It was a sad day for Alternative Rock fans everywhere when WDOX signed off its online webcast at the end of August, in a week that was filled with a series of unfortunate events. Coincidentally, it came right around the time that WOXY.com announced that their webcast would cease to exist also. WDOX will definitely be missed - in an industry filled with safe, sound-alike stations that appeal more to advertisers than listeners (is it any wonder why ratings have dropped at some Alternative stations? THAT is the reason why), WDOX was always interesting ... you never knew what to expect when you turned the station on. I think there's a lot of stations that can learn from the diverse approach of WDOX - despite its low overhead, one can only wonder what its ratings would have been if it had a decent signal. I think they would easily be capable of topping SoJo with their bland, unoriginal programming, that's for sure. R.I.P. WDOX - you will be missed.
Meanwhile. let's look at the station that took the place of WDOX at 106.7 on the FM dial, CHR WSJQ (Q 107)? This station has resided in the ratings cellar ever since its launch (an 0.4 in the last book, half of WDOX's ratings at their worst), and only a hardcore optimist could expect things to improve. Those seeking hit music already have numerous choices: WSTW comes in perfectly in the area that WSJQ covers, and you could also flip between WAYV/WAIV and WGBZ/WZBZ (The Buzz) for the same effect. I was in Wildwood a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely NO ONE was listening to this station. The most popular stations were as follows: The Buzz, WAYV, and WZXL - I even heard WJSE in a few places. WDOX was always among the most played stations on the boardwalk - apparently not only did Coastal Broadcasting alienate the old audience with this "hit music" they play now, but they have failed to attract a new audience. Anyone else agree with me that this station is going nowhere fast? If Coastal were smart, they would have DOX return for the third time at 106.7 FM. It would be the market's only Alternative, as opposed to all the "hit music" choices already available to the market. Sure, WJSE is a great station, but it's more of an Active/Alternative hybrid - WDOX would pick up right where they left off since they're already established in the market. This is a no-brainer - it's a move that Coastal should have made yesterday.
Meanwhile. let's look at the station that took the place of WDOX at 106.7 on the FM dial, CHR WSJQ (Q 107)? This station has resided in the ratings cellar ever since its launch (an 0.4 in the last book, half of WDOX's ratings at their worst), and only a hardcore optimist could expect things to improve. Those seeking hit music already have numerous choices: WSTW comes in perfectly in the area that WSJQ covers, and you could also flip between WAYV/WAIV and WGBZ/WZBZ (The Buzz) for the same effect. I was in Wildwood a couple of weeks ago, and absolutely NO ONE was listening to this station. The most popular stations were as follows: The Buzz, WAYV, and WZXL - I even heard WJSE in a few places. WDOX was always among the most played stations on the boardwalk - apparently not only did Coastal Broadcasting alienate the old audience with this "hit music" they play now, but they have failed to attract a new audience. Anyone else agree with me that this station is going nowhere fast? If Coastal were smart, they would have DOX return for the third time at 106.7 FM. It would be the market's only Alternative, as opposed to all the "hit music" choices already available to the market. Sure, WJSE is a great station, but it's more of an Active/Alternative hybrid - WDOX would pick up right where they left off since they're already established in the market. This is a no-brainer - it's a move that Coastal should have made yesterday.