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Zone flip really affects

M

musicloverII

With the Zone flipping to a holding pattern in oldies, this really puts the Rock market up for grabs. Does Q101 tweak (to make David happy) again back to a point where they weed out the retro classic alternative tracks? Do they stay the course? Does the Loop risk raising their numbers a bit by adding more Active or do they risk dropping even more. The Loop's biggest problem is the rimshots eating away at was once their territory. Will they get them back? Will WCKG flip to a rock format that won't compete with XRT? Will they stay talk? Will 9 add more Active? Will they go Active? Will anyone care? Would an Active Rocker with an air staff that mattered helped the Zone? Will the Sox make it past the first level of the playoffs? With no active rock format in Chicago bands like Pantera, Mudvayne, Disturbed, Staind and other platinums don't have the exposure they used to have. It's amazing what one format flip can do to affect all others in related formats that are swimming in terminal limbo.

Where have all the rockers gone?

Debate and sling away
 
> With the Zone flipping to a holding pattern in oldies, this
> really puts the Rock market up for grabs. Does Q101 tweak
> (to make David happy) again back to a point where they weed
> out the retro classic alternative tracks? Do they stay the
> course? Does the Loop risk raising their numbers a bit by
> adding more Active or do they risk dropping even more. The
> Loop's biggest problem is the rimshots eating away at was
> once their territory. Will they get them back? Will WCKG
> flip to a rock format that won't compete with XRT? Will they
> stay talk? Will 9 add more Active? Will they go Active? Will
> anyone care? Would an Active Rocker with an air staff that
> mattered helped the Zone? Will the Sox make it past the
> first level of the playoffs? With no active rock format in
> Chicago bands like Pantera, Mudvayne, Disturbed, Staind and
> other platinums don't have the exposure they used to have.
> It's amazing what one format flip can do to affect all
> others in related formats that are swimming in terminal
> limbo.
>
> Where have all the rockers gone?
>
> Debate and sling away
>
I'll bet WIIL Kenosha goes active or at least takes a turn more into that direction.

On the Wisconsin side of their coverage, WLZR-102.9 dumped active rock for 80s based rock just last month.

Now on the Illinois side, WZZN goes oldies.

WIIL already plays Disturbed, Staind, Mudvayne, Trapt, Sevendust, Crossfade, 10 Years, System Of A Down, etc.<P ID="signature">______________

AIM: JeremyA1069</P>
 
I agree that WIIL will likely lean all the way over to pure active rock, but as we know this won't mean anything to most of Chicago. Just like with Milwaukee's modern rocker 102.1, the opportunity is wide open in Chicago for Q101 to become a modern/active hybrid. But given the fact that Q spent the better part of the last couple of years strongly positioning themselves away from hard rock, this would be a tough move to try to pull off.
 
WIIL Rock going pure Active would be foolish. They already do VERY well with their current format (Mainstream Rock, complete with Active artists...).

Why would they jeopardize their current audience to go after a format that obviously wasnt all that sucessful in Chicago? They'll end up getting Zone residuals by default, anyway. Changing their sound would be too reactionary and short-sighted.

If they're smart, WIIL Rock won't change a thing. That's not to say, they shouldnt acknowlegde the death of the Zone. They can highlight the Zone type artists without dumping the more Mainstream titles...and see a lil' post-Zone upward spike

Then again...I'm a tool that hates the cookie monster rock $hit, anyway.




> I agree that WIIL will likely lean all the way over to pure
> active rock, but as we know this won't mean anything to most
> of Chicago. Just like with Milwaukee's modern rocker 102.1,
> the opportunity is wide open in Chicago for Q101 to become a
> modern/active hybrid. But given the fact that Q spent the
> better part of the last couple of years strongly positioning
> themselves away from hard rock, this would be a tough move
> to try to pull off.
>
 
> But given the fact that Q spent the
> better part of the last couple of years strongly positioning
> themselves away from hard rock, this would be a tough move
> to try to pull off.
>
I don't see Q101 changing either. So many rock listeners hate Q101, so they wouldn't listen to it regardless.
The only station I can see trying some kind of rock format would be CKG. They did a decent job of mixing talk and rock a few years back, so its not like its a foreign thing to them.
Otherwise I don't see a station going full time active any time soon.
 
>
> If they're smart, WIIL Rock won't change a thing. That's not
> to say, they shouldnt acknowlegde the death of the Zone.
> They can highlight the Zone type artists without dumping the
> more Mainstream titles...and see a lil' post-Zone upward
> spike
>

WIIL rock pretty much plays the same bands anyways.
They even play stuff that the Zone didn't.
Its a solid station, but people in Chicago and the south burbs can't get it.
 
> > With the Zone flipping to a holding pattern in oldies,
> this
> > really puts the Rock market up for grabs. Does Q101 tweak
> > (to make David happy) again back to a point where they
> weed
> > out the retro classic alternative tracks? Do they stay the
>
> > course? Does the Loop risk raising their numbers a bit by
> > adding more Active or do they risk dropping even more. The
>
> > Loop's biggest problem is the rimshots eating away at was
> > once their territory. Will they get them back? Will WCKG
> > flip to a rock format that won't compete with XRT? Will
> they
> > stay talk? Will 9 add more Active? Will they go Active?
> Will
> > anyone care? Would an Active Rocker with an air staff that
>
> > mattered helped the Zone? Will the Sox make it past the
> > first level of the playoffs? With no active rock format in
>
> > Chicago bands like Pantera, Mudvayne, Disturbed, Staind
> and
> > other platinums don't have the exposure they used to have.
>
> > It's amazing what one format flip can do to affect all
> > others in related formats that are swimming in terminal
> > limbo.
> >
> > Where have all the rockers gone?
> >
> > Debate and sling away
> >
> I'll bet WIIL Kenosha goes active or at least takes a turn
> more into that direction.
>
> On the Wisconsin side of their coverage, WLZR-102.9 dumped
> active rock for 80s based rock just last month.
>
> Now on the Illinois side, WZZN goes oldies.
>
> WIIL already plays Disturbed, Staind, Mudvayne, Trapt,
> Sevendust, Crossfade, 10 Years, System Of A Down, etc.
>

Actually, WHQG (the former WLZR) isn't really 80's based. I'd consider them more mainstream. The playlist covers 70's through 00's, with a few currents like Audioslave and Velvet Revolver thrown in. And even without The Brew (which is mostly 80's based), I think the switch for Lazer was inevitable. They've been chasing away morning show listeners for years. The Brew's success just sped things up. The whole "Hog" thing is just an example of a station reimaging itself, and keeping up with their audience. I think it was a good move on their part. I assume much of the old Lazer audience will stick around, and they won't lose as many of the Bob and Brian listeners after 10AM.

I'd hate to see either Q101 or WLUM in Milwaukee go more active rock. Both stations sounded terrible when they mixed in active rock product, and suffered the most when they went in that direction. I like the classic alternative stuff, as it's unique and brings in some more desireable listeners (30-45 year olds with money to burn). I was hoping WLUM would do this, as this is the music that put alternative radio on the map in the first place. Both stations have been doing the format for awhile (though WLUM had a few diversions over the years), and could benefit by cementing their heritage. Jumping from format to format will chase away their listeners.

Active rock is dying because the current product is lousy. Aside from artists like System Of A Down and others, it's just too dark, depressing and repetitive.<P ID="signature">______________
The Liberal Talk Radio Update</P>
 
It's All About Image

> Active rock is dying because the current product is lousy.
> Aside from artists like System Of A Down and others, it's
> just too dark, depressing and repetitive.

Active rock music is not strong right now...but that is only part of the problem. Your reference to the "too dark, depressing and repetitive" sound is very accurate. A friend of my had an active rocker in his cluster out west. The ratings were top of the heap...doing very well in 18-34 and 18-44 Men... always top 3. However...the image of the music worked against the station and it was reflective in the sales end.

Major clients, who gladly bought time on the other clustermates, steered clear of the rocker. These clients, which included a major auto dealer, a beer distributor and others, would not buy the station...even though it fulfilled the demo reach they were looking for. Why? They simply did not want to be tied to the image of the music...regardless of the ratings and audience reach.

There is a more conservative tone right now in the country...it's not helping active rockers anywhere in the country. And many are facing the same problem: image with clients...got the ratings but the clients shying away from buying.

By the way...the station made some major sales pushes with clients, tweaked the format with right classic titles without diluting the format...but none of it worked to its advantage. With disappointment internally, the station switched format and is now Adults Hits. It has been warmly welcomed by clients.

For active rockers...satellite radio will be your source for your music for now. The format faces too many challenges right now...but everything changes and what is true today may change in a year or two. What goes around comes around...while technology continues to change, radio will continue to be here in shape or another...active rock may just return to radio in many markets.
 
> >
> > If they're smart, WIIL Rock won't change a thing. That's
> not
> > to say, they shouldnt acknowlegde the death of the Zone.
> > They can highlight the Zone type artists without dumping
> the
> > more Mainstream titles...and see a lil' post-Zone upward
> > spike
> >
>
> WIIL rock pretty much plays the same bands anyways.
> They even play stuff that the Zone didn't.
> Its a solid station, but people in Chicago and the south
> burbs can't get it.
>
WIIL shouldn't change a thing musically right now. I got a chance to listen last week and they're playing a definite mainstream rock mix with well selected currents. They're doing a fine job up there.

I agree with the post regarding the dark side of the active and even some mainstream music that's out there right now. Listeners and advertisers are getting sick of the "whoa is me, my life sucks" lyrics. People listen to music to get away from the crap of the everyday world...not to hear more about it.
We've had nearly 15 years of agnst.

Who's fault is it?

I put the blame on the record companies. They're the ones throwing out bands that have the musical depth of a sheet of 1/4 inch plexiglass. They're not supporting new and up coming acts and they're definitely not fostering creative musical talent.

Until they get their heads out of their colons and be willing to take chances on quality talent, rock will continue to flounder.

I had a long discussion with a local concert promoter that believes that rock will return when talent is fostered and the rock heroes return. I agree and add this, it will make a huge comeback when the lead guitar players make a comeback.

When was the last time you heard of a a band with a rippin' lead guitar player ? Can you even name an excellent new lead player that has ripped off a hot lead in a song in the last 5-10 years?

15-20 years ago rock listeners knew 2 people in the band that they loved, they knew the name of the lead singer and the lead guitar player. Now they barely know the name of the singer.

The younger demo's are looking for their rock heroes again and the record companies just aren't growing the talent anymore. It's all about the $$ from the quick smash hit.

I do also agree that it's a more conservative world right now. But the pendulum will swing again. It's a rough world for the rockers right now.

That's my 2-cents. I could be totally off base...that wouldn't be a first.
 
Get a clue please!!!!!!!

When will you people realize that the "vibe" or "attitude" of active rock has nothing to do with its demise in Chicago.
The numbers and the ratings were horrible. If they had good numbers and revenue, it would still be on the air--end of story.

I am sick of reading these bogus theories about how rock is not good anymore. It's the best stuff out there.

Doom and gloom in active rock?

Anybody listen to rap or pop lately?

relationship woes, my life sucks, I hate my boyfriend, life is hard in the ghetto, kids using drugs--you know really uplifting material.

Totally invalid theory.

Where active rock has great numbers, it is still on the air.

Rap is NOT conservative. But I guess that doesn't factor in to the more conservative outlook of this nation. Hmmmmmm....

The most popular artists are mostly liberal.

Active rock is great. Disturbed, Slipknot and System of a Down are great. There's nothing wrong with active rock compared to 5 years ago. It didn't used to be great. It IS great.

The audience was lacking, revenue was sliding--it flipped. It's not rocket science.
 
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