Classic Hits station is a popular format, yes. However, I realized that many places lack Classic Hits radio stations.
- San Francisco. (?) Now, KBAY has the format, but it covers mainly San Jose and the rest of the South Bay and barely makes it into San Francisco proper. KOSF is all-80s, but many Classic Hits stations are focused on 70s/80s with a sliver of the 90s.
- Houston. I don't see how that different Houston is from DFW, demographic wise, and DFW has a successful classic hits station in KLUV. Now, KKHH may resemble it a bit, but they play little 70s and focus way too much on the 80s. Plus, there are no jocks or jingles.
- Washington DC. Shockingly, the Nation's Capital lacks a classic hits station. Given the low ratings of WWDC and WIAD, either of these stations are candidates to flip to the format.
- Atlanta. I'm not gonna deny the success of WSRV. But Cox "Classic Hits" stations largely eschew Pop and R&B, making them sound more like hit-driven classic rock.
- Baltimore. Not sure why this market is resistant to the format.
- Charlotte. (See Baltimore)
- Nashville. The Music City actually lacks a station that plays the "Greatest Hits."
- Piedmont Triad. Hasn't had one since 94.1 WTHZ (now WWLV) went to K-Love.
- New Orleans. At best, western portions of the market will get WRQQ from Baton Rouge.
- West Palm Beach. You would think with older demographics, that Palm Beach would have a classic hits station.
- Jacksonville. Cox "Classic Hits" outlets basically sounds like hit-driven classic rock, and WJGL is no different.
- Memphis. It's not that young of a market, so why not give it a try?
- Louisville. WSFR sounds like hit-driven classic rock, similar to Cox "Classic Hits" stations, although this one is owned by Summit Media. Formerly owned by Cox, however.
- Rio Grande Valley. KHKZ is going nowhere, so that is a candidate.
- Birmingham. Not sure which station will flip to Classic Hits, if so.
- Allentown. Can't say if the Philadelphia stations have a reliable enough signal in Allentown so residents can get WOGL.
- Bakersfield.
- Charleston.
- Monterey Bay.
- Colorado Springs. KPHT in Pueblo hardly has a signal in Colorado Springs proper.
- Mobile. Not sure why they haven't tried Classic Hits, given that WABB has been a popular Top 40 station in that market for YEARS.
, etc.
So far I have done the Top 100 markets. However, it is surprising and baffling that these cities do not have a Classic Hits-formatted radio station. And not all successful Classic Hits stations are in older-skewing markets, either.
- San Francisco. (?) Now, KBAY has the format, but it covers mainly San Jose and the rest of the South Bay and barely makes it into San Francisco proper. KOSF is all-80s, but many Classic Hits stations are focused on 70s/80s with a sliver of the 90s.
- Houston. I don't see how that different Houston is from DFW, demographic wise, and DFW has a successful classic hits station in KLUV. Now, KKHH may resemble it a bit, but they play little 70s and focus way too much on the 80s. Plus, there are no jocks or jingles.
- Washington DC. Shockingly, the Nation's Capital lacks a classic hits station. Given the low ratings of WWDC and WIAD, either of these stations are candidates to flip to the format.
- Atlanta. I'm not gonna deny the success of WSRV. But Cox "Classic Hits" stations largely eschew Pop and R&B, making them sound more like hit-driven classic rock.
- Baltimore. Not sure why this market is resistant to the format.
- Charlotte. (See Baltimore)
- Nashville. The Music City actually lacks a station that plays the "Greatest Hits."
- Piedmont Triad. Hasn't had one since 94.1 WTHZ (now WWLV) went to K-Love.
- New Orleans. At best, western portions of the market will get WRQQ from Baton Rouge.
- West Palm Beach. You would think with older demographics, that Palm Beach would have a classic hits station.
- Jacksonville. Cox "Classic Hits" outlets basically sounds like hit-driven classic rock, and WJGL is no different.
- Memphis. It's not that young of a market, so why not give it a try?
- Louisville. WSFR sounds like hit-driven classic rock, similar to Cox "Classic Hits" stations, although this one is owned by Summit Media. Formerly owned by Cox, however.
- Rio Grande Valley. KHKZ is going nowhere, so that is a candidate.
- Birmingham. Not sure which station will flip to Classic Hits, if so.
- Allentown. Can't say if the Philadelphia stations have a reliable enough signal in Allentown so residents can get WOGL.
- Bakersfield.
- Charleston.
- Monterey Bay.
- Colorado Springs. KPHT in Pueblo hardly has a signal in Colorado Springs proper.
- Mobile. Not sure why they haven't tried Classic Hits, given that WABB has been a popular Top 40 station in that market for YEARS.
, etc.
So far I have done the Top 100 markets. However, it is surprising and baffling that these cities do not have a Classic Hits-formatted radio station. And not all successful Classic Hits stations are in older-skewing markets, either.