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WSTR STAR 94 CHR or HOT-AC?
- Thread starter e-dawg
- Start date
This is just a guess -strictly 100% guess!
Maybe for the same reason Hot 97 WQHT labels themselves as rhythmic when they sound as urban as ever; For billing purposes.
That's just a guess. Maybe they haven't fully made up their minds that they are going to actually stay Hot AC, or maybe they're just too lazy to change it (just kidding).
I don't see why they would want to leave Hot AC because no one else is doing it, and there are already more than enough holes in the market - outside of urban, urban contemporary, urban oldies rock, pop rock, classic rock, alternative rock, news talk, praise... you get the point.
Maybe for the same reason Hot 97 WQHT labels themselves as rhythmic when they sound as urban as ever; For billing purposes.
That's just a guess. Maybe they haven't fully made up their minds that they are going to actually stay Hot AC, or maybe they're just too lazy to change it (just kidding).
I don't see why they would want to leave Hot AC because no one else is doing it, and there are already more than enough holes in the market - outside of urban, urban contemporary, urban oldies rock, pop rock, classic rock, alternative rock, news talk, praise... you get the point.
Star 94 is a pretty unique station - they still take titles off the CHR chart that have never gone for Hot AC adds (Love Like Woe - The Ready Set, Double Vision -3OH!3, Like It's Her Birthday - Good Charlotte, Bleed - Hot Chelle Rae), but they also play HAC titles that literally no other CHRs play (Hollywood - Michael Buble, Home - Goo Goo Dolls, Mockingbird - Rob Thomas)
Unlike regular Hot ACs, they have a very tight recurrent playlist, and most of their songs after 4 p. m. or so come from the last 2-3 years
As of a couple years ago, BDS didn't monitor them at all, because they didn't fit with either format, but Mediabase still counts them as CHR, and so does Arbitron
I think it's similar to WWMX/Baltimore, a CHR which calls itself Hot AC, or WXRK/New York, a Rhythmic which calls itself CHR
Unlike regular Hot ACs, they have a very tight recurrent playlist, and most of their songs after 4 p. m. or so come from the last 2-3 years
As of a couple years ago, BDS didn't monitor them at all, because they didn't fit with either format, but Mediabase still counts them as CHR, and so does Arbitron
I think it's similar to WWMX/Baltimore, a CHR which calls itself Hot AC, or WXRK/New York, a Rhythmic which calls itself CHR
N
Nyte Ryder
Guest
The trades just haven't changed it over yet and they probably haven't bothered to change in Arbitron. They are Hot AC in Billboard and supposedly about to change to Hot AC in Mediabase soon.
Everyone in the industry now treats them as Hot AC. One of the unsubstantiated rumors about JR leaving is he didn't want to follow the Hot AC game plan. One thing that is certain is they fully changed to Hot AC the day he left.
Everyone in the industry now treats them as Hot AC. One of the unsubstantiated rumors about JR leaving is he didn't want to follow the Hot AC game plan. One thing that is certain is they fully changed to Hot AC the day he left.
Interesting.
Just read an article that called them a "Hot AC with a CHR pace"
Still not sure why the new PD's taking non-HAC titles off the CHR chart though - doesn't seem like a complete transition yet IMO
Still not sure why the new PD's taking non-HAC titles off the CHR chart though - doesn't seem like a complete transition yet IMO
M
mike7586
Guest
Why is Star's playlist so tight? They really need to add more songs. HOT AC/Adult Hits is about variety... just look at stations like 95.5 PLJ in NY and Star 94.1 in San Diego. I like that Star plays some songs you wouldn't expect for HOT AC, but they really need to beef up their playlist. Who is the new PD and will we see any positive changes?
N
Nyte Ryder
Guest
Mike, you will never see any positive change on Star, Q or Wild because you want a radio station to meet your personal tastes. I'm absolutely certain none of those stations are programmed to the personal tastes of the PD.
You may have noticed when looking out your window that this is not NY or Miami or even Charlotte. What do you think the chance is that maybe the PD's know a little more about what this market wants than you? I know, I know, you check the Z100 playlist every week and that's EXACTLY what Q100 should play. You sound like the Monday morning know it all discussing how he would have fixed the Falcons and put them in the Super Bowl.
You may have noticed when looking out your window that this is not NY or Miami or even Charlotte. What do you think the chance is that maybe the PD's know a little more about what this market wants than you? I know, I know, you check the Z100 playlist every week and that's EXACTLY what Q100 should play. You sound like the Monday morning know it all discussing how he would have fixed the Falcons and put them in the Super Bowl.
Star 94, Q100, and B98.5 all have "tight" playlists (B98.5 is probably the most conservative AC in the country) - ATL is still a conservative market - it's not NYC or San Diego
I think even Dave-FM has a "conservative" playlist compared to other Triple A stations nationwide
I think even Dave-FM has a "conservative" playlist compared to other Triple A stations nationwide
M
mike7586
Guest
atlantaboy said:
But for the #7 market in the country, why is it so conservative? It's completely different from all the other top 20 markets (and even smaller markets like Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Greenville, SC) and it just baffles my mind.
Hey Nyte Ryder, could you be a little more condescending to mike? The guy just suggested a little more variety, not a station tailor made to his personal tastes. I didn't realize that making suggestions on improving a radio station made you sound like a blowhard know it all, but now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
N
Nyte Ryder
Guest
In this thread, yes he was just asking for a little variety but in most of his other threads he's insulting to radio station programmers going as far to nit pick songs.
For the most part, he provides more condescension towards programmers and radio stations than anyone else on this board.
So no, I will not apologize for giving him a little of his own medicine.
For the most part, he provides more condescension towards programmers and radio stations than anyone else on this board.
So no, I will not apologize for giving him a little of his own medicine.
M
mike7586
Guest
Nyte Ryder said:In this thread, yes he was just asking for a little variety but in most of his other threads he's insulting to radio station programmers going as far to nit pick songs.
For the most part, he provides more condescension towards programmers and radio stations than anyone else on this board.
So no, I will not apologize for giving him a little of his own medicine.
It's ok... you didn't hurt my feelings and I'm sorry if I hurt yours.
All the songs I'm nitpicking about... I have good reason too. And all I'm saying is, for the #7 radio market in the country, why are many songs missing from many of our local stations playlists? I mean come on now... Smashing Pumpkins, Vertical Horizon, Crazy Town on Q100? Owl City - Fireflies still being played on both Q and Star more than once a day? I think Atlanta stations are the only ones in the country still playing Owl City. Theory of a Deadman - Not Meant to Be still more than once a day or even at all??? And how many more times can Wild play BoB - Airplanes and Katy Perry - Teenage Dream? It's time to retire some songs and how about some new music here?
N
Nyte Ryder
Guest
Mike, I'm glad your feelings weren't hurt and mine weren't either because I'm not a programmer.
But I stand by the fact that you're nitpicking songs. I did a sort last night of 10 major market stations including the ones you always mention and many of the songs you call out aren't being played on KIIS (Stereo Love), Y100 (Yeah 3X) while Q100 plays The Time by BEP and Enrique's Tonight that aren't on several of your CC "awesome" stations. Oh, and almost no one is playing Memories. You paint with a broad and all-encompassing brush stroke that makes your statements ring untrue.
There's always a bit of give and take. Your rants take away from any valid points you bring up.
Now I'm going to do what I did last time and really enjoyed. I'm unplugging from this board for a couple of weeks before it degrades into unpleasantness.
And BTW, KDM, I have been VERY impressed with your recent posts here where it feels like you've taken a new tack and turned positive in tone (but not too positive). It makes your thoughts about potential improvements much stronger. And it's inspired me as well. So I thank you for that.
But I stand by the fact that you're nitpicking songs. I did a sort last night of 10 major market stations including the ones you always mention and many of the songs you call out aren't being played on KIIS (Stereo Love), Y100 (Yeah 3X) while Q100 plays The Time by BEP and Enrique's Tonight that aren't on several of your CC "awesome" stations. Oh, and almost no one is playing Memories. You paint with a broad and all-encompassing brush stroke that makes your statements ring untrue.
There's always a bit of give and take. Your rants take away from any valid points you bring up.
Now I'm going to do what I did last time and really enjoyed. I'm unplugging from this board for a couple of weeks before it degrades into unpleasantness.
And BTW, KDM, I have been VERY impressed with your recent posts here where it feels like you've taken a new tack and turned positive in tone (but not too positive). It makes your thoughts about potential improvements much stronger. And it's inspired me as well. So I thank you for that.
Nyte Ryder said:
I have to mix it up sometimes. It keeps things interesting and makes for an interesting read while still getting an opinion or point across. The crazy banter & fancy talk is only good to a certain extent. ;D
mike7586 said:
Welcome to my world.
I'm on vacation right now in Boston for Thanksgiving week, and I've never appreciated Atlanta radio more
Mix 104.1 has a similar playlist to Star 94, but instead of energizing you it seems like they try to put you to sleep - the DJ's are almost all female, they talk in "baby talk", they sound like they're sedated, and they cut straight from one song to another without even a station jingle - the CHR, AC, and even Alternative stations have similar "low-key" presentations, and it seems like no one pitches songs at all up here (they all sound slow compared to ATL) - listened to the legendary Matty In The Morning show today on Kiss 108, and he'll stop talking for a what seems like a really long period of time and just leave silence on the air
Most of these stations are really successful (especially Kiss 108 and Magic 106.7) - it's weird cause Massachusetts has really hyper people, but really mellow radio
Mix 104.1 has a similar playlist to Star 94, but instead of energizing you it seems like they try to put you to sleep - the DJ's are almost all female, they talk in "baby talk", they sound like they're sedated, and they cut straight from one song to another without even a station jingle - the CHR, AC, and even Alternative stations have similar "low-key" presentations, and it seems like no one pitches songs at all up here (they all sound slow compared to ATL) - listened to the legendary Matty In The Morning show today on Kiss 108, and he'll stop talking for a what seems like a really long period of time and just leave silence on the air
Most of these stations are really successful (especially Kiss 108 and Magic 106.7) - it's weird cause Massachusetts has really hyper people, but really mellow radio
Speaking of Boston, I can't believe WJMN is seriously playing Alex Young! She was really serious about them supporting her song! Way to go girl! (Not like she's going to log in to the Atlanta section and see this, but still....).
As far as my opinion on Boston Radio, I'll say first off that they don't compare to Phoenix (Or Las Vegas), and I would not dream of living there over Phoenix, L.A., or Las Vegas when it comes to favorite stations and style of music formatting. They do play quite a bit of songs I like on their stations, but when it comes to radio, I don't wish I lived there from Phoenix.
Now, as far as comparing it to Atl, well... WJMN:
Boston surely has a great rhythmic and I love how they program their music playlist, but I can't stand the amount of hip hop recurrents they have, and I'm also not too fond of a rhythmic that plays a bunch of hip hop recurrents from the days of when hip hop was dominating the charts to "sound more hip hop". So, when I compare WJMN (which plays more rhythmic hits I like regularly but seemingly has less intriguing mixshows and too many hip hop recurrents), and WWVA (which has better mixshows, is much more current, but doesn't play all the hit rhythmic hits I love, I'd say overall, WWVA comes out on top in my book.
As far as comparing WWWQ and WXKS:
I'd have to say it's almost a tie when everything is put out on the table as a whole. While WXKS tends to play more songs I like during the regular week (in addition to more songs I also don't care much for), WWWQ definitely has a WAY, FAR FAR better weekend mixshow than WXKS. As a matter of fact, Q100's playlist consists of less songs I don't care for than WXKS, and I think WWWQ's playlist music is better arranged and sounds more polished than WXKS in many ways. WWWQ is actually better at programming in my opinion, but the only reason I consider it more of a tie is because of the lack of risk and not breaking new music early a lot of the time.
WMJX beats B98.5 hands down musically for certain reasons, but that's just my opinion.
Boston also has WXLO and WBMX, but Atlanta has WHTA, WVEE, and WAMJ, so I guess the whole thing on "who's better" overall is pretty much based on your personal tastes.. and unlike Boston completely lacking a WHTA, WVEE, or WAMJ style, Atlanta has stations that already cover what WXLO, WMJX, and WBMX plays - without having to use as many frequencies to do it.
So, I guess overall, Atlanta, with less frequencies, is more fascinating than Boston when it comes to radio.
Phoenix, like Boston's pop rock sound, may also use an "unnecessary amount" of frequencies to do some things that could be delivered on 2 or less frequencies (when it comes to rhythmic and spanish formatting), but in Atl, you will not get anything like
KPKX
KQMR
KZON
KESZ
KZZP
KDKB
KNRJ
KMVA
KAJM
KVIB
I haven't researched Atlanta's classic rock stations(s), so I can't compare Az's classic rock stations to Atl (if there are any there). Same with Country. I have to hear WGST and WSB to see how they compare to KTAR and KFYI, which are also embedded within the two pages of six channel presets I must use to hold all my favorite Phx stations!
Phoenix is missing a WWWQ sound, and with KKFR, KZON, KMVA, and KZZP as they are, I don't see why ONE of them (mostly the last two I listed) didn't become more like Q. I think two different rhythmic sounds are enough. Four is just a little much... but I'm not complaining because it was only 5 years ago when.... Phx was very and even TUCSON looked great!.
JUST Throw in a format like KZZP, KPKX, KDKB, and even KVIB into the Atlanta scene and it would be more complete.
As far as my opinion on Boston Radio, I'll say first off that they don't compare to Phoenix (Or Las Vegas), and I would not dream of living there over Phoenix, L.A., or Las Vegas when it comes to favorite stations and style of music formatting. They do play quite a bit of songs I like on their stations, but when it comes to radio, I don't wish I lived there from Phoenix.
Now, as far as comparing it to Atl, well... WJMN:
Boston surely has a great rhythmic and I love how they program their music playlist, but I can't stand the amount of hip hop recurrents they have, and I'm also not too fond of a rhythmic that plays a bunch of hip hop recurrents from the days of when hip hop was dominating the charts to "sound more hip hop". So, when I compare WJMN (which plays more rhythmic hits I like regularly but seemingly has less intriguing mixshows and too many hip hop recurrents), and WWVA (which has better mixshows, is much more current, but doesn't play all the hit rhythmic hits I love, I'd say overall, WWVA comes out on top in my book.
As far as comparing WWWQ and WXKS:
I'd have to say it's almost a tie when everything is put out on the table as a whole. While WXKS tends to play more songs I like during the regular week (in addition to more songs I also don't care much for), WWWQ definitely has a WAY, FAR FAR better weekend mixshow than WXKS. As a matter of fact, Q100's playlist consists of less songs I don't care for than WXKS, and I think WWWQ's playlist music is better arranged and sounds more polished than WXKS in many ways. WWWQ is actually better at programming in my opinion, but the only reason I consider it more of a tie is because of the lack of risk and not breaking new music early a lot of the time.
WMJX beats B98.5 hands down musically for certain reasons, but that's just my opinion.
Boston also has WXLO and WBMX, but Atlanta has WHTA, WVEE, and WAMJ, so I guess the whole thing on "who's better" overall is pretty much based on your personal tastes.. and unlike Boston completely lacking a WHTA, WVEE, or WAMJ style, Atlanta has stations that already cover what WXLO, WMJX, and WBMX plays - without having to use as many frequencies to do it.
So, I guess overall, Atlanta, with less frequencies, is more fascinating than Boston when it comes to radio.
Phoenix, like Boston's pop rock sound, may also use an "unnecessary amount" of frequencies to do some things that could be delivered on 2 or less frequencies (when it comes to rhythmic and spanish formatting), but in Atl, you will not get anything like
KPKX
KQMR
KZON
KESZ
KZZP
KDKB
KNRJ
KMVA
KAJM
KVIB
I haven't researched Atlanta's classic rock stations(s), so I can't compare Az's classic rock stations to Atl (if there are any there). Same with Country. I have to hear WGST and WSB to see how they compare to KTAR and KFYI, which are also embedded within the two pages of six channel presets I must use to hold all my favorite Phx stations!
Phoenix is missing a WWWQ sound, and with KKFR, KZON, KMVA, and KZZP as they are, I don't see why ONE of them (mostly the last two I listed) didn't become more like Q. I think two different rhythmic sounds are enough. Four is just a little much... but I'm not complaining because it was only 5 years ago when.... Phx was very
and even TUCSON looked great!.JUST Throw in a format like KZZP, KPKX, KDKB, and even KVIB into the Atlanta scene and it would be more complete.
Nothing wrong with the music selection in Boston IMO - it's just that the on-air presentation is putting me to sleep (especially the cutting right from one song to another)
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