6.13.2006
Methinks KTU's Disco Ball Will Burn Out
I've noticed that a lot of those "New York's Dance Music Leader" taxitop ads and billboards have virtually all but disappeared from New York City.
When you factor in the two high-profile dismissals over at WKTU, that's a sure sign that a change is coming.
So where are they going? After a virtual leap to the top of the ratings in 1996 after replacing Country 103.5, most recently, WKTU has been hovering around the 3's. Which is not to be confused with, say, WOR, which always hovers around the 2's - but makes money.
That's my point. The format is probably not doing a good job billing-wise. The nostalgia has not only worn off, it's run its course at this point. Over in Detroit, when 106.7 flipped to country and it "asked" its listeners what they wanted their new name to be, CC got an overwhelming response for "W4", and - predetermined radio criteria notwithstanding - denied their request, with good reason.
These days, anyone who has a flair for the nostalgic can run wild in the world of satellite radio. They can indulge in broadcast radio staples to their hearts' desires. Oldies. Standards. Howard Stern.
Anyway, back to my funeral dirge to WKTU... If you listen to the station now, without its three drive-time anchor personalities, it's as if the station is transmitting via a hollow shell. You can bet more changes - if not one big one - is in store for 103.5 by July. And given Whoopi and Cubby's impending morning show, I'd have to say it'll be a format that leans toward women - yet doesn't borrow from its cash machine WLTW... or will it? Maybe the current format on WLTW - uptempo jive hits and all - will be the new format on WKTU, and once that's done, most - if not all - of said uptempo jive hits will be taken out of the rotation on WLTW? Really, today alone they played "Under Pressure" (Queen/Bowie) and "Take Your Time" (SOS Band) - not your average dental office muzak indeed... I'd like to think the new WKTU will be programmed similar to their sister station out on the left coast, KOST. I would imagine that'll be the station in L.A. carrying Caryn and Paul in the Morning...
If you need me, I'll be waiting for the other platform shoe to drop. This should be very interesting.
When you factor in the two high-profile dismissals over at WKTU, that's a sure sign that a change is coming.
So where are they going? After a virtual leap to the top of the ratings in 1996 after replacing Country 103.5, most recently, WKTU has been hovering around the 3's. Which is not to be confused with, say, WOR, which always hovers around the 2's - but makes money.
That's my point. The format is probably not doing a good job billing-wise. The nostalgia has not only worn off, it's run its course at this point. Over in Detroit, when 106.7 flipped to country and it "asked" its listeners what they wanted their new name to be, CC got an overwhelming response for "W4", and - predetermined radio criteria notwithstanding - denied their request, with good reason.
These days, anyone who has a flair for the nostalgic can run wild in the world of satellite radio. They can indulge in broadcast radio staples to their hearts' desires. Oldies. Standards. Howard Stern.
Anyway, back to my funeral dirge to WKTU... If you listen to the station now, without its three drive-time anchor personalities, it's as if the station is transmitting via a hollow shell. You can bet more changes - if not one big one - is in store for 103.5 by July. And given Whoopi and Cubby's impending morning show, I'd have to say it'll be a format that leans toward women - yet doesn't borrow from its cash machine WLTW... or will it? Maybe the current format on WLTW - uptempo jive hits and all - will be the new format on WKTU, and once that's done, most - if not all - of said uptempo jive hits will be taken out of the rotation on WLTW? Really, today alone they played "Under Pressure" (Queen/Bowie) and "Take Your Time" (SOS Band) - not your average dental office muzak indeed... I'd like to think the new WKTU will be programmed similar to their sister station out on the left coast, KOST. I would imagine that'll be the station in L.A. carrying Caryn and Paul in the Morning...
If you need me, I'll be waiting for the other platform shoe to drop. This should be very interesting.
