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Why Is WBOS Succeeding After WBCN Failed?
- Thread starter Gregg
- Start date
WNTIRadio wrote said:
Perhaps WXRV made a mistake in not going after the 101.7 signal, or even acquire it and trade it to Entercom for 97.7.
Either 97.7 or 101.7 would give WXRV a decent and listenable over-the-air signal in Boston and the city's immediate southern suburbs.
Might WXRV try to buy WPLM-99.1 in Plymouth?? Granted, it might not be that strong in downtown Boston, but is strong south of the city (all the way to Cape Cod and the Islands, not to mention Providence), and also would make a god "fit" for "The River".
Joseph_Gallant said:
On the contrary, I would bet that WXRV would be one of the next Boston market signals for sale/sold and not buying up other frequencies.
I don't see WXRV being sold any time soon. It makes money. Silberberg has plenty of money from that, his other properties and his cattle farm. Oh yeah, isn't he a lawyer too? I think he enjoys playing radio with WXRV too much to sell it off. I could see other properties going first, before WXRV. And if he was going to sell it after owning it for what, almost 30 years now, wouldn't it have been in 2002-2003 when it would have been worth twice or 3 times what it is now?
rockcaptain said:
WXRV pulls solid ratings in both Portsmouth and Manchester NH - those are the target metro areas, not Boston
I wish this forum had "Like" buttons. Dead on comments from Promixcuous, and Neanderpaul.
"Driscoll has done a fabulous job with WFNX's music programming. Paul has smartly avoided overplaying grunge and WFNX's loyal audience has appreciated that. WFNX's new music selections have often been sonically interesting (think The Naked and Famous, etc.) and selections have leaned toward the melodic rather than thrashy; thus, WFNX's multigenerational appeal.
"WBCN, like most rock stations, sounded for years like a testosterone machine."
Exactly how I feel DiamondJ: listening to WFNX, is like hearing the "dead man walking"
An interesting aside is how WAAF has become more mass appeal given the retirement of their competitors.
"Driscoll has done a fabulous job with WFNX's music programming. Paul has smartly avoided overplaying grunge and WFNX's loyal audience has appreciated that. WFNX's new music selections have often been sonically interesting (think The Naked and Famous, etc.) and selections have leaned toward the melodic rather than thrashy; thus, WFNX's multigenerational appeal.
"WBCN, like most rock stations, sounded for years like a testosterone machine."
Exactly how I feel DiamondJ: listening to WFNX, is like hearing the "dead man walking"
An interesting aside is how WAAF has become more mass appeal given the retirement of their competitors.
All radio stations are targeted at a main audience. They may get other groups but they all have a target and usually you can understand all the music changes they have made over the years when you understand the target. WBCN was targeted at Men 18-34 and they did pretty well with that audience all through the Oedipus years. They made a few programming changes during those but only to keep that audience locked in. When Alternative music died or was no longer the driving force in this age group and BCN didn't adapt with new PD's at the helm their audience fizzled and the rest is history.
This is the same reason that a lot of folks can't understand WJMNs format but it's because there target is metroboston and suburban women not men and always has been. Once you understand that the shifts in music they have made over the years become very clear. As those young women in their target make shifts in what they like they have adapted.
WFNX has always targeted an audience as well however In their case I think it was just readers of the Boston Phoenix. City dwellers or close Male and Female in college and out for a few years. Now I know that's not really a radio demographic but I think that has been their target since they started. There was a time when grunge would have been part of that core but not anymore.
So what they call them themselves or what the trades does doesn't really matter as long as they satisfy their core and keep adapting to the changes in their tastes.
However I think the same thing that got BCN is what eventually got WFNK. As Alternative has lost the youth what remains of it is just a niche format that just can't sustain an audience of any real size. This seems to be taking them down one by one all across the country. Yes I know there are a few left but I'd say the writing is on the wall.
This is the same reason that a lot of folks can't understand WJMNs format but it's because there target is metroboston and suburban women not men and always has been. Once you understand that the shifts in music they have made over the years become very clear. As those young women in their target make shifts in what they like they have adapted.
WFNX has always targeted an audience as well however In their case I think it was just readers of the Boston Phoenix. City dwellers or close Male and Female in college and out for a few years. Now I know that's not really a radio demographic but I think that has been their target since they started. There was a time when grunge would have been part of that core but not anymore.
So what they call them themselves or what the trades does doesn't really matter as long as they satisfy their core and keep adapting to the changes in their tastes.
However I think the same thing that got BCN is what eventually got WFNK. As Alternative has lost the youth what remains of it is just a niche format that just can't sustain an audience of any real size. This seems to be taking them down one by one all across the country. Yes I know there are a few left but I'd say the writing is on the wall.
Signpost said:
F
fmradio1
Guest
While I'd love to see Radio 92.9 do what 104.5 is doing in Philly (and it would work in Boston) I can understand why WBOS is skewing older. They're putting pressure on WZLX. 100.7 steadfastly refuses to move into the 90's, and 92.9 is taking ownership of the 90's grunge/alt position. Eventually WZLX will realize the 70's warhorses just aren't going to work anymore (much like classic hits stations are figuring out) and will have to take on 92.9....on their musical turf. Besides, younger demos aren't exactly GM's specialty, so adjusting WBOS to cater to them isn't in their business model.
Personally, I hate the robotic rock stations, all of them, including WBOS.
It's obvious what the owners have done, no need to go into that.
It sounds like shit, it's hard for me to listen to, and the playlist is poorly chosen.
A station can only have a limited amount of success industry wide without personalities.
It was good to hear that one of the "many personalities" on BOS gave props to Henry and Paul of WFNX at Earthfest.
BOS has nowhere to go but up, programming wise, and I hope a lot more hiring, investment and creativity goes into their programming from here on in.
And the Greed Heads, stay where they belong.. out of programming
It's obvious what the owners have done, no need to go into that.
It sounds like shit, it's hard for me to listen to, and the playlist is poorly chosen.
A station can only have a limited amount of success industry wide without personalities.
It was good to hear that one of the "many personalities" on BOS gave props to Henry and Paul of WFNX at Earthfest.
BOS has nowhere to go but up, programming wise, and I hope a lot more hiring, investment and creativity goes into their programming from here on in.
And the Greed Heads, stay where they belong.. out of programming
fmradio1 said:
Jimmy128 said:
Absolutely not. Their ratings are proving that what they are doing is working. I don't think adopting (even parts of) a failing formula is very wise.
Jimmy128 said:
Unfortunately, no. WBOS will continue with it's predictable, formulaic, cookie cutter playlist... our real alternative station has gone to internet only.
Closest thing you'll get to a station that will play good local music like you're talking about would be 92.5 the River.
B
beantownradio25
Guest
Not too long ago Boston was a market oversaturated with Rock formats, it just shows that the Rock format is at a pretty weak point today. 80's hits and CHR seem to be the hot formats right now.
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