Why Is WBOS Succeeding After WBCN Failed?

[rockcaptain]

At first when WBOS switched to Alternative from AAA, I thought "why"? But they knew what they were doing and brought a fresh irresistible approach to the music.

Fresh and irresistible? Really? An iPod with a transmitter attached to it and some commercial breaks? It's a computer in a closet.

WXRV and WFNX are fresh. They have live people on the air most of the time, and don't play Sublime every 5 minutes. Seriously, how many times can they play Sublime at WBOS?

We're Boring Old S...

Take the ratings of WXRV and WFNX, combine them, and you will get less than half the ratings of WBOS. The masses seem to disagree with your take on the matter.

 

[iyiyi]

WXRV and WFNX are both Class A rimshots with combined coverages less than half of WBOS's centrally located big Class B blowtorch. That may provide a clue to any perceived rating discrepancies of the three stations. How many Class As in any major market can anyone think of that is kicking any real ass ratings wise?

 

[Eli Polonsky]

WXRV and WFNX are both Class A rimshotswith combined coverages less than half of WBOS's centrally located big Class B blowtorch.

How can a transmitter in downtown Boston (WFNX) be called a rimshot?

I thought a rimshot meant a station trying to cover a major city from a transmitter in the outskirts of the market.

 

[raccoonradio]

Exactly--the xmtr is in downtown Boston.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=42.35222,+-71.05694+(WFNX-FM)&om=1

 

[iyiyi]

Yes. The xmtr IS located in downtown Boston. With a highly directional signal toward the north. As far as the Boston Market is concerned, WFNX is a rimshot. Probably has the worst FM signal in the market, duking it out with WHRB.

 

[iyiyi]

Correction: WXRV is a Class B. If WAAF was only on 97.7, how do you feel the WFNX - WAAF books would compare?

 

[Jimmy128]

Does anybody know what WBCN's numbers were before they blew it up compared with what WBOS is now?

 

[iyiyi]

WBCN 1.9, WBOS about the same #s as their current #s.

 

[WNTIRadio]

WXRV is pulling a 1.3 with a class B signal located almost 30 miles to the north of the city. If that same signal came from the Pru, it would be at least double what it is now, probably close to a 3.

WFNX isn't a rimshot, it's more like can't get near the rim. Good signal in the city proper, okay to the north. Covers the college kids and 20-somethings in Allston-Brighton and Cambridge well.

 

[iyiyi]

All well and good. I hope that you would agree that WXRV covers the entire Boston Market with a consistent and better signal from 30 miles out than WFNX's directional, downtown sited signal does.

-

 

[WNTIRadio]

Yes, but get south of the city with WXRV and the same problems happen with lack of strong signal. Aside from the radio professionals and geeks on these boards, most don't listen to a station out to its 40dBu contour.

And the other effect is the opposite of WFNX, because of the blanketing from the Pru, and a second adjacent on 92.9, WXRV has a tough time in the city proper.

 

[raccoonradio]

WFNX coverage map--a lot of people in the first and second of the three circles.

http://radio-locator.com/pats/WFNX_FM_LU.gif

WXRV. Fine in North Shore, Merrimack Valley, SE New Hampshire but Boston lies
at the tip of the first (red) circle...the outer edge of local signal and almost the
beginning of distant.)

http://radio-locator.com/pats/WXRV_FM_LU.gif

(red-local
purple-distant
blue-fringe)

FNX signal has to be pointed a bit away from 101.5 in Prov. and 101.9 down on the Cape.
WFNX simulcasts on WFEX in NH, serving Manchester from Peterborough. In the past they
simulcast on 92.1 in Sanford ME (now // WXEX Exeter I think) and 103.7 in Westerly RI
(now one of the WEEI sister stations)

 

[iyiyi]

After WBCN croaked, none of their 1.9 really went to WAAF, WBOS or WFNX. I believe the main reason was that WBCN wound up with large numbers of casual rock listeners. The other three rockers each have their own unique niche. Very important to keep in mind is: The staff of WBCN had the talent, desire and ability to retain the crown of "The Rock of Boston". Corporate had other ideas...

 

[musicman75]

as someone who grew up in brockton, and travels there often. FNX has little to no signal south of braintree. Stronger along the coast, and down rt 3, but outside of a car radio i don't think it is listenable or receivable by your avg radio. I don't care what those circles look like. FNX is a boston / north of boston station. There is some coverage to the west and with the new tower it could be stronger, but I don't think the FNX/EFX signals cover even 40% of the boston market with a receivable, listenable signal. However, whenever i'm in boston FNX is my first choice. Right now they sound better then they have in years. Truely something interesting a very stale radio dial

 

[Jimmy128]

Any station that would put that vile person Howard Stern on their station deserves to fold.

Now that WFNX is soon to be gone, I wonder what WBOS will do. More local bands? Julie Kramer?

 

[promixcuous]

Any station that would put that vile person Howard Stern on their station deserves to fold.

Now that WFNX is soon to be gone, I wonder what WBOS will do. More local bands? Julie Kramer?

Speaking as someone in WBOS's prime demo, I hope they will go flat out alternative like Radio 104.5 in Philly. It would be wonderful to hear FNX jocks, but I don't see evidence that Greater Media know how to do rock with jocks; their rock stations tend to be automated.

I don't find 92.9 listenable; every time I sample them they are playing a burned out 90s track and 'BCN went down in part for playing too much burned out 90s rock. 92.9 is smart enough to have picked up on some of the 90s modern AC that WBMX shed for unlistenable gossiping; a lot of men used to listen to WBMX for that (not all guys like depressing hard rock). Still, I find it hard to relate to why people would find the overall music mix on WBOS appealing and I am going back to Sirius Alt Nation after WFNX leaves.

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. Without good new songs to play, it was a highly unappealing listen.

 

[diamondj]

promixcuous nailed it completely. I find 92.9 unlistenable due to the 90s overkill also. I think the way to sum it up for my tastes is I did not miss BCN going away because of the stale music they were playing (only new band coming to mind they were right on was Cage The Elephant), but will totally miss FNX for all the music I have been turned on to here in the last years especlally under Paul Driscoll. Right now it's like hearing the "dead man walking," but FNX is still my source for the best new sounds until the plug is pulled. Probably looking for a portable way to hear KROQ streaming once I lose FNX.

 

[Retro]

Just FYI about WBOS, they have become a lot more mass appeal since their format change. I mean they occasionally play stuff outside of their format. Bon Jovi's "Living On A Prayer" anyone?

 

[wcozBoston]

One would think that WBOS management would really be looking at building a good rock station with both WBCN and soon to be WFNX going away over the past few years. Would a WHJY type of rock format work on 92.9 or not in this market?

Maybe the even a bigger question about Boston radio in general is what will be the next rock station to go off the air? Will WAAF keep their 97.7-107.3 going or reduce down to one of those two? Will WXRV hold on or sell to someone bigger? Will CBS hold on to the formats that they currently have or make changes?

 

[Neanderpaul]

Look for WZLX to expand their playlist.

Those 40+ year old warhorse Classic Rock songs, are giving way to late 80's early 90's.

Some Classic Rock stations are already playing "Under The Bridge" & "Come As You Are."

New Rock = death in PPM. Fringe formats don't grab enough ATE length, or occasions. People are constantly button pushing. Familiar and popular = win.

1992 was 20 years ago. That 18 year old, who listened to Pearl Jam, is now 38 & right in the middle of the coveted 25-54 demo.

Don't be shocked to hear more contemporary Mainstream Rock on WZLX.

Pop-Alt will be swallowed by the Mix if they do it correctly. Rock-Alt by WAAF.

"New" music brands don't succeed in PPM. You have to give the audience something they can't get from other outlets. And, spend a ton to market it, and wait over 2 years to see ROI. No company is that patient today.

My .02