WAEV Kiss 97.3/WIXV I-95

[acheron1982]

I was just reviewing ratings from this past fall. Two things that really hit me:

1- What has KISS done to allow their ratings to explode

2- What has I-95 done to let their ratings implode.

I have not been in the savannah area for a few years now and was just curious. I see a new topic has not been started in a while so figured I give us something to talk about (savannah area folks).

 

[cscott]

Kiss had no direct format competitor once 102 went Sports. 107.9 is a Hot AC but....no head on problem for Kiss. I95 is dealing with the same Classic Rock doldrums being seen nationwide.....same ole songs, same ole story....tired and worn out.

 

[TheMusicMan]

There's no denying that Kiss is simply THE predominant Caucasian station in this market. The years of hard work ingraining that brand in the market have really paid off. Currently, I think the station sounds a bit too automated and CC-generic, certainly more so than when they had a dedicated local PD. I wish they'd tighten up some of the production qualities (the crossfades between songs and production elements sound awful, how hard is it to set trip tones in NexGen?!), loosen up the music rotations very slightly and ditch some of the PC content during weekends, but they're still my #1 choice in this market. Kraddick is huge in this market, Madison is one of the rare cases where voicetracked talent sounds excellent, and T*Lovely is a local star. I don't care for Seacrest's afternoon show.

Y107.9 could use some more identity with regard to jocks and maybe play some more current titles, but the station sounds 100x better than WZAT did during their Hot AC days. If Triad threw some resources behind them, they could be a legitimate ratings threat.

The swings in a two-book market like Savannah can be so fluky. If I were WIXV, I wouldn't hit the panic button just yet. Another book or two looking like that and yeah, some large-scale changes might be necessary. I agree that they sound tired...they could use a new coat of paint whether or not wholesale changes take place, but it's a very Savannah format. Hell, I listen more than I'd like to admit.

 

[acheron1982]

How is WZAT doing with regards to sports? Is it too early to determine its future as a sports radio? I ask because here in Atlanta, we recently had a Rhythmic CHR to take the airwaves. The station does not cover Atlanta all that well and still pose a threat to the leading CHR station. Just curious if a Rhythmic CHR would do well in Savannah. Savannah is known to be a party town so I figured it would do awesome!

With regards to WIXV, I've been reviewing their playlist and listening on my phone at the office and notice they still have the same 200 or so odd songs over and over again. I don't know of a station in the country that still plays Johnny Lang?!?!?!? If they stick with classic rock, they could do much better with some additional songs to the playlist. Perhaps dig a little deeper??? The Fox out of Florence is a good example.

 

[cscott]

As was predicted by most knowledgable observers, Sports on 102 is a losing proposition. Arguably the best FM signal in the market is being devoted to a format in search of a need. No pro teams in the area, a diluted and fragmented college base translates into a 1-2 share from now till they pull the plug.....

 

[charlestondxman]

102.1 will still be around. They do have the Braves rights, and their one local show gets them listeners. I don't know why they put sports on such a big signal though.

 

[upstate29651]

A format swap with 103.9 would have been more logical.

But with 102 braodcasting in glorious mono, I bet it has the best reach any FM in the state. I can carry it into Nassau Co, FL with no problems.

G

 

[acheron1982]

I know this is hard to believe, in fact, this may be where Mr. Combs comes in with his knowledge but with respect to the west side, I pull KIX 96.5 and E 93.1 further than any Savannah station. KIX drastically drops off in Dublin thanks to 96.5 in Macon and 93.1 gets all the way to mile marker 30ish (30 miles from Macon). 102.1 goes out near the river just east of Dublin.

 

[rcombs]

WWWD is a class A station just outside of Macon on 102.1 that kills our signal in Dublin. 96.5, WPCH, is actually licensed to Gray, GA and it's contour does not cover Dublin as much so WJCL gets a little better signal there.

 

[charlestondxman]

102.1 also has one of the best signals to the north. Constantly audible in Hollywood, not far W of Charleston, and 96.5 is even better. Most nights that comes into Charleston except during the dead of winter.

97.3 too. They do have a good format which they have kept up for years, much better than when it was Mix. When you're the only clear top 40 in three big markets (Savannah, Statesboro and Hilton Head), that leads to a big rating.

 

[acheron1982]

Your right Mr. Combs. I totally forgot about 102.1 in Macon.

So, for fun, if 102.1 sport format decides to fall flat, what should they switch it to?

My two choices are as followed:

1 - Alternative (not active rock) - I'm biased here so I sure you can rip me on this one. One thing though, Z102 was active and not alternative in the 90s. Savannah has not seen alternative since 106.9 ended and 106.1 briefly played with alternative before going active.

2- Rhythmic CHR - My bias opinion is that these stations are annoying considering their repeats and small playlist BUT the Rhythmic CHR station in Atlanta and other markets are catching on pretty well.

Your thoughts?

 

[acheron1982]

One more argument for alternative is because the current modern rock station, all be it active, does not cover some of the medium size communities in Georgia (Hinesville and Statesboro).

 

[TheMusicMan]

If and when Cumulus pulls the plug on ESPN 102.1, you can bet they'll roll out another one of their corporate-sounding CHRs to try and take down KISSFM, most likely called either i102 or 102-1 The Vibe.

 

[cscott]

This is the 157th Metro we're talking about here. Like so many smaller Southern cities, once the Urbans gobble up half the shares, Country and Rock split another quarter and CHR/AC get their quarter....N/T gets a few and ...then there's no hole for niche experiments. As far as succes with sports on a super signal in a small city, the chances are directly tied to local fan interest. Without a pro team, and with so much content on cable, and a divided collegiate following in Savannah, it will never do well with ratings but can probably survive with its share of the overall cluster revenue. Sports was one of the few options Cumulus had but that doesnt mean it will ever do well here.

 

[upstate29651]

One more argument for alternative is because the current modern rock station, all be it active, does not cover some of the medium size communities in Georgia (Hinesville and Statesboro).

Agreed. I've been saying this all along. Cumulus could go with a "wall of rock" strategy & keep I-95 in its current incarnation, and flip 102 (back) to active. Basically what Cox is doing in Jax with 105 & 102.9. That would crush 106.1 (which I'd hate to see, as they're one of the best active rockers in the Southeast). Despite the college populations in Statesboro & downtown Savannah, I can't see straight alternative doing well here. 106.1 mixes in light doses of alternative, and it works. If they were smart, they'd make a pre-emptive move & flip 106.9 to active, so they can reach Hinesville & Statesboro.

Then again, let's not forget that 99.3 will debut come August (projected).

G

 

[acheron1982]

Hot Dog! I did not know about 99.3. Who has this station? I ask only because if its another "Good News Network", we all know it will be yet another hell fire club station (religious).

 

[Radio-X]

If and when 99.3 signs on, it's the perfect signal for a Statesboro station, and an economical sale in SAV where I reckon the signal will be respectable on the flat terrain.

Like we said for years, Statesboro needs a modern rocker. I'd go with the 96wave format from Chucktown, although 106.1 probably has a 20+ share in its demos in parts of the area...so maybe a true active rocker would be better

Radio-X

 

[faaradar]

One more argument for alternative is because the current modern rock station, all be it active, does not cover some of the medium size communities in Georgia (Hinesville and Statesboro).

Agreed. I've been saying this all along. Cumulus could go with a "wall of rock" strategy & keep I-95 in its current incarnation, and flip 102 (back) to active. Basically what Cox is doing in Jax with 105 & 102.9. That would crush 106.1 (which I'd hate to see, as they're one of the best active rockers in the Southeast). Despite the college populations in Statesboro & downtown Savannah, I can't see straight alternative doing well here. 106.1 mixes in light doses of alternative, and it works. If they were smart, they'd make a pre-emptive move & flip 106.9 to active, so they can reach Hinesville & Statesboro.

Then again, let's not forget that 99.3 will debut come August (projected).

G

And Cumulus does the rock format well. Look at what they've done to WEBN in Cincinnati with WFTK-96Rock. They've taken a legendary heritage rocker and pushed it out of the top 10. Their station in Lexington, KY station sounds pretty good too.

 

[Johnleewalker]

The two stations WAEV and WIXV are like Apples and Oranges.

You can't say that 97.3 has done anything to expand.. These two stations are fine in their own right.. BUT They appeal to different audiences.

I travel around between Savannah/Hilton Head and larger cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Tampa. I-95 is doing a much better job than similar rock stations in the larger cities. In fact they have been and still are the #1 station when it comes to the 25-50 crowd. They have a good song base, a big city professional sound and don't play the lady ga ga teen sounds that 97.3 does.

 

[Johnleewalker]

One more argument for alternative is because the current modern rock station, all be it active, does not cover some of the medium size communities in Georgia (Hinesville and Statesboro).

Agreed. I've been saying this all along. Cumulus could go with a "wall of rock" strategy & keep I-95 in its current incarnation, and flip 102 (back) to active. Basically what Cox is doing in Jax with 105 & 102.9. That would crush 106.1 (which I'd hate to see, as they're one of the best active rockers in the Southeast). Despite the college populations in Statesboro & downtown Savannah, I can't see straight alternative doing well here. 106.1 mixes in light doses of alternative, and it works. If they were smart, they'd make a pre-emptive move & flip 106.9 to active, so they can reach Hinesville & Statesboro.

Then again, let's not forget that 99.3 will debut come August (projected).

G

Yes, Yes.. Good point. I-95 just celebrated their 25th Anniversary and that proves they are on the right track. In fact they've sounded better over the last 8 years than in the 10 years before.
The Wall of sound theory would work. I-95 could keep delivering the solid mainstream rock sound and Cumulus could open a new alternative station almost like they do in Atlanta