Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

Colonel Flagg wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 2:22 pm It's hardly a secret that "alternative" is David Field's favorite format. This directive undoubtedly came down from the top, coupled with, I am sure, budgetary shenanigans.

mjb1124 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 3:16 pm Also, R.I.P. 98.7 The Breeze, I loved their JAM jingles.

BFSEsq wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 3:22 pm I am honestly amazed that 98.7 pulled this stunt to try to grab some of the 89X listeners. It absolutely won’t work, and I’m sure the format is garbage. But still, in the current landscape of terrestrial radio with tumbleweeds blowing around everywhere, IMO it's a minor miracle that a corporate player would still make a split decision, in probably less than a full day, to change a format. And to record promos rubbing it in.

It's like they're trying, but also not trying. Imagine if these suits actually cared enough to put the time into locally programming music that mattered. It's kind of a weird game. Like trying to relive the good old days of a 1980s-style radio feud (ie the promos making fun of the 89X switch) but only on the surface.

"Hell, this will be fun as long as we don't actually have to spend any money!"

Agreed that whatever it is that 98.7 is playing will never substitute for 89X, and will fail. 98.7 sounds like more of a mainstream alt format in 2020. For better or worse. IMO that's actually what alt music is now... "snowflake music," according to this forum. If you've listen to Alt Nation on SiriusXM, you'll see what I mean. But yeah, to bring that in, in Detroit, to angle for the fans of a station that had morphed into mostly active rock? Good luck with that. 98.7 might as well have switched to country too, why not?

MotorCityRadioFreak wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 4:33 pm

BFSEsq wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 3:22 pm I am honestly amazed that 98.7 pulled this stunt to try to grab some of the 89X listeners. It absolutely won’t work, and I’m sure the format is garbage. But still, in the current landscape of terrestrial radio with tumbleweeds blowing around everywhere, IMO it's a minor miracle that a corporate player would still make a split decision, in probably less than a full day, to change a format. And to record promos rubbing it in.

It's like they're trying, but also not trying. Imagine if these suits actually cared enough to put the time into locally programming music that mattered. It's kind of a weird game. Like trying to relive the good old days of a 1980s-style radio feud (ie the promos making fun of the 89X switch) but only on the surface.

"Hell, this will be fun as long as we don't actually have to spend any money!"

Agreed that whatever it is that 98.7 is playing will never substitute for 89X, and will fail. 98.7 sounds like more of a mainstream alt format in 2020. For better or worse. IMO that's actually what alt music is now... "snowflake music," according to this forum. If you've listen to Alt Nation on SiriusXM, you'll see what I mean. But yeah, to bring that in, in Detroit, to angle for the fans of a station that had morphed into mostly active rock? Good luck with that. 98.7 might as well have switched to country too, why not?

That's the other thing. I am surprised that they didn't wait until after Christmas to flip. I HATE Christmas music, but Detroiters love it. Why not wait until January 1st and then get more publicity for your flip? Or were they just worried too many people would be gone to Sirius XM if that happened?

CometGSR wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:11 pm Did they do something fun when they switched over? Go from Smooth Operator to Green Day in 1 minute?

CometGSR wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:11 pm Did they do something fun when they switched over? Go from Smooth Operator to Green Day in 1 minute?

fuzzpower wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 8:48 pm 89X didn’t have great numbers. In Detroit, it was around a 1.0 a few years ago, it was probably even lower since they started ignoring the city. It didn’t draw well in Windsor either. Why they think grabbing this small amount of listeners is a good idea makes no sense, unless they think they can pick off a little from WRIF.

1.5 share is my prediction.

stopnswop2 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:10 pm Maybe they wanted a station where they have to spend as little as possible and do the least amount work.
With an AC station, you gotta do the whole shebang, which they clearly did not want to with the Breeze.
Alternative is driven by just the music and can be voice tracked, or automated, blabla.
The alternative demographic doesn't want to hear local jocks chit chat/gossip all morning or fun jingles, and have prize winning days, etc.

stopnswop2 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:10 pm Maybe they wanted a station where they have to spend as little as possible and do the least amount work.
With an AC station, you gotta do the whole shebang, which they clearly did not want to with the Breeze.
Alternative is driven by just the music and can be voice tracked, or automated, blabla.
The alternative demographic doesn't want to hear local jocks chit chat/gossip all morning or fun jingles, and have prize winning days, etc.
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stopnswop2 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:10 pm Maybe they wanted a station where they have to spend as little as possible and do the least amount work.
With an AC station, you gotta do the whole shebang, which they clearly did not want to with the Breeze.
Alternative is driven by just the music and can be voice tracked, or automated, blabla.
The alternative demographic doesn't want to hear local jocks chit chat/gossip all morning or fun jingles, and have prize winning days, etc.

The one thing that helped make 89X popular in the 2000s-2017 when they closed down American operations was the DJ rotation. Cal Cagno Jay Hudson etc. Giveaways for concert tickets are usually popular and were on 89X. As far as the morning, Dave and Chuck were extremely popular in both countries. When they left it created a significant hole in their lineup by having to move everyone around.