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WQXR - flippable or untouchable?

B

Bob E. Nelson

The flip of heritage oldies WCBS-FM was a surprise but
as many posters have pointed out, inevitable. Likewise,
the unmistakable trend has been for classical stations
to die (as happened in Philly, Detroit, Chicago, LA
and most recently with Radio One's change of KRTS in
Houston).

Would the NYT ever contemplate a format change (or a
sale) of WQXR?

I would hazard a guess that WQXR's audience, albeit
affluent, is also aging (maybe even more so than was
the case with CBS-FM).

Although I have no access to billing figures, surely
a flip to a vibrant Spanish-language format serving
that high growth-segment of New York would be a prudent
longterm business strategy for WQXR's full-market
signal.

Right...or wrong?
 
> The flip of heritage oldies WCBS-FM was a surprise but
> as many posters have pointed out, inevitable. Likewise,
> the unmistakable trend has been for classical stations
> to die (as happened in Philly, Detroit, Chicago, LA
> and most recently with Radio One's change of KRTS in
> Houston).
>
> Would the NYT ever contemplate a format change (or a
> sale) of WQXR?
>
> I would hazard a guess that WQXR's audience, albeit
> affluent, is also aging (maybe even more so than was
> the case with CBS-FM).
>
> Although I have no access to billing figures, surely
> a flip to a vibrant Spanish-language format serving
> that high growth-segment of New York would be a prudent
> longterm business strategy for WQXR's full-market
> signal.
>
> Right...or wrong?
>

Wrong We already have enough Spanish stations,is this America or is this Mexico?
93.1 Smooth music,97.9 La Mega and 105.9 is enough ,they flipped WLIR 92.7 and wasted that frequency which was a great station, to simulcast Spanish,Am is full of Spanish already.Pretty soon conventional radio will be full of Spanish and Hip hop and thats all.Country and Oldies are dead ,meaning less variety,you wanna kill classical too?Man,Am I glad I bought Sirius,all the suits on FM want to just kill it off .
Hip hop>Spanish>Hip hop>Spanish =oh boy!
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by artynj on 07/21/05 09:09 PM.</FONT></P>
 
> > The flip of heritage oldies WCBS-FM was a surprise but
> > as many posters have pointed out, inevitable. Likewise,
> > the unmistakable trend has been for classical stations
> > to die (as happened in Philly, Detroit, Chicago, LA
> > and most recently with Radio One's change of KRTS in
> > Houston).
> >
> > Would the NYT ever contemplate a format change (or a
> > sale) of WQXR?
> >
> > I would hazard a guess that WQXR's audience, albeit
> > affluent, is also aging (maybe even more so than was
> > the case with CBS-FM).
> >
> > Although I have no access to billing figures, surely
> > a flip to a vibrant Spanish-language format serving
> > that high growth-segment of New York would be a prudent
> > longterm business strategy for WQXR's full-market
> > signal.
> >
> > Right...or wrong?
> >
>
All the aforementioned "classical" stations flipped AFTER they were sold because the conglomerates that bought them paid BIG bucks and had a note to pay off. If you don't have this debt position, classical can generate a decent cash flow. And even as current listeners die off (thud) there goes one now,
new listeners become attracted to the music because it's perennial and there for succeeding generations. Also please note that many FM's that flipped from "classical" to something else that was hot at the time, have flipped again, and again, and again!
 
> All the aforementioned "classical" stations flipped AFTER
> they were sold because the conglomerates that bought them
> paid BIG bucks and had a note to pay off. If you don't have
> this debt position, classical can generate a decent cash
> flow. And even as current listeners die off (thud) there
> goes one now,
> new listeners become attracted to the music because it's
> perennial and there for succeeding generations. Also please
> note that many FM's that flipped from "classical" to
> something else that was hot at the time, have flipped again,
> and again, and again!
>
Yeah, take the old WFLN in Philly (95.7), which has had a history since its flip of airing anemic formats that have not fared well at all in the books, its current effort maybe notwithstanding (not sure how it's done just lately).

What's interesting to me is how some classical/commerical outfits like WGMS in DC and 102.1 in San Francisco have done quite well in the books, tweaking their classical formats to crowd-pleasing classical faves, avoiding the obscure stuff and making them almost like classical-hits formats. It's a strategy that seems to have paid off, although its quite possible that those are markets that are nearly unique, and a strategy like that might not be nearly as successful in many other places.
 
As long as it's owned and operated by the New York Times Company, WQXR-96.3 will probably stay classical.

But if they were to ever sell or LMA the station, then classical will be quickly dumped.

Inquiry: Wasn't noncommercial WNYC-820/93.1 supposed to have bought the New York School Department's WNYE-91.5 to convert it to 24/7 classical??

Wild Card: If the WNYC/WNYE deal indeed does occur, I wonder if the Times/WQXR might drop classical on 96.3, donate the record library to 91.5, and flip WQXR to something else, maybe oldies or country??
 
WQXR is one of the last things left to listen to on the radio. I find myself with it on more and more. Yeah, take it away so there really is NOTHING left on the FM dial but bad AC/Rock Urban/Dance and Spanish on the air.

> The flip of heritage oldies WCBS-FM was a surprise but
> as many posters have pointed out, inevitable. Likewise,
> the unmistakable trend has been for classical stations
> to die (as happened in Philly, Detroit, Chicago, LA
> and most recently with Radio One's change of KRTS in
> Houston).
>
> Would the NYT ever contemplate a format change (or a
> sale) of WQXR?
>
> I would hazard a guess that WQXR's audience, albeit
> affluent, is also aging (maybe even more so than was
> the case with CBS-FM).
>
> Although I have no access to billing figures, surely
> a flip to a vibrant Spanish-language format serving
> that high growth-segment of New York would be a prudent
> longterm business strategy for WQXR's full-market
> signal.
>
> Right...or wrong?
>
 
> >
> Yeah, take the old WFLN in Philly (95.7), which has had a
> history since its flip of airing anemic formats that have
> not fared well at all in the books, its current effort maybe
> notwithstanding (not sure how it's done just lately).
>
> What's interesting to me is how some classical/commerical
> outfits like WGMS in DC and 102.1 in San Francisco have done
> quite well in the books, tweaking their classical formats to
> crowd-pleasing classical faves, avoiding the obscure stuff
> and making them almost like classical-hits formats. It's a
> strategy that seems to have paid off, although its quite
> possible that those are markets that are nearly unique, and
> a strategy like that might not be nearly as successful in
> many other places.
>

A colleague of mine about 8 years ago talked about Classical Top 40 and how it could work. Shorter, familiar passages from classical songs along with lighter stuff at night. Save the obscure for special programming on the weekends.

Alot of people recognize alot of classical music thanks to exposure in TV ads and movies and such, even if they don't know exactly what it is.
 
> > Would the NYT ever contemplate a format change (or a
> > sale) of WQXR?
> > [...] surely a flip to a vibrant Spanish-language format
> > serving that high growth-segment of New York would be
> > a prudent longterm business strategy for WQXR's
> > full-market signal.

> WQXR is one of the last things left to listen to on the
> radio. I find myself with it on more and more. Yeah, take
> it away so there really is NOTHING left on the FM dial but
> bad AC/Rock Urban/Dance and Spanish on the air.

Looking at the issue from a strictly business viewpoint (which
is, after all, what broadcasting [or any other endeavor] is
all about), your remarks prompt these followup queries:

1). Nowadays, is a niche format such as classical even
suitable for a mass-appeal medium such as FM radio given
the rise of alternative delivery methods?

2). To what extent are WQXR's listeners influenced by
radio advertising? Even given their affluence, aren't
the buying patterns of such an older-skewing consumer
already well established?

3). Any figures on what WQXR bills and its power ratio?
(Yes, I realize that 96.3 has been ``bought and paid for''
for decades.)
 
> > >
> > Yeah, take the old WFLN in Philly (95.7), which has had a
> > history since its flip of airing anemic formats that have
> > not fared well at all in the books, its current effort
> maybe
> > notwithstanding (not sure how it's done just lately).
> >
> > What's interesting to me is how some classical/commerical
> > outfits like WGMS in DC and 102.1 in San Francisco have
> done
> > quite well in the books, tweaking their classical formats
> to
> > crowd-pleasing classical faves, avoiding the obscure stuff
>
> > and making them almost like classical-hits formats. It's
> a
> > strategy that seems to have paid off, although its quite
> > possible that those are markets that are nearly unique,
> and
> > a strategy like that might not be nearly as successful in
> > many other places.
> >
>
> A colleague of mine about 8 years ago talked about Classical
> Top 40 and how it could work. Shorter, familiar passages
> from classical songs along with lighter stuff at night.
> Save the obscure for special programming on the weekends.
>
> Alot of people recognize alot of classical music thanks to
> exposure in TV ads and movies and such, even if they don't
> know exactly what it is.
>

TV has made "Water Music" which is classical. I am in an orchestra and play violin the violin and we did that piece last year.

I would not like to see WQXR go. It is different and unique. No more Spanish. This is America. No hip hop or rap either. I am sick of hearing the same old crap on radio everyday and losing something like QXR would suck.
<P ID="signature">______________
Kevin</P>
 
WFLN is a perfect example. That station that has been searching for listeners with a host of bad format ideas for years. Oddly, they are close to a 3 share with a bad JACK clone

Leave WQXR alone and bring back WNCN 104.3 (speaking of a Top 40 Classical station).
 
>>
> 3). Any figures on what WQXR bills and its power ratio?
> (Yes, I realize that 96.3 has been ``bought and paid for''
> for decades.)
>

Around $15 million billing, which means about a 0.7 power ratio.
 
> As long as it's owned and operated by the New York Times
> Company, WQXR-96.3 will probably stay classical.
>
> But if they were to ever sell or LMA the station, then
> classical will be quickly dumped.
>
> Inquiry: Wasn't noncommercial WNYC-820/93.1 supposed to have
> bought the New York School Department's WNYE-91.5 to convert
> it to 24/7 classical??
>
> Wild Card: If the WNYC/WNYE deal indeed does occur, I wonder
> if the Times/WQXR might drop classical on 96.3, donate the
> record library to 91.5, and flip WQXR to something else,
> maybe oldies or country??
>


Why would they drop the format if WNYE switched to Classical? After all, not too long ago there was 3 full time Classical stations.

93.9 - WNYC
96.3 - WQXR
104.3 - WNCN

I think QXR will keep Classical for many years to come.
 
> > As long as it's owned and operated by the New York Times
> > Company, WQXR-96.3 will probably stay classical.
> >
> > But if they were to ever sell or LMA the station, then
> > classical will be quickly dumped.
> >
> > Inquiry: Wasn't noncommercial WNYC-820/93.1 supposed to
> have
> > bought the New York School Department's WNYE-91.5 to
> convert
> > it to 24/7 classical??
> >
> > Wild Card: If the WNYC/WNYE deal indeed does occur, I
> wonder
> > if the Times/WQXR might drop classical on 96.3, donate the
>
> > record library to 91.5, and flip WQXR to something else,
> > maybe oldies or country??
> >
>
>
> Why would they drop the format if WNYE switched to
> Classical? After all, not too long ago there was 3 full time
> Classical stations.
>
> 93.9 - WNYC
> 96.3 - WQXR
> 104.3 - WNCN
>
> I think QXR will keep Classical for many years to come.
>

104.3 hasn't been classical since the early 1990s.
<P ID="signature">______________
Kevin</P>
 
> WQXR is one of the last things left to listen to on the
> radio. I find myself with it on more and more. Yeah, take
> it away so there really is NOTHING left on the FM dial but
> bad AC/Rock Urban/Dance and Spanish on the air.

I agree, I've been listening to WQXR since age 14. I'm hoping I, as well as "classical" music on FM, will not die any time soon. There are enough "vibrant" stations for the kids to listen to. Hell, they should try listening to Mozart once in a while, wouldn't hurt. :)

> > The flip of heritage oldies WCBS-FM was a surprise but
> > as many posters have pointed out, inevitable. Likewise,
> > the unmistakable trend has been for classical stations
> > to die (as happened in Philly, Detroit, Chicago, LA
> > and most recently with Radio One's change of KRTS in
> > Houston).
> >
> > Would the NYT ever contemplate a format change (or a
> > sale) of WQXR?
> >
> > I would hazard a guess that WQXR's audience, albeit
> > affluent, is also aging (maybe even more so than was
> > the case with CBS-FM).
> >
> > Although I have no access to billing figures, surely
> > a flip to a vibrant Spanish-language format serving
> > that high growth-segment of New York would be a prudent
> > longterm business strategy for WQXR's full-market
> > signal.
> >
> > Right...or wrong?<P ID="signature">______________
...in my day, you could tell the stations apart by the music they played!</P>
 
> >>
> > 3). Any figures on what WQXR bills and its power ratio?
> > (Yes, I realize that 96.3 has been ``bought and paid for''
>
> > for decades.)
> >
>
> Around $15 million billing, which means about a 0.7 power
> ratio.
>
David, do you really see the New York Times taking their beloved classical off that station ? I don't think they will only because it is such a reflection of their corporate image. What do you think ?
 
> >
> David, do you really see the New York Times taking their
> beloved classical off that station ? I don't think they will
> only because it is such a reflection of their corporate
> image. What do you think ?
>

I agree with you, and for the same reasons.
 
> Why would they drop the format if WNYE switched to
> Classical? After all, not too long ago there was 3 full time
> Classical stations.
>
> 93.9 - WNYC
> 96.3 - WQXR
> 104.3 - WNCN

I remember the ads that WNCN used to run in SRDS in the 60's,
``Serving the leadership community''. Such a slogan, even
limited to a buyer-directed publication, would probably not
be well-received nowadays.
 
> > 104.3 hasn't been classical since the early 1990s.
>
> 1993
>
> Relatively speaking, it wasn't that long ago.
>
Are you sure? I'm out of the market but it seems more like 1983 when I read it in the trades!
 
> > > 104.3 hasn't been classical since the early 1990s.
> >
> > 1993
> >
> > Relatively speaking, it wasn't that long ago.
> >
> Are you sure? I'm out of the market but it seems more like
> 1983 when I read it in the trades!
>

No. 1993. I checked. 104.3 was alternative (in that general area of rock) until 1996 when it went classic rock.<P ID="signature">______________
freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews</P>
 
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