With KITS in mind...

[fordranger797]

Going to go out on a limb and state the obvious. I can’t figure out why KITS is playing it so safe when it comes to their playlist. KOSF is a better sounding radio station in every possible way. Better programming, and better music. Sure, they are going to stick to the tried, true, and tested hits, but they will throw in something different now and then. The English Beat, Gary Newman, Talk Talk. I personally appreciate when a radio station will at least do something to stand out (and honestly, it doesn’t have to be much).

Dave FM is extremely predictable, and does not give me that same feeling. Audacy isn’t going to invest in local programming (which is understandable given their current situation), but it’s as if they haven’t bothered to look at how much better the competition actually is.

If there’s any positive, it looks like Dave-Fm is taking more of a Jack-Fm approach. That does differentiate them a bit from KOSF. And at least most people are aware of what Jack-Fm is and probably don’t expect to have any live programming.

 

[NoMoreLurking]

Truly live programming is vanishing. Even stations with scheduled live announcers have them record and produce breaks that are played back minutes later, edited and finessed to perfection. Why would you NOT do that if the technology is there, and you could have that extra quality control?

 

[fordranger797]

Truly live programming is vanishing. Even stations with scheduled live announcers have them record and produce breaks that are played back minutes later, edited and finessed to perfection. Why would you NOT do that if the technology is there, and you could have that extra quality control?

To me, nothing compares to executing a really good break and doing it live. Sure, some of the breaks may not go well, but the ones that do go well make the job worthwhile. I’m glad that KOSF seems to understand that live programming serves a purpose.

 

[TheBigA]

I’m glad that KOSF seems to understand that live programming serves a purpose.

Not sure where you get the idea that KOSF has live programming. They run the syndicated Martha Quinn show as well as some VT hosts from other markets. Mornings are live, but that's about it.

 

[Radiopaw]

How about to my last point: that the audience for this format is aware of all the media alternatives, and satisfied with them.

I also missed this, but I don’t think satisfied is accurate. They’re aware and probably forced to move over to it, but even the worst KITS and KFOG shares prove people wanted modern rock.

I think a more accurate thing to say is that Alternative as a format has had an identity crisis since the mid 2010’s. I’d like to see a major broadcaster with patience try a drastic departure from it, and just make a “modern rock” channel that doesn’t go too hard into hard rock while still playing what that audience wants that’s applicable.

For anyone who’s heavily into rock radio, imagine if you took what Sirius XM play with Alt Nation, The Emo Project and Octane, a complete coverage “active rocker” that is tuned to the bay.

I do also think that something like what Cumulus has done in Atlanta is VERY doable here though I do not think it would see the same amazing levels of success.

 

[TheBigA]

I’d like to see a major broadcaster with patience try a drastic departure from it, and just make a “modern rock” channel that doesn’t go too hard into hard rock while still playing what that audience wants that’s applicable.

That's first and foremost a music problem. The musicians, their record labels, and the multi-billion dollar music industry should focus on improving the marketability of their music. Some genres have been successful at creating music that attracts a mass audience, that also works for radio. But with regards to modern rock, the focus is on creating music that appeals to small, narrow groups of people. That concept works for those musicians. They can tour and make a living from it. They use streaming services and social media to get their music out. But it's not useful for mass media.

 

[MarkW]

There's plenty of library material from the past 40 years that is very air worthy for an alternative rock station, in my opinion. The lack of high quality new music does not need to be an impediment.

 

[TheBigA]

There's plenty of library material from the past 40 years that is very air worthy for an alternative rock station, in my opinion. The lack of high quality new music does not need to be an impediment.

That's different from what the previous poster was talking about. He wants modern rock. You want classic alt. The two conflict.

This gets back to the goldilocks syndrome of the porridge either being too hot or too cold. A radio station will never satisfy the music fans.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Here in the Bay Area, we know Big Rick is still in this time zone, and Steve Masters is probably lurking somewhere too. Maybe we wouldn't get Alex Bennett back, but I bet Roland West could be available for a not-too-expensive price. And remember - voice tracking is not only possible but THE NORM these days. A programmer/ops guy with a feel for the old Live 105 could make this work, and at a lower budget than you might think. Oh, and Mark Hamilton is still alive and kicking, right?

Mark Hamilton is PD at KNRK in Portland, and actually seems to have managed to carve out some semblance of a local format even with Audacy's present state of austerity.

Last I heard, Big Rick was doing some work for KVYN in Napa. I've tried to listen for him on the KVYN stream occasionally but haven't caught him there, so I'm not sure of his current status. There's still a passing mention of him on the KVYN website. (Even before the 2017 fires that burned down its transmitter site, KVYN was a very difficult catch in Oakland and, in recent years, a pirate has camped out on 99.3.)

 

[MarkW]

Modern Rock is not necessarily synonymous with current alternative rock, but you are correct Radiopaw appears to want programming that includes a healthy dose of currents, BigA.

It's been many years since I've seen a station use the phrase "modern rock" in its branding. That term seems to have all but disappeared from commercial use, for whatever reason.

I'm not necessarily looking for a station that plays exclusively classic alt. I am looking for one that does lean that way, though. And it needs to have a wide number of songs in its playlist (like WNNX), as opposed to the poorly constructed and limited playlist of WOLT.

 

[Mark Roberts]

If there’s any positive, it looks like Dave-Fm is taking more of a Jack-Fm approach. That does differentiate them a bit from KOSF. And at least most people are aware of what Jack-Fm is and probably don’t expect to have any live programming.

I doubt that most people in the Bay Area who are not in the business - or not close observers of the business - would know of "Jack FM". The closest local equivalent was Bonneville's attempt at "Max FM" on 95.7 which was reportedly done in response to rumors that CBS was going to put "Jack FM" on 106.9. By now, that's ancient history (2005, 2006, somewhere in there).

 

[Mark Roberts]

It's been many years since I've seen a station use the phrase "modern rock" in its branding. That term seems to have all but disappeared from commercial use, for whatever reason.

Also note that "alternative" basically means "rock that the classic rock dinosaurs weren't playing in 1993". It's just a label whose meaning has drifted somewhat from the dictionary definition. The label does have indicative value, but that's about it.

 

[RadioJunkieMike]

I doubt that most people in the Bay Area who are not in the business - or not close observers of the business - would know of "Jack FM". The closest local equivalent was Bonneville's attempt at "Max FM" on 95.7 which was reportedly done in response to rumors that CBS was going to put "Jack FM" on 106.9. By now, that's ancient history (2005, 2006, somewhere in there).

As "Jack" knockoffs, go, Max-FM wasn't half bad. As I recall, their imaging voice was John O'Hurley, aka "J. Peterman" on Seinfeld.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Staffing for WNNX includes the return of a morning voice who keeps her day job at CMT, and an afternooner who probably still enjoys a more lucrative gig with SiriusXM. But the magic of voice tracking kinda makes anything possible.

Here in the Bay Area, we know Big Rick is still in this time zone, and Steve Masters is probably lurking somewhere too. Maybe we wouldn't get Alex Bennett back, but I bet Roland West could be available for a not-too-expensive price. And remember - voice tracking is not only possible but THE NORM these days. A programmer/ops guy with a feel for the old Live 105 could make this work, and at a lower budget than you might think. Oh, and Mark Hamilton is still alive and kicking, right?

10@10: 10 Great Songs From 1 Great Year

10 Great Songs from 1 Great Year With an homage to the great Dave Morrey and KFOG, The Vine brings back a classic Bay Area favorite. Great songs, news clips, local info all from one year. Join

www.993thevine.com

Big Rick is now on KVYN-FM and he now has his podcast site too.

Big Rick Stuart, San Francisco Bay Area Radio DJ

Website of Big Rick Stuart radio DJ for KFOG, KITS/LIVE 105, KNAC, KQAK the Quake and KVYN the Vine, Napa.

www.bigrick.com

 

[michael hagerty]

Maybe we wouldn't get Alex Bennett back...

Just as a point of reference---Alex Bennett is 83 years old.

 

[Goldilocks94941]

The surprising thing to me is that none of the non-comms air a AAA or Alt format. While NYC lost its lone commercial modern rock station last year, at least listeners have a few options via college radio, as jarring as they are for most Alt listeners. Can’t say the sake for the Bay Area

Take a drive an hour north up to Sonoma County and I believe you'll get at least two options, commercial and non-comm versions of a "AAA" format. Since KRCB got a stronger signal on 104.9, you should be able to hear it as far south as Novato and Pt Reyes. They also do the NPR news mags in morning and afternoon "drive time," but doesn't have nearly as complicated an air schedule to drive away listeners as on KPFA or KALW.

 

[Radiopaw]

Take a drive an hour north up to Sonoma County and I believe you'll get at least two options, commercial and non-comm versions of a "AAA" format. Since KRCB got a stronger signal on 104.9, you should be able to hear it as far south as Novato and Pt Reyes. They also do the NPR news mags in morning and afternoon "drive time," but doesn't have nearly as complicated an air schedule to drive away listeners as on KPFA or KALW.

They also have a great alternative station.

 

[Mark Roberts]

Take a drive an hour north up to Sonoma County and I believe you'll get at least two options, commercial and non-comm versions of a "AAA" format. Since KRCB got a stronger signal on 104.9, you should be able to hear it as far south as Novato and Pt Reyes. They also do the NPR news mags in morning and afternoon "drive time," but doesn't have nearly as complicated an air schedule to drive away listeners as on KPFA or KALW.

Sonoma (the town) is a favorite destination for us. KRCB-FM has a so-so signal there; KVYN isn't receivable there at all. KVYN may still be on a temporary site after it was burned out of its site in 2017. Sonoma does have an interesting community station in KSVY.

 

[KilowattKat]

Sonoma County also has a "true" Standards station, KJZY Jazzy 93.7. Pretty unique for the format, as it's true to playing the Great American Songbook.

 

[Radiopaw]

I can sometimes grab KSXY (100.9) in San Mateo County, Redwood City and San Mateo and I can consistently grab it around Half Moon Bay/Pacifica — it’s a fantastic station and sometime we sorely are missing here in the bay.

There’s quite a lot of great radio up there on the Noncommercial side too, but I frequently stream KSXY on my Alexa at home! The closest thing we have to a local alternative station.

Another one I love from that area has been given a shout out, KSVY. Haven’t grabbed that in the bay however.