the
> road for this? Don't get me wrong, I actually think the
> format is cool and I may even listen to Jack some, but from
> a business and competition standpoint - just sheer
> stupidity.
>
> And look around the market people! We've got Wave, The
> Drive, Q105.3, I-95, The River - a good five stations (with
> the latter three doing quite well) trying to appeal to the
> same audience that Jack will and playing a lot of the same
> music. I really don't think our market, along with many
> others, will support 3 "rock variety" stations, yet that's
> what we've got now. And in Triad's OWN CLUSTER, The Drive
> and Wave are floundering - yeah, they're on pretty bad
> signals, but still - and 104.9 is basically the same exact
> format. Shouldn't they focus on making their other stations
> work before launching Jack? And if they HAD to do it on a
> big signal, why not on 107.9? Standards is dying off a LOT
> faster than Oldies, people.
>
> Like I said, I personally don't have an issue with the
> format itself. But this was just not a smart change to make
> at this point in time. I'd like to know what exactly the
> Triad people were thinking, because right now I'd like to
> slap them.
>

Does anyone have a list of songs that 98.3 JACK FM debuted with? Wow, I've been in the car all day and I usually scan around. This is definitely a surprise and we'll see that reflected in the next book. I'll be giving the new station a sample. That rather loud sound you hear is the hugely devoted middle-aged fans of Oldies 98.3 tuning in Cool 103.9.

The next several months are going to be interesting. I echo your statement, TheMusicMan. I think WLOW should have been blown up. Standards has done all it can do, at least in this market.

In any case, at least this board is *ALIVE* again! ;)
 
Jack was my daddy...

...and he once said to my mama, "Shorty...the TV just said something about some kinda damn singing bugs was gonna be on Ed Sullivan Sunday night. WHAT IN THE HELL IS THE WORLD COMING TO"? Of course, he was talking about the Beatles, and radio and music started leaving him behind, right about then. He was 51 years old then, and lived almost long enough to observe number 93.

If I have a point (and it seems that I rarely do), it would be this. While I don't have a clue about the Jack (Bob, Phil, Sam, Dave, Larry, whatever) rage. It all seems strangely familiar to the rush to Jammin' Oldies.

No matter, I haven't even bothered to listen to a "Jack" formatted station. From all that I've heard, it ain't my cup of tea. But then, neither was 98.3's previous format. For my money, 95% of all oldies stations continued to cut their own throat, by insisting on playing the same 300 "best testing" songs, over and over.

Now, it seems that the "strength" behind the Jack-type formats, is allegedly the incredibly wide variety of the music selection. Question? Why couldn't that philosophy be applied to the oldies format? Or the A/C format? Or the country format?

Answer. It could have, and still could. Thing is, most operators have no real imagination or creativity. Instead of independent thinking, it's the old follow the leader theory. Of course, this is nothing new. This is the same thing that has happened since the early days of Top-40, the move from individual personality to the Drake-type formatics, on into the morning zoos, to the "how edgy can we get" crap that passes for personality on radio today.

Now then...if the WTYB braintrust will use all their gray matter collectively, they need to make sure that they keep that station interesting, evolving, and ripe with variety. If they'll do that, oldies should live long and prosper in the Coastal Empire.<P ID="signature">______________
Jay Braswell - Moderator
Atlanta/North Florida/South Carolina/Georgia Boards</P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!?

They weren't.

98.3 could have held off 103.9 long enough to make Cumulus blink.

You want Jack? We've had Jack for the longest time now. It's called Q105.3.

Disappointing & stupid come to mind. Can't wait to see if Phil's out there with a thought.

G
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> > WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?!?!?
>
> They weren't.
>
> 98.3 could have held off 103.9 long enough to make Cumulus
> blink.
>
> You want Jack? We've had Jack for the longest time now.
> It's called Q105.3.
>
> Disappointing & stupid come to mind. Can't wait to see if
> Phil's out there with a thought.
>
> G
>

While I enjoy Q105.3, it's not Variety Hits. Massive amounts of Pure Prairie League, Little River Band, and Jimmy Buffett do not equal said format (Rock AC).

It's been a while. Good to see you back on the board, Guru. :)
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> While I enjoy Q105.3, it's not Variety Hits. Massive amounts
> of Pure Prairie League, Little River Band, and Jimmy Buffett
> do not equal said format (Rock AC).
>
> It's been a while. Good to see you back on the board, Guru.
> :)

I enjoy Q105.3 as well, though JACK does not completely cross over

-Jack is heavy on the 80's and 90's 'pop' hits, while Q takes lighter rock hits from the same time period

However, with 105.3 and 98.3 having somewhat similar song libraries, and 104.9 having some of the modern stuff down, things are going to get competitive...

However, 105.3 and 104.9 are rock based, while JACK is pop based (mostly).

Just my $.02

Radio-X<P ID="signature">______________
If a DJ talks into a microphone, and no one's there to listen to him, does he make a noise?</P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> >
> COOL 103.9 PAT GARRET,AND HOYLE DEMPSEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING
> RINGS AROUND OLDIES 98.3THEY ARE SO MUCH BETTER SOUNDING AND
> MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THEY ARE PLUS THEY ARE GOING TO
> 50.000 WATTS SO WHY CANT THE SKY BE THE LIMIT WITH THESE TWO
> KEEP ON ROCKING SO DONT BOTHER KNOCKING PEACE OUT GARDEN
> GIRL PS DONT FORGET ABOUT DAVE MURPHY IN THE AFTERNOON HES
> THE CUTEST AFTER ALL
>

I'm guessing you are Dave Murphy?

I wonder how long it'll take the old people to discover Cool? I haven't seen any marketing at all. But I'm not the demo. Maybe they should do a remote from the social security office!

Why do it? Who knows. Money probably. Oldies is a tough sell, even with a good 12+ number (and probably a great older end).

Q105.3 will drop big time once people discover Jack. Assuming it is programmed by the same people as the other Jack's. Q did well not because they were the "local" station or because of their music. They were the only real thing like it and they did good marketing. No one gives a crap if you are "local" if you are playing deep obscure album cuts. But I'm not being payed to program Q, so that's all I'll say.<P ID="signature">______________
Russ
APD/Middays
97-3 KISS FM (WAEV)
Savannah, GA</P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER. [UPDATE]

> > >
> > COOL 103.9 PAT GARRET,AND HOYLE DEMPSEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING
> > RINGS AROUND OLDIES 98.3THEY ARE SO MUCH BETTER SOUNDING
> AND
> > MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THEY ARE PLUS THEY ARE GOING
> TO
> > 50.000 WATTS SO WHY CANT THE SKY BE THE LIMIT WITH THESE
> TWO
> > KEEP ON ROCKING SO DONT BOTHER KNOCKING PEACE OUT GARDEN
> > GIRL PS DONT FORGET ABOUT DAVE MURPHY IN THE AFTERNOON HES
>
> > THE CUTEST AFTER ALL
> >
>
> I'm guessing you are Dave Murphy?
>
> I wonder how long it'll take the old people to discover
> Cool? I haven't seen any marketing at all. But I'm not the
> demo. Maybe they should do a remote from the social security
> office!
>
> Why do it? Who knows. Money probably. Oldies is a tough
> sell, even with a good 12+ number (and probably a great
> older end).
>
> Q105.3 will drop big time once people discover Jack.
> Assuming it is programmed by the same people as the other
> Jack's. Q did well not because they were the "local" station
> or because of their music. They were the only real thing
> like it and they did good marketing. No one gives a crap if
> you are "local" if you are playing deep obscure album cuts.
> But I'm not being payed to program Q, so that's all I'll
> say.
>

Actually Russ WGCO is running JACK FM straight from the tap, so to speak and an apology for the alliteration. JACK FM (SparkNet Communications) licenses ABC Radio Networks to distribute JACK FM to stations. That's what 98.3 is using, as are alot others since the brand name is jockless, save for its original stations in Canada. Call me crazy (I'll say thank you...either that or tell me something I don't know) but I think this format will do very well in Savannah.

And I do think that Cool 103.9 will garner all of Oldies core listeners. Now if only the folks at WTYB realized that there's an Internet and what a website is. Oh and I did see a Cool 103.9 van parked at a shopping center the other day. I guess that and putting your logo in adverts for Sand Gnats game is considered promotions.

The next ratings book should be interesting.

UPDATE
--------

Well, what do you know? WTYB has a website in development!

Check out http://www.cool1039.com

They'll need to step up their marketing presence for all of those listeners displaced by 98.3 JACK FM.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by FilmCritic3000 on 10/08/05 08:06 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> Q105.3 will drop big time once people discover Jack.
> Assuming it is programmed by the same people as the other
> Jack's. Q did well not because they were the "local" station
> or because of their music. They were the only real thing
> like it and they did good marketing. No one gives a crap if
> you are "local" if you are playing deep obscure album cuts.
> But I'm not being payed to program Q, so that's all I'll
> say.
>

That's what I was eluding to when I said 105.3 is Jack-like.

G
 
Re: Jack was my daddy...

> ...and he once said to my mama, "Shorty...the TV just said
> something about some kinda damn singing bugs was gonna be on
> Ed Sullivan Sunday night. WHAT IN THE HELL IS THE WORLD
> COMING TO"? Of course, he was talking about the Beatles, and
> radio and music started leaving him behind, right about
> then. He was 51 years old then, and lived almost long enough
> to observe number 93.
>
> If I have a point (and it seems that I rarely do), it would
> be this. While I don't have a clue about the Jack (Bob,
> Phil, Sam, Dave, Larry, whatever) rage. It all seems
> strangely familiar to the rush to Jammin' Oldies.
>
> No matter, I haven't even bothered to listen to a "Jack"
> formatted station. From all that I've heard, it ain't my cup
> of tea. But then, neither was 98.3's previous format. For my
> money, 95% of all oldies stations continued to cut their own
> throat, by insisting on playing the same 300 "best testing"
> songs, over and over.
>
> Now, it seems that the "strength" behind the Jack-type
> formats, is allegedly the incredibly wide variety of the
> music selection. Question? Why couldn't that philosophy be
> applied to the oldies format? Or the A/C format? Or the
> country format?
>
> Answer. It could have, and still could. Thing is, most
> operators have no real imagination or creativity. Instead of
> independent thinking, it's the old follow the leader theory.
> Of course, this is nothing new. This is the same thing that
> has happened since the early days of Top-40, the move from
> individual personality to the Drake-type formatics, on into
> the morning zoos, to the "how edgy can we get" crap that
> passes for personality on radio today.
>
> Now then...if the WTYB braintrust will use all their gray
> matter collectively, they need to make sure that they keep
> that station interesting, evolving, and ripe with variety.
> If they'll do that, oldies should live long and prosper in
> the Coastal Empire.



Amen!!
>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

Russ,

I love you, but I disagree. "Q did well not because they were the "local" station or because of their music." ??? It was because they were sort of like JACK and did good marketing? That's just silly. Radio stations are successful because of a combination of elements, including: localism, music, presentation, and personality.

There is a significant segment of the Savannah population that loves Jerry Rogers and his station because they believe in supporting local business, which is Jerry's niche when it comes to radio. "No one gives a crap if you are 'local' if you are playing deep obscure album cuts," is a naive view.

There's also a portion of Q listeners that really don't give a darn about local or corporate radio, but the music appeals to them. Others might be just as happy with the music on Q or The River (or Jack, the Drive, etc.), but find Q's presentation to be most appealing. Some might be listening for Lyndy Brannen voice tracks, who knows?

It takes the right combination of many variables to have a successful radio station. While marketing is vital, attributing all of Q's success to marketing and "they were the only real thing like it (Jack-fm)" is much too simplistic. WRHQ has strong brand loyalty and is well-received in the community. Just because Jack is on the air does not guarantee its success.

I will agree with you on "I'm guessing you are Dave Murphy".




> > >
> > COOL 103.9 PAT GARRET,AND HOYLE DEMPSEY HAVE BEEN RUNNING
> > RINGS AROUND OLDIES 98.3THEY ARE SO MUCH BETTER SOUNDING
> AND
> > MUCH MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN THEY ARE PLUS THEY ARE GOING
> TO
> > 50.000 WATTS SO WHY CANT THE SKY BE THE LIMIT WITH THESE
> TWO
> > KEEP ON ROCKING SO DONT BOTHER KNOCKING PEACE OUT GARDEN
> > GIRL PS DONT FORGET ABOUT DAVE MURPHY IN THE AFTERNOON HES
>
> > THE CUTEST AFTER ALL
> >
>
> I'm guessing you are Dave Murphy?
>
> I wonder how long it'll take the old people to discover
> Cool? I haven't seen any marketing at all. But I'm not the
> demo. Maybe they should do a remote from the social security
> office!
>
> Why do it? Who knows. Money probably. Oldies is a tough
> sell, even with a good 12+ number (and probably a great
> older end).
>
> Q105.3 will drop big time once people discover Jack.
> Assuming it is programmed by the same people as the other
> Jack's. Q did well not because they were the "local" station
> or because of their music. They were the only real thing
> like it and they did good marketing. No one gives a crap if
> you are "local" if you are playing deep obscure album cuts.
> But I'm not being payed to program Q, so that's all I'll
> say.
>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> And look around the market people! We've got Wave, The
> Drive, Q105.3, I-95, The River - a good five stations (with
> the latter three doing quite well) trying to appeal to the
> same audience that Jack will and playing a lot of the same
> music.

I think that The Drive will change formats very soon. I don't see Triad keeping that station with that format for much longer. Between 98.3 JACK FM and Wave 104.9, you're hitting the same artists.

The question remains...what could they flip WGZO to? Maybe move Oldies there? I doubt it as blowing up Oldies was a noise sounder and I think that's what Triad wanted: to garner attention and this does so in a *very* big way.

We'll see. The next few months in Savannah radio are going to be interesting.

Maybe I'm wrong but won't WGCO's flip to JACK FM show in the next Arbs? I certainly hope so.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by FilmCritic3000 on 10/08/05 10:54 PM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

I think your title is a little much...I mean, lets look at the hisory of bad radio moves in Savannah...just over the past few years...

1. Z102's CHR format in 2002-2003
2. Z102's Hot AC format in 2003-2004
3. Z102's CHR format 2.0 2004-Now
4. The Real Z 103.1 (whatever in the hell that was)
5. The beating of the dead horse known as Adult Standards on WLOW.
6. Kix dumping everything of heritage and Gator picking those pieces up.
7. Alan Kable (or however you spell it)
8. Steve and Vikki on Z

So maybe this move is in the top 10, but not #1.
 
Re: Worst move in Savannah radio EVER.

> I think your title is a little much...I mean, lets look at
> the hisory of bad radio moves in Savannah...just over the
> past few years...
>
> 1. Z102's CHR format in 2002-2003
> 2. Z102's Hot AC format in 2003-2004
> 3. Z102's CHR format 2.0 2004-Now
> 4. The Real Z 103.1 (whatever in the hell that was)
> 5. The beating of the dead horse known as Adult Standards
> on WLOW.
> 6. Kix dumping everything of heritage and Gator picking
> those pieces up.
> 7. Alan Kable (or however you spell it)
> 8. Steve and Vikki on Z
>
> So maybe this move is in the top 10, but not #1.
>

Ah, yes The Real Z 103 dot 1. The "Let's take on a big Top 40 station with a Rhythmic CHR on a crappy C3 signal". That was funny. ;)

And the continuous, slinking descent of the cesspool that is Z102. Ah, the mind boggles at the inanity of it all.

But I digress.

I really think that 98.3 JACK FM can do fairly well here. Maybe I'm speaking a bit optimistically, but I think the audience is there. Plus it'll be interesting to see how this slices up the listeners of other stations and how they respond to JACK FM.
 
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