CBS ready to Amp Washington?

[tico]

All Access is reporting that urban/rhythmic (whatever you wanna call 'em) WPGC may be shopping for a new format soon and that CHR is a possibility, which would put it up against WIHT (Hot 99.5).

[atlantaboy]

^Why does CBS think Rhythmic is Urban and CHR is Rhythmic lol (at least in big markets)

Looked up ratings though and PGC is gettin killed by almost everyone right now (Urban, Urban AC, CHR, and Hot AC)...not sure why they don't just switch up their playlist so it matches with Rhythmic chart

[tico]

All Access did say that WPGC has been tanking in the ratings since PPM was introduced in Washington last year.

[Slinky]

It occurs to me that if PGC changes formats, all hell will break loose with the PPM racial issue. Arbitron is already getting a lot of flack from politicians and the FCC for allegedly under-representing minority listenership with the PPMs.

This would be the first Urban format change in a big market that could be blamed on PPMs. Couple that with the fact that PGC is an institution in the African-American community here, and also the fact that it happens to be in the nation's capital, and you've got a recipe for controversy.

[atlantaboy]

^Thought PGC was Rhythmic right now though (not Urban)

Oh yeah meant to post its ratings are low (compared to all those other formats) just usin the old-fashioned Arbitron Diary method

[tico]

But 'PGC is still CBS' highest-rated station in the DC market. If they are destined for a flip, perhaps, CBS is doing it from a revenue standpoint. Looking at their playlist, the only thing I see that could justify calling WPGC a rhythmic station is "Boom Boom Pow".

[atlantaboy]

Jun 13, 2009 22:11:03 GMT -5 @tico said:

But 'PGC is still CBS' highest-rated station in the DC market. If they are destined for a flip, perhaps, CBS is doing it from a revenue standpoint. Looking at their playlist, the only thing I see that could justify calling WPGC a rhythmic station is "Boom Boom Pow".

Oh sorry I was responding to Slinky's post about potential protests that an Urban station was flippin formats cause of PPMs (thought PGC was Rhythmic and still targeted "white audience")

Still don't see why they don't just try followin the Rhythmic chart

[Slinky]

PGC definitely targets an African-American audience. They are directly in competition for that audience with WKYS, which is classified as an Urban. If you listened to the two stations, you'd never be able to tell the difference. I'm sure both stations do get some non-ethnic listenership as well, but that's not who they're targeting.

Golden Eagle is correct that PGC is CBS DC's highest rated station, but one of their other stations just flipped formats (94.7 WTGB) and another one is supposed to flip to Sports in July (106.7 WJFK). If 95.5 also flips formats soon, all three of CBS's DC FMs will have flipped formats within about 6 months of each other.*

Personally, I don't think a format flip is in the works for PGC. I could see a tweak to be an actual Rhythmic station with some Pop being played, but that's about it.

*Edit: Technically I should have said 3 out of 4, because WLZL 99.1 is run as a DC station, even though it isn't technically licensed to the DC market.

[Slinky]

Another thing that gives away the fact that WPGC is an Urban is that they have a "Slow Jams" show every night! Show me another "Rhythmic" station that does that.

[Rurry]

Are 92.3 in NYC and Amp Radio in LA still unmonitored?

Cause if so, if they ever become monitored, they should report to the rhythmic panel, not pop. They obviously follow the rhythmic chart more than the pop chart.

[atlantaboy]

Don't understand why PGC just doesn't try straight-up Rhythmic (since the Urban thing isn't working, and they're classified as Rhythmic anyway)

[*Who Is?*]

Jun 15, 2009 22:35:59 GMT -5 atlantaboy said:

Don't understand why PGC just doesn't try straight-up Rhythmic (since the Urban thing isn't working, and they're classified as Rhythmic anyway)

Well, WPGC is just so embodied within the African-American community here. People in DC really do love WPGC 95.5. From the concerts, to the on-air personalities who are practically local celebs, WPGC is really important to tens of thousands across DC. Their would be a HUGE controversy if PGC were to flip. I honestly think that WPGC should be an urban-leaning Rhythmic just to get the ratings up, but WPGC will go down so quickly if they try to target a white audience.

DC has a very large population of African-Americans, so WPGC turning all Rhythmic is the wrong thing to do. Throw a tiny bit Kristinia DeBarge, Colby O'Donis, and Flo-Rida (cause PGC never plays Right Round or Sugar), along with their Keri Hilson, Drake, The-Dream, and they should be good. But no, flipping to all Rhythmic is not the way to go.

Jun 13, 2009 22:11:03 GMT -5 @tico said:

But 'PGC is still CBS' highest-rated station in the DC market. If they are destined for a flip, perhaps, CBS is doing it from a revenue standpoint. Looking at their playlist, the only thing I see that could justify calling WPGC a rhythmic station is "Boom Boom Pow".

Thats the Boom Boom Pow remix with 50 Cent and Gucci Mane, different beat and everything, they dont play the original on PGC...

[*Who Is?*]

It seems as if PGC has been experimenting with their playlist this month.

Boom Boom Pow and Right Round (even though these songs are through with their run) have been put into regular rotation.

Same with Hotel Room Service by Pitbull.

[johnm1120]

Jun 15, 2009 21:28:04 GMT -5 Slinky said:

Another thing that gives away the fact that WPGC is an Urban is that they have a "Slow Jams" show every night! Show me another "Rhythmic" station that does that.

Power96 used to do that a couple of nights a week.

[Marv]

There's no doubt in my mind that CBS should be extremely gun-shy about 'blowing up' WPGC.

The PR disaster which blindsided them after they 'blew up' WCBS-FM in NYC for the 'JACK' format turned out to be a spectacular failure, and was an episode that they sure as heck do not want to have to endure again.

Blowing up CBS-FM unquestionably stands alone as the hands-down winner for 'National Super-Asinine Format Flip Of The Past Ten Years.'

[*Who Is?*]

Apparently WPGC stopped testing the Rhythmic-sound. When I commented last week, Hotel Room Service and Boom Boom Pow was both in WPGC's Top 10 Playlist, with Right Round being number 14. This week, all three have fallen below #100. In other words, PGC removed these songs completely from the playlist.

In other news, they have added 5 Star by Yo Gotti, Wasted by Gucci Mane & Plies, and LOL Smiley Face by Trey Songz, Gucci Mane, and Soulja Boy.

If you ask me, someone really does not want to be a Rhythmic...

[Marv]

It hasn't been the same radio station since Jay Stevens left; he built it via his exceptional programming skills into the #1 CHR/Rhythmic station in America for most of the past twenty years.

[*Who Is?*]

I dont know why WPGC just can't be a bit more Rhythmic. Adding songs like Whatcha Say - Jason DeRulo, Face Drop - Sean Kingston, Down - Jay Sean, One Time - Justin Bieber... I honestly do not think it will drop their audience. I know I wouldnt leave the station anyway, Ive been listening to PGC practically since the day I was born.

[*Who Is?*]

Yesterday, WPGC 95.5 changed their name to "955 PGC, DC's Hip Hop & R&B" and their imaging sounds a bit more Rhythmic. They also played BEP again yesterday.

They really dont know what they wanna do...