They are teasing that something new is coming Monday. Go to the website and a video says "101.5 is saying goodbye. Tune in Monday to see what's next."
One thing is for sure: They will still be Country. A format flip would make no sense for several reasons. That's in addition to the fact if the format were to change, they wouldn't be aggressively promoting this to their present audience.My bet is a change in branding. Perhaps a return to the old Kicks Country.
Although they've been New Country 101-5, they have basically the same playlist as any other major market Country station that doesn't concentrate on Classic Country.
Let me guess: KPLX was ignoring an Oklahoman named Brooks?That's what the format is. It's consensus music that the P1s all like. Early on, they were trying to focus on Georgia artists. But that meant ignoring Luke Combs, who's from North Carolina. KPLX had the same problem in the 90s when they tried playing all Texas artists.
My guess is you're correct that this involves new branding. Although they've been New Country 101-5, they have basically the same playlist as any other major market Country station that doesn't concentrate on Classic Country.
Let me guess: KPLX was ignoring an Oklahoman named Brooks?
I wonder if this is even a good idea for them, even if it’s a giveaway, considering how they’ve struggled in the ratings and just got to pass 94.9 6+? Seems like they’d want to be as careful as possible.
I doubt they were ever not playing Luke Combs. It was more like they created the illusion of focusing on Georgia artists.That's what the format is. It's consensus music that the P1s all like. Early on, they were trying to focus on Georgia artists. But that meant ignoring Luke Combs, who's from North Carolina. KPLX had the same problem in the 90s when they tried playing all Texas artists.
I doubt they were ever not playing Luke Combs. It was more like they created the illusion of focusing on Georgia artists.
I think Roddy was referring to the Georgia station, not the one in Texas. So KPLX was playing Combs and other non-Texas acts, just not during the Texas Ten? How many times a day did that feature air?Yep, that's what KPLX did, with their Texas Ten In a Row. The guy who ran that station in the 90s is now head of content at Cumulus.
I think Roddy was referring to the Georgia station, not the one in Texas.
Do stations in Atlanta do winter-related promos? Besides, calendar winter doesn't end until late March.Winter's ending... I'm guessing there will be some sort of promo around that.
Cumulus WKHX/Atlanta is currently stunting on-air and online with a “goodbye” campaign. The station is running jockless, and sweepers refer to the station only as “101.5,” with no mention of “New Country,” while also incorporating phrases and country lyrics referencing the word “goodbye.” On social media, profile pictures have been turned to black boxes with only a small white Cumulus logo at the bottom; video elements including television static announcing “101.5 is saying goodbye” pepper the feeds. PD Mike Moore tells Country Aircheck he can’t give away any details but advises everyone to “Listen at 7:35am [ET] Monday [2/14] for what’s next at 101.5!”
WKHX dropped its previous “Kicks 101.5” moniker – which it utilized beginning in 1981 – and rebranded to “Atlanta’s New Country 101.FIVE” in 2019 (CAT 11/14/19). At the time, Moore shared, “This station is borne of the most prolific time in history for Georgia musicians. New Country 101.FIVE reflects these artists’ views and the way they see the world.” None of the current imaging or online promotion mentions flipping format, and country music is still airing on the station. Signs point to another rebrand.
"Signs point to another rebrand." So maybe "hot" or "today's" replaces "new," emphasizing that the MUSIC is what's fresh and new, not the station?Here's the analysis from CountryAircheck:
Note the last sentence in the quoted story.
So maybe "hot" or "today's" replaces "new," emphasizing that the MUSIC is what's fresh and new, not the station?