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Original Post
From RadioInsight.com:
After being without a Classic Hits outlet for most of 2010, Chattanooga could soon have two stations in the format. While we await the pending flip of Brewer Media’s 106.9 translator to “Hippie Radio“, it appears Citadel may be readying a flip of Country “107.9 The Duke” WOGT.
Citadel registered 1079BigFM.com over the weekend. Making it easier to pinpoint is the fact that WOGT is the only 107.9 in Citadel’s portfolio. WOGT had been Oldies “GT 108″ prior to flipping to Country in 2005. As Citadel does not subscribe to Arbitron in Chattanooga, we do not have access to their current ratings.
The Big format (at least on other Citadel stations) seems a lot like KZ-106's stale playlist. I can't figure why there would be two dinosaur rock stations in the same building.
ReplyDeleteThink this one could be a little lighter to go after the WDEF audience??
ReplyDeleteHow about flipping WGOW-FM to 107.9 and giving them a decent signal? I live in the Chattanooga city limits in the shadow of Signal Mountain, and I have my clock radio set to WGOW-AM to wake me up. WGOW-FM is all garbled and distorted.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you just move. It woulkd be a lot easier for you to move than move a whole radio station. Especially since GOW has been on that frequency for what 15 years! Oh yeah andthe Duke is still country as of this morning for all you rumor mongers
ReplyDeleteYeah but Lila was let go yesterday........
ReplyDeleteany votes for true oldies channel?
ReplyDeleteTalk moves to the 100kw 106.5 stick, but maintains heritage WSKZ call letters... classic rock goes to 107.9 Big FM... pilot gets switched back on 102.3 with stereo and it reverts back to Choo Choo 102 with true oldies format. Or, maybe not.
ReplyDeleteI certainly do not want TRUE OLDIES. I think dropping country only gives WUSY full control of market again. Dumb move but this is Citadel were talking about.
ReplyDeleteTrue but WUSY really didn't lost much of the market from WOGT. You may have had people migrate over just for the "shiny and new" factor.
ReplyDeleteAny guesses on, if it does happen, when the flip will happen??
The 1079bigfm.com link is live!
ReplyDeleteNoon tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. WUSY goes from a 23 share all the way to an 11 share in the last 5 years since Duke and Q/Legends have been on the air but Duke and Q only have a combined 8.5 share. Where did the other 4 shares go? And will WUSY get there shares back or will someone else come along and pick up the format?????
ReplyDeleteStill almost a 20 share of country in the market... shame they let it go as long as they did without trying something other than switching formats. WUSY is far from bulletproof.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as the other clusters discover there is no more competition for WUSY, then I'd say it won't be long before we see another flip.
ReplyDeleteIt'll take a 100kw station to seriously compete. 96.5 would be attractive, but will Bahakel risk giving up The Mountain? As soon as they have 97/99 in their control, they could move CHR to those frequencies and flip DOD back to its roots as country. However, The Mountain has been around now for 13 years and is performing quite well... so I doubt they would take that risk.
The loss of a competitive country outlet will cause a shakeup in the market. Grab some popcorn... it's about to get real interesting.
It would be an interesting move for WDOD. They've been around for only 3 as a true CHR. That company is know for true adult formats. Who knows! Interesting for sure! **popping the popcorn.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the big announcement?
ReplyDeleteThat the Duke was going away.
ReplyDeleteOfficial change at noon.
Sorry to here for the staff 107.9.
ReplyDeleteTho I won't shed a tear for the loss of a country station old style or new.
Last song The Dance by Garth Brooks
ReplyDeleteIt's official... 107.9 Big FM with an adult classic hits format. Starts with 5,000 songs in a row.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna love it! Love this genre of music!
ReplyDeleteSo far.. so good. I love the variety. This is what GT-108 should have evolved into.
ReplyDeleteNow, does Brewer scrap plans for 106.9??? They'll be going up against 25kw.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when Clear Channel flipped 101.9 to the Legend when they knew a country format was planned for 107.9. Get on first and steal the thunder.
Who do you think takes a hit from this change?
ReplyDeletePre-emptive strike against "Hippie Radio" and could take a little away from Sunny. They'll need to keep the playlist focused on pop and AC hits in order to stay away from the same songs played on the KZ "Wings of Rock'N Roll" mothership. There is enough variety in a classic hits format to make that possible.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see if more AC Gold gets back in rotation on South Broad. Also, who is going to flip to country now? Tick-tock.. tick-tock.
citidumb sucks and that is all there is to it.happy thanksgiving. now go get in your corner.
ReplyDeleteTypical Citadel brain-dead move. After the "5,000 in a row" opening splash, it'll be another cookie-cutter, consultant-approved list of the same overplayed burned-out oldies, over and over; the same recipe that eventually killed GT-108.
ReplyDeleteAnd rather than hire LOCAL personalities to give the station some LOCAL programming, it'll be the same ol' jukebox/voice-tracked mindless disconnected format that is rapidly killing commercial radio nationwide.
Bottom line: if done correctly, this format COULD be a winner. But you and I both know that won't happen.
Reminds me of the old WGOW AM.
ReplyDeleteWow look at the quick to judge numbnuts on the forum. You have no knowledge of what their plans are with this station. Let's remember that The Duke was live 6am to 7pm and then had a live satelite 7pm tomidnight show with non stop music overnights. NO VOICE TRACKS unlike WUSy VT middays and nights and the WDOD Satelite mornings and middays! And all the music was decided locally. You honestly think they are going to spring for a consultant in this economy? NOT! I have heard that they are asembling a staff at this very moment that fits that genre of music. Give it 1 year and then check back in.
ReplyDeleteNo staff is being assembled. The old staff was dismissed, and this station will be on automatic pilot, even after the 5,000 song promotion is over. Book it, this is what's going down. Do you actually think Citadel is going to pour MORE money into this losing operation?
ReplyDeleteOf course the old staff was dismissed they were COUNTRY jocks. And unless you are one of three or four people in the know then you don't really know what's going on now do you! I mean let's be honest none of us really have a clue about any of this we just like to guess and pretend that we do! So unless you really do know, STFU!
ReplyDeleteGeez that "pour MORE money into this losing operation" line sounds like a former Citadel employee that may work for Brewer gone sour. I mean are the really losing that much money or any at all? Don't you think someone from the corporate office would say "hey were losing money in Chattanooga we have to close shop!" Exactly! So they must be doing okay with at least WSKZ and WGOW. The Duke had run its course and it was due a change. Jocks or not who cares its still free music.
ReplyDeleteStill no confirmation that Duane, Abby, or Jamie are gone. And, wasn't Duane the one who made the announcement on WGOW? Maybe hope of local jocks isn't lost.
ReplyDeleteLila was the only casualty. Everyone else was apparently spared the Axe.
ReplyDeleteSatellite radio gone terrestrial...first they cut Arbitron, now they start from scratch AGAIN at 107.9 with a format that will fight over scraps from the ratings points table...that they won't be able to use to sell it (or any other property they own). Adult classic hits and Classic Rock on the same end of the dial? Brilliant...cannibalizing the Big Stick...look for the next changes in that building to be at The Top...
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see the duke gone and this is much better. hope they do great. rock on.
ReplyDeleteNaysayers are in abundance at this forum. All I can say is I love the playlist so far. It's Hippie Radio pretty much song for song. Certainly a preemptive move, but I think it also covers KZ's flank. This is sort of a KZ for women. Just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's successful because I like what I'm hearing.
Guess they really don't care what we think since they didn't ask the public. I will boycott the "Big FM" a name that really took a lot of thought and creativity. Chattanooga has enough oldies stations. Country is a big genre and we have one station. What's up people? You need listeners...and I know of several you just lost. Bring back the duke and DNA.
ReplyDeleteIf The Duke had "run its course" and was loosing money and/or listeners, why didn't the station just ask the public what they wanted? More and more people are using I-Pods and Satellite for their variety and/or genre of music. They are doing this because the local DJ's (Jocks) are NOT very good at what they do. Think about it... WUSY 101 has 'Old Men' that think they are just hilarious, but realistically their jokes and commentary are 1980's, left-over blue collar comedy gone bad. Rock 105 HAD a Kick-ass Morning show but, dropped them (probably because of money) and went with 2 local jocks. One of which is a self centered womanizing alcoholic. The other is a brain dead rehab drop-out. Both of whom are NOT personable and have no interest in anything but finding their next fix. In addition to those two we have KZ-106. Ohhh.. Wow! People... It is an 'oldies version' of Rock105. 96-The Mountain... Yeah... Whatever! Oh lets not forget Sunny 92. We have to have our Dentist office music that employees retired Wal-Mart door greeters! Duane and Abby are young, different, very personable and funny. My two sons and I listened to them every morning and LOVED every minute of it. They had a very good variety of Country Music. It was not the 'Oldies Country' that many people associate with that genre. It was the newer Country Music that was on the "current" Billboard Charts. It wasn't just DNA either. Lila Walker was like that too. All of the DJ's on that station were very good. Radio shouldn't be dominated by one station nor should it be the decision of one or two persons to make such a huge decision for the listeners. The Duke listeners should have been informed on the possibility and the reasoning behind the possible change. The listeners should have then been allowed to write, e-mail, Facebook, or call in during a certain dedicated set time frame for thoughts, suggestions, and questions regarding this. Management should have LISTENED, and then made the necessary changes, updates or moves it needed to make the station better for everyone. It's no wonder Chattanooga can't seem to have anything or keep anything around for any length of time. We continue to have broadcasting stations that hire management whom has no clue what the public wants, needs, or desires. Simply because they are caught up in nothing but their own selfless fantasy that they make some type of difference by having a parking place up front with their name stenciled on the curb with a can of spray paint. Maybe one of these days someone will make the decision based on what the public wants. I hope so! BIG FM... Wow!! that took a lot of thought and creativity! OMG!!!
ReplyDeleteI woke up this morning and said, "Hey, I've been working and schooling all semester with so little down time, let me put it on the Duke." Then I put the station on to hear the Jackson 5's ABC! I was in such a state of shock, that I immediately started crusing through the other stations in the hopes that maybe they moved the Duke to another dial. Nope, no hope. All I got was Lady Gaga, some old country song that seemed way before my time or preference, some rock song about killing yourself, commercials on at least six other dials; some boring talk show close to 94.3, and then on 94.3 a commercial (as always)about where to shop for black friday! I'm literally sick to my stomach right now. How could the Big possibly satisfy my need for good, wholesome, 20-in-a-row country? I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts running through their (leaders of the radio corporation's) minds! What were they thinking??? Who can live with such redundancies? What I think is, there really wasn't a lack of funds, it was actually too many people falling in love with the programming, so other dials (the ones they hoped would rock out with the listeners)lost listeners to the Duke and their money and ratings were being challenged so they had to shut out the best country station to ever grace the Tennessee valley. Just a thought...now I have no reason to even listen to analog radio. My ipod is my ongoing pacifier now, so congrats...your decisions just lost analog another listener to the technology age!!!!!!! Good Luck!
ReplyDelete"Wow look at the quick to judge numbnuts on the forum" The only person that has said anything accurate so far on this forum. Noone really knows what is going on except a few select people and those decisions were made after much calculation regarding revenue, ratings and personnel. Citadel does not do anything with out a lot of thought. The Duke was a great radio station and had awesome DJ's between DNA, Lila and Jamie. WUSY is losing listeners like crazy but unfortunately THE PUBLIC was not embracing The Duke in the ratings like it needed to, which means the revenue suffered. Unfortunately you live and die by the ratings which I believe are not always accurate. AND, no there is no way you can go to the public and see what they want. EVERYONE wants something different. Classic Hits is the only genre not in this market...and Sunny has no competitors...flanker for KZ to keep hippie radio at bay.....hmmmm sounds like a good move to me. I will listen and make my decision later. Sad to see The Duke go but the station so far seems pretty fun and upbeat....way better than the old oldies station they use to be and if the dj's are better than luther, patty sanders and joe cook I will be on board.
ReplyDeletesigned,
waiting to make a decision...
I've been listening for a few hours on day one. I think it compliments KZ really well! That type of format could go jockless.
ReplyDeleteradio does not care about listeners, they can feed them anything and are expected to accept it, its all about the $$$ and radio wonders why everyone goes to ipod's and other means of getting music.
ReplyDeleteLook at what you JUST said. Listeners using ipods to get MUSIC. How about shutting up the horrible DJs to keep listeners!
ReplyDeleteLook at what you JUST said. Shutting up the horrible DJs. Perfect idea, let's put people out of work. While one could make the valid argument that the DJs should have learned a skill to fall back on lets remember that most of them probably didn't have time to do so with the marathon hours that are expected of them these days. So for a lot of them radio is all they know. Thanksgiving damn day and all you can do is think about putting people and their kids on the street.
ReplyDeleteContrary to popular belief, Jukebox radio hasn't worked and never will. There is a reason why DJ's still exist, b/c they matter.
ReplyDeleteI'm already hearing the same oldies, over and over. So much for "BIG" selection. They're following the failed GT-108 formula. At least GT-108 had good personalities.
ReplyDeleteSure...live and local talent costs money. Local elements done properly cost money. But remember this one cardinal rule: NOBODY ever built a BETTER broadcast station by spending LESS money. It's never happened and it never will.
ReplyDeleteWhy would they replace the duke that station was awesome and I don't want to listen to the songs they play on big. Fm
ReplyDeleteThe radio station itself and the music are the stars. The on air talent is simply the host.
ReplyDeleteThis is Ronnie Land, not Duane Shannon.
ReplyDeleteI liked Duane & Abby and listened to them every morning. I feel that they had one of the best morning shows that I have ever listened too, bar none. I will also miss the great mix of country. Whoever programed the play list did a great job. It always reminded me of Highway 16 on XM except with local jocks. I guess I have not choice but to listen to WUSY . . . . crap.
The BIG format seems to be working well at BIG 98.5 KABG-FM in Albuquerque, NM. Features Bobby Box in the mornings who worked nights at WMOC-AM/Chattanooga in the mid-60's as Bobby Dark.
ReplyDeleteI think it's too bad they changed formats. They were the best country satation we had and why do we need 2 oldies stations. In my opinion...bad move
ReplyDeletebad move i loved the duke to bad they went to oldies lol. Seems like u get something going and they pull the plug on it. Oh well u just lost a listener....................:(
ReplyDeleteWe lost the BEST country station in Chattanooga. I refuse to listen to WUSY!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I though about one radio station that I would unplug my ipod and listen to, it was the Duke. Every morning on the way to work... Who doesn't love The BHQ (Big Hairy Question).... Come on, this was a bad move, The Duke was heads above the other country station, unless you want to listen to Kenney Chesney and Brad Paisley from a decade ago. Poor decision. But shucks, people complained about losing one of Chattanooga's best stations 3 years ago.. 96.5 The Mountain... The true 96.5, before they started playing all sorts of junk. Two great stations gone... I guess the Chattanooga stations take from the well off and gives useless. However, that leads to a whole other topic...
ReplyDeleteLooks like they will have at least some live local people on the air per this post on radio-info.com
ReplyDeletehttp://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=179815.0
Moves like this move people to Satellite Radio. I'm not going to tune into a station that plays "What song is Ma'ma hummin'". Dumb stuff like that gives country a bad rep. The Duke, in my opinion, had a more educated group of listeners who also have a means to pay for quality radio and will not have to settle for WUSY on their way to work.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to have an alternative for Country music other than WUSY. Sorry to see The Duke gone.
ReplyDeleteBad, bad move I am heart broken to see the DUKE go. It was a great change from US101.I hope someone wakes up and brings it back
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to have a choice other then just 1 country station
No one is going to satellite radio. They will turn on 100.7 and that's it.
ReplyDelete...so says the PD at US101.... :)
ReplyDeleteSo if the Duke was the BEST country station in town why did they never perform like it in the ratings?
ReplyDeleteThis sucks, I've never liked US 101. And I loved the DUKE. I can't believe that they just took away the duke without any notice. I really don't like this new station. I listened to the duke every morning and after work. There has got to be something that van be done about this. It's public radio so we should have had a say in the switch. Now If I want to listen to country I have to listen to US 101. What about DNA?????? They were the best DJs I'd ever heard and now what, there just gone.
ReplyDeleteWho follows "american pie" with "super freak" then "laughter in the rain" by neil sedaka?
ReplyDeleteIt's not public radio it is owned by a private corporation. They can do what they want.
ReplyDeleteWho follows "american pie" with "super freak" then "laughter in the rain" by neil sedaka?
ReplyDeleteAhh.... spoken like a true Program Director. I oughta know as I am one also. Only we in the media think like that.
Your basic listener (who also fills out the diary) doesn't know that there are catagories and rotations to the music. They just know they like oldies, country, talk or rock. That is really it.
If you think about when you are listening to music, be it the ipod, your cd or vinyl collection or Pandora, you mix it up also. No one says, "man I just listened to an urban oldie, so I better not follow that with a current country song."
My only complaint with BIG is that they (like every other station that launches) always start out jockless and then add personalities slowly.
We program directors tell ourselves that this 5000 songs in a row will capture an interest and an audience, when in truth, it gives a false presentation of what we are- a station that will have jocks talking and commercials playing!
Good thought, Mr. Anonymous Program Director!
ReplyDeleteA new product should always jump out of the chute 100% of what it intends to be. US-101 brought in some new, different, and good out-of-market talent, killer positioning, and a "fun" sound. Worked great until new owners ran off an incredible station manager, proving that you don't have to be stupid to screw up a good product, just ignorant.
Unless you plan to be a nice not-for-profit jukebox, let your listeners know right up front what you intend to offer. Fun music, enough news to let me know that the world didn't come to an end last night, brief percentages of rain today, a few carefully-crafted messages about who has big-screen TVs on sale, and announcers that sound like they're having a good time and enjoying sharing all this with me, "one-on-one".
Don't send me home in a Cadillac which, after 5000 miles, turns into a pumpkin. I probably won't stick around to try to like the pumpkin, I'll look for another showroom.
True, promotional budgets like US-101 and, to some extent, KZ-106 enjoyed back in the 80s are gone, probably forever. But, there are a lot of creative, little-or-no cost promotional ideas that can attract attention to a new product. Then, factor in the ever-popular "word of mouth" and a good offering will grow quickly.
One final thought: don't overlook the value of the message that "5K in a row" sends to potential advertisers (and listeners): commercials are bad, that's why we're not running any.
Anonymous Former Program Director.
"So if the Duke was the BEST country station in town why did they never perform like it in the ratings?"
ReplyDeleteAgreed...because people LOVE US101. Half of the people on this board have something against it because of the company who owns it. Guess what... You don't represent actual listeners.
"...so says the PD at US101.... :) "
ReplyDeleteActually... So says the PD that, according to a lot, isn't really here :)
So this pretty much makes Brewer's 250w "Hippie" a moot point. Sad thing is: when you look at that company's track record, they probably won't be smart enough to change their mind on the format in the next month before they launch. So sad.
ReplyDeleteActually from what I've heard "Hippie" will focus on straight on oldies, not classic hits like 107.9 Big FM. It is possible for both to survive.
ReplyDeleteListeners have no idea what the difference between Oldies and Classic Hits is. All they know is what they like to hear. Only radio people know the difference. I would run as far away from this oncoming disaster as I could, if I was Hippie Radio.
ReplyDeleteActually... So says the PD that, according to a lot, isn't really here :)
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean "isn't really here"?
Jo-Jo maybe? He isn't actually programming Kissfm locally for what I hear.
ReplyDeleteI agree about hippie. Surely Brewer tossed out some other ideas before deciding to go oldies. They need to abandon ship and go with one of the backups.
HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!! Jo Jo bought a home here and is based out of here. He does track a lot of other markets from here. God you guys crack me up!
ReplyDeleteAs far as Brewer goes, "Hippie Radio" is a long, long way from what BigFm is doing. TRUE Hippie Radio should be a mix of the old WSIM and what 96 Rock in Atlanta used to be, maybe with a touch of vintage WLS. And it isn't all about the music, it's also about the presentation.
ReplyDeleteAnd this could be a great move for Citadel...they can fill the oldies-classic niche void on BigFm, while maybe putting a touch of AOR on the KZ playlist. And if you don't remember WSIM, the old 96 Rock, or the vintage WLS...then go away. Your opinion doesn't mean much in this market.
And competition is good in radio. It makes everyone step up to the plate and bring their "A" game.
And yes, I too am a former Program Director. I mean, once a PD, always a PD, right ?
Oh yeah...and if you don't know what "AOR" stands for - then go away. Period.
ReplyDeleteWhen has any listener ever said the words "AOR" and "vintage WLS"? If you can't answer that, then you need to rethink the format.
ReplyDelete"Jo-Jo maybe? He isn't actually programming Kissfm locally for what I hear."
ReplyDeleteI'm really here! Damn... I guess I gave up the best kept secret. This board rules.
now go get in the corner
ReplyDelete"now go get in the corner" Yea that doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteDoes "AOR" still mean "All Over the Road?"
ReplyDeletePretty much! I think they have recently named it Jack.
ReplyDeleteAny predictions for the new year? Format lips, staff changes...?
ReplyDeleteDuane and Abby start mornings at KIX 106 in Memphis on Monday.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Give them 4 years to do nothing in the ratings here.... Lets move them to a heritage well performing station... BAD MOVE!
ReplyDeleteDNA had good ratings with their core target WOMEN! Stop looking at 12plus! And yes The Duke did well at distracting WUSY. Remember CC launched a classic country station only because of the Duke. Together they caused WUSY to lose 13 shares of their market. I would say that WOGT did well at exaclty what they were designed to do.
ReplyDeleteDuane & Abby worked hard and have a good morning show they needed to be off that crappy station and on a good station. Good for them!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Get them off of that crappy station, owned by that crappy company and onto a great station owned by...... Oh...well...I...nevermind....
ReplyDeleteOh yeah look at you big time blog poster. Thats why your still here in Chattanooga with the rest of us! Ha Ha! Good for them for getting the hell out of this stale ass radio town. Crappy company or not.
ReplyDeleteNone of you know Duane very well i'm guessing. If you did you would know that he doesn't care what this forum thinks about his career moves. And why should he. He and Abby are moving to a Top 50 market and were all back here. Doh! Take me with you!
ReplyDeleteI call BS, on the old forum Duane used to post all the time, all the time, he cares.
ReplyDelete"Doh! Take me with you!"
ReplyDeleteHe is Abby, don't worry.
This forum is so clueless. You think everyone is someone there not. Get a life or a friggin' job!
ReplyDeleteBesides all of the technical details to this matter...107.9 has lost many, many listeners. But thats okay, when "BIG FM" hits the floor, we will be laughing.
ReplyDelete107.9 the Duke, was a great station. Whenever WUSY 101 was playing some crappy Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, or Jarad Neiman POP-(country) song, I could switch over to 107 the Duke and have a good chance of hearing some (old) Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, George Strait, or Jason Aldean.
ReplyDeleteGiven, the Duke played POP-Country sometimes as well, just not as frequently as US 101. There is Pop-Country (which is pretty much self explanatory, and you can at least tell it can be claimed by the Country genre to a degree.) But then there is also POP-(country) i.e. Jarad Neiman, newer Taylor Swift, etc. which does not even sound remotely country and sounds like something you would hear on MTV or Pop station. And some of the songs you actually do hear on Pop stations (i.e. taylor swift). And US 101 plays a lot more of the POP-(country)