X1029

[TommyR]

Brian V. broke the news in a previous thread, and I heard it from a former host via my cell this morning...

102.9 The Point has gone to the big radio cluster in the sky, to join Groovin' Oldies, MOViN, Arrow, and all the other great formats of years gone by.

In its place is X1029 (no "." on my RDS or the website logo):  Jacksonville's New Rock Alternative.

I like this move, but for selfish reasons rather than business.  I enjoy this type of music, and I've wondered what would happen if/when anyone would take on Planet more directly than Rock 105.  The closest we got was in 1999, when "alternative" was hip, and at a random flip of a dial, it was hard to distinguish Planet from Ape.  But such is Top 40, and that came to an end soon enough.

So I guess this is Cox's attack on Planet from two fronts--or is it ends?--like Renda's new Gator/Legends combo.  I also listen to Cox sister 97X whenever I pass through Tampa, and find it refreshing, if only because it's DIFFERENT than what I'm used to.

I refuse to bash any station group, as I have friends and associates at all of them.  Instead, I'll just sit back and listen, and hopefully enjoy what comes of this!

[jwradio]

I've been listening to their stream for the past hour.....I'm liking it so far.....a very even mix of alt. currents and oldies. 
 
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Soul To Squeeze
Oasis - Champagne Supernova
Seether - Breakdown 
Nirvana - Come As You Are
Rise Against - The Good Left Undone 
3 Doors Down - Kryptonite
Three Days Grace - Riot
The All-American Rejects - Dirty Little Secret 
The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight 
Linkin Park - Lying From You 
My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade
Incubus - Pardon Me 
Weezer - Pork And Beans 
Oasis - Wonderwall  (another Oasis song-  )
Flyleaf - All Around Me
The Killers - Spaceman

.....within that hour, I've heard 2 Oasis songs (Champange Supernova and Wonderwall).....while I realize they're trying to take over some of Planet's older P1s who stick around after Lex and Terry - come on guys, you'll need to step it up and give us some of the other DECENT hits from the 90's.  Or, just stick with the trully NEW stuff.

A good start and the "old guys in the morning" liners (direct shot at L&T) are a nice touch.....let's see what happens - I'd love to see a good ol' fashioned station war here in Jax, anyone else?

---JW

[JAWilson]

I have never been a fan of alternative, but I have seem to find a liking, well kind of, to the new X1029. I actually did not remove this station off the presets quite surprisingly. This is the station that we all have been waiting for to flip for how long? My mind recalls for at least 2 years running. Anyways, I am willing to give them a chance.

[JohnJax]

In my life outside this board, friends and acquaintances know of my love for radio and they often call me when things happen in the market for the lowdown.  Yesterday was one of those days as I received a few distressed calls from Point fans in morning and afternoon drive.  Unlike the previous post, the first thing I heard was the preset would be gone but these comments were from people in their 40s and 50s.  I’m sure the former 102.9 had some older demos but then again almost every station does.  Listeners of all age have to go somewhere.  As we know the target is males 18-29 and I’m 25+ years past their upper demo so obviously the music has no appeal for me. I tried to listen but let’s just leave it at that. I have fewer and fewer presets but I'm sure I'm not alone.

But I applaud Cox Radio for doing something to try and stop the bleeding.  I’m assuming the talent is gone.  Is Andy Meyer programming this station now?  I always get a bit distressed when people loose their jobs but I suppose it's just the nature of the beast.
. 
Interesting too is that I heard the station will be marketed on websites such as Facebook. Smart move.  I would think it is more bang for the buck as opposed to TV ads that would be viewed by those who would have no interest in tuning in.  Anyway, I guess change is constant and if the talent is gone, I wish them well.

[upstate29651]

Interesting.....

I too applaud the move for my own selfish reasons.  From a business standpoint, wouldn't it have made more sense to go after 'EJZ though?

Seems to me the one BIG thing keeping Planet afloat (aside from a small but loyal fan base) is L&T.  While they may be in Dallas & nationally syndicated, Lex & Terry ARE Jax radio.

Meaning....if Cox is serious about the X, they're going to have to develop an even edgier morning show (not that L&T are that edgy!)

Cox...give me a reason to listen!  Don't turn this into yet another Cox "Jukebox" a-la Rock 105 & Atlanta's River.

G

[Brother Bear]

Don't be surprised if the X IS just another Cox Box. They are not in the business of cultivating local talent, especially of the caliber need to chip away at L&T. And as far as "edgy" goes ... nothing to see here, folks ... move along.
Friends of mine who are fans of the format say as long as Pink is playing, it's NOT alternative ... more like a Not-So-Urban Top 40.
It's a smart move for a rudderless station that's been cruising in with mid-One's for many moons, and it would be nice to see it aggressively programmed as a TRUE alternative station.

[DToTheJ]

Wonder if Bubba will eventually end up on the X?

[WBIMDJ]

I also posted this in the alternative/modern rock board, but I got a chance to look at some of the stuff X102.9 was playing today, and I'm pretty impressed. It looks like bands like Death Cab For Cutie, Gorillaz, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Killers etc. are getting airplay.  An ACTUAL Modern Rock station for Jacksonville, compared to The Planet, which in my opinion has NO business calling themselves Modern Rock at all, what with all the nu-metal and butt rock crap they play. I checked out their horrid playlist and couldn't believe some of the stuff they were spinning. They should be active rock. Anyways, X102.9 looks good for Jacksonville.

[fldxer]

Cool, they put a good signal here with even the slightest enhancement. Jax needed that, with only the "dinosaur" rock stations in the market. Sounds like they are trying to emulate their Tampa market.

Greg Myers
Holiday, FL

[FilmCritic3K]

I'm out of town at the moment. Can anyone tell me if you can pick up X102.9 in Savannah?

It'd be a wonderful palate cleanser after having to suffer through the abomination that is Triad's WFXH (Rock 106-1 aka "Active Rock Masquerading As Alternative Rock").