What format is missing in Charlotte

[mp3RadioGuy]

Classic Hits IS a hot format. PPM loves it. 70s based, with some 80s, and 60s sprinkled in is very viable. KOOL/Phoenix, WOCL/Orlando, WOMC/Detroit, KLUV/Dallas, WJR/Seattle, WGRR/Cincinnati, KCMO/Kansas City, WOGL/Philadelphia, WMJI/Cleveland, KLTH/Portland, WCBS/NYC, KRTH/LA, WRBQ/Tampa Bay, to name a handful - tell these stations that it's "dead, dead, dead."

Now stand back and look at those markets you gave. Most are all old line top 20 markets with high powered morning shows and demos that can support it. Those stations were strong Oldie formats long before PPM. We’re talking about Charlotte, NC.

Charlotte will always be a strong Country, Urban, and AC market. Regionally most “classic hits” stations are not even in the top ten and are pulling 3 shares. Markets like Atlanta, Columbia, Raleigh Durham, etc. have dominant Urban, Country or AC formats.
That’s what WXRC’s numbers are right now so why would he switch to Classic Hits? Hell, he doesn’t even have a morning show. Majic 96 was dying when they pulled the plug. Would it have done better today with the PPM, probably but not any better than a 3 or 4 share max…and that’s what Dave’s numbers are now.

Could Charlotte use a “classic hits” format, sure but I don’t expect big numbers.

 

[carolinaradio]

Magic 96.1 would not do well in PPM because it was, at the end, poorly executed. JMO. The old-time "good times, great oldies" 1964-1975 format with a 150 song playlist that they were rolling is just no longer viable. Classic hits that spans from '64-'85, with the emphasis on 70s, then early 80s, then late 60s, has potential.

Interesting that you point out that classic hits doesn't do great in the southeast, at least in a lot of markets. Good point. Formats like Hot AC, most rock variations, and Classic Hits can have issues in this region. However, it does do well in some larger southeast markets, such as Jacksonville, Virginia Beach, Orlando, and Memphis (given the demographics), which are PPM markets and smaller than Clt. WOMG in Columbia (a diary market) does pretty well, and has actually been getting some numbers lately that they haven't seen in ages. Some of the classic hits stations in the south, though, like Atlanta and Nashville, are just poorly programmed which will kill numbers. The only truly successful classic hits station in Atlanta has been Fox 97.

It seems to me, that with Charlotte being a PPM top 25 market, with a lot of transplants from other areas, and not being extremely ethnic, a solidly-programmed classic hits station could rake in a 4-5 share. I hardly consider WXRC comparable with a typical classic hits station and would not expect for them to make any switch. Unless the station's sold, they'll sound the same in 2020.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Simon in GSO does as good a job as anybody with this format.

And it can be heard on the north side of the Charlotte market.

 

[atlantaboy]

Why do you guys think Adult Hits (98.7) does so well in Greensboro but still isn't in Charlotte?

 

[hschutte]

Same question as to why Oldies/Classic Hits format is dead in charlotte. 95.7 is still classic album rock, that needs to rethink it's format and jingles.

FYI.. I can get 98.7 clearly in the midland area, which is east of charlotte. Their format seems to combine Classic Rock and AC together, however they really don't play everything. Very similar to a Jack FM station. Definitely not much oldies in the mix.

I'm starting to believe the problem with charlotte is the demographics.. It's a town that will support multiple AC, Urban, Religious and Country stations.

Classic Rock just needs to be on one station .. 99.7 The Fox.

 

[vchimpanzee]

FYI.. I can get 98.7 clearly in the midland area, which is east of charlotte. Their format seems to combine Classic Rock and AC together, however they really don't play everything. Very similar to a Jack FM station. Definitely not much oldies in the mix.

Not true. They play lots of what an oldies station would play. Then mix it with hot AC.

 

[carolinaradio]

Assuming that K-104.7 stays with the AC format in to the new year, any predictions on what route they'll take? Will they go back to the uptempo Link/fresh AC sound (with no 70s and little 80s) they ran from late summer-early November or go back to the mainstream AC format that they had for many years (with 70s music as well as 80s/90s ballads, with limited currents), and had gone back to for a couple of weeks for Christmas?

Perhaps there will be a more drastic change?

Seeing the musical changes that went on at K this year, it seems as if CBS isn't satisfied with the station in some aspect.

 

[tylerSC]

It is hard for me to receive K-104.7 because they have limited signal because of WNOK Columbia on same frequency. But I like Hot AC format on MY-102.5. Not so bland as 102.9 and 107.9.

 

[carolinaradio]

It is hard for me to receive K-104.7 because they have limited signal because of WNOK Columbia on same frequency. But I like Hot AC format on MY-102.5. Not so bland as 102.9 and 107.9.

Like I've said elsewhere, I wish 107.9 would try to go for a sound like MY 102.5 that's more modern.

 

[atlantaboy]

It is hard for me to receive K-104.7 because they have limited signal because of WNOK Columbia on same frequency. But I like Hot AC format on MY-102.5. Not so bland as 102.9 and 107.9.

Like I've said elsewhere, I wish 107.9 would try to go for a sound like MY 102.5 that's more modern.

The Link actually dropped quite a bit in the ratings that just came out, so I'm thinking they probably will have to try something new

 

[carolinaradio]

It is hard for me to receive K-104.7 because they have limited signal because of WNOK Columbia on same frequency. But I like Hot AC format on MY-102.5. Not so bland as 102.9 and 107.9.

Like I've said elsewhere, I wish 107.9 would try to go for a sound like MY 102.5 that's more modern.

The Link actually dropped quite a bit in the ratings that just came out, so I'm thinking they probably will have to try something new

Yeah, I was gonna say something about it in the other thread - they seem to be back on a downward trend. I thought they might have gained some of the 102.9/104.7 audience that didn't want all-Christmas, but I guess not.

I wish they'd at least go to a conservative Hot AC format...just tweak it more modern and make it more music intensive. I think it could do decently now.