SMOOTH JAZZ IS RESURRECTED IN SEATTLE

[discjockeyjohn64]

Have been listening for the past hour to KKWF 100.7 HD 2, and the All Comedy Radio is gone.  In its wake is a blend of classic soft AC and contemporary smooth jazz artists.  Haven't heard a moniker for the format, but it looks like Smooth Jazz aficinados can jump for joy once again.  Thank you, thank you, Entercom for programming to this small but loyal audience.

You can learn more about HD radio and where you can get a receiver at www.hdradio.com.
Most of these receivers for at home play plug into your existing stereo for about a one time investment of $60-70.
You then can receive about 22 extra stations on the FM band here in Seattle.  A listing of all stations available is also on that site.  I know they have new portable units available now in the $30-40 range.

[discjockeyjohn64]

I found that Entercom also programs Smooth Jazz on the WOLF in Kansas City, MO's HD 2 channel.  It is labeled "The City."  Find no such name here, but they do say, "Listen to the smooth rhythms of 100.7 HD2."
The ratio of Smooth Jazz to vocals is about 3 to 1 in favor of the smooth/contemporary jazz tracks.  There doesn't seem to be any link anywhere on the net to listen to Kansas City's version to see if this is the same programming.

[discjockeyjohn64]

After about four hours of listening on and off during today, the new format sounds like KWJZ when it was at its very best.  Not a bunch of strange music thrown in, not a lot of vocals, just straight ahead Contemporary Jazz.  For those without HD radio, hopefully Entercom will consider streaming this channel in the near future.  Great to see the titles and artists scroll by on every song as well.

[FMSteve]

Great news! I listened last night and was pleased by the programming. Now the brie and chablis set have a place to tune to. Only one problem, though.......it sounds exactly like Sandusky's KWJZ's tired old smooth jazz format. Hmm. I guess innovation and fresh voices are a non-starter here in Seattle-Tacoma. Why?

Sure there was Seal, Sade, David Sandborn and Gerald Albright. But what about some new music that fits the format? So overall kudos to Entercom for bringing back the format, but apparently we get the recycled version of smooth jazz.

Will this spear some new HD purchases? Sure. Will it get to a resonable saturation to make it commercially-feasible? Sure, in year 2020. So what I'm saying is that HD is what FM was in 1958.

[scott salvatori]

congrats, elevator, er smooth jazz fans.  kind of seems like a strange mix for a contemp/pop country outlet to branch off into that.   i wonder how many ex KWJZ fans will HD up, on this smooth wolf howl jazz?  1% maybe.  its been many months gone by.  many exKWJZers  have probably gone satellite radio by now.   to ""parrot"" mr bongwaters prior comments in a related thread:   sandusky, should have HD'd this, and let it be known on air, before and after the format adjustment to "the click".  worst case scenario, if the click, was a cluck, they could make an HD adjustment, and return to smooth jazz.

[Bongwater]

GREAT IDEA!

Now what's an "HD Radio"? 

I hate to say this. But it's kinda hard for the general public to get excited over a station no one beyond this board will ever know about.

Second, most Smooth Jazz fans have already defected to other sources online or satellite, Music Choice, etc. While it's a great idea, it's one that's come 7 months too late.

I hope Entercom will promote this. It's the only way it's really going to *very modestly* work.

Oops! I forgot. PPM doesn't measure HD-2/3s.

Oh well........ 

[discjockeyjohn64]

You are probably correct about a lot of people being unaware of HD radio, but I did put in the opening thread a way for people to read up about it.  As far as being commercially viable, Smooth Jazz has migrated to a lot of HD2 channels throughout the US.  Most of the HD2 and 3 channels are commercial free and I don't think owners really care too much if they are profitable.  They make most of their money off the main signal, but this allows them to trumpet that they offer more programming to the general public.  They are only paying for the power for the main signal that is diplexed into multiple signals which the HD receivers can decode.

As for the post that the music sounds tired, I have XM in the car, and find the Entercom version in the house has more variety than Watercolors on XM.  I would say I am a fan of "elevator" music, but like many other types of music too.  It is just nice to have a place to de-stress with music that calms once in awhile.  I'd rather have rock or CHR in the mornings, but after a long day at work, to unwind KKWF HD 2 will be great!!

[Arby Tron]

Oops! I forgot. PPM doesn't measure HD-2/3s.

Oh well........ 

PPM does measure and report HD2 /3 when minimum reporting standards are met. In Seattle only some FM station internet streams have been reported.  In other markets HD'2 are reported and have ratings, however most are broadcast on a translator frequency.

[Kent]

I found that Entercom also programs Smooth Jazz on the WOLF in Kansas City, MO's HD 2 channel.  It is labeled "The City."  Find no such name here, but they do say, "Listen to the smooth rhythms of 100.7 HD2."
The ratio of Smooth Jazz to vocals is about 3 to 1 in favor of the smooth/contemporary jazz tracks.  There doesn't seem to be any link anywhere on the net to listen to Kansas City's version to see if this is the same programming.

I was just in Kansas City over the weekend, and I can confirm there's smooth jazz on 106.5 HD2.  Yes, it uses the old "City" name 106.5 used before it flipped to country in '03, but it only runs liners once or twice an hour.  It's pretty much all music.  I think in an hour of listening, I heard exactly one PSA.  So, they're definitely not selling any ads on it.

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Am I incorrect in assuming that everyone's HD2 content is some flavor of national and the liners you hear are much like satellite-delivered formats where they break for "x" seconds for "your liner here".  Now, they can almost get it down to the point where they break the liner for calls/nickname only and continue with the same generic national slogan...

"Nothing but the (best) (best) (best) (hit) (hit) (HIT) music ... "  104.1 the x "plays the balls off these hits.  Now the third of 23,847 in a row...."