I don’t ever really listen to the radio here, but if I ever do I’ll turn it to 99.1 for some decent music. Too bad, because at noon today they pulled the plug on our favorite alternative rock station and flipped it over to some latin/salsa music. Bueno!
To quote an article on this:
“There exists a tremendous opportunity for Infinity to launch a Spanish-language format in Washington, D.C. where almost 10% of the population is not being directly served. El Zol will be the most powerful Spanish radio station in the area and will provide listeners with the music, entertainment and information relevant to the many segments of the Latino culture.”
Why they couldn’t have just broadcast on another station and kept the widely popular HFS? I have no idea. I assume it was more cost effective and they had no interest in maintaining a alternative rock station.
Looks like ye Baltimoreans are left with 98 Rock and DC 101. Or you could just ban radio altogether and use an iPod. The new iPod shuffle is actually kind of cheap!
This shouldn’t be a surprise to those of us who used to listen to 99.1. Back when we were in high school they were the top Baltimore alternative station. They sponsored a huge annual concert (the HFStival) which in 98-01 sold out within the first few hours tickets went on sale. The HFStivals I went to were some of the best concerts I’ve ever attended. In the past few years, I think they had a difficult time giving tickets away.
99.1 has been struggling over the past 4+ years. They once had a very good morning show which I think can make or break a radio station. I’m not sure if any of you had ever listened to HFS’s “Junkies” … probably not — they were horrible. I’m sure DC 101′s “Eilliot In The Morning” (Washington) had better ratings even with it’s lower signal strength in Baltimore.
In April of 04 99.1 teamed up with Asylum Wake Skate Snow in DC. I’m not sure what the deal was… but they promoted the hell out of the store and even hosted concerts and events there. A friend of mine went to the opening and saw a live performance by Evanescence. I’m not sure if that is when 99.1 moved to DC, but I think it was the beginning of the end for them.
It’s very interesting that they are changing formats to a Spanish speaking station. I believe its much less expensive to replace an average-performing radio station than it is to purchase the FCC license for a new channel (if there is one in the market) and the equipment to broadcast. Replacing a station in mid broadcast probably also creates a “buzz” that will help grab listeners more quickly than finding a new station by chance or through advertising.
Aside from all of that… Isn’t it interesting that 10% of the 18-34 crowd in DC is Spanish speaking? Infinity radio is a very large company and I’m sure they’re doing what looks best according to the numbers. It’s not so much that there are more Latinos in DC than alternative rock listeners — its that no one is there to advertise to them, which makes them a very attractive group.
OH, and there are more options than 98 rock (YICK) and DC 101. Mix 106.5 plays a mix of 80s, 90s and 00s; 99.5 is a Hot-100 station in Baltimore
Adam – Agreed. Just want to add one thing: I took 99.1 off of my presets about 2 months ago because they played more commercials than music. I don’t have a tape deck or CD player in my car, so the radio is my only option. Who wants to listen to commercials? (I kinda do wish that they took over 98 Rock, though. That station is just plain bad most of the time.) Mix 106.5 really isn’t a good option for those looking for alternative, though. It tends to play more pop-ish type things that will drive most rock fans to an early grave. I mean, if you’re in the mood for rock, the LAST thing you want to listen to is some 80′s bubblegum pop!
HFS has been crap for a while. I bought an XM Radio and haven’t listened to “regular” radio in months. Satellite, MP3 or CD; “regularâ€? radio sucks.
I agree that satellite radio is the way to go at this rate. Infinity sucks. Can we form a movement to turn 98 Rock into a Latin station instead and make HFS play freeform music like in the old days? Please?
well, that blows… time to get that ipod
i’ve been thinking of pickin’ up that FM transmitter for my ipod..would be nice to use it on any car i use. But i’ve heard some *eh* reviews of it…
the hell with commercial radio. get sirius or xm. all you get is a plug for the station every now and then.
its worth it to be able to hear what genre you want, when you want.
that is not the point. I have been listening to HFS for the whole five years I have lived in MD, I had DC101, the DJs suck and 106.5 plays gay music. But, the point is who needs a Spanish station? And, if they think it was that important, put it on another station!
Cheer up – HFS is back and broadcasting on 105.7 Two hours nightly (7-9) and all weekend long.
Wow, that’s pretty darn sweet! If it’s true (as long as the word gets out) I think it’ll be a very good thing for 105.7.
Regarding the resurrection of WHFS: I wasn’t even what you’d call a listener, ’cause they played lots of stuff I couldn’t stand, but I liked their spirit, and I’m glad to see it living on, part time at least, on another station. Now if they’d only stick to groups like I Mother Earth, Ministry, Cranberries, Nine Inch Nails, Dave Matthews, Tool, and the like, I’d be an avid fan!
A nice follow-up on the whole El Zol flip and some behind-the-scenes of how Infinity is handling the change from HFS.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49715-2005Jan30.html?nav=rss_business
I miss WHFS!!!!!!
Asside from the catastrophic loss of their format to the local radio market, to the detriment of the local radio audience, this has to be the dumbest marketing/management decision in history. There are numerous spanish language “latino music” stations on the dial. There was only one, and quite unique stateion, WHFS, that played their former format. They have gone from a market with zero competition to one with much competition. The result is, the radio consumer has lost “big time” and a DC radio “landmark” is no more.
OK, the second question is, what, if anything can we do about it?
Picket the station?
Boycott of post format change advertisers and advertisers of the owners in general?
Letter writing campain?
Anyone with the time, energy, and inclination to spend time organizing such a thing?
Or, do we just lament the loss and get over it?
I think just about all that can be accomplished has been by moving them to 105.7. It’s not a bad deal really… I love listening to Howard Stern!