WHICH ATL FORMATS ARE UNDERPERFORMING & RIPE FOR SOME "BETTER" COMPETITION

[gregg75]

The Urbans appear to be doing fine.
So are the talks/news and Christians.

Oldies are underperforming (WSRV, WNNX) and should run for cover.

CHR could be doing better, but is healthy (WWWQ, WWVA, WSTR).

Country is underperforming (WUBL, WKHX) and should be doing better.

Rock has seen better days (WKLS).

FORMATS NEEDING COMPETITION (in order): Oldies, Rock, Country, CHR.
Just my opinions........not defending them though. And Yours?

[jabba17]

FORMATS NEEDING COMPETITION (in order): Oldies, Rock, Country, CHR.
Just my opinions........not defending them though. And Yours?

Country doesn't need any more competition...if Kicks and Bull can't make enough competition between them then the format has an issue or the format is glutted (don't forget about all the country rimshots like WNGC, South 107, and Bear, among others).

CHR doesn't need any more competition, either--but the format does need to sort itself out and figure out who is doing what instead of the big perennial AC chase.

Oldies/Classic Top 40 is ripe for the picking.  Rock is similar to CHR--fragmented but nobody is sure who is doing what (classic rock, AOR, active rock).

[kal30005]

I think CHR is in pretty good shape. While people complain that there aren't any "true CHRs" in Atlanta, what you really have is 2 stations that niche the CHR listeners who don't like as much R&B and Hip-Hip as most CHRs play (Star 94 and Q100) and 1 that niches away from AC that most CHRs play (Wild).

Most cities CHRs have to cover both ends of the spectrum. I actually think Atlanta is a little ahead of the curve in CHR. I think most CHR listeners from other cities would prefer on of the Atlanta stations to what they have.

Not sure how much need there is for more AOL or alternative. Most cities seem to be dropping the formats. But I do think River or somebody else could do well with a really strong classic rock format. River has proven there's a market for it but their playlist is too small and boring. And I do think 99X could find a niche if it was on a better signal, though I'd like to see them focus a little more on local and new bands.

[atlantaboy]

Not sure how much need there is for more AOL or alternative. Most cities seem to be dropping the formats.

That's not true at all - Alternative is doing very well in a majority of medium-large markets - WFNX was one of 2 Alternative stations in Boston, and the second one is doing fine

[acheron82]

That's not true at all - Alternative is doing very well in a majority of medium-large markets - WFNX was one of 2 Alternative stations in Boston, and the second one is doing fine
[/quote]

But what's unique about the stations you mentioned above is that they have a stickily alternative base. Someone posted a write up form this site about AAA/Alternative and AC formats and how they almost intertwine with artist like FUN and Gotye.  Lets look at 99x;  Why does it suck for an "Alternative" format?  Because many alternative artist are not even played on the station.  The alternative genre has been split in two and half are on AAA stations and the other half are on Alternative stations.  The few stations you mentioned above are the exception.  Many of the indie artist are being played on AAA stations leaving the harder edge and bigger hit alt artist on the Alternative stations.  Just a theory I have that AAA and Alternative are canceling each other out.  Someone will come along and tell me I'm wrong... I CAN FEEL IT!  :-(

[kal30005]

That's not true at all - Alternative is doing very well in a majority of medium-large markets - WFNX was one of 2 Alternative stations in Boston, and the second one is doing fine

You apparently aren't aware that WFNX, which was a great station, is probably going away. It was sold to Clear Channel last month and they will likely be changing formats in July. Most of the staff has already been laid off. The remaining Alternative station, WBOS is ranked #11 in the city.

[jabba17]

Oldies/Classic Top 40 is ripe for the picking. 

I put some more thought about this.  The reason for this is that one of the incumbent stations just flipped out of the format, another one is on a 250W translator (albeit a good class A/C3 equivalent one) and also overlaps considerably with the various AC players in the market, and the third one is a classic rock station in all but name. 

I think the time for 60s oldies is past, but 70s oldies still have some shelf life left. 

I've often wondered why nobody has tried a "Jack" type format in the market yet, unless Chuck 103.7 is Cox's test to speculate how it might do on a better signal.  Would Cox move Chuck to 97.1?  If that happened, it would give Cumulus an opportunity to more clearly define Rock 100.5's format vis-a-vis Project. 

[acheron82]

You apparently aren't aware that WFNX, which was a great station, is probably going away. It was sold to Clear Channel last month and they will likely be changing formats in July. Most of the staff has already been laid off. The remaining Alternative station, WBOS is ranked #11 in the city.
[/quote]


What are the ratings between the two?  I can't tell since WFNX is either not reporting or there just that low in the ratings (which I doubt).  Damn shame if you ask me because WFNX runs laps around WBOS.

[BRENT]

Oldies/Classic Top 40 is ripe for the picking. 

I put some more thought about this.  The reason for this is that one of the incumbent stations just flipped out of the format, another one is on a 250W translator (albeit a good class A/C3 equivalent one) and also overlaps considerably with the various AC players in the market, and the third one is a classic rock station in all but name. 

I think the time for 60s oldies is past, but 70s oldies still have some shelf life left. 

I've often wondered why nobody has tried a "Jack" type format in the market yet, unless Chuck 103.7 is Cox's test to speculate how it might do on a better signal.  Would Cox move Chuck to 97.1?  If that happened, it would give Cumulus an opportunity to more clearly define Rock 100.5's format vis-a-vis Project. 

The 60s will never die call me a hippie. I was, I went to Woodstock in 69, the 60's was the best music., The SH** on the dial today is abysmal.......Very small  minded to think the 60s are past, come on man...