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TAPS FOR RXP?

F

freddytimestwo

Guest
The dentist seems to think so, and I have to agree. Emmis can't survive with the station at a 1.5 - and there's little indication that things will improve.

Don't give up on Leslie Fram, though: Emmis has a history of allowing PDs to drive their stations into the ground (remember Blake Lawrence, whose rank ineptitude crushed NY Chill as well as CD101.9?). While most organizations would have given such a no-talent bumbler her walking papers six months ago, Emmis will probably keep Fram on (they actually think she's talented up there), or at least allow her to bow out gracefully and put some other bozo in her place.

Speaking of Fram, perhaps if she weren't such a deluded egomaniac, she might have done a better job of crafting a rock station that actually addressed the tastes of a majority of listeners. Take a look at this page from her Web site, which features the scrawlings of either herself or a hired flack. The wording she presents to describe herself and her "genius" includes such jaw-dropping drivel as...

the First Lady of Modern Rock, Goddess of the Airwaves and one of the most powerful women in radio

one of the most well-liked and respected people in the industry

She’s known as a hit-maker, trendsetter and trailblazer.

Countless gold and platinum albums line her walls; inscribed with thank yous and praises from the artists she has in some way helped.

Fram's greatest accomplishment? Leading by example every day of her life. Juggling her continuing involvement with local charity work, a voiceover career, an artist management company , co-owner of three successful clothing boutiques, and co-owner of a designer handbag company Fram, a stellar businesswoman, philanthropist and die-hard music lover, is living her dream and loving every second of it.

If you haven't vomited yet, read the whole thing here:

http://www.framjam.com/FramJam/Matt_and_Leslie.html
 
I'm not overly concerned for Leslie - like a punching bag clown, she may be knocked down by an 'RXP "tap party", but she will pop back up quickly somewhere (Q104, anyone??) - but the one who's gettin the raw deal here is Matt Pinfield, for a LOT of reasons - a talented, experienced industry professional got stuck with an attractive, VERY inexperienced female - not to mention the fact that Matt has gotten his act together in recent weeks - I just hope that you're wrong, Freddy...
 
Emmis is in a tough spot.  What do you replace WRXP with?  In the past five years the following formats have failed (or just failed to meet expectation in the case of Fresh and Pulse): Rock, Talk, Reggaeton, Disco, Smooth Jazz, Oldies (only to be brought back), CHR, Dance, and 80s (if you want to call Jack that).

It's obvious Emmis's core competancy is in serving the Urban market.  They already own all the neccessary resources and talent.  They already have the key buyer relationships.  Their sales staff knows how to sell the urban audience.  I would love to see them execute a 90's hip-hop format.  Yes, they do run the risk of cannabalizing their Hot97 and Kiss audience, but, at this stage, radio is a declining market and they should be pursuing a niche/market preservation strategy, rather their current, bizarre attempt at a market penetration strategy.  The pie is only growing smaller.

And in this dire climate, Emmis has to confront another two facts: Now is a failure, and Infinity programs great Urban stations.  Everyone agrees Hot 93.7 over in New Haven is far superior to Hot 97.  Emmis better be both aware of this risk and proactive in mitigating it.  Spinning part of their audience to a 90's hip-hop station will allow Emmis to continue to monetize the brand equity it built in the 90s while discouraging Infinity from entering the Urban market and also enabling Emmis to nimbly respond to an challege should Infinity choose to enter the market.
 
Brooklyndon said:
What do you replace WRXP with?

I actually think a mainstream talk format super-serving the New York metropolitan area might work. Both WABC and WOR are larded with syndicated talk shows and rodeo clowns on their last legs. It would take years for such a format to take hold, though, and I have my doubts as to whether Emmis would be patient enough.
 
Sadly, Free-FM probably scared everyone away from that forever.
 
I think newsbot meant a talk station more along the lines of New Jersey 101.5 (or a radio version of New York 1, but more talk oriented), but focusing on New York City oriented talk, instead of a hot talk format like Free FM or the one which once aired on 102.7.

I agree that such a format really is missing from the airwaves...it would be great if there existed a station where local issues were discussed (and not just politics either), and it's a shame that a city like New York does not have such a station. But as pointed out, it would take a very long time to build the station's audience and it would require a lot of investment in airstaff and promotion...something I don't think Emmis or anyone else is willing to do.
 
neo11 said:
I agree that such a format really is missing from the airwaves...it would be great if there existed a station where local issues were discussed (and not just politics either), and it's a shame that a city like New York does not have such a station. 

Great observation, and the success of NY1, on cable, is the proof that NYC oriented programming can succeed in NYC.  I have a few questions related to this format though.  What is the target demo with this type of programming, and does Emmis have the sales capacity to effectively monetize this format?  Does Emmis have the experience selling this type of target demo, and, more imporatantly, does Emmis have the relationships with the key media buyers for this target demo?  Lastly, what value would a radio version of NY1 add that is absent from the product already offered on cable?

In this environment, Emmis needs to focus on its core competancy: serving the urban audience age 18-54.  Right now it serves 18-25 and 35-54.  There is hole in its product lineup that can allow further diminishment of its brand.  Emmis needs to stop thinking about expanding share, and start thinking about protecting share, before its too late.
 
Brooklyndon said:
Great observation, and the success of NY1, on cable, is the proof that NYC oriented programming can succeed in NYC. I have a few questions related to this format though. What is the target demo with this type of programming, and does Emmis have the sales capacity to effectively monetize this format?

The target demo would depend on the presentation of the format and the issues that are focused on, but it would probably be 35+, if I had to guess. As for Emmis, I don't think they would have the sales capacity to be effective with this format.

Does Emmis have the experience selling this type of target demo,

No

and, more imporatantly, does Emmis have the relationships with the key media buyers for this target demo?

Possibly but judging by the high amount of spots for credit card debt/mortgage relief on RXP, I don't think so. It seems they're only able to sell urban formats in NYC. Of course, those formats also happen to get ratings, something which RXP hasn't seen...

astly, what value would a radio version of NY1 add that is absent from the product already offered on cable?

It doesn't necessarily have to be a radio version of NY1. That was just an analogy that I tried to use. And certainly, such a station would have to be far more talk-intensive than NY1 is, especially with two successful all-news stations on the dial.

In this environment, Emmis needs to focus on its core competancy: serving the urban audience age 18-54. Right now it serves 18-25 and 35-54. There is hole in its product lineup that can allow further diminishment of its brand. Emmis needs to stop thinking about expanding share, and start thinking about protecting share, before its too late.

True, but no reason why someone else couldn't try such a format, including on 101.9 if Emmis sells or leases the frequency.
 
cheffo200 said:
What about Gospel? It fits right in with Kiss and Hot. Also LIB is getting a 1.4 on a AM. It would do better than RXP.

Okay, you guys are gonna think this is nuts, but the only format that would make immediate sense for Emmis to use at 101.9, one that they understand and would actually fill a gaping hole in the market, would be...

S m o o t h j a z z .

They could run it on a shoestring by using Broadcast Architecture's satellite version of the format. They could also present the format as a lush, lulling, escapist diversion from the harsh economic realities of our times - which would have resonance with potential listeners that extend far beyond the original CD101.9 core audience.

Think about it: there is no truly lite, relaxing music option on the NY radio dial. A newly launched CD101.9 would fill this obvious gap if the marketing folks at the station* brand and present it as an essential audio oasis for frenzied NY'ers.

Thoughts?

*given that the marketing team that's currently in place is the same one whose ineptitude led to the demise of three formats at the 101.9 frequency (NY Chill, CD101.9, and most likely RXP), Emmis would need to import some fresh minds to make this execution successful.
 
freddytimestwo said:
cheffo200 said:
What about Gospel? It fits right in with Kiss and Hot. Also LIB is getting a 1.4 on a AM. It would do better than RXP.

Okay, you guys are gonna think this is nuts, but the only format that would make immediate sense for Emmis to use at 101.9, one that they understand and would actually fill a gaping hole in the market, would be...

S m o o t h j a z z .

They could run it on a shoestring by using Broadcast Architecture's satellite version of the format. They could also present the format as a lush, lulling, escapist diversion from the harsh economic realities of our times - which would have resonance with potential listeners that extend far beyond the original CD101.9 core audience.

Think about it: there is no truly lite, relaxing music option on the NY radio dial. A newly launched CD101.9 would fill this obvious gap if the marketing folks at the station* brand and present it as an essential audio oasis for frenzied NY'ers.

Thoughts?

*given that the marketing team that's currently in place is the same one whose ineptitude led to the demise of three formats at the 101.9 frequency (NY Chill, CD101.9, and most likely RXP), Emmis would need to import some fresh minds to make this execution successful.

They're not going to import fresh minds (which they would have to pay for, defeating the purpose of running a "cheap" format) and they're just not going to do it, because smooth jazz as a format is on the decline throughout the country, and not just in New York. The demos are very old and the billing, consequently, is down.

Even though the new format is a mistake, it certainly doesn't validate what was on before it.
 
I'm just fishing here, but the thought I had in reading a lot of posts would be a black version of WCBS.

The mistake I think they made when they killed of CD 102 was they completely left the black demo. I think they could have tweaked the format, drop the instrumentals (which they'd cut back on anyway), focus on the vocals, bring in some R&B gold, and create a hip, urban, adult format that would appeal to professionals in their 30s and 40s. Or does WBLS own that?
 
TheBigA said:
I'm just fishing here, but the thought I had in reading a lot of posts would be a black version of WCBS.

The mistake I think they made when they killed of CD 102 was they completely left the black demo. I think they could have tweaked the format, drop the instrumentals (which they'd cut back on anyway), focus on the vocals, bring in some R&B gold, and create a hip, urban, adult format that would appeal to professionals in their 30s and 40s. Or does WBLS own that?

CD 102???? That's a first.

As for your idea...Isn't that more or less what Emmis is doing with Kiss FM? Doesn't that station reach the same demos? What you're describing musically doesn't sound terribly different from 98.7. I'm also not sure how Emmis has left the "black" demo when they still have Kiss and Hot 97.

And yes, there is the competition from WBLS as well.
 
NYC is a rock town. Every time I go out to see a rock show the venue is packed. I don't like much "urban" music at all.I don't fit into any specific age demographic either. In some people's eyes and ears, one classic rock channel is enough to satisfy all rock listeners and the rest get pop and urban?? Rock channels have to be programmed right to hang on to listeners, period. There is way too much rock music being ignored.
 
If WRXP were as strong musically as WEHM on Long Island or the Peak in Westchester, they'd be doing much better ratings-wise. The real question is: are they profitable.
 
neo11 said:
CD 102???? That's a first.

Yeah I'm lazy. This 101.9 stuff was too complicated.

TheWitch said:
Rock channels have to be programmed right to hang on to listeners, period. There is way too much rock music being ignored.

The thing I've noticed about rock is it's not much of a melting pot. People have their favorites, and don't interested in much beyond it. The tolerance level seems low to me for a radio format, and so it must be tough to program. How do you come up with enough music that will satisfy such a demanding and impatient audience? (not that there's anything wrong with that).

It seems to me you have to like and trust the presenters, then the music has some context. So does the audience like and trust the presenters yet?
 
WAXQ 104.3 has gone down the bowl in programming lately,not much familar classic rock on the station so much lately.So if RXP played the right mix,I bet they could over take them in ratings....RXP play more hits if you want the ratings to go up!
 
Here's my articulate take on RXP: What a disaster!!
It's a horror.

- The marketing is non-existant.
- The music is in disarray.
- The jocks do not connect.
- The programming is AWOL.
- The imaging consists of dry liners.


Emmis and Leslie Fram destroyed a frequency New Yorkers used to care about. Now it's a joke.
And Fram? She's done less in the year and a half she's been at RXP than Tracy Cloherty did with K-Rock version 2.0 two plus years ago!
And where is Cloherty now?
Actually, I say that in both jest and literally. Where IS Cloherty?

Dear Emmis,
Can Fram.
Sincerely,
New York
 
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