More big names are coming to the defense of the the rock format in the wake of Friday's story. Entercom CEO David Field provides facts and examples of how the rock format is surviving and thriving in his company and others and wants to make sure the opinion piece we posted last week does not send the wrong message. Here is Field's letter.
Last week, in the wake of the CBS flip of WYSP to Sports, you ran a story essentially declaring that rock radio was dying, or at least in significant decline. Respectfully, I think the story was dead wrong and needs to be corrected. You cited WYSP and a small handful of recent rock stations that have been eliminated to make room for spoken word FM brands. However, you failed to mention the significant number of stations in other formats that have also been eliminated for the same reason. In fact, the evidence shows that the only thing these stations had in common was that they were weak performers.
For the record, here are a number of other recent format flips that demonstrate my point:
Our new sports station in San Francisco, The Game, was country
When we launched KMBZ-FM, we terminated an AC
In fact, we added an additional rock station this year when we put K-Fox on a full San Francisco signal
As for other groups:
o WTOP-FM was classical
o WSB-FM was hip hop
o KIRO-FM was oldies/classic hits
o The Ticket/Detroit was hot talk
Furthermore, rock stations are thriving in many, many markets. A significant number of classic rock stations, active rock stations, AAA stations and alternative stations are market leaders in 25-54 and 18-34 demos. And many markets support more rock stations than AC, country, CHR or any other format. The fact is that rock radio is generally thriving and I would hate to see false perceptions take hold.
Thanks for listening,
David
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There were additional blogs written this weekend about our opinion piece, HERE's ONE in agreement from former Radio guy Doc Searls#
Editor's Note, Editor being Ed Ryan
One of our competitors also decided he needed to defend his favorite format after we got the ball rolling. That's all fine. As I've said we're all big boys and girls and why write if you're not willing to take some criticism. What's silly is when respected writers like Sean refuse to say what they are criticizing. If you are going to call us out, then call us out. In his piece Ross writes "declaring any format dead is hubris." If you actually go back to my opinion piece, there were many question marks, no declarations. Sean, I'm not that full of myself. But if I have to listen to Baby I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton one more time I may drive my KIA mini van into a tree.
- Later this week, more facts and billing figures on the Rock format.
(8/22/2011 6:30:16 AM)
There's not enough room for what I write in my Friday Web column-newsletter about the demise of FM Rock radio. It's title is BYE BYE FM ROCK RADIO. (http://news.jimroseremembersradio.com). Jim Rose; Houston, TX
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