Speculation??? Cape Cod.

[wattagecottage]

Anyone want to guess what, if any format changes will happen on Cape Cod in regards to new ownership coming in with the "trust" stations?

 

[Cabbage_Patch]

PIXY stays the same - rock.
Oldies I think MAY change. But to what?

A Jack? I don't think so.
CHR Mainstream? I don't think so.
Hot talk? Maybe?
CHR Rhythmic? Maybe?
AC? I don't think so.
Country? I think would be the best bet.

I say flipping Oldies is a 50/50 possibility.
If they DO flip, I'd say Country... maybe Hot Talk of some sort... and I'd LOVE to see a straight up CHR Rhythmic come in. What does everyone else think?




> Anyone want to guess what, if any format changes will happen
> on Cape Cod in regards to new ownership coming in with the
> "trust" stations?
>

 

[GLICKNICK]

Since I live on Cape Cod....93.5 and 101.1 simulcast. Why not
have the Cape's first FM talker on 93.5 and keep the oldies
on 101.1. Cat Country 98.1 comes in clear here in Harwich.
The Oldies format on 101.1 is great. Fits in well with the
older demographic here. I would love to hear Drudge and a few
others. WRK0 and WABC fade in and out at night. And as far as
an FM Talker is concerned, if a flip does happen, Air America is
not what I was thinking. Tony Snow/Bill O'Reilly type hosts would
fit well. 106 WCOD is quite popular. The Rose is, also and fits its
demo well. A Real CHR? Not sure if that would fit. Just an opinion..

> PIXY stays the same - rock.
> Oldies I think MAY change. But to what?
>
> A Jack? I don't think so.
> CHR Mainstream? I don't think so.
> Hot talk? Maybe?
> CHR Rhythmic? Maybe?
> AC? I don't think so.
> Country? I think would be the best bet.
>
> I say flipping Oldies is a 50/50 possibility.
> If they DO flip, I'd say Country... maybe Hot Talk of some
> sort... and I'd LOVE to see a straight up CHR Rhythmic come
> in. What does everyone else think?
>
>
>
>
> > Anyone want to guess what, if any format changes will
> happen
> > on Cape Cod in regards to new ownership coming in with the
>
> > "trust" stations?
> >
>

 

[TXengineer]

> Since I live on Cape Cod....93.5 and 101.1 simulcast. Why
> not
> have the Cape's first FM talker on 93.5

I wonder what the Cape's first FM talker, WXTK 95.1 would have to say about 93.5 becoming the Cape's first FM talker...

 

[GLICKNICK]

> > Since I live on Cape Cod....93.5 and 101.1 simulcast. Why
> > not
> > have the Cape's first (CORRECTION: Second) FM talker on 93.5
>
> I wonder what the Cape's first FM talker, WXTK 95.1 would
> have to say about 93.5 becoming the Cape's first FM
> talker...
>
Oops. Got me there. Typo.

 

[RadioJay]

Changes coming to 99.9 WQRC

I heard WQRC play a clip of Jimmy Buffett's Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes featuring the song's title and a message saying that changes were coming on Tuesday. <P ID="signature">______________
Moe: (Sees a microphone in a radio studio) Ooh, a microphonie!

Curly: Or a phoney at the mike!

Moe: Quiet numbskulls I'm broadcastin'!

From The Three Stooges episode "Micro-Phoneys"</P>

 

[Cabbage_Patch]

Re: Changes coming to 99.9 WQRC

Could that be a change in the morning show? Cheryl Parks starts there soon (or so I have heard). Perhaps Tuesday morning?



> I heard WQRC play a clip of Jimmy Buffett's Changes In
> Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes featuring the song's title
> and a message saying that changes were coming on Tuesday.
>

 

[YourNameHere]

you're all way off

you guys are missing it entirely. cape cod is full of second homeowners who telelcommute to their jobs and work entirely from these second homes. they are 35-50 years old and are the wealthiest folks on the cape. And no one is targeting them at all.

there is one sunday morning program on WQRC that is more popular than any daypart on the station. it sells out for advertising so quickly that businesses line up for the next avails. Its remarkable that the braintrust at QRC isnt bold enough to devote the entire day to the format.

what is it?

Smooth jazz.

If Nassau is saavy enough about this market, they will make those two simulcasts a smooth jazz format, no jocks to start. there are plenty of "john tesh" like syndicated shows out there that could fill the bill until they can be properly staffed with people who know the format.



> > > Since I live on Cape Cod....93.5 and 101.1 simulcast.
> Why
> > > not
> > > have the Cape's first (CORRECTION: Second) FM talker
> on 93.5
> >
> > I wonder what the Cape's first FM talker, WXTK 95.1 would
> > have to say about 93.5 becoming the Cape's first FM
> > talker...
> >
> Oops. Got me there. Typo.
>

 

[JustinT]

Re: you're all way off

> you guys are missing it entirely. cape cod is full of
> second homeowners who telelcommute to their jobs and work
> entirely from these second homes. they are 35-50 years old
> and are the wealthiest folks on the cape. And no one is
> targeting them at all.
>
> there is one sunday morning program on WQRC that is more
> popular than any daypart on the station. it sells out for
> advertising so quickly that businesses line up for the next
> avails. Its remarkable that the braintrust at QRC isnt
> bold enough to devote the entire day to the format.
>
> what is it?
>
> Smooth jazz.
>
> If Nassau is saavy enough about this market, they will make
> those two simulcasts a smooth jazz format, no jocks to
> start. there are plenty of "john tesh" like syndicated
> shows out there that could fill the bill until they can be
> properly staffed with people who know the format.

Perhaps. Nassau has experience from their 104.9 WOJZ, which was over near Atlantic City, NJ.

But wouldn't one of Nassau's other formats that are spreading all over New England be more likely? Classic Hits as "Frank FM", based off of the incredible first books of 107.5 WFNK in Portland? Or Country as "The Wolf", considering the always good books of WCTK on the Cape?

 

[GLICKNICK]

93.5 The Breeze..Smooth Jazz...

Sounds good to me. Perfect suggestion/comment! With the addition
of more effluent menus and restaurants on the Cape, this would be
a great fit. But, I would still like to hear 101.1FM go talk.
A Frank of Wolf FM, I don't think would fit as well. Some of the
Providence stations do filter in down here. Your thoughts....

> you guys are missing it entirely. cape cod is full of
> second homeowners who telelcommute to their jobs and work
> entirely from these second homes. they are 35-50 years old
> and are the wealthiest folks on the cape. And no one is
> targeting them at all.
>
> there is one sunday morning program on WQRC that is more
> popular than any daypart on the station. it sells out for
> advertising so quickly that businesses line up for the next
> avails. Its remarkable that the braintrust at QRC isnt
> bold enough to devote the entire day to the format.
>
> what is it?
>
> Smooth jazz.
>
> If Nassau is saavy enough about this market, they will make
> those two simulcasts a smooth jazz format, no jocks to
> start. there are plenty of "john tesh" like syndicated
> shows out there that could fill the bill until they can be
> properly staffed with people who know the format.
>
>
>
> > > > Since I live on Cape Cod....93.5 and 101.1 simulcast.
> > Why
> > > > not
> > > > have the Cape's first (CORRECTION: Second) FM talker
>
> > on 93.5
> > >
> > > I wonder what the Cape's first FM talker, WXTK 95.1
> would
> > > have to say about 93.5 becoming the Cape's first FM
> > > talker...
> > >
> > Oops. Got me there. Typo.
> >
>

 

[YourNameHere]

Re: you're all way off

good points. but the key is uniting deep pocket listeners with high end advertisers. The rep firms who buy the cape market buy the top three stations in a particular demo - they're not interested in format of your station. That's why WMVY cant sell its ad space year round. Great niche format, always last in their demo. So it might be more viable to create a non-competitive niche format in this market that attracts the wealthy adult and not the retiree. A smooth jazz format would make the Cape Cod Melody Tent VERY happy as well.

Frank FM might be a direct challenge to Cool 102, and that could fail considering Cool's loyal cume which stretches way beyond the bridges. As for a country, you make a good point about CTK's success on the Cape. Just not sure what kind of regional ad dollars it could attract. Although a "you might be a Cape Codder..." image campaign would be hilarious to hear.

Remember, there are already too many radio AE's out here trying to pull the same local ad dollars from the same local advertisers. Adding a competetive format to the already over-loaded market could spell disaster. 70-plus percent of all business on the Cape are small businesses, and they cant or wont create sustained radio campaigns. So the real radio revenue comes from regional and national dollars. Therein in lies Nassau's challenge - to create formats that will pull in those ad rep dollars when the book only comes out twice a year.

And since we havent mentioned it, PIXY could use some serious tweaking as well. That's probably the most likely of the properties to take on a Nassau signature format since it has the biggest stick of the three signals.


> Perhaps. Nassau has experience from their 104.9 WOJZ, which
> was over near Atlantic City, NJ.
>
> But wouldn't one of Nassau's other formats that are
> spreading all over New England be more likely? Classic Hits
> as "Frank FM", based off of the incredible first books of
> 107.5 WFNK in Portland? Or Country as "The Wolf",
> considering the always good books of WCTK on the Cape?
>

 

[GLICKNICK]

Smooth Jazz......

Thanks Your Name. I appreciate and respect your comments.
I would love to hear a Smooth Jazz format here. Do recall
the old days of Smooth FM 99.1. I don't believe that Jones
is in the business anymore with this format, but an automated
production with one person doing morning drive would work.
Heck, I might even consider re-entering the broadcast field.
(Although I am a night owl, perhaps I could voice track from the
bed?) I had thought that Smooth FM (WPLM)'s format could work.
I was disappointed when they switched formats. WQRC mixes in Smooth
Jazz overnights, usually in a 4 song rotation. And...I note that sister
WOCN closes out each hour prior to the CBS news feed with a Smooth Jazz
clip. One other idea...WMVY is using several translator stations...
could a 93.5 or 101.1 use any translator stations, if they are available
to supplement coverage? As far as the country format goes...Cool 102 tried
it many years ago. Thunder 102. Failed miserably. I believe this was shortly
after Larry Justice (aka the Halls of Justice on the ole WHDH) owned the
station. Despite WMVY's difficulties, I still think it is a very well
programmed station. I have even heard the station played at a bar in Aruba.
I am curious as to what WQRC has planned. They seem to be the Magic 106.7
of the Cape and is heard in many local establishments. But a Smooth Jazz
with light vocals would most certainly be a good fit/sell. I look forward
to hearing opinions/comments.

good points. but the key is uniting deep pocket listeners
> with high end advertisers. The rep firms who buy the cape
> market buy the top three stations in a particular demo -
> they're not interested in format of your station. That's
> why WMVY cant sell its ad space year round. Great niche
> format, always last in their demo. So it might be more
> viable to create a non-competitive niche format in this
> market that attracts the wealthy adult and not the retiree.
> A smooth jazz format would make the Cape Cod Melody Tent
> VERY happy as well.
>
> Frank FM might be a direct challenge to Cool 102, and that
> could fail considering Cool's loyal cume which stretches way
> beyond the bridges. As for a country, you make a good point
> about CTK's success on the Cape. Just not sure what kind of
> regional ad dollars it could attract. Although a "you might
> be a Cape Codder..." image campaign would be hilarious to
> hear.
>
> Remember, there are already too many radio AE's out here
> trying to pull the same local ad dollars from the same local
> advertisers. Adding a competetive format to the already
> over-loaded market could spell disaster. 70-plus percent of
> all business on the Cape are small businesses, and they cant
> or wont create sustained radio campaigns. So the real radio
> revenue comes from regional and national dollars. Therein in
> lies Nassau's challenge - to create formats that will pull
> in those ad rep dollars when the book only comes out twice a
> year.
>
> And since we havent mentioned it, PIXY could use some
> serious tweaking as well. That's probably the most likely
> of the properties to take on a Nassau signature format since
> it has the biggest stick of the three signals.
>
>
> > Perhaps. Nassau has experience from their 104.9 WOJZ,
> which
> > was over near Atlantic City, NJ.
> >
> > But wouldn't one of Nassau's other formats that are
> > spreading all over New England be more likely? Classic
> Hits
> > as "Frank FM", based off of the incredible first books of
> > 107.5 WFNK in Portland? Or Country as "The Wolf",
> > considering the always good books of WCTK on the Cape?
> >
>

 

[LiamStatic]

I guess the problem is the limited areas where 101.1 and 93.5 can be heard. It made sense to me after I thought about it that Boch decided to simulcast the stations after they did away with their brief new wave/alternative rock experiment. In light of this, I really think that Nassau needs another station to make it on the Cape and should continue to simulcast 101.1 and 93.5.

Certainly PIXY should stay the same (I look foward to seeing what they do for a morning show when stern is gone).

As for 101.1 and 93.5 -

- I think The Rose is about as rythmic as the Cape can handle.

- I don't think country is a good sell on the Cape...too many people who live there don't like to identify as anything "southern".

- WCOD has the hot AC covered well, as does WXTK for talk. Probably not the best idea to go up against that.

- As for smooth jazz, that could work I suppose.

I think that it is a hard sell for advertisers though to just get one rock station and one smooth jazz station. You really need to cover a larger audience than that and need another format.

If you have rock and smooth jazz, I'd guess that you need a format that would cover the female demo. I think if you had strong on-air personalities, you could create one that is a pseudo cross between WCOD/WMVY/WQRC. With the right imaging, talent, and local outreach, it could happen. The important thing is for Nassau to understand the complexities of the Cape market in the first place, then make their move.

Question: Does having stellar deejays, imaging, and promotional events count just as much as the format on the Cape? Any appeal to the female would compete with WCOD, The Rose, and WQRC at least. I'm just wondering if the music matters more here, or if all of the above factors would make the difference.

In any case, some competition is beneficial to everyone in the market, so we'll see what happens.

Liam




> PIXY stays the same - rock.
> Oldies I think MAY change. But to what?
>
> A Jack? I don't think so.
> CHR Mainstream? I don't think so.
> Hot talk? Maybe?
> CHR Rhythmic? Maybe?
> AC? I don't think so.
> Country? I think would be the best bet.
>
> I say flipping Oldies is a 50/50 possibility.
> If they DO flip, I'd say Country... maybe Hot Talk of some
> sort... and I'd LOVE to see a straight up CHR Rhythmic come
> in. What does everyone else think?
>
>
>
>
> > Anyone want to guess what, if any format changes will
> happen
> > on Cape Cod in regards to new ownership coming in with the
>
> > "trust" stations?
> >
>

 

[FMRadio1]

Re: Smooth Jazz......

93.5 and 101.1 have been so many different formats over the years, and with most of the mainline formats already taken, I suppose trying Smooth Jazz wouldn't hurt. However, it does propose a few challenges for it to work.

First off, the format tends to perform the best in areas with a more diverse ethnic population. Cape Cod is very, very white. Urban AC titles are part of the mix at smooth jazz, up to a third of all songs played, and I'm not sure how well they would work in that market.

You mentioned that SJ would be a "non-competitive, niche format" that wouldn't be in competition with any one station. It would actually be a direct format competitor to WQRC, and here's why. As I mentioned before, smooth jazz relies on urban AC and mainstream AC vocals to add familiarity to the format and maintain cume. Many SJ outlets will play three song sets, with instrumentals sandwiching a well tested AC vocal from the likes of Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, Alisha Keys, Toni Braxton, Phil Collins, Brian McKnight, Sade, etc. With WQRC dabbling in Smooth Jazz, the two stations would share quite a few titles with eachother and would target the same demos. The primary reason that Greater Media dumped SJ in Boston was that it shared too much audience with sister AC WMJX. If taking on WQRC is Nassau's strategy, then smooth jazz would be an option for 93.5 and 101.1.

Even so, there's still a lot of options for the 35-54 listener on the Cape--a couple of classic rockers, a conservative Hot AC, an AC, a AAA, a Classical, NPR and even an FM talker. I doubt that SJ on those frequencies could garner enough ratings to attract regional buyers with all that competition. Still, it's a relatively low overhead format to run, so it may be worth trying since there are no other major format holes out there to fill right now.

Mike Thomas


> Thanks Your Name. I appreciate and respect your comments.
> I would love to hear a Smooth Jazz format here. Do recall
> the old days of Smooth FM 99.1. I don't believe that Jones
> is in the business anymore with this format, but an
> automated
> production with one person doing morning drive would work.
> Heck, I might even consider re-entering the broadcast field.
>
> (Although I am a night owl, perhaps I could voice track from
> the
> bed?) I had thought that Smooth FM (WPLM)'s format could
> work.
> I was disappointed when they switched formats. WQRC mixes
> in Smooth
> Jazz overnights, usually in a 4 song rotation. And...I note
> that sister
> WOCN closes out each hour prior to the CBS news feed with a
> Smooth Jazz
> clip.

> I am curious as to what WQRC has planned. They seem to be
> the Magic 106.7
> of the Cape and is heard in many local establishments. But
> a Smooth Jazz
> with light vocals would most certainly be a good fit/sell.
> I look forward
> to hearing opinions/comments.
>
> good points. but the key is uniting deep pocket listeners
> > with high end advertisers. The rep firms who buy the cape
> > market buy the top three stations in a particular demo -
> > they're not interested in format of your station. That's
> > why WMVY cant sell its ad space year round. Great niche
> > format, always last in their demo. So it might be more
> > viable to create a non-competitive niche format in this
> > market that attracts the wealthy adult and not the
> retiree.
> > A smooth jazz format would make the Cape Cod Melody Tent
> > VERY happy as well.
> >
> > Frank FM might be a direct challenge to Cool 102, and that
>
> > could fail considering Cool's loyal cume which stretches
> way
> > beyond the bridges. As for a country, you make a good
> point
> > about CTK's success on the Cape. Just not sure what kind
> of
> > regional ad dollars it could attract. Although a "you
> might
> > be a Cape Codder..." image campaign would be hilarious to
> > hear.
> >
> > Remember, there are already too many radio AE's out here
> > trying to pull the same local ad dollars from the same
> local
> > advertisers. Adding a competetive format to the already
> > over-loaded market could spell disaster. 70-plus percent
> of
> > all business on the Cape are small businesses, and they
> cant
> > or wont create sustained radio campaigns. So the real
> radio
> > revenue comes from regional and national dollars. Therein
> in
> > lies Nassau's challenge - to create formats that will pull
>
> > in those ad rep dollars when the book only comes out twice
> a
> > year.
> >
> > And since we havent mentioned it, PIXY could use some
> > serious tweaking as well. That's probably the most likely
>
> > of the properties to take on a Nassau signature format
> since
> > it has the biggest stick of the three signals.
> >
> >
> > > Perhaps. Nassau has experience from their 104.9 WOJZ,
> > which
> > > was over near Atlantic City, NJ.
> > >
> > > But wouldn't one of Nassau's other formats that are
> > > spreading all over New England be more likely? Classic
> > Hits
> > > as "Frank FM", based off of the incredible first books
> of
> > > 107.5 WFNK in Portland? Or Country as "The Wolf",
> > > considering the always good books of WCTK on the Cape?
> > >
> >
>

 

[YourNameHere]

Re: Smooth Jazz......

thanks mike. you make some excellent points I agree with (especially about regional buyers and signal strength - maybe flipping PIXY to those sticks and letting the SJ take over PIXY's stick would solve that problem, especially if the SJ wanted to go over the bridge into Plymouth county), but I need to call you on two of them.

First, what you say about the SJ format borders on bigotry. While I agree with you that the population down here is "very white", you cant honestly believe this audience wouldnt be drawn to the format because of "urban titles". QRC's Jazz Brunch, featuring many of those recognizable 'urban titles' and evem more unfamiliar ones, is its most popular daypart of its week, and it has been for years. IF nothing else, QRC's show has softened the ground for a real SJ to move in. This 100% SJ format, unique to the Cape, would be about the education of a new music genre, and I dont think many of these "very white" people could tell the difference between a Kenny G or Waymon Tisdale sax solo. Nor would they care. And I dont think the station would be about selling records as much as it would be about attracting high end advertising.

As for a 100% SJ format being a competitor of QRC, I would believe that most of its cume would share that audience, absolutely. But QRC would not be a threat to it, especially since it stills stinks up the joint with burnt bad songs lke "we built this city" and "every little thing she does", heard yesterday afternoon.

I think a SJ format would attract a much more articulate and intellegent radio audience, one who would look beyond color barriers and stereotypical demo identities and not be scared off by hearing (gasp!) three songs in a row by tradionally urban AC artists. QRC is doing that right now, although not so intensive.

You guys have got to give the Cape more credit than you do - its not your father's Cape Cod anymore.


> 93.5 and 101.1 have been so many different formats over the
> years, and with most of the mainline formats already taken,
> I suppose trying Smooth Jazz wouldn't hurt. However, it does
> propose a few challenges for it to work.
>
> First off, the format tends to perform the best in areas
> with a more diverse ethnic population. Cape Cod is very,
> very white. Urban AC titles are part of the mix at smooth
> jazz, up to a third of all songs played, and I'm not sure
> how well they would work in that market.
>
> You mentioned that SJ would be a "non-competitive, niche
> format" that wouldn't be in competition with any one
> station. It would actually be a direct format competitor to
> WQRC, and here's why. As I mentioned before, smooth jazz
> relies on urban AC and mainstream AC vocals to add
> familiarity to the format and maintain cume. Many SJ
> outlets will play three song sets, with instrumentals
> sandwiching a well tested AC vocal from the likes of Luther
> Vandross, Anita Baker, Stevie Wonder, Alisha Keys, Toni
> Braxton, Phil Collins, Brian McKnight, Sade, etc. With WQRC
> dabbling in Smooth Jazz, the two stations would share quite
> a few titles with eachother and would target the same demos.
> The primary reason that Greater Media dumped SJ in Boston
> was that it shared too much audience with sister AC WMJX.
> If taking on WQRC is Nassau's strategy, then smooth jazz
> would be an option for 93.5 and 101.1.
>
> Even so, there's still a lot of options for the 35-54
> listener on the Cape--a couple of classic rockers, a
> conservative Hot AC, an AC, a AAA, a Classical, NPR and even
> an FM talker. I doubt that SJ on those frequencies could
> garner enough ratings to attract regional buyers with all
> that competition. Still, it's a relatively low overhead
> format to run, so it may be worth trying since there are no
> other major format holes out there to fill right now.
>
> Mike Thomas
>

 

[FMRadio1]

Re: Smooth Jazz......

> First, what you say about the SJ format borders on bigotry.
> While I agree with you that the population down here is
> "very white", you cant honestly believe this audience
> wouldnt be drawn to the format because of "urban titles".
> QRC's Jazz Brunch, featuring many of those recognizable
> 'urban titles' and evem more unfamiliar ones, is its most
> popular daypart of its week, and it has been for years. IF
> nothing else, QRC's show has softened the ground for a real
> SJ to move in.

It's not bigotry, it's reality. Smooth Jazz stations do attract a high end white demographic, but they also rely on a sizable older minority population for their cume. Look at the markets where the format has historically done well, New York, LA, Chicago, Philly, Miami, San Diego, Detroit, etc. All these cities have sizable African American and Latino populations. In markets like New York and Philadelphia, the Smooth Jazz station often complements an Urban AC in a cluster. The crossover gold at SJ is highly familiar to the audience because those songs were staples at Urban and AC radio in those cities when they were new. I doubt that Cape Cod stations were playing Alexander O'Neal "If You Were Here With Me Tonight" or Quincy Jones "The Secret Garden" when they were new.

> This 100% SJ format, unique to the Cape,
> would be about the education of a new music genre, and I
> dont think many of these "very white" people could tell the
> difference between a Kenny G or Waymon Tisdale sax solo.
> Nor would they care.

You don't put on a radio format to educate people. You put it on because there is a demand for it. While I would agree with you that it would attract some upper income Cape residents, I'm not sure there would be enough of them to make the format viable. Advertisers can probably reach this group by buying WQRC, WXTK, WFCC and WCIB. Why would they want to buy a fifth station with less reach?

> And I dont think the station would be
> about selling records as much as it would be about
> attracting high end advertising.

If you want to see the big smooth jazz stars come to the Cape Cod Melody Tent, the station would have to be influential in selling records. Artists won't waste their time coming if they can't convert appearances and airplay into CD sales.

> As for a 100% SJ format being a competitor of QRC, I would
> believe that most of its cume would share that audience,
> absolutely. But QRC would not be a threat to it, especially
> since it stills stinks up the joint with burnt bad songs lke
> "we built this city" and "every little thing she does",
> heard yesterday afternoon.

Look, AC isn't perfect, and neither is Smooth Jazz. The AC gold that often pops up at that format also gets burnt pretty quickly. There is a tight list of gold that nearly every SJ station plays like Bobby Caldwell "What You Won't Do For Love," Sade "Paradise," Al Jarreau "Mornin'," and Anita Baker "Giving You The Best That I Got" among others. Sure, these songs sound refreshing and different when you first start listening to SJ, but after getting played a couple of times a day, every day, for a period of years, they get just as crispy as an old Jefferson Starship or Police record.

> I think a SJ format would attract a much more articulate and
> intellegent radio audience, one who would look beyond color
> barriers and stereotypical demo identities and not be scared
> off by hearing (gasp!) three songs in a row by tradionally
> urban AC artists. QRC is doing that right now, although not
> so intensive.

Again, I'm not making race an issue here, just pointing out that the format does best in more culturally diverse areas and the ratings point that out. Minneapolis St. Paul is about to lose their SJ station due to poor ratings. That city is not as diverse as the other cities I mentioned above. Coincidence? I don't think so. Also, Smooth Jazz tends to do better in larger markets. If SJ was such a high end demographic magnet, every market would have one. While I think SJ could carve out a small loyal following on the Cape, I don't think the audience would be sizable enough to make Nassau any serious money.

--Mike Thomas

 

[elevator_opratr]

Re: Smooth Jazz......

To answer an earlier post, Jones still DOES do a syndicated smooth jazz format available to stations. Salisbury, Maryland has one. http://www.wqjz.com/

Smooth jazz needs to come back to the Cape. I don't live there, but it appears to be the perfect demographic. Yes, the format does tend to do better in larger cities, but WQJZ in Salisbury, MD has stuck with the format for years despite so-so ratings, so the station must make money. Salisbury, MD is a similar kind of environment at the Cape.

There is also WSJW, a rural smooth jazz outlet in central Pennsylvania. Again, ratings aren't stellar, but they do pick up a loyal following in nearby state capital Harrisburg.

It definetely deserves a try. I don't think WPLM ever did that great with the format because there were already a couple other stations within listening range doing the same thing (Boston and Mystic). Now there are none, so I think it could work.

 

[YourNameHere]

Re: Smooth Jazz......

You know what, Mike, for the first time in the five or six years of posting here, I have enjoyed my first meaningful debate! While our points agreed and differed, we accomplished it with equal respect to eachother's knowledge and professional experience.

thanks, man. this was quite refreshing. I learned a lot from our conversation.


> > First, what you say about the SJ format borders on
> bigotry.
> > While I agree with you that the population down here is
> > "very white", you cant honestly believe this audience
> > wouldnt be drawn to the format because of "urban titles".
> > QRC's Jazz Brunch, featuring many of those recognizable
> > 'urban titles' and evem more unfamiliar ones, is its most
> > popular daypart of its week, and it has been for years.
> IF
> > nothing else, QRC's show has softened the ground for a
> real
> > SJ to move in.
>
> It's not bigotry, it's reality. Smooth Jazz stations do
> attract a high end white demographic, but they also rely on
> a sizable older minority population for their cume. Look at
> the markets where the format has historically done well, New
> York, LA, Chicago, Philly, Miami, San Diego, Detroit, etc.
> All these cities have sizable African American and Latino
> populations. In markets like New York and Philadelphia, the
> Smooth Jazz station often complements an Urban AC in a
> cluster. The crossover gold at SJ is highly familiar to the
> audience because those songs were staples at Urban and AC
> radio in those cities when they were new. I doubt that Cape
> Cod stations were playing Alexander O'Neal "If You Were Here
> With Me Tonight" or Quincy Jones "The Secret Garden" when
> they were new.
>
> > This 100% SJ format, unique to the Cape,
> > would be about the education of a new music genre, and I
> > dont think many of these "very white" people could tell
> the
> > difference between a Kenny G or Waymon Tisdale sax solo.
> > Nor would they care.
>
> You don't put on a radio format to educate people. You put
> it on because there is a demand for it. While I would agree
> with you that it would attract some upper income Cape
> residents, I'm not sure there would be enough of them to
> make the format viable. Advertisers can probably reach this
> group by buying WQRC, WXTK, WFCC and WCIB. Why would they
> want to buy a fifth station with less reach?
>
> > And I dont think the station would be
> > about selling records as much as it would be about
> > attracting high end advertising.
>
> If you want to see the big smooth jazz stars come to the
> Cape Cod Melody Tent, the station would have to be
> influential in selling records. Artists won't waste their
> time coming if they can't convert appearances and airplay
> into CD sales.
>
> > As for a 100% SJ format being a competitor of QRC, I would
>
> > believe that most of its cume would share that audience,
> > absolutely. But QRC would not be a threat to it,
> especially
> > since it stills stinks up the joint with burnt bad songs
> lke
> > "we built this city" and "every little thing she does",
> > heard yesterday afternoon.
>
> Look, AC isn't perfect, and neither is Smooth Jazz. The AC
> gold that often pops up at that format also gets burnt
> pretty quickly. There is a tight list of gold that nearly
> every SJ station plays like Bobby Caldwell "What You Won't
> Do For Love," Sade "Paradise," Al Jarreau "Mornin'," and
> Anita Baker "Giving You The Best That I Got" among others.
> Sure, these songs sound refreshing and different when you
> first start listening to SJ, but after getting played a
> couple of times a day, every day, for a period of years,
> they get just as crispy as an old Jefferson Starship or
> Police record.
>
> > I think a SJ format would attract a much more articulate
> and
> > intellegent radio audience, one who would look beyond
> color
> > barriers and stereotypical demo identities and not be
> scared
> > off by hearing (gasp!) three songs in a row by tradionally
>
> > urban AC artists. QRC is doing that right now, although
> not
> > so intensive.
>
> Again, I'm not making race an issue here, just pointing out
> that the format does best in more culturally diverse areas
> and the ratings point that out. Minneapolis St. Paul is
> about to lose their SJ station due to poor ratings. That
> city is not as diverse as the other cities I mentioned
> above. Coincidence? I don't think so. Also, Smooth Jazz
> tends to do better in larger markets. If SJ was such a high
> end demographic magnet, every market would have one. While
> I think SJ could carve out a small loyal following on the
> Cape, I don't think the audience would be sizable enough to
> make Nassau any serious money.
>
> --Mike Thomas
>

 

[JustinT]

Re: Smooth Jazz......

> It definetely deserves a try. I don't think WPLM ever did
> that great with the format because there were already a
> couple other stations within listening range doing the same
> thing (Boston and Mystic). Now there are none, so I think it
> could work.

I believe that the problem was GM's SJ station. First off, The Oasis was right next door to 99.1 when it was at 99.5. At least 99.5's rimshot signal was not as good on the South Shore, so that gave WPLM a chance for success.

But when WOAZ became WSJZ on the 96.9 signal, WSJZ had full market coverage. Not only was WPLM's signal not as good as WSJZ, but WSJZ also was live and local while WPLM was satellite fed. An opportunity existed for a Soft AC station, and WPLM went for it. Interestingly, had WPLM stayed with jazz for 8 more months, they would have become the only game in town.

WPLM has not targetted Cape Cod in particular, though they do air typical "Hyannis Toyota" ads and the like. The last time that WPLM had taken advantage of covering numerous markets was when they did AC in the 90's as "Variety 99.1".