Whither WARQ? ==> RIP Rock 93.5: 21 March 2014 36 comments
*Something* is going on..
UPATE 22 March 2014: RIP Rock 93.5!
WMFX And WARQ Morph Into Columbia's Rock Station, Fox 102.3, OM/PD Dave Stewart Resigns.
36 Responses to 'Whither WARQ? ==> RIP Rock 93.5: 21 March 2014'
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Midnight Rambler
21 Mar 14 at 3:43 pm
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Even if FOX is going to expand their playlist I seriously doubt if we will hear and Korn, Slipknot, Lacuna Coil, etc. on there. Guess I'll hang on to my XM so I can keep listening to alternative rock....
Homer
21 Mar 14 at 11:10 pm
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Don't forget WUSC..
ted
22 Mar 14 at 1:20 am
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Don't mind the merge myself. I like both styles of Rock (Though I hope it means we'll hear less from AC/DC.... Their composition is OK, the guitar work is great, but the lead singer sounds to me like a cat being slowly inserted tail-first into a wood-chipper.....)
My other hope is that they haven't gotten rid of Koko or Weird Beard. If that's the case, then I'll probably only listen to the John-boy & Billy show, then spend the rest of my time at "The Lake".
MrBO
22 Mar 14 at 7:29 am
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Oh yeah, if they're looking for something to do with their vacated 93 frequency, this burg could use a good Jazz station. The Sumter PBS station that plays it on occasion is mostly talk, and the *REALLY* great one in York county went all talk years ago.
I think we have enough News/Talk, Sports, Religious/Gospel, Rap, Country, Classical, and POP stations here.
btw, my idea of great Jazz would be; http://wesa.streamguys.com/jazz.m3u
MrBO
22 Mar 14 at 9:00 am
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will a jazz format make money in Columbia,SC? Maybe not.
mike
22 Mar 14 at 10:53 pm
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I'm a B106 guy but I've gathered that sister Cumulus Media station Magic 98.5 has alienated many loyal listeners by switching from classic hits (50s, 60s, 70s and a few 80s) to country and I think if someone were smart they'd find a way to launch a station that plays that type f stuff...
Andrew
23 Mar 14 at 12:09 am
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93.1 the Lake plays the 50s-70s and the occasional 80s spread. Even one or two recent songs that fall into easy listening Pop-Rock. My only issue with them is they focus a little too much on "Beach Music". Don't get me wrong, I like it, but in smaller doses.
I listened to them for a few months and quite often heard myself say; "I haven't heard that one in decades!"
They also seem to have a penchant for broadcasting Lake Murray area school sports on any given Friday night.
MrBO
23 Mar 14 at 12:43 pm
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Not sure where I'm going to end up with this rambling, but here goes anyway.
Here's a quick rundown of the current status of Columbia FM radio station formats:
88.1 – WRJA - NPR
89.7 – WMHK - Christian
90.5 – WUSC - College Radio
91.3 – WLTR - NPR
92.1 – WWNU - Adult album alternative
93.1 – WZMJ - Classic Rock/Adult Contemporary/Beach
94.3 – WWNQ - Country
96.7 – WLTY - Adult Contemporary
97.5 – WCOS - Country
98.5 – WOMG - Country
99.3 – WXRY - Adult Album Alternative
100.1 – WVOC - Talk
101.3 – WWDM - Urban Adult Contemporary
102.3 – WMFX - Classic/Alternative Rock
103.1 – WLXC - Urban Adult Contemporary
103.9 – WHXT - Urban Contemporary
104.7 – WNOK - Top 40
106.7 – WTCB - Adult Contemporary
107.5 – WNKT - Sports TalkIt seems to me that there is a glut of country, urban and so-called AC stations for a city the size of Columbia. AC encompasses such a wide variety of styles and content that it seems like most channels that play older music get lumped into the category just for the ease of it.
When I'm not listening to XM I usually listen to either 92.1, 96.7 or 99.3. They seem to have the best mixes (for my taste) of older music plus a smattering of new stuff (except 96.7).
My verdict will remain out on the 93.5/102.3 merge until I see how much the playlist changes on Fox102. I loved 93.5 but the thing that turned me off was the glut of commercials and all of the talk. Sure the music of the old Fox was what I grew up with but they were stuck in some kind of time warp.
I guess I'll still be listening to Octane and The Boneyard in XM when I need a fix of classin heavy or new alternative rock since it sure doesn't seem like a station dedicated to this genre can find a home in Columbia (even though 93.5 made it for 22 years they did make some format changes over the years).
Homer
23 Mar 14 at 6:17 pm
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WOW! Thanks Homer. Great rundown and I'll be checking out 92.1, 96.7 and 99.3 over the next few days. Never got XM/Sirius as I just can't see paying for radio, I don't spend enough time in my car, and if I'm home, I can listen to internet radio (BBC and Jazzworks) and 80 gigs of my classical & rock mp3/m4a collection.
I see more complaining from the WARQ crowd over the music and the Fox 102 folks not wanting Beard or Koko gone. I spent more time on 102 as their music was like some comfortable shoes except when they're playing AC/DC or Foreigner (but those are my grouses) I see today, they got rid of the timewarp show Sundays 7am to 11am
Have yet to hear a DJ on 102 since my commute home on Friday. Just in-between song bumper spots that movies and comedians satirize.
MrBO
23 Mar 14 at 8:07 pm
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Does anyone know who L&L Broadcasting is? According to Wiki this is the company that bought WARQ, WMFX, WWDM, WHXT and WOIC from the previous owners.
Homer
23 Mar 14 at 10:46 pm
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L&L Broadcasting LLC is a radio broadcasting company based in Portland, Oregon and led by Lawrence R. "Larry" Wilson, who also runs Alpha Broadcasting.
The broadcasting group is sometimes referred to as Live and Local, and also operates through the companies L&L Broadcast Holdings LLC and L&L Licensee, LLC.
mike
23 Mar 14 at 10:49 pm
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@MrBO - like I have said on here before, the reason I went with XM was that there are no commercials (on most channels), the music is not edited and the DJ's do not talk all over the songs. The only reason I don't listen to XM at home is because my house is situated where I would have to run a cable from on corner of the house to the other to aim the antenna at the satellite. That might work for someone with satellite TV but it's too much of a hassle just for radio....
Homer
23 Mar 14 at 11:12 pm
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@Mike - thanks for the info. Wonder what effect this will eventually have on the other stations? Plus, I'd love to know what they have in store for 93.5...
Homer
23 Mar 14 at 11:14 pm
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Don't forget that WUSC & WLTY are digital and have alternate channels (though WUSC's seems worthless). As more people get digital in their cars and more stations convert, that gives them a chance to take a flyer on an alternate channel that might bring in a few bucks but isn't worth dedicating the main channel to..
ted
24 Mar 14 at 12:18 am
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@ted - one day when digital radio becomes more prevalent that will be the case. I will allow radio stations to provide more content such as it is with TV. Personally, I think it would be great that one station could carry multiple genres on their alternate channels. But, this is just a wait and see. Until then I'll just tool down the street in my 12 year old Vette with a cassette deck in the dash, a CD changer in the trunk and my XM receiver sitting in the ashtray.....lol!!!!
Homer
24 Mar 14 at 12:33 am
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Video may have killed the radio star, but MTV's original VJs are now found on XM and the local radio selection is stronger than ever. Thanks for the detailed listing, Homer.
Terry
24 Mar 14 at 3:12 am
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I took a single spin through the dial a few years ago when I first came to Columbia house-hunting and resolved to keep XM and haven't listened to ten seconds of terrestrial since. It's not just Columbia's radio lineup though, I imagine I'd say the same no matter what city I lived in. Figure XM's no different than paying for cable, and since I spend an hour minimum in my car every day, it's well worth it.
Jason
24 Mar 14 at 6:23 am
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Well - my verdict is in and it's not a good one. They have turned 93.5 into ANOTHER AC station, like we need another one of those!! I listened to Fox102 off and on today and could tell absolutely not changes in the playlist. The only difference I did notice on both stations were the lack of DJ's. And one of the L&L exec's had the nerve to make this statement:
“With the recent changes in the Columbia radio landscape, there was a clear opportunity for a Hot Adult Contemporary radio station,” explains L&L Broadcasting Director of Programming Scott Mahalick in the press release. “We’re thrilled to be able to fill the void and deliver the hits in a focused presentation with live and local talent.” - From Free Times 03-24-2014
Well, back to XM Octane.........
Homer
24 Mar 14 at 5:36 pm
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I listen to SiriusXM when in the wife's car, it's okay, I always find something I like. On my "obsolete" FM radio in my 2008 truck I have been listening to AM for the past 6 years with the exception of WLTY Steve FM. I was in the stereo business for many years and it seems strange now that music does not play nearly the big part in my life as it once did. I always had the most killer stereo system in my car's and in my house. I guess older age has changed me. I still enjoy cranking it up now and again, but not ALL THE TIME as it was. I sent an e-mail to Steve FM just today telling them how their format, even though they are #1 in Columbia with the style they play, that they were sounding tired and the excitement is not there as it was. I suggested some different artist and will wait to see if they take my suggestions to heart.
Rick
24 Mar 14 at 6:53 pm
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http://www.free-times.com/blogs/fox-102.3-and-rock-93.5-make-way-for-the-new-q93.5
"L&L promises that “Columbia’s Rock Station” will retain favorite on-air personalities from both entities while seeking to bridge four decades of rock music by playing "
Perhaps there's some hope for Weird Beard and Koko. So far the stations been a "jukebox with an aerial."
Perhaps they've been sent to a training camp......
MrBO
24 Mar 14 at 7:56 pm
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I read where 'mainstream rock' simply means classic rock with a few new songs thrown in. So I guess we won't be hearing a lot of difference in Fox 102.
Homer
24 Mar 14 at 11:02 pm
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I have always enjoyed listening to Weird Beard and Koko. Prior to XM, I listened to Fox. I remember calling Koko many years ago and requesting an obscure Rolling Stones song. Say "Moonlight Mile," and being told they really only had "Hot Rocks." My main complaint w/ standard radio is you're not going to hear the "Deep Tracks." That is one of my favorite stations on XM. That and "Classic Vinyl." There is a greatest classic hits station, but I rarely listen to that. I call it the "Fox on XM." That is not a compliment. When they say, Next is Lynyrd Skynyrd, you know you're going to hear something off of Gold and Platinum, not "All I Can Do is Write About it." That and all the car commercials. I am convinced that if car dealers could no longer advertise on TV and radio, there would be no advertising $ to sustain TV and radio stations.
jonathan
25 Mar 14 at 7:41 am
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The thing about local radio is, it's not really local. You can email Steve FM about their playlist until you're blue in the face, but their playlist comes from the company that owns them and all the similar (name) FM stations nationwide. Just a handful of companies (Clear Channel, Cumulus, etc.) own a pretty staggering majority of non-public radio stations across the country, and the playlists of similar formats (four of which dominate the airwaves) are pretty much identical regardless of ownership.
Jason
25 Mar 14 at 9:36 am
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The new 93.5 is a disaster already and a poorly-researched one too. The playlist so far shows an identity crisis already. Playing a mix between 104.7 and 106.7 is going to get this station nowhere. Better off sticking with WXRY.
Redneck from Cayce
27 Mar 14 at 10:46 pm
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@Redneck - Don't mince words. Q93.5 SUX!!!! I can't wait to see the next ratings. And I have yet to hear anything 'new' on Fox102.....
Homer
27 Mar 14 at 11:05 pm
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Here is The State story on the switch.
ted
27 Mar 14 at 11:31 pm
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Columbia needs an active rock station. The young demographics of the University and the Fort could support it. Active rock is composed of heavy metal, hard rock and alternative from recent, and occasionally local, bands. Throw in some classic hard rock and we will have a kick a$$ Columbia radio station.
joelc
6 Apr 14 at 1:08 pm
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The change that 93.5 has undergone in the merger with 102.3 is the single worst thing I have ever heard, the music choice is terrible more often then not, and I have heard from dozens of friends that they are extremely disappointed in the changes. This merger has definitely stripped 93.5 of many listeners
kyle
13 Apr 14 at 3:19 pm
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I would rate this fiasco right up with the day I got in the car to drive to work expecting another day of album rock on WZLD and what came out of my speakers but urban/adult contemporary. Radio station owners do not think there is a modern/alternative rock audience in Columbia. If this is the case, how did WARQ last for over 20 years?
Homer
13 Apr 14 at 8:41 pm
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Took a look at Fox102's website tonight and saw no mention of Koko. They did bring Matt Lee over from WARQ so at least one of the guys from there still has a job.
I pop over to 93.5 once in while just to see what's playing and withing a few minutes I'm dialing back to WXRY or The Palm or back to XM. Is it just me or are there no DJ's on 93.5? Does anyone know if it is another automated piece of crap station?
Homer
2 May 14 at 12:42 am
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I've pretty much settled on The Palm. Yea, they brough Weird Beard back, but they've muzzled him.
, but the things I liked least about 102.3 was their overplaying of AC/DC. Yes, they're competent composers and guitar players, but every lead singer they got to front the band managed to sound like a cat being sent through a wood-chipper. I don't mind screaming, but at least scream on pitch. Janice Joplin, Alice Cooper, Ozzie Osborn, and Robert plant could manage that.
That and the misogynistic lyrics of Foreigner.....
MrBO
2 May 14 at 6:31 pm
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102.3 has been running a few ads during the Talladega race today and I can't help but notice that none of the songs in their ads is newer than 20 years old. I'm gathering that that one, the Palm, and the Dude are all owned by the same company, based on their TV ads.
Jason
4 May 14 at 2:26 pm
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It's sad to say that I can't turn on the radio in Columbia and hear my favorite songs (60's, 70's & 80's). I have to listen to my own CD's or on line (stations in other markets) that play the "Classic Hits". WHTT in Buffalo is an excellent station that plays my favorite music and it's a Cumulus station. In alot of markets it's the #1 (WCBS New York, 3WS Pittsburgh,...) format. Please someone bring that format back to Columbia!
Dan
1 Sep 14 at 10:22 am
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Dan - don't hold your breath. This market won't even support a modern rock station. We have 3 country, 1 "classic rock", 3 urban and at least 6 that are some mishmash form of oldie/adult contemporary. It's terrible....
Homer
2 Sep 14 at 1:12 am
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I'm a B106.7 guy but have come to enjoy many 60s/70s hits (despite the fact that I'm younger than those songs)...I remember when WOMG 98.5 went country I felt like they were alienating the listener base that enjoyed the hits they played from the 60s/70s/80s...the probelm is that (most likely) someone in management at Cumulus Media who could care less made that decision. Consequently, I think if someone launched a station with that format, they'd win many people that enjoyed 98.5 before they went country on us.
Dan can enjoy some 80s hits on B106.7 but they are intermingled with 90s and beyond songs as well...they had a 'family meeting' as they called it on their Facebook page and asked folks what they wanted and most of them stated they wanted more of the 80s/90s stuff and I was happy they brought more of that back because that was the mix that allowed me to enjoy said station.
Andrew
2 Sep 14 at 1:38 pm
"Stunting". Was wondering why morning show was one person recently. WMFX has expanded playlist; heard Pearl Jam and Jane's Addiction today.