107.3 WKAZ About To Rock

[Mr. Jones]

RadioInsight:

West Virginia Radio Corp. is preparing to shift Classic Hits 107.3 WKAZ-FM Charleston, WV to Rock.

The domain 1073KRock.com was registered on April 6 and is already pointing to Triton Media’s webservers. A shift to a rock based format will put the station in competition with LM Communications’ “Rock 105” WKLC-FM. Bristol Broadcasting Modern Rock “Z-Rock 94.5” WZJO segued to News/Talk in January 2010.

[djsandman]

Awesome!!! Thank you, Mr. Jones!

You know, I remember Mike Buxser of WV Radio Corp. stating that it was his fault for the failure of "Jack FM" and right before the switch, he mentioned that we lacked a good rock station in the Charleston market. In all fairness though, WKLC has done a pretty good job "holding down the fort" with the Active Rock format. I said this on the WXBW thread...we just need a station in the Charleston market that caters to 90s and 2000-ish Alternative and Modern Rock.

We'll see what happens with the new 107.3 K-Rock.

[AmpedNow]

Looks like we've had a timely discussion in the other thread...

Going this route, they almost have to play the newer stuff, because nobody else is. Of course, the 90's isn't exactly "new" stuff anymore.

It will be interesting to see what happens. Unlike Z, KAZ has a competitive signal. Now if they can get that HD glitch fixed...

Nice that they will be paying tribute to my retired board name...

[Greg Goodfellow]

So is WKAZ-am the only option for those needing their classic hits fix? Don't the ratings justify something better? Even viewing Charleston's demographics, I always thought 'KAZ had pretty good numbers.

[Bob Campbell]

Somehow, when I think West Virginia Radio, I just can't get a Rock image in my head.
Bet I can guess the consultant.

[The Interpreter]

Consultant? After that unsuccessful run for Senator, money may be short.

In house: Hoppy Kercheval

[DJSHOCKLEY]

Interesting...

If they have a sales staff that actually TRIES to sell it, it could work...

[Dave Allen]

Nunley and I have had this discussion many times, and my thoughts on this are the same as my comments on the WXBW flip....there are a lot of needs musically in Charleston/Huntington etc that are simply not being met. I fully understand the "everything that rocks" thinking but for me that doesn't work, and I realize I'm in the minority. Speaking as a music geek and not a radio guy, if I'm listening to 105 almost the minute anything remotely new comes on, 9 times out of 10 I will turn it off. I don't want my Skynyrd mixed with Foo Fighters. I have always thought that if there was money to market it a station that mixes more country oriented stuff (Skynyrd, ZZ, Allmans, Black Crowes) WITH some Hank Jr, Waylon, Willie could work.

And the Beatles still suck.

[fearpeddler]

And the Beatles still suck.

Thats something you and me definitely agree on dave!!

[Hoss]

"And the Beatles still suck." I thought the Beatles sucked, then Rubber Soul and Tax Man, pretty good but after that sucked again. But my taste in music sucks and my interest and knowledge is limited. Anybody else like Rubber Soul and Tax Man?

[Bob Campbell]

Consultant? After that unsuccessful run for Senator, money may be short.

In house: Hoppy Kercheval

Uh....Yeah...when I think rock, Hoppy immediately comes to mind.
Seriously, do they have ANYbody in house with Rock experience?
Within the last 30 years?

[Mr. Jones]

AllAccess:

Mike Fitzgerald Exits WKAZ

WEST VIRGINA RADIO CORP. Classic Hits WKAZ/CHARLESTON, WV PD MIKE FITZGERALD exits the station amidst rumors that a format flip is in the offing. The award-winning PD (WEST VIRGINIA Station of the Year, 2008 and 2009) and air talent (WEST VIRGINIA Radio Personality of the Year, 2009) will use his voiceover talents for interested parties.

Reach out to him at RadioBearman@hotmail.com.

[AmpedNow]

Hell, I'll consult them... I know my 90's rock.



Is there any launch date yet?

BTW, they got the HD fixed. Still think it would be neat if they simulcasted CHS on the HD-2. Somebody could still be the first station in the state to offer an HD multicast.

[cgarison]

I have always thought that if there was money to market it a station that mixes more country oriented stuff (Skynyrd, ZZ, Allmans, Black Crowes) WITH some Hank Jr, Waylon, Willie could work.

With the addition of Johnny Cash, Foghat, CCR and George Thorogood, you have one of my favorite custom Pandora streams. All that is missing is a confederate flag on my car and a "Don't Mess with Texas" bumper sticker.

[Jay Nunley]

It will be interesting to see what "flavor" they go with and what they do for a morning show.

If they put Lex and Terry on and program the music in the vein WAMX runs with it could be real trouble for my old stomping ground.

If they go with what Z Rock did with a lot of unfamiliar and mostly unpopular alt rock they will only be able to pull the same 3 or 4 share which is the maximum share any station with that format could get given the market demographics.

They could also put Lex and Terry on in the morning and go straight at WKLC with either a classic rock or mainstream/straight ahead. They would need a good PD and have to market the shit out of it to get past heritage and channel inertia for it to work, but there are a lot more available shares for those formats.

[fearpeddler]

JMO but last time I listened to WAMX it sounded like a shitty rock105/zrock hybrid......... basically the worst elements of both stations....

[Jay Nunley]

It has been at least a year since I've listened to WAMX and I'm not sure if Eric is programming it directly or if that comes from corporate.

When I did listen to them regularly they were rock solid in terms of titles. I never heard a weak tester and they were never too unfamiliar.

Also, WAMX was better than everyone (including the station I programmed) at delivering on audience expectations in terms of promotions, content, and presentation.

We were very very good at that at WKLC, but I was forced to air too many bullshit remotes, live long form infomercials starring a restaurant manager touting the new menu item, and off target client generated promotions to have the 95% expectation fulfillment rate WAMX had at the time.

[Big Media]

Are we even sure WKAZ will be programmed or even voiced locally? I could see them using a bird to pipe this in.

Besides, isn't the "K-Rock" brand already reprogrammed by CBS?

[AmpedNow]

Well, the K is the only thing they can work with if they still want the calls involved in the branding.

They can't use the Z, because it will remind people of Z Rock.

They can't use "KAZ-FM" or "107.3 KAZ" because they've already been used.

"A-Rock" just doesn't work.

I know they are heritage calls, but they should seriously consider a thoughtful brand, or just call themselves "107.3".

[Jay Nunley]

I could see them using a bird to pipe this in.

Doomed to mediocrity if they do that.