Rdsradio4 - A very interesting scoop – thank you for the details.
We’ve been down this road so many times. As I’ve listened to the songs, it’s given me opportunity to reflect about this market. With respect to this kind of format and as recent as the very short-lived Greatest Hits, what can anyone really say at this point?
In this latest chapter, there are certainly limitations. It’s an AM with an FM translator. Programming and presentation come from Westwood One. I did a little research on their oldies programming and core targets. P1’s are “up there” in age. I question the male targeting but that’s just my opinion. It’s always a question of the bottom line. Can this format be sold?
Honestly, I’m clueless about most anything that happens in Jacksonville radio. It’s probably better this way. It’s a nice to listen to station in the car but beyond that I refuse to get emotional attached. The reasons should be obvious. There’s 10 years of disappointment and frustration and I’m really tired of it all.
If things work out for some of the radio greats mentioned prior, that would be wonderful. My enthusiasm for radio, for whatever is even left of it, is elsewhere. I’m seeing some very interesting things happening to Greatest Hits formats in other markets. Unlike many radio enthusiasts, I never complained about advancing the music chronologically. I always felt the format still offered personality and a rather significant difference in delivery and titles and that it was a good trade off. That’s far more viable than oldies – I’m just saying.
What is significantly different in other markets is the willingness to tweak, evolve and really invest the time and effort into the product to build it into something viable. Some establish the brand very well. Others don't. But, investing proper time is a must. I do see trial and error with respect to the formats in other markets. There's so much we can learn. Jacksonville, however, throws in the towel too quickly. Over the years, there were a number of people to include the three aforementioned who could have made a difference but they and so many others were bypassed. It is what it is.
But really I’m seriously disgusted in the sh**ty way listeners, especially certain ones have been poorly treated – absolutely no regard for them in seeing the format started and stopped so many times. Add The Dove to the mix as well – what did that last, a week? 105.3 The Mix lasted a few months, Screw certain listeners.
So, we should be grateful for a few crumbs. I’m skeptical and cynical. I’m taking the attitude – enjoy it while it lasts. Maybe this time things will be different. One can only hope. Maybe Greatest Hits can still return somewhere. Translators are becoming an integral and important part of radio. It’s becoming strategic especially in the coverage area of the translator offering formats that appeal to that area. A 106.9, as an example, covers southern Duval and northern St. John's County well - that's where the oldies/Greatest Hits audience is. There has to be a willingness to do it though and there is too much bias here. I believe it's lack of skills too but that's a whole other subject.
I dream and I still dream big. Who knows what can and will happen? But really does anyone really care anymore after all that has happened?
