Why not try this in Monmouth-Ocean?

[observer2]

Why limit the list of format to just those?

[Radiofan101]

Ok, which other formats do you feel should be in the Monmouth-Ocean market?

[SoulCrusher]

I'm not sure how well 105.7 WCHR reaches the Atlantic City market, but if it reaches the greater AC area, I would suggest that Townsquare returns to simulcasting NJ 101.5 on 97.3 FM and moves the ESPN format there. The station currently pulls rather lackluster ratings when it's not football season, so perhaps a change is due.

As far as B98.5 is concerned ... it's not working. The format is just too juvenile to go over well with the money demos. I would propose either Oldies/Classic Hits (since they're so fond of saving money, perhaps they could simulcast Great Gold 1410 on there) or a return to Alternative Rock. Maybe now Press understands that the format was not the problem with G Rock, but rather the lack of promotion that they gave it.

Without question, the station most in need of a change is 100.1 WJRZ. Despite what Greater Media believed, the "Magic" brand was nothing to get excited about ... it's just your typical tired soft rock mix that can be heard many other places. They would be well served with a Talk format (with a mix of local and syndicated talent) ... or really anything else, for that matter. It's hard to imagine them doing any worse with any other type of programming.

[d21ofnj]

Ok, which other formats do you feel should be in the Monmouth-Ocean market?

Well, you already know my proposal 

But just to break it down, the EDM scene is really growing out there to the mainstream.  With mainstream artists such as Pitbull, Flo-Rida, Rihanna, Usher, Akon, Britney Spears, Marroon 5, etc that are using the EDM sound and collaborating with DJ's such as David Guetta, Kaskade, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Avicii (Tim Berg), Ian Carey, etc., having their singles hit the top on the billboard charts, why not take advantage of the dance format?  Second, I don't know why this market hasn't jumped on the format in the first place.  We always depended on the big NYC CHR/dance stations (KTU, Pulse 87, 92.3 Now) and all the ad dollars are going to Market no. 1, why not keep our revenue in our home turf with a well formatted "Jersey Shore" brand EDM station.  No, not expecting a full on "guido/benny" format, but to hear what our local DJ's play, what our businesses tend to select.  Hell, with Party 732, I try to keep the sounds as local as possible, at the same time getting the worldwide popularity, and not depending on MTV to tell us what the Jersey Shore is, and all I am aiming for is a pea shooter signal (any HD-2 to translator) just to test waters.   If landed on 100.7, it would be an impact player in the Toms River area, considering maybe a little competition to B98.5.  Speaking of B98.5, they were that "dance feel" on their relaunch, but they abandoned the sound and what puzzles me is no promotion of their mixshow DJ's AND their mixshows. 

[Radiofan101]

I couldn't agree with you more. A "dance" music station could be very successful on the radio in Monmouth-Ocean. And I also agree that B98.5 turned their back on achieving this success.

BTW, I listened to your online station. It's pretty good!

[observer2]

Every several messages, you will notice, returns to the conversation about whether WJRZ is missing its potential.   That really seems to be the subtext of this thread.

[Turnpike Tuner]

Every several messages, you will notice, returns to the conversation about whether WJRZ is missing its potential.   That really seems to be the subtext of this thread.

Potential to do what, is the question. Greater Media obviously does not want the audience a Classic Hits or Oldies station would appeal to, regardless of size. They must believe that they can get greater revenue with a small (and that's putting it nicely) slice of the overall audience and go after Women 18 - 48.

Considering that, Ocean Counties demographics are spread out as follows:  23.30% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 22.20% over 65. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that there are a whole lot of older people than the youngns. If my math is right,  roughly 44% of the county would be in the demo for a Classic Hits/Oldies station (45+), while only 32% would be in the sweet spot for a CHR (18 to 44).

B98.5 should stay as a CHR, the programming needs to be tightened up a bit, but I think the framework is there for a great station that can really cook during more than just the summer months. WJRZ however, has shown that it just ain't working. I hear the same sponsors on Magic that I heard on WJRZ, so something tells me that the client is moreso tied to the salesperson than the station. WJRZ's position is trying to steal from both The Point & WOBM in Ocean County - something that with its signal, is tough to do. And that's not including the fact that WOBM & The Point have heritage, a real news department, and are very smartly programmed to compliment each other.

WJRZ has talented people on air, but it's gonna take more than that to convince people to switch from The Point or WOBM. Maybe GM will sell the place to someone who will make it a local powerhouse again, but GM seems satisfied with the status quo for now.

[Radiofan101]

Does anyone feel that a Smooth Jazz station could work in this market?

Older demographics tend to like Smooth Jazz. And if you mix it with local news, maybe you have something.

[radioguy39nj]

I'm not sure how well 105.7 WCHR reaches the Atlantic City market, but if it reaches the greater AC area, I would suggest that Townsquare returns to simulcasting NJ 101.5 on 97.3 FM and moves the ESPN format there. The station currently pulls rather lackluster ratings when it's not football season, so perhaps a change is due.

Monmouth/Ocean is a different market from Atlantic City.  97.3 ESPN-FM concentrates on Philly and South Jersey sports.  If Townsquare puts ESPN on 105.7, it can't be the same station.  97.3 carries Eagles' games, 105.7 with its current classic rock format carries the Jets. 

Monmouth/Ocean is NY and North Jersey centric, AC is Philly and South Jersey centric.  Big difference!  

[d21ofnj]

I'm not sure how well 105.7 WCHR reaches the Atlantic City market, but if it reaches the greater AC area, I would suggest that Townsquare returns to simulcasting NJ 101.5 on 97.3 FM and moves the ESPN format there. The station currently pulls rather lackluster ratings when it's not football season, so perhaps a change is due.

Monmouth/Ocean is a different market from Atlantic City.  97.3 ESPN-FM concentrates on Philly and South Jersey sports.  If Townsquare puts ESPN on 105.7, it can't be the same station.  97.3 carries Eagles' games, 105.7 with its current classic rock format carries the Jets. 

Monmouth/Ocean is NY and North Jersey centric, AC is Philly and South Jersey centric.  Big difference!  

I thought the "line" of Monmouth/Ocean and AC was between Beachwood and Forked River (732/609)