WRXS / Clear Channel

[kidcapri]

Ok, since you guys pay such attention to detail, I decided to start a brand new subject which will encompass everything you've been discussing about WRXS/CD101 in 6 different threads. I didn't know a digital message board where people post their opinions needed to be organized so efficiently so here you go.

WRXS will initially do decent in the ratings, but their play-list is too programmed and too gold driven. CD101 should definitely be a bit nervous, but if they withstand the initial interest Radio 1067 will have, they will be fine. It's not like there's a lot of ratings shares to take away from CD101. I think other stations in the market will feel the ratings change more. I also think Clear Channel overlooked the fact that Columbus is a college town in every way. Good luck to them, the exact same station is in Philly and doing great, however if they're looking to knock out CD101, I personally don't think that will happen.

Last, the real reason CC does anything is to make money. Why they think they'll make money with an Alternative station in Columbus, Ohio is beyond me.

 

[late1]

Re: WMRN / Clear Channel

By saying WMRN, I assume you are referring to the New call sign for 106.7: WRXS

 

[kidcapri]

Re: WMRN / Clear Channel

By saying WMRN, I assume you are referring to the New call sign for 106.7: WRXS

Yes

 

[columbus radio fan]

Last, the real reason CC does anything is to make money. Why they think they'll make money with an Alternative station in Columbus, Ohio is beyond me.

Well I sure hope that CC, or in fact ANY COMPANY that is in business is in it TO MAKE MONEY!!! Where do you think we are? The old USSR?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Yes, CD101 is clearly just one of the places 106.7 will pick up audience, regardless of how well or how poorly 106.7 does. Channel Z had a better signal than 106.7, and quite respectable ratings, but it didn't kill off 101.1.  I doubt 106.7 will kill them off either, unfortunately, even if 106.7 does real well.  Because of CD101's typical rollercoaster ratings, it will take awhile to see how much WRXS is hurting them.  But I doubt CD101 would change even it fell below a 0.5, because it's basically the owner's own plaything and ego-builder.

BTW, since when are college towns more receptive to bad radio than anywhere else?  Besides, despite OSU's size and influence, students+faculty represent a decided minority of area listeners.  Being a rabid OSU football fan doesn't make you a "college person."

 

[kidcapri]

Oh god, what an awful mix of songs this hour!!!

Whoever is programming this really needs help.

Songs are in order during the 4PM hour today.

Train - Drops Of Jupiter
The White Stripes - You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)
Collective Soul - Shine
Radiohead - Karma Police
Gin Blossoms - Allison Road
Linkin Park - Faint
The Police - Can't Stand Losing You
The Killers - Read My Mind
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
Blink-182 - What's My Age Again?

Horrible. This kind of playlist isn't going to make anyone like this station...

 

[Allfirdup]

Oh god, what an awful mix of songs this hour!!!

Whoever is programming this really needs help.

Songs are in order during the 4PM hour today.

Train - Drops Of Jupiter
The White Stripes - You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told)
Collective Soul - Shine
Radiohead - Karma Police
Gin Blossoms - Allison Road
Linkin Park - Faint
The Police - Can't Stand Losing You
The Killers - Read My Mind
Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
Blink-182 - What's My Age Again?

Horrible. This kind of playlist isn't going to make anyone like this station...

If you dislike the station so much why are you listening? I actually like the mix so far, they have been the only station locally that i have had on in the car since the start of the new year.

so on a side note, how long have you worked for CD101 (kidding)

 

[CBusDave]

Ok, since you guys pay such attention to detail, I decided to start a brand new subject which will encompass everything you've been discussing about WRXS/CD101 in 6 different threads. I didn't know a digital message board where people post their opinions needed to be organized so efficiently so here you go.

So a 7th thread is in order?

WRXS will initially do decent in the ratings, but their play-list is too programmed and too gold driven. CD101 should definitely be a bit nervous, but if they withstand the initial interest Radio 1067 will have, they will be fine. It's not like there's a lot of ratings shares to take away from CD101. I think other stations in the market will feel the ratings change more. I also think Clear Channel overlooked the fact that Columbus is a college town in every way. Good luck to them, the exact same station is in Philly and doing great, however if they're looking to knock out CD101, I personally don't think that will happen.

Last, the real reason CC does anything is to make money. Why they think they'll make money with an Alternative station in Columbus, Ohio is beyond me.

Clear Channel didn't launch WXRS to directly compete with CD101. Why would they launch a station to knock out a station that is pulling a mid-1 rating. They are looking to take listeners from WBNS, WWCD, WBZX, etc and create their own market.

 

[kidcapri]

If you dislike the station so much why are you listening? I actually like the mix so far, they have been the only station locally that i have had on in the car since the start of the new year.

so on a side note, how long have you worked for CD101 (kidding)

I'm a music fan, just checking out the new alt station in town. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like CD101 at times.

I have been involved in the industry for almost 10 years, and I'm telling you, stretches of music like in the 4PM hour definitely bold well for the other stations in town. I've been listening at stretches all day online here at work. Other things I've noticed...their traffic guy sounds like he should be on a country station and it's weird to hear "Dublin, Ohio" as the station location...maybe that's just me though.

 

[kidcapri]

Clear Channel didn't launch WXRS to directly compete with CD101. Why would they launch a station to knock out a station that is pulling a mid-1 rating. They are looking to take listeners from WBNS, WWCD, WBZX, etc and create their own market.

That's what I stated earlier, CD101 has a mid 1.x share, so they're not going to get much in the ratings from them... other stations will hurt more up front. However, after the initial campaign, things will slowly deteriorate because CC won't be making the money they expect to. Alternative is a dying format. I give Radio 106.7 2-3 years before they flip it again. Just watch.

 

[Bill Harmonic]

I agree with Nu that CD101 might not disappear but that's only because of ownership and nothing else. They are probably where they will stay (on a good book) but don't be surprised if they fall below a one share in the near future. Some of that can be given to Radio 106.7 but the majority of that is because Gen Y who should listen to this type of station has no meaningful connection to terrestrial radio anymore. They have their own means of finding, storing and listening to music and they don't care about the CD101's of the world. That has been the number one reason for their decline in the past year or so. You combine that with kids playing to kids and a thought process that lets them be a legend in their own minds and there you go. The available listeners to terrestrial radio are Gen Xers and baby boomers. Dan Mason of CBS figured that out and that's why he's restoring classic hits and rock stations in his chain. Stations today have to play to the available audience because the next generation is very busy on their cell phones and iPods. Be very careful aiming for that generation because it's the one radio let get away by doing nothing to fill their needs for the past ten years. The result is that Gen Y has no attachment to radio and isn't likely to get one anytime soon. Radio 106.7 is just starting and it's just a jukebox right this moment. CBD is also correct in that Radio 106.7 is not after CD101. They just happen to be the easiest play to take out. 106.7 is a 25-49 station and they will take from others including Mix and the Blitz to make their thing work. Out of everything that's not in this market, it's the one thing right now that I turn on that has potential. What I really want...nah. What I can live with and hope it becomes better...you bet.

 

[pbf1]

after the initial campaign, things will slowly deteriorate because CC won't be making the money they expect to. Alternative is a dying format. I give Radio 106.7 2-3 years before they flip it again. Just watch.

Bet? The expectations won't be high given the signal limitation. It'll just have to be in the mid 2's.

Oh, and it's not exactly Alternative, either.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

Oh, and it's not exactly Alternative, either.

More like Pop-ternative.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Oh, and it's not exactly Alternative, either.

More like Pop-ternative.

That's a really good description.  I've heard its Philly progenitor, WRFF, referred to as Adult Alternative, which would I guess would place it between Alternative and AAA (Adult Album Alternative).  Jeez, these alternative descriptions of Alternative are confusing, but I do like Pop-ternative.  That's fragmentation for you.

 

[dplantz]

...Gen Y who should listen to this type of station has no meaningful connection to terrestrial radio anymore. They have their own means of finding, storing and listening to music and they don't care about the CD101's of the world. That has been the number one reason for their decline in the past year or so. You combine that with kids playing to kids and a thought process that lets them be a legend in their own minds and there you go. The available listeners to terrestrial radio are Gen Xers and baby boomers. Stations today have to play to the available audience because the next generation is very busy on their cell phones and iPods.

Exactly. If they were targeting Gen Y, you'd be hearing more emo bands like Dashboard, Panic!, FOB, A&A, Yellowcard, My Chemical Romance, Cartel, Starting Line, among others. Those are the rock bands a lot of them listen to. And as stated above, they're tuning to iPods and the internet for music.

Radio 106.7 is filling a young adult, pop/alt/rock void without threatening NCI. You don't hear any WNCI rock staples like Nickelback, The Fray, or Daughtry on 106.7. In a way, the format picks up where Channel Z left off. Thing is, Z's audience is now eight years older, has more money, and now has a better shot of showing up in the ratings. So, combine that format with the Hot AC / AAA positioning of the "less chat, more music, more variety" and you have a competitive station in the market. Plus, with the mix of music they play, if they're not somebody's favorite station, they're likely to be somebody's 2nd favorite station, which never hurts.

BTW - They're definitely not "alternative" in my opinion. That word has essentially died from the American music vocabulary. "Indie" has for all intensive purposes, replaced "alternative" as the latest hip/cool rock buzzword but it's nowhere near as successful (from a radio/business standpoint) as alternative was in the 90s. Most of that is due to the technology and music shift to the internet. Heck, MTV is nothing but a teenage lifestyle network these days. It's impact in music is nil. That's why there won't be a "next Nirvana" or grunge movement.

 

[CBusDave]

BTW - They're definitely not "alternative" in my opinion.

Which makes me laugh that the word keeps coming up here to describe them. They don't position themselves as alternative and never claimed to be alternative.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

BTW - They're definitely not "alternative" in my opinion.

Which makes me laugh that the word keeps coming up here to describe them.  They don't position themselves as alternative and never claimed to be alternative.

Not so sure I agree with what the Daves are getting at here (even though I do agree with most of Dave Plantz's observations).  Stations frequently do not use their format name on-air.  E.g., how often do you hear 97.1 talk about Hot AC or "AC" all?   Also, in radio lingo, alternative=modern rock, and that's a term JbC used in describing the station in a press release.  I'm sure that's what it will be tagged in the most oif the trades.  106.7 is indeed part of the alternative spectrum, it's just a new type that leans heavily toward classics/gold, focusing on the poppier stuff and maybe with tighter rotations.

 

[alans613]

Alternative is a dying format.


No truer words can be spoken there...Just look at 99X/WNNX/Atlanta, who is losing their 100K signal for CHR Q100. This is 2008, not 1998.
Do I like Alternative? Yes, I do...99.9% gold, though. I can't stand most of the stuff today(Same for CHR/Pop and Rhythmic).