94.3 WZOC

[ChrisWL1980]

Effective the 17th, WZOC will change its call sign to WYRX.
Is Mid-West Family about to duplicate the WIRX format on 94.3? Maybe not a simulcast per se, but a similar brand (a la the Alt format duplication with WQYQ and WQLQ, with similar formats but the stations serving different markets)? For what it's worth, WRBR had a very good book (in the 12+ beauty pageant numbers) in the spring while WZOC was in a dead heat with the other classic rocker, WYXX.

[MWmetalhead]

Could be.

97.7, which was an afterthought in South Bend radio for many years, is generating good ratings with its straight ahead Classic Rock format these days, and has been kicking 94.3's butt consistently for a while.

Interestingly, 97.7's call sign of WYXX isn't far off from the new "WYRX" calls that 94.3 has selected.

Correction to my remarks above: WYXX leads WZOC handily in the Eastlan ratings, but the two stations have been in a tight race for at least a year in the Nielsen ratings. Both were tied at a 3.9 share in the most recent Nielsen book.

[ChrisWL1980]

That occurred to me too. Wouldn't surprise me to see Sound Management slap Mid-West Family with a C&D.

[MWmetalhead]

For years, 97.7 was WZOW and 94.3, of course, was WZOC.

97.7 doesn't use its call letters in branding these days.

The Jeff Berlin voiceovers on 97.7 sound good.

[ChrisWL1980]

True... I had completely forgotten about 97.7 previously being WZOW. Of course, 94.3 was also an Oldies station for years, though I don't remember whether it ID'd with those calls during that era (I seem to recall they were just known as Oldies 94.3, but I could be wrong).
Off topic, you probably remember the WYXX calls were used on 96.1 Holland/GR during the '80s.

[MWmetalhead]

The simulcast of 107.1 & 94.3 kicked off today at 7PM ET.

Unfortunately, Bob & Tom now air in the morning on both stations (not just 94.3).

107.1's prior morning show will now air in PM drive on both stations, which is OK by me.

It is unclear to me if 107.1's playlist will be materially different than before. Only one current has been played since 7PM, no recurrents, and the most recent gold track was early 2000s era Linkin Park.

Looks like Greg Beharrell's syndicated voice tracks at night have moved from Live 99.9 to 107.1 / 94.3.

[ChrisWL1980]

So it is a simulcast after all. I would have thought two separate brands with the same format, lineup and playlist but different imaging would be the way they'd go.
As for music, I would guess, not having checked out WYXX's playlist, they're trying to position in between 97.7 and 103.9.

[MWmetalhead]

They are using "The Superstation, WIRX" in branding on-air.

So far, I'm unimpressed. Beharrell's shtick grows old after hearing it a few times. I wish PDs would stop adding his voicetracks to their stations. Straight up music with no chatter would be better.

Music and imaging both seem watered down compared to when it was "Rock 107 WIRX". The Bob & Tom talkapalooza is unwelcomed, too. The local show played a decent amount of music.

WIRX was a much better sounding station five years ago than now. Playlist now looks generic & safe. Too much Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Tom Petty for my liking.

Playlist:
https://wzoc.tunegenie.com/

The Bear WRBR has little to worry about; 97.7 WYXX will likely see some new listeners.

[ChrisWL1980]

Is there just not much money in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph anymore? Essentially 107.1, like 99.9 before it, has dropped its onetime local focus to go after South Bend.
Makes me wonder if Mid-West Family will eventually also consolidate Sunny 101.5 and 98.3 The Coast into a "superstation." The playlist tweak at 103.7 WCSY seems to suggest that might happen - they've dropped the "Super Hits" name in favor of "Classic Hits" and are playing more '90s and 2K music (as recent as Adele). The Cosy and Coast playlists are overlapping more than previously.

[ftballfan]

Just checked their playlist and the only current or recurrent I see is "Liar" by Jelly Roll

[MWmetalhead]

They are playing currents from Breaking Benjamin, Linkin Park (with new female vocalist), Three Days Grace, and Badflower, but that's about it.

[MWmetalhead]

Is there just not much money in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph anymore? Essentially 107.1, like 99.9 before it, has dropped its onetime local focus to go after South Bend.
Makes me wonder if Mid-West Family will eventually also consolidate Sunny 101.5 and 98.3 The Coast into a "superstation." The playlist tweak at 103.7 WCSY seems to suggest that might happen - they've dropped the "Super Hits" name in favor of "Classic Hits" and are playing more '90s and 2K music (as recent as Adele). The Cosy and Coast playlists are overlapping more than previously.

106.1 in Benton Harbor / St. Joe remains Alternative apart & separate from Live 99.9, interestingly enough.

I much prefer the 99.9 playlist.

The company also has Y97.5, 94.9 WSJM, and 107.9 The Lake on top of WCXT, WCSY and WIRX.

I'm a little surprised WIRX was picked to be simulcast on 94.3. I would've guessed a Y97.5 / 94.3 simulcast with Country would've been more likely.

[Mud]

There are probably four on-air announcers at the mothership in Benton Harbor, and about as many salespeople for all of those stations. It's a joke. And all of the properties in Michigan sound exactly alike except for the music. Same commercial breaks, same promos promoting themselves, same commercials saying radio works, etc etc.

[ChrisWL1980]

More changes coming? WYTZ has apparently applied for the new calls WRRA. Any guesses?