Jack FM is here in Jacksonville

[JohnJax]

I think if Renda were smart they should pick up classic hits in Jax.  In Jax, I think a classic hits station would complement WEJZ quite well.  A combo of AC/Classic Hits and Country/Classic Country seem quite practical. 

For years I tried to make the case that when a cluster has an AC positioned with a Classic Hits/pop oldies format, the results can go way beyond practical. I would not expect Renda to be swapping out signals or eliminating Classic Rock at this time. And I would agree with that decision. One of the main themes of this string is the general consensus that Magic 107-3 was just not given a proper amount of time. What's fair is fair. Pulling the plug on WSOS at this time would amount to just about the same thing - treating listeners to a format they like than pulling the rug from them is simply not right.

And speaking of ratings, Jack didn't do so well out of the box. Even during Magic's Christmas disaster, their ratings were still better. Jack is a cheap operation and I can't see the format being big here. CC Jax is simply dysfunctional IMO. The "young and promising" MM brought in about a year ago was demoted to sales. The OM who came on board in October was let go earlier this week. What the hell is going on?  I have to wonder if the plan is to get out of Jax all together. We'll have to see. It's like they are in melt down over there.

Here's my take. Jack seems to offer around 40% of its playlist featuring rock oriented hits. This could fragment the male audience even more. This means 4.5 formats are rock-oriented. Something is going to have to give. If someone can figure there is opportunity to attract upper-end females and if this strategy will position the cluster stronger, then that is where an adults hits/EZ - whatever will go.

I don't know enough about rock formats to speak about the what ifs. Rock 104-5 is an active rock format, right? Does that require one station or can elements of it be added to another form of rock, such as X102-9? If it can and if impacting a WEJZ benefits the Cox cluster, then a "WFEZ" could find it's way on 104-5? I don't know. A while back, I predicted a lot of change would come to Jax this year. Man, how I wish I was wrong.

[nfladxer]

Once again JohnJax has brought up some interesting points.  The fact that Clear Channel Jacksonville has gone through so many changes recently (and way too many talented people took the bullet, when they proabably didn't need to) does indicate, at the very least, a sense of disarray or panic.  As I've stated before, it appears CC Jax has lost quite a bit of market share, in comparison to Cox, over the past couple of years, and this, at the very least, must be responsible for some of the changes.   Ironically, a day after the CC Jax OM left the building, it looks like some of the local Clear Channel properties did see some increases in the latest monthly PPM. If, for whatever reason, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment decides to exit this market, I would guess it might interest companies like Townsquare Media or Cumulus, maybe Radio One.  CBS Radio is NOT a likely candidate, they've already left the much larger Denver market, and are in the process of leaving West Palm Beach. 

As far as Renda re-launching Classic Hits, that's probably not in the cards.  As a witness and observer to what went on back when Kool 100.7 was launched, a great opportunity was blown.  Just about everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong!  The on air talent, the market and music knowledge, help from their sister station KOMA, even the former Cool 96.9 PD, was available, or about to be available, due to some contract issues.  IMHO, at that time, I think the powers that be at Renda were afraid a really good Oldies station might damage WEJZ in certain demos, at least that was my take on the situation.  So, as JohnJax has already pointed out, that leaves Cox as the most likely operator to consider any kind of pop oriented Classic Hits format, or possibly a clone of WFEZ, offering an Easy Oldies format here.  Again, if any company does make a move to re-establish a REAL Oldies type station in Jacksonville, it will have to make Dollars and Cents (Sense)!      

[John Holcomb II]

I know for me I liked the music better on 107.3 when it was plannit radio. Italso had that local and live feel such as radio stations  are lacking. I was surprised to see  Magic die like that, they just had put people on  the airshift at the beginning of the year. That wasn't nearly enough time. I l liked the gold-based approach of active rock from Roc 105 also. It was local also (and  thouh it still is, its much more n newer active rock). OH well formats I like aren't really doing well these days, Smooth Jazz is gone, and personality is dieing. And you wonder why people dont care abot radio as much as they used to. What compelling reason is there to listn? Take Jack for instance. liners, music, and what else? Its sad. If radio geeks dont see reason to listen to a station, then why would the average person?

[nfladxer]

If radio geeks dont see reason to listen to a station, then why would the average person?

Well, the average listener most likely doesn't have as much of an "emotional investment" in a particular station as a radio enthusiast or "geek".  So, while I agree that we need more personality on music radio, not less, the average listener may not realize the lack of personality as quickly as someone who is a more involved listener.  That may give any particular station a little more breathing room in the short term, but long term, especially considering all the media alternatives, IMO, this approach weakens radio's unique intimate nature.  After all, radio should still be appealing to human beings, not just a PPM device.  I would think it's difficult for most listeners to get excited about, or develop an emotional attachment to, a produced "image liner".   Radio should be embracing the human touch, and looking for more ways to CREATE demand, rather than rolling over and playing dead!   

[John Holcomb II]

My thoughts are that radio that has  no personality is like somebody's IPod programmed for them with produced liners, processing, and crossfading for the music.

[JohnJax]

So, as JohnJax has already pointed out, that leaves Cox as the most likely operator to consider any kind of pop oriented Classic Hits format, or possibly a clone of WFEZ, offering an Easy Oldies format here.  Again, if any company does make a move to re-establish a REAL Oldies type station in Jacksonville, it will have to make Dollars and Cents (Sense)!      

E-Z oldies formats are certainly not top billers. But they are playing an increasingly more prominent role in strategy and enhancing the cluster as a whole.

Let’s say a cluster has 5 stations A-E. If “A” is underperforming and is being flip-considered to E-Z Oldies, number crunchers would have to take a few things into consideration. Billing/revenue history and demo info would already exist for Station A. If billing projections for E-Z Oldies is less than current format, that’s just one thing to consider.

Let’s also say a significant share of Station A’s audience also listens to Station B and to a lesser extent Station C. If it is believed displaced listeners from Station A can enhance certain demos in one or two other strong stations in the cluster, the increased billing revenue as a result could compensate for a replacement that bills less than originally. Then there are impacts to a competitor. If enough listeners in certain key demos can be lured away, then that in itself can help the new kid on the block so to speak at a chance for a successful run. 

From a market share perspective, E-Z oldies generally earns high shares. If Cox believes the Jax market is changing and perhaps conservative talk is not as hot as once was, a flip to E-Z oldies can be another way to compensate for market share lost elsewhere.

As far as WFEZ in S.Fla goes, that station/format has helped Cox in a big way. I won’t go into the specifics because that is a subject for another board. Personally, I love that station. Cox launches formats so very well. I was in S.Fla when rock flipped to Christmas and then E-Z oldies. TV spots blanked the airwaves. Props to them – they do those things well. I hope history has a way of repeating itself in Jacksonville.

I’m all about what makes sense/cents and E-Z, done right, would prove a winner, at least in my way of thinking.   

As far as lost opportunity with regard to KOOL 100.7 goes, my views on that subject and the MM who oversaw that and the old WSOS are very well known to all of you on this board.

[nfladxer]

As far as lost opportunity with regard to KOOL 100.7 goes, my views on that subject and the MM who oversaw that and the old WSOS are very well known to all of you on this board.

The only reason I brought up the Kool 100.7 thing, was to point out why I believe Renda is not likely to venture in that direction again.  But in the crazy world of broadcasting, who know?! 

[carolinaradio]

Just to throw out there, I highly doubt Cox will do a pop-classic hits format.  While different from Eagle, there would still be too much overlap.  It would have to be easy listening oldies if anything.
I don't get how The Eagle has been so successful.  The Tampa "Eagle" is extremely popular, as well, but it's just the same exhausted songs over and over with no true personality, IMO.  Atlanta's 97.1 The River is the same way but has improved in the last year or so.   More variety and deep cuts than before.

[nfladxer]

Just to throw out there, I highly doubt Cox will do a pop-classic hits format.  While different from Eagle, there would still be too much overlap.  It would have to be easy listening oldies if anything.
I don't get how The Eagle has been so successful.  The Tampa "Eagle" is extremely popular, as well, but it's just the same exhausted songs over and over with no true personality, IMO.  Atlanta's 97.1 The River is the same way but has improved in the last year or so.   More variety and deep cuts than before.

Yes, I agree, Cox would be more likely to do an "Easy Oldies" type format rather than a pop oriented Classic Hits again, since they are enjoying such success with The Eagle, even with such a low profile personality approach!  Why mess with success! 

[IT_Guru]

I thought I was the only one who still missed Cool 96.9 but after reading the posts I guess I'm not the only one.

I started listening to them back around 1990 when I was a teenager and I'm so glad that I have several hours of them on tape (need to get those out and convert to CD). I loved the DJ's and for some reason the two that I still remember are Smokin' Joe Beamer and Mimi Monroe. Are they still around? It was the best Oldies station I've ever heard and I have to admit that they are the reason that Oldies/Classic Hits are now my favorite format.

I got to listen to Magic 107.3 a couple of times and while it wasn't the same as Cool 96.9 I still liked the station and listened to it when I was in Jax and I hate that it's gone now.

If anyone is interested I'll be happy to post some of my tapes of WKQL Cool 96.9. I live in NE Ohio now and ironically the WKQL calls still live on and are at Cool 103.3 about 80 miles away from me in Brookville, PA.