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TOO MUCH AC FOR HUNTSVILLE?

R

radiogooob

Guest
Scan the dial...there's a lot. Does Huntsville have too much AC (hot or not)? I say yes.

STAR's new brand basically makes them ZYP 2.0. I know I know...ZYP is a "Top 40." Right? Let's be honest...they're a HOT AC that occasionally plays a 3 year old rap song after dark (sticking out like a sore thumb). While ratings remain strong for 104.3...man power is at an all time low there. Which brings me to this...

Why on earth did STAR not bust out a 100k true Top 40?

There's not a single one in north Alabama, leaving an entire demo hanging. ZYP still playing Creed doesn't cater to them. Hot, while musically mainstream at times doesn't cater to them...their brand is way too urban and signal too weak.

How to do it?

Smack the 18-34 demo in the face and do it hard. No out of date jingles. No big voice guys. No jocks that sound like "jocks." Actually have a street team. You could even pipe in Ace & TJ for mornings. I would hate to know how many 34+ grew up listening to them on ZYP back in their day. Sale it!

It would be so awesome to have a true Top 40 in north Alabama...a 100k one owned by a private company...even better!

In other news - while checking out STAR...I was impressed with their over all sound. Their processing was very subtle (can listen at a decent volume for a period of time without feeling like you've been bounced around inside a compressor). Their commercials and imaging also sounded very clean. Somebody in that building has ears. Good stuff!

Dylan Paul
still looking for a job...
[email protected]
(414) 708-9301
 
I had the same thought that I kinda would have liked to see them go TRUE CHR/Top 40 on 99.1. That's why I made the comment that I hope WZYP transitions themselves to true Top 40 now, but I know that's wishful thinking on my part. I think true top 40 would have been the ideal move for 99.1, but the Hot A/C style they have gone with is sounding a LOT better than the way they used to sound. I've wanted a true Top 40 in Huntsville for some 20 + years now. I'm afraid it may never happen though.

I agree with your comments on Star 99.1's sound as well. Sounding nice!
 
That's the beauty of a well-set up Omnia processor. That's more for the Engineering forum, but they do make some Alabama CHRs sound great!
 
Star is processing with Optimod. ZYP and Sunny 98.1 have Omnia. I set up the mic processing/EQ in Star's prod studios when I was Production Director. I worked to make each of the two prod rooms sound identical. Then, some one started turning knobs and changing compression ratios/levels in one room while leaving the other one alone. SIGH.....I had our engineer put covers on them because some people just like to turn knobs and screw up hours of my work. I fill in from time to time using my air name Brian Jeffries. I am in business for myself full time now with voice work. My website is www.productionvoice.com. if you wanna check it out.

I miss the old style Top 40 like back when I was working for WZYP from '85 to '87. The music was great...well most of it.
 
Brian Voice Guy said:
Star is processing with Optimod. ZYP and Sunny 98.1 have Omnia. I set up the mic processing/EQ in Star's prod studios when I was Production Director. I worked to make each of the two prod rooms sound identical. Then, some one started turning knobs and changing compression ratios/levels in one room while leaving the other one alone. SIGH.....I had our engineer put covers on them because some people just like to turn knobs and screw up hours of my work. I fill in from time to time using my air name Brian Jeffries. I am in business for myself full time now with voice work. My website is www.productionvoice.com. if you wanna check it out.

I miss the old style Top 40 like back when I was working for WZYP from '85 to '87. The music was great...well most of it.
Click to expand...

If that's an Optimod, that's their best-sounding unit on the continent!
 
you know D you make a really good point. Don't get me wrong I like everybody over at ZYP but it does sound more like a Hot AC. Ocourse in their defense we all know programming comes from the corp office.

As for Star I haven't punched in but I will have to now that everybody is talking about how good the processing is.


When I worked at Hot I suggested going Top 40 with Ace and TJ as morning drive. They were my morning show in Dothan when I was PD of WLDA. Huntsville needs a true Top 40

Question for my Huntsville market Vets. ZYP tried to bring them back any thoughts on why they didn't work the second time?
 
I don't know the "official" reason why ZYP dropped Ace & TJ the second time but my guess would be that they weren't soft enough for ZYP's taste. Maybe they were too true top 40.

As for top 40 on 103.5, it's a good thought but I dunno that it would have worked quite as well as their current format. Top 40 needs a bigger signal than that.
 
Yeah that's true Roll Tide (by the way can't wait for this years Football season see you in Tuscaloosa save me a seat)

Well I can't argue their format shows good numbers but I know money wise they are having to give the station away.
 
been listening to star since ya'll talked about the change - i like it - for my generation, although it's not THAT far from what 94.5 tried in bham before they folded and became sports talk. and honestly....the playlist needs more rotation. i realize people don't usually just tune in and listen (well, unless they're at work), but the play list is top 40ish in how many times you hear the songs in a given time period :)
 
Off topic, but what are you doing now Shady since leaving Hot 103.5?

I doubt Star will change to top 40 as they have been AC for the longest time. Many would be upset. How long has WRSA been lite rock? The only logical options I see for Huntsville ever getting a true top 40 is either 100.3 the River becomming a cookie cutter Kiss station or finding a way for 92.7 Arab to move the signal closer to Huntsville and flip it to top 40.
 
Well JSU

I still do radio as a hobby I do Part-time for 103.1 WEUP. I really like it there the people are outstanding. Mr Batts is a good man to work for.

I only do radio part-time for now so I can go to school for my paralegal degree. Don't get me wrong I love radio but right now the job market just isn't there.

If I ever get another chance at a PD gig or afternoon drive I will do it again full-time.
 
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