WHICH STATION IS MOST VULNERABLE TO NEW COMPETITION

[Moonstruck]

Granted this isn't a market where change happens and one reason (I think) is that the winning stations have always won even though some are pretty lackluster and resting on their laurels. Which stations do you think would be most apt to get seriously hurt with new competition? First I really do think at this stage mornings make the station because there's not a lot of effort being put into some after 10AM but taking that into consideration, here's my take:
PRO-FM: Not too vulnerable. No one is going to stop listening to the morning show and the rest of the day is pretty standard but they're firmly established in the market. Coast trying unsuccessfully to bite into the CHR audience that doesn't want the hip hop hits pretty much shows PRO-FM is safe.
HJY: Mornings really do make the station here but no one else is playing their brand of rock. I don't know what to think of Charles because you either love him or hate him. Maybe some serious rock competition could hurt them a little after morning drive for those just looking for a change.
Coast: They're vulnerable to everything
WCTK: I don't think another country station can touch them
B101: I really do think a station playing 60s,70s,and 80s with local personalities could take this station down for once and for all. They are colosally boring and I doubt there's any audience loyalty remaining.
Lite: I lighter version of AC could eat into their audience
Hot: Personally I think they're a joke and could be beaten by an urban station that isn't a parody of the format.
WBRU: I often wonder if another alternative station could make it. You can't consider student loyalty since students don't get diaries. I don't think the audience for this format searches on the radio for their music though.
WPRO: I think their line up has a loyal following
WHJJ: Like Coast, they're vulnerable to everything
So with audiences not likely to fish around for new morning shows and no one really doing exciting radio after mornings I doubt the market is going to improve any, given that even a new competing station probably wouldn't spend the money needed to make a serious impact.

 

[Skynet74]

I think every station is vulnerable and nobody should ever get to comfortable. All it takes is the next Howard Stern to come along (or) Howard himself to return to terrestrial radio and the whole game could change for everybody. I will say this about every single station on the dial though. They are all pretty boring. Nothing new and creative is being done right now. It's pretty bland stuff. Everyone goes into work and does the mediocre job asked of them and then they come home.

The only local talent that stands out is Matt Allen at WPRO. He has capabalities that far exceed ANYBODY else at that station. Yeah.. Yorke is good for Providence, Depetro is good for Providence, Cianci is good for Providence. But Matt is the only guy who you could stick on any station in the nation and he would do well. Everyone else would be lost if they couldn't bitch about Rhode Island. They wouldn't even be able to fill 4 hours on the air. They would be in panic mode. Matt is the one local guy who would be a funny bastard no matter what city he landed in. He's easily got the most promise out there. I remember back in 1984 I felt the same way about Howard Stern. I kept asking myself why this guy is only on one station. He's freaking awsome! Well in the year 2009 I find myself asking the same thing about Matt. I think he's got a hell of a lot of talent and I think he has what it takes to go onto much bigger and beter things.

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

Granted this isn't a market where change happens and one reason (I think) is that the winning stations have always won even though some are pretty lackluster and resting on their laurels. Which stations do you think would be most apt to get seriously hurt with new competition? First I really do think at this stage mornings make the station because there's not a lot of effort being put into some after 10AM but taking that into consideration, here's my take:
PRO-FM: Not too vulnerable. No one is going to stop listening to the morning show and the rest of the day is pretty standard but they're firmly established in the market. Coast trying unsuccessfully to bite into the CHR audience that doesn't want the hip hop hits pretty much shows PRO-FM is safe.
Coast: They're vulnerable to everything
WCTK: I don't think another country station can touch them
B101: I really do think a station playing 60s,70s,and 80s with local personalities could take this station down for once and for all. They are colosally boring and I doubt there's any audience loyalty remaining.
Lite: I lighter version of AC could eat into their audience

I disagree with you a little on PRO.If done right and they wanted to fully simulcast KISS on WSNE I could see a dent.Not a major one but a dent.Which is what I think they should just do at this piont.

WCTK-Hall is holding its own in Providence and in New London.SO you could be right on this.

WHJY- I could see a joint compromise between WHTB and them to share talent even more and start airing the morning show from WHTB and maybe air Charles up there.


B101- Sad to see where this station has gone.If they cant hire local talent and have to rely on canned programming there are better options out there over this "Clear Channel Classic hits network."

 

[Jacko]

I think that almost any station in the market is vulnerable to new competition. On many stations, most of the talent is aging, especially on HJY and PRO-FM, and while those two stations probably have some of the most loyal listeners in the market, they both find themselves with serious decisions to make in the next few years. Paul and Al seem pretty worn out and ought to be on a classic rocker somewhere while Charles's show seems to be impacted more and more by the suits at Clear Channel. Giovanni, who has been at PRO-FM in some capacity basically since its inception, is probably at the point that in most other markets he would be seguing to the market's oldies/classic hits station, but I don't think B101 is hiring any time soon. It sucks, especially for me, who's living in Boston now, whenever I return to Rhode Island, the airwaves, save a few exceptions (WBRU, WCTK, WPRO-AM, and WRNI), it's all become cookie-cutter voicetracked garbage. Heck, the radio trades won't even accept WSNE's airplay totals because it is exactly the airplay on several other Clear Channel hot ACs.

As far as competition--my dream scenario would be to re-establish 103.7 WRX as a classic rocker, a solid one with a fairly diverse library with familiar RI jocks, and perhaps move Paul and Al to mornings over there. WEEI-FM would slide over to 99.7. Then HJY would basically have to lean more active-rock with more currents (not necessarily harder rock) and become one of the country's leading rock stations again. This may also cause WBRU to lean a bit more to the AAA side of alternative, but that's fine. Then, find WRNI-FM a home somewhere below 92 MHz (it seems like 88.7 in Smithfield is increasing its power, maybe move its stick to the Johnston site) and re-establish the 106.3/102.7 Hot 106 simulcast, but this time with jocks and management that know how to operate a CHR/rhythmic or urban station. Finally, B101 should drift back to a more 60s/70s music focus, similar to WODS.

I know it's pipedream, but this is just me.

Jacko

 

[wknd92]

Seeing as Entercom doesn't own 99.7, big problems with your dream....and Pro-FM is aging? I think Jess is about to search out someone to kick some butt....Kim, Will & Davey, too seeing as in the heydays of Jimmy Gray, Simpson, TM, Bina, et al...they were all about the age that those 3 are now....

 

[ryanbadrapper]

WPRO am. People are dying for an alternative to their talk monopoly.


ryan

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

I think that almost any station in the market is vulnerable to new competition. On many stations, most of the talent is aging, especially on HJY and PRO-FM, and while those two stations probably have some of the most loyal listeners in the market, they both find themselves with serious decisions to make in the next few years. Paul and Al seem pretty worn out and ought to be on a classic rocker somewhere while Charles's show seems to be impacted more and more by the suits at Clear Channel. Giovanni, who has been at PRO-FM in some capacity basically since its inception, is probably at the point that in most other markets he would be seguing to the market's oldies/classic hits station, but I don't think B101 is hiring any time soon. It sucks, especially for me, who's living in Boston now, whenever I return to Rhode Island, the airwaves, save a few exceptions (WBRU, WCTK, WPRO-AM, and WRNI), it's all become cookie-cutter voicetracked garbage. Heck, the radio trades won't even accept WSNE's airplay totals because it is exactly the airplay on several other Clear Channel hot ACs.

As far as competition--my dream scenario would be to re-establish 103.7 WRX as a classic rocker, a solid one with a fairly diverse library with familiar RI jocks, and perhaps move Paul and Al to mornings over there. WEEI-FM would slide over to 99.7. Then HJY would basically have to lean more active-rock with more currents (not necessarily harder rock) and become one of the country's leading rock stations again. This may also cause WBRU to lean a bit more to the AAA side of alternative, but that's fine. Then, find WRNI-FM a home somewhere below 92 MHz (it seems like 88.7 in Smithfield is increasing its power, maybe move its stick to the Johnston site) and re-establish the 106.3/102.7 Hot 106 simulcast, but this time with jocks and management that know how to operate a CHR/rhythmic or urban station. Finally, B101 should drift back to a more 60s/70s music focus, similar to WODS.

I know it's pipedream, but this is just me.

Jacko

Jacko,

I respect your posts but why would you want WEEI to move off of 103.7?WEEI is one of the biggest billing stations around by my understanding.Why put them on a small FM?

 

[Runrigger]

I think a classic rocker could take a bite out of both HJY & B101, but vulnerability will take on a whole new meaning when PPM comes to town. Then it becomes a matter of who people really listen to as opposed to who they say they listen to.

 

[jimmyone]

Seeing as Entercom doesn't own 99.7, big problems with your dream....and Pro-FM is aging? I think Jess is about to search out someone to kick some butt....Kim, Will & Davey, too seeing as in the heydays of Jimmy Gray, Simpson, TM, Bina, et al...they were all about the age that those 3 are now....


I left PRO-FM in 1992, I was 47. Certainly age wasn't a factor and I don't think it is for Kim, Will, and Gio, who must be close to 50.

 

[riradio02842]

WBRU: I often wonder if another alternative station could make it. You can't consider student loyalty since students don't get diaries. I don't think the audience for this format searches on the radio for their music though.

Hmmm... you must have a short memory, or, not familiar with the Providence market over the last 15 years. First there was 99.7 The Edge, which went head to head with WBRU. Then there was 103.7 WFNX. Both were successful initially, but eventually lost the "war" with BRU. There really isn't a market for a second alternative station in Providence, and WBRU, minus the "college jocks" that can rather mediocre or awful (some, not all), does a good job with the format, especially with it's rotation.

 

[wknd92]

WPRO am. People are dying for an alternative to their talk monopoly.


ryan

I constantly hear that; but you'd think HJJ's or even some of the Boston stations would have bigger ratings/presence in RI; but they don't. The only people that have a problem with WPRO seem to reside on this board. I can't remember the last time I heard Helen, Rush or Hannity coming from a radio speaker either in traffic from a car near me or in a store/restaurant; but I hear WEEI a ton along w/ some times hearing Buddy or Yorke.

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

No disrespect to anyone here but a Classic Rocker at this piont won't do anything for ratings.Classic Hit's B101 and HJY for the heavier classic rock.An all classic rocker RIGHT NOW no I don't think so.

As for an alternative to WPRO.Until WHJJ gets sold to another company or Clear Channel shows a proffit,not holding my breath on that one.Not going to happen.

Next station to flip formats.

WPRV- Don't see this lasting more than a year as a bussiness talker.I see it going bye bye or more popular syndicated talkers.

What I would like to see just for my own kicks and giggles would be a complete simulcast of WXKS(Kiss-108) on WSNE.Just to see a war between Pro and Kiss.
I remember Kiss being very popular in Providence in the 80's.I knew alot of people who tuned in if they could.

 

[Speaker of Truth]

Problem is, radio is a no growth medium, and its going to be difficult to find investors who want to pour their cash down black holes, i.e. radio stations..

Watch what happens when Clear Channel and Citadel file for bankruptcy..plenty of stations are going to go dark and stay dark..forever...

While there might be large market properties that get purchased, the multiples are going to be far far less than anyone thought some of these might actually sell for..selling medium and small market properties are going to be even harder unless the entire industry is de regulated or newspapers and radio stations are allowed to be owned or merged under the same umbrellas.

 

[Moonstruck]

No disrespect to anyone here but a Classic Rocker at this piont won't do anything for ratings.Classic Hit's B101 and HJY for the heavier classic rock.An all classic rocker RIGHT NOW no I don't think so.

As for an alternative to WPRO.Until WHJJ gets sold to another company or Clear Channel shows a proffit,not holding my breath on that one.Not going to happen.

Next station to flip formats.

WPRV- Don't see this lasting more than a year as a bussiness talker.I see it going bye bye or more popular syndicated talkers.

What I would like to see just for my own kicks and giggles would be a complete simulcast of WXKS(Kiss-108) on WSNE.Just to see a war between Pro and Kiss.
I remember Kiss being very popular in Providence in the 80's.I knew alot of people who tuned in if they could.

But a classic rocker could do some damage to both HJY and B101. When you're in the mood for classic rock you know you'd get it at a station playing nothing but. With HJY you can tune in but will still have to sit through rock of the 90s and beyond along with new stuff. With B101 you have to sit through the pop stuff. When Providence becomes a PPM market classic rock could make an impact. B101 is positioning themselves as an "at work" station which doesn't spell classic rock to me. HJY plays classic rock that really rocks unless it's the midday shift.

And maybe Kiss was popular among some people you know in the 80s but it's 2009 and there isn't much reason to listen unless you're a Matty freak, which very few in this market are. I wouldn't be surprised if CC just sold 93.3 in spite of needing them for a handful of female listeners. They can probably get those on B101 anyway.

 

[Numo]

I think that almost any station in the market is vulnerable to new competition. On many stations, most of the talent is aging, especially on HJY and PRO-FM, and while those two stations probably have some of the most loyal listeners in the market, they both find themselves with serious decisions to make in the next few years. Paul and Al seem pretty worn out and ought to be on a classic rocker somewhere while Charles's show seems to be impacted more and more by the suits at Clear Channel. Giovanni, who has been at PRO-FM in some capacity basically since its inception, is probably at the point that in most other markets he would be seguing to the market's oldies/classic hits station, but I don't think B101 is hiring any time soon. It sucks, especially for me, who's living in Boston now, whenever I return to Rhode Island, the airwaves, save a few exceptions (WBRU, WCTK, WPRO-AM, and WRNI), it's all become cookie-cutter voicetracked garbage. Heck, the radio trades won't even accept WSNE's airplay totals because it is exactly the airplay on several other Clear Channel hot ACs.

As far as competition--my dream scenario would be to re-establish 103.7 WRX as a classic rocker, a solid one with a fairly diverse library with familiar RI jocks, and perhaps move Paul and Al to mornings over there. WEEI-FM would slide over to 99.7. Then HJY would basically have to lean more active-rock with more currents (not necessarily harder rock) and become one of the country's leading rock stations again. This may also cause WBRU to lean a bit more to the AAA side of alternative, but that's fine. Then, find WRNI-FM a home somewhere below 92 MHz (it seems like 88.7 in Smithfield is increasing its power, maybe move its stick to the Johnston site) and re-establish the 106.3/102.7 Hot 106 simulcast, but this time with jocks and management that know how to operate a CHR/rhythmic or urban station. Finally, B101 should drift back to a more 60s/70s music focus, similar to WODS.

I know it's pipedream, but this is just me.

Jacko

Jacko,

I respect your posts but why would you want WEEI to move off of 103.7?WEEI is one of the biggest billing stations around by my understanding.Why put them on a small FM?

WEEI on 103.7 is an abomonation. One of the states best frequencies wasted on Boston simulcast junk...sad sad...

 

[Skynet74]

WEEI on 103.7 is an abomonation. One of the states best frequencies wasted on Boston simulcast junk...sad sad...

I don't know what the ratings are now, but I do know that my favorite format for that station was Classic Rock. For some reason that format seemed to Belong there.