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Jack Format Bombs in NYC

The new Jack format that took over the much-loved oldies on WCBS/101.1 FM in New York is bombing, Newsday reports (via the Los Angeles Times). The old WCBS had bounced around the top 10 but, with its switch to the no-host Jack format, has sunk to 22nd place.

 

The New York market may be more anomaly than harbinger of Jack’s ultimate doom. In Los Angeles, one of the most competitive markets in the country, the “recently Jacked” station KCBS/93.1 FM has become Number 1 among the advertiser-coveted 25-54 year demo.

New Yorkers may dislike the Jack format because it’s geared to listeners who grew up in the 80s and listened to rock and pop like Duran Duran and Elton John. An 80s New York teen, on the other hand, would have had vastly different listening tastes. New York City at that time was “ground zero for hip-hop, not to mention plenty of disco and Latin dance music,” Newsday writes, which isn’t heard on Jack stations - yet.

According to Infinity Broadcasting, Jack is not a one-sound-fits-all format, and each station’s programmer tailors his playlist for the locals. It could be that WCBS has yet to figure out what mix of music will appeal to New York listeners.