WZLX vs. WBOS

[Retro]

Is it just me, or has WBOS reverted to more traditional classic rock, and not this so-called "New Generation Of Classic Rock" that they have been touting?

Also, it just eeems to me that WZLX is flying circles around WBOS as well! WZLX having better music, better overall presentation, with great radio announcers, etc!

 

[ScottBurns]

It just seems like the Boston market is over-saturated with Classic Rock music/stations. Between the dominance of WZLX and WROR, the latter of which plays plenty of Classic Rock, there just isn't room for WBOS.

 

[MarkW]

WBOS has merely changed its rotations and perhaps added a limited number of artists not previously played. Now, two or three songs from the 80s / late 70s might play consecutively followed by two or three 90s songs consecutively.

The station remains an underachieving pile of garbage unfortunately. Beasley probably doesn't care since 98.5 rakes in the dough (92.9 merely supplements 98.5's massive numbers). This minor tweak will likely do little to change the station's ratings fortunes. Maybe it will help a tiny bit.

 

[theotherguy]

WBOS needs to drop the act and go full active rock. They have the right morning show and right (former rock/alt rock station) presenters for it.

Rock/alternative rock is the only format hole that has any chance of being "profitable."

 

[Retro]

WBOS needs to drop the act and go full active rock. They have the right morning show and right (former rock/alt rock station) presenters for it.

Rock/alternative rock is the only format hole that has any chance of being "profitable."

I am in full agreement on this!

 

[Retro]

How does WBOS and WZLX differentiate themselves musically? From thr best I can tell, they both are playing tge same dongs at this point.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

How does WBOS and WZLX differentiate themselves musically? From thr best I can tell, they both are playing tge same dongs at this point.

WZLX still plays a very small number of songs from the late 1960’s, mainly by Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival, maybe a couple of others.

The only one of the above that WBOS plays of their material from the late ‘60s is Led Zeppelin. They play none of the others from the ‘60s, though both stations play some ‘70s material by those artists who were still recording in the ‘70s.

 

[TheBigA]

Rock/alternative rock is the only format hole that has any chance of being "profitable."

How profitable was it at WAAF?

 

[ScottBurns]

How profitable was it at WAAF?

WAAF had a lousy signal in very important areas of the market.

 

[TheBigA]

WAAF had a lousy signal in very important areas of the market.

Sort of avoids the question...there were several other active rock stations in Boston with great signals that failed too.

 

[victorres43]

Rock/alternative rock is the only format hole that has any chance of being "profitable."

When WBOS was the only alternative game in town, it rarely had decent numbers, if ever.

 

[inorm99]

I am in full agreement on this!

So am I.

But with an active, current based rock station. It will still leave room for a true alternative station.
Don't tell me that because Alt 92 9 didn't work out, that must mean, alternative done the right way isn't worth a try in Boston, that's BS.
This is God damn Boston
And David, I'm not interested in your theories, and stats.

 

[TheBigA]

alternative done the right way isn't worth a try in Boston, that's BS.

Who would do it "the right way?"

Realistically of all the current owners, who would do alternative in a way you'd accept?

 

[Retro]

So am I.

But with an active, current based rock station. It will still leave room for a true alternative station.
Don't tell me that because Alt 92 9 didn't work out, that must mean, alternative done the right way isn't worth a try in Boston, that's BS.
This is God damn Boston
And David, I'm not interested in your theories, and stats.

If WERS can do it without any advertising, then it is definitely possible for this happen!

 

[ScottBurns]

Sort of avoids the question...there were several other active rock stations in Boston with great signals that failed too.

I’m not arguing for Alternative stations. But omitting WAAF’s lousy signal doesn’t tell the whole story.

 

[CassChopper96]

WBOS should go active rock or be dead

 

[TheBigA]

If WERS can do it without any advertising, then it is definitely possible for this happen!

The reason they can do it is they're a college station with no advertising and no salaries. That's the ONLY way it happens.

The fact that they're doing the format eliminates it for a commercial station.

 

[DavidZ]

Not entirely true, they have students working at the station but paid professionals as well like George Knight in morning drive.

https://wers.org/behind-the-mic/the-team/

 

[TheBigA]

Not entirely true, they have students working at the station but paid professionals as well like George Knight in morning drive.

Their payroll is MUCH lower than a commercial station. But the bigger factor is not having to satisfy advertisers and stockholders.

 

[Wimmmex]

If WERS can do it without any advertising, then it is definitely possible for this happen!

WERS can "do it" because it is fully funded by the college.

Their funding is not reliant on the format, the amount of listenership, or the amount of contributors.

The fact that WERS can "do it"....means nothing to the commercial world of broadcasting.