Triple M Sydney, How should it sound? Options

[dtv_campbelltown]

A bit off topic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) . If you were in control of MMM how would it sound? Rock of sydney. Would you play mostly just new rock?

I'll make this on-topic, by creating this thread, with poll included. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Comments can be made here.

[datvman]

100% Rock, both Classic & Modern (60s to today)

[billybob_chider]

Active rock for these reasons:

* No station in Sydney has it
* Jack FM's are just a phase, whereas active rock will always remain
* WS is already classic rock.

[dkint3]

MMM's target audience has always been (to my way of thinking) 25-39s...

Given that the oldest of these listeners would have been born in 1967, 'classic rock' for MMM is now mostly 80s, with some 70s... As WSFM target something like 35-50s, the 'traditional' idea of classic rock like Creedence suits their target audience right down to the ground.. WSFM's listeners would have been listening to MMM 10 years ago.

I think MMM have already tried 'active rock' (their format of around 2002-03 would fit this bill, with the exception of stuff like Enimem that they played). It didn't really work for them.
I think it mostly appealed to male late teens, 20s, not the market that MMM is really looking for.

I don't think the so-called Jack FM format is just a passing fad.. Radio needs to evolve and I think traditional FM music stations have realised that they are now effectively competing with ipods (and internet radio) for listeners.

So they need to offer a wider selection of music (among other things), a lot of which listeners wouldn't have on their ipods to attract them.

[matt86]

I think MMM have already tried 'active rock' (their format of around 2002-03 would fit this bill, with the exception of stuff like Enimem that they played). It didn't really work for them.
I think it mostly appealed to male late teens, 20s, not the market that MMM is really looking for.

Yes 02/03 was AR however the playlist was extremly small. The same songs were just continously thrashed to death.

[dkint3]

Yes 02/03 was AR however the playlist was extremly small. The same songs were just continously thrashed to death.

That's because I don't think there's much 'active rock' around...
One look at the Top 40 reveals probably only half a dozen songs that are 'active rock'.

That's another reason why Active rock won't work..
Listeners don't want the same songs trotted out day after day.

MMM do continue to play new rock, but not as often obviously in its' current 'Jack FM' format - which I think works well - I like it.

[dtv_campbelltown]

Yes 02/03 was AR however the playlist was extremly small. The same songs were just continously thrashed to death.

IIRC, Triple M went to a active/modern rock format when Nova was about to come on the Sydney airwaves in 2001. Before that change, Triple M was a high-rater station in Sydney, being #2 FM station behind 2DAY, most of the time.

MMM do continue to play new rock, but not as often obviously in its' current 'Jack FM' format - which I think works well - I like it.

I've never listen to Triple M that much until the Essential 2005 (26/12/04 - 24/1/05) & subsequently taking on a Jack FM format. Having said that, I like Triple M in it's current format as you'll hear great 80s songs that WS-FM wouldn't dare to play.

Since Triple M took on a Jack FM format in January 2005, here's the ratings trend:
1/2005 - 7.4% (#5 FM)
2/2005 - 8.4% (#5 FM)
3/2005 - 9.8% (#2 FM)
4/2005 - 8.4% (#3 FM)
5/2005 - 7.4% (#5 FM)
6/2005 - 8.4% (#2 FM)
7/2005 - 8.7% (#3 FM)
8/2005 - 8.6% (#3 FM, tied with Nova)
1/2006 - 7.0% (#5 FM)

You can check on Triple M's ratings, which goes as far back as 1999, here: http://www.austereo.com.au/ratings/index.php

[mgaleano]

IIRC, Triple M went to a active/modern rock format when Nova was about to come on the Sydney airwaves in 2001. Before that change, Triple M was a high-rater station in Sydney, being #2 FM station behind 2DAY, most of the time.
I've never listen to Triple M that much until the Essential 2005 (26/12/04 - 24/1/05) & subsequently taking on a Jack FM format. Having said that, I like Triple M in it's current format as you'll hear great 80s songs that WS-FM wouldn't dare to play.

Since Triple M took on a Jack FM format in January 2005, here's the ratings trend:
1/2005 - 7.4% (#5 FM)
2/2005 - 8.4% (#5 FM)
3/2005 - 9.8% (#2 FM)
4/2005 - 8.4% (#3 FM)
5/2005 - 7.4% (#5 FM)
6/2005 - 8.4% (#2 FM)
7/2005 - 8.7% (#3 FM)
8/2005 - 8.6% (#3 FM, tied with Nova)
1/2006 - 7.0% (#5 FM)

You can check on Triple M's ratings, which goes as far back as 1999, here: http://www.austereo.com.au/ratings/index.php

They sydney market is like this. MMM don't want to eat into the 2 Day FM younger audience so they are competing against WS and now VEGA. The Australia Radio network have WS fm who is looking after the male audience. MIX is for mostly female and then the edge is for younger people.

DMG has Nova competing with 2day and also JJJ I guess. Then Vega they are trying to get the audience from MMM, WS and MIX. So they play a mixture of every thing.

They could try a new rock format but is there enough people there to listen to it. They tried a few years ago it didn't work and 96.1 tried also and they went off too. I think they should have a rock format (classic and today) but play not many repeats. I don't really mind MMM current format personally but there is a lot of 80s on FM now.

[matt86]

I don't really mind MMM current format personally but there is a lot of 80s on FM now.

Yes I agree with that. I like the style but as Billybob_Chider has pointed out several times there are too many of these formats around nowdays. All we have is everything playing everything. (which is not really everything at all)

I think Vega should decrease its talk content and focus on older styles of music 50's - 70's rather then 1965 - Now. I know people who loved the Diamond and Martin test loop but once the station started broadcasting, never listened again.

[mgaleano]

Yes I agree with that. I like the style but as Billybob_Chider has pointed out several times there are too many of these formats around nowdays. All we have is everything playing everything. (which is not really everything at all)

I think Vega should decrease its talk content and focus on older styles of music 50's - 70's rather then 1965 - Now. I know people who loved the Diamond and Martin test loop but once the station started broadcasting, never listened again.

I agree with your Vega idea although I'm not sure if it work on FM. I think people at that age group love 2ch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) .

If MMM did classic rock from the 60 to today would they have the same problem as Vega? That is too long a time period may make people switch off . I like stations from the 60s to today music however many people think this is the problem with vega.

[matt86]

I agree with your Vega idea although I'm not sure if it work on FM. I think people at that age group love 2ch (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) .

There is still a gap in the music spectrum inbetween 2CH and WS that Vega could fill. Almost along the lines of the format 2WS left behind years ago. Neil Diamond and similar would have been ideal.

They will also have to do alot more to get people to try Vega. The difference between them and Nova is that the younger generations are always looking for something new while the olds like what they are used to.

[dtv_campbelltown]

MMM cold 30 is good

You'll be sad to know that Triple M in Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane has dropped the "Cold 20" (formerly Cold 30) from their schedule. Triple M in Adelaide will still air the Cold 20 in its 4-6pm weekdays timeslot.

Now there's nothing interesting to listen to on Sydney radio on weeknights if you're after specialist 70s/80s music programs, and tuning to Wave FM & 2GO is not the answer.
Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth & Canberra have something interesting at night.

Going off-topic, here's what radio stations in capital cities other than Sydney offers, re 60s/70s/80s music on weeknights (ie. after 7pm):

Melbourne
Gold 104 - 70s at 7, 80s at 8, Melbourne's Top 20 Classic Countdown
Magic 1278 - 6 O'Clock Rock, 60s at 7, Your Hit Parade

Brisbane
4KQ - 60s at 6, 70s at 7

Adelaide
MIX 102.3 - 80s at 8

Perth
Mix 94.5 - Nightmix Cold 30
96fm - 80s at 8
6iX - 60s at 6, 70s at 7

Canberra
MIX 106.3 - Cold 30 (Tuesdays-Fridays)
2CA - Canberra's Cold Countdown

Note that Sydney does not have a dedicated 70s & 80s music program on commercial radio, not even on weekends. MIX 106.5 used to have "The 80s Mix" until recently, when it was replaced by "The Retro Request Hour", which is essentially the same, but now throws in 90s music into the mix.

Here what radio stations in capital cities, other than Sydney, offers on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays), especially on 60s/70s/80s music:

Melbourne
Gold 104 - Totally 80s, Saturday Night CD Jukebox, Living in the 70s
Magic 1278 - Party Time (Saturday nights)

Brisbane
4KQ - Friday Night Fever, Jukebox Saturday Night, Living in the 70s

Adelaide
MIX 102.3 - Partymix (Friday & Saturday nights), Living in the 70s

Perth
Mix 94.5 - Partymix
96fm - Whatever Weekends, Saturday Night Party Hits, The Classic Cafe
6iX - Jukebox Friday Night, Jukebox Saturday Night, 70s Sunday Night

Canberra
MIX 106.3 - Saturday Night Partymix, The OzMix (Australian music)
2CA - Jukebox Saturday Night, 70s Sunday Night

Note: Networked programs like My Generation, Barry Bissell's Weekly Countdown isn't included on the list.

Clearly, this says it all about Sydney radio, which one member said on Mediaspy (which wasn't me):

I must say I'm becoming rather disillusioned with the state of Sydney's FM music stations - they are all sounding bland, boring and repetitive at the moment. I get sick of hearing the same songs on the same stations. If you hear a radio playing in a shop 9 times out of 10 you can guess the station based on the song that is playing.

And billybob_chider's opinion about Sydney radio since Vega changed their format from "40 Years of Music" to "Vega Variety":

Now we can say for sure that Sydney radio sucks. No more rarities like Heart-Magic Man, or James Brown songs other than the WS staple "I feel Good". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[billybob_chider]

Yes, another chapter in the homogenisation of Sydney radio. That's why we need to listen to net radio, or hope for a lot of E's from NZ in summer to get our dose of decent broadcasting. I was down in the 'Gong today. What did I listen to? i 98? No. Wave? No chance. The WIN3 audio carrier was the best show in town. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) .

[dtv_campbelltown]

Yes, another chapter in the homogenisation of Sydney radio. That's why we need to listen to net radio, or hope for a lot of E's from NZ in summer to get our dose of decent broadcasting.

I have to agree with you here. Listening to radio on the net is a very good experience, and lets me get away from the usual FM/AM stations that I receive in Sydney.

Net radio for me is listening to commercial radio stations from other Australian capital cities.
Here's what's on offer:
96fm from Perth is a station with a wide variety of music with a rock skew, and plays modern rock tracks that you don't hear on Triple M, as well as playing great rock classics as far back as the 60s. It's a really good station that has the potential to be #1 in Perth, which it isn't at the moment (Mix 94.5 is #1, which has a similar format to 96fm, but with a more female skew).

Gold 104 from Melbourne is worth a listen as well, as playing a more wider variety of classic hits than WS-FM in Sydney, even playing certain songs from the 70s & 80s that you hear on other Sydney stations but not on WS-FM. 4KQ from Brisbane is good listening as well, playing a fair amount of 60s & 70s music that is largely forgotten on Sydney FM radio.

There are plenty more stations in Australia & around the world to listen to on the net.
Go to http://www.mikesradioworld.com/ for more internet radio stations available.

[mgaleano]

I have to agree with you here. Listening to radio on the net is a very good experience, and lets me get away from the usual FM/AM stations that I receive in Sydney.

Net radio for me is listening to commercial radio stations from other Australian capital cities.
Here's what's on offer:
96fm from Perth is a station with a wide variety of music with a rock skew, and plays modern rock tracks that you don't hear on Triple M, as well as playing great rock classics as far back as the 60s. It's a really good station that has the potential to be #1 in Perth, which it isn't at the moment (Mix 94.5 is #1, which has a similar format to 96fm, but with a more female skew).

Gold 104 from Melbourne is worth a listen as well, as playing a more wider variety of classic hits than WS-FM in Sydney, even playing certain songs from the 70s & 80s that you hear on other Sydney stations but not on WS-FM. 4KQ from Brisbane is good listening as well, playing a fair amount of 60s & 70s music that is largely forgotten on Sydney FM radio.

There are plenty more stations in Australia & around the world to listen to on the net.
Go to http://www.mikesradioworld.com/ for more internet radio stations available.

Yeah its becoming frustrating. I sometimes listen to MIX 106.5 to hear some different 90s song in the 90s mix. I tried to listen to 2CH as well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It just seems so repetitive at the moment for the adult FM stations. I do like the songs they play but I like to hear some different songs you hardly hear every now and again. I am really disappointed the cold 20 is gone. It was good that show.

[dtv_campbelltown]

It just seems so repetitive at the moment for the adult FM stations. I do like the songs they play but I like to hear some different songs you hardly hear every now and again.

Which is why I listen to 2GO & Wave FM in Sydney. You hear songs that are not played on the major Sydney commercial FM stations.

I'll start a thread about Sydney Radio, because this thread is about Triple M and we'll spend too much time being off-topic if we continue discussing it here. My new thread will have everything about Sydney radio from numerous radio stations serving the metropolitan area.

Watch this space. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

EDIT (getting back on topic): The Cold 30 is on tonight at Triple M, highlighting 1981. It seems that they'll only be doing this on Fridays, due to no Spoonman that night.

[datvman]

Yes - radio is bland. Hence why I listen to JJJ or River94.9.

[dtv_campbelltown]

You'll be sad to know that Triple M in Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane has dropped the "Cold 20" (formerly Cold 30) from their schedule.

And here's what replacing it. The Paul Murray Show will be extended from being a 6-7pm show to be a 6-9pm show. This is followed by The Spoonman from 9pm to Midnight.

This means that Triple M will be mostly talk after 6pm weeknights (probably except Fridays, when the Melbourne station has AFL).

[billybob_chider]

Paul Murray's NOVA show was funny to listen to... if you felt like some dumb entertainment. I've noticed Katrina Blowers has migrated to the M's from NOVA as well (I heard her on the Shebang a while back). Perhaps M&R will join 'The Cage' in the near future? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

EDIT: I have said I don't listen to Sydney commercial radio (actively). However, I do scan around from time to time, and I heard the Shebang whilst mobile.

[dtv_campbelltown]

I noticed that since Monday, Triple M has the "Awesome 80s" between 6 & 7pm weeknights. I think it only goes for 1 hour. It is presented by Paul Murray.