The SF Business Journal reports The Beach, Shark, Ticket, and Lite FM will be heading south to new studios in Miami proper this fall. Lite and 790 have been in the Miami Gardens building since the 80s, correct? I know 102.7 was in Hollywood in a building on 29th Ave now occupied by an architectural firm and during the LMA version of The Ticket they were housed at Presidential Circle on Hollywood Blvd.
It's their first anniversary today, Jan. 1. They seem to be doing mediocre in the ratings.
I think the playlist is still way too short. They've added some jocks, but
Jade Alexander is the only female. I headed for The Hills a long time ago.
Other thoughts?(from: http://www.radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?699423-A-year-at-The-Beach)
Well, the financial investment Entercom is making is commendable. That old Lincoln building was/is a dump, pretty much, and the new digs are very much needed. The infrastructure of that whole North Miami area is falling apart and the crime is rampant. And, there were actual "rats" in the area . . . . Can you imagine reporting to work and seeing rats?
However, this major investment making this move is at what cost?? First, the major investment of relocating 104.3 from WPB to Miami and the cost of flipping and staffing it as the Shark. Then, the upheaval with firing the Magic crew and "re-imaging" as the Beach.
It has been a year since that "reimage" (not flip) of
WMXJ 102.7 The Beach and hasn't show any ratings improvement. It is as Richiedon stated above (and I agree), "mediocre" at best. We'll, the ratings tweaked, a tiny bit. But considering the upheaval and investment, it's disappointing overall. I am sure Entercom were expecting higher ratings improvements and it's not that much different from the old Magic vs. the Beach days.
As for the Shark? Please. What an underperforming disappointment. When
WSFS 104.3 carried Sports from 790, it average a 1.7. The Shark has held those very same ratings for just over a year now and it's never going to get beyond the abysmal 1.5 to 1.7 it's pulling. When a NPR station (WLRN) beats you in the ratings, you got problems. That's the Shark's "rut" and they're stuck with it. Plus, this big anniversary 1 year "Shark Wreck" party back in August had no effect on improving the station's awareness or ratings. Listeners are still in the negative regarding the programming and some of the personalities. That's never going to change. Based on listener Reddit comments,
the listeners were more supportive of NOT having to listen to sports on the AM.
There have been listener comments on social media to that negative on
Reddit "The Shark Sucks"... and their have even been predictions the Shark will be gone within six months, and certainly won't be ringing in the new year of 2018 for sure. I think those predictions are right.
Even moreso, now that you have this major financial investments in a move with new/equipment and studios (especially after already building NEW studios for 104.3 The Shark). So, I don't see Entercomm settling for two stations that went through major overalls . . . with ratings that are no different that the previous incarnations of those same stations.
Once the move is completed and they begin broadcasting from the new digs, look for a format change on 104.3 The Shark definitely, and the Beach, probably.