Re: WVVE

[Mike Thomas <nostatic@earthlink.net>]

I was in Connecticut on Wednesday and had a chance to hear WVVE.  They sound
like a mainstream AOR and they go by "Rock 102."  The station basically sounds
like a "classic rock that really rocks" type station with a few
current/recurrent titles thrown in.  Artists heard during my listening included
Rush, George Thorogood, Billy Idol etc.    They are jockless at this point, and
they need fix a few glitches on their automation system, as I heard Offspring's
"She's Got Issues" twice in a 25 minute span.

WHJY, and most Providence stations do not show up in the New London book because
their signals are spotty throughout most of the market.  Area listeners will
listen to Eastern Long Island and Hartford stations before tuning in Providence
signals. WWRX does well since they have a great signal in the area, and up to
now has been the only rock-oriented signal heard in SE Connecticut.  The last
station to do rock in the market was 98.7 in East Lyme, now WNLC-FM (Standards)
when they were a Z-rock affiliate a few years ago.  WAAF does do OK down there,
but their signal is spotty at best, and only comes in well in Northern New
London county.  Unless Rock 102 can differenciate itself from WWRX musically,
and be active promotionally, it may have a tough time breaking through in the
market.

WVVE is a 3K class A station near the Rhode Island border. Their signal has
always been spotty, and poses no threat to Providence, even the southern part of
that market.

Most Oldies listeners will have to switch to either WDRC-FM or WLNG on the
Island.  I always preferred WLNG to WVVE when I lived in the market several
years ago, but I also grew up on WLNG and I'm a jingle freak.....

Mike Thomas
WXLO & Mediabase 24/7

"Rowe, Paul, HRBEF" wrote:

> So far, there haven't been any changes to the WVVE website regarding the
> impending flip to "Mass Appeal Rock".  As far as competing w/WHJY, I don't
> think the station could really take a bite out of HJY's ratings.  According
> to the latest Providence Arb's in R&R, HJY has a 7.2 w/a Rock format as
> opposed to Classic Rocker WWRX w/a 2.6.  WVVE doesn't even show up in the
> Providence book.  As far as New London is concerned, WRX shows a 7.0
> compared to WVVE's 3.3 w/their current oldies format.  HJY doesn't even show
> up in the New London book for some reason, but it may be because WRX is in
> Westerly, much closer to New London.  IMHO, WVVE could be going head to head
> w/WRX.  Some New London rock radio listeners could switch from WRX.  The
> oldies listeners would now have to go to Big D103/WDRC-FM/Hartford or an
> oldies outlet on Long Island.  Besides, WVVE is a New London area radio
> station, w/a lot less power (correct me if I'm wrong, I tried to find out,
> but they're probably 3K compared to WRX & HJY @50K).
>
> Thanks!
> Paul