WPAT FM's Low Ratings

[d21ofnj]

Tony Santiago will be so happy. Maybe WXRK can switch back to rock and then everyone will be happy (except country fans of course).

If WPAT-FM switches and gains listeners at 92.3 NOW's expense, say hello to WFAN-FM. CBS could move WFAN's local programming to 92.3 and have a 50 kW blaster on 660 AM for the all-new CBS Sports Radio.

Don't hold your breath for WFAN-FM. Now that ESPN beat CBS to the "Sports on FM" "race", they will take a wait and see position.

That didn't stop WIP when ESPN came first on 97.5 in Philly. It's part of a "wait and see" for The Fan, but at this rate, it's more of "WHEN is it gonna happen?"

 

[edarmsttrong]

Back to the original question on everyone's mind...

Let us not forget that WPAT-FM is handicapped by the fact that it is not at full power for a Class B FM. The original TX facility at the WTC was destroyed on 9/11.

It is operating under a STA from the ESB:

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=34207

The FCC refuses to license it at the ESB, at the original ERP, due to short spacing with a station to the north.

Not to make excuses but I believe this, along with programming, can be a factor in ratings.

 

[TonySantiago]

Back to the original question on everyone's mind...

Let us not forget that WPAT-FM is handicapped by the fact that it is not at full power for a Class B FM. The original TX facility at the WTC was destroyed on 9/11.

It is operating under a STA from the ESB:

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=34207

The FCC refuses to license it at the ESB, at the original ERP, due to short spacing with a station to the north.

Not to make excuses but I believe this, along with programming, can be a factor in ratings.

In comparison to "Amor", things could only get better numbers wise. But I don't see that dramatic of a jump in numbers at all, antenna at ESB or not. Maybe one point?

Programming, they really wouldn't be doing anything innovative and different should the station go Rhythmic/Latin. That's why I only thought of it as 'KTU meting La Mega. And yeah, answering Ansky, X96.3 is pretty similar though all in Spanish. This station would be more "Spanglish" in nature and in a sort of way, 93.1 was flirting with it a few months ago.

I suppose it is what it is, but honestly if I wanted to listen to Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, etc. I'd stick with the current outlets now and if I wanted dance I would stay with 92.3 Now (that is if I forgot my smartphone to tune in elsewhere). I can't listen to all these genres intertwined like that.

 

[Barry]

AFAIK, unlike X96.3, the KXOL L.A. format we have been discussing does not include salsa or merengue. I have also heard relatively little bachata on KXOL.So aside from the fact that the personalities speak primarily in English, the sound is far less tropical, and perhaps more urban.

 

[TonySantiago]

AFAIK, unlike X96.3, the KXOL L.A. format we have been discussing does not include salsa or merengue. I have also heard relatively little bachata on KXOL.So aside from the fact that the personalities speak primarily in English, the sound is far less tropical, and perhaps more urban.

Does that station lean more on Tejano, being L.A.?

 

[Morpheux]

AFAIK, unlike X96.3, the KXOL L.A. format we have been discussing does not include salsa or merengue. I have also heard relatively little bachata on KXOL.So aside from the fact that the personalities speak primarily in English, the sound is far less tropical, and perhaps more urban.

Exactly. That's what i stated in my earlier post-

Both DJ 106.7 in Miami and LA 96.3 targets American born Latinos that are 18-34 primarily who prefer hearing Hip Hop,Rhythmic mixed in with the current "Urbano" sounds whether its Bachata or Reggaetón or just Latin Rap (depending on the market)..

 

[Morpheux]

AFAIK, unlike X96.3, the KXOL L.A. format we have been discussing does not include salsa or merengue. I have also heard relatively little bachata on KXOL.So aside from the fact that the personalities speak primarily in English, the sound is far less tropical, and perhaps more urban.

Does that station lean more on Tejano, being L.A.?

Tejano? ??? Take a listen to the stAtion or go to yes.com

No Tejano is played on KXOL

Here is a sample hour on KXOL

WiSIN n YANDEL - Follow The Leader f/JLo 26.6.2012 2:55pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
DRAKE - The Motto f/Lil Wayne 26.6.2012 3:00pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
TITO EL BAMBINO - Dame La Ola 26.6.2012 3:03pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
RIHANNA - Where Have You Been 26.6.2012 3:07pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
TYGA - Faded f/Lil Wayne 26.6.2012 3:11pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
DAVID GUETTA - Titanium f/Sia 26.6.2012 3:13pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
GOTYE - Somebody That I Used To Know 26.6.2012 3:27pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
FLO RIDA - Whistle 26.6.2012 3:31pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
DADDY YANKEE - Lovumba 26.6.2012 3:35pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
AVENTURA - Mi Corazoncito 26.6.2012 3:39pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
RIHANNA - We Found Love f/Calvin Harris 26.6.2012 3:43pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
MICHEL TELO n PITBULL - Ai Se Eu Te Pego/If I Catch... 26.6.2012 3:54pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
THE WANTED - Glad You Came 26.6.2012 3:57pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
CARLY RAE JEPSEN - Call Me Maybe 26.6.2012 4:00pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
NICKI MINAJ - Starships 26.6.2012 4:03pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
WISIN n YANDEL - Follow The Leader f/JLo 26.6.2012 4:08pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com
image
FLO RIDA - Good Feeling 26.6.2012 4:12pm

Buy from: iTunes | Amazon.com


That's what WPAT will sound like soon most likely.

 

[davideduardo]

Does that station lean more on Tejano, being L.A.?

Spanish language stations in LA do not play Tejano. In fact, there are less than 5 Tejano stations left... all, naturally, in Tejas.

 

[davideduardo]

AFAIK, unlike X96.3, the KXOL L.A. format we have been discussing does not include salsa or merengue. I have also heard relatively little bachata on KXOL.So aside from the fact that the personalities speak primarily in English, the sound is far less tropical, and perhaps more urban.

Salsa and merengue have no place on Spanish language radio in LA. While there are a couple of clubs that feature salsa and merengue, those are venues that have to appeal to a few hundred people a night, not radio stations that need to cume a million or more in PPM.

Salsa, today, is pretty much a 45+ music in appeal, as evidenced by the demos of the few remaining salsa stations in the world.

 

[TonySantiago]

Okay! Okay! Just asking! Thanks for the list Morpheux!

 

[Barry]

Salsa, today, is pretty much a 45+ music in appeal, as evidenced by the demos of the few remaining salsa stations in the world.

That is why I am surprised that WSKQ La Mega still plays a considerable amount of salsa.

 

[davideduardo]

Salsa, today, is pretty much a 45+ music in appeal, as evidenced by the demos of the few remaining salsa stations in the world.

That is why I am surprised that WSKQ La Mega still plays a considerable amount of salsa.

There are still a few good new releases, and some older songs that can be mixed into a rhythmic format. It is sort of like how CBS-FM targets people under 55, yet they still play some 60's songs; the reason is that those songs have remained relevant and have been exposed to people who were not the original target of that music.

 

[ansky212]

Back to the original question on everyone's mind...

Let us not forget that WPAT-FM is handicapped by the fact that it is not at full power for a Class B FM. The original TX facility at the WTC was destroyed on 9/11.

It is operating under a STA from the ESB:

http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=34207

The FCC refuses to license it at the ESB, at the original ERP, due to short spacing with a station to the north.

Not to make excuses but I believe this, along with programming, can be a factor in ratings.

I doubt WPAT's low ratings have much to do with the signal. The largest concentration of spanish speaking people are in the city and nearby suburbs, which are covered quite well by the signal from ESB. The only places that may have reception trouble are in the outer suburbs but I doubt there are many potential listeners there anyway.

 

[Barry]

An article by Vince Santarelli 2 years ago states that WPAT FM was one of the "minority" stations whose ratings had sharp declines following the advent of the PPM ratings system.
According to the article, WPAT had an overall 3.5 in the spring of 2008, the last time ratings were released from the diary system. That was good for tenth place. In October 2008, under the then new PPM system, it was down to 2.8 (15th place). In February of 2010, they had slid to 1.4. In July 2010, they had rebounded to 2.7.
According to the article, among WPAT FM's highest overall ratings were a 4.8 in Autumn 2006 (#3 in the market).

 

[davideduardo]

An article by Vince Santarelli 2 years ago states that WPAT FM was one of the "minority" stations whose ratings had sharp declines following the advent of the PPM ratings system.
According to the article, WPAT had an overall 3.5 in the spring of 2008, the last time ratings were released from the diary system. That was good for tenth place. In October 2008, under the then new PPM system, it was down to 2.8 (15th place). In February of 2010, they had slid to 1.4. In July 2010, they had rebounded to 2.7.
According to the article, among WPAT FM's highest overall ratings were a 4.8 in Autumn 2006 (#3 in the market).

The PPM did not provide the cume boost that most other stations received. The format was, of course, less mainstream than WSKQ and it's style (soft AC) was in decline in most markets. They were hit by a combination of the PPM and a format that was both in decline and not particularly stable on the air (changes in talents, changes in music mix, etc.) and the recent changes have not helped... again partly due to execution.

 

[Barry]

The concept of flipping some Spanishstations to formats that are more English influenced may be picking up steam.
Now it's Univision's turn. This afternoon they changed their KESS Recuerdo 107.9 in Dallas to a CHR type format, with more music in English than Spanish. They are calling it Radio H2o. According to RadioInsight, they have registered a number of websites in several cities, including New York, with the Radio H2o moniker. That could indicate Univision is considering it for a number of other markets if this initial effort in Dallas works out.
While Univision's WXNY X96.3 in New York is getting good ratings, WQBU on 92.7 has only been around .3 overall. But it may be best for the latter to stay with its regional Mexican programming, as there are many Mexican and Central American people in the area, and no other regular stations in the area programming for them.

H2o Stream: http://archivo.univision.com/conten...OMETA_stream.jhtml?station=KESSFM&city=Dallas

 

[Morpheux]

That would be surprising if X96.3 tweaks their format for a more English based approach. It seems as they want to beat WPAT to the punch. I think WPAT will be flipping somewhere before the 4th of July.They are hiring promotions people that are part of NY's Latin dance scene.

 

[ralp35]

WPAT is now playing 50/50, and the mayority of their promos are now in English

 

[Barry]

WPAT is now playing 50/50, and the mayority of their promos are now in English

I gave WPAT FM a listen a short while ago, and disagree with the above post.
It seems as if it has been tweaked yet again, back to a/c music (unless they are dayparting). The vast majority of the music is totally in Spanish. I heard several lengthy salsa songs. (I do not recall hearing salsa played on this station). There are also lots of slow ballads, some bachata, and rather a/c sounding stuff (i.e. Paulina Rubio). It seems that the Spanish CHR/urban songs (i.e. Pitbul) are largely gone. The dj did not talk much. When she did, it was almost entirely in Spanish. There were long commercial stopsets (with most of the ads totally in Spanish).
To me WPAT FM has the sound of a station preparing for a major change, as this does not seem like a viable format.

 

[Barry]

To correct my previous post, apparently WPAT FM is now dayparted. What I described above was apparently an afternoon show of nostalgic music. They returned to a more contemporary sound that does play a considerable amount of music in English. :-X