Z Country 106.7

[SteelRocker]

I'm thinking the 10,000 songs in a row will be winding down very soon. Has anyone heard if they're going to do a morning show and live local people on the air?

Although I'd gotten away from country music over the years, I did listen quite a bit lately and I must say the music selection going back to the 90s is very good. My daughter, who listens to a lot of country music randomly told me last week it sounds like WIOV is playing better music lately. Maybe this sort of forces them to gear up for a ratings battle with Z Country and actually improve WIOV in the process. I know Z Country is going to target the Harrisburg area, but it's a powerful signal in Lancaster too, so I can't imagine it won't cut into the WIOV ratings too.

 

[Seltzer]

I'm thinking the 10,000 songs in a row will be winding down very soon. Has anyone heard if they're going to do a morning show and live local people on the air?

Although I'd gotten away from country music over the years, I did listen quite a bit lately and I must say the music selection going back to the 90s is very good. My daughter, who listens to a lot of country music randomly told me last week it sounds like WIOV is playing better music lately. Maybe this sort of forces them to gear up for a ratings battle with Z Country and actually improve WIOV in the process. I know Z Country is going to target the Harrisburg area, but it's a powerful signal in Lancaster too, so I can't imagine it won't cut into the WIOV ratings too.

Improve WIOV? Are you kidding me? This station has been #1 in the Lancaster ratings and gone up in EVERY book since Fall 2009. Exactly what improvement are you talking about?

As far as a ratings battle with Z 107, these two stations are owned by the same company...Cumulus.....And yes, the fact their transmitter sits in Lancaster County means it will be something IOV is going to have to deal with. But they are a strong brand...with one of the top 3 morning shows in the entire region.

Cumulus thanks IOV for its great run at #1 by giving it a new competitor. Nice.

 

[RockofHBG]

As far as a ratings battle with Z 107, these two stations are owned by the same company...Cumulus.....And yes, the fact their transmitter sits in Lancaster County means it will be something IOV is going to have to deal with. But they are a strong brand...with one of the top 3 morning shows in the entire region.

Cumulus thanks IOV for its great run at #1 by giving it a new competitor. Nice.

Is it lost on you that Cumulus will end up with ALL the country shares in Lancaster, likely adding more shares, while opening up Harrisburg and York? You think it would be better for Cumulus if Clear Channel found a way to put a country signal into Lancaster rather than compete with themselves?

 

[winkerfunk]

Rock, Cumulus ALREADY has all the country shares in Lancaster. Watering down WIOV doesn't enhance any selling package. If anything it could take just enough away so that another station could move ahead of WIOV in any key demo. Let's just say WIOV is number one with a 9.6 25-54 and now Z comes along and takes a 2.3 in the same demo. Do they own all the country shares in Lancaster? Yes....but now WIOV has a 7.3 and drops to 3rd because WLAN which has been in second with a 8.2 is now number one and WEEU is now in second with a 7.6.

Watering down your biggest money making station by putting a competitor against it is just...silly. This move was silly no matter how much you try to defend it.


Now with all that said...Z hasn't exactly come out of the gate blazing. 10,000 songs in a row (wow, creative huh?) and zero marketing isn't even creating a buzz in any of the markets outside of us radio geeks that keep track of such things. They missed their window of opportunity to make a strong impact. Plus hanging your hat on nostalgia in radio in not very bright. Z has been gone for many years and to be honest, I don't think anyone cares or remembers anymore. Having worked at Z for many years, that hurts my ego to say that but I think it's the truth.
Country listeners are very loyal and 94.9, 107.7 and 105.1 are strong brands in their markets, It's going to be an uphill battle with a station that folks (so far) have to hit scan to find.

 

[RockofHBG]

Even if 106.7 hurts WIOV, that's not that as big as deal as it would seem, particularly because even slight gains in York and Harrisburg will offset small losses in Lancaster, which is by the far the smallest of the three markets. A lot of programming folks on this board don't understand the sales nuances of cluster radio, which change vastly when you own as many stations as Cumulus or Clear Channel, as opposed to just having one or two stations in the game. Combo selling, cost-per-point, actual combines "ratings" as opposed to "share" and other things play into the sales end. As long as the aggregate numbers go up, things will be good.

As far as the 10,000 in a row it is simply a tactic that guarantees music when BOB or GTY are in spots. It is in "free sample" mode. Wait until the 10,000 is over for the pyrotechnics to begin Yes, agreed, this will be a slow battle, but most are anymore. The days of a sign-on blowing up instantly in the ratings is over

 

[RockofHBG]

Country listeners are very loyal and 94.9, 107.7 and 105.1 are strong brands in their markets, It's going to be an uphill battle

Don't forget, it was Bob 94.9 that took down the original "Z" in 1997. TZ107 was Harrisburg's only country station from 1980-97. Plus GTY did the same to "Z" in York by the early 90s...loyal, eh? When it comes to a station name, it really doesn't matter as long it doesn't confuse the listener and most importantly, what comes out of the speakers in compelling and good. It is arguably easier or just as easy and cheaper bringing back "Z" as it would be to introduce and brand new identity.

 

[bossjock 56]

Alex Harley is now PM drive personality. You may remember him in the same position on RED 102.3. He is also "Number One Son" on THE X. The 10,000 songs are over, they have jingles, and there are alot more mentions of York in their imaging.

 

[SteelRocker]

I'm thinking the 10,000 songs in a row will be winding down very soon. Has anyone heard if they're going to do a morning show and live local people on the air?

Although I'd gotten away from country music over the years, I did listen quite a bit lately and I must say the music selection going back to the 90s is very good. My daughter, who listens to a lot of country music randomly told me last week it sounds like WIOV is playing better music lately. Maybe this sort of forces them to gear up for a ratings battle with Z Country and actually improve WIOV in the process. I know Z Country is going to target the Harrisburg area, but it's a powerful signal in Lancaster too, so I can't imagine it won't cut into the WIOV ratings too.

Improve WIOV? Are you kidding me? This station has been #1 in the Lancaster ratings and gone up in EVERY book since Fall 2009. Exactly what improvement are you talking about?

As far as a ratings battle with Z 107, these two stations are owned by the same company...Cumulus.....And yes, the fact their transmitter sits in Lancaster County means it will be something IOV is going to have to deal with. But they are a strong brand...with one of the top 3 morning shows in the entire region.

Cumulus thanks IOV for its great run at #1 by giving it a new competitor. Nice.

Seltzer, I was only going to send the first part of that message about the 10,000 songs in a row ending. I decided to throw that last part in. I am not in any way affiliated with radio in this area and I guess it wasn't something I was thinking about who owns what in the area. Heck, when I left the area in 1996, I guess I remembered WIOV as being owned by someone called "Garden Spot Media". I truly didn't know, and apologize for my ignorance about my daughter randomly saying how WIOV seemed to be getting better now that Z is back on the air. My only link to radio is my FCC issued license for my amateur radio hobby. So, I understand the ERP and antenna talk, but don't really look who is the owner of what station. So, I guess bottom line, I should not have posted anything in here and go back to just reading only. Sorry to upset you. I always thought highly of your posts in the past but didn't expect to get the reaction over what I said.

 

[bossjock 56]

You are correct SteelRocker. WIOV was once owned by Garden spot Media. It is kinda hard to keep track of who owns who without a scorecard these days...and even harder for one who has been out of the area for a period of time. Please continue to post your thoughts on this board. Not all of the posters are in the business and those of us who are need to be a bit more understanding. I don't just want to read posts from people with inside knowledge of the industry. I want read posts from those who are just plain interested in this business of radio, which in that last couple of years has become less interesting. Lets not drive people away when we can help them learn something.

 

[Seltzer]

I'm thinking the 10,000 songs in a row will be winding down very soon. Has anyone heard if they're going to do a morning show and live local people on the air?

Although I'd gotten away from country music over the years, I did listen quite a bit lately and I must say the music selection going back to the 90s is very good. My daughter, who listens to a lot of country music randomly told me last week it sounds like WIOV is playing better music lately. Maybe this sort of forces them to gear up for a ratings battle with Z Country and actually improve WIOV in the process. I know Z Country is going to target the Harrisburg area, but it's a powerful signal in Lancaster too, so I can't imagine it won't cut into the WIOV ratings too.

Improve WIOV? Are you kidding me? This station has been #1 in the Lancaster ratings and gone up in EVERY book since Fall 2009. Exactly what improvement are you talking about?

As far as a ratings battle with Z 107, these two stations are owned by the same company...Cumulus.....And yes, the fact their transmitter sits in Lancaster County means it will be something IOV is going to have to deal with. But they are a strong brand...with one of the top 3 morning shows in the entire region.

Cumulus thanks IOV for its great run at #1 by giving it a new competitor. Nice.

Seltzer, I was only going to send the first part of that message about the 10,000 songs in a row ending. I decided to throw that last part in. I am not in any way affiliated with radio in this area and I guess it wasn't something I was thinking about who owns what in the area. Heck, when I left the area in 1996, I guess I remembered WIOV as being owned by someone called "Garden Spot Media". I truly didn't know, and apologize for my ignorance about my daughter randomly saying how WIOV seemed to be getting better now that Z is back on the air. My only link to radio is my FCC issued license for my amateur radio hobby. So, I understand the ERP and antenna talk, but don't really look who is the owner of what station. So, I guess bottom line, I should not have posted anything in here and go back to just reading only. Sorry to upset you. I always thought highly of your posts in the past but didn't expect to get the reaction over what I said.

Sorry. I was a bit harsh toward you which is definitely not my style. I won't let it happen again. I appreciate your posts as well. Radio in Central PA is basically now controlled by two companies...Clear Channel and Cumulus. Hall is a good strong local operator and Radio Hanover operates two well run stations as well. The truth is only time will tell if Z impacts IOV. I'm sure Cumulus hopes it impacts Bob (the station that took Z out of the format) and GTY who is really ripe for taking. GTY has heritage but when you are basically an "arm of the record industry"....this station plays alot of stiffs..you are ripe for the taking. We shall see. Game on.

 

[SteelRocker]

You are correct SteelRocker. WIOV was once owned by Garden spot Media. It is kinda hard to keep track of who owns who without a scorecard these days...and even harder for one who has been out of the area for a period of time. Please continue to post your thoughts on this board. Not all of the posters are in the business and those of us who are need to be a bit more understanding. I don't just want to read posts from people with inside knowledge of the industry. I want read posts from those who are just plain interested in this business of radio, which in that last couple of years has become less interesting. Lets not drive people away when we can help them learn something.

Thanks for the kind words Boss. Curious what the "56" means? Growing up I listened to "56 WFIL" with Jim O'Brien in the mornings. Is the 56 a reference to that?

As a radio outsider not in the business, I always had an interest in radio and always felt at ease posting my comments here, on the San Francisco site and the Pittsburgh sites since those are the areas I lived in after I left Lancaster County. Imagine my surprise when I moved to the Bay Area in 1996 and heard stations that at the time were owned by Susquehanna Broadcasting and would hear their I.D. - sort of made me homesick at times. Since I basically grew up in Lancaster Co. most of my memories are with Central PA stations. When I first moved to Lancaster in 1972, I thought it was so cool to go to Park City and at the bottom of the escalator going to the ice rink was this WHEX with a live jock in the window for example.

Thanks again.

 

[SteelRocker]

I'm thinking the 10,000 songs in a row will be winding down very soon. Has anyone heard if they're going to do a morning show and live local people on the air?

Although I'd gotten away from country music over the years, I did listen quite a bit lately and I must say the music selection going back to the 90s is very good. My daughter, who listens to a lot of country music randomly told me last week it sounds like WIOV is playing better music lately. Maybe this sort of forces them to gear up for a ratings battle with Z Country and actually improve WIOV in the process. I know Z Country is going to target the Harrisburg area, but it's a powerful signal in Lancaster too, so I can't imagine it won't cut into the WIOV ratings too.

Improve WIOV? Are you kidding me? This station has been #1 in the Lancaster ratings and gone up in EVERY book since Fall 2009. Exactly what improvement are you talking about?

As far as a ratings battle with Z 107, these two stations are owned by the same company...Cumulus.....And yes, the fact their transmitter sits in Lancaster County means it will be something IOV is going to have to deal with. But they are a strong brand...with one of the top 3 morning shows in the entire region.

Cumulus thanks IOV for its great run at #1 by giving it a new competitor. Nice.

Seltzer, I was only going to send the first part of that message about the 10,000 songs in a row ending. I decided to throw that last part in. I am not in any way affiliated with radio in this area and I guess it wasn't something I was thinking about who owns what in the area. Heck, when I left the area in 1996, I guess I remembered WIOV as being owned by someone called "Garden Spot Media". I truly didn't know, and apologize for my ignorance about my daughter randomly saying how WIOV seemed to be getting better now that Z is back on the air. My only link to radio is my FCC issued license for my amateur radio hobby. So, I understand the ERP and antenna talk, but don't really look who is the owner of what station. So, I guess bottom line, I should not have posted anything in here and go back to just reading only. Sorry to upset you. I always thought highly of your posts in the past but didn't expect to get the reaction over what I said.

Sorry. I was a bit harsh toward you which is definitely not my style. I won't let it happen again. I appreciate your posts as well. Radio in Central PA is basically now controlled by two companies...Clear Channel and Cumulus. Hall is a good strong local operator and Radio Hanover operates two well run stations as well. The truth is only time will tell if Z impacts IOV. I'm sure Cumulus hopes it impacts Bob (the station that took Z out of the format) and GTY who is really ripe for taking. GTY has heritage but when you are basically an "arm of the record industry"....this station plays alot of stiffs..you are ripe for the taking. We shall see. Game on.

It's all good. No grudges, not my style.

 

[Denny E.]

Since I basically grew up in Lancaster Co. most of my memories are with Central PA stations. When I first moved to Lancaster in 1972, I thought it was so cool to go to Park City and at the bottom of the escalator going to the ice rink was this WHEX with a live jock in the window for example.

Thanks again.
[/quote]

I came into the area in January 1974 and I too remember the live jocks in Park City. I particularly remember the recording artist Jimmy Clanton doing his show from there. This was a lot of years ago, lol.

Dennis

 

[RockMustLive]

Face it, unless you're into CHR (which I'm not), the music programming in this area is completely stale. Country, classic rock, blah blah blah. I realize it's about making money, but it's also putting people to sleep.

 

[RockofHBG]

Face it, unless you're into CHR (which I'm not), the music programming in this area is completely stale. Country, classic rock, blah blah blah. I realize it's about making money, but it's also putting people to sleep.

Many people who actively like radio (such as board posters), are not personally fond of its programming as they tend to listen much more than the average person and are far more familiar with and are aware of the music than Joe Average. If you'd listen to CHR, you probably would find that boring, too, as many successful CHRs play their hottest songs 100+ times per week and are very conservative with new music.

The legendary consultant Mike Joseph once compared radio insiders and jocks to "ushers in a movie theater" who see the same movies over and over. Yet, people tend to see those big movies and listen to those big songs over and over and over. You can't force new music on listeners or old songs that aren't all that memorable.

Now, there will probably be a dozen or more posts disputing that statement, but the problem with big, non repetitive playlists is this: your idea of a big playlist is markedly different from mine, which can be totally different then the next guys, even inside the same format or genre of music. Broadcast radio needs consensus to survive and prosper.

 

[bossjock 56]

Just to answer SteelRocker.....the 56 is for Famous 56 WFIL...in my humble opinion, the best contemporary/top40 radio station from the mid 60's to the mid 70's. They set the bar high.

 

[SteelRocker]

Just to answer SteelRocker.....the 56 is for Famous 56 WFIL...in my humble opinion, the best contemporary/top40 radio station from the mid 60's to the mid 70's. They set the bar high.

I would have to agree with you. WFIL with Don Cannon and Jim O'Brien was great...then I discovered WIFI 92 and loved it...even when it went new wave.

As for the state of radio, as an usher, I must agree, the music choices are very stale around here. How about a Radio 104.5 type station? How about an FM News Talker, how about FM Sports Talk? They work in other markets, I know they could work here too.

 

[mtowner1972]

This is my first post here so I'll tell you a little about myself. I am not connected with radio in any way, other than the fact that I have a radio on wherever I am. I grew up listening to 1460 WCMB during the Mac McCauley, Dave Hunter, Bob Forr days, and actually wanted to get into radio during high school but I never did. As I said, I have the radio on all day at work, so ever since the old Z107 went off I have not been able to listen to country music in the office. I have been listening to WGTY probably for 15 years now but cannot pick them up in the office in northern York County, so I have had to settle for The Rose. I do not care for Bob and cannot pick up WIOV or Red 102.3. I have been waiting for 106.7 to change to something worth listening to ever since the Pop-Goes-The-Weasel mistake. The old Z107 won many awards, had a huge presence in the Susquahanna Valley and introduced a lot of people to country music by sponsoring shows in the Hersheypark Amphitheater. I never could figure out why they ever changed formats, other than the Citadel change to CAT 106.7 may have pushed a lot of listeners away, mainly due to their personel and program changes. I remember this station in the mid 70's playing country when they still went by WPDC and did high school basketball games. They always were a hometown station until the big corporation got a hold of them. I know its impossible for them to bring back the people that made Z107 successful, but I hope they try to bring back the relationship that station had with it's listeners. I'll never forget Tod Jeffers and Steve Wagner as Fearless Fremish recording a TV commercial in Hersheypark in September 1986. That was the old Z107 - a station that got their listeners involved which, hopefully, the new Z Country 106.7 can do the same. No other station in the area, except WGTY, does that today in my opinion.

 

[RockofHBG]

The thing that killed the old Z107 was choking when BOB came on. It's happened to quite a few heritage stations over the years. Their two vulnerabilities were 1) a swinging door. A lot of heads rolled there over the years which may have impeded the emotional attachment that heritage could give a long-time station that had a more consistent staff. Plus they sounded old with program elements such as Paul Harvey and Dandalion. Even though they may have been gone in the later years, they still carried their baggage. Al Dame came along with a class B that covered Harrisburg better than Z, armed with a seemingly-bottomless marketing budget (remember the "turn Your Knob To Bob" TV ads?) and exploited the old Z image for all it was worth. Z-107, instead of entrenching, eliminating perceived negatives and accentuating positives , they made the fatal mistake of playing BOB's game. As I recall, they even had they're own version of the " turn Your Knob To Bob" promotion, which may have actually occurred after they flipped to Cat Country.Make no mistake..... Z would have been hurt.....but certainly not as badly and probably would've come back even stronger in a year or so. And that would have been a whole lot better than the Cat Country/Cool Pop/MIX/Channel 106.7 parade of mediocrity over the last 8 years.

 

[grandoleopry]

Rock while I will agree with some of what you said, there are a few things that I would just
like to add some input on. First you mention Paul Harvey as a negative, I can tell you as a fact there were more arbitron diary mentions for Paul Harvey than nearly any feature on that
radio station and in the era of Country radio in the 70s, 80s and even into the early to mid
90s the audience expected to hear Paul Harvey. I can tell you also that as a sales tool Paul Harvey made tons of money for not only Z but most any station carrying it during that time. Hence ABC networks long term contract with him up til the day he died. Z did drop Paul Harvey as times changed in the mid 90s. Also with respect to Dandalion, say what you will about her style on the air etc. She is the ONLY air personality in this state to be inducted in the Country Broadcasters Hall of fame and the Only to win an ACM award for excellence. She was more highly regarded by artists than you imagine. She is also an inducted member of the PAB Hall of Fame. If you ever have the opportunity to speak with Garth Brooks or artists of his cailber and ask them about Dandalion you would be amazed the the high regard they have had for her and for her impact on Country Radio. At the time she was also mentioned more than nearly any air personality in the market at that time in arbitron diaries. So I am not disagreeing with what you said in its entirity but I do feel that Both Paul Harvey and Dandalion during Z107s most successful years were a very important part of that success.