Why doesn't Beasley flip flop formats

[RockIntern]

We all know WXTU is Beasleys Cash Cow and constantly does great in the ratings, year after year. The miserable failure, called Wired, consistantly does poor and will continue to do so due to oversaturation. Why doesn't Beasley move Country to the greater signal, at 96.5, then move the failure to 92.5. XTU has a limited signal and is constricted in many areas, especially where it's audiance thrives. If Beasley launched 96.5 XTU on that monster signal, who knows how high they will rate. This is not going to hurt Wired, they are doomed to fail already, so why not put the Money Maker on the BIG SIGNAL, makes sense.

 

[Keith Thompson]

...because when something is working, you don't want to screw it up. WXTU has had an identity at 92.5 for at least twenty years now and you don't want to mess up that identity. If you change the frequency, you're giving your listeners a reason to not tune you in again...especially if they aren't aware of the flip (and everyone ain't gonna get the memo no matter how much it is publicized). It's better to leave 92.5 alone and try to develop an identity with 96.5.

 

[Rockin Rob]

If Beasley wanted to do this, they would promote a frequency flip like crazy. "On X date, 92.5 XTU moves to our new home @ 96.5 fm. Be listening, and take note of the last song on 92.5 as well as the first song on 96.5 for a great cash prize".

By the same token, 92.5 has been on with country since 1983 (or something like that). If it ain't broke, don't fix it would certainly apply.

Altho' I believe 92.5 has a stronger suburban signal, where most of the country listeners would be, either way, it would be a win-win.

 

[Keith Thompson]

There's a certain thing to be said for consistancy and comfort level. I really believe the last thing you'd want to do to your listeners is make them make a change when they've grown to be comfortable with who you are and what you do. A frequency change is the kind of thing that makes a listener uncomfortable.

 

[Rick_E]

PST and the HAWK 'flip/flopped' any fall out from that? In my area we lost PST (due to WDAC @ 94.5) and gained the Hawk.....now I know many people listening to the Hawk & the Free Beer -n- Hot Wings show in an area where it was not available. A gain for the Hawk and a loss for PST. Any gains for PST and a loss for the Hawk?

Also The Beat moved in on 100.3 Again a station my area did not get on 103.9 due to B104 interferance. I know NO ONE who listens or even cares, they stuck w/Power 99...(although there were many many angry Y100 listeners).....Radio One really messed this one up. I believe the Beat is doing worse on the new frequency. (correct me if I am wrong)

 

[Starscream]

XTU has signal problems?

XTU goes clear into Middlesex County in New Jersey. They actually had an appearance at the Middlesex Co. Fair last year!

 

[Keith Thompson]

In reply to Rick_E...

...there are some differences between what went on with the Trenton stations and a theororetical Beasley swap in Philly. In Trenton, swapping PST for "The Hawk" was, I believe, a way for the owner to make a move toward the Philly market to get a share of the Philly money. With the Beasley stations, they're already in the Philly market so there's no market to move up to.

Also with Radio One's move in Philly in replacing Y-100 with "The Beat". Numbers are relative...that is that numbers are only good if those numbers generate revenue. Modern Rock is not a high revenue generating format which explains why modern rock stations are disappearing from the dial all around the country.

 

[YeahSoWhat]

WXTU has no signal issues. It has one of the best suburban Philadelphia signals in the market.

 

[luperm]

The Trenton flip was in preparation for an eventual sale of 97.5. Nassau wants to keep it's flagship WPST format, so they moved it to 94.5. Once the 97.5 antenna is up in Wyndmoor...it'll be sold. The Hawk is just keeping the carrier warm at 97.5 until the sale. It's a home run move for Nassau.

 

[Herb999]

Sure, 92.5 had issues going back to the early 80's but the signal is just as good as 965 in the metro now. If it wasn't I would agree, but otherwise it would be a stupid move.

 

[RunWithScissors]

I have to disagree, WXTU has the worst signal of any FM commercial station, with the exception of WPPZ. They are strictly nulled to the east, they quickly fade, going due east into the Jersey pinelands, where Country is King. In the heart of the city they are the weakest, they are in no way, shape or form as strong as 96.5. I advise anyone to test their signal against any other FM and you can tell they are the weakest. It has to be the Beasley boys, that are defending their strength against the other FM's on this forum. I would like JerseyShor to test this theory out where he resides, is 92.5 the same as 96.5, without worrying about any adjacent signals, which one has the stronger carrier.

 

[Herb999]

Sorry, I don't work for Beasley. In the areas that cover the Philadelphia metro, that contribute to the Philly arbitron ratings, the signals are nearly identical. Like I said, if 925 was like it was in the early 80's, I'd agree with you. Besides, areas like Allentown and Reading need the 965 format more than the 925 format, since they already have a local country station there, but no rhythmic heavy chr. Country really isn't king in the pinelands anyway, besides by the time 925 fades going east you can listen to the cat. However with a good car radio, 925 and 965 both come in up to AC just about the same, both very listenable.