Broadcaster launches new radio concept
…”3 dimensional”…

In a format development certain to stun the broadcasting world, American broadcaster Emmis Communications launched a radio format with DJs “and staff” picking the tunes. The station is called 101.9 WRXP, The New York Rock Experience, and broadcasts to New York City. Emmis Programming VP Jimmy Steal called it “a great new 3 dimensional rock broad.” (Read Emmis press release here)

The format is, of course, another music format, mixing “New Music, Classic Rock, Alternative and Local Rock.” Launching a new radio format in New York City is doubly dangerous. Triply? Worse?

The last major radio format launch in New York City was the notorious ‘Jack FM’ format, which pretended to ‘play what we want.’ It’s been marketed world-wide. (Read previous scathing review here) CBS replaced its Classic Rock format in NYC with the Jack FM format. It stiffed. New CBS Radio president Dan Mason couldn’t move fast enough to undo that problem.

New York City and environs are home to about 100 radio stations. Almost as important, NYC is home to Wall Street and the illustrious Wall Street stock traders. Granted, Wall Street stock traders are largely rock-n-rollers but they only reward broadcasting companies for firing DJs, not actually having them do something.

All kidding aside, it seems broadcasters are slowly coming to the realization that tight-listed, computer generated radio formats are easy prey to iPods and other music player choices.  At the very least, Emmis – which also owns several very successful radio stations in Europe – is trying something, if not exactly new, a bit risky. Hats off to Emmis New York Market Manager – and legendary radio programmer – Danny Halyburton! (JMH)

http://followthemedia.com/tickle/ticklefile04022008.htm

Quoted from 669[b

CBS replaced its Classic Rock format in NYC with the Jack FM format.

Seriously? Biggest commercial radio story in the US, and the author can't get a basic fact right? Why bother?

Lemme see here.... offering something old as something new. Hmmm. Yup. Might just work.

"it seems broadcasters are slowly coming to the realization that tight-listed, computer generated radio formats are easy prey to iPods and other music player choices" (quote from above news story)

Ya think????

this article makes it sound like "jack" was created in NY when the first station of its kind was in Winnipeg

How about this...

An ALL REQUEST radio station.   No metal, no classical.  The fun part would be the interaction between hosts and listeners.  

The one thing you don't get on your IPOD is entertaining banter between humans.

Digi, do you listen to my show

this was my favourite line... I laughed: "Granted, Wall Street stock traders are largely rock-n-rollers but they only reward broadcasting companies for firing DJs, not actually having them do something."

KEXP in Seattle does well... same idea.  Indie 103 in LA might be an example of a commercial station trying it.

Quoted from Flamethrower

Digi, do you listen to my show

this was my favourite line... I laughed: "Granted, Wall Street stock traders are largely rock-n-rollers but they only reward broadcasting companies for firing DJs, not actually having them do something."

KEXP in Seattle does well... same idea.  Indie 103 in LA might be an example of a commercial station trying it.

I'm confused.  What show do you do?  And are you saying that those stations listed are doing all request?

sorry Digi... I was giving you a hard time.  I play lots of requests and the callers on my show

those stations I listed are similar to the NYC station's concept... which all goes back to free form FM of the 70's.

here is more on the story from The New York Daily newspaper.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ent.....cds_smooth_jazz.html

And what show is that Flamethrower?   Are you going to spill the beans?  Because anyone, even administrators and moderators can SAY they're doing some great dynamic show...

In fact, I do a show, that pulls in a 20 share...

that's the point Digi... I am *saying* it... it isn't important.  the little toungue emoticon means its a flippent comment.

all I meant was... I play requests on my show and there are callers on it. and my show doesn't even come close to a 20 share

***

The point of the thread is, there are some stations out there doing a format similar to what this new station in NYC is doing.

There is a book called FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio by Richard Neer, that illustrates what we're seeing in the US right now.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1316/is_11_33/ai_80533149

Right now in the uS there are some pretty progressive non-commercial music stations that are seeing some success in the ratings and influence.

You have a radio exec in NYC going... "hmm, how can I bottle this and sell it?"

and WRXP is born, "The New York Rock Experience" which is lifted almost directly from Seattle.

Now I believe this is good for awhile.. we'll see some progressive rock stations pop up for awhile... but with all babies... they grow up and die.  The book illustrates how something like this gets basterdized over time.  Controls get put on the product, costs cut, and we're back in to square one.

Its a good book... if you haven't had a chance to read it... you should check it out.

RXP is really nothing lie KEXP, at least musically. They're pretending they are, but they're not.

An hour of RXP today:

2:58PM So Lonely Police A&M
2:54PM Special Garbage Almo
2:47PM Photograph Nickelback Roadrunner/RRP/Atlantic
2:44PM One Love/People Get Ready Bob Marley & The Wailers Tuff Gong
2:40PM Sugar, We're Goin' Down Fall Out Boy Fueled By Ramen/Island/IDJMG
2:36PM Rag Doll Aerosmith Geffen/Interscope
2:33PM Mother Mary Foxboro Hot Tubs Jingle Town
2:27PM I Won't Back Down Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers MCA
2:23PM Doesn't Remind Me Audioslave Epic/Interscope
2:19PM Rock The Casbah Clash Epic
2:14PM Shadow Of The Day Linkin Park Warner Bros.
2:09PM Peace Of Mind Boston Epic
2:05PM December Collective Soul Atlantic
2:00PM Love Is The Drug Roxy Music Reprise

yikes... Aaron, you're right.  this one is not innovative at all.

there is no way this is free form.

in other news KEXP WILL be broadcasting in NYC.  So RXP will have a hard time selling the fake music experience when the real one will be broadcasting just down the dial.

"Broadcaster launches new radio concept"

Okay...let's all face it...there is nothing new and hasn't been since the early 80's.  That said, it doesn't mean that old things can't be done well.  It would be really cool to be able to listen to a station that played NOTHING but requests.  The only problem here is that it is something that will never happen in Canada.  Not sure if there would be enough requests for CanCon....but it sure would be an interesting challenge...and I think lots of fun to listen to.  Every song intro'd by a listener...wow..talk about total interaction!  And never really knowing what's coming next...it's sure would stand out and think of the marketing you could do around it.

Okay...that's my 2 cents.

If you think radio's repetitive now, just wait until you hear an "all request" station.