The guys who pulled the plug.

[Luke]

Posted by Allan Sniffen on January 31, 2003
at 17:03:18 on the NYRMB

More on WNEW's new format:

The new format is the creation of John Sykes and Andy Schuon. For those who may not know, they each have experience
with MTV/VH1. They are also both idea people meaning that they're more into creating a concept than implementing it. I'm
not sure who's job it will be to come up with the day in/day out structuring of the concept.

It is a female leaning pop format including some AAA elements (before people start telling me that I have changed my
original post about this). The reason for the confusion over the labels is that this is not a format simply being copied from
elsewhere. It's something they have come up with for WNEW (as opposed to taking something from another market and
making slight alterations for New York).

Yes, there will be entertainment/talk features included in the format (as I previously posted). I don't know exactly how much
talk there will be on the station. Again, this is a new concept so there aren't other stations to refer to for a baseline of the
format. From what I'm hearing, the best analogy is "a VH-1 for radio".

The target is women 18-28 (again as I previously posted). The stations being targeted to compete directly with are WPLJ, Z
100 WLTW and possibly even Hot 97 (although I find that one hard to believe). Clearly Infinity is staying away from anything
that might compete with WXRK and CBS-FM.

I don't have a start date. Other than what I've previously posted about Elliot Segal, I don't have any info on other on air
personel.

(The link is:
http://musicradio.computer.net/wwwboard/
The Dentist says a lot about fans and fan support.)



.

>>>"it's all in your head....but select, don't settle"<<<

This message was edited by Luke on 1-31-03 @ 6:38 PM

[puffyvagluver]

Leave it up to MTV to ruin something,,or atleast people that work there.

atleast there might be a chance of talk radio on the staion,,after all MTV stands for MUSIC TELEVISION,,,and you can't even see a video on that channel,and now they are doing the same to mtv2

assholes

[puffyvagluver]

Leave it up to MTV to ruin something,,or atleast people that work there.

atleast there might be a chance of talk radio on the staion,,after all MTV stands for MUSIC TELEVISION,,,and you can't even see a video on that channel,and now they are doing the same to mtv2

assholes

[staplesnow]

WHO GIVES AN F WHHAT THEIR
NEW FORMAT IS, BESIDES SINCE
THEY NEVER ADVERTISE AND NO
ONE WHO USED TO LISTEN IS
LISTENING, NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW

[Luke]

There's also a lot of comment and commentary about WNEW, O & A, and R & F among others on "Board Reflections" at the main page of The New Radio Message Board.




.

>>>"it's all in your head....but select, don't settle"<<<

[F Wad]

isn't it ironic that the guys in charge of the new station came from the place that took pride in video killing the radio star



aka canweseeyourstuff from o&a.com

[FOTOGBILL]

The Radio Dentist is an ASSWHACK

I'll shoot anything that won't shoot back... c'est cheese!

[Rizzo]

Hmm..they take over MTV and VH1 and they stop playing videos....figures they would be perfect to run WNEW into the ground. Great work guys!

http://www.newsblues.com/Images/Grafix/System/scary.gif Breaking Benjamin Rules!

[Luke]

Posted by Allan Sniffen on January 31, 2003 at 21:32:16 from NYRMB

From everything I've heard, WNEW is on the verge of become a narrowly programmed station targeting 18-28 year old women (see my post below).

Question: Why such a narrow emphasis?

Answer: Too much concern over WXRK.

From what I've heard, Steve Kingston (K-Rock PD) had been objecting to WNEW's young male emphasis since 'NEW was a rock station. He absolutely wanted 'NEW out of the way. Obviously he got his wish. But I have to wonder whether or not that's really the right decision. Is it really *this* important to protect WXRK? Keep in mind that K-Rock's PM Drive numbers in
the Fall (25-54) were a 2.9 (#14 in the market). In the Spring (O&A's last full book) WXRK was a 2.0 (#19) while WNEW was a 6.1 (#2). If you do the math, the absense of O&A (the only show that got real numbers on WNEW) resulted in WXRK picking up .9 in the money demo. Meanwhile, O&A's 6.1 dropped to a 1.2 (!). It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the
loss of WNEW didn't really help WXRK all that much. So, just *what* is Kingston worried about? If I were he, I would be pleading my bosses to take O&A off the beach and put them on my station. And I wouldn't give a damn about 'NEW.

Given the scenario, does it make business sense for Infinity to be so concerned with "protecting" WXRK? Should WNEW be so narrowly programmed? 18-28 year old women? Come on... it can be broader than that! New York already has WPLJ and while it does well, it's not exactly blowing anyone away. Assuming it won't roll over and die, just how much available audience is there in this demo?

Here's the thing: *IF* Infinity is going to target WNEW so narrowly, it MUST succeed BIG TIME in the target demo or it doesn't pay. Translated, that says to me that WNEW must be either #1 or #2 with that audience. #3 ain't good enough. Given WPLJ, WKTU (which is also very strong with adult women--a point everyone seems to be forgetting), and Z 100, I just
don't see a new station prying enough young adult women away to propell itself to #1 or #2 in the demo. It won't happen.

Infinity only own three FM's in New York. One is high in age (CBS-FM) and the other is low age male (K-Rock). There is a TON of room in between. Infinity is narrowing itself too much with this new station. It shouldn't be worring about K-Rock quite so much because, chances are, it won't hurt it anyway. K-Rock hits who it hits regardless of the competition (as the O&A numbers demonstrate) and CBS-FM's audience is similarly locked in.

There's too defensive programming going on. There is more out there for Infinity to cherry pick from without hurting its other stations.


(Opie would go on and on about this bastard Kingston.....Howards Incubus.)




.

>>>"it's all in your head....but select, don't settle"<<<

[MrMarcus]

I don't see "The Real World" or "Road Rules" translating very well to radio.

[NUHockey]

I place the blame soley on Howard Stern. Who runs WXRK? Stern!!! Stern did not like O&A because he percieved them as a threat to him and he got them off the AIR. He criticized RandF as clones and saw them as a threat too. Stern should be so lucky to be as funny as RandF. He even had the opportunity to be on WNEW, but turned it down because he is a D--K!!! He has turned into the person he hated the most which is Don Imus, a bitter old DJ who is pompass and does not want to see others succeed. <P>
Boycott Ifinity Radio. 92.3FM, CBS101, 660WFAN, 1010WINS, & WCBS880!!! <P>



This message was edited by NUHockey on 2-1-03 @ 1:53 AM

[CrackaFromQueenz]

Over on InfinityBroadcasting web site they had some interesting jobs open <P>
Position: PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR WNEW - FM 888 Seventh Avenue, 10th Floor New York NY, 10106 <P>
Contact Email: No Calls! Posting Dates: Jan 27, 2003 - Apr 27, 2003 <P>
Notes: Infinity's WNEW-FM, New York is looking for a Program Director to lead its new format. You will be responsible for supervision, direction and overall performance of station with specific emphasis on program coordination, mix, content and scheduling. Insures that programming is in and best services the needs and interests of our audience. Oversees adherence and compliance with company programming standards and FCC regulations. Knowledge of the New York Market is a plus. AN EOE. <P>

[SatCam]

If this guy is legit, we have hope: "Yes, there will be entertainment/talk features included in the format"

<IMG SRC="http://satcam.4t.com/sig24_general_rnfown.gif">
RIP... The Ron and Fez Show in NY
RIP... WNEW-FM Talk Format
<A HREF=http://www.satelitecam.tk>>>Sig Pic Archive + RnF Site</A>

[LilLibra]

As if MTV doesn't have a monopoly in music television. Now they have to mess with radio? Psh...

Steph

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I'm in a class all by
myself... and its f*ckin' lonely."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

[Luke]

Those job posts are widely considered a formality.
Likely, they already have the people they want in place.

BTW - the infomercials are back this weekend !?

This is either the strangest most innovative business plan in the history of media or the most clueless bunch of suits in the history of humanity.

I'll bet Country would get better ratings....we'll see.




.

>>>"it's all in your head....but select, don't settle"<<<

[sct562]

If you look at the facts with out any bias. it is painfully obvious this is about protecting KROCK. And KROCK does not have great ratings, besides Stern. So why protect KROCK so hard... because of Stern. its a shame.

One thing i never understood was Stern always said he was the best, the funniest, ect. But if that was true why did he worry/bitch about OnA and RnF so much. Simple, because we WAS worried and he knew they were better and that they werent just clones.

He finally got what he wanted, nyc to himself. And unless things change he will be just like Imus and cling on into his 70's and never go away.


I HATE THE INFINITY SUITS>

[MrMarcus]

What's really dumb is that music as a radio format does not have a long term future. With file sharing and other new technologies right around the corner, music on the radio is going to fade away.

Talk radio shows like O&A, R&F, and yes, even The Radio Chick are the future. All of these shows had hardcore fans even though the station never promoted them.

[LawnDarts]

Howard has become Imus. He's a greedy, paranoid, money-grubbing tool. I don't know anyone who listens to him anymore. He's the real enemy. Him and Kingston.

Jeff Brogowski

[East Side Dave]

Allen Sniffen likes children.

<img src=http://home.ix.netcom.com/~camman/_uimages/ESD.gif>
Big Ass Mafia