Radio & TV Talk

By Mark in Atlanta

November 21, 2006 8:12 AM | Link to this

Buzz is migrating back down the dial. They aren’t getting enough of the X’s listenership, so they are trying to repackage themselves to see if they can get a piece of the former 96Rock crowd.

Good luck

By War Eagle

November 21, 2006 8:16 AM | Link to this

Tom Hughes is out at WGST.Who is next? Kimmer.

By Dom

November 21, 2006 8:21 AM | Link to this

Atlanta Radio Just plain out “SUCKS”…. Sirrus radio is the way to Go

The “product” not the name is what counts

By Law Dawg

November 21, 2006 8:37 AM | Link to this

Congratulations, Rodney! You have another well reported blog entry…wait, it’s just another question instead of an actual report. Never mind.

By covingtonredneck

November 21, 2006 8:42 AM | Link to this

HELL NO!!!!

By John

November 21, 2006 8:45 AM | Link to this

They should have called it 96 “Rawk” because they’d have the best of both worlds: The history and name recognition, plus those wacky teenagers they are trying to appeal to now think its cool when something gets mispelled. Gives it street cred. I mean, like totally mad props and rad, man.

They could have called it anything - but its still Shinola.

By J

November 21, 2006 8:46 AM | Link to this

Well, the Tom Hughes thing just came down. Wonder what’s happening?

By bud

November 21, 2006 8:51 AM | Link to this

The name sucks. Its clear from their promos that they are simply groping for a combination of songs for a format, that they are merely hoping that the format will work. Plus, we’ve already had “Project X”…perhaps the metaphor is appropriate in an unintended way…atlanta radio is now stuck in the “Projects”.

Plus, the mix has the same problem that Wimprock DaveFM had about being too old to be young and too young to be old…once Dave switched to only newer music, they made their younger demographic happier and got higher ratings. Look for Project 961 to dump the few Kiss/Aerosmith/Ozzy cuts that the do play within three months and just play post 1990 music.

By Hal Korb

November 21, 2006 8:59 AM | Link to this

Actually, no I don’t! Who ever planned 96 Rocks transition apparently didn’t give it much thought. I can’t speak for anyone else, but they offended me. The station stated they lost their balls, by playing whimpy bands like Jethro Tull and Elton John. Although, I am not an Elton John fan, I am a Tull fan. The radio station is transitioning to bands that may be popular for a couple months to a couple years, but what is the likelihood that they will fill the houses, ten, twenty, thirty years from now? Consider the Stones for example! Even Elton still packs the house and demands top dollar for seats. Five to ten times more then Korn! My children probably spend most of their time on the Buzz or 99X. They also have enjoyed the tunes played on 96 Rock. Classic Rock will live forever! The River advertises “Classic Hits,” not Classic Rock! Hopefully, Atlanta will get a true Classic Rock station back, and preferably, managed by someone a little wiser in their marketing skills. I leave you with this, boomers make up the majority of our nations population, what’s the true benefit of bashing what a good portion of them listen to?

By jss

November 21, 2006 9:55 AM | Link to this

Horrible name. It sounds like old execs desperately trying to come up with a brand that appeals to an audience they don’t understand.

By Rocker

November 21, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

KORN is noise…..Rage Against The Machine is noise. The Allman Brothers Band blowing out “Whipping Post” is real music (even when the current excellent line-up of the Allman Brothers does it). Classic Rock is still popular and valid 40 years after some of it was made. Quality lasts. Crap sinks. Nobody will care about most of this current stuff even 10 years from now. The 60-70s were simply a “golden age” of rock music. And no, I’m not just some old fart stuck in the past. I do listen to some new music (just have to look carefully for the good stuff), I have my 1000 or so CDs ripped to MP3s, I have an IPOD, and I have access to XM radio. I had listened to 96 Rock since 1974 when I was freshman in high school. It’s sad that current ownership ruined it. You only have to look at the success of 97.1 “The River” to tell that Classic Rock still has a huge audience(god, I wish they would expand their playlist though).

By Lilo

November 21, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

Jumba is up to project 9-6-1? He promised to stop making evil aliens to destroy the universe. Stitch and I will have to talk to him. Jumba can be nice sometimes. However, I guess I’ll have to get Stitch (project 6-2-6) and see if we find a place for this new “brother”. This “ohana” is getting out of hand. I guess we could let this new project play Elvis songs. I just love Elvis!

By bud

November 21, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Amen Rocker…The River will gain almost all of 96’s listeners and Clear Channel will wind up with about a 2.5 cume for project961 and a 1.5 cume for the Regional Mexican format they’ll be putting in at 105.3. I really hope Cox and CBS Radio hasten the demise of Clear Channel in the atlanta market (though CC seems to be pulling off their own Howard Dean-like Iowa Concession speech kind of crash all on their own.)

If The River could just shave off as few as their top twenty most over-played tunes and replace them with some different cuts in the same genre they would be so much better. The people who love and hate The River say the same thing…boost the playlist!

By Shiney

November 21, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

Who cares as long as I won’t ever hear Molly Hatchett again…..

By Joe Lee

November 21, 2006 1:44 PM | Link to this

Nothing can ever replace 96 Rock. Clear Channel will be dead in 6 months.

By Curtis

November 21, 2006 3:04 PM | Link to this

I have done taken 96.1 of my settings. I miss the mornings and I miss jennifer Reed. the hell with clear channel.

By ChrisD

November 21, 2006 3:35 PM | Link to this

I want to know who will pick up the name “Rock” now. It’s too valuable to be ignored. Yep, I liked the old 96 Rock too. It’s probably the River and, gulp, Peach 94.9 for me now. Getting older…

By rid0617

November 21, 2006 3:59 PM | Link to this

I listened to it about an hour. Now Kimmer is gone. I am gone too. From FM radio, went to XM. Atlanta radio has gone to hell courtesy of corporate greed. Surprised how good XM really is.

By nelliebelle

November 21, 2006 4:03 PM | Link to this

Why do we need a 8 or 9 Spanish-language channels (counting AM) - two on FM- when less 6% of this region is in that demographic and country -NASHVILLE country in ENGLISH is a popular format among that audience in addition to their ethnic music? it’s a growing demographic but still only a few hundred thousand people.

The name is terrible, killing an Atlanta institution is terrible, more Spanish language radio is a terrible idea and I may have to listen to bobble head Fram and 99x again.

By kennyherron

November 21, 2006 4:13 PM | Link to this

who makes these dumbass decisions? how do they get out of bed in the morning without getting lost on the way to the bathroom..i miss z -93 and 96 rock…i guess its time to join the xm generation..lol

By Glen

November 21, 2006 4:24 PM | Link to this

Well, after playing a few good songs Friday morning, project 961 pretty much went to all crap when I was driving home. I’ve tuned in a few times since, and this evening, I’m taking 96.1 off my preset as well.

RIP 96Rock. It wasn’t just the music, it was the zany personalities. Chris Rude, Lorna Love, Kaedy Kiely, Willard…satellite radio is looking better by the day.

By Mike

November 21, 2006 5:21 PM | Link to this

The thing I hated about 96rock was they played the same crappy AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, etc, over and over and over. I liked the Buzz for the most part. Now aint life grand? I get the worst of both worlds. And the name sucks. They could atleast play some Maiden.

By Outside the Demographic

November 21, 2006 6:30 PM | Link to this

I dropped 99Sux in favor of the more music, less talk Buzz. Now, I got the watered-down Buzz mixed with the junk they played on 96rock (yee haw). No wonder 96rock (yee haw) left, it’s music sucked as did the on-air folks. PLEASE play Buzz music and not Ozzy or Zep. Oh, and can you tone down the repeats of the Chili Peppers too? Otherwise, Sirius radio is on tap for 07.

By Richard

November 22, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

I personaly do not like the new format. i never listened to the 105.3 mess and now that you guys are playing the same mess i guess i wont be listening to you. i think destroying 96 rock was the most wrong thing you could have done. maybe you will see that and change again but then maybe not. 96 rock was the best around here…

By David

November 22, 2006 1:31 PM | Link to this

Ok, the name sucks. Plain and simple. They send out that email yadda saying they are going to try new things blah blah edgy blah blah. Come on, do you people actually think we believe all that bs. As one of the posters commented it looks like they didn’t really prepare themselves and just threw this all together.

Oh, and “Rocker” Korn is crap (their new stuff) I’ll agree there. But, don’t hate on Rage because your old ears can’t handle their musical genius. Tom Morello is an amazing guitarist. Ask any person who plays guitar and they will say that the man is a genius. Well, that is my rant on that little matter.

Oh yeah, did I mention the name Project 9-6-1 sucks? Good job clear channel. 99x was down and out. You now gave them an opening and they are taking full advantage of it. “Atlanta’s only true alternative station” I believe thats their new calling card as of late. Good work.

By jarvis

November 22, 2006 2:25 PM | Link to this

You know how to tell when you’re old? When you say no one will know Korn 10 years from now. I know it doesn’t seem like it to your geriatric a*******es, but 1997 was almost 10 years ago, and Korn is still going strong.

By rob

November 22, 2006 2:34 PM | Link to this

the name sucks, the promos…are Korny and lame, NO DJs Suck…..no personality…..but some of the Music is OK, so why not just call it 96 ROCK, screw the EXPERIMENT and get the DJs back that we all liked!!! GEEZE!!!! one persons idea makes us all miserable!!! happy TG

By rocker

November 22, 2006 3:20 PM | Link to this

Gee I love to jerk the chain of you young whipper snappers. Yes, I realize Korn has been around for 10 years…..that’s how long they’ve been sucking and I have been ignoring them. Jarvis…..I might be 46, but I still get to the gym about five times a week and my old geriatric a@%$ can still bench about 350#…….Getting old ain’t near as bad as some make it out to be (as I sit here in my waterfront home on Lake Oconee living off my ample “baby-boomer” income). And David, I will give RATM another listen and see if I can get into it. I actually like a good portion of the music on the “Project”…but like a previous blogger suggested, why couldn’t they have just kept it as 96 Rock and tweaked the format, instead of killing off a 32 year old Atlanta tradition? Now if y’all will excuse me, I have some Pink Floyd to go listen to (I have to listen to music early in the evening at my age, so that I can be in the bed by 9:00 PM)

By Pucky

November 22, 2006 4:48 PM | Link to this

I hate the name. Period. Change it to something that flows better or back to “Rock.”

By eric mann

November 28, 2006 6:06 PM | Link to this

32 years no more rock station. what a drag, i was thirteen , the first time i heard 96rock, i am now 46. what a waste. I hope you are happy Clear Channel, you suck!

By Bill Wilson

November 30, 2006 8:14 AM | Link to this

It’s at least as uncreative as dave fm Givem what they are now playing, fart fm would be more appropo.

By C-ya

November 30, 2006 5:11 PM | Link to this

Clear Channel- What were you thinking! Another listener lost to 97.1 The River….

By Clear Channel is the evil empire

December 1, 2006 1:36 PM | Link to this

This is the “Day the Music Died” in Atlanta. Thank you CC for killing off an Atlanta tradition and one of the last vestiges of my youth. You didn’t have the guts to stand behind the RG’s which was the only good thing that the station had going for it after CC took over. The name sucks….it is like calling another Atlanta tradition the Big Chicken the Project Magnum Rooster. I will never listen to your station again. Thank you Sirius Satelite Radio!

By Steve

December 1, 2006 3:31 PM | Link to this

Hell no! Every thing that changed on 96Rock sucks to high heaven. I have once again re-programmed my car stereo’s away from 96.1. Bring back the original format of 96Rock and the RG’s. Clear Channel needs to examine the management that make decisions in the Atlanta area. They have really screwed up this time. I will NEVER support any CC station again. F**K CLEAR CHANNEL!!!