What format does Albany need?

[danikayser84]

Well, it's been eighteen months and the Bridge is pretty much crumbled (in fact, I don't even think 105.7 the Buzz did this poorly ratingswise)... but what format should replace the Bridge on 100.9?

Urban AC? I say it's about time to maybe give UAC a second chance in Albany, this time with Tom Joyner in mornings and Keith Sweat in evenings... then again, I doubt Pamal will try Urban AC a second time if it failed the first time (Love FM anyone?)

Classic Rock? PYX needs the competition badly, but remember they are a heritage... maybe go with an 80s-based classic rock format to differentiate a bit?

WKBE simulcast? Modern AC seems like a great fit for the Albany market, but would it take away from WYJB and/or WFLY? Don't forget Modern AC has been making somewhat of a comeback (Click 98.9 Seattle, Live 95.5 Portland to name a couple)

Put Jamz or Cat on 100.9? I'd personally lean towards putting one of the two on the stronger 100.9 signal... but which one? 96.3 Jamz and 104.9 the Cat are about equal in terms of signal (and this could free up the other one for the new format rather than putting it on 100.9)

Magic back to 100.9? It lasted about 9 years on the 100.9 frequency and did well (even in the top 5 some books) but will the move backfire and hurt B95 again? However, Magic seems to still be doing well on AM 590 (which proves music on AM is not dead yet), so maybe that wouldn't be the best decision either...

 

[ChuckRoast]

Magic seems to be evolving towards a 50's/60's format with less of the soft stuff. The initial success of WPTR makes me wonder if Magic on FM could give TRY a real run for it's money.

Concerning WPTR, they not only play more variety than TRY's excruciatingly redundant 60's-70's mix but they throw in some classic 50's. You never know what you"ll hear next. Yesterday they were playing Louis Prima! I just wish Crawford would stop voicetracking so much from Rochester and hire some good local talent. Walt Adams would be a great fit on mornings.

My dream format for the Bridge would be "Dance". They already mix in some classic dance trax. Why not do it 24/7 including the latest dance hits and the classics from years past? Your demographics could hit all ages. Why not try something really different? I doubt it would happen. Instead they would go for the same tired old stuff.

 

[Time Traveler]

Up until 2/1...I would have said that the market needed a legitimate oldies station....WTRY was torture to listen to...and 100.9 as Magic seemed to be geared to the "assisted living center" crowd. But with Magic migrating to AM...It created an opening for a solid FM Oldies station to sign on...and WPTR does a really nice job with the format....tracked or not...100.9 should do Classic Rock....PYX is completely unlistenable...and completely living off of its heritage. They put no effort in to their programming what so ever at this point...100.9 has a potent signal and could give them some serious competition. In fact...co-owned Classic Rock 101.7-WNYQ from Hudson Falls...is essentially tied with the current incarnation of 100.9 in Albany right now!!!

 

[Oldiesmike]

I Agree with ChuckRoast, Dance is definitly needed here in Albany. 100.9 would be perfect for that format right now. As for WPTR great station, definitly better than WTRY. The only thing WPTR needs to do is increase their signal a bit in Albany since the signal on the Buses plus walking the streets with a portable radio sounds like an out of town station compared to other locals. As for 590am It would be nice to see them go Real Oldies 50's & 60's (1955-1969) like WVKZ 1240am had before it went true oldies.