Making Radio Stronger In A Disaster
Dickey Explains Why Country Will Work in NY
1-22-13
Tuesday morning Cumulus gave more detail about its plan for "NASH," after the Monday flip to Country on 94.7 in New York City. The company plans to build new studios in Nashville for what will eventually become a big national brand over time, according to CEO Lew Dickey. "The plan is to make this a multi-media entertainment brand targeting the country lifestyle." The brand will be offered on a syndicated basis to all Cumulus Media network affiliates. Dickey also says the search is on for the best talent in the business to put on the station. Following the launch, the station is all music.
Lew Dickey: They've been very constructive and helpful. Cumulus is the largest company broadcaster: 85 stations and about 15 million listeners. It is a large platform. This New York station - I don't know if people quite realize this, but it is the number one market for country music sales in the country. 20% more country music is sold in New York than in Nashville.
About launching Country in New York City, Dickey says it is an underserved segment. "Research showed that
when Kenny Chesney shows up for a concert at Giants Stadium, he sells it out in 5 minutes. You've got Blake Shelton on The Voice. You've got Keith Urban on American Idol. You've got Faith Hill doing the opener for Sunday Night Football. Country has become mainstream now. There are over 80 million country music fans in the United States. The other thing people don't realize is that Country is the second highest listening segment for teens behind Top 40. Not Rap or Alternative, but Country. It is multi-generational format appeal. It is a lifestyle. Having the country's largest media market, New York City, to have the flagship brand is pretty exciting."
Dickey says listeners in New York City can expect a great radio experience, terrific talent, their favorite country music, great promotions, concerts and exciting production. It will be a great on-air experience for people, as well as what we can do off-air and online with events to actively engage this great segment here in New York City.
President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta told Radio Ink yesterday that "It is with great enthusiasm we welcome Cumulus to the Country fold in NYC with NASH-FM! Not having a Country presence in the world's media center has been a hole in our hearts for too long. Not anymore! I think the format is much more aligned with a wider sonic landscape that is much better suited to New York than past eras. Whether it's music's biggest stars such as Taylor, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts or the new guard of The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert and Florida Georgia Line, I think we're more ready than ever to take on the Big Apple." Borscetta is on the February 18th cover of Radio Ink Magazine.
|
(1/24/2013 6:46:21 AM) Giants Stadium? Did the research say Bill Parcells was also the head coach? |
| - Erik |
|
(1/23/2013 6:24:44 PM) It's about time every place I go eastern Long Island Connecticut New Jersey upstate New York in Pennsylvania . I enjoy traveling because of country music .I would come back to New York with no country music . thank you all my friends are country music fans and I just text them all about your station thank you again . Stefano. From westbury long island |
| - stefano dagrosa |
|
(1/23/2013 4:10:47 PM) While Country stations are just as guilty of the sins I charge other music-radio stations, I have to agree with Saul. At least, there is a sincerity there that smacks of down-home American values - the useful ones. And while it kin git a bit maudlin and patronizing, there is a somewhat comforting mustiness to them there horsey blankets. |
| - Ronald T. Robinson |
|
(1/23/2013 3:59:10 PM) I am delighted NYC now has a full time country formatted radio station. Hopefully San Francisco will join the ranks, again. KKGO FM is a local, family owned operation now entering its sixth year of the format. We do not have outside stockholders to report to, so regardless of revenues, we are dedicated to long term country programming. KKGO is also fortunate to have one of the strongest signals in the market with 100 mile range. And, we have a passion for the format. |
| - Saul Levine KKGO FM) |
|
(1/23/2013 3:23:28 PM) Syndicated? Satellite fed? Is this it? We'll see the PPM's 6 mos. from now to see if this works. Country in New York is a hard sell even if the suburbs clearly have a fan base but it's not the brunt of New Yorkers flocking to MSG and selling out acts in 5 minutes. Stations like WWYZ, Hartford have been promoting country venues in NYC for years. Those aren't local listeners. You can't program a radio format based on sell out concerts of a particular genre. If you could we'd even have an Italian radio format! Just glad it's not my money they put up for this experiement. |
| - Jeffrey |
Add a Comment | View All Comments
