Too bad they had to change already. Now they're playing classic alternative from the 80's and 90's and some from the past couple of years as well. Because I can't hear new music anymore I won't be listening to them as much.
I suppose the Adult Alternative format will never do well in Canada.
Any broad-based, music format can do exceptionally well - in Canada or anywhere else - so long as what surrounds the music is also entertaining, informative, compelling and interesting.
That has always been the challenge and it will continue to be the challenge.
Most Radio-people, however, have forgotten that and behave as if their only option is to play with the Music. (It's really tough taking slap-shots in a phone-booth.)
Listened for a couple of hours the other night. Music mix was really good. Very familiar.
I like AAA and the whole discovery of new artists, but combine the challenges of being a new station (the old 'you mean there's a station at that frequency') with unfamiliar music, and it's a steep uphill (money-losing) battle.
Has a very similar feel to what CTVGlobemedia has launched in Kingston with 'The Drive'.
Umm, Newcap didn't have a specialty licence for Fuel. They could've launched any mainstream format they wanted to. I know of a station in the maritimes that got a licence for AC and launced as Classic Rock. No crying about not working needed or getting around red tape either. Nice try though.
17. The Commission considers that the Triple A format to be offered by Newcap would introduce a new commercial radio format to Canada, adding an important element of musical diversity to the Calgary radio market that would appeal to listeners aged 18 to 44. The Commission is of the view that the diversity inherent in the format would lead to on-air exposure for artists that receive little or no airplay by radio stations that offer more mainstream formats. As well, the Commission considers that this eclectic format, although targeted to a broad demographic group, would have a minimal impact on existing commercial radio stations offering more mainstream formats. The Commission further notes that the proposed Newcap station would provide significant exposure for Canadian artists through the applicant’s commitment to ensure that at least 40% of all musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) played both during each broadcast week and between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday are Canadian selections. The Commission also notes Newcap’s commitment to devote $7 million to CTD over seven consecutive broadcast years upon commencement of operations, including $3.85 million to be spent locally. Finally, the Commission considers that approval of the Newcap application would address a competitive imbalance in the Calgary radio market, given that Newcap currently competes as a standalone operator against Corus, Rogers Broadcasting Limited and Standard Radio Inc., all of which operate multiple radio stations in the market.
Interventions 12. Corus, licensee of three existing commercial radio stations serving Calgary, recommended that any of the applicants in this proceeding that receives a licence to serve the Calgary market should make a commitment to maintain its proposed format throughout its first term of licence.
Applicant’s reply 14. Newcap did not reply to the interventions by Ms. Moffatt, Corus and Corinna Summersgill.
Commission’s analysis and determinations 23. The Commission does not consider that it is appropriate to impose a condition of licence requiring the applicant to maintain its program format throughout the first licence term, as suggested by Corus.
Is it really necessary for a city to have four radio stations to have the ability to play Pearl Jam? CJAY, X92.9, Fuel and I would imagine Q107 might play them once in a while as I have heard them play the Tragically Hip from time to time. I'm not sure this is the answer for Newcap.
Who knows whats going to happen March 1st when California 103 gets its demise. Will see what format they go to. NewCap has to do something with both there stations in the bottom 5 last BBM survey.
Hey, I love AAA as much as the next guy (SBux XM Cafe is a personal fave). However I also can understand that it's a tough format to get going. And the fact is some tunes might even be spun for the first time since they were last heard on (gasp!) Mix 1060.
Fuel goes alt. California will pick up some of the format hole left by Fuel with their relaunch, unless they go country. That's a lot of "rock" stations for one market.
NewCap are weasels. It's a classic bait 'n switch with the commission. The CRTC would never have OKed Fuel as Classic Alternative.
You don't know that.
The fact is licensees in Category 2 change format all the time. Or should they be forced to 'tough it out' - even if it means bleeding the operation dry and running with no air staff? I don't think so... it's time for less regulation in this business instead of more.
Amen Canuckkid! While Raydeeo would like to think there was some sort of manipulative plan in the works to put one over on the poor CRTC and the people of Calgary, the fact is that's simply not true. Besides there's still some pretty newish stuff on the station still.
I was driving around the backwoods one afternoon and forgot my iPod cable... so I had to listen to satalite and found the Sirius Classic Alt. station and I must say... musically, it was pretty good. They hit an REM, Cure, U2 track every hour then lots of neat gems that fit in between... but like PAVE said... you need some decent jocks. It is something that I have always disliked about Sirius, the jocks (if they have any) are terrible.
You could do lots of fun stuff on a classic alt. station to keep the songs sounding fresh and if it was MY alt. station, I'd still factor in some new. you'd have to... or you'd be changing format again pretty soon.
Basically... out out manouver X for the higher end (older) listeners and try to settle in behind CJAY. You probably won't beat CJAY for many years unless you went big tent rock... so instead of more listers, get better listeners. Hire a morning show person you can live with and settle down. One day something will happen at CJAY and their morning team will retire or whatever and then you have an openning.
It's a great format and was tried several years ago across the States. I remember being hooked on one from Minneapolis years ago, think it was what is now Cities 97. Forget the handle. There was a great one in Salt Lake City as well. It sorta died as a format.
Based on music alone, this format will have a shorter self life than Jack/BOB or Oldies. Like Flamethrower says, it need some new music to keep it from being a novelty. And it really needs something special going on in bewtween the records.
If programmers think this will be some kind of "Classic Rock 2" saviour 25-49 saviour format, they're wrong. This audience was more fragmented and has been more apt to continue seeking out new music that the generation before. This is a niche at best.
I've been listening today... music is good. the dude with the accent is alright.
lots of "40 minutes, non-stop..." cliches but for the most part... a good listen.
Like I said above... a little more new stuff... errr ANY new stuff, and you'd have a good music mix. Personally, I like callers, and some local talk... so I'd have the mid-day guy turn it up a bit. It sounds a litle bland. Nothing funny, nothing that makes you "hmm... yes I see..." I learned that some guy that was in Midnight Oil is an MP in Australia... so that is something
Oh come onnnnnn!!! Arnold and Canuckid - you can't be that naive? Of course no one will know that for sure but seriously, Newcap needed their second Calgary licence and gambled on picking the ONE format that nobody had applied for up to that date in Canada (to my knowledge).
And wow, it worked - now applying for a AAA format is the new black (or the new pink, I can't ever get that right). LOOK at the Vancouver applications - what are there - four, five applications for a AAA format? Are they all convinced they can get it right and that Newcap doesn't know what they're doing? For sure Newcap knew it wouldn't work - you can't get the AAA sound right with 40% cancon requirements (or when you add "Jack and Diane" in heavy rotation ).
But wait, the kings of the bait and switch... well they would be if they could actually build a successful station (K-Rock, 96x, Earl, California, Fuel, Hank, Cafe)... sorry off topic there, LOL... have continued to stay one step ahead of the pack with their application based on an "Adult Urban" platform. I have no idea what that is but it doesn't matter, they'll flip it after a few months anyway.
So as much as I long to make fun of Newcap, I gotta give them credit - they keep managing to get licences. And yes, I do agree with you - less regulation, not more. But there still has to be protection for Canadian artists (cancon requirements).
It's ironical that Newcap's most successful station in Alberta is probably an AM music station in CFCW. Of course, they've been playing country music for half a century. They must still make some money at K-Rock in Edmonton, but not as much as they once did, and Big Earl has to be losing a fair bit. They're certainly losing in Calgary, although Newcap's two Red Deer stations are doing quite well. Then they have over 20 stations in small Alberta markets.
Bare in mind they BOUGHT the Red Deer stations with management and staff in place and didn't have to build them. That does make a difference.
K-Rock will swing around again if they ever give it some consistency. Big Earl is a DOA format with the CISN heavyweight in the market. Not enough perceived difference in format.
As for Newcap Edmonton... if a revamped K-Rock doesn't work or when they decide they've lost enough ground with Big Earl, they should seriously consider providing a CHR-styled/paced, female-leaning Hot AC alternative to The Bounce and Sleepy Rock. That seems to be the thing really missing in the market.
Too bad Newcap, Calgary, continues to "panic"...when The Breeze went on air, I heard them in almost every store, and I figured they could give Lite 96 a good run!
Then, my friends and I, (45+) quite liked Fuel when it first signed on, again, the "panic". Any PD worth their salt knows you should keep a format for at least TWO years for people to find you, perhaps even longer, now with so many other media formats competing with each other.
Perhaps it's the money to run the station they're worried about, but rumour has it, they're tapping into a nice big teacher's pension fund?!!!
Yeah. It's especially sad when companies hire a GM with absolutely no radio experience. (That often kills the PD's chances of kiboshing a bad promotion or saying no to a bad sales trick.)
You can tell the stations that are run with non-experienced GMs, but eventually they learn. The worst ones to run stations are the accountants who really "call-the-shots". They should be banned, or power limited somehow.
Take QR77 Calgary for example. Someone calls for Sterling to get the boot (for whatever reason by most probably an accountant who thinks he/she knows radio, cuz of course they've analyzed how radio works), then ratings come out a week later boasting QR in the top spot. Without testing the situation it had (with Faux and the programming at the time) a little longer, QR will probably drop back to its regular position with the accountants scratching their heads as to why...
Exactly! Another example of "corporate radio"....accountants and consultants are running the show! And non-experienced GM's over-riding the PD's decisions.
I wouldn't worry about QR's position in the next ratings. Sterling was great, but Bruce Kenyon is great too. Letting Sterling go will not knock QR back at all.
A 50 year radio veteran once told me......Those who can, do.....Those who can't, teach and those who can do neither, consult. I've seen nothing in the past 10 years to convince me otherwise. Great points made by everyone. Best thread in months.
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