WQHT HD2 format change WTF

[Brooklyndon]

So, I bought my hd radio last Sat. Went out of town and got back yesterday to find that the reason for which I bought my radio is no longer. Throwbacks is now a middling alt station. That makes 3 on the HD band. At least there is last.cm on 102.7.

Why are there middling 3 alt stations on the HD band? There should be only one middling alt station. There should be one true alt station. AND THERE SHOULD BE A CLASSIC HIP HOP STATION.

I would have loved to have been at that format flip meeting. SERIOUSLY, WHAT EXECUTIVE DECIDED IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA FOR EMMIS TO ABANDOND WHAT IT KNOWS AND HAS HAD ALL IT'S SUCCESS IN, URBAN PROGRAMMING, TO REHASH WRXP ON THE HD BAND. IT'S INSANITY.

HD band should have a classic hip hop station. Also, given the amount of 80s dance and 90s house WRKS and WBLS have been playing, perhaps an disco/ dancable r&b (really a classic dance, like the type you hear on SiriusXMs 54 station) stream belongs on the HD band somewhere.


I WANT MY CLASSIC HIP-HOP BACK. WHY IS EMMIS ASHAMED OF THEIR URBAN AUDIENCE?

 

[Morpheux]

In a city like NY that gave birth to this genre there should be classic Hip Hop on FM.

 

[Ai4i]

No commercials, whatever you get is a free gift.

 

[pjc1961]

1) see this thread: http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=205124.0

2) perhaps (pure conjecture), Emmis has decided to put its emphasis into integrating the Hip-Hop/R+B "Throwbacks" onto Hot 97's sister station 98.7 Kiss FM (WRKS). Friday/Saturday evening/late night weekend programming (DJ Cocoa Chanelle; Ed Lover; etc.) has steadily had more Classic Hip-Hop tossed in at a greater rate than in the past - as well as the dance + house music mixes that were mentioned.

See this thread: http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?action=printpage;topic=184484.0

Not that the WQHT-HD2-97.1 Throwbacks channel was ever going to siphon off listeners from either KissFM/Hot 97 to make a difference. Neither will MyRXP HD.

 

[nd2023]

Do you have a smartphone? Then stream any station you want on it!

 

[Jersey Maiden]

It must have been listener response. Here's what their Facebook update says:

We here at RXP want to thank YOU, the dedicated listeners and lovers of ROCK. It’s because of you RXP is moving back to NYC on HD2! Tune-into 97.1 HD2 to hear your favorite Rock Hits.

Since I don't have an HD radio, this news doesn't mean much to me. Besides, the online stream of RXP is a shadow of its former self. Not only is it stripped of its personality (no jocks), I feel the playlist is more narrow, which there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for (it's sad that WRFF has more variety than an online station). At least K-rock gained variety when it went to HD2/online streaming. And I like hip hop too so I find it sad that someone isn't dedicated full time to old school, even if I can't listen to it.

On the other hand, I think it means there's a good chance that Emmis will revive RXP as a normal station once Merlin flops. Apparently, New York Times found a "stack" of comments at WEMP telling them to bring back alternative. I'm sure a little bird told Emmis about it.

Speaking of listener response, WEMP gave away 4-packs of Jacques Torres truffles (awesome chocolate by the way) for those who took a survey when they first launched. I wonder how many angry rock fans took it to make Merlin lose money. I was one of them.

 

[Brooklyndon]

THE EXEC THAT THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE A FAILED FORMAT AND INSERT IT INTO A MARKETSPACE WHERE TWO OTHER COMPETITORS ARE OFFERING IDENTICAL VERSIONS OF THE SAME FAILED FORMAT SHOULD BE FIRED.

THE EXEC THAT THOUGHT IT COULD PICK UP LATE TWENTY-SOMETHINGS BY PLAYING THE OCCASIONAL EXPOSE SONG WILL BE PROVEN INCOMPETENT.

THE EXEC THAT DECIDED TO THROW AWAY TWO YEARS OF PROGRAMMING AND AD SELLING SUCCESS IN A NICHE FORMAT THAT ONLY EMMIS COULD OFFER SHOULD BE FIRED IF HE OR SHE WAS THE SAME EXEC SPONSORING THAT SAME FORMAT TWO YEARS AGO.

WRXP WAS A CATASTROPHE. IT IS STILL A CATASTROPHE. IT WILL ALWAYS BE A CATASTROPHE.

THROWBACKS WAS AN AWESOME STATION FOR THE 12 HOURS I.GOT TO HEAR IT. BRING IT BACK!!!

 

[TonySantiago]

THE EXEC THAT THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE A FAILED FORMAT AND INSERT IT INTO A MARKETSPACE WHERE TWO OTHER COMPETITORS ARE OFFERING IDENTICAL VERSIONS OF THE SAME FAILED FORMAT SHOULD BE FIRED.

THE EXEC THAT THOUGHT IT COULD PICK UP LATE TWENTY-SOMETHINGS BY PLAYING THE OCCASIONAL EXPOSE SONG WILL BE PROVEN INCOMPETENT.

THE EXEC THAT DECIDED TO THROW AWAY TWO YEARS OF PROGRAMMING AND AD SELLING SUCCESS IN A NICHE FORMAT THAT ONLY EMMIS COULD OFFER SHOULD BE FIRED IF HE OR SHE WAS THE SAME EXEC SPONSORING THAT SAME FORMAT TWO YEARS AGO.

WRXP WAS A CATASTROPHE. IT IS STILL A CATASTROPHE. IT WILL ALWAYS BE A CATASTROPHE.

THROWBACKS WAS AN AWESOME STATION FOR THE 12 HOURS I.GOT TO HEAR IT. BRING IT BACK!!!

Brooklyn, I actually agree with you about Throwback.

On top of THAT, I agree more with Morpheux because one would THINK that if all radio is after are the older generation (25-54) then a classic hip-hop station would be perceived as a "no brainer" for STANDARD FM, not HD since a lot of us that grew up "first generation" are now in the late 30's - mid 50's.

 

[d21ofnj]

No disrespect to the RXP fans, but there's already 2 rock alternative HD channels and a handful of college stations that play rock alternative in the area.

 

[Barry]

Actually there are now 4, not 3, HD stations playing alternative rock: WFUV HD3, The Alternate Side; K-Rock on 92.3 HD2; the new WRXP on 97.1 HD2; and The Alternative Project on 104.3 HD2.
I wonder whether this is an indication that the broadcasters perceive considerable listener interest in the format, and that a new alternative station could be a possibility on a standard FM frequency in the months to come.

 

[Brooklyndon]

I don't think that's what it is. I think that some exec over at Emmis is doing a favor for his PD buddy and probably figured no one was listening to the HD stream anyway. The whole think stinks of cronyism.

BUT EMMIS COULD MAKE IT RIGHT BY PULLING THAT OFFENSIVE SOUNDING CARIBBEAN FORMAT OF WRKS HD2 AND RESTARTING THE THROWBACKS FORMAT.

 

[Jersey Maiden]

I don't think that's what it is. I think that some exec over at Emmis is doing a favor for his PD buddy and probably figured no one was listening to the HD stream anyway. The whole think stinks of cronyism.

BUT EMMIS COULD MAKE IT RIGHT BY PULLING THAT OFFENSIVE SOUNDING CARIBBEAN FORMAT OF WRKS HD2 AND RESTARTING THE THROWBACKS FORMAT.

So you believe that their Facebook shoutout to the fans was just a publicity stunt to make them feel better?

Second, does anyone has any data for how many people HD and online station?

No disrespect to the RXP fans, but there's already 2 rock alternative HD channels and a handful of college stations that play rock alternative in the area.

None taken, RXP is not even that good by online/HD station standards and I personally find their playlist more safe and bland than their terrestrial incarnation. K-rock has the jocks and variety, both of which RXP lack. Believe me, I miss it and I wanted to like their online feed but whenever I'm on my computer or phone (again, I don't own an HD radio and don't hook my phone up to my car), I find myself listening more to K-rock and 104.5 (a normal terrestrial). I never tried 104.3 HD2 or WFUV HD3 though (sorry Barry, the Alternative Side doesn't count if you can still get it on a conventional radio).

 

[pjc1961]

I don't think that's what it is.  I think that some exec over at Emmis is doing a favor for his PD buddy and probably figured no one was listening to the HD stream anyway.  The whole think stinks of cronyism.

BUT EMMIS COULD MAKE IT RIGHT BY PULLING THAT OFFENSIVE SOUNDING CARIBBEAN FORMAT OF WRKS HD2 AND RESTARTING THE THROWBACKS FORMAT.

Apparently you're confused, Brooklyndon. See actual HD2 formats below:

WRKS-HD2-98.7 HumDesi - South Asain format (informally known as "Bollywood") - Emmis Communications
WSKQ-HD2-97.9 One Caribbean Radio - Spanish Broadcasting System

Unless you're thinking of some other outlet...

As pointed out earlier, the HumDesi format is going nowhere since HumDesi Radio is leasing the time from Emmis who certainly won't give up the income.

 

[Brooklyndon]

HumDesi is South Asian, forgive me I thought it was Trinidadian.

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K-Rock(2) is shell of its former self back in 07 & 08.

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THE PEOPLE RUNNING EMMIS NEW YORK SEEM OBLIVIOUS TO BASIC PRODUCT STRATEGY AND SHOULD BE FIRED
DOES ANYONE KNOW THE NAME OF THE ANALYST FOR BOAML THAT COVERS EMMIS?

 

[Brooklyndon]

HumDesi is South Asian, forgive me I thought it was Trinidadian.

----


K-Rock(2) is shell of its former self back in 07 & 08.

----

THE PEOPLE RUNNING EMMIS NEW YORK SEEM OBLIVIOUS TO BASIC PRODUCT STRATEGY AND SHOULD BE FIRED!

WHAT EXECUTIVE TAKES A FORMAT THAT WAS SO CATASTROPHICALLY UNSUCCESSFUL THAT IT LED TO THE DEMISE AND SALE OF THE STATION PRESENTING IT AND PUTS THAT CANCER FORMAT INTO A SPACE WHERE TO COMPETITORS OFFER IDENTICAL PRODUCTS ON SIGNAL THAT HAS A FORMAT ONLY EMMIS NEW YORK IS UNIQUELY SUITED TO OFFER AND EMMIS NEW YORK KNOWS HOW TO SELL?

THE EXEC THAT ALLOWED THIS SHOULD BE FIRED. HE SHOULD BE FIRED. WRXP IS CANCER. THE EXEC SHOULD BE FIRED. FIRED.

 

[pjc1961]

As it turns out, really neither format is being "sold" on HD2 as they've both run commercial free. So one could make the argument that it doesn't matter what format they put on there.

I think I've heard ads on WCBS-HD2-101.1 "Tony" (or at least on the online version). All the other locally produced HD2's are ad-free, AFAIK.

Of course, that changes if Emmis (or any other broadcaster) is approached by someone (such as HumDesi) who wants to lease the channel...money talks.

 

[hubcity]

WHAT EXECUTIVE TAKES A FORMAT THAT WAS SO CATASTROPHICALLY UNSUCCESSFUL THAT IT LED TO THE DEMISE AND SALE OF THE STATION PRESENTING IT AND PUTS THAT CANCER FORMAT INTO A SPACE WHERE TO COMPETITORS OFFER IDENTICAL PRODUCTS ON SIGNAL THAT HAS A FORMAT ONLY EMMIS NEW YORK IS UNIQUELY SUITED TO OFFER AND EMMIS NEW YORK KNOWS HOW TO SELL?

But how do you really feel?

Alrighty, full disclosure: I know some folks who worked on air at RXP, and while I had my differences with both the way they used their talent and the way they programmed their music, blaming it for the sale of the station is like losing a baseball game 16-0 and blaming the loss on the last batter up. I think they were finally getting a clue (e.g. the listener you picked up with The Decemberists you lost with Van Halen - pick one) and their anemic ratings were getting less anemic, but in the world of radio musical chairs, it was the one without a seat when the music stopped.

I also think commercial stations are getting a clue that their HD2s should be completely different than their HD1s, so that HD2 listeners know they've dropped back to HD1 when it happens, and they don't cannibalize their FM/HD1 listeners by putting a complimentary format on HD2. MyRXP makes sense from that perspective, though frankly its playlist makes no sense.

Honestly, I don't know what their goal is with that playlist. Just about all it does is say to a prospective brokered-time buyer "look, we're not doing anything with this...it can be yours."

As far as throwback was concerned, did you once ever call KTU and say "thanks for Throwback, it's great!" That might have helped.
Their current playlist shows they dropped that clue somewhere, though.

 

[Barry]

While I agree that it makes sense to have a format on HD2 that is different from the main channel, it seems redundant for 97.1 HD2 to play alternative/modern rock, when there are already three other HD subchannels devoted to the format. But perhaps Emmis is trying to keep the 'RXP brand around, in case they want to bring it back somehow. CBS may be thinking the same thing with K-Rock, on 92.3 HD2.

 

[hubcity]

While I agree that it makes sense to have a format on HD2 that is different from the main channel, it seems redundant for 97.1 HD2 to play alternative/modern rock, when there are already three other HD subchannels devoted to the format. But perhaps Emmis is trying to keep the 'RXP brand around, in case they want to bring it back somehow. CBS may be thinking the same thing with K-Rock, on 92.3 HD2.

But where else can one get one's alternative rock mixed with Van Halen and AC/DC?

/feel free to let the boneheadedness of that statement sink in. I really don't get it.

 

[Brooklyndon]

Worries about audience cannibalization are anachronistic in 2012, where Internet streams mean that any format cent be heard on any computer (including phones) anywhere. If one station cannibalizes another, and you own both, you have no net change in audience, a resounding positive in a dying industry.

The goal should be to have two or three Chandler to serve the same client so that the need to seek another vendor is alleviated.

WQHT AND WRXP DO NOT SERVE THE SAME CLIENT. IN FACT WRXP NEVER SERVED ANY CLIENT, WHICH IS WHY THE PLUG WAS PULLED ON THAT CANCER FORMAT, RIGHT AFTER IT DEVALUED THE SIGNAL SUPPORTIKG IT SO MUCH THAT THE STATION SOLD AT WHAT WAS THEN DUBBED, MEMORY SERVE ME CORRECTLY, A FIRE SALE PRICE.bWRXP IS A DEVALUING CANCER THAT ROBS OWNERS OF THEIR EQUITY AND ANY EXEC THAT TOUCHES IT SHOULD LOSE HIS OR HER JOB.