RIP Fuel 90.3

[flip]

Originally Posted by ikaris

(Sorry I'm so late to reply) But it was mentioned before how there isn't a true variety of stations eg. house or urban/hip-hop, or even just alternative, although I guess this "Fuel" station was. You said it had to do with the demographics, but I'm not so sure.

I standby my comment that radio is crap in Calgary. In Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, there is much greater variety and focused radio stations.

For anyone that thinks that those aren't comparable cities, I'll add Regina to that list.

The vag has FAR superior FM radio compared to Calgary. The Wolf is actually a rock station, they also have a CJ/X92.9 type station and I think they may even have a classic rock station.

Either way the Wolf >>>>>>>>>>> CJ and X929 combined.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by flip

For anyone that thinks that those aren't comparable cities, I'll add Regina to that list.

The vag has FAR superior FM radio compared to Calgary. The Wolf is actually a rock station, they also have a CJ/X92.9 type station and I think they may even have a classic rock station.

Either way the Wolf >>>>>>>>>>> CJ and X929 combined.

Yeah, but they need good radio. Its not like they have a good football team.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Yeah, but they need good radio. Its not like they have a good football team.

Have you just been going around for the last 4 days trying to bait me in every single thread? Seems I only see YB posts that are blatantly anti-Rider.

Keep it up, if you catch me in a bad mood, I'll forget you're trying to bait me and I might bite.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by flip

Have you just been going around for the last 4 days trying to bait me in every single thread?

That would be telling.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Which makes me wonder why some stations don't specialize.

As it is it seems Calgary stations try to copy what is already working, but it takes a heck a lot of effort and publicity to get people to switch for essentially the same product. If you know there are already 2 "Hits" stations, why go after that segment? You'd need to do something pretty compelling to grab a decent market share.

I would think it would be better to find some sort of a niche you believe may have some growth in the future, then service that niche. Yeah, you may not have the huge potential of a CJAY, but then again you aren't competing with the established player. If there is something I have noticed in Calgary, it is that Calgarians seem to stick with what they are comfortable with, whether it is re-electing incumbents at all levels or listening to the same radio stations. A station needs to be unique, promote like crazy, and resist the urge to gallop to the middle of the spectrum when things don't initially work out.

If you think about it, Fuel was all for "new music" when it came out, then it shifted to "classic alternative". This is just another shift, albeit a major one, for a more recent addition to the Calgary market.

That's a noble idea but in Calgary, at least, it just doesn't work. Look at Fuel's sister station "XL". They tried the specialty thing for 5 years. Breeze, California...whatever...at some point you have to cut your losses. The eventually did and now seem to be doing better. Obviously Newcap feels that trying to get a slice of Vibe's pie has more benefit than specializing with 90.3. It's sad because they are probably right. It should be a lesson to the CRTC that Calgary is at its ceiling when it comes to FMs.

[Prototype]

If Amp 90.3 makes just one more dollar than Fuel 90.3, it will be deemed a success, an the right move. If it doesn't, they won't go back. They'd rather go after Country 105 or the news talk than to admit they made a mistake.

I must say, for Top 40, Amp is doing ok, from the few moments I've tuned in. But then again, the first few days are not what you should base a radio station on.

[Resolute 14]

That's the part I don't get.

Why on earth is it always a battle for the Rock and Top 40 markets, but nobody ever moves to a country format to take on Country 105?

[Prototype]

It's been done, and many have fallen.

[Shazam]

There used to be a dance station in LA a few years back. It died.

If they can't make it in an area with 20 million people, Calgary doesn't stand a chance.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That's the part I don't get.

Why on earth is it always a battle for the Rock and Top 40 markets, but nobody ever moves to a country format to take on Country 105?

I thought they might go Country with Fuel but the ownership has had some horrible experiences with Country radio in Edmonton and Winnipeg. They have had 0 luck trying to go after the heritage Country stations in those markets and Country 105 is the most notorious heritage Country station in Canada. Short answer...They are scared.

[gottabekd]

Since this has turned into an all around radio rant thread...

If I can make one suggestion that applies to ALL FM stations...

Expand the playlist. Play more songs, lots of songs. I don't want to hear the same song twice in a week. OK, fine, make an exception for songs released in the last couple of months. Play them once a day, fine. But don't roll the same 100 songs by the same 50 bands over and over. Play album tracks, not always the singles. Play some hot new tracks by up and coming bands, play classic songs that never quite achieved classic status.

Essentially, I want a radio station that opens my ears to new music. Not a radio station that sounds like my iPod on shuffle mixed with bands that I know I'll never buy their record.

Case in point, clicking randomly through X92.9s "Now Playing" tracks for the day, they played "Cage the Elephant" 5 times since 8:00 AM this morning....FUUUUUUUUUUUuuu

[Superflyer]

Well since I like top 40 on occasion I gave it a try this morning. Typical music but one thing so far. No DJ's and no commercials in over an hour.
That I like.

[Resolute 14]

That, of course, will change.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by gottabekd

Since this has turned into an all around radio rant thread...

If I can make one suggestion that applies to ALL FM stations...

Expand the playlist. Play more songs, lots of songs.

CBC2, CJSW and CKUA do this. You might not hear the same song twice in one month on those stations. This goes too far for most people, who prefer the familiar.

[charliedontsurf]

For you people at work...

I bet you can stream this, my favorite radio show "Kevin and Bean", out of Los Angeles on the world famous, KROQ. It's embedded and doesn't open as a new window. It's a comedy/current events show, with the commercials and music edited out. It's a great way to kill time and I've got my whole office chuckling around the clock. They have BIG TIME guests (Christian Bale called in and apologized first and only on this station). You will become addicted.

http://kroq-data.com/wah/wah/audio/d....aspx?a=&c=9&k=

RIP Fuel 90.3. I enjoyed you very much. Between Fuzzy on VIBE, Forbes on CJAY and Mr. Negativity on X92.9 and I always wanted to drive my car right into the one in front of me. Maybe... now I will.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

That's the part I don't get.

Why on earth is it always a battle for the Rock and Top 40 markets, but nobody ever moves to a country format to take on Country 105?

This town ain't big enough (hick enough?) for two country stations.

And the folks in rural areas and the foothills have their own country on the AM dial.

[Hack&Lube]

I miss the Breeze...

I haven't tuned into XL radio and completely forgot it existed. For my 70s/80s I tune into the Eagle 100.9.

[Frazier]

Hey Bobblehead....name the 3 morning shows I've been on that have flopped...would LOVE to know.

[Frazier]

I've heard the Fuel morning traffic person (J-Bell) doing a bunch of, "This hour is brought to you by...." spots.

How many morning shows has Frasier been on that have flopped? At least 3 I can recall. She mush have pictures of someone.


Hey Bobblehead....name the 3 morning shows I've been on that have flopped...would LOVE to know.[/quote]

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Frazier

Hey Bobblehead....name the 3 morning shows I've been on that have flopped...would LOVE to know.

Geez, how many morning shows have you been on in Calgary in the last decade?
Did they all flop - I dunno, I wasn't listening and they aren't around anymore sooo.....


I'm sorry your show flopped, I listened every morning. I didn't care for your style but I liked Fuel. Hope You land on your feet somewhere else.


Edit: And now you are berating me via PM? Wow.