WCRB to flip to rock

[Eli Polonsky]

i think they should flip to something else other then classical crap boston needs variety in the area

The problem here is that some posters on these boards seem to think; "If I don't like it, no one should like it".

Conversely, we also have some posters who seem to think; "I love it, so everyone else should love it".

One persons personal tastes is not how to program radio stations that need to reach mass audiences...

 

[ciao99]

Songs (IMHO) WFNX has no business playing:

Peter Gabriel - Red Rain...Gabriel has never been an alternative artist. Prog Rock is not Alternative. Were that the case, 'FNX should play King Crimson and Yes. Or, at least new Prog Rock like Porcupine Tree.

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock n' Roll...really? This is an Alternative song?

Goo Goo Dolls - Name...Need I explain?

TRex - 20th Century Boy...what the hell?

Cars - You Might Think...Not this track. Perhaps some stuff off the 1st 3 CDs make sense. But..this was WHTT "Hit Rock Radio" terrain.

Queen/Bowie - Under Pressure...Not Alternative. Bowie yes. Queen? never!

Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me...not even a lunchtime flashback show should have Cheap Trick on an Alternative station.

David Essex - Rock On...WHY?????



These songs played today. And are but a few that I believe taint the credibility of any Alternative station. A few more that cause eyebrows to raise would be:

Drive by the Cars
Sledgehammer by Gabriel
Bang A Gong - by TRex

There are the occasional "cume songs" that just (again just my opinion) fail to serve the brand. They're not cool. They're not Alternative. They're confusing. To me, as confusing as KISS 108 playing Metallica. Or Oldies 103 playing Collective Soul "Shine."

But...as they say...everyone's a PD. I am not privvy to the research, or market studies that I'm sure have been done.

Good observations Neanderpaul. Like I've said over and over, a radio station is a brand. The tracks you mention are out of step with the FNX brand. Any listener would note that. It's questionable why FNX would add these tracks and not others. What does it bring to the table? Not much, the ratings are no different from when they actually played alternative.

 

[argytunes]

i think they should flip to something else other then classical crap boston needs variety in the area

The problem here is that some posters on these boards seem to think; "If I don't like it, no one should like it".

Conversely, we also have some posters who seem to think; "I love it, so everyone else should love it".

One persons personal tastes is not how to program radio stations that need to reach mass audiences...

Eli...

I think my mindset is based on format variety. And let's face it...there are a handful of copycat formats (with minor variations) in the Greater Boston area.

In my case...I do a lot of home-based computer work. But it takes a certain rhythm in the music to help me work quickly and efficiently? Some people work better with classic rock, country, or (forgive me) rap music! I find soft rock, classical and film scores easier to work with! So if I can't find the format that fits my fingers, I've either got to go to another place on the dial...or program my own format via cds and (forgive me again)...vinyl LPs!

argytunes

 

[12 In a Row]

Now 12 days since the original post and still no answer to the burning queston,
will WCRB soon switch to Classical Urban Oldies Rap Alternative Country Pop?

 

[12 In a Row]

Ooops, forgot All Shows Tunes Weekends. ;D

 

[inthewolf]

Wow, Ciao saying more bad things about FNX. Im stunned. You and Ex Radio Pimp should have lunch.

The ratings are actually better than they were. FNX had the highest ratings (12 plus) since 2001 in the last ratings period. Will it stay? Who knows. Obviously it made an impact to have WBOS go right after them. Its wrong to assume that WBOS is going after WBCN...it is definitely FNX. Just look at the playlist..I mean they added Vampire Weekend this week (oddly this happened right after i posted that FNX was the only station in town playing that band. I do hope this didn't have anything to do with it as no programmers should be reading this board and taking this seriously).

I also enjoy how Neaderpaul bashes FNX left and right but calls KRBZ (the kansas city alternative station) quirky. Yeah they are real quirky..THEY SOUND JUST LIKE FNX. Their playlists are practically the same. I would argue that FNX is quirkier because they play all the songs that Neaderpaul hates (peter gabriel, etc). KRBZ is playing a lot of the mainstream rock stuff (that FNX doesnt play) with System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Linkin Park, etc.

Oh and wait until FNX plays Tom Petty. Ciao's head might explode.

 

[ciao99]

Wow, Ciao saying more bad things about FNX. Im stunned. You and Ex Radio Pimp should have lunch.

The ratings are actually better than they were. FNX had the highest ratings (12 plus) since 2001 in the last ratings period. Will it stay? Who knows. Obviously it made an impact to have WBOS go right after them. Its wrong to assume that WBOS is going after WBCN...it is definitely FNX. Just look at the playlist..I mean they added Vampire Weekend this week (oddly this happened right after i posted that FNX was the only station in town playing that band. I do hope this didn't have anything to do with it as no programmers should be reading this board and taking this seriously).

I also enjoy how Neaderpaul bashes FNX left and right but calls KRBZ (the kansas city alternative station) quirky. Yeah they are real quirky..THEY SOUND JUST LIKE FNX. Their playlists are practically the same. I would argue that FNX is quirkier because they play all the songs that Neaderpaul hates (peter gabriel, etc). KRBZ is playing a lot of the mainstream rock stuff (that FNX doesnt play) with System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Linkin Park, etc.

Oh and wait until FNX plays Tom Petty. Ciao's head might explode.

Play whatever you want.

But the name alternative is a misnomer. "Alternative" is a notion stuck in the minds of listeners. It's an association that remains strong because of memeories back when FNX was actually cutting edge. But that's the extent of it.

As I've said before, no listener new to the area without knowlegde of the FNX history or the association with the Boston Phoenix newspaper is going to mistake your playlist for edgy or cutting edge.

 

[Neanderpaul]

I also enjoy how Neaderpaul bashes FNX left and right but calls KRBZ (the kansas city alternative station) quirky. Yeah they are real quirky..THEY SOUND JUST LIKE FNX. Their playlists are practically the same. I would argue that FNX is quirkier because they play all the songs that Neaderpaul hates (peter gabriel, etc). KRBZ is playing a lot of the mainstream rock stuff (that FNX doesnt play) with System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Linkin Park, etc.
Oh and wait until FNX plays Tom Petty. Ciao's head might explode.

I cannot believe you opened this can o' worms.

KRBZ doesn't sound "just like FNX" at all. KRBZ might delve into Tool, Linkin Park & RATM....and those songs are absolutely within the realm of Alternative radio listeners.

However...if you want comparison? I'll make it crystal clear for you.

Since January:

KRBZ does not play T-Rex...EVER! KRBZ does not play Queen...EVER! KRBZ has played exactly 4 David Bowie tracks this year..."I'm Afraid Of Americans (twice)," "Boys Keep Swinging (once) (once)," "Changes, (once)" and "Look Back In Anger"

Not a "Space Oddity (10x on FNX)," "Let's Dance (11x on FNX)" "Ziggy (13x on FNX)" "Fame (10x on FNX)" "Heroes (10x on FNX)" "China Girl (5x on FNX)" to be found

Safe to say WFNX is playing David Bowie tracks from WZLX's playlist about once a week. Whereas KRBZ stays loyal to their brand as an Alternative station.

WFNX has played "Magic" "Drive" & "You Might Think (ONCE A WEEK!!!!)" since January. I would contend that the first 3 Cars albums have legitimacy as seminal foundations of Alternative via "new wave." But, the tracks I listed are absolutely Top 40 records...made specifically to contend with Madonna and Cindy Lauper. They have no place on ANY Alternative station.

In fact KRBZ does not play the Cars at all. They are an Alternative station, founded long after "new wave" happened and therefore don't have the heritage latitude to play tracks from the first 3 albums. By the time KRBZ signed on, "new wave" was "oldies" to their target audience.

WFNX has played FOUR different Cheap Trick tracks. "Surrender" SEVEN TIMES!!!!

Cheap Trick?

Can't seem to find that band anywhere on KRBZ. Know why? Because KRBZ is an Alternative station, and Cheap Trick are not Alternative. Never were.

KRBZ played "Omaha" by Counting Crows....once.

WFNX plays 5 different Counting Crows tracks. "Round Here" ten times alone. They also play "Mr. Jones" "Rain King" & "A Long December." Should tracks that were heavys on WHEB, in their current state be on any Alternative station?

They're not on KRBZ...because KRBZ is an Alternative station.

David Essex "Rock On" plays once a month on WFNX.

KRBZ has never played David Essex.

KRBZ does not play Peter Gabriel. Because Peter Garbriel has never been an Alternative artist.

WFNX plays 9 different Peter Gabriel tracks. "Sledgehammer" about once every eleven days. That's not a flashback feature. That's a gold category. And it dilutes the brand. Any of this sinking in yet?

As far as the artists you claim KRBZ plays but FNX does not? A quick scan of Mediabase invalidates that claim as well.

WFNX:

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name (14x)

KRBZ:

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name (0x)

WFNX:

Tool - Sober (7x)

KRBZ plays 9 different Tool tracks.

And guess what? Tool is an Alternative band. Rock radio is infringing upon the Alternative brand when they play them. WFNX let ownership of one of the best Alternative bands in music history go. They'd rather play 3 different Wallflowers tracks. System, is also an Alternative band. But Alternative radio is busy playing pop tracks and has diluted their product overall. Except...HEY!!!! KRBZ plays them too!

KRBZ doesn't play the Wallflowers.

Because the Wallflowers are not an Alternative band, and KRBZ stays loyal to their brand. WFNX plays great, well-targeted Alternative music 85% of the time.

That other 15% is confusing, and contrary to the brand. I wouldn't consider pointing that out as "Neaderpaul bashes FNX left and right."

I actually loved WFNX when I was a kid. I went to them to hear punk, & new wave. I would never expect to hear anything on WFNX that I'd have heard on WHTT, or WZOU.

I do now. And it's poor programming IMHO.

 

[Retro]

I actually loved WFNX when I was a kid. I went to them to hear punk, & new wave. I would never expect to hear anything on WFNX that I'd have heard on WHTT, or WZOU.

Agreed, although FNX was the leader in the market for new music back then. The CHR's would later pick up on some of the titles, which in turn FNX would drop and then add a different song from the artist instead.

FNX plays today 80's/90's stuff that it "never" touched when it was new.

 

[ciao99]

I also enjoy how Neaderpaul bashes FNX left and right but calls KRBZ (the kansas city alternative station) quirky. Yeah they are real quirky..THEY SOUND JUST LIKE FNX. Their playlists are practically the same. I would argue that FNX is quirkier because they play all the songs that Neaderpaul hates (peter gabriel, etc). KRBZ is playing a lot of the mainstream rock stuff (that FNX doesnt play) with System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Linkin Park, etc.
Oh and wait until FNX plays Tom Petty. Ciao's head might explode.

I cannot believe you opened this can o' worms.

KRBZ doesn't sound "just like FNX" at all. KRBZ might delve into Tool, Linkin Park & RATM....and those songs are absolutely within the realm of Alternative radio listeners.

However...if you want comparison? I'll make it crystal clear for you.

Since January:

KRBZ does not play T-Rex...EVER! KRBZ does not play Queen...EVER! KRBZ has played exactly 4 David Bowie tracks this year..."I'm Afraid Of Americans (twice)," "Boys Keep Swinging (once) (once)," "Changes, (once)" and "Look Back In Anger"

Not a "Space Oddity (10x on FNX)," "Let's Dance (11x on FNX)" "Ziggy (13x on FNX)" "Fame (10x on FNX)" "Heroes (10x on FNX)" "China Girl (5x on FNX)" to be found

Safe to say WFNX is playing David Bowie tracks from WZLX's playlist about once a week. Whereas KRBZ stays loyal to their brand as an Alternative station.

WFNX has played "Magic" "Drive" & "You Might Think (ONCE A WEEK!!!!)" since January. I would contend that the first 3 Cars albums have legitimacy as seminal foundations of Alternative via "new wave." But, the tracks I listed are absolutely Top 40 records...made specifically to contend with Madonna and Cindy Lauper. They have no place on ANY Alternative station.

In fact KRBZ does not play the Cars at all. They are an Alternative station, founded long after "new wave" happened and therefore don't have the heritage latitude to play tracks from the first 3 albums. By the time KRBZ signed on, "new wave" was "oldies" to their target audience.

WFNX has played FOUR different Cheap Trick tracks. "Surrender" SEVEN TIMES!!!!

Cheap Trick?

Can't seem to find that band anywhere on KRBZ. Know why? Because KRBZ is an Alternative station, and Cheap Trick are not Alternative. Never were.

KRBZ played "Omaha" by Counting Crows....once.

WFNX plays 5 different Counting Crows tracks. "Round Here" ten times alone. They also play "Mr. Jones" "Rain King" & "A Long December." Should tracks that were heavys on WHEB, in their current state be on any Alternative station?

They're not on KRBZ...because KRBZ is an Alternative station.

David Essex "Rock On" plays once a month on WFNX.

KRBZ has never played David Essex.

KRBZ does not play Peter Gabriel. Because Peter Garbriel has never been an Alternative artist.

WFNX plays 9 different Peter Gabriel tracks. "Sledgehammer" about once every eleven days. That's not a flashback feature. That's a gold category. And it dilutes the brand. Any of this sinking in yet?

As far as the artists you claim KRBZ plays but FNX does not? A quick scan of Mediabase invalidates that claim as well.

WFNX:

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name (14x)

KRBZ:

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name (0x)

WFNX:

Tool - Sober (7x)

KRBZ plays 9 different Tool tracks.

And guess what? Tool is an Alternative band. Rock radio is infringing upon the Alternative brand when they play them. WFNX let ownership of one of the best Alternative bands in music history go. They'd rather play 3 different Wallflowers tracks. System, is also an Alternative band. But Alternative radio is busy playing pop tracks and has diluted their product overall. Except...HEY!!!! KRBZ plays them too!

KRBZ doesn't play the Wallflowers.

Because the Wallflowers are not an Alternative band, and KRBZ stays loyal to their brand. WFNX plays great, well-targeted Alternative music 85% of the time.

That other 15% is confusing, and contrary to the brand. I wouldn't consider pointing that out as "Neaderpaul bashes FNX left and right."

I actually loved WFNX when I was a kid. I went to them to hear punk, & new wave. I would never expect to hear anything on WFNX that I'd have heard on WHTT, or WZOU.

I do now. And it's poor programming IMHO.

What a well researched post Neanderpaul.
I'm just a listener, I don't have access to the databases you do. But your research just confirms what my ears were telling me all along, FNX has tweeked it's programming, and in a bizarre direction. I think your comment was very fair that 85% of the music is alternative, and the 15% remaining it confusing and contrary.

FNX has it's reputation as an edgy alternative station because of previous program directors, not the current one. Well seasonsed listeners are tuning in and recognizing that something isn't right, although the strength of it's past as an alternative powerhouse is still strong. This incredible brand has been sacrificed to sound more like Mix 98.5, with no improvement in ratings.

 

[inthewolf]

For the fifth time, Ciao, FNX had its highest ratings since 2001 in the fall book. I'm not sure what you don't understand. Feel free to look it up.

I also find it funny that both of you get to define what is and what isn't alternative. While I also dont have access to Mediabase, I can look at the past 7 days on certain radio stations around the country.

Lets take a trip shall we..remember all these spins are from the last 7 days...

KNRK - Portlands ALTERNATIVE radio station as defined by them, R&R and arbitron

Blue Traveler - Run Around (2 times in the last 7 days)
Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me (2 times)
Duran Duran - 5 different songs ranging from 3 spins to 1 spin in the past week
David Essex - Rock On (2 times)
Eurythmics - 4 different songs with spins ranging from 3 to 1 in a week
Peter Gabriel - 5 DIFFERENT SONGS (including In Your Eyes twice in a week) with spins ranging from 3 to 1 spin
Tom Petty - American Girl (twice)
Tom Petty - Refugee (once)

No Rage. No Tool. No System. Oh and they play a million Bowie songs, almost too many to list

Lets pick another

KBZT (San Diego). Defined by both R&R and Arbitron as alternative

Beatles - Happiness in a Warm Gun (twice in a week)
Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue (once), Walk the Line (once)
Dido - three different songs all with one spin in a week
Peter Gabriel - OH NO! More Peter Gabriel! Sadly its Games Without Frontiers...twice
Led Zep - 3 different songs each with one spin
Sarah McLachlan - Circle (one spin)

They do play Rage, Tool, System and Metallica (wait, they're alternative right?)


How about one of the top rated alts in the country, KTBZ in Houston. Again a station defined by R&R and Arbitron as alternative.

Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (6 times in a week)
Goo Goo Dolls - Name (5 times in a week)
Matchbox 20 - 3am (2)
Matchbox 20 - Push (2)
Third Eye Blind - 4 different songs all with spins above 2

This station also plays Limp Bizkit, Metallica, Tool, etc. Variety..weird. I hate when stations have that.

Lets try another highly rated alt. WSWD in Cincy. Again a station that is called alternative by themselves, R&R and arbitron. Im sure they only play Pearl Jam, System and no crossover songs. Surely they can't branch out a little...oh wait..

4 Non Blondes - Whats Up (6 times in a week)
Barenaked Ladies - 4 different songs with spins from 5 to 1
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (one time).
Johnny Cash- Walk the Line (3 times)
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (3 times)
Eagle Eye Cherry - Save Tonight (7 times..thats EVERY DAY)
Counting Crowes - Mr Jones (4 times)
Counting Crowes - Round Here (2)
Cranberries - linger (3)
Fray - How to Save a Life (3)
Fray - Over My Head (3)
GNR - 5 songs with spins from 3 to 6
Joan Jett - Crimson and Clover (1)
Sarah McLachlan - I Will Rember You (1 spin)
Tom Petty - Free Fallin (4)
Tom Petty - Mary Janes (5)
Queen and Bowie - under pressure (3)
Vertical Horizon - Everything You Want (1)
Wallflowes - One Headlight (7 times..again EVERY DAY)


I could continue this exercise with WRFF in Philly (again another alternative), Star in LA which just flipped to alt, the new station in Hartford, etc but I wont.

Just because the Wallflowers (which started at alternative by the way), Counting Crowes, Peter Gabriel don't fit into your cookie cutter idea of alternative doesn't mean that they shouldn't be played on these stations.

All of these stations above have very solid ratings and im sure all of them do extensive research that tells them what songs fit and what songs don't.

So continue to bash FNX (and by the way, look at the dayparts, most of the songs, as ive said countless times, fall into the overnights or leftover lunch..the exceptions being your favorite Peter Gabriel and Mr Jones) but what they are doing falls in line with much of the new wave of alternatives around the country.

(and Linkin Park is an alternative to what? Music thats good? Wouldn't you rather hear Cars "Just What I Needed" (in BOSTON no less) than One Step Closer? )

 

[12 In a Row]

OK, I pulled the short straw and have to ask the question everyone is begging to be asked.

DO YOU HAVE A LIFE?

 

[Neanderpaul]

For the fifth time, Ciao, FNX had its highest ratings since 2001 in the fall book. I'm not sure what you don't understand. Feel free to look it up.

I also find it funny that both of you get to define what is and what isn't alternative. While I also dont have access to Mediabase, I can look at the past 7 days on certain radio stations around the country.

This isn't about what other stations around the country are doing.

Your assertion was that KRBZ in KC sounded "just like FNX."

I successfully refuted the claim based on facts.

So, now you choose to rip songs from any other stations that might support your contention. That's all fine and dandy.

But WFNX shouldn't be playing a lot of the song they are. Not with their heritage brand. Boston is notoriously tied to their perceptions of which radio stations are which brand. Trying to re-brand WFNX is a bad tactic in my opinion. And again, it's my opinion. I'm comfortable with the notion that I might be completely wrong.

I'm not.

 

[WBIMDJ]

For the fifth time, Ciao, FNX had its highest ratings since 2001 in the fall book. I'm not sure what you don't understand. Feel free to look it up.

I also find it funny that both of you get to define what is and what isn't alternative. While I also dont have access to Mediabase, I can look at the past 7 days on certain radio stations around the country.

This isn't about what other stations around the country are doing.

Your assertion was that KRBZ in KC sounded "just like FNX."

I successfully refuted the claim based on facts.

So, now you choose to rip songs from any other stations that might support your contention. That's all fine and dandy.

But WFNX shouldn't be playing a lot of the song they are. Not with their heritage brand. Boston is notoriously tied to their perceptions of which radio stations are which brand. Trying to re-brand WFNX is a bad tactic in my opinion. And again, it's my opinion. I'm comfortable with the notion that I might be completely wrong.

I'm not.

I guess his point was more not that they shouldn't be playing it, but a lot of other alts are doing a similar thing around the country, wrong or not. Alt is shifting away from the harder edged stuff and apparantly this is the outcome.

 

[Neanderpaul]

I guess his point was more not that they shouldn't be playing it, but a lot of other alts are doing a similar thing around the country, wrong or not. Alt is shifting away from the harder edged stuff and apparantly this is the outcome.

You're probably right. This is happening with a lot of "Active" Rock stations as well. When new music is in a downturn, there's this tendency to shift to "familiar" music. With WFNX's heritage, they don't need to go in the Counting Crows/David Essex/Peter Gabriel direction. If anything, they should be leading and not following. Boston is not Portland, OR. It's not KCMO, and it's not San Diego. Boston is a city with possibly the second greatest history when it comes to Alternative radio. Between WFNX, and what Oedipus did on Sunday night at WBCN, we were turned on to bands like the Police, and U2 long before the rest of America. How great would it be to hear "Secret Journey" or "The Refugee" instead of "King Of Pain" and "With Or Without You?"

WFNX used to be the leader in Alternative music. You'd think if they were going to go back into their history, they'd pull out music from bands like The Clash, PiL, Billy Bragg, Psych Furs, and Dead Kennedys. In a city like Boston, they can truly BE an Alternative station with actual Alternative heritage. Imagine hearing "Resurrection Joe" by The Cult. Or, "One Of Our Submarines" by Thomas Dolby instead of "Magic" & "You Might Think"

Part of the reason we don't hear stuff like that is the out and out failure of our industry as a whole, to treat the product with respect. There's a whole generation of liner-card readers out there who have no idea who The Feelies are. That's partially not their fault. We haven't done a great job of educating those we hire to do the job. And as a result, when we see an Alternative station have to go back and rely on its heritage, the people manning the mic have no idea what that heritage is. So, when we criticize...it's probably a good idea to take a good look not at what a station's potentially doing wrong...but WHY are they doing it wrong.

Now, if WFNX is enjoying ratings success, then I guess I'm wrong. But I sense short-term returns at a potential long-term damage to the brand. Look what happened when they tried to mimic WAAF. That was a disaster that they're still attempting to recover from. WFNX has never been a big cume driven station. They chose a long time ago to serve a niche audience. They used to serve it well. And most of the time, looking at their playlist, they're on target. But those "oh wow" songs are more like "oh no!" and, in the end, I truly believe damage the overall brand more than they attract new cume.

They're certainly not the only station doing it all over America. But, they happen to be doing it in a place they have the latitude to do it correctly and maximize their heritage. Nothing wrong with playing Gene Loves Jezebel, and Soho records next to Panic @ The Disco, and Cold War Kids.

 

[inthewolf]

Yes, I get it Neaderpaul. You are a music hipster and awesome but the real problem is not FNX but the average listener and arbitron.

FNX is a radio station with great heritage but sadly heritage and weirdo songs don't equal ratings. (feel free to take a look at Indie in LA) especially, and this is the key here, that arbitron only surveys people with landlines.

We've got to both agree (and Ciao as well) that FNX's audience is largely cell phone only. FNX has to program to a wider audience because of this cell phone only problem.

Your real problem should be with the fact that a radio station playing all new happening songs and weirdo alt rock album cuts would never work because the people who would listen to this are TECH savvy and ONLY have cell phones.

Take a survey of all the people under 34 that you know. How many of them have landlines? I bet its not a lot.

So FNX has to program to Arbitron. When the people meter comes maybe things will change but until then its Peter Gabriel for everyone.

Okay..really I'm done posting for today.

 

[freqlost]

weirdo songs

Songs not played by lamo stations which WFNX has now become might be a better definition.
Whether new wave,alt rock,rap or reggae WFNX used to go where others wouldn't dare and their listeners(at least myself) loved them for it.
I won't argue about the ratings aspect.I guess that is why alleged oldies stations play Escape (the Pina Colada song) a billion times a week.
I notice even Fred on XM drifts of into this comfort zone once in a while playing garbage they shouldn't play.

 

[Neanderpaul]

Yes, I get it Neaderpaul. You are a music hipster and awesome but the real problem is not FNX but the average listener and arbitron. FNX is a radio station with great heritage but sadly heritage and weirdo songs don't equal ratings.

I wouldn't call being aware of the history of Alternative radio advocating "weirdo songs." It's not like I'm saying they should be playing Einstürzende Neubauten. Anyone with a tertiary knowledge of Alternative music should know the tracks I presented. And, seeing as Alternative allegedly prides itself on being a cutting edge format that presents something different, we they to present these tracks properly, they'd be exposing "new music" from established artists.

This is part of the problem. We assume that people in their 30's and 40's no longer have passion for music. When. in fact, they use the music of their past to remind them of simpler times.

In this case, it's not who you play, it's what you play by who you play.

Example:

"All I Can Do" from the Cars = Alternative
"Magic" from the Cars = Pop

"A Sort Of Homecoming" by U2 = Alternative
"Desire" = Pop

Your assertions can be achieved with more focused gold choices.

We've got to both agree (and Ciao as well) that FNX's audience is largely cell phone only. FNX has to program to a wider audience because of this cell phone only problem.

Your real problem should be with the fact that a radio station playing all new happening songs and weirdo alt rock album cuts would never work because the people who would listen to this are TECH savvy and ONLY have cell phones.

This is an excuse. Plain and simple.

This is the reality all radio stations face. If anything, the playlist of WFNX should be even MORE cutting edge to appeal to the targeted audience. Give them a reason to opt in. Stop relying on overplayed out-of-format warhorses.

Using your logic, WFNX shouldn't play anything new at all. Flawed thinking.

I'd contend that WFNX could go "all Alternative hits" and play nothing but 20 years of hits and still not break a 2 share today. Perception = reality. And the perception of WFNX is as "the punk station" or "the station the college kids/gay/lesbians listen to."

People don't go to WFNX for "Sledgehammer." Those interested in that song are getting it from other sources they're conditioned to go to.

Play to your strengths. Especially with the limited marketing they've always employed.

 

[FNXEd]

Can anyone tell me how the weather in Kansas City is?

 

[Neanderpaul]

Can anyone tell me how the weather in Kansas City is?

Sunshine..mid 60's. Beautiful day.

Thanks for asking.