I started this thread so that we could discuss both WRFF (Radio 104.5) and 101.9 WRXP, as these two stations seem to be the only semi-acceptable substitutes for the late G Rock 106.3/106.5. For what it's worth, both stations only reach about 25-50% of the market, tops. But they'll suffice for those that can hear them until something local comes around ... however, with the in-market broadcasters being Greater Media, Millennium Radio Group and Press Communications, we probably shouldn't hold our collective breath waiting for it.
I've listened to WRFF some, and honestly, it mostly sounds like an MP3 player filled with really safe '90s titles and a select few currents. The station just doesn't go deep enough with their playlist for my tastes. They're really heavy on overplayed '90s grunge-era titles (many of which are classic rock staples now), sticking almost exclusively to the big hits from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, Pumpkins, etc. They also don't have nearly enough currents (by my count, there's about 15-20) and play some old Killers and Muse titles about as much as their newer songs - some of these titles have been in pretty high rotation since the station launched nearly two years ago. They have only played one Smiths song to my knowledge (How Soon Is Now) and I've never heard any Morrissey. And I could really do without The Fray and The All-American Rejects. In terms of presentation, they couldn't be further away from G Rock ... no proper morning show, the jocks barely speak, and they don't seem to take requests. Personally, when I listen to radio, I like having DJs that are not kept on a short leash. In spite of all this, they're decent and certainly an improvement over the garbage that now plays on WHTG/WBBO. They're just a little too high on '90s titles that we've all heard thousands of times.
WRXP is so unfocused and frustrating. They're clearly using the "all things to all people" strategy, which just doesn't work. Someone who likes The Ting Tings and TV On The Radio will bail when Boston or Van Halen comes on, and they will all depart when Elton John or Sheryl Crow plays. If RXP can get their music focused and give NYC what it really needs, I think it's capable of pulling somewhat strong ratings. With two FM signals that are very heavy on classic rock titles, RXP should go in a 100% Alternative direction. Matt Pinfield would make an excellent PD/MD for WRXP, as would Terrie Carr from G Rock. If this station focused on Alt titles from the '70s to today, I think they would be looking at ratings in the 3s at least ... with K-Rock leaning more toward older rock by the day and plenty of modern acts selling out concerts with ease, no one can deny that the audience is there. RXP just needs to pursue them by ditching the corporate trucker rock and broadening their Alt library some. I've heard them play some Ben Folds Five, Cake and Beck titles that are seldom heard these days, so there's still a lot of promise if they can get their act together. The DJ presence is definitely a plus for the station (more talk about the songs/artists, station events, etc.), and WHTG listeners will recognize some familiar voices in Pinfield and (Brian) Phillips.
So there's positives and negatives about both stations ... the biggest weak point for both, of course, is that the signals only reach parts of Monmouth/Ocean (RXP to the north, RFF some points south and west). It's nothing like having a local station that had very focused programming, one of the most diverse and broad Alt libraries in the entire country, terrific personalities, an excellent morning show (Pork Roll & Eggs, bleeeeecccccccchhhhhh ... just had to say it), and listener interaction ... you get the idea. But they still beat the other FM options out there
So what does everyone here think about the other rock stations that reach the market? We'll include WRAT in this discussion as well. Have they made any changes in their format to accommodate displaced G Rock listeners? From my perspective, they haven't. I always manage to hear either AC/DC, Aerosmith, or Nickelback/Hinder/Saving Abel/3 Doors Down/Theory Of A Deadman (lumped together because I think they're all secretly the same band) when my dial hits 95.9. And in the past I recall hearing a station ID that mocked Morrissey, so they're not exactly ingratiating themselves with Alt fans by doing that.
I've listened to WRFF some, and honestly, it mostly sounds like an MP3 player filled with really safe '90s titles and a select few currents. The station just doesn't go deep enough with their playlist for my tastes. They're really heavy on overplayed '90s grunge-era titles (many of which are classic rock staples now), sticking almost exclusively to the big hits from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, STP, Pumpkins, etc. They also don't have nearly enough currents (by my count, there's about 15-20) and play some old Killers and Muse titles about as much as their newer songs - some of these titles have been in pretty high rotation since the station launched nearly two years ago. They have only played one Smiths song to my knowledge (How Soon Is Now) and I've never heard any Morrissey. And I could really do without The Fray and The All-American Rejects. In terms of presentation, they couldn't be further away from G Rock ... no proper morning show, the jocks barely speak, and they don't seem to take requests. Personally, when I listen to radio, I like having DJs that are not kept on a short leash. In spite of all this, they're decent and certainly an improvement over the garbage that now plays on WHTG/WBBO. They're just a little too high on '90s titles that we've all heard thousands of times.
WRXP is so unfocused and frustrating. They're clearly using the "all things to all people" strategy, which just doesn't work. Someone who likes The Ting Tings and TV On The Radio will bail when Boston or Van Halen comes on, and they will all depart when Elton John or Sheryl Crow plays. If RXP can get their music focused and give NYC what it really needs, I think it's capable of pulling somewhat strong ratings. With two FM signals that are very heavy on classic rock titles, RXP should go in a 100% Alternative direction. Matt Pinfield would make an excellent PD/MD for WRXP, as would Terrie Carr from G Rock. If this station focused on Alt titles from the '70s to today, I think they would be looking at ratings in the 3s at least ... with K-Rock leaning more toward older rock by the day and plenty of modern acts selling out concerts with ease, no one can deny that the audience is there. RXP just needs to pursue them by ditching the corporate trucker rock and broadening their Alt library some. I've heard them play some Ben Folds Five, Cake and Beck titles that are seldom heard these days, so there's still a lot of promise if they can get their act together. The DJ presence is definitely a plus for the station (more talk about the songs/artists, station events, etc.), and WHTG listeners will recognize some familiar voices in Pinfield and (Brian) Phillips.
So there's positives and negatives about both stations ... the biggest weak point for both, of course, is that the signals only reach parts of Monmouth/Ocean (RXP to the north, RFF some points south and west). It's nothing like having a local station that had very focused programming, one of the most diverse and broad Alt libraries in the entire country, terrific personalities, an excellent morning show (Pork Roll & Eggs, bleeeeecccccccchhhhhh ... just had to say it), and listener interaction ... you get the idea. But they still beat the other FM options out there
So what does everyone here think about the other rock stations that reach the market? We'll include WRAT in this discussion as well. Have they made any changes in their format to accommodate displaced G Rock listeners? From my perspective, they haven't. I always manage to hear either AC/DC, Aerosmith, or Nickelback/Hinder/Saving Abel/3 Doors Down/Theory Of A Deadman (lumped together because I think they're all secretly the same band) when my dial hits 95.9. And in the past I recall hearing a station ID that mocked Morrissey, so they're not exactly ingratiating themselves with Alt fans by doing that.
