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Post by tico on Aug 19, 2009 18:33:55 GMT -5
I can only really speak on the Fresh FM in Chicago since I've had more exposure to it (though I have heard the one in Las Vegas, though not enough), but to me, I classify them as hot AC, but if you ask Fresh in Chicago who their main competition is and they might say Lite FM. They've even gone so far as calling them out by name on the air. Arbitron also classifies them as AC. However, the music on Fresh sounds more similar to WTMX rather than WLIT.
Was the intent of Fresh FM to make adult contemporary sound more contemporary?
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Post by Mike Schwartz on Aug 20, 2009 10:30:02 GMT -5
I can only really speak on the Fresh FM in Chicago since I've had more exposure to it (though I have heard the one in Las Vegas, though not enough), but to me, I classify them as hot AC, but if you ask Fresh in Chicago who their main competition is and they might say Lite FM. They've even gone so far as calling them out by name on the air. Arbitron also classifies them as AC. However, the music on Fresh sounds more similar to WTMX rather than WLIT. Was the intent of Fresh FM to make adult contemporary sound more contemporary? My exposure to the Fresh format has been through the original Fresh station; WWFS in New York. I too would consider the music mix to be more in line with a typical Hot AC, BUT, the station rotates currents 30 or less times a week-which is more consistant with the pattern found on typical AC stations. When the station was created, consultant and co developer Greg Dunkin termed the station Millennial AC; ie no songs from before 2000 but also including those that fit from the late 90s. Does this help or simply muddy the waters more? |
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Post by tico on Aug 20, 2009 15:27:22 GMT -5
You are right about the music. Fresh in Chicago played a few 90s songs, but I don't recall hearing any 80s music. Their motto is "not too old and no elevator music" or something to that effect.
A millennial AC. First time I heard of that term.
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musicfanpete
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Joined: January 2007
Posts: 2,194
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Post by musicfanpete on Aug 20, 2009 17:30:16 GMT -5
I can only really speak on the Fresh FM in Chicago since I've had more exposure to it (though I have heard the one in Las Vegas, though not enough), but to me, I classify them as hot AC, but if you ask Fresh in Chicago who their main competition is and they might say Lite FM. They've even gone so far as calling them out by name on the air. Arbitron also classifies them as AC. However, the music on Fresh sounds more similar to WTMX rather than WLIT. Was the intent of Fresh FM to make adult contemporary sound more contemporary? Well since PD Bill Gamble took over about two months ago, he has tweaked the music to a straight ahead Hot AC. Before he came in the playlist was recurrent heavy with only a few true currents, albeit with a Hot AC lean. Now Gamble basically has carbon copied the top 15 of the Hot AC chart by adding whatever was not being played previously. A few songs are garnering 40+ plays a week with most others between 20 to 30 plays. Therefore, it definately seems like a standard Hot AC playlist to me! My guess here is that Gamble is trying now to go after the robust ratings of crosstown WTMX, which for the second month in a row is a 5.0, 12+. I'm not sure how basically copying the Mix will steal listeners, but one can conclude that Fresh 105.9 is definately a Hot AC, no matter what they might say. |
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Post by Mike Schwartz on Aug 21, 2009 12:01:03 GMT -5
I'm not sure how basically copying the Mix will steal listeners, but one can conclude that Fresh 105.9 is definately a Hot AC, no matter what they might say. That is one of the oldest tricks in radio-shoot your guns at the big guy. Pete, how exactly is Gamble positioning the station? Does it have a more music am show to counter Eric and Kathy listeners who are not big on alot of talk in the mornings? Dayparting different tracks then The Mix to attract the at work/daytime streaming crowd? Or unique promotions and special events? I have definitely noted a trend in recent years that the challenging station in major markets tries to carve out a share of the audience with less talk/more music. |
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Post by tico on Aug 21, 2009 14:54:23 GMT -5
When I listened to Fresh in Chicago a month ago, they were much more centered on music. My suggestion would be to stick to that.
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musicfanpete
2x Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 2,194
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Post by musicfanpete on Aug 30, 2009 16:22:46 GMT -5
I can only really speak on the Fresh FM in Chicago since I've had more exposure to it (though I have heard the one in Las Vegas, though not enough), but to me, I classify them as hot AC, but if you ask Fresh in Chicago who their main competition is and they might say Lite FM. They've even gone so far as calling them out by name on the air. Arbitron also classifies them as AC. However, the music on Fresh sounds more similar to WTMX rather than WLIT. Was the intent of Fresh FM to make adult contemporary sound more contemporary? My exposure to the Fresh format has been through the original Fresh station; WWFS in New York. I too would consider the music mix to be more in line with a typical Hot AC, BUT, the station rotates currents 30 or less times a week-which is more consistant with the pattern found on typical AC stations. When the station was created, consultant and co developer Greg Dunkin termed the station Millennial AC; ie no songs from before 2000 but also including those that fit from the late 90s. Does this help or simply muddy the waters more? I meant to say the New York Fresh station in my original post, not Las Vegas. Don't know why I was thinking that market instead. Maybe a vacation to Vegas in the near future is warranted!  |
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musicfanpete
2x Platinum Member
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 2,194
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Post by musicfanpete on Aug 30, 2009 16:32:01 GMT -5
I'm not sure how basically copying the Mix will steal listeners, but one can conclude that Fresh 105.9 is definately a Hot AC, no matter what they might say. That is one of the oldest tricks in radio-shoot your guns at the big guy. Pete, how exactly is Gamble positioning the station? Does it have a more music am show to counter Eric and Kathy listeners who are not big on alot of talk in the mornings? Dayparting different tracks then The Mix to attract the at work/daytime streaming crowd? Or unique promotions and special events? I have definitely noted a trend in recent years that the challenging station in major markets tries to carve out a share of the audience with less talk/more music. It definately is music intensive in the mornings, with only a host that chimes in with the weather once in awhile. Mondays are completely commerical free during daytime hours (started before Gamble arrived). And just minimal dayparting of a few of the newest songs (ie: "I Gotta Feeling" and "Be Somebody). Some of the more CHR leaning tracks were dayparted at night for two to three months before being moved to all dayparts, again much of that occurring before Gamble arrived. Since Gamble came on board, he added about fifteen currents that had not been played, mostly Hot AC exclusive hits from the likes of Shinedown, Kings of Leon and Nickelback that had not been played before. He also increased the rotation of most currents and recurrents, and he has tightened the playlist quite a bit in mostly a current/recurrent rotation. So while it is not that far removed from the Mix, Fresh FM like you said is trying to copy it as much as possible, BUT at the same time trying to lure listeners who may not be Eric and Kathy fans. I don't mind listening to Eric and Kathy, but since they skew their show toward a more female audience, I tend to gravitate toward Fresh FM in the morning for music, or the Score or WLS for talk. |
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