WYRK, King Of Country

Element9 · Sep 2, 2005

Posters on this board spend a lot of time writing about Kiss, the Lake, Jack, 97 Rock, WBEN and other Buffalo stations. Often overlooked are two stations in Infinity’s Buffalo cluster, particularly WYRK. This highly rated country station is the reigning champion of the Buffalo market.

In the recent Spring book, and most of the last five books, WYRK owns the market, lock, stock and barrel, in every demo 12+, 18-34, 25-54, 35-64. In the brief look that I’ve had to the book, it’s clear that WYRK deserves more credit than it usually gets on this board.

Country is the modern day CHR format for most Americans. The merits of the music and whether or not it’s actually country can be debated, but the fact is, people like it; Lots of people. The performers are hip, hot, immensely talented, sing songs that have a melody and style and they’re accessible.

In Buffalo, WYRK tops the demos and dayparts in more categories than any other station. Particularly telling is WYRK’s dominance of the 18-34 demo. It’s as strong or stronger in that demo than WKSE and WEDG. That's right, Country is as strong or stronger than the CHR and Active Rock formats.

A look at 25-54 shows WYRK, again dominant. 35-64? WYRK. And not a weak daypart in the lot.

From Clay Moden and Dale Mussen, arguably the best morning show in Buffalo, to John LaMond and the rest of the dayparts, the station is mostly live and definitely local.

Congratulations to the staff of 106.5 WYRK, an outstanding Buffalo radio station that doesn’t get a lot of “ink” here, but quietly and consistently kicks ass!

Bob1370 · Sep 2, 2005

> Posters on this board spend a lot of time writing about
> Kiss, the Lake, Jack, 97 Rock, WBEN and other Buffalo
> stations. Often overlooked are two stations in Infinity’s
> Buffalo cluster, particularly WYRK. This highly rated
> country station is the reigning champion of the Buffalo
> market.

Entercom's WBEE is showing similar strength in Rochester. I don't know for sure if it's attributable to the popularity of country music in the outer suburbs of Monroe County and the five outer counties of the metro, or to the live and local, personality-driven programming you hear most of the broadcast day (a relative rarity on the radio dial these days). If you asked me, I'd venture a guess that it's a little of both.

SirRoxalot · Sep 2, 2005

It's easier when you're a monopoly

Not to take anything away from WYRK and WBEE, which are very good radio stations, but they really don't have any direct competition. We keep hearing in the northeast that "country audiences are extremely loyal" and it's "impossible to compete with an established country station". That sure doesn't seem to be the case in the midwest, south, and west, where there's a lot of competition for the country audience. Yes, somebody will point out WNUC when it went country in Buffalo, but that was a marginal signal, with a very limited budget for promotion and talent.

I'll bet that the younger listeners in particular are not quite so loyal. It might be a lot more interesting if a well-programmed and well-promoted "modern country" or "classic country" format took aim at WYRK and WBEE. Some chunk of their current 18-64 audience just might take a significant hit.

Of course, the big decision is "what station goes country"? Infinity owns WBUF, so we know it won't be them. Any other nominations for an FM station that can do better with country than they are with their current format?

wired · Sep 3, 2005

Re: It's easier when you're a monopoly

> Not to take anything away from WYRK and WBEE, which are very
> good radio stations, but they really don't have any direct
> competition. ....*WELL PUT*

And, they don't 'jack' around; they aren't in the middle
of ANY legal dispuits...WYRK ( and i am sure WBEE) isn't selling a
"fresh" sound and, if continuing to program..they gain audiences
in their demo, or - well,anything..i guess it's the
every one guns for #1 and 'hates' the winner, but
seriously, there isn't much to post when you consistently
win book after book.

If there was a spike or drop say in.....am 550 with a
new format, thats a buzz..!! OR, if a major shake up
with the staff..again, SOME THING To post about -
well, I will give acclaids to 106.5 FM for being the
best of the best, and OWNing this Market!! and, as
far as radio done right, tips my hat to them..but,
as far as posting about topics RE: WYRK there isn't much
to say besides the kudos which are given above.

way to go guys!

Yeziknoradio · Sep 3, 2005

Re: It's easier when you're a monopoly

I'm quiet about competition to WYRK because I don't want to start any (Bad?) rumours about a certain station out there that should go country.

The regulars to this board know the station I'm talking about, but also, highest respect is granted to the idea that the station I'm thinking of, is perhaps doing just fine with the current format.

Sorry for the wild thought. lol

______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"

SirRoxalot · Sep 3, 2005

WILD Country?

Would ANYBODY notice?

Radknowski · Sep 3, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> Would ANYBODY notice?
>

Probably not. That is, until Dave the Consultant got a big spread in the local fish wrap.

'Thing is, since Spirit 91.7 morphed into Giant FM, there's a void that could be nicely filled by a country format and CKEY 101.1 has the signal for it.

In Canada.

The station even has a natural set of call letters well-suited suited for country. CKEY Key Country 101 has a ring and a feel to it. But it's not style that wins radio listeners' ears, it's substance. This said, it would be insane for a Canadian station to even think of rattling WYRK's cage. Better "Wild Country" or "Key Country" serve its region of license and be proud of being a Canadian Country station. Those are great call letters. They were great call letters when they were assigned to AM 590 in 'Torona!

WYRK is as much a heritage Country station as 97 Rock is a Classic Rock station. I don't think a Buffalo station, even with a good signal and serious promotional and programming budgets, would knock it off. Dent it perhaps, but not defeat it.

WYRK is an outstanding station and for once I agree with E-9's initial post.
Alert the authorities.

SirRoxalot · Sep 3, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> WYRK is as much a heritage Country station as 97 Rock is a
> Classic Rock station. I don't think a Buffalo station, even
> with a good signal and serious promotional and programming
> budgets, would knock it off. Dent it perhaps, but not defeat
> it.

I agree that WYRK is a heritage station, and is a very good radio station with as much live and local content as anybody else in the city. I disagree that they're like 97-Rock in the sense that there are now several flavors of country - modern country, traditional country, country-rock, etc. WYRK has been able to be all things to all people - 18-64 male and female - which means there are parts of their audience required to listen to music they're not in love with. 97-Rock serves a portion of the rock audience. Other markets show that a station with a good signal and serious promotional and programming budgets could target a particular portion of the country audience and slice a chunk of the WYRK audience away. Would it be a big enough chunk to make the station viable? That's the big question.

Yeziknoradio · Sep 3, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> > Would ANYBODY notice?
> >
>
> Probably not.<---Are you sure?, Mr. Radknoski, sir? I recall you being the one to suggest that 101, as a country station could steal a share or two from WYRK.

www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=380684&board=buffalo
______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"

Radknowski · Sep 4, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> Probably not.<---Are you sure?, Mr. Radknoski, sir? I recall you being the
> one to suggest that 101, as a country station could steal a share or two from > WYRK.

In a long ago post, I suggested country might be a viable format, but in a Canadian context. Promotionally, WYRK would beat the daylights out of 101 on the streets of WNY and most importantly, the suburbs.

WNUC failed for a number of reasons. It was underfunded by a local owner-operator who lived well and didn't invest in going head-to-head with WYRK, which had a bigger, better signal and staff, to say nothing of Infinity's deeper pockets.

WNUC might have gained a few more shares if it had a fulltime PD, a staff that lived the country lifestyle and loved it and equally important, an attitude that ran counter to WYRK. Americans, especially country audiences, love the underdog... half the music in the format deals with "having to overcome adversity" and "beatin' 'the man'" at his own game. Had WNUC used some of that attitude, they might have made WYRK's life a little more difficult.

Anyway, it matters not a whit. I think the local ownership of WNUC wasn't 100% committed to competing and winning. It made a tidy living and nice profit for the owner and paid for his home and country club membership. The staff there at the time did the best they could under less than optimum circumstances. I tip my hat to them (pardon the large bald spot.)

WNUC begat WNSA which begat The Lake. We'll likely be discussing that a few years from now... if this board's still up and running and we're all around to talk about it.

As to 101... country might serve them well as a well-programmed, money-making Canadian endeavor. Quit trying to be a Buffalo station and serve the community of license. Canada's a great dominion and the Niagara Penninsula should be able to support a station that serves it quite well.

Take care.

wired · Sep 4, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

As for 101.1 FM "Gone Country" (quotting a alan jackson song : )

2 things WORK and 2 things DO NOT:

Let's first be negative about it:

1.
If frequencey 101.1 fm, "Suddenly" (as the public ear would
preceive it) to..."Suddenly" switch to Country, well thats
it right there..another format flip..it would be to the
avg. listener, the 6th one in two years..while every one
on this board KNOWS that to be false; and doesnt count
"Buffalo's Party Station/#1 for hip hop/The beat of niagara"
as three "changes" the public/average joe listener...DOES,
and that reason alone, would figure management doesn't know
how to run a station, etc..etc.

2.
*This one is up for debate*

It would appear, judging by past track records, a country
format, would be copy and paste a hot 30 countdown..and
hopefully get the mileage out of that playlist for
the entire book..updating the songs when a *MegaHit*
such as last years(?) tim mcgraw/nelly song was released..
or Gretchen Wilson (redneck woman)..ADD it/play it to no end..
but, a new Erika Jo ( I cheated on this one, and looked her up on CMT),
or -better yet-Faith Hill song may take ~forever~ to find
its way into rotation..

ANd, that would be bad, and during this 'downtime' have listeners
switch BACK to 106.5/preset #1.

<>

Now, the good news...

Almost contradicting my number one reason, why it would fail, it
may IF DONE CORRECTLY, and Efficienctly the format change could work.
#1
Generate enough interest, and BUZZ, and then Flip the switch!!
Find the right balance between enough time to get every one's
attention, but not to much, (as in 72 hrs of 'wild thing') where
people get bored and don't take you seriously...
-Another "key"(No pun intended) would be..have the ON AIR
staff (full staff) ready to go:

-Have "big" announcements, every Friday Morning..at least during the
first book - this could be things that are already in place
(such as in a top 20 countdown-sat's 7pm) but make it a big deal..
give listeners a reason, if nothing else to listen to 101.1 @ 7:30am..

Thursday..promote on Friday's Morning show:
(ex: this week's announcement..find out tomorrow on how to eat free this weekend..at an area subway)
*Then, friday @ 7:30am..tell them to stay tuned later today, at 5pm,
(dj's name) will tell which ..subway, to be at and the code word
for free food !!...

-Prior to the switch, ALREADY Have in Place..a CONTEST!!!! that will
take 3-4 weeks, covering the transition period, and have a awesome
GRAND PRIZE(country related) that is some thing that will at least
draw people away from WYRK...not turn them off, but put 101.1
on the radar..
ie: new car, meet and greet of up-coming concert,..some thing !!!
if $$$ is a problem, then get creative!! such as..free CMT (TV and
magazine) and free cable for a year...

-Have the website READY to GO!!
none of this b.s...[example]country101-dot-net, and the banner
in plain text just says:

"BIG NEWS COMING::THIS MONDAY, Sept 5th"

and jan. 3rd later, have the same outdated crap..

reflect on the current wild101.com/it was registered three days before the flip, and 'just now' they finally have a decent(not over the top)
but Decent website to serve its listeners..

same w/ tee's and stickers..find out where WYRK is(bars/clubs) and
try to be there opposite nites..and, of course, get on the all the
bills/sabres/and even bandits and bison band-wagons..for the necassary
exposure needed to make it a winner !!

#2
the other BIG thing Country-101-would have to do..model it station
after cing-fm,95.3 and WYRK ~even 'steal' a talent or two (from
either station)..to help with the sign-On..and, at least at the
start do all the things they/WYRK do:

-partner with CMT.
*THIS ONE* IS A NO BRAINER!!

Also:
-Be prepared to Cover, or have a Nascar Report..daily.
The Country format has both the music, and Nascar!!

-As posted previously, have Jocks that live,breathe the
lifestyle...if a caller chimes in and wants to hear
Chris Gaines(?-the alter ego of garth brooks) the on-air jock/talent
better know who that is..and pretty much NOT ASK the caller -
is he a new artist ? / i have never heard of him..

-there are alot of things they 'could do' and I would be disappointed
about the flip, but i think a country sound on 101.1 may work..
as far as the can-con, seriously, take a look at cing-fm,95.3
and how they can get it done. I won't even try..to fake it,
i dont know enough can-con in the country genre..
but they do - and it's working..

country 101.1 FM
final thing..get a better name than that !!
i can't think of any(now) but..if the format flip was serious,
get in the think tank..and get some thing good and original !!

Yeziknoradio · Sep 5, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> As to 101... country might serve them well as a
> well-programmed, money-making Canadian endeavor. Quit trying
> to be a Buffalo station and serve the community of license.
> Canada's a great dominion and the Niagara Penninsula should
> be able to support a station that serves it quite well.
>
> Take care.
>
Agreed. I'm sure there's also many who would love for them to continue where Spirit 91.7(now Giant 91.7) left off.______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"

Yeziknoradio · Sep 5, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> country 101.1 FM
> final thing..get a better name than that !!
> i can't think of any(now) but..if the format flip was
> serious,
> get in the think tank..and get some thing good and original
> !!
>
I don't know about original, but I do like the farm, or even Froggy.

www.1011thefarm.com
www.froggy97.com______________
"If you never say NO, How much is your YES worth?"

Shadowsabre · Sep 15, 2005

Re: WILD Country?

> www.froggy97.com

Froggy sounds good, and I like the "Best and most Country" idea too, but it just sets the dj up for an even bigger problem.

What if time comes to cut staff? If Lilly Pad, or who ever, froggy named dj were to be let go, doesn't that just make it difficult for that person to build a following?
(Yezi, respectfully, I do love your Froggy idea. Great station.)

WYRK, King Of Country

Bob1370

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