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What JACK Should Sound Like

I like the way Jack sounds in New York as well as in Los Angles. One thing I don't think Jack should do is sound like the way a 40 plus year old oldies fan think it should sound like. It's not an oldies station and it's not a station for people who want tightly formatted safe predictable soft/pop hits station. I believe there are a lot of people in the CBS FM listening area who are ready for a station like Jack. The last thing people programing Jack should do is listen to people who hate Jack. It's not a dentist station.
 
JACK Should Sound Like

The JACK people (programmers and creators) would agree with you. I don't think many of the JACK programmers are spending much time listening to the detractors
on these boards.

Most of the venom on this(NYC) site is because of the station JACK replaced. And most of the rest of the dislike for the format is by those who just don't even want to try and understand it.

One of the camps on these various boards that's most confounding includes those who whined incessantly about library-based stations that "only play 250 titles when there are thousands of songs out there they could play instead of repeating blah blah blah". THEN, a fresh, new format comes on that's wide-open and different and they complain about that one, too-- it falls outside all the radio brainwashing they've been subjected to over the years.

So, on one hand they scream "be different", then when something different emerges, they scream it's not the way radio should be done.

> I like the way Jack sounds in New York as well as in Los
> Angles. One thing I don't think Jack should do is sound
> like the way a 40 plus year old oldies fan think it should
> sound like. It's not an oldies station and it's not a
> station for people who want tightly formatted safe
> predictable soft/pop hits station. I believe there are a
> lot of people in the CBS FM listening area who are ready for
> a station like Jack. The last thing people programing Jack
> should do is listen to people who hate Jack. It's not a
> dentist station.
>
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like

Detractors are less pissed about the library and more about the generic blah of the station... There is no personality there is nothing that says to people "HEY THIS IS NYC"... it doesn't even offer the basics that tend to drive radio listening here in NY for hours everyday, traffic and news!!!! Playlists come and go in radio, but personality is the only leg up on people's cd & mp3 collections that would keep 'em listening in the long haul, because if I had my choice between my favs on shuffle and someone elses, I'd always take mine!


> The JACK people (programmers and creators) would agree with
> you. I don't think many of the JACK programmers are
> spending much time listening to the detractors
> on these boards.
>
> Most of the venom on this(NYC) site is because of the
> station JACK replaced. And most of the rest of the dislike
> for the format is by those who just don't even want to try
> and understand it.
>
> One of the camps on these various boards that's most
> confounding includes those who whined incessantly about
> library-based stations that "only play 250 titles when there
> are thousands of songs out there they could play instead of
> repeating blah blah blah". THEN, a fresh, new format comes
> on that's wide-open and different and they complain about
> that one, too-- it falls outside all the radio brainwashing
> they've been subjected to over the years.
>
> So, on one hand they scream "be different", then when
> something different emerges, they scream it's not the way
> radio should be done.
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like

> Detractors are less pissed about the library and more about
> the generic blah of the station... There is no personality
> there is nothing that says to people "HEY THIS IS NYC"... it
> doesn't even offer the basics that tend to drive radio
> listening here in NY for hours everyday, traffic and
> news!!!! Playlists come and go in radio, but personality is
> the only leg up on people's cd & mp3 collections that would
> keep 'em listening in the long haul, because if I had my
> choice between my favs on shuffle and someone elses, I'd
> always take mine!
>
Exactly! The "X-Factor" is gone on JACK-FM. Now, I'll admit, I did give JACK a chance, because I wanted to see if it would be a good station. But, after about an hour's listen, I never put it back on. The promos aren't really funny, the music mix is strange (to me, anyway), and there is no personality (unless that "Jack announcer" is the personality--but that doesn't qualify in my book!)

Traffic, news, and weather are a part of basically EVERY radio station, and JACK is not serving the public in the way that NY should be served.
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like

> > Detractors are less pissed about the library and more
> about
> > the generic blah of the station... There is no personality
>
> > there is nothing that says to people "HEY THIS IS NYC"...
> it
> > doesn't even offer the basics that tend to drive radio
> > listening here in NY for hours everyday, traffic and
> > news!!!! Playlists come and go in radio, but personality
> is
> > the only leg up on people's cd & mp3 collections that
> would
> > keep 'em listening in the long haul, because if I had my
> > choice between my favs on shuffle and someone elses, I'd
> > always take mine!
> >
> Exactly! The "X-Factor" is gone on JACK-FM. Now, I'll
> admit, I did give JACK a chance, because I wanted to see if
> it would be a good station. But, after about an hour's
> listen, I never put it back on. The promos aren't really
> funny, the music mix is strange (to me, anyway), and there
> is no personality (unless that "Jack announcer" is the
> personality--but that doesn't qualify in my book!)
>
> Traffic, news, and weather are a part of basically EVERY
> radio station, and JACK is not serving the public in the way
> that NY should be served.

I wonder if after the initial "Splash" will they put on jocks and traffic/weather even though most of the jack stations dont have them?
>
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like

> The JACK people (programmers and creators) would agree with
> you. I don't think many of the JACK programmers are
> spending much time listening to the detractors
> on these boards.
>
> Most of the venom on this(NYC) site is because of the
> station JACK replaced. And most of the rest of the dislike
> for the format is by those who just don't even want to try
> and understand it.
>
> One of the camps on these various boards that's most
> confounding includes those who whined incessantly about
> library-based stations that "only play 250 titles when there
> are thousands of songs out there they could play instead of
> repeating blah blah blah". THEN, a fresh, new format comes
> on that's wide-open and different and they complain about
> that one, too-- it falls outside all the radio brainwashing
> they've been subjected to over the years.
>
> So, on one hand they scream "be different", then when
> something different emerges, they scream it's not the way
> radio should be done.
>
> > I like the way Jack sounds in New York as well as in Los
> > Angles. One thing I don't think Jack should do is sound
> > like the way a 40 plus year old oldies fan think it should
>
> > sound like. It's not an oldies station and it's not a
> > station for people who want tightly formatted safe
> > predictable soft/pop hits station. I believe there are a
> > lot of people in the CBS FM listening area who are ready
> for
> > a station like Jack. The last thing people programing
> Jack
> > should do is listen to people who hate Jack. It's not a
> > dentist station.
> >
>

You could be talking about one of my post. First, I'm not whining. I agree with you that a 250 song playlist is insane. It's just if they are going to broaden the playlist, do it sensibly. Not like the JACK station is doing here. The best JACK or Variety Hits format is actually BOB-FM in Austin. Looking them up, they are the most focused. People would probably listen to that type format (and the ratings show it), but the one here in NYC is confusing. Too many weird titles mixed into unfamiliar junk. You have to sit through way too many bad/unfamiliar songs to hear one you like. BTW...I was not a CBS-FM fan.
 
> I like the way Jack sounds in New York as well as in Los
> Angles. One thing I don't think Jack should do is sound
> like the way a 40 plus year old oldies fan think it should
> sound like. It's not an oldies station and it's not a
> station for people who want tightly formatted safe
> predictable soft/pop hits station. I believe there are a
> lot of people in the CBS FM listening area who are ready for
> a station like Jack. The last thing people programing Jack
> should do is listen to people who hate Jack. It's not a
> dentist station.
>





Robert:

WCBS-FM was reaching 1.5+ million listeners a week.

I would be surprised if Jack-FM could match that. Plus, WPLJ have adjusted their playlist to include more pop hits of the 80s and 90s and Lite-FM WLTW is doing the same.

If both PLJ and Lite-FM are expanding their playlist, why would they tune in Jack-FM?



Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy<P ID="signature">______________
Kevin L. Sealy</P>
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like

There are AM stations for traffic & weather. Jack will never be the overall #1 station, but by appealing to people looking for something a little different, who have gone almost exclusively to their iPods (like me), it might make enough money to survive. Traditional oldies is over for terrestrial radio, which is kind of sad, but it's just business. Which is what the people freaking out tell dance aficionados when their stations tank -- it's just business. 50-70 year olds know what they are going to buy, so why bother advertising? There aren't enough people who like what Krock2 plays to put in on a stick, so the 'new' horrible Krock gets the airwaves (thanks a lot, New Jersey).

Anyway, I would call Jack anything but generic blah. Except in the way all corporate radio is bland-ish.

> > > Detractors are less pissed about the library and more
> > about
> > > the generic blah of the station... There is no
> personality
> >
> > > there is nothing that says to people "HEY THIS IS
> NYC"...
> > it
> > > doesn't even offer the basics that tend to drive radio
> > > listening here in NY for hours everyday, traffic and
> > > news!!!! Playlists come and go in radio, but
> personality
> > is
> > > the only leg up on people's cd & mp3 collections that
> > would
> > > keep 'em listening in the long haul, because if I had my
>
> > > choice between my favs on shuffle and someone elses, I'd
>
> > > always take mine!
> > >
> > Exactly! The "X-Factor" is gone on JACK-FM. Now, I'll
> > admit, I did give JACK a chance, because I wanted to see
> if
> > it would be a good station. But, after about an hour's
> > listen, I never put it back on. The promos aren't really
> > funny, the music mix is strange (to me, anyway), and there
>
> > is no personality (unless that "Jack announcer" is the
> > personality--but that doesn't qualify in my book!)
> >
> > Traffic, news, and weather are a part of basically EVERY
> > radio station, and JACK is not serving the public in the
> way
> > that NY should be served.
>
> I wonder if after the initial "Splash" will they put on
> jocks and traffic/weather even though most of the jack
> stations dont have them?
> >
>
 
Hi Kevin. Jack doesn't have to reach 1.5 million people to be successful. If Jack gets a large enough share of the younger demographics, it can do very well. Jack doesn't need to bill as much as Oldies 101 needed to bill to be profitable if it's expenses are less. The fact that WPLJ and WLTW have adjusted their playlists got to the success Jack is already having. Unfortunately I don't think it will help either WPLJ OR WLTW. I disagree with most people who've been saying that it's the personality (DJ) that makes people listen to a radio station. That may have been true for Harry Harrison, Dan Ingram, Ron Lundy and Scott Muni. On most stations however, it's the music that people tune in for. Just how far can WLTW go in expanding their playlist before they are no longer Lite FM? WPLJ has been in need of an identity for years. If they try and go head to head with Jack, they will just look foolish. Neither WPLJ or WLTW will play the variety of music that Jack plays and neither will expand their playlists by much. It's cosmetic at best and will fail.
 
> Hi Kevin. Jack doesn't have to reach 1.5 million people to
> be successful. If Jack gets a large enough share of the
> younger demographics, it can do very well. Jack doesn't
> need to bill as much as Oldies 101 needed to bill to be
> profitable if it's expenses are less. The fact that WPLJ
> and WLTW have adjusted their playlists got to the success
> Jack is already having. Unfortunately I don't think it will
> help either WPLJ OR WLTW. I disagree with most people
> who've been saying that it's the personality (DJ) that makes
> people listen to a radio station. That may have been true
> for Harry Harrison, Dan Ingram, Ron Lundy and Scott Muni.
> On most stations however, it's the music that people tune in
> for. Just how far can WLTW go in expanding their playlist
> before they are no longer Lite FM? WPLJ has been in need of
> an identity for years. If they try and go head to head with
> Jack, they will just look foolish. Neither WPLJ or WLTW
> will play the variety of music that Jack plays and neither
> will expand their playlists by much. It's cosmetic at best
> and will fail.
>




Robert:

Just say Jack-FM reaches 500,000 listeners a week. Do you think Infinity or any broadcast owner would be happy with a major market FM station with just a half of a million listeners? On average that would be not much better than a 1.0 share.

Jack-FM like most new format stations will see their highest ratings in their first book. But after that, their competition reacts. History has proven this. The Disco 92 WKTU peaked in its first book, but slid after that. The R&B/AC WRKS (Kiss-FM) peaked at 7.4 in the winter of 1995. Their numbers gradually fell off since then.



Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy<P ID="signature">______________
Kevin L. Sealy</P>
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like... Bob in Austin

I agree with your post. I am 45 and moved to Austin from Astoria, Queens. Bob-FM took over the frequency from Oldies 103.5. I am satisfied with Bob-FM. They play about 80% hits from 1974-1986, and the rest is late sixties and other eighties and nineties hits. I rarely hear the same song twice and I listen when I am driving. Bob is not arrogant. He never says that he plays what he wants. He says, "Bob will play anything." Bob also asks for calls so he can play what you like.

Bob is now #2 in town, down from #1 in the previous period. If anyone wants an aircheck, send me an email, and we can work something out.

And check out the website:

http://www.thecoast.com/info/jobs.shtml

In fact on their homepage, they ask for requests.


>
> You could be talking about one of my post. First, I'm not
> whining. I agree with you that a 250 song playlist is
> insane. It's just if they are going to broaden the
> playlist, do it sensibly. Not like the JACK station is
> doing here. The best JACK or Variety Hits format is
> actually BOB-FM in Austin. Looking them up, they are the
> most focused. People would probably listen to that type
> format (and the ratings show it), but the one here in NYC is
> confusing. Too many weird titles mixed into unfamiliar
> junk. You have to sit through way too many bad/unfamiliar
> songs to hear one you like. BTW...I was not a CBS-FM fan.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like... Bob in Austin

I checked the song log from the Bob FM in Santa Rosa, CA and it is very similar to Jack FM. An example

KNOB
05:00 PM RADIOHEAD Creep
04:55 PM REO SPEEDWAGON Can't Fight This Feeling
04:51 PM ELTON JOHN Crocodile Rock
04:47 PM THE BANGLES Walk Like An Egyptian
04:44 PM PINK Just Like A Pill
04:37 PM STEVE WINWOOD The Finer Things
04:30 PM BOSTON Foreplay / Longtime
04:26 PM SUGAR RAY Every Morning
04:22 PM MIDNIGHT OIL Beds Are Burning
04:18 PM GWEN STEFANI Rich Girl (w/ Eve)
04:15 PM THE FIXX One Thing Leads To Another
04:10 PM JOE WALSH Life's Been Good
04:03 PM DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Crush
04:00 PM U2 Desire
03:57 PM JACK JOHNSON Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
03:53 PM GERRY RAFFERTY Baker Street
03:48 PM THIRD EYE BLIND Semi-Charmed Life
03:45 PM JOURNEY Any Way You Want It
03:37 PM BILLY JOEL Piano Man
03:32 PM THE POLICE King Of Pain


Now for Jack FM

THE NEW 101.1 JACK-FM

Time Played Artist Title Label
8:30 PM VAN HALEN Dreams Warner Bros.
8:26 PM SPINNERS Rubberband Man Atlantic
8:15 PM MATCHBOX TWENTY If You're Gone Lava/Atlantic/AG
8:11 PM GUESS WHO American Woman RCA
8:07 PM CULTURE CLUB Karma Chameleon Epic
8:02 PM PINK FLOYD Run Like Hell Columbia
7:58 PM STEREO MC'S Connected Gee Street
7:55 PM JOAN JETT/BLACKHEARTS I Love Rock 'N Roll Boardwalk
7:44 PM BLUES TRAVELER Run-Around A&M
7:41 PM CARL DOUGLAS Kung Fu Fighting 20th Cent
7:37 PM POWER STATION Get It On Capitol
7:33 PM NO DOUBT Underneath It All Interscope
7:25 PM GOLDEN EARRING Twilight Zone 21
7:21 PM REAL LIFE Send Me An Angel MCA
7:11 PM NENEH CHERRY Buffalo Stance Virgin
7:07 PM EAGLES Take It Easy Asylum
7:04 PM 10,000 MANIACS Because The Night Elektra


Can anyone really say that either list wouldn't play on either station?
 
Re: JACK Should Sound Like... Bob in Austin

103.5 Bob-FM is not on the yes.com log. I think the Bob 93.7 in Norfolk is very similar to Bob in Austin. I can not get into the 93.7 log, but they are on the list.

> I checked the song log from the Bob FM in Santa Rosa, CA and
> it is very similar to Jack FM. An example
>
> KNOB
> 05:00 PM RADIOHEAD Creep
> 04:55 PM REO SPEEDWAGON Can't Fight This Feeling
> 04:51 PM ELTON JOHN Crocodile Rock
> 04:47 PM THE BANGLES Walk Like An Egyptian
> 04:44 PM PINK Just Like A Pill
> 04:37 PM STEVE WINWOOD The Finer Things
> 04:30 PM BOSTON Foreplay / Longtime
> 04:26 PM SUGAR RAY Every Morning
> 04:22 PM MIDNIGHT OIL Beds Are Burning
> 04:18 PM GWEN STEFANI Rich Girl (w/ Eve)
> 04:15 PM THE FIXX One Thing Leads To Another
> 04:10 PM JOE WALSH Life's Been Good
> 04:03 PM DAVE MATTHEWS BAND Crush
> 04:00 PM U2 Desire
> 03:57 PM JACK JOHNSON Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
> 03:53 PM GERRY RAFFERTY Baker Street
> 03:48 PM THIRD EYE BLIND Semi-Charmed Life
> 03:45 PM JOURNEY Any Way You Want It
> 03:37 PM BILLY JOEL Piano Man
> 03:32 PM THE POLICE King Of Pain
>
>
> Now for Jack FM
>
> THE NEW 101.1 JACK-FM
>
> Time Played Artist Title Label
> 8:30 PM VAN HALEN Dreams Warner Bros.
> 8:26 PM SPINNERS Rubberband Man Atlantic
> 8:15 PM MATCHBOX TWENTY If You're Gone Lava/Atlantic/AG
> 8:11 PM GUESS WHO American Woman RCA
> 8:07 PM CULTURE CLUB Karma Chameleon Epic
> 8:02 PM PINK FLOYD Run Like Hell Columbia
> 7:58 PM STEREO MC'S Connected Gee Street
> 7:55 PM JOAN JETT/BLACKHEARTS I Love Rock 'N Roll Boardwalk
>
> 7:44 PM BLUES TRAVELER Run-Around A&M
> 7:41 PM CARL DOUGLAS Kung Fu Fighting 20th Cent
> 7:37 PM POWER STATION Get It On Capitol
> 7:33 PM NO DOUBT Underneath It All Interscope
> 7:25 PM GOLDEN EARRING Twilight Zone 21
> 7:21 PM REAL LIFE Send Me An Angel MCA
> 7:11 PM NENEH CHERRY Buffalo Stance Virgin
> 7:07 PM EAGLES Take It Easy Asylum
> 7:04 PM 10,000 MANIACS Because The Night Elektra
>
>
> Can anyone really say that either list wouldn't play on
> either station?
>
<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected]</P>
 
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