I've said this before and I'll say it again - the Rock audience is CBS's for the taking should they make their move promptly. They can continue to tread water with this talk format they have now (it's fine for what it is, but they can't honestly expect more than a low 2 share, tops) or take WYSP in an Active or Alternative direction. I would love to see them diversify their approach and go for a broad playlist, but even the approach they had before the whole Free-FM thing started should help them top the competition easily if they were to give it another whirl.
WMMR has a very tired sound that leans far too much on played out oldies (and yes, that goes for all Greater Media operated Rock stations in surrounding areas too - why not save money and do a large simulcast if you insist on doing the same exact thing on every damn station? And Radio 104.5? I can't even begin to explain the problems with this station. They remind me of what G Rock in NJ sounded like when they first began their two station simulcast about 2 1/2 years ago (they have improved dramatically since) - a very predictable, timid, ballad heavy Modern AC / Adult Alternative format. They're like the second coming of Max as opposed to a real Alternative for Philly, like DRE or even Y-100. I can't even tell you how many times I've turned on the station only to hear them playing some crap soft song from the likes of Coldplay, 3 Doors Down or Goo Goo Dolls. Their "Currents" pretty much all hew to the Adult Alternative formula with maybe one exception (Smashing Pumpkins), and many of them are way too old to fall in this category (Muse, Killers, 30 Seconds To Mars, etc.). Finally, they're playing a lot of stuff that really doesn't belong on any station that calls themselves Alternative. Lifehouse, All American Rejects, The Fray, Mat Kearney and others are acts that can be heard on any Hot AC station out there. Also, some jocks would be nice also - they don't have to chat endlessly but it would be nice to hear some signs of life, especially amidst all of this lite rock fluff. Radio 104.5 needs to modify their if they're going to last. More focus on the male part of the audience is highly recommended.
WMMR has a very tired sound that leans far too much on played out oldies (and yes, that goes for all Greater Media operated Rock stations in surrounding areas too - why not save money and do a large simulcast if you insist on doing the same exact thing on every damn station? And Radio 104.5? I can't even begin to explain the problems with this station. They remind me of what G Rock in NJ sounded like when they first began their two station simulcast about 2 1/2 years ago (they have improved dramatically since) - a very predictable, timid, ballad heavy Modern AC / Adult Alternative format. They're like the second coming of Max as opposed to a real Alternative for Philly, like DRE or even Y-100. I can't even tell you how many times I've turned on the station only to hear them playing some crap soft song from the likes of Coldplay, 3 Doors Down or Goo Goo Dolls. Their "Currents" pretty much all hew to the Adult Alternative formula with maybe one exception (Smashing Pumpkins), and many of them are way too old to fall in this category (Muse, Killers, 30 Seconds To Mars, etc.). Finally, they're playing a lot of stuff that really doesn't belong on any station that calls themselves Alternative. Lifehouse, All American Rejects, The Fray, Mat Kearney and others are acts that can be heard on any Hot AC station out there. Also, some jocks would be nice also - they don't have to chat endlessly but it would be nice to hear some signs of life, especially amidst all of this lite rock fluff. Radio 104.5 needs to modify their if they're going to last. More focus on the male part of the audience is highly recommended.
