WHAT changes format

[DToTheJ]

9:58 PM: "The Lullaby of Broadway"

Now playing @ 10:01 PM: "What A Wonderful World"

http://www.what1340i.com/what.m3u

If that ain't the last song, I'm bailin'.

10:04 PM: "Can't Get You Outta My Head".

I'm bailin'.

 

[qtpieislit]

   A serious major problem with 1340/WHAT is, apparently, the ground system has eroded away to practically nothing and that has just about crippled that signal. Combined with the fact that 1340 is just plain sky wave intolerant. I can barely pick them up in here in Gladwyne, which is probably just a short five air miles from the Conshohocken Av. transmitter site.  The Kelly’s may be best advised sell off the current Transmitter site land to re-coup some of their investment, and diplex with WDAS AM, which is already digital spec, or just plain put a half wave stick on the Fairmount park land that WDAS AM has and construct an entirely new digital signal system installation. Besides, if they plan to go digital, I don’t think new digital radial specifications fit between the houses that exist against their current Conshohocken Av. property lines. It may well be advised to conduct an engineering study of some significant redeemable value, and study moving that frequency assignment to 1330 and bounce at least a measurable 5Kw directional signal around the region from an entirely new site. If one is going to go through the effort to upgrade, one might as well make it a signal that can at least be received in the true context of ‘Philadelphia metro’ to give the format a decent shot at success.

 

[PhillyWatch]

Buh, hello?

New format up and running. Tis' Skin Radio. Straight song into pre-recorded Title, Artist, ID and info about the format, next song. I heard a song by Jurassic 5 (the one featuring Dave Matthews) and i REALLY liked it. Before it was an alt rock song and after it was too. nothing REALLY hard. I imagined a station like this before, alternative mix of rock and hip-hop. This is something i REALLY believe could pick up steam on an FM station here in Philly.

 

[wprt949]

Watch the local NAACP be all over this or not ???

 

[PhillyWatch]

Just heard a little bit of stand up (cant name the comedian), short little snippet of a joke entitled "Skin Radio Laugh Tracks (trax?)". Then into what i believe is a new Red Hot Chili Peppers song, NOT the ones being overplayed on YSP.

 

[hipporadio]

Buh, hello?

New format up and running. Tis' Skin Radio. Straight song into pre-recorded Title, Artist, ID and info about the format, next song. I heard a song by Jurassic 5 (the one featuring Dave Matthews) and i REALLY liked it. Before it was an alt rock song and after it was too. nothing REALLY hard. I imagined a station like this before, alternative mix of rock and hip-hop. This is something i REALLY believe could pick up steam on an FM station here in Philly.

As of 11PM, the internet audio stream is silent (with a noticeable hum in the background) at the http://www.what1340i.com/what.m3ustream address which is identical at both the former WHAT homepage and the skinradio site. So beyond five-miles—us folks can’t hear the flip :'(

The Radio Racket guys are lamenting (amusingly) that a "BIG" format flip is happening during their hour with Big Jay... 'Don't think they have too much to worry about!

 

[PhillyWatch]

As of 11PM, the internet audio stream is silent (with a noticeable hum in the background) at the http://www.what1340i.com/what.m3ustream address which is identical at both the former WHAT homepage and the skinradio site. So beyond five-miles—us folks can’t hear the flip :'(

Hah. thing is, every ID they have pumps their availability online.

 

[eatspaste]

Hah. thing is, every ID they have pumps their availability online.

How sad is it that the most groundbreaking thing in market #7 is on a 1kw AM station that no one can hear?

I wish WHAT all the luck in the world, but the former Y-100 audience got all pissed off a couple years ago (thanks, Radio One) and went to XM, Sirius, CDs, and I-pods. The ones that didn't are over at WMMR every morning listening to the P&S machine. No matter how well it's programmed, they ain't gonna go to AM for their music and they ain't gonna shell out money to hear a bunch of 1's and 0's.

For this to atleast have a chance, he's gonna need a WWJZ-type of signal. I hope he proves me wrong!! Wouldn't it be incredible if he did - a 1kw AM station being successfully programmed for 18-34 year olds. Imagine the WTMR, WURD, and WNJC's of the world going mainstream and trying to attract an audience!

 

[PhillyWatch]

I wish WHAT all the luck in the world, but the former Y-100 audience got all pissed off a couple years ago (thanks, Radio One) and went to XM, Sirius, CDs, and I-pods. The ones that didn't are over at WMMR every morning listening to the P&S machine.

Sad but true. The angry and quick reaction to the death of Y left a way short time period for something to come up. Even worse (ad previously said) is that a station like this gets buried on the AM dial.

 

[hipporadio]

How sad is it that the most groundbreaking thing in market #7 is on a 1kw AM station that no one can hear?

I wish WHAT all the luck in the world... No matter how well it's programmed, they ain't gonna go to AM for their music and they ain't gonna shell out money to hear a bunch of 1's and 0's.

For this to at least have a chance, he's gonna need a WWJZ-type of signal. I hope he proves me wrong!! Wouldn't it be incredible if he did - a 1kw AM station being successfully programmed for 18-34 year olds. Imagine the WTMR, WURD, and WNJC's of the world going mainstream and trying to attract an audience!

Their internet stream returned late this morning. From afar, WHAT's format is interesting—I could easily see it appealing to my two high school-age nephews. What I CAN’T possibly see happening is them forgoing even an hour with their treasured iPod to listen to another person’s “perfect playlist” on a low-powered AM station... Sad, but I doubt that they even know how to activate the AM reception mode on the very few radios they manage to even turn on.

This WHAT drama is certainly intriguing to many of us (format fans or not). I’m well-beyond the target and have witnessed these well-intentioned misadventures DOZENS of times in the past on AM stations looking for a break. There’s nothing wrong with rooting for the “exception to the rule”—but in over 20-years, I’ve yet to find one that didn’t terminate in a ratings and/or financial disaster.

Owner Tom Kelly told the Daily News: “WHAT would be produced by young non-radio folks...” This is the most-visible indication of impending failure. We’ve all seen this before. We may have even applauded it in a more naïve life... But altruism aside; an underpowered, poorly-propagated commercial AM in a very large market is no place to transplant the “college” or “community non-com FM” mindset—especially when the entry fee is five-mil! If Mother Nature defies her violation—this station SHOULD have been left alone (unless it was bleeding profusely) or submitted itself to the nearly-endless line of characters willing to pay for the privilege of speaking over a broadcast transmitter.

Is WHAT a very-expensive hobby or personal plaything... Is it some elaborate Gen-Y pop culture social research project run wildly over-budget... Or will it defy decades of conventional wisdom and failed precedent and surprise us. Personally, I suspect the former—but it would be an awfully-fine “OH YEAH” should it become the latter.

 

[buzzrock]

the station has potential.

 

[Kyle D]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned this yet, but has anyone noticed they are backselling each and every song??? I think it's great. That's one of the biggest complaints about radio that I've heard from people over the years.

I was listening earlier this afternoon, and while the overall sound of the station is 'rough', at least it's different than anything else out there! Isn't that what we all complain about time after time?? "They play the same songs", "It's just like every other station on the dial". Those statements can't be said about Skin Radio!

Which leads me to another point. The name 'Skin Radio'. Personally, I don't think it's a great name, but at least I've never heard of another station using it! I think what Mr. Kelly has done here is a great thing. He has the b*lls to do something no one else will do, and isn't that what we all lone for? A rebel station. Name another station in this town worth listening to...

I also like the way they are positioning the station as "AM 1340". As most people they are targeting probably don't know what the AM band is, it's the way they had to go.

I, like most folks, don't know if this will work or not, but if it does, it's going to take a lot of money and work on the ground level. They are going to have to blanket local colleges and high schools with bumper stickers and other promotional materials. I think they also need to begin to sponsor concerts at the major venues in town to get the word out. I don't go to nearly the amount of concerts that I used to, but every one you go to now is sponsored by an 'out of market' station, like PST or WSTW.

This is going to be fun to watch and I wish the station all the best! It would be fun to hear folks out on the street talking about a radio station again in casual conversation. Remember when radio stations caused a buzz in a segment of the population? It hasn't happened in years, and I dare anyone else to name me a staiton in town, on either band, that is in position to do so like Skin Radio.

 

[Those RRRRs]

I listened on my Grundig this afternoon and then compared the audio with their internet stream. Sad to say that the station actually sounds better on the AM radio.

 

[PhillyWatch]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned this yet, but has anyone noticed they are backselling each and every song??? I think it's great.

What exactly is "backselling"?

 

[Those RRRRs]

What exactly is "backselling"?

It means that they are announcing title and artist immediately after each song.

This is a good thing because the average American probably has the attention span of about three seconds.

Even those who are smarter than the average bear usually don't remember what was played four of five songs ago, so sometimes it's hard to mentally link what was heard with title/artist.

Also, many people who heard a particular song 20 minutes ago may have already tuned out and those just tuning in don't care what was played 20 minutes ago.

 

[hipporadio]

I listened on my Grundig this afternoon and then compared the audio with their internet stream. Sad to say that the station actually sounds better on the AM radio.

WHAT’s initial streaming situation is nearly as puzzling as the decision to launch a five-million-dollar-plus diverse youth-oriented music format on a 1kw “graveyard” channel. Listening via the net is my only option, and I agree with your observations. I suspect we are experiencing what remains of the frugal WHAT net connection that preceded the format flip. Certainly they plan to vastly improve that network and quality—the intended audience will demand it! Granted, station transfers and format changes can be a rat-race, but given the nature of this undertaking—it’s well-advised to make the appropriate improvements in their streaming infrastructure ASAP.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned this yet, but has anyone noticed they are backselling each and every song??? I think it's great. That's one of the biggest complaints about radio that I've heard from people over the years.

I had a chance to listen for a couple hours this afternoon, and am also surprised at the frequent inclusion of alt pop/rock from a decade ago into the mix. New stuff—plenty, but also a lot of “Santa Monica” (Everclear), “You Outta Know” (Alanis Morissette), “Daughter” (Pearl Jam)—even CHR-leaning staples like “Ants Marching” (Dave Matthews), “1979” (Smashing Pumpkins), and “Two Princes” (Spin Doctors). These are hardly anthems of the current college and youth culture. I learned to like these songs back in the mid-90s when I put on my second FM station with an alternative format in a mid-sized college town, so I actually enjoy the music on WHAT now—am I supposed to at my age?

Which leads me to another point. The name 'Skin Radio'. Personally, I don't think it's a great name, but at least I've never heard of another station using it!

ABSOLUTLEY... NO ONE else IS, and that’s a smart move... Certainly better than calling it “1340—The Hat” or “The Revolution AM”. First, put yourself inside the body of a 20-year-old; then search deeply into the philosophy and intentions of this station, and it begins to become clear. They ARE what they ARE—the god-awful AM radio is only the insignificant skin! Mr Kelly’s clever nature may be showing in this.

I think what Mr. Kelly has done here is a great thing. He has the b*lls to do something no one else will do, and isn't that what we all lone for? A rebel station... This is going to be fun to watch and I wish the station all the best! It would be fun to hear folks out on the street talking about a radio station again in casual conversation. Remember when radio stations caused a buzz in a segment of the population? It hasn't happened in years...

This has the makings of being a “diamond in the ruff” Kyle! I only hope a good golfer steps up and drives the ball onto the green. It WOULD become a placeholder in radio history should that happen. I’ll be looking forward to your interview with the WHAT folks on the Racket.

 

[Those RRRRs]

WHAT’s initial streaming situation is nearly as puzzling as the decision to launch a five-million-dollar-plus diverse youth-oriented music format on a 1kw “graveyard” channel.

Perhaps it's part of the plan. Maybe they figure if the internet stream is horrible, more people will tune in on the AM radio for the pristine sound.

Is it possible that the new owners finally sobered up and said, "What the heck have we done? Five Million Dollars for THIS!! Man, Inner City Broadcasting REALLY saw US coming!! We'd better convince the yutes that that they're better off listening to our 5 million dollar debacle through static and interference than tuning in on the net."

 

[Beejus]

I've been listening online on and off throughout the afternoon and evening, and I have to admit... I haven't really heard a song that I HATED. There were a few that I tolerated (Ben Harper- With My Own Two Hands for example), but overall... I have to admit I like it. They have a music mix that ropes me in.

Some of the songs (Evanescence, Live) make me wonder if people will tune in because they can hear that on the FM Band... but I think if they keep the music mix the way it is... they can pull at least SOMETHING in the ratings. Maybe beat WPEN?

Although I have to ask... they say it's going to be a mix of Rock/Reggae/Hip Hop? I haven't heard anything of the last two yet.

 

[PhillyWatch]

Although I have to ask... they say it's going to be a mix of Rock/Reggae/Hip Hop? I haven't heard anything of the last two yet.

the ratio really favors the first, but every once in a while there is one or two reggae or hip-hop songs. I've heard Jurassic 5, Lupe Fiasco and Dialated Peoples, along with a few reggae artists.

 

[hipporadio]

The ratio really favors the first, but every once in a while there is one or two reggae or hip-hop songs. I've heard Jurassic 5, Lupe Fiasco and Dialated Peoples, along with a few reggae artists.

DARN PhillyW... I'm TOO "long in the tooth" to recognize any of those artists you mentioned. Seems my "radar" on currents blew up in about 2000 ...But I agree... "Hip-hop" was there--along with a few reggae selections--but definately more 90s pop/rock alt--and that's somewhat of a surprise to me. I enjoy it--but I suspect that I'm not supposed to ???

This is either "insane"... Or there is a "method to the madness" that us non-music-research folks haven't caught onto (yet)... I'm sure, between all of us, we'll debunk it all as time goes by. I've listened for the last hour--I like it... FAR better chance on FM though... But I hope they manage to pull ahead of 'PEN... God I hated what G.M. did to the standards on that station... My parents (reared in Philly) were even more disappointed (they listened religiously on the net for many years), but they're nice copasetic folks who now enjoy an XM subscription!