Bland Rebrand For WFGR

[Freqman]

After getting absolutely waxed by 101.3 I predict this will do nothing.

https://bit.ly/Bland987

[MWmetalhead]

Greg Buben got the classic rock station he wanted (maybe?).

The station is positioning as "timeless hits," but all the songs on the log since 5PM are classic rock songs.

The station favors the mellower side of classic rock, much like WDRV ("97.1 The Drive") in Chicago during its first few years. WCSX in Detroit sported a similar sound 25 years ago.

The station didn't even bother to change its voiceover artist. I am confused by the move as the new direction strikes me as more niche than the prior direction. Perhaps there is market research showing a good chunk of LAV's base wants a mellower classic rock option? WFGR's ratings were not bad for a Class A stick.

I suppose this was "step two" after WTRV flipped to a more uptempo sound a few weeks back?

Will a third domino fall next?

It will be interesting to see if Big 101.3, or for that matter, Star 105.7 add any 80s or early 90s pop titles to their respective playlists that 98.7 dropped.

The moniker "The Grand" sure sounds awfully similar to "The River ".

In fact, locals often refer to the Grand River as "The Grand".

98.7's new sound is too sleepy for my liking. I would choose 96.9 or 101.3 over them.

The station plays very few or none of the classic rock artists that can be heard on 97.9, which is not surprising. The only one I've seen in common so far is Tom Petty. So, what 98.7 is doing is not a full-bodied classic rock format by any means. No AC/DC, Zeppelin, Ozzy, or hair bands.

Grand Rapids having no classic hits station with 80s pop hits as its backbone is surprising given the success of stations such as WOMC, WRQN, WLS-FM, WRIT and WMJI. A similar void exists in Kalamazoo & Battle Creek, as Jack FM plays fewer 80s pop titles than some of its Variety Hits counterparts.

[ChrisWL1980]

The revamped playlist reminds me a lot of WCSX, whose definition of "classic rock" includes Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now."

I wouldn't expect any playlist tweaks at 101.3 or 105.7, they'll stay committed to the iHeart one-size-fits-all corporate playlists with little to no local input. I bet Star will eventually grab the Premiere AT40 reruns however, since they're a corporate product and no longer fit with WFGR's revised playlist.

[MWmetalhead]

WCSX is not that much different than WLAV musically these days.

http://www.mediabase.com/whatsong/whats ... 8045070077

[MWmetalhead]

It amazes me that 70s music is now easier to find on the FM dial in Grand Rapids than 80s pop hits.

What's next - a station focused on 50s music?

[craigrussell100]

AND no real local talent....Janna is VT'ed afternoons, and Eric Meyer is the only other jock...no morning show...

Just give up now. This will do nothing. Musically its like FGR was when we were running Bob and Tom before 2012, when we were given the green light to pop it up...there already are 2-3 classic rock ish type stations with way bigger sticks and actual air talent and some sort of promotions i GR...

RIP....

[48125er]

I wonder how far ahead or behind it's Synchronized with 94.9 in Lansing, like how 100.5 is with 99.1 there and 95.7 is ahead of 103.3 KFR.

[48125er]

AND no real local talent....Janna is VT'ed afternoons, and Eric Meyer is the only other jock...no morning show...

Just give up now. This will do nothing. Musically its like FGR was when we were running Bob and Tom before 2012, when we were given the green light to pop it up...there already are 2-3 classic rock ish type stations with way bigger sticks and actual air talent and some sort of promotions i GR...

RIP....

Even the classic rock stations in Northern Michigan sound better.

[ChrisWL1980]

I wonder how far ahead or behind it's Synchronized with 94.9 in Lansing, like how 100.5 is with 99.1 there and 95.7 is ahead of 103.3 KFR.

This isn't synchronized with WMMQ. WMMQ doesn't play Carly Simon or Depeche Mode.
Actually, with a second look at the playlist, this reminds me more of Adult Hits, a la the former 93.1 Doug FM in Detroit, but with the pure pop/R&B/dance music taken out. It seems positioned in between Big 101.3 and WLAV. I wonder if this is to try to keep some of the older listeners who miss what 100.5 used to play from defecting to Star or Big.

It amazes me that 70s music is now easier to find on the FM dial in Grand Rapids than 80s pop hits.

What's next - a station focused on 50s music?

West MI had that... it was Real Oldies 1480 & 850 (sorta). And going farther back, Majic 810.

Star 105.7 might do well to "own" '80s music in West Michigan by adding some '80s music blocks. An all '80s Friday night like their sister station in Toledo, or an all request hour like WNIC. Maybe even get the Premiere AT40 reruns off 98.7 (assuming 98.7 hasn't dropped them with the format tweak).

[MWmetalhead]

98.7's new playlist sounds like 3 parts Classic Vinyl and 1 part Classic Rewind from SXM.

[jesusjenny]

Pointless rebrand. Ratings won't change. You won't see billboards, a station vehicle, zero promotion and with no real airstaff - just save some energy and turn it off or donate it.

[zzand]

MW, there was a format at one time named RockAC. Would that be a good description of this?

[MWmetalhead]

I do have a bit of familiarity with that format. WMMO in Orlando used to be Rock AC. The ill-fated Alice stations in Detroit and Philly are other examples.

The music selection on 98.7 skews older and is more male oriented, in my opinion.

Here is the playlist. I'd be curious to know what you think. They did finally play a Zeppelin song, but they certainly play less of that artist than a typical classic rock station.

https://987thegrand.com/playlist/

[zzand]

I worked RockAC and that isn't it. It is like a crazy classic hits format. Rock fans won't be happy, and neither will pop fans. I don't really see this working well at all. It's kinda like a Yacht Rock station with more tempo to it.

[MWmetalhead]

The closest sounding present-day station that comes to mind for me is Lansing's WLMI.

https://cruisin929.com/recently-played/

WLMI with its current format has seen some decent success, at times nearly tying WMMQ.

WHMI in Howell also had a similar playlist once upon a time. They added more tempo and variety in recent years, though.

My gut feeling is this change will reduce 98.7's female numbers while improving its male numbers.
Maybe that's the goal, but I am unsure. Will probably be a wash to modest decline in the beauty pageant 12+ results.

In terms of the total package sound, I don't think 98.7 sounds that bad. Much of the music simply isn't my cup of tea personally.