Re: WKIE
> > Now that WJMK 104.3 Chicago dropped oldies for the same
> > variety hits/"Jack" format that the WKIE trimulcast had,
> > makes you wonder if WKIE will try to go head-to-head with
> a
> > downtown signal (which seems unlikely), or spin the format
>
> > wheel... ...in which "dance" is probably one of the
> options
> > on that format wheel.
> >
> > I'm hearing there are a lot of simularities betweek WJMK
> vs.
> > WKIE with imaging, etc. Looks like WKIE will have to
> change
> > in some way.
> >
> Dance will not be returning to the 92.7 and 5 signals, or
> the 99.9 signal. I happen to know some of the guys at
> Newsweb, and the suits have no interest what so ever in the
> Dance Format. If they do flip, it will probably be AIR
> america.....It would be cool to have Dance on 99.9, because
> then I would have a fm Dance station to tune
> into.......P.S,,,I miss the old Top 40 format on 99.9..
>
Not to turn this into a Chicago thread, but you are absolutely correct, dance will not return those signals anytime soon (unless they're sold, but not likely to happen in the immediate future). IMO, Air America on those signals would be suicide... better to offer that on a signal that covers the urban populace better, not conservative rural areas like DeKalb and Kankakee... but hey, I'm not a corporate radio suit, I'm not one to walk to into their offices and tell them how dumb they'd be for doing that. They'll find out on their own.
I don't mean to sound so pessimistic, fact of tha matter is that no one in charge of Chicago radio is interested in doing dance, much less has the knowledge to do so (successfully). With oldies gone in Chicago now, you'd have to think that anyone looking to fill a format hole might jump on that long before dance. It's easier to program and easier to sell. Does Chicago have a need for a dance format station? Heck yes... so does Miami, LA, and DC. I think when dance music's appeal starts to trend upward in the states again, it'll return to the airwaves eventually... whether it's pure dance or some permeation of mainstream CHR or alternative will be anyone's guess. Unless you live in NYC, New Orleans, Mesa/Tempe, San Fran or Seattle, internet or satellite's the only way to go for now.