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Seattle Format Hole

R

radioprofessor

Guest
There is a new format, that is really a version of an old format parameter, that some call the next "Jack" or "Movin" except this new brand has a real future in my humble view. You will see several markets begin bringing this to the forefront because it is PPM friendly: CLASSIC ROCK THAT REALLY ROCKS!

Based on PPM results in Seattle it is the perfect fit for this market somewhere between JACK/KJR/KZOK and KISW/THE END. No jocks, strong production elements and classic rock with active rock mixed in. You will see this debut soon in three or four top ten markets. In my humble opinion it is the perfect fit for Seattle. Several suffering PPM stations like Smooth Jazz, KUBE, KMTT or Country station may find a strong format parameter that brings in the 25-54 males and 18-49 adults. Much better than Oldies that leans out of demo or yet another AC product. PPM in Seattle leans male anyway with seven of the top ten stations male driven in the key 25-54 demographic. The Classic Rock that Rocks mornings fits well because KZOK and KISW are all talk. Look for the format to debut nationally this fall. Entercom has experience in this male parameter in Minneapolis as does Sandusky in Phoenix. For Sandusky the move would not hurt MOVIN and KRWM which are both seeing good success in the PPM. For Entercom it is an easy fix for THE END or KMTT, in my humble view.
 
Sounds like CKKQ, 100.3, out of Victoria BC. A great mix of what you are talking about. It's my favorite station to listen to. I just wish they had a better signal here in Seattle. It's fine by the water or on the west side of a hill.
 
"Classic Rock That REALLY Rocks"....wasn't that a KISW slogan in the late '90s?
 
Bongwater said:
"Classic Rock That REALLY Rocks"....wasn't that a KISW slogan in the late '90s?
Click to expand...

Sure was and it brought me back into their fold while it lasted. Would be great to hear that format again.
 
Saw the format launched today in Washington DC. Clear Channel is launching a similar format called; THE BREW. Check out thebrew1059.com in Portland. This is not the KISW rock format, but more a mix of AC/DC, Journey, ZZ-TOp. Kind of 80's Hairbands meets Rock Country. Not the END Seattle grunge sound, but rock n roll. Actually sounds pretty good. There really is nothing like it in Seattle. I am surprised Citadel and Clear Channel are jumping on it in such a big way. Guess time will tell if it works or not. It has the feel of the latest "fad" format, but formats I would have called fad like JACK and MOVIN are working pretty well in the PPM in Seattle. I actually would listen to a Classic Rock that Really Rocks, especially on weekends.
 
CLASSIC ROCK THAT REALLY ROCKS is a format that I would go for another better offering of.

KJR is too soft / pop too often to stop me much and KZOK goes that way more in my opinion than I think they admit or at least I'd prefer. KISW is way too much talk and the active stuff isn't that compelling. KNDD is a mixed bag- I like the occasional grunge and like the shiny new stuff alright (especially with female voices) most of the time but always turn off the punk.

I didn't see "The Classic Rock Experience" version from Citadel specifically mentioned. I am in the south sound I can usually get KRQT 107 coming in from Castle Rock. They are too soft, too often to me as well but it is another alternative.
 
Looking at The Brew playlist I'd say about half "really rocks" and the rest is pretty poppy and lukewarm. I probably could tolerate most of this filler but if your aim is classic rock that really rocks you could replace with better rock.
 
Looking at The Brew playlist I'd say about half "really rocks" and the rest is pretty poppy and lukewarm. I probably could tolerate most of this filler but if your aim is classic rock that really rocks you could replace with better rock. But still this is a better than most playlists elsewhere.
 
The Brew playlist has Kenny Loggins, Journey, Eddie Money, Bryan Adams, Rick Springfield and Phil Collins but no Alice in Chains. If U2, Talking Heads qualify and so does Creed and Outfield and Pearl Jam and Nirvana but not Alice in Chains and many others that really rock? That seems somewhat short of fully delivering on the slogan. In my opinion.
 
I don't from training or experience know what music mix gets broad audience and pays off with advertisers but if I programmed a rock station to my own taste (I know it doesn't work this way, unless you are a Program Director with slack or clout) I'd emphasize part or all of the following in no particular order of importance (though they have an order of importance):

Zep, Hendrix, Doors, ZZ Top, Alice in Chains, I guess Van Halen and Hagar, early Stones, some Heart and Eagles, lost classics by Zombies, Steppenwolf, Golden Earring, RamJam,etc. Neil Young when he wails, guitar heroes like Stevie Ray, Beck and Satriani or even Robin Trower (but I'd de-emphasize Clapton), bands like the Yardbirds, James Gang, etc. but also Siouxsie and Banshees, X, B-52s and The Cult, the faster and louder Petty stuff, a scoop of AC/DC, Motley Crue & Great White, Gun n Roses, some Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Screaming Trees, some STP and Soundgarden, but no Pearl Jam, perhaps some Scorpions, White Snake or even Cinderella, Robert Plant on his own when he rocked, The Fabolus Thunderbirds, some Judas Priest, no Chili Peppers, ELO, maybe Bush, locals in their prime like Hammerbox, 7 year Bitch, Kathleen Hanna's band, Queensryche, Mad Season, etc., maybe a little Curve or Juliana Hatfield or Veruca Salt or Joan Jett, some Surf Guitar and so forth. And I'd play Frankenstein year round instead of just leading up to Halloween.
 
Would KMTT lean to this Classic Rock that Really Rocks format? They fired staff this week including their morning show and their PD has a rock leaning background from his SF days? That would give Entercom the young men with KNDD and KISW and older men with KMTT. KWFF is doing well in both too. Would make great combo's for national and regional business and put a three station male combo against CBS's two stations KZOK and KJAQ. Course this is a sales guy talking, still leaning KMTT toward a more Classic Rock sound is not that big a move. They seem to be leaning current right now but that may be left over from the old PD. Just curious if the layoffs mean a change in course musically too?
 
RockJazz said:
I don't from training or experience know what music mix gets broad audience and pays off with advertisers but if I programmed a rock station to my own taste (I know it doesn't work this way, unless you are a Program Director with slack or clout) I'd emphasize part or all of the following in no particular order of importance (though they have an order of importance):

Zep, Hendrix, Doors, ZZ Top, Alice in Chains, I guess Van Halen and Hagar, early Stones, some Heart and Eagles, lost classics by Zombies, Steppenwolf, Golden Earring, RamJam,etc. Neil Young when he wails, guitar heroes like Stevie Ray, Beck and Satriani or even Robin Trower (but I'd de-emphasize Clapton), bands like the Yardbirds, James Gang, etc. but also Siouxsie and Banshees, X, B-52s and The Cult, the faster and louder Petty stuff, a scoop of AC/DC, Motley Crue & Great White, Gun n Roses, some Ozzy and Black Sabbath, Foo Fighters, Screaming Trees, some STP and Soundgarden, but no Pearl Jam, perhaps some Scorpions, White Snake or even Cinderella, Robert Plant on his own when he rocked, The Fabolus Thunderbirds, some Judas Priest, no Chili Peppers, ELO, maybe Bush, locals in their prime like Hammerbox, 7 year Bitch, Kathleen Hanna's band, Queensryche, Mad Season, etc., maybe a little Curve or Juliana Hatfield or Veruca Salt or Joan Jett, some Surf Guitar and so forth. And I'd play Frankenstein year round instead of just leading up to Halloween.
Click to expand...

Indeed! These days they call that an I-Pod. Go to your local Sam's Club and pick one up, then drop about $500 on music and even you can be your own PD.
 
Another victory for the Brew, or Classic Rock that rocks. The new "Band" in SF is up to number three 25-54 in SF and number one in men. It is clearly the format parameter missing in Seattle, in my humble opinion.
 
Maybe I'll get an Ipod or Zune or whatever some day. But I already got CD burns and even "old school" cassette tapes that still do the job when I have more than a few minutes and want to go that way.

I know I can do it myself but this thread was about filling a format hole that had classic and more recent rock. And if they put out another version of that, I'd fill it with a lot of what I said or 50 other bands I probably could have added instead of the blander and lighter version that Brew put together.
 
The brew is killing in most markets and is the format pick for Seattle. There is no room for a damn AMP format here. KBKS has that locked up and now that J@B have signed a long-term deal the Mainstream CHR door is closed in Seattle. About time someone takes on KJR-FM and KZOK and JACK. Mountain would be a great Brew station or someone else. Maybe MOVIN would make the move since they have no chance at beating KBKS or anyone else.
 
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