7.27.2006
KTU Playlist ... Whoopi Cushion?
Said PD Jeff Z in today's Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ent_radio/story/438343p-369344c.html) regarding a possible tweak in the playlist upon the launch of Whoopi in the Morning:
"[It] won't change the music on 'KTU at all. Not one bit."
Really? Does that mean if the rumors are true regarding Delilah, and true about her surfacing on 103.5, we get to hear some of those sappy phoners from out of the Midwest, followed immediately by a "Beat of New York" liner going into Vengaboys?
Mr. Z also threw in a plug for the upcoming "Beatstock" show, in which he conveniently added that people "started showing up in the parking lot at 10 a.m." last year. So clearly it's a huge draw - then again, it's a popular summer music festival, so why wouldn't it? The same can be said about the HFStival in D.C. When they replaced the WHFS that D.C. has known and loved, they didn't put that festival out to pasture. I don't believe they did, at least.
So who's to say WKTU's dance format can't continue on one of CC's HD2 stations in New York? I'm not saying KTU's time is up, it still has a loyal following - although I'm not sure how many have stuck around after the high-profile departures of B, G and Lee. With that said, 103.5 should be interesting to watch. Remember, the weakest New York link - which until a few years ago would have been 105.1 - would be a prime candidate for CC's Hurban format, which would work in a diverse market such as New York. But I think Whoopi's arrival has already thrown a monkey wrench into those plans.
And how will WNEW respond? Hey, I hear Danny Bonaduce's available - the same Bonaduce who auditioned on sister station Free FM not too long ago... Hey, anything is possible in New York radio.
But you wouldn't hear that from Mr. Z.
