Are other new rock/metal fans in Columbus, Ohio ANGRY with the radio stations here?

Question

I mean... we used to have 107.1 and 99.7, and they both played new rock.

Then 107.1 turned into a country station (which we already have two of) and all we had left was 99.7.

NOW, 99.7 has turned into "the Rock" and plays a bunch of 80's rock, which is cool... but AGAIN, we already have stations that do that.

We officially have NO new rock on the radio here. I couldn't be more annoyed. Does anyone else want to complain with me? :) lol... and seriously, who can I write to to get my new rock back on!?

Answer 1

There have been  lot of ownership changes in Columbus recently. Lemme see if I can 'splain this to you. It's kinda complicated - even I may have not completely understood it.

Your fav station, WNNK 107.1 was dead-last in the ratings. That means it was very hard to sell commercials not only because of bad ratings, but it's a difficult format to sell. Country, especially in Columbus - a very "country" market - is an easier format to sell to advertisers - remember that as we go on.

No offense to anyone, but the truth is, advertisers would rather have soccer moms come to their store than younger people with their body art, piercings, no money etc.

WCOL (owned by Clear Channel) has been a mainstay station the the market for years, with good ratings and lots of expensive advertising.

WHOK 95.5 made a niche for themselves by playing country oldies. They get an older audience, but advertisers are OK with that.

WCLT 100.3 (a locally-owned company) also does fairly well with country.

In order to try to make money, your station, what is now WINK, decided to enter the field by offering "New Country and Only New Country."

These stations are all owned by the same company, Wilks Broadcasting:

WLVQ –Columbus Ohio

WHOK – Columbus Ohio

WNKK – Columbus Ohio

To Wilks it made sense to offer old country on one of their stations and new country on the other. Then they tighten up their rock station, WLVQ, and they're covered.

Perhaps they hope to force WCLT into another format. Or maybe they're happy to have a small slice of the big country pie, than the audience they had with New Rock.

What about Q96FM? They advertise themselves as Rock.

If it's any consolation, someone will probably switch another station to rock pretty soon. Don't know what kind of rock, but right now, it's an obvious "format hole" for a station that's not doing well.

Understand, a a radio consultant, I'm looking at some reference materials I have and making some assumptions from outside the market on what may or may not have happened. But what I described is what I think has happened, or close. If I blew it, any Columbus radio folks are invited to set me straight. My emal is open on my profile.

Sorry you lost your station, I know that's always a bummer. You can let management know you're not happy by writing or emailing.

-a guy named duh

614-222-8431

Mailing Address:

Wilks Broadcast Group LLC

280 N High St. Suite 10

Columbus, Ohio 43215

E-mail Address:

[e-mail]

Answer 2

I'm in Columbus.  I finally got satellite (Sirius, then XM) because I was so frustrated with the music here.  All the rock channels seem to be cluster****s.

Answer 3

I'm not going to complain about Rock/Metal because my state has those stuff.

I'm going to complain about lack of Techno!! But there IS a way around it - kind of.

Use iTunes radio. There are plenty of stations that has awesome music. I was listening to a radio station from SanFran. I'm sure you can find something you like. Hit me up on email if you need more direction.

Answer 4

There is always satellite radio or cable/internet radio so you do have some options.   Look at the bright side - where I live we are designated as "The Country Music Capital of Canada"  -  and man, I cannot stand country music as a genre!!!   You have no idea how annoying that music is too me!!