Posted by Tony Santiago on February 06, 2008 at 08:53:03:
In Reply to: 101.9 RXP: Where Is The Audience? posted by Allan Sniffen on February 06, 2008 at 08:27:25:
I've been tuning into the station, just to hear the sound and possible direction Emmis is going with this.
I will be the FIRST to admit that I am no rock expert and since this is nearing day 2 of the format it is too early to say, but hearing what I have heard thus far it seems as if the station is trying to establish itself somewhere between K-Rock and Q-104. And I agree with you Allan...who's going to listen?
As it is based on the posts in here, K-Rock has been in trouble for the LONGEST time since trying to re-establish the "K-Rock" format ever since the "Free FM" debacle. Q-104 has a core base of fans that strictly love their classic rock. And yes, when you add in the WDHA, WBAB, "The Peak", which caters directly to the suburbs and still connects to them in an era that is virtually gone in New York City "proper" radio...I see WRXP as another struggling attempt to create something that at the very LEAST, gain a .5 share (25-54) over CD 101.9 yet won't GRAB the audience like 'KTU did when it first launched, like 'CBS did when oldies relaunched, like what Pulse could POSSIBLY do when it does launch.
Emmis has always been about "urban" in New York. They created a big buzz when Hot 103 launched in 1986. As hip-hop, even if it is on a decline, Hot 97 still holds up strong numbers. 98.7 Kiss still has strong numbers in their demos with the adult urban format.
Okay...CD 101.9 was never a strong station, but still maintained a core audience. But if a change HAD to happen there....maybe "old skool" hip-hop?...which is currently on Hot 97's HD-2. A lot of the audience that listened to CD 101.9 DID listen to hip-hop/R&B in the 80's on Kiss and BLS.
Not only would they have kept the audience they had but quite possibly gain younger listeners that may be fascinated with the older, more "friendlier" sounds of hip-hop versus what they are hearing now.
As they say...only time will tell.