Nick, think BIGGER COVERAGE in this scenario...
Back in the mid 90s WDRE 92.7, as a Modern Rock station, started a network of stations all relaying its signal from Long Island. Markets included Philadelphia, Albany, and a few others. Toronto's Energy 108 at one point relayed its signal to several other markets in Ontario. Over in Quebec you have the Energy network all over the province.
In Europe you've got Dance stations like Radio FG, which can be heard all over France, Galaxy Radio and Kiss in various partrs of the UK, M2O all over Italy, or Maxima FM in various partrs of Spain.
There's also NPR radio and several Christian stations (like Way FM) that have stations all over the country.
Well, I say why not do the same with the new Party. There's a reason why Party 105.3 will now simply be known as Party FM - it's significanty expanding its coverage, reach, and cume with 87.7 FM. Perhaps the next logical move is to find a good signal for northern Jersey, as well as Manhattan, or to expand to other cities. We all know Pulse wanted to air in markets like DC, Chicago, and L.A.
Many of us would love to see a big network for a good Top 40/Dance station programmed by knowledgeable radio people who can tap into both the midset of commercial radio, and into whats hot in clubland. The major cities in FL, TX, Cali, the entire megalopolis region (ie Bo-Wash), the major cities of the Great Lakes, and a few other markets (like Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver) where there would be an audience for this type of station can all become part of the network.
While some Dance records work particularly well in one region, I think fans of commercial Dance music will support a Dance heavy CHR station that targets the entire country. They're already doing so with satellite radio's BPM, as well as with a good amount of internet-only stations.
Tony, what do you think?
@Scott Fybush, I always trust your engineering expertise on radio issues. Brett said it first, thanks
but I've learned a lot from Scott in that aspect.
@Dancerev889 (Brett). You are right. And that's what I'm trying to tell people...
GIVE THINGS TIME! I trust Vic and John in what they have to do so at this point, let's see how things will go down the road and whether they may "tweak" the format a bit to serve the dance fans (
NOT SAYING TOTALLY DUMP the R&B/hip-hop, but get to the dance fans who have been used to Pulse's presentation of the format.)
@CHRles,
(you always do that when you come up with these insightful posts!)
I remember Energy Radio all too well from the 90's.
It started with Energy 108 (Burlington), and then expanded all over Ontario (Woodstock, Barrie, Oshawa). Radio Energie (now NRJ)....called that one CHRles! What makes NRJ interesting is that while each station is part of the network, they all have their own local feel. (Driving along Route 12 in the North Country of NY State, I could tell the difference between the NRJ station in Ottawa - 104.1 and the one in Montreal - 94.3 - they WEREN'T playing the same music at the same time!) Maybe I am jumping the gun, but something tells me, and I have a good hunch about it, that this is what Vic and John Caracciolo may want accomplish down the road (I'm paying attention to why they went Party FM....believe me!). To have a "network" (Boston, Miami, Orlando, L.A., S.F., Chicago, etc.) of dance stations which would be all operating out of Long Island at first, but that things could be big enough where they can eventually HAVE their local feel! Who knows...that could happen to the 87.7 signal down the road as well!
It's the beginning on things....so pay close attention here
. CHRles, you're definitely onto something because I feel it too!
