WILD FLIPWATCH ALERT!!!

[awp69]

Hey awp69- I'm impressed with X98.5.  Vampire Weekend????  Dang!  Also, I see they are playing "Out of my League" by
Fitz and The Tantrums which is an AAA/Alternative combo artist.  I'm very impressed.  Hope they show good ratings.  If they do, I would actually be shocked considering the location. 

The trends haven't been great -- around the 1 share mark, but they haven't had a full book yet (well, I don't know if I could say that. They started in late August so they were included in the Fall book). They're also limited in coverage by it being on a translator with generally only Greenville proper getting the signal. But that also could be a good thing, with low overhead, I think it'll stick around for a while at least (I hope). I've been very surprised at the some of the newer tracks they play, like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "Sacrilege", The Foals, Biffy Clyro, Dinner & a Suit, etc. In a market like GSP, even on CHR the track usually has to be a big hit before they start playing it. But X98.5 has been very active in putting out new stuff.

I still see people on their FB just "discovering" the station. So I'm still hopeful. The active "new" rock station here, 93.3 The Planet, is horrific.

 

[carolinaradio]

If a station in Greenville, SC (for crying out loud) can open up to new music to that extent, there's no reason to think a station in Atlanta won't. Give it time.

 

[atlantaboy]

A station can dig deep into the 80s and 90s while still keeping it fresh with modern alternative. Check out LIVE 105 out of San Francisco. You will hear The Cure, Dramarama, Flock of Seagulls, and you will also hear modern music from Churchill, Maps and Atlases and Animal Kingdom along with the standard Alt tracks from Bush, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Pumpkins.

You're talking about a station with terrible ratings - last month its share was 1.7, and it came in 22nd in its market

I definitely wouldn't mind an Alt. station like you're describing, but it's just too dangerous at this point - look at how WBOS blew WFNX out of the water in Boston, and that's one of the most liberal markets in the country

"Digging deep into the 80s and 90s" is what Dave tried, and it didn't work - and it's not working very well in San Francisco either

I'm just really glad to have an Alternative-leaning station on a full FM signal, and I wouldn't want to see it jeopardized

 

[atlantaboy]

BTW I wouldn't copy X98.5 in Greenville either, since it has a share of 1.0

 

[awp69]

BTW I wouldn't copy X98.5 in Greenville either, since it has a share of 1.0

Keep in mind that it's a relatively new station on a translator. But I still do hope to see that go up.

 

[jabba17]

I agree. I used to love the Retroplex back in the early days (wow, must be getting old, I know it was a long time ago, but who was that kind of wacko DJ who hosted that? Opps, thinking of a different 99X show. It was the "normal" Steve Craig that hosted the Retroplex).

The Swinging Velveeta Lounge during Friday PM drive?

 

[carolinaradio]

BTW I wouldn't copy X98.5 in Greenville either, since it has a share of 1.0

Keep in mind that it's a relatively new station on a translator. But I still do hope to see that go up.

Agree, and Greenville isn't that "young" and definitely not "progressive", so that might limit them also.

 

[chrocket87]

BTW I wouldn't copy X98.5 in Greenville either, since it has a share of 1.0

Keep in mind that it's a relatively new station on a translator. But I still do hope to see that go up.

How much of the market does it cover? Typically, a 1.0 isn't bad at all for a translator.

 

[awp69]

BTW I wouldn't copy X98.5 in Greenville either, since it has a share of 1.0

Keep in mind that it's a relatively new station on a translator. But I still do hope to see that go up.

How much of the market does it cover? Typically, a 1.0 isn't bad at all for a translator.

It's tough to say. Maybe 40% of the market at best? Can't get it in Spartanburg or Anderson...and there may be parts of Greenville County it may not come in so well. But Greenville and its immediate suburbs are a good chunk of the market. Also depends on how picky people are. I live fairly close to the main "epicenter" of retail in GC and on some days there may be a crackle here or there.

Since it's not a "strong" signal, it may be why some people are still finding it.

 

[carolinaradio]

It clearly covers the core of the market, Greenville County which of course includes Greenville and the main 'burbs (as well as the most populated portion of neighboring Pickens county).

More outlying areas, as awp mentioned, like Spartanburg County (if you REALLY wanted to listen, you could get it in the eastern part with a little static) and Anderson (pretty much dead) are left out, but the epicenter of the market is covered well. Another station on an almost identical signal has gotten a 2 and a half.

 

[acheron1982]

But remember, we are talking about Greenville here. This is also the town that I can hear Southern Baptist preachers screaming in the microphone on several different stations during the middle of the week as I pass through interstate 85. I actually could see alternative doing better in a place like Charleston vs Greenville.

Regardless, Atlantaboy mentioned poor ratings on Live 105. To my surprise, HE IS RIGHT! See, I admit when someone is right!!! Anyway, that leads me to my next point. I'm an alternative rock nut and I'm assuming Atlantaboy is as well. While I can't speak for him, many of my alternative rock friends don't listen to terrestrial radio for alt rock. I listen to internet stations and stream them on my phone. Others do pandora or slacker. People who listen to alternative rock, while not all, most are tech savy and keep up with times. Rather that be the latest I-phone or the latest trend in new technology. Trendy, alternative all are in ways the same.

Pathetic shares on alternative stations don't necessarily mean people don't listen to alternative, its just alternative fans typically don't go the route of terrestrial radio. I use my moms subscription to Alt Nation on XM via my phone and I listen to that the most. Why? I like deeper alternative music and not mainstream alternative.

In addition, I don't think Live is a good example to use to support poor ratings (though I agree alternative usually does not pull well). The reason for this is because look at the highest rated station. They are pulling a little over 5 shares and that is the highest!!!! In otherwords, where 1.3 shares may suck in Atlanta, it's not all that bad in San Fran where the highest shares are only in the fives.

I understand the fear of not wanting to throw away a good thing by getting too adventurous but keeping up with the latest charts is important at the least. Personally, I'm more of a CD 102.5 guy out of Columbus and I do understand that this may be too adventurous for even the bigger mainstream alt rock fans but I do think Radio 105.7 will need to add to their list. Young the Giant had more than one hit, "My Body", which they seem to play every three hours. Same goes for Awolnation however, I think back to x98.5 and remember how narrow they were at first and now they are expanding some (but not to ridiculous levels).

I will put my personal prejudice aside for a moment and will openly admit that a alternative/active rock hybrid may work well here in Atlanta. Check out the playlist for 105.7 The Point out of St. Louis. A perfect example of an alternative rock station that leans active. They get deep with the alternative at times while still playing the louder cousin of Alternative, Active Rock.

 

[awp69]

But remember, we are talking about Greenville here.  This is also the town that I can hear Southern Baptist preachers screaming in the microphone on several different stations during the middle of the week as I pass through interstate 85.  I actually could see alternative doing better in a place like Charleston vs Greenville. 

Sadly, even Charleston didn't support Alternative well. WAFV (Wave FM) was one of the better alternative stations in the South and it became a variety hits station back in 2007.

I still think X98.5 has a chance of doing better and think people sometimes get a negative impression of the area from things like Bob Jones University. Although you've got those Southern Baptist preachers, Greenville-proper is really not all that different from Atlanta's suburbs IMO (and I've lived in both, but grew up outside of Philly). The immediate suburbs (especially to the east of Greenville) are comprised of a lot of Northern transplants. You have to remember that this is a city that was once a mill town and now has a core focus on international business. Almost everyone on my neighborhood street and where I work are not Greenville natives. Sure, you've still got your Bob Jones crowd and the further you get out the more "redneck" population you have, but Greenville is considered one of the wealthiest and most educated areas of South Carolina. The Upstate as a whole may not be "progressive" but there are definitely pockets of the community that crave what they may have had in the areas they came from. Greenville has grown dramatically and all those people came from somewhere....else.  Even take a walk around downtown Greenville on Thursday, Friday or Saturday night and it's a vibrant nighttime scene. Not a hillbilly town.

 

[atlantaboy]

@ Acheron82 - I completely understand what you're saying

In terms of what's going to give 105.7 the highest possible ratings in Atlanta, though, we know that Hot AC does extremely well here, so IMO the safest thing for Clear Channel to do is lean the station somewhat in that direction

Also, there are plenty of Alternative stations that are doing very well, but most are much more conservative than the type of stations you're talking about (pretty sure CD 102.5 is also losing to a more mainstream Alt. station in Columbus)

@ awp, Rock 100.5 is covering the Active Rock chart, just with a lower number of spins, plus that station is fully hetero-male oriented, so I feel like Radio 105.7 is headed in the right direction with its Adult-leaning Alternative approach

 

[awp69]

@ awp, Rock 100.5 is covering the Active Rock chart, just with a lower number of spins, plus that station is fully hetero-male oriented, so I feel like Radio 105.7 is headed in the right direction with its Adult-leaning Alternative approach

I agree that it may be better for Radio 105.7, especially at first, to try a more Adult-leaning Alternative approach at first in looking at how 99X and Dave-FM didn't perform well towards the end. Perhaps once they get established, they can take some more risks, but I would definately prefer a more conservative alternative station than none at all.

I hope X98.5's approach in Greenville in being a little riskier (mainly with currents) isn't hurting it. But at the same time, they are on a translator and if they can still bill enough even with a 1 share, maybe they can afford to take more risks. They still do play some Active rock (and grunge), but not nearly as much as they were in the beginning. The problem is that active rock 93.3 The Planet is very heavy on the Active Rock spectrum (they've modified a bit to include some non-grunge alt hits from the '90s but nothing new on the alt charts at all unless it's squarely on the heavier side). I think there's certainly a group of people that don't want all thrashing rock 24/7. And X's change from a bit more active rock and grunge to more cutting edge currents is definately making a huge differentiation between the stations.

I don't know how it'll play out, but I've never been happier in the Greenville market so I hope being on a translator will give it a lot more room when it comes to the numbers.

 

[acheron1982]

I understand where you are coming from but I just hope they add to the playlist (even if its more safe songs). Their playlist is pretty pathetic at this point and 99X had a small playlist as well. I guess in my head when I think of a station playing it conservative, I think of a station playing repeats. No matter what fence you sit on in terms of music; A station that repeats the same songs over and over will hurt it eventually. 97.1 The River knew this and changed their approach. I also feel like this is why Power can't top Q100. Too many repeats.

@ Acheron82 - I completely understand what you're saying

In terms of what's going to give 105.7 the highest possible ratings in Atlanta, though, we know that Hot AC does extremely well here, so IMO the safest thing for Clear Channel to do is lean the station somewhat in that direction

Also, there are plenty of Alternative stations that are doing very well, but most are much more conservative than the type of stations you're talking about (pretty sure CD 102.5 is also losing to a more mainstream Alt. station in Columbus)

@ awp, Rock 100.5 is covering the Active Rock chart, just with a lower number of spins, plus that station is fully hetero-male oriented, so I feel like Radio 105.7 is headed in the right direction with its Adult-leaning Alternative approach

 

[atlantaboy]

I understand where you are coming from but I just hope they add to the playlist (even if its more safe songs).

I'm sure they will - I think right now they're making sure that as new listeners scan the dial, they hear familiar Alt. tracks that they recognize - hence "Sail" instead of "Kill Your Heroes", "Little Talks" instead of "Mountain Sound", "I Will Wait" instead of "Lover Of The Light", "Gold On The Ceiling" instead of "Little Black Submarines", etc.

And I think the other piece of it is that they're trying to get listeners from Star, so they're playing the Alt. tracks that are currently on Star's playlist, rather than the newest ones

 

[awp69]

I think right now they're making sure that as new listeners scan the dial, they hear familiar Alt. tracks that they recognize - hence "Sail" instead of "Kill Your Heroes", "Little Talks" instead of "Mountain Sound", "I Will Wait" instead of "Lover Of The Light", "Gold On The Ceiling" instead of "Little Black Submarines", etc.

And I think the other piece of it is that they're trying to get listeners from Star, so they're playing the Alt. tracks that are currently on Star's playlist, rather than the newest ones

I'm sure that is the approach -- to draw in listeners with songs they're familiar with. I know I've derailed this thread a bit with the X98.5 discussion, but it's interesting to compare because X seemed to use a similar technique in attracting listeners from The Planet -- by playing quiet a bit of familiar active rock and grunge at first. It may have backfired for X though because they didn't just change from an older recurrent to a new song by the same bands. They changed by reducing the active and grunge -- in essence, almost changing the sound of the station. They still play songs from those areas, but the new songs are for the most part way on the other side of the spectrum.

But if they had stuck with a more active/grunge mix, there also wouldn't be as much of a need for the station so I guess it was kind of a Catch-22 situation.

 

[atlantaboy]

^I'm just not sure X98.5 is the best comparison, b/c a translator isn't under the same kind of pressure a full-signal station is under - I'd almost think it would be the opposite, i. e. since the translator's signal isn't that great, the station attracts a small amount of loyal listeners by playing music you can't hear anywhere else

 

[atlantaboy]

Here's the playlist for CC's 102.1 The Edge/Dallas - I feel like this is the type of station they're probably going for...

1 1 IMAGINE DRAGONS Radioactive 55 69 -14 0.5436
2 2 MUMFORD & SONS I Will Wait 55 69 -14 0.5303
4 3 AWOLNATION Sail 53 65 -12 0.5516
3 4 MUSE Madness 53 68 -15 0.5429
5 5 OF MONSTERS AND MEN Little Talks 52 65 -13 0.5473
7 6 M83 Midnight City 47 43 4 0.5074
8 7 THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS Up In The Air 47 37 10 0.4838
12 8 CAPITAL CITIES Safe And Sound 32 29 3 0.3195
23 9 BLACK KEYS Little Black Submarines 31 16 15 0.3296
15 10 SILVERSUN PICKUPS The Pit 31 22 9 0.2914
10 11 LUMINEERS Stubborn Love 24 33 -9 0.2253
21 12 OF MONSTERS AND MEN Mountain Sound 24 18 6 0.2298
37 13 MUMFORD & SONS Lover Of The Light 21 8 13 0.2197
16 14 YOUNG THE GIANT Cough Syrup 18 22 -4 0.1844
6 15 FALL OUT BOY My Songs Know What You Did... 17 45 -28 0.1233
30 16 PHOENIX Entertainment 17 14 3 0.0636
24 17 ATLAS GENIUS Trojans 13 15 -2 0.0685
27 18 IMAGINE DRAGONS It's Time 13 15 -2 0.1461
28 19 LUMINEERS Ho Hey 12 15 -3 0.108
11 20 PASSION PIT Take A Walk 12 33 -21 0.119
32 21 BLACK KEYS Gold On The Ceiling 11 11 0 0.1257
13 22 FUN. Some Nights 11 25 -14 0.0941
25 23 COLDPLAY Paradise 10 15 -5 0.095
26 24 FOO FIGHTERS Walk 10 15 -5 0.0902
33 25 BLACK KEYS Tighten Up 9 11 -2 0.0848
39 26 DEPECHE MODE Soothe My Soul 9 7 2 0.0505
40 27 FITZ & THE TANTRUMS Out Of My League 9 7 2 0.0437
29 28 NAKED AND FAMOUS Young Blood 9 14 -5 0.0672
38 29 NEIGHBOURHOOD Sweater Weather 9 8 1 0.0217
43 30 THE MOWGLI'S San Francisco 8 5 3 0.0288
9 31 YOUNGBLOOD HAWKE We Come Running 8 35 -27 0.048
20 32 GROUPLOVE Tongue Tied 7 18 -11 0.0667
50 33 MUSE Panic Station 7 2 5 0.0236
44 34 AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT Timeless 6 4 2 0.0362
17 35 MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS Thrift Shop f/Wanz 6 21 -15 0.0163
36 36 ROBERT DELONG Global Concepts 5 9 -4 0.0365
19 37 NEON TREES Everybody Talks 5 19 -14 0.0287
35 38 TWENTY ONE PILOTS Holding On To You 5 10 -5 0.02
42 39 C2C Down The Road 4 6 -2 0.0237
31 40 FOSTER THE PEOPLE Don't Stop (Color On The Walls 4 12 -8 0.044
34 41 FUN. Carry On 4 11 -7 0.0072
41 42 MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS Same Love f/Mary Lambert 4 7 -3 0.0237
14 43 LINKIN PARK Burn It Down 3 23 -20 0.0054
48 44 AWOLNATION Kill Your Heroes 2 2 0 0.0036
45 45 CAGE THE ELEPHANT Shake Me Down 2 3 -1 0.0036
22 46 ALEX CLARE Too Close 2 17 -15 0.0091
49 47 FAMILY OF THE YEAR Hero 2 2 0 0.0036
18 48 PARAMORE Now 2 21 -19 0.0091
51 49 WALK THE MOON Anna Sun 2 2 0 0.0036
0 50 AUTRE NE VEUT Play By Play 1 0 1 0.0073

 

[chrocket87]

^ I agree. Also check out their 100.7 the Project translator in Cincinnati. I don't think their playlist is on Mediabase, but you can check out their playlist here: www.cincinnatiproject.com/
I think the playlist will either resemble KDGE or the station I posted above.