Why can't corporate radio give dance a chance?

[nd2023]

Today CBS Radio flipped Mix 106.5 HD2 from dance to alternative rock when it acquired the 97.5 translator to simulcast WWMX-HD2. Despite Mix 2 showing up in the ratings last year just as an HD2 station, an impressive feat, it wasn't given a chance on FM. Instead, 97.5 and 106.5-HD2 are airing 'HFS, a former alternative rock station that already died twice. Maybe the third time's a charm for CBS Radio. At least it's better than another religious god-caster.

Why couldn't they keep Mix 2's dance format on the air at 97.5? It's not like CBS would have much to lose, they don't own the license to the translator. 97.5 is owned by Hope Christian Church which used to translate a religious station from Philadelphia, but since 97.5 upgraded its power, it can't translate the out of market religious station.

Mix 2 had over 1500 Facebook fans, HFS 94.7-HD2 (now HFS 97.5) had half as many fans despite being more visible with the HFStival concerts.

I would have liked it if they had something similar to 92.3 Now on 97.5/106.5-HD2.

This goes to show that the few dance stations we have on HD2 will probably not survive if HD radio gets more popular.

 

[gregg75]

take your pick
1) Sadly much of the DOERS at radio and not very Dance friendly. Inroads into radio have been
very few............as many opted to open an antique shop in Boca rather than fight the corporate
haters.

2)Today one radio person may stand up and wave the Dance flag, only to have 10 others conspire
to smother it.

3)A lot of those in charge (at Dance outlets), are just there, and have no idea what to do and no desire to see Dance music prosper. Their hearts are just not into it.

 

[nd2023]

Alternative rock actually failed 3 times before in Baltimore, 99.1 HFS, 105.7 HFS, Channel 104.3. Will 97.5 be the fourth time? 97.5 is a translator, DC101 from Washington DC has a better signal.
Dance did quite well on 106.5 HD2. It's the only HD2 I know of in the country to even show up in the ratings.
So why not build off its success and move it to 97.5? Instead CBS revives a station that died twice. Talk about beating a dead horse.

 

[JayR]

1) Sadly much of the DOERS at radio and not very Dance friendly.

I'll be blunt and say HATERS. The powers-that-be in big radio still can't get past the 70's disco movement. Much has changed since then except for the haters.

There's now one less station on my list.

 

[TonySantiago]

There was a time I would say haters, but the reality is corporate only cares about one thing......$$$$$$ If Polka had a huge outburst in this country, corporate would be right on it.

I do think things are improving for dance music. Some CHR stations are becoming "dance friendly" which is something that would not have happened a few years ago. Things are still growing and I only see it as a matter of time before we get some dance oriented stations. But you (meaning the fans) have to accept the mainstream aspect that's going on (Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Chris Brown, etc.) for this to work.

 

[Dancerev889]

Today CBS Radio flipped Mix 106.5 HD2 from dance to alternative rock when it acquired the 97.5 translator to simulcast WWMX-HD2. Despite Mix 2 showing up in the ratings last year just as an HD2 station, an impressive feat, it wasn't given a chance on FM. Instead, 97.5 and 106.5-HD2 are airing 'HFS, a former alternative rock station that already died twice. Maybe the third time's a charm for CBS Radio. At least it's better than another religious god-caster.

Why couldn't they keep Mix 2's dance format on the air at 97.5? It's not like CBS would have much to lose, they don't own the license to the translator. 97.5 is owned by Hope Christian Church which used to translate a religious station from Philadelphia, but since 97.5 upgraded its power, it can't translate the out of market religious station.

Mix 2 had over 1500 Facebook fans, HFS 94.7-HD2 (now HFS 97.5) had half as many fans despite being more visible with the HFStival concerts.

I would have liked it if they had something similar to 92.3 Now on 97.5/106.5-HD2.

This goes to show that the few dance stations we have on HD2 will probably not survive if HD radio gets more popular.

Nick, its a translator that again would make the station a rim shot. Hell we have two translators and if the FCC looks at the applications from 7 years ago we may have more.

I think commercial radio is giving dance a chance. Martin Solveig, Edward Maya(I know Mikeo is going to rip me for putting the entire artist name on this one , Kim Sozzi , and David Guetta all getting airplay on Top 40. In another thread on here you see Sylvia Tosun getting spins. Not to mention all the artists that are going with a dance feel.

There are a lot of PD's around the country that love dance music. Eric Chase in Allentown just a few months ago put together a show that is nothing but pure dance songs, which he is using to expose new songs for potential airplay. Erik Bradley at B96 loves the genre and manages the Jumpsmokers. Will Calder is up at 92.3 and is in on those music meetings. Tony is right commercial radio its about the revenue. They rely on research and consultants but thats every genre.

A lot of formats right now are not bringing in revenue. Look at the jazz format, which is almost all good. Hell one of the top jazz stations in Philly WRTI(a non-comm) is bringing in a consultant. Rock stations are having issues. WYSP is rumored to be flipping to sports soon.

Remember this is a business and most of these stations have stockholders and they want results and they want them right away. A dance station will take a time to build an audience and just like a CHR takes a ton of money to go right into promotion. Take a look at what is going on down in AC next week. Because of the trend of Top 40 and the great job of Promo Only, DJ Times is becoming 'THE" conference to attend for radio.

I will respectful disagree with the statement that most people that run a dance friendly station dont have their heart in it. Everyone that I talk to or know loves this genre and goes out of their way to help promote it. It may not be the brand of dance that you may not like but its still dance music and its getting out there.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Don't forge how big Afrojack is in LA.

Power 106 Where Hip Hop Lives has gone more hip hop due to the large amount of new r&b and hip hop hits that have been released lately, but they are (still) also even using Afrojack in the mix as well. They frequently have Dev and Alexandre Stan on Power 106 as well. Power 98.3 in Phoenix, Az. doesn't even touch any of those. I guess Phoenix is now more "street" than L.A.!

 

[Morpheux]

You have to go back to the late 80's to mid 90's to think of any successful dance/dance leaning station.Honestly,I can only listen to a pure dance station for a couple of hours before I get bored with the monotonous beats(all 4x4 beats).Stations like Hot 97 NY prior to Hip Hop,Power 96 Miami,Q102 Philly,Power 106 L.A. knew how to mix things up musically and played various forms of rhythm dance sounds.This kept things fresh sounding.

I think what was lacking for most part of the 2000's were dance tracks that the mainstream audience could relate to. Now,that the hybrid songs have bridge that gap,we can move on to the next step and that is already happening. We have the likes of Afro Jack,Martin Solveig,Alexandra Stan getting major spins.Notice that all their songs are catchy and structured to appeal to the masses but still stays true to the dance sound.All we need is more stations like 92.3 Now to take more chances on dance songs....perhaps down the road we can get some day parted stations that lean more heavily on dance at night.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Power 106 Where Hip Hop Lives has gone more hip hop due to the large amount of new r&b and hip hop hits that have been released lately,

Now that I think of it, this must be the new wave of rap that was due to hit in 2011! Omg....

 

[2Son]

Don't forge how big Afrojack is in LA.

Power 106 Where Hip Hop Lives has gone more hip hop due to the large amount of new r&b and hip hop hits that have been released lately, but they are (still) also even using Afrojack in the mix as well. They frequently have Dev and Alexandre Stan on Power 106 as well. Power 98.3 in Phoenix, Az. doesn't even touch any of those. I guess Phoenix is now more "street" than L.A.!

Afrojack is being played on KZON, KZZP & KMVA in Phoenix.

IMO, KKFR is merely a shadow of the greatness it once was.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Wow you're right! Since when did all these stations in Phoenix decide to suddenly pick that up? Good grief! Now if they could just add Alexandre Stan and Dev before I get back...

 

[2Son]

Wow you're right! Since when did all these stations in Phoenix decide to suddenly pick that up? Good grief! Now if they could just add Alexandre Stan and Dev before I get back...

KZON & KZZP have both played Dev.

I've heard Alexandra Stan outside of mix shows on KZZP and I've heard Swedish House Mafia on KZON outside of mixshows (twice in two hours).

Although I believe KKFR SUXXX now (JMO), a few months back I heard David Guetta's "Love is Gone" during a midday mix. My favorite mix show is on KZON 3AM Sunday mornings...they'll play whatever people ask for...usually.

Phoenix stations are weird. I could go 24 hours and not hear a certain song, then hear it 3-4 times the next day.

 

[Wildstyle K]

I heard "toyfriend" by Wynter Gordon when Dj Class was mixing for the 2 hour happy hour mix at 5 on Power 98.3. The first time I just saw it tracked on yes dot com between 5 and 7pm and was a little in disbelief until a few days later I actually heard them mix it.

 

[DJ_Perry]

Afrojack is being played on KZON, KZZP & KMVA in Phoenix.

I don't suppose this will count to many, but 90.7 KVIT was playing Afrojack, LMFAO, Stereo Love, Americano, and many other staples back when they signed on in late January. In fact, they played them so much, that they now rest them while the rest of the FM dial is coming around. In addition, they broke these songs (in AZ) and still rotate Snoop / Guetta - Sweat, FloRida - Where Them Girls at, Pitbull - Give me Everything, FM - If I was You, Wolfgang Gartner / Will.I.Am - Forever....just to name a few. Some of those get zero airplay on other CHRs.

Its a shame the station is hard to pick up being a LPFM, but you can get them on TuneIn or online. Just search 90.7 The Goldmine.

 

[2Son]

Afrojack is being played on KZON, KZZP & KMVA in Phoenix.

I don't suppose this will count to many, but 90.7 KVIT was playing Afrojack, LMFAO, Stereo Love, Americano, and many other staples back when they signed on in late January. In fact, they played them so much, that they now rest them while the rest of the FM dial is coming around. In addition, they broke these songs (in AZ) and still rotate Snoop / Guetta - Sweat, FloRida - Where Them Girls at, Pitbull - Give me Everything, FM - If I was You, Wolfgang Gartner / Will.I.Am - Forever....just to name a few. Some of those get zero airplay on other CHRs.

Its a shame the station is hard to pick up being a LPFM, but you can get them on TuneIn or online. Just search 90.7 The Goldmine.

I agree, but any chance of there being an updated/active playlist for KVIT on tunein.com?

 

[DJ_Perry]

that list is generated by the same source as yes.com I assume. Unfortunately KVIT is not being monitored yet. I have no idea why Rihanna appears over and over.

 

[saradio1]

Wow you're right! Since when did all these stations in Phoenix decide to suddenly pick that up? Good grief! Now if they could just add Alexandre Stan and Dev before I get back...

KZON & KZZP have both played Dev.

I've heard Alexandra Stan outside of mix shows on KZZP and I've heard Swedish House Mafia on KZON outside of mixshows (twice in two hours).

Save The World by SHM might be the next big dance hit. Mix 96.1 in SA recently added. Kinda suprised KTFM and Party haven't jump on it.

 

[anthonydt06]

Since KTFM tweaked more towards the CHR/Pop direction, Mix 96.1 has trended towards being more rhythmic/dance oriented.

 

[Wildstyle K]

Don't forge how big Afrojack is in LA.

Power 106 Where Hip Hop Lives has gone more hip hop due to the large amount of new r&b and hip hop hits that have been released lately, but they are (still) also even using Afrojack in the mix as well. They frequently have Dev and Alexandre Stan on Power 106 as well. Power 98.3 in Phoenix, Az. doesn't even touch any of those. I guess Phoenix is now more "street" than L.A.!

Ok, I take that back. KKFR is touching them now.

 

[TonySantiago]

take your pick
1) Sadly much of the DOERS at radio and not very Dance friendly. Inroads into radio have been
very few............as many opted to open an antique shop in Boca rather than fight the corporate
haters.

2)Today one radio person may stand up and wave the Dance flag, only to have 10 others conspire
to smother it.

3)A lot of those in charge (at Dance outlets), are just there, and have no idea what to do and no desire to see Dance music prosper. Their hearts are just not into it.

I just caught onto this thread now and, unfortunately, you've nailed it.