WMRN Updates

[bwilliam614]

The translator appears to be off

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I heard from a very reliable source (yes, I really do have one) how the new "Channel" on 106.7 will "Sound". Let's put it this way, I think CD101 and 97.1 is gonna be a little bit pissed.

They should bring back Channel Z

If it's the version they use in Cincinnati, it will impact Mix 97.1 a lot (the Cincy approach is a kind of Hot AC that focuses heavily on big, modern-leaning, 90's hit songs).  If it's the version they use in Philly and a few other markets (closer to traditional alternative, though targeted to a somewhat older demo), then it will do more damage to 101 (not that 101 has much to steal ratings-wise).  The latter would be more reminiscent of Channel Z.  If either of these happens, it will be the third time in a row that a CC Columbus FM sign-on or format flip mimics whatever happens to be the most recent "new format" implemented recently at other CC stations.  In this case, though, either choice would make a lot more sense for the market than when 93.3 adopted WSNI Philly's format (which WSNI long ago abandonded, but unfortunately 93.3 hasn't).  Anyway, the Cincy version would make the most sense for 106.7 (and, "not coincidentally," more closely matches my personal tastes   )

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I heard from a very reliable source (yes, I really do have one) how the new "Channel" on 106.7 will "Sound". Let's put it this way, I think CD101 and 97.1 is gonna be a little bit pissed.

They should bring back Channel Z

If it's the version they use in Cincinnati, it will impact Mix 97.1 a lot (the Cincy approach is a kind of Hot AC that focuses heavily on big, modern-leaning, 90's hit songs). If it's the version they use in Philly and a few other markets (closer to traditional alternative, though targeted to a somewhat older demo), then it will do more damage to 101 (not that 101 has much to steal ratings-wise). The latter would be more reminiscent of Channel Z. If either of these happens, it will be the third time in a row that a CC Columbus FM sign-on or format flip mimics whatever happens to be the most recent "new format" implemented recently at other CC stations. In this case, though, either choice would make a lot more sense for the market than when 93.3 adopted WSNI Philly's format (which WSNI long ago abandonded, but unfortunately 93.3 hasn't). Anyway, the Cincy version would make the most sense for 106.7 (and, "not coincidentally," more closely matches my personal tastes )

Fyi, here are a few one-hour monitors to make the difference between the two variants I refer to clearer (of course there's always a chance they'll do something completely different with 106.7):

WNNF Cincinnati:

Green Day - Longview
Mat Kearney - Breathe In Breathe Out
Alanis Morissette - Hand In My Pocket
Blind Melon - No Rain
Hinder - Lips Of An Angel
Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane
Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
Finger Eleven - Paralyzer
Goo Goo Dolls - Sympathy
The Pretenders - Don't Get Me Wrong
Matchbox Twenty - Bent
Daughtry - Home


WRFF Philadelphia:

Nirvana - In Bloom
Muse - Starlight
Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching
Puddle Of Mudd - Drift & Die
Billy Idol - White Wedding (Part I)
Incubus - Dig
Sublime - What I Got
Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
Stone Temple Pilots - Wicked Garden
Blue October - Calling You
Weezer - Buddy Holly

 

[SportsRadioDoc]

I like both of those samples. Philly better than Cincy though.

 

[Trick_Magnet]

Back to topic: The drive home revealed the WOSB translator shut down. Coming from downtown area I noticed that this signal is subject to the SuperTower FM's and WNCI's "receiver front end overload" distortions type problems. The signal actually seemed more prone to interference than 103.9 Talk FM but that could be just MY car receiver talking and quite unscientific analysis. Receiver performance makes a big difference so your mileage may vary.

Format: I said long, long ago that the format would be some form of AC.

Trick_Magnet

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Trick_Magnet, are the song monitors I provided from other CC stations forms of AC in your opinion? Or you ruling out such approaches? Thanks.

 

[boyphenom]

Back to topic: The drive home revealed the WOSB translator shut down. Coming from downtown area I noticed that this signal is subject to the SuperTower FM's and WNCI's "receiver front end overload" distortions type problems. The signal actually seemed more prone to interference than 103.9 Talk FM but that could be just MY car receiver talking and quite unscientific analysis. Receiver performance makes a big difference so your mileage may vary.

Format: I said long, long ago that the format would be some form of AC.

Trick_Magnet

I was mailing something at the main post office this afternoon and noticed the signal has a lot of distortion in the downtown/Twin Rivers area ......... Souder Ave., Mt. Carmel West and 315 all had a crappy mono signal on my Bose car receiver that is sensitive enough to get a signal from 102.9 in Springfield on a regular basis. Around the Easton area tonight the signal was mostly good, but the stereo would drop out every so often. Overall, I think the signal probably is better than a typical Class-A, but given its location not that much better. I'm wondering if it would make more sense to drop the power down a little and put the stick downtown?

 

[boyphenom]

The signal is also bad along Greenlawn Ave and south of downtown. It seems like most areas north of I-70 are okay, but south of I-70 you get garbage in the signal and it fades back and forth between stereo and mono on the car tuner.

 

[bowserb]

is there any chance WMRN is currently on a lower wattage? and is just testing the equipment........I would expect a station like that to do much better in terms of signal. Are they operating at just a temporary power?

 

[Trick_Magnet]

Trick_Magnet, are the song monitors I provided from other CC stations forms of AC in your opinion? Or you ruling out such approaches? Thanks.

You're hinting my definition is too broad and you're probably right. I'd say WNNF is barely in my scope but WRFF is too edgy. The definitions change over the years as audiences age and demographics shift and I'm by far not an expert in such things.

How long would you expect the stunt to last?

Trick_Magnet

 

[lovejamminoldies]

Trick_Magnet, are the song monitors I provided from other CC stations forms of AC in your opinion? Or you ruling out such approaches? Thanks.

You're hinting my definition is too broad and you're probably right. I'd say WNNF is barely in my scope but WRFF is too edgy. The definitions change over the years as audiences age and demographics shift and I'm by far not an expert in such things.

How long would you expect the stunt to last?

Trick_Magnet

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[chip4]

The Cinci version is too CHR/Top 40, never work with NCI in the building. RFF is a great sounding station IMHO, much harder - the way CD101 SHOULD sound. Both stations are jockless, ZERO personality, just jukeboxes. Even the legal ID's were dry voice. CC's new initiative is to strip down personality/sweepers etc. Either way WWCD and WBNS should be afraid, very afraid. I say the stunting will last at least a week if not longer.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

I read that stunting will last until December 14. My guess is that they are doing field tests and tweaking the transmitter. You don't want to bring a new format online and start promoting it with an untested signal. IMO, they have to be running at lower power right now. If not, I think they wasted a lot of time and effort to bring in another "thorn" in someone's side.

 

[boyphenom]

I read that stunting will last until December 14. My guess is that they are doing field tests and tweaking the transmitter. You don't want to bring a new format online and start promoting it with an untested signal. IMO, they have to be running at lower power right now. If not, I think they wasted a lot of time and effort to bring in another "thorn" in someone's side.

If you remember, that's what Robb Case also said and the 91.5 signal didn't get much better after testing!

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

The "Cincy" version sure doesn't sound CHR to me. And presentationally it's in a different universe from NCI. However, it could move a lot further into a Hot AC direction that would take from 97.1 and maybe SNY's younger end...all with little cannibalization of the rest of the CC cluster. It would be nice if that's where this ends up. Might even bring back some radio-disenfranchised folks.

 

[boyphenom]

Tooling up and down Broad St. and Waggoner Rd. I hear lots of transition between stereo and mono so I'm guessing at the end of the day this will not end up being a very good signal. For some reason even if you are practically next to a transmitter for a Class-A it never gives the full rich sound a Class B station gives. It always sounds hollow for some reaon to my ears -- like the signal doesn't have enough horsepower. Is it just my imagination or is this a real characteristic of these lower powered frequencies?

 

[chip4]

As of 335 EST here are the last 10 songs played:

Boston
Augustana

1979
Smashing Pumpkins

Falling for the First Time
Barenaked Ladies

You Don't Know How It Feels
Tom Petty

I DON'T WANT TO WAIT
Paula Cole

PARALYZER
Finger Eleven

How's It Going to Be
Third Eye Blind

OVER MY HEAD
Fray

Mirror In The Bathroom
English Beat

The Reason
Hoobastank

Aside from a few tracks, these were/are all hits on WNCI.
It is very much a pop station.

 

[pbf1]

Pop CROSSOVERS

With few exceptions, no longer BEING played on 'NCI!

(Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton used to be played on WNCI, too!)

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Exactly. If "ever played on NCI" defines CHR, then most Columbus FMs are CHRs. Pop does not equal CHR.

 

[Mark77]

Sounds like an interesting song lineup. I wonder if this serves as any clue to what the new format will be. Will someone out there be able to get audio of the format flip, whenever that occurs?