With Star 94 having some of their lowest ratings EVER....don't you think it would be time for Lincoln Financial Media to try to re-invent the station. Perhaps as Atlanta's only CHR station? What other way to stick it to Q100 then to actually play all the hits. Q ripped off Star's Top 40 AC format...now they are the #1 "chr" in market 7....so maybe if WSTR started playing HITS they would actually go back up in the ratings. Radio-Info...what do u guys think?
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Star 94 Atlanta's Hit Music Station
- Thread starter AJ JAM
- Start date
AJ JAM said:
From a radio-business standpoint, I agree completely. Star 94 needs updating, re-branding and a new focus, and a true CHR sound would be a market hole that they could fill easily. However, I wonder how much $$$ Lincoln is willing to put into a station that it would like to divest itself of.
Buckcherry. Maroon 5. Rob Thomas. NOT acts with current hits on the chart, but acts that ARE overplayed on both Q100 and Star 94.
Try listening to Island 106 (WILN) out of Panama City Beach. You can almost smell the Coppertone through your speakers. THIS is what a real CHR sounds like these days.
N
Nyte Ryder
Guest
Wow, this tired refrain again?
Before you check out WILN, do just a smidge of research and you'll discover they aren't even winning in Panama City. So I'm sure if you just pipe that station in, suntan lotion and all to Atlanta, it will just destroy Q and Star and Beat.
Idiots.
Oh, I know you'll say it's not the station piped in, it's the format, but the format and execution you're slathering over isn't winning.
Before you check out WILN, do just a smidge of research and you'll discover they aren't even winning in Panama City. So I'm sure if you just pipe that station in, suntan lotion and all to Atlanta, it will just destroy Q and Star and Beat.
Idiots.
Oh, I know you'll say it's not the station piped in, it's the format, but the format and execution you're slathering over isn't winning.
Nyte - what do you know about the PC market? Numbers aren't everything and the numbers you are seeing on here mean nada. After a couple of CC stations, whose billing more there? And for a market as bastardized as PC, it's an amazing station considering the market has less overall revenue than most ATL stations bill annually.
CHRles - spot on.
CHRles - spot on.
N
Nyte Ryder
Guest
It's nice to be able to superimpose your will and wants over the facts. Sure ratings mean "nothing". Except they do. Especially when it's behind the CHR/RHY in the market.
It's easy to bash Cumulus and cheer Clear Channel when it suits you. CC does more "playlist copying" than any other company by far. I know it for fact. It's okay because Top 40 by nature has a very similar feel...the number 1 song in the country is that because "it's number one everywhere."
It's purely amusing to watch you CHR horn dogs pat each other on the back with your ideas about what would work. Sadly, anyone on these boards with a lick of real experience realizes what crazy talk you spit.
It's easy to bash Cumulus and cheer Clear Channel when it suits you. CC does more "playlist copying" than any other company by far. I know it for fact. It's okay because Top 40 by nature has a very similar feel...the number 1 song in the country is that because "it's number one everywhere."
It's purely amusing to watch you CHR horn dogs pat each other on the back with your ideas about what would work. Sadly, anyone on these boards with a lick of real experience realizes what crazy talk you spit.
The only CC stations that sound exactly the same are the Premium Choice ones, and thankfully there's only a handful of Premium Choice Top 40 stations.
There are also some CC-owned CHRs that follow a simple template - fast on Rhythmic, slow on rock, meaning they're quick to add and pound the Rhythmic Pop hits, but are more conservative when it comes to adding crossover Pop/Rock. And that's fine as CHR radio, after all, is a format that focuses on 18-34 year olds, particularly women.
18-34 females that listen to CHR strongly tend to favor the Rhythmic titles. That's been the case since the early 90s though at that time a lot of CHRs were struggling with Sales due to advertisers bias towards Rhythmic music, as well as the fact that nearly 50 percent of the radio stations in the country were in the red. So as a result many CHRs bailed on the format, or leaned more Adult by mixing in a lot of Recurrent, safe 80s Gold, and being very conservative with adding Rhythmic hits (especially Hip Hop). CC, since the late 90s, has been able to program its CHRs in such a way that can more accurately reflect on the tastes of 18-34 year olds. This is b/c CC owns several radio properties in each market, and thus are better equipped to tackle advertiser rejections.
So yeah, it seemed awfully suspicious to anyone who actually follows and understands CHR radio (and I happen to follow both US and global stations) that Rob Thomas got so much traction from Cumulus CHRs while most of the rest of the CHR panel (not just CC-owned stations) weren't supporting his material.
Now what was that you were saying, Nyte Ryder, about us CHR horn dogs spitting out crazy talk? I think I hear Kip and the theme to your show calling you back to the early 80s as you seem to be out of touch with what CHR radio sound like in 2010.
There are also some CC-owned CHRs that follow a simple template - fast on Rhythmic, slow on rock, meaning they're quick to add and pound the Rhythmic Pop hits, but are more conservative when it comes to adding crossover Pop/Rock. And that's fine as CHR radio, after all, is a format that focuses on 18-34 year olds, particularly women.
18-34 females that listen to CHR strongly tend to favor the Rhythmic titles. That's been the case since the early 90s though at that time a lot of CHRs were struggling with Sales due to advertisers bias towards Rhythmic music, as well as the fact that nearly 50 percent of the radio stations in the country were in the red. So as a result many CHRs bailed on the format, or leaned more Adult by mixing in a lot of Recurrent, safe 80s Gold, and being very conservative with adding Rhythmic hits (especially Hip Hop). CC, since the late 90s, has been able to program its CHRs in such a way that can more accurately reflect on the tastes of 18-34 year olds. This is b/c CC owns several radio properties in each market, and thus are better equipped to tackle advertiser rejections.
So yeah, it seemed awfully suspicious to anyone who actually follows and understands CHR radio (and I happen to follow both US and global stations) that Rob Thomas got so much traction from Cumulus CHRs while most of the rest of the CHR panel (not just CC-owned stations) weren't supporting his material.
Now what was that you were saying, Nyte Ryder, about us CHR horn dogs spitting out crazy talk? I think I hear Kip and the theme to your show calling you back to the early 80s as you seem to be out of touch with what CHR radio sound like in 2010.
CHRles - CHR, or Top 40, never has been so dramatic or easy to work with as it was in the early to mid 80's. After that it was tough. Last couple of years have been better. But it's a tough up and down format. So easyyyyy on the 80's bashing my friend. Hehehe. Miss you in Nashville, btw.
Why I should waste my time with Nyte Ryder's flaming is beyond me, but I will...like it will get through.
First, I was talking about Island 106 in Panama City. NOT agreeing it should be copied in ATL.
What numbers are you looking at radio rocket scientist? In PCB you have Semi-Hot AC WFSY that has been tops for 20 plus years. Island does a decent job in an over radioed market where spots sell for $5. The joke of the format is former powerhouse WPFM that Double 00 destroyed. I throw jaggers at CC as much as anyone, just hard to do so when the CC cluster bills the majority of the revenues in PC. Where did I say ratings mean nothing? I said THEY ARE NOT EVERYTHING and that the 12+ numbers you see on RI are NOT what is used to MAKE MONEY which is the most important thing. So correct yourself. And, yes, sadly ratings do make a difference when ad space is being bought or sold. Who owns the CHR/RYM station you are talking of? CC. Guess what? It doesn't bill as well as WFSY or WPAP (Country) OR Island and to some degree are mainly profitable because of two major clubs buying their air time. Most people know Rhythmic formats are hard sells despite ratings. Did you know that, NR? In this case, I have no chance to trash Crapuluss in PC because thankfully they don't have any stations there. I will say positive things about them when they merit it. Island, for being in a market with no real revenue past the top four stations, that sounds remotely decent in today's radio world and is mostly live and local is worth congratulating. It should sound like a tin can on life support like most of the stations do on the coast nowadays. And, if Crumulus owned it and it sounded as good as it does now, I'd be happy for Crudulass. Oh, and as for copy catting --- who the hell doesn't? Maybe all the i stations from your favorite company that will fire you before your post is dry is the exception? They have no copy catting in their various markets??? Wow. AND for the record I actually like the sound of the music on the i stations, considering. Show me facts I am changing the truth about above. And as a horn dog, well, thank you. But, I ain't remotely interested in or involved with the CHR format. Funny how YOU bash a station that is NOT a member of the big boys team that would spit you out if you worked anywhere, for actually being a bit unique and trying to serve it's community with a decent product. Final question: is Island out billing The Beat? You answer that.
And why? That's all that matters in the end.
Why I should waste my time with Nyte Ryder's flaming is beyond me, but I will...like it will get through.
First, I was talking about Island 106 in Panama City. NOT agreeing it should be copied in ATL.
What numbers are you looking at radio rocket scientist? In PCB you have Semi-Hot AC WFSY that has been tops for 20 plus years. Island does a decent job in an over radioed market where spots sell for $5. The joke of the format is former powerhouse WPFM that Double 00 destroyed. I throw jaggers at CC as much as anyone, just hard to do so when the CC cluster bills the majority of the revenues in PC. Where did I say ratings mean nothing? I said THEY ARE NOT EVERYTHING and that the 12+ numbers you see on RI are NOT what is used to MAKE MONEY which is the most important thing. So correct yourself. And, yes, sadly ratings do make a difference when ad space is being bought or sold. Who owns the CHR/RYM station you are talking of? CC. Guess what? It doesn't bill as well as WFSY or WPAP (Country) OR Island and to some degree are mainly profitable because of two major clubs buying their air time. Most people know Rhythmic formats are hard sells despite ratings. Did you know that, NR? In this case, I have no chance to trash Crapuluss in PC because thankfully they don't have any stations there. I will say positive things about them when they merit it. Island, for being in a market with no real revenue past the top four stations, that sounds remotely decent in today's radio world and is mostly live and local is worth congratulating. It should sound like a tin can on life support like most of the stations do on the coast nowadays. And, if Crumulus owned it and it sounded as good as it does now, I'd be happy for Crudulass. Oh, and as for copy catting --- who the hell doesn't? Maybe all the i stations from your favorite company that will fire you before your post is dry is the exception? They have no copy catting in their various markets??? Wow. AND for the record I actually like the sound of the music on the i stations, considering. Show me facts I am changing the truth about above. And as a horn dog, well, thank you. But, I ain't remotely interested in or involved with the CHR format. Funny how YOU bash a station that is NOT a member of the big boys team that would spit you out if you worked anywhere, for actually being a bit unique and trying to serve it's community with a decent product. Final question: is Island out billing The Beat? You answer that.
And why? That's all that matters in the end.
What about Adult Hits? That's one format that has never been done before in Atlanta. Frankly, I'm surprised.
How about a true AC, which B98.5 certainly isn't?
I think Star 94 should definitely look at tweaking their format, but maybe ease into this by playing newer songs and harder songs after 6PM. Is Billy Bush that much of a draw after 7PM on Q? Star has a local personality in the evening and should be able capture some of the audience turned off by the boring Billy Bush Show. The only good part of the Billy Bush Show is some of the newer music heard that this time.
Surfer said:
I am surprised that CC has not tried CHR or one of their Good signals in Atl. (Not 105.7) I am not a fan of CC but they seem to do well in New York and LA with CHR which might make them the “Kings” or CHR. If I were running 94, I would try to hire a good CHR music director, or go cheap and copy a good CHR playlist off the internet and give it go. There is no need to change air staffs. With current employment environment, I think staff will stay. As to polka, don’t laugh, there are a couple of stations in Michigan that play polka and make money. With all the economic refugees from Michigan and Ohio and if you could “Latin” it up you might have something. L 94.1 Native Atlantans need not listen!
I um...... I really don't know what to say!
The Bermuda Triangle of Traditional Top 40 just can't do it!
We've figured out how to measure distance between galaxies in space.
We've figured out how to travel to the moon and back.
Electricity has been invented! We managed to get wires interconnected all across the entire nation!
We've even figured out how to connect everyone via the world wide web.
We've perfected the telephone, automobiles, and even aviation.
People can even cheat in the World Cup during a LIVE, INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST RECORDING and get away with it.
Yet.... a traditional top 40 in Atlanta, now THAT is just way too difficult to achieve.
I do remember connecting flights once in Atlanta in 2000 and pulled out my radio thinking "maybe there's finally hope" and started searching the dial in the airport. I heard Amber "sexual" playing in an unusual spot on the dial. That was when I discovered 95.5 The Beat playing top 40 hits! Then a year later, I returned and on my way towards 95.5 the beat, I found another song in a weird spot, and that's when I discovered Q100 in late 2001 playing top 40. Soon later on I began to notice 95.5 being rhythmic. I was thinking "FINALLY! It's complete"!
Flash forward to now, and the question is:
WHAT HAPPENED?
I remember walking into FYE music and literally hearing people asking the store employees to help them find certain songs they heard during the night time weekend mixshows! "Do you have that song that says something about better off alone.. ??" etc. I was like "yeah! finally people are being exposed to a new sound..." (in my mind of course). I remember I returned to Phoenix but streamed ATLANTA radio and I heard 95.5 The Beat playing "the most beautiful girl" by Raheem and then after the booty bass set they mixed right into some trance stuff from Darude and 4Strings....etc. This was also when Saturday Night Q was also doing their thing as well. Heck, EVEN STAR had their little remix mixshow going on for two hours on Sat nights! This was ALL IN ADDITION to the great regular playlists! But then... around the mid 00's, I began to notice some things happening. The stations just weren't as fun to stream anymore. It just wasn't the same. Now I look today and it's like if it wasn't for WBTS, not much difference would be there between now and the 90's! ...And I bet WBTS doesn't even have mix shows anymore!
The Bermuda Triangle of Traditional Top 40 just can't do it!
We've figured out how to measure distance between galaxies in space.
We've figured out how to travel to the moon and back.
Electricity has been invented! We managed to get wires interconnected all across the entire nation!
We've even figured out how to connect everyone via the world wide web.
We've perfected the telephone, automobiles, and even aviation.
People can even cheat in the World Cup during a LIVE, INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST RECORDING and get away with it.
Yet.... a traditional top 40 in Atlanta, now THAT is just way too difficult to achieve.
I do remember connecting flights once in Atlanta in 2000 and pulled out my radio thinking "maybe there's finally hope" and started searching the dial in the airport. I heard Amber "sexual" playing in an unusual spot on the dial. That was when I discovered 95.5 The Beat playing top 40 hits! Then a year later, I returned and on my way towards 95.5 the beat, I found another song in a weird spot, and that's when I discovered Q100 in late 2001 playing top 40. Soon later on I began to notice 95.5 being rhythmic. I was thinking "FINALLY! It's complete"!
Flash forward to now, and the question is:
WHAT HAPPENED?
I remember walking into FYE music and literally hearing people asking the store employees to help them find certain songs they heard during the night time weekend mixshows! "Do you have that song that says something about better off alone.. ??" etc. I was like "yeah! finally people are being exposed to a new sound..." (in my mind of course). I remember I returned to Phoenix but streamed ATLANTA radio and I heard 95.5 The Beat playing "the most beautiful girl" by Raheem and then after the booty bass set they mixed right into some trance stuff from Darude and 4Strings....etc. This was also when Saturday Night Q was also doing their thing as well. Heck, EVEN STAR had their little remix mixshow going on for two hours on Sat nights! This was ALL IN ADDITION to the great regular playlists! But then... around the mid 00's, I began to notice some things happening. The stations just weren't as fun to stream anymore. It just wasn't the same. Now I look today and it's like if it wasn't for WBTS, not much difference would be there between now and the 90's! ...And I bet WBTS doesn't even have mix shows anymore!
Star's poor ratings will catch up wtih them -- eventually. They probably still bill well (in terms of market ranking) for the time being.
The right move depends on Lincoln Financial's long-term strategy for the station. When the credit environment improves, it would not surprise me to see LF sell the station to someone such as CBS. If that's their intent, they will likely will let things ride for now.
If, on the other hand, LF gives a rat's ass about Star's long-term potential and plan on holding onto the station, they better act.
Star 94's ratings woes resemble 96Rock and 99X during the last several years of those stations' respective lives. They will be able to tread water for awhile, but not forever.
The right move depends on Lincoln Financial's long-term strategy for the station. When the credit environment improves, it would not surprise me to see LF sell the station to someone such as CBS. If that's their intent, they will likely will let things ride for now.
If, on the other hand, LF gives a rat's ass about Star's long-term potential and plan on holding onto the station, they better act.
Star 94's ratings woes resemble 96Rock and 99X during the last several years of those stations' respective lives. They will be able to tread water for awhile, but not forever.
KDM 7000 said:
By the way, I forgot to mention that those customers specifically said they heard it ON THE RADIO on the "NEW" station on the weekend... so that's how I know it was the mixshow.
- Status