Would Classic R&B/Soul Work in Houston?

[Do-Re-Me]

How would a classic R&B/Soul format (mainly from the 1960's) do in Houston? (e.g. Aretha Franklin, Four Tops, Gladys Knight, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Supremes, Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, etc.)

 

[Mediafrog+]

By itself, such a format would flop. Skews wwaaaaayyyy too old. This is music from half a century ago.

Those artists and songs would fit into a broader Classic R&B format, with a 60's-80's focus, but even success for that is doubtful.

Houston lacks an Oldies station, so any sub-genre is even less likely. Possible future format for 92.1 if Radio One gives up on news while skewing KMJQ younger?

 

[willdav713]

They did this before in Houston 2 times during the mid to late 90's

First was Solid Gold Soul 1590 AM KYOK (1994-1996) as a Soul Oldies format, the station would then flip to Gospel 1590 which later moved down the AM dial to 1140, I think. Since 1999 that station became KMIC Radio Disney 1590 AM.

AM 1590 was Houston's first all-Rap station from 1991-1992.

The second attempt was the Jammin Oldies genre that was on 98.5, and 103.3 from 1/1999 to 7/2001 on rimshot sticks. 98.5 Houston's Jammin Hits played 4 decades of music from the early 90's, 80's, 70's, and 60's.

92.1 is an excellent candidate for such a format. It would have to play at least 3 decades of music to be viable. (60's-80's, or 70's-90's)

However, I can see CBS possibly flipping KHMX to oldies if the station can't show consistent PPM's, or KLOL. I wouldn't rule out KILT from flipping either.

Throughout Houston's history on the radio landscape their has always been 1-2 Oldies (at times 3) formatted stations throughout the 80's until 2006.

KFMK-98 & 94.5 KLDE
94.5 KLDE, 106.9 KKHU & KNUZ-AM
94.5 KLDE & 1590 KYOK
94.5 KLDE & 98.5 KHYS-103.3 KJOJ
107.5 KLDE & 106.9 KHPT (80's)

 

[wdb2003]

Radio One will never do a Urban Oldies format. It will hurt Majic. Praise would have a better chance of returning to 92.1.

 

[willdav713]

Radio One will never do a Urban Oldies format. It will hurt Majic. Praise would have a better chance of returning to 92.1.

Actually when KMJQ owned KYOK-AM in the mid 90's, it was Urban Adult Contemporary format for 102.1 and Soul Oldies for 1590. Radio One acquired KMJQ in 1999 or so. KYOK didn't hurt KMJQ.

I doubt if Praise will come back to 92.1, remember you guys got Air-1, Gospel KYOK, KSBJ, and a handful of others. Too much competition for Praise to come back.

 

[sdh483]

Classic hits with rock, soul, r&b, motown, ect. would probably be a better choice.

 

[wdb2003]

Different owners back then. Radio One is not gonna launch a Urban Oldies format in a market that has a establish Urban AC. Praise ratings were good last time I checked.

 

[willdav713]

Different owners back then. Radio One is not gonna launch a Urban Oldies format in a market that has a establish Urban AC. Praise ratings were good last time I checked.

Didn't they (Radio One) do that in Dallas not too long ago?

 

[rbrucecarter5]

That is about what I was hearing on KCOH yesterday. Thankfully they don't jam KMVL.

 

[wdb2003]

Different owners back then. Radio One is not gonna launch a Urban Oldies format in a market that has a establish Urban AC. Praise ratings were good last time I checked.

Didn't they (Radio One) do that in Dallas not too long ago?

Yes but KSOC Urban AC format was dull and it showed in the ratings. Not to mention the 94.5 signal itself sucked. KSOUL needed a change. If Radio One launched a Urban Oldies format it will take a big chunk out of Majic ratings.

 

[stan]

Radio One won't flip from news on @2.1, but they could skew 102.1 in the direction you are suggesting.

 

[wdb2003]

Why? Majic ratings are fine. What other company could lauch a Urban AC/ Oldies format. Cumulus did it for a while with Power 97.5 but it didnt last long because of the signal

 

[bigtom101]

This format would work in Houston - http://jamminoldiesradio.com

Spans from the 60's thru the 80's...plenty of classic dance & crossovers to appeal to everyone in the market. And partially fills the hole that a straight ahead "Classic Hits" would do.

And not cannibalize Majic...but steal from Sunny.

 

[rageradio]

We had jammin oldies here in the early 2000s on KTJM 98.5.

 

[purpledevil]

I doubt if Praise will come back to 92.1, remember you guys got Air-1, Gospel KYOK, KSBJ, and a handful of others. Too much competition for Praise to come back.

Uh.....KYOK has been off the air for awhile now. Try almost a year. KWWJ 1360 (sister station to KYOK) is there airing gospel, KANI-1500 (also sister to both the aforementioned stations) covers SW Houston pretty well...again when on the air.

Now, am I missing something. All the talk we've had about the station, yet no one considers KCOH Urban Oldies or at least Gold, when they play music during the nights and weekends? Sure they play some gospel too, but that's the first place I go to hear some good ol' Motown hits.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Uh.....KYOK has been off the air for awhile now. Try almost a year.

I've heard KYOK 1140 a couple of times in the past few weeks. Horrible modulation, but on the air. But, yes, it had been off for a long time prior to that.

 

[purpledevil]

Uh.....KYOK has been off the air for awhile now. Try almost a year.

I've heard KYOK 1140 a couple of times in the past few weeks. Horrible modulation, but on the air. But, yes, it had been off for a long time prior to that.

Well...there you go. A couple of times in the past few weeks. Hardly reliable! I guess it's better than the long dead road it had been on. I had completely given up on its return to the air. Thanks for the info, Frog. I'll give 1140 a try during the daylight tomorrow.

 

[willdav713]

I doubt if Praise will come back to 92.1, remember you guys got Air-1, Gospel KYOK, KSBJ, and a handful of others. Too much competition for Praise to come back.

Uh.....KYOK has been off the air for awhile now. Try almost a year. KWWJ 1360 (sister station to KYOK) is there airing gospel, KANI-1500 (also sister to both the aforementioned stations) covers SW Houston pretty well...again when on the air.

Now, am I missing something. All the talk we've had about the station, yet no one considers KCOH Urban Oldies or at least Gold, when they play music during the nights and weekends? Sure they play some gospel too, but that's the first place I go to hear some good ol' Motown hits.

KCOH is an Urban/Talk format. As for KYOK, I haven't actually skimmed down the AM dial since 2005.

 

[ChuckTiller]

KCOH is more than just urban talk. Don Samuel puts on a good show in the afternoons. As PurpleDevil points out, nights and weekends are filled with gold.

 

[jd]

I'll give 1140 a try during the daylight tomorrow.

Maybe they're not that interested in keeping it on the air, for now anyway; I suspect they're counting on the move to Katy being approved. The first time they filed it got rejected, prompting a scramble to make major changes in the application. The FCC, while noting that the changes appeared to correct potential co-channel interference issues, has yet to approve the application which was reinstated nunc pro tunc back in October.