South Florida's Smooth FM 104.3 Debuts 6/1/12...But Stays For How Long?

[pjc1961]

Checked online after midnight on Fri. 6/1/12 and checked through the WEAT, WIRK and newly displaced WPBZ streams to see what was up during the 3-way frequency swap.

The first two were OK (as expected).
The WPBZ HD2 stream (The Buzz) was still operating. Website: http://buzz103.radio.com/
The WEAT HD2 stream (The Sound Of The Strip) was not operating.

But the WPBZ FM stream was playing Smooth AC (some instrumentals/mostly vocals) and had liners/sweepers saying:
"South Florida's Smooth FM 104.3", "Smooth FM 104.3",
"From the Palm Beaches to Miami Beach, the smoothest place on your radio, Smooth FM 104.3",
"Relax and unwind Smooth FM",
"Your soundtrack for South Florida and The Beaches Smooth FM", etc.

Temporary/Place-holder? (See link at bottom of this post/message.)
Top Of hour station ID: WMSF HD and WMSF HD1 Smooth 104.3

FCC info for 104.3 (still listed as WEAT) - 4 records: http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=29567

The now defunct Now 103.1 website http://now1031.cbslocal.com/ is now offline/password protected.

The radio player links for the former Now 103.1 WPBZ-FM which is currently playing Smooth FM 104.3:

http://player.radio.com/player/RadioPlayer.php?station=154
http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?CALLSIGN=WPBZFM
http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?CALLSIGN=WPBZFMAAC

Direct URL streaming links to copy/paste into media players:

http://provisioning.streamtheworld.com/pls/WPBZFMAAC.pls 64 kbps 44 kHz stereo AAC
http://provisioning.streamtheworld.com/pls/WPBZFM.pls 64 kbps 22 kHz stereo
http://provisioning.streamtheworld.com/asx/WPBZFM.asx 64 kbps 22 kHz stereo (Windows Player compatible)

According to Yes.com the last song played on 103.1 was "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil just before midnight on 5/31 before picking up WIRK's country format at 12:06am on 6/1 with "A Woman Like You" by Lee Brice.

More details: http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/58334/west-palm-beach-signal-shuffle-on-june-1/#.T8hr1c1-ElQ

 

[FLjack2]

once it moves into Miami, it wont stay that format. It's the same format for Easy 93.1

 

[COWBOY954]

Yeah why would they put this on except maybe to try it out since rash does so well in palm beach numbers...could they be getting ready to take sunny back to a soft ac to compliment new sister station wrmf hot ac format? That would make sense. But this smooth jazz and soft ac hybrid makes no sense in Miami with both lite Fm and easy in that space.

Any word yet on the new owner?

 

[FLjack2]

This is a very strange move. Why would you take the number 1 station in the market, move it far down the dial with nearly no notice to listeners, not let anyone know well in advance that this was coming and debut a new format that's quite similar on the old frequency? --and a format that could, potentially (in a market with an older audience) beat your other station? And on a signal that you plan to sell?

There's GOT to be a bigger story behind this.

 

[Kent]

debut a new format that's quite similar on the old frequency? --and a format that could, potentially (in a market with an older audience) beat your other station? And on a signal that you plan to sell?

The reason you debut such a similar format on the old frequency is so you have plenty of time to direct your listeners to 107.9 without offending or upsetting them. If those listeners like it, they'll be fully aware of Sunny 107.9 by the time 104.3 goes away, and they'll just go back there. As others have pointed out, there's virtually no chance Smooth FM will be around once 104.3 moves into Miami. So, it's a very low risk, and low cost, format to run.

Also, keep in mind that it's highly possible that 104.3 is not being operated by Goodman as he won't be able to operate it without putting it into a trust. So, CBS could still be running it, or it could already be operated by a trustee. When a station goes into trust, the trustee makes all programming and day-to-day operating decisions, though he usually tries to do something that won't upset the company that set the trust up!

 

[FLjack2]

Honestly? Why not a simulcast for a few days or a week? Why not a recorded announcement/loop directing people to 107.9? The new station on 104.3 is not directing anyone to 107.9. If I were your average listener, I would just think they changed format.

 

[Kent]

Honestly? Why not a simulcast for a few days or a week? Why not a recorded announcement/loop directing people to 107.9? The new station on 104.3 is not directing anyone to 107.9. If I were your average listener, I would just think they changed format.

Remember, Goodman can't legally operate the station because of ownership caps and his ownership of WRMF. So, the station is, most likely, being operated by a trustee. If that's the case, it can't simulcast a station in the cluster it got split off from. Otherwise, it's a violation of FCC ownership rules. When a station is put into trust, the operation of the station must be completely separate. While the trustee is reimbursed for any operating losses the station incurs while in his possession, he can't be paid specifically to operate the station at a loss and can't be paid or required to air specific programming. In other words, if he's airing a loop directing the audience to 107.9, he has no programming to sell and, therefore, isn't operating separately from the main cluster.

In cases where a trustee shares office space or anything else, such as programming contracts or even server space, with the main cluster, he has to pay for it, and the expenses must be carefully documented and itemized.

 

[Gregg]

Thank you to pjc1961 for the streaming websites. I'm listening now and this is definately Smooth AC. I've heard one instrumental and several vocals so far. I Could Fall in Love by Selena is now playing at 5:51pm Friday. It's the CBS player for its radio stations, although it still says Now 103.1.

Why this format? Well, we know they blew up Love 94 while it still had very good ratings. Easy 93 has proven that there are listeners out there who want softer music than they get from conventional radio stations. And because Smooth Jazz and Smooth AC do well among Latin and African-American listeners, as well as White listeners, it's a logical move. In fact, they're using the line for afternoon drive "The No-Stress Express," which CBS's 94.7 The Wave in Los Angeles also uses. And The Wave is a top 10 station in LA, a market similar to Miami.

Are the demos older? Yes. But in a market like Miami-Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, I think there are enough listeners to justify a format you wouldn't use in other markets. The station has a killer signal. You can hear it from Key Largo to Sebastian. But I guess when they move the tower to better cover Miami, they'll lose some coverage.

So let's see if the ratings show some kick. Maybe Smooth AC in this market isn't crazy after all.


Gregg
[email protected]

 

[cd637299]

I doubt that there will be any kick soon, or else WMIA would change its HD2 (aka the old Love 94).

cd

 

[davideduardo]

And because Smooth Jazz and Smooth AC do well among Latin and African-American listeners, as well as White listeners, it's a logical move.

In PPM, smooth jazz did not do well with Hispanics. As to smooth AC, there are not enough of those to evaluate.

And The Wave is a top 10 station in LA, a market similar to Miami.

It's barely Top 10 in 12+, but it's only top 20, with an occasional book in the top 15 in 25-54. It's out of the Top 20 entirely in 18-49, which, as in TV, is becoming in radio a prime demo.

LA is nothing like Miami. The Hispanic population is almost all Mexican or Mexican heritage, and the Black community has shrunken to under 8%. Miami has a very different ethnic origin and even the nature of the non-Hispanic white is different. I have worked both markets for decades (Miami going back to the 70's) and I can't think of two Top 25 markets in the US that are less alike... even things like San Francisco and Minneapolis would be a little more alike than LA and Miami.

Are the demos older? Yes. But in a market like Miami-Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

Miami and WPB are two different markets... sold separately and with rather insignificant cross market radio usage.

I think there are enough listeners to justify a format you wouldn't use in other markets. The station has a killer signal. You can hear it from Key Largo to Sebastian.

But the useful signal for ratings at home and at work, 65 dbu, barely covers the city of Ft Lauderdale, and none of Southern Broward County and, of course, none of Miami Dade. Obviously, this is a holding pattern format that will not challenge Goodman's real properties, and which can be done on a computer really cheap. It has little impact in the sales demos, so it is a danger to no one.

But I guess when they move the tower to better cover Miami, they'll lose some coverage.

But they gain population and move from a market with $50 million in total revenue to one with five times that. And at that point, the format will change.

 

[Jazz_Kat]

I have a question about a song that was played on Smooth 104.3, somewhere around 11:20 p.m., central time, they (Smooth 104.3) played a remix version of Lady Antebellum's Need You Now and I was wondering if anyone knew the remix title of the song. Sounded good.

 

[TroyG]

A pretty weird thing that might happen: 104.3 WSMF might end up sold to the Mexicans and will become Regional Mexican. Probably over to a company like Univision.

 

[ScottBurns]

Given the sports radio war in Miami, do any of you think Beasley could be interested in 104.3, and simply move WQAM to FM? I wonder what Uncle Neil would have thought of that...

 

[Ai4i]

I have three questions for speculation about this pending move:
When, when, and when?

 

[TroyG]

I think smooth jazz happens to be just a stunt for the time being, and considers itself elevator music.

 

[Gregg]

I say that Miami and Los Angeles are similar in that they are the two large markets with the highest number of Hispanic listeners. (According to Arbitron, 43% in LA, 50% in Miami.) The first generation Spanish-speaking populations are different in each city, LA being mostly Mexican, Miami being mostly Carribean. But the listening habits of second and third generation English-dominant middle-aged female Latin radio listeners are not that much different. They seem to prefer rhythmic-leaning AC and Oldies over anything that is rock-based.

You add the fact that Love 94 was a top 10 station in Miami when the plug was pulled about four years ago and you figure a Smooth AC will be popular in Miami just as Smooth AC The Wave is #9 in the latest LA ratings.

In your numbers crunching David, don't you account for the large number of retirees in a market like Miami-Fort Lauderdale? I can understand virtually all stations in a youthful market like Salt Lake City or Denver would cater to 18-34, 18-49 or 25-54 demos. But in a market with lots of retirees, you wouldn't do anything different?

Do you think Cox is wrong for devoting two big FM stations in Tampa (Dove 105.5) and Miami (Easy 93) to older listeners? You don't think those two stations are going to sell more chickens, furniture or bank accounts than an 18-34 station that has a third of their listeners? I could understand it not being 1:1 trade off. But three listeners over 54 don't even equal one 20-something?

After all, you often point out that even though the LA market has a lower population than NYC, it does more advertising business because the industry believes LA is more affluent. So wouldn't three Fort Lauderdale retirees with money in the bank be worth as much to an advertiser as one 20-something Hialeah listener struggling to meet his or her expenses every month?






Gregg
[email protected]

 

[Kent]

In your numbers crunching David, don't you account for the large number of retirees in a market like Miami-Fort Lauderdale? I can understand virtually all stations in a youthful market like Salt Lake City or Denver would cater to 18-34, 18-49 or 25-54 demos. But in a market with lots of retirees, you wouldn't do anything different?

Retirees are almost all over 54. They don't count for agency buys. Agencies aren't going to change their practice of not buying 55+ in Miami simply because it has a higher percentage of them.

Do you think Cox is wrong for devoting two big FM stations in Tampa (Dove 105.5) and Miami (Easy 93) to older listeners? You don't think those two stations are going to sell more chickens, furniture or bank accounts than an 18-34 station that has a third of their listeners? I could understand it not being 1:1 trade off. But three listeners over 54 don't even equal one 20-something?

I can't speak for David, but Cox is only wrong for devoting two FM's to older listeners if they're not making money. The Dove used to be #1 12+ but didn't even bill in the top-10. It may be billing enough to make money, but it underbills its ratings share significantly. I don't know how Easy 93's doing, but, again, if it makes money, it was a good investment.

 

[davideduardo]

But the listening habits of second and third generation English-dominant middle-aged female Latin radio listeners are not that much different. They seem to prefer rhythmic-leaning AC and Oldies over anything that is rock-based.

But the differences in the songs and feel of what second generation in Miami and what second generation in LA likes is considerable. The Caribbean population is influenced by a heritage of Afroantillean music, ranging from salsa to merengue and cumbia and vallenato. The Mexican-American audience has none of that background and this translates into really different preferences in English music on a song to song basis.

You add the fact that Love 94 was a top 10 station in Miami when the plug was pulled about four years ago and you figure a Smooth AC will be popular in Miami just as Smooth AC The Wave is #9 in the latest LA ratings.

Smooth AC in LA, as I said, is a tenuous proposition for sales because it is just barely top 20 in 25-54 and not even inside the top 20 for 18-49. Love 94 had the same issue; it was killed by the PPM and showed up with dismal sales demo numbers.

In your numbers crunching David, don't you account for the large number of retirees in a market like Miami-Fort Lauderdale?

Agencies don't by over 55, and increasingly don't buy over 50. There is a retired / senior / geezer market, but generally a lot of the products (drugs, investments, travel, etc) require lengthy disclaimers which favor print or TV where supers or scrolls can be used. Radio is, essentially, not used by agencies for over-55 for many reasons.

And, Miami does not have that different an average age from, let's say, Pittsburgh or St Louis. There is a component that is senior or elderly, but it is not a high percentage... parts of FL are heavily retirement based, but Miami is not one of those any more than Chicago is.

Do you think Cox is wrong for devoting two big FM stations in Tampa (Dove 105.5) and Miami (Easy 93) to older listeners? You don't think those two stations are going to sell more chickens, furniture or bank accounts than an 18-34 station that has a third of their listeners? I could understand it not being 1:1 trade off. But three listeners over 54 don't even equal one 20-something?

WDUV is 1st in 12+, but ranks about 15th in billings. Not a bad way to operate with a less than top signal, though. They control costs, know they have no competitor, and they make some money consistently. Not a lot, but it is dependable.

And they have to get most of the revenue from direct accounts... somewhat of a good thing with agency and national so erratic these days. But the agency accounts... the big brands and retailers... don't buy 55+ or 50+ at all.

[/quote]After all, you often point out that even though the LA market has a lower population than NYC, it does more advertising business because the industry believes LA is more affluent.[/quote]

No, I don't say that. The LA radio market garners more revenue because while over 30% of all listening in LA is in the car, in NYC it is less than 25% due to use of public transport. It's strictly a lifestyle issue coupled by the climate and the metro area itself. LA is not more affluent. And the vast majority of buys do not rank stations on income but on the simple metric of cost per point.

So wouldn't three Fort Lauderdale retirees with money in the bank be worth as much to an advertiser as one 20-something Hialeah listener struggling to meet his or her expenses every month?

No.

 

[davideduardo]

A pretty weird thing that might happen: 104.3 WSMF might end up sold to the Mexicans and will become Regional Mexican. Probably over to a company like Univision.

There are no "Mexicans" owning radio stations in the US. It is not legal.

There is not a Mexican first generation audience in Miami of sufficient size to support such a station. SBS tried it with La Raza (WRAZ) from Homestead (where the Mexican origin population is concentrated) and it failed.

 

[Groove1670]

But the agency accounts... the big brands and retailers... don't buy 55+ or 50+ at all.

It will be interesting to see how agencies and advertisers handle this demo in the next several years. It will be the largest.

With the attention span of 18-34 almost null. (They are too busy texting). That will be a challenge too.

For the 55+ Let's hope that it won't be handled in the same manner as the Social Security Administration. ;D