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WDUV...why is it always top-rated?

V

vinyltapecd

There are two explanations that people will typically use for WDUV's consistent #1 spot in ratings:

1) They play good music
2) Tampa's population is so "old" that WDUV's music is what's most popular there

I think it's definitely a combination of the two; however, I personally feel that the "good music" factor is MUCH more valid than the "old people" factor. Sure, Tampa's population is about 30% over 55, which definitely represents an "old" population. BUT...you have to remember that pretty much any city today has at least 20% of its population over 55. Therefore, I just don't believe that this small demographic difference is enough to turn a supposedly "dead" format into a ratings-topper. Yeah, "the extra 10% of 55+ residents in Tampa are what make WDUV the most listened to station; without this extra 10%, this format would totally flop in any other market". With all due respect, I think that theory is plain baloney.

MY GUESS is that WDUV's music draws listeners of all ages based on its universal appeal. The music has catchy tunes, it has plenty of instruments besides electronic percussion or ear-splitting horns/guitars, and it just "flows"...sadly, these characteristics are generally missing on the radio today. Sure, most young people won't admit to liking WDUV's music, because it is pretty much the most "uncool" music around today. But this does not mean that they don't secretly enjoy the music, and listen to it in the car when no one else is around. As a 27 year old male (bet you didn't see that one coming :p), I think WDUV's format is probably my favorite radio format of all time...yet I never divulge this to anyone except my wife, parents, etc...in fear of being ridiculed. Now I'm not saying that everyone my age loves to listen Neil Diamond or the Carpenters on a daily basis, but I do believe that a significant percentage of WDUV's audience is in fact YOUNGER people.

So what do you think...why is WDUV so popular? Any comments are welcome and encouraged, but PLEASE spare me the sermons about advertisers, target demographics, etc.
 
From a personal perspective regarding music radio, I, for one, enjoy smooth jazz, classical and traditional beautiful music, and I have not reached 50, yet. I also find most of the music heard on WDUV to be enjoyable although I rarely ever listen to music radio anymore. I'm more of a news-talk and all news radio listener, including public radio and NPR.

However, in the case of WDUV, I believe the music can best be described as "Timeless", and this may be one reason why the WDUV cume and AQH is so high resulting in a number one persons 12+ rating. WDUV also does very well with females which makes WDUV attractive to advertising agencies looking to target the female demo.

Overall, WDUV has a nice, relaxing sound that appeals to most radio listeners depending on the time of day and listener moods.
 
Based on WDUVs easy-listening roots, they have been the background station at countless hundreds of bay area businesses for years. 94.9 may have been "voted #1 again for listening at work" for as long as they have been "new", but WDUV is the king of the office radio.
 
Parttimer said:
94.9 may have been "voted #1 again for listening at work" for as long as they have been "new", but WDUV is the king of the office radio.
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Especially since, in the middle of every hour, the station thanks its listeners for being Arbitron-rated #1 in Tampa Bay, while sister station 94.9 refuses to give us a source.
 
If you want to catagorize WDUV, I would call it "Classic AC" because the vast majority of music that it plays comes from the AC charts of the mid/late 1960s through the 1980s. Of course, there are exceptions with a few pop/lite rock selections as well as selected tunes of the later 1980s and early 1990s.

IMHO, While "The Dove" would tend to skew mostly women per jmtillery above, I'm certain it has a wide variety of listeners from 25-55, which is what advertisers seek. Besides, I would believe that a number keep 105.5 tuned in to make their drive home relaxing with music they are familiar with with no content that they would possibly be offended with.
 
Here in South Florida, I wish we had something like WDUV.

That being said.....one time when I was going thru the Bay area, WDUV was playing, of all things, "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles. Sure, it has its soft sections...but why *that* tune? (For those who haven't heard it on DUV, the first "wailing" was there, seemingly at a lower pitch.....and the second one was not there, as "tuuuuuurn youuuuuu oooooon" faded out.)

That tune isn't necessary for that format. They oughta have enough in their playlist.

cd
 
WDUV occassionally plays such "soft" hits like "In the Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett, "Keeping the Faith" by Billy Joel, "Who will stop the Rain" by Creedence, and 'Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club. Except for no jocks or contests, it is basically an early 80's AC station like WEZS in Richmond or WEZC in Charlotte back in the Eighties.
 
Speaking for my own tastes, I'd enjoy more adult standards (1940s, 50s) in the mix.

I have to admit I don't care for their syrupy program IDs.

Another possible factor relating to their "older" demographic targeting could be their tower location, which is quite a way north of the Bay area. There are a lot of retirees in Pasco and Hernando counties. WDUV's signal extends much further to the north/northwest than other Bay area stations.
 
dwtpa97 said:
Speaking for my own tastes, I'd enjoy more adult standards (1940s, 50s) in the mix.

I have to admit I don't care for their syrupy program IDs.

Another possible factor relating to their "older" demographic targeting could be their tower location, which is quite a way north of the Bay area. There are a lot of retirees in Pasco and Hernando counties. WDUV's signal extends much further to the north/northwest than other Bay area stations.
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WGUL was a Soft AC/MOYL hybrid. It was sold, flipped to religion, and nobody picked up the format ( WTAN sort of , but their signal is awful metro wise)
 
WGUL was a Soft AC/MOYL hybrid. It was sold, flipped to religion, and nobody picked up the format ( WTAN sort of , but their signal is awful metro wise)
[/quote]

When did WGUL flip to a religious format? I'm curious.
 
860 wgul is talk, mostly from Salem's own stable of hosts. 930 in Sarasota has similar programming. 570 and 910 also owned by Salem are religion.
 
sbe1 said:
860 wgul is talk, mostly from Salem's own stable of hosts. 930 in Sarasota has similar programming. 570 and 910 also owned by Salem are religion.
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Thanks for the information.

I knew WGUL flipped to talk after Salem acquired the 860 frequency, but one poster said WGUL at one time had flipped to religion so I was wondering when that may have happened since I am not aware that it was ever religion. Again, I may have missed something unless the poster was referring to Salem's WTBN 570 and WTWD 910 which have a religious format.
 
dwtpa97 said:
Yes, I miss the old WGUL. It was a great station. I haven't listened to it since the switch.
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I also miss The Music of Your Life on WGUL even though much of the MOYL music dates back years before I was born. I once worked the overnight shift on-air on a MOYL AM station in Daytona Beach years ago when I was in my 20s, and that is where I received my first exposure to Al Ham's MOYL. Much of the music then consisted of tunes from the big band era with some newer adult standards from the 1960s and 1970s. I didn't care very much for the music then, but I have come to appreciate many of those great tunes since I've become just a little more mature now.
 
jmtillery said:
WGUL was a Soft AC/MOYL hybrid. It was sold, flipped to religion, and nobody picked up the format ( WTAN sort of , but their signal is awful metro wise)
Click to expand...

When did WGUL flip to a religious format? I'm curious.
[/quote]


If WGUL isn't running a religious format, I apologize. I ASSUMED all Salem stations were. I have not listened to it since the day it flipped so obviously I could be wrong. Sorry
 
MsMusicRadio said:
jmtillery said:
WGUL was a Soft AC/MOYL hybrid. It was sold, flipped to religion, and nobody picked up the format ( WTAN sort of , but their signal is awful metro wise)
Click to expand...

When did WGUL flip to a religious format? I'm curious.
Click to expand...


If WGUL isn't running a religious format, I apologize. I ASSUMED all Salem stations were. I have not listened to it since the day it flipped so obviously I could be wrong. Sorry. WTMP and WRXB are the onlyAM stations on my presets.
[/quote]
 
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