Should 97.1 flip?

[alans613]

With 97.1's ratings down, should they dump the Hot AC format and go with something else? Please don't say "Movin'". That format hasn't worked in any market outside of Seattle. What about Classic Rock(Would fit in great with the Bucks football and basketball coverage), Triple A, or even giving Columbus another shot at Adult Hits(Like anyone knew the format existed when it was on 103.9 ).

 

[CBusDave]

ANOTHER rock station? I would hope not.

 

[TheVibe]

Please don't say "Movin'".

Typical Cowtown mentality.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

With 97.1's ratings down, should they dump the Hot AC format and go with something else? Please don't say "Movin'". That format hasn't worked in any market outside of Seattle. What about Classic Rock(Would fit in great with the Bucks football and basketball coverage), Triple A, or even giving Columbus another shot at Adult Hits(Like anyone knew the format existed when it was on 103.9 ).

This town is reasonably well covered in terms of Classic Rock, especially with recent tweaks at WLVQ. And despite their "80's" proclamations, the Brew plays plenty of early-70's Steve Miller, etc.

But "yes" to AAA, and ESPECIALLY "yes" to Adult Hits! The format never got a fair shot with Ted's awful signal and lack of spending. Adult Hits is continuing to turn in BIG numbers in markets such as St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Louisville and Austin.

BNS-FM currently is moving more and more in the WRONG direction. What are they trying to do, take on conservative CHR WNCI??

 

[pbf1]

Please don't say "Movin'".

Typical Cowtown mentality.

Moo.

(Where HAS it worked? Even Seattle isn't an absolutely smashing success, but all of the other markets are positively in the tank!)

 

[TheVibe]

Now that I think about it, it might work and I'll tell you how. Make a slight slight modification to tha name and call it MOO-VIN.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

No. Prior to the arrival of progressive talk, 97.1 was what I listened to. With the departure of progressive talk, I'm back to 97.1.

That's when I'm at work.

It's a different story at home...for music, it's Eagle 93.7 out of Mount Vernon.

Aside from Delilah, which isn't local anyway, that comprises my listening to Columbus radio.

I'm with the Vibe on this one...Moo.

 

[lifeuw19]

I always thought the station should flip to news/talk to give 610 a run. Think about it. They have the newspaper, 10TV, ONN... it only makes sense.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

I actually support Movin'. I think it has potential in Columbus. I've loved the Rhythmic AC format since the beginning. I've been one of the people that's said. MIX GO MOVIN'

 

[Kent]

I actually support Movin'. I think it has potential in Columbus. I've loved the Rhythmic AC format since the beginning. I've been one of the people that's said. MIX GO MOVIN'

The problem is Movin' just ain't workin'. It reminds me of what people were saying a couple years ago. People would say, "What does this market need?" The response from several people on these boards would be, "This market needs a dance station!" However, dance didn't really work anywhere it was tried, unless you count KTU in New York as dance (it was really a rhythmic CHR). People would say a station should flip to their favorite format, even if no one else would listen. So, I guess the questions is why do you think Movin' would work in Columbus when it really hasn't worked anywhere else? Even Seattle ratings indicate Movin' may have peaked, though we won't know for a little longer.

 

[V.Riley]

I don't think they should go rock. We have enough of that in central Ohio. Actually, they could stay with the format they have now, since TED-FM is gone, their numbers should improve with former TED-FM listeners looking for a new fix. My only suggestion would be they don't try to be like WNCI. No need to go juvenile. Actually, I do have another suggestion, no need to stop the music and play sports events like Buckeyes whatever. If the people want sports, they can buy a ticket like the rest of us, or tune into one of those talk/sports radio stations. Keep the music playing 24/7. Lord knows we have more than enough of talk radio stations now. Besides, I haven't won my $ for saying the phrase that pays yet.

Actually if 97.1 changes format radically, I'll just have to win the lottery and start my own station.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I don't think they should go rock. We have enough of that in central Ohio. Actually, they could stay with the format they have now, since TED-FM is gone, their numbers should improve with former TED-FM listeners looking for a new fix.

Maybe displaced Ted listeners could help 97.1, but only marginally. There weren't many of them due to the awful signal and lack of spending. But there seems to be evidence that 97.1 *was* concerned about Ted: The weekend before Ted switched to talk, the 97.1 air talent was saying repeatedly, "don't worry, our 'Whatever Weekends' will be back next weekend." Well, they never did come back as promised, maybe because "Whatever" existed strictly to defend against Ted. In any event, blithely lying to your listeners like that is one example of the current unenlightened programming management of that station. It wasn't just failing to follow through, it was giving reassurance and then ignoring the promise. Even if no one really cared, it demonstrates the tone of the station, and it's not a positive one.

My only suggestion would be they don't try to be like WNCI. No need to go juvenile. Actually, I do have another suggestion, no need to stop the music and play sports events like Buckeyes whatever. If the people want sports, they can buy a ticket like the rest of us, or tune into one of those talk/sports radio stations. Keep the music playing 24/7. Lord knows we have more than enough of talk radio stations now. Besides, I haven't won my $ for saying the phrase that pays yet.

Play-by-play sports make no sense for a female-oriented station. At least with the football bucks it was only once a week for a few months and they were red-hot, but the basketball is really frequent and out of synch with the format. That's another reason an approach that's at least somewhat more male-oriented would make sense for them, e.g, Adult Hits (on a decent signal) or an Adult Hits-leaning type of Hot AC like Mix in Cleveland.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I don't think they should go rock. We have enough of that in central Ohio. Actually, they could stay with the format they have now, since TED-FM is gone, their numbers should improve with former TED-FM listeners looking for a new fix.

Maybe displaced Ted listeners could help 97.1, but only marginally. There weren't many of them due to the awful signal and lack of spending. But there seems to be evidence that 97.1 *was* concerned about Ted: The weekend before Ted switched to talk, the 97.1 air talent was saying repeatedly, "don't worry, our 'Whatever Weekends' will be back next weekend." Well, they never did come back as promised, maybe because "Whatever" existed strictly to defend against Ted. In any event, blithely lying to your listeners like that is one example of the current unenlightened programming management of that station. It wasn't just failing to follow through, it was giving reassurance and then ignoring the promise. Even if no one really cared, it demonstrates the tone of the station, and it's not a positive one.

My only suggestion would be they don't try to be like WNCI. No need to go juvenile. Actually, I do have another suggestion, no need to stop the music and play sports events like Buckeyes whatever. If the people want sports, they can buy a ticket like the rest of us, or tune into one of those talk/sports radio stations. Keep the music playing 24/7. Lord knows we have more than enough of talk radio stations now. Besides, I haven't won my $ for saying the phrase that pays yet.

Play-by-play sports make no sense for a female-oriented station. At least with the football Bucks it was only once a week for a few months and they were red-hot, but the basketball is really frequent and out of synch with the format. The Buckeyes obligation is another reason an approach that's at least somewhat more male-oriented would make sense for them, e.g, Adult Hits (on a decent signal) or an Adult Hits-leaning type of Hot AC like Mix in Cleveland.

 

[alans613]

Maybe they should lean more towards being a Modern AC like they were in the early days back in 2001-02(They were doing 5 and 6 shares back then). I would dump that awful 80s remix show on Friday nights as well.

 

[Al Timiter]

Just food for thought: They've never done better than when they were that mix of soft rock/jazz/new age with very little live jocks. Mostly running tapes. They were #3, I think, 12+ but couldn't or didn't know how to sell it.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

Just food for thought: They've never done better than when they were that mix of soft rock/jazz/new age with very little live jocks. Mostly running tapes. They were #3, I think, 12+ but couldn't or didn't know how to sell it.

How many signals were in the market at that time compared to now? Anyone can be #3 with literally no competition. I'm not defending their current format, just trying to look at the environment at the time.

 

[Al Timiter]

That was circa 1990. There hasn't been a dramatic increase in signals since then. Only about three "move-ins" since then, I believe.

 

[ryan883]

I don't know if anyone has noticed, or knows this, but Columbus has a gigantic gay community compared to other cities and they have above average amounts of disposable income. A dance station like what New York's KTU used to be prior to about 6 months ago I think would take off here even if many of you don't think it would... the format of 105.3 on Long Island and the dance station in San Fran I think could surprise many here.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

That was circa 1990. There hasn't been a dramatic increase in signals since then. Only about three "move-ins" since then, I believe.

107.5, 105.7, 93.3, 104.3, 103.9, 107.9, 101.1

All of these signals have either signed on or moved closer since 1990. 3 are city grade downtown.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

That was circa 1990. There hasn't been a dramatic increase in signals since then. Only about three "move-ins" since then, I believe.

107.5, 105.7, 93.3, 104.3, 103.9, 107.9, 101.1

All of these signals have either signed on or moved closer since 1990.

...and some have done both, e.g. 105.7

Another sign-on was 103.5.

Also, many class A's became much more aggressive and viable starting in the early 90's, e.g. 98.9 and 104.9. Columbus is a far more competitive market today than in 1990. (That doesn't change the fact that Columbus is still under-radioed when it comes to full-power, central metro signals.)