WOLS Website Launched

[wmgcbs]

Finally, after almost five months of being on-air, Oldies 106.1 has launched a website at http://www.oldies1061.com/

Some observations:

THE GOOD:
-The website is not too crowded or difficult to navigate.  It is really pretty basic and could be better, but at least it's not over-crowded.

-The station is streaming, although I couldn't listen to it.  (Anyone else have problems with the LIVE365 player for this station?)

THE BAD:
-I find it interesting that WOLS promotes itself so heavily as "The Oldies Station."  I'm pretty sure that even though the Jones Radio Network that the station airs is called "Good Time Oldies," the word "oldies" is barely ever used (if it's used at all).  Why not try something like "Charlotte's Greatest Hits?"  They should have come in with a younger format (like '64-'84), but I guess they wanted to retain as many "Mix" listeners as possible while adding the younger "oldies" crowd.  The website even mentions the station plays the "50's, 60's, and 70's" numerous times.

-The logo is a rip-off of WODS/Boston's logo.  Of course, it's not exactly the same, but it's obvious where they got the idea for it.

-The following appears close to the top of the homepage:  "Oldies 106.6 the #1 way to target market Charlotte, NC."  Go figure.
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I know that the station, unfortunately, isn't making leaps and bounds in the ratings.  Is it being advertised enough?  Are there any TV commercials, billboards, or advertisements ANYWHERE?  Most people probably still think it's "Mix."

[hschutte]

I hope their ratings go up. Even though I still miss the mix format.I think the biggest problem with 106.1's ratings is that 94.1 plays oldies too. 106.1 needs to do some hard core advertising.I do like their new website. Took a long time though.

[rosco]

Thanks for noticing the mistake on the web site.  I am told it will be corrected.  I liked your observations.  A couple of my own.  1. It takes smaller radio groups more time to get web sites up and streaming.  Remember Clear Channel et al are already set up to do web sites. It's just the way it is. 2. I have no problem with the streaming. 3. My sources tell me that given the current signal they felt the station needed to be presented as clearly what it was ... an oldies station.  4. Jones and the station's positioning statement is "the greates hits of all time" ... the station name is "Oldies 106.1". I am told it was not done to retain the older mix audience.  5. you think the logo is a rip off? I don't know. the question I think should be, does it work for an oldies station in Charlotte.  6. I am told by my sources to expect a surprise from this group the 1st week in July and again the 1st week in August.  Stay tuned. I'm out.

[wmgcbs]

Thanks for noticing the mistake on the web site.  I am told it will be corrected.  I liked your observations. 

Thanks.  I didn't mean to come across as a pain about it, but it's important that the station name appears correctly.  As of now, it is corrected.

A couple of my own.  1. It takes smaller radio groups more time to get web sites up and streaming.  Remember Clear Channel et al are already set up to do web sites. It's just the way it is.

OK, but four months is still a bit long to get the website up... even if it is a small group.

2. I have no problem with the streaming.

Unfortunately, the computer I am currently using is connected to the Internet through a dial-up modem; since the stream is 64 kbps (I believe), I just can't listen to it without drops or skipping.  Oh well.

3. My sources tell me that given the current signal they felt the station needed to be presented as clearly what it was ... an oldies station.  4. Jones and the station's positioning statement is "the greates hits of all time" ... the station name is "Oldies 106.1". I am told it was not done to retain the older mix audience. 

OK.  But, why, all over the website, does it say that the station plays the 50's, 60's, and 70's, when it is rare that even a pre-'64 cut is heard?  If they want to call it a traditional oldies station that plays songs from the 50's, 60's, and 70's, that's fine, but their playlist doesn't reflect that statement which appears on the website.  Last night during Sunday Night at the Beach, I heard a sweeper that says, "Charlotte's Oldies Station --- Oldies 106.1."  Hopefully, the station doesn't air sweepers touting the 50's as part of the mix, as that would be misleading.

5. you think the logo is a rip off? I don't know. the question I think should be, does it work for an oldies station in Charlotte. 

Yep.  I do.  It's the WODS logo with some slight changes in font, but the basic logo is extremely similar.  It probably would stand out on a billboard, though, and the colors are bright, so from an advertising standpoint, the logo probably will work.  But, there needs to be advertising to showcase the logo.  Most listeners probably don't even know what it looks like because the website just got launched, and apparently, there hasn't been a lot of advertising.

6. I am told by my sources to expect a surprise from this group the 1st week in July and again the 1st week in August.  Stay tuned. I'm out.

A live jock or two would probably be too much to ask for, but I was listening to an old aircheck of Boomer on Magic 96.1 in July of 2002, and the guy just had it.  He had the genuine energy and enthusiasm - perfect for an oldies station.  The Eggman was also great.  Those two are sorely missed in Charlotte radio, and I'm sure it's not just by me.  *sigh*  Oh, well.  At least "the oldies" are back in Charlotte proper, regardless of the station, its owners, and its signal strength.

[Mike Sheridan]

Nice looking website, very clean and uncluttered.  Aimed more at sales in my opinion. 

The coverage map is a bit of optimism though.  They have serious issues with the other station on 106.1 in northwest Mecklenburg.  Too bad because it's really not a bad signal.

The only surprise I can imagine would be some local jocks.  Will that provide the boost they are looking for?

[wmgcbs]

Nice looking website, very clean and uncluttered.  Aimed more at sales in my opinion. 

The coverage map is a bit of optimism though.  They have serious issues with the other station on 106.1 in northwest Mecklenburg.  Too bad because it's really not a bad signal.

The only surprise I can imagine would be some local jocks.  Will that provide the boost they are looking for?

I thought the same thing about the website with regards to sales.  It's really pushing what is included in the Media Kit.  Nevertheless, I like websites that are, as you said, clean and uncluttered.  Sometimes the Clear Channel websites are ridiculously intense with the Flash content.

As much as many of us would like to see some live and local jocks weekdays (outside of mornings), I just don't know if it will happen with this station (which is really a shame).

[LaidBackJack]

As long as I can tune in and like the music, I just don't have much to grumble about. Heck, you can find something lame about every station in town if you look hard enough.

[Mike Sheridan]

As long as I can tune in and like the music, I just don't have much to grumble about. Heck, you can find something lame about every station in town if you look hard enough.

Yes, very true!  I give them credit for trying.  They could probably run paid religion or infomercials and make more money. From what I've heard GM Tom Gentry is a good guy.

I miss some of the A/C songs from the '60's and '70's Mix played with the old format that would now probably be considered too soft.

[eacalhoun1]

Nice looking website, very clean and uncluttered.  Aimed more at sales in my opinion. 

The coverage map is a bit of optimism though.  They have serious issues with the other station on 106.1 in northwest Mecklenburg.  Too bad because it's really not a bad signal.

The only surprise I can imagine would be some local jocks.  Will that provide the boost they are looking for?

I was sitting in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Granite Falls last evening and Oldies 106.1's signal was great--emphasis said "parked", though. Had I been a space or two over, I might have been getting WMMY 106.1 from Jefferson. I wish GHB would buy WMMY (it is for sale, you know) and simulcast.

Eric

[wmgcbs]

As long as I can tune in and like the music, I just don't have much to grumble about. Heck, you can find something lame about every station in town if you look hard enough.

The music from the Jones format is actually quite good - better than most oldies stations nowadays.  I like how they occasionally throw in a gem.  So for the music, I applaud them.  And honestly, most people are listening for the music anyway.  The majority probably doesn't know (or care) that the programs are fed from a satellite service.

Funny... I just took a look at the 12+ ratings for Charlotte released earlier this month.  If you add the ratings for WTHZ and WOLS, you get what I believe was MAGIC's last 12+ report.