Well, the move to outright Top 40 has proven a disaster for Cumulus.
Is Cumulus the worst large owner in radio?
With the type of $--- that has been done on WRQX over the past many months, of course it would be a disaster.
It took an incredible amount of time, but even Atlanta was able to find someone who could program a well done Top 40 there, and I believe that if the Atlanta market could do it, Washington, DC most DEFINITELY can as well. Hot 99.5 isn't bad, .. but I still cannot understand how a major and diverse market like DC couldn't do better when it comes to Top 40 radio. Everything on the dial here is so basic, super-typical and dry. If I never came here and judged DC based solely on hearing what's available on DC radio alone, I would've assume that DC was only older caucasions, african americans of all ages, and some hispanics. I would've never guessed that it was as diverse as it really is. Not even a specialty show or dj mix show to broadcast any special programming during the "throw away time slots" to cater to foreigners and other cultures and ethnicities living here (other than WHUR's caribbean music early Sunday mornings and the typical Evolution Electronic Music Mix Show that ALL iHeartMedia CHR's have to play anyway). Not even the college stations are doing anything eye (or ear) catching or unique. The only show that broke the norm and had anything unique, special and original (at least for DC) was the mix show that WRQX ran on Friday (DC's Freakin' Weekend Mix) and Saturday nights, and I loved that on-air lady who hyped it up. I wish her all the best and hope she lands somewhere worthy VERY fast.
Anyway, I'm glad that WRQX has a new PD, regardless of whether or not the station ever becomes something I would listen to again. Judging based on the posts I've seen on the DC Radio and Television forums, a lot of people here in DC are completely unaware of how detrimental it was to have Jeffries come in as an attempt to "save" any station, especially WRQX - and this is coming from someone who has never worked for him or any Cumulus station or any station in the east coast, but knew this BASED PURELY ON YEARS OF OBSERVATION of things he's done and how Cumulus operates.
Lastly, I must admit I've done a good job keeping my opinions and thoughts to myself since I've moved here, limiting my posts on RD and completely resisting the urge to post anywhere else, but I knew eventually I'd slip up and have to say something, and here I am! This market can use some major improvement - for the type of market it is. Yes, I know everyone in every market will say the same thing about their market (or radio in general), but this market / location is a special case that needs more creative minds and above-mediocre programming and talent, especially in the CHR arena.
