WDMJ 1320 and WMIQ 1450 flip to Oldies

[ChrisWL1980]

It appears both are running the Super Hits format from Local Radio Networks.

https://www.radioresultsnetwork.com/gre ... 1320-wdmj/

https://www.radioresultsnetwork.com/gre ... 1450-wmiq/

[SpartanAM]

I have to imagine what the end game is here. The music of this new format can be heard on multiple FMs in the area, including some of RRN's. Is this a placeholder for an eventual sale to a non-com?

The news-talk format on WDMJ was poorly executed. When I was up that way last month, I still heard liners for the long silenced and now defunct WIAN. With WZAM dropping sports talk, I was thinking a move in that direction would have made more sense.

If they're just looking for a placeholder to feed the AMs, the "Maverick" format would make sense as both 96.7 and 106.3 have signal challenges in both Marquette and Iron Mountain, respectively, and the classic country still sounds good on AM.

[MetalUpYourAss1973]

Too bad they don't do an old-school Standards/Nostalgia type format. I remember when 680 WDBC used to do that, and I think 1280 WNAM in the Fox Valley did that for a while too. The market is already saturated with the same crap that we've had for too long now. It would be nice to hear some Dino and Frankie on the radio for a change, wouldn't it?

[SpartanAM]

Too bad they don't do an old-school Standards/Nostalgia type format. I remember when 680 WDBC used to do that, and I think 1280 WNAM in the Fox Valley did that for a while too. The market is already saturated with the same crap that we've had for too long now. It would be nice to hear some Dino and Frankie on the radio for a change, wouldn't it?

I've always enjoyed the "America's Best Music" format too.

Although this would be more applicable in the Keewenaw, a Finnish language station playing traditional Scandinavian music would probably draw more listeners than WDMJ has over the past decade.

[ChrisWL1980]

WNAM is still America's Best Music, unless I'm missing something.
What is WDBC doing now? They were Soft AC for a while, but the last time I listened they were sort of on the borderline between Soft AC and ABM, mostly soft '60s-'80s but a tad more contemporary than ABM.

[jjup]

I asked that we do Gangsta Rap personally. But after a spirited debate, we settled on Super Hits. And who is running a super hits (60's/ 70' s) format near Marquette County? Genuinely curious.

[SpartanAM]

And who is running a super hits (60's/ 70' s) format near Marquette County? Genuinely curious.

For one, your station group has WUPT which is "Classic Hits" last I checked. Then there's GTO from Media Brew which is pretty much the same exact format as "Super Hits". There's also going to be some crossover artists from WRUP, the Breeze, and the Sound. We're splitting hairs here but there's a lot of FM stations playing the same type of music, what's the value proposition for getting listeners and advertisers to move over to AM?

I haven't heard this format yet but hopefully you re-imaged it to remove references to the now silent WIAN

[jjup]

WUPT is Classic Rock (has been for a bit now) though I think the difference is Metallica and Michael Jackson. Lots of crossover between the formats there. The format we run on WDMJ is 60's/ 70's. Classic Hits format is more 70's & 80's (maybe even newer depending on the presentation.) Everything was redone.

And who is running a super hits (60's/ 70' s) format near Marquette County? Genuinely curious.

For one, your station group has WUPT which is "Classic Hits" last I checked. Then there's GTO from Media Brew which is pretty much the same exact format as "Super Hits". There's also going to be some crossover artists from WRUP, the Breeze, and the Sound. We're splitting hairs here but there's a lot of FM stations playing the same type of music, what's the value proposition for getting listeners and advertisers to move over to AM?

I haven't heard this format yet but hopefully you re-imaged it to remove references to the now silent WIAN

[SpartanAM]

I'll give it a listen next time I'm up that way. I'm glad RRN seems committed to running these AMs, however I still wonder what the long term plan for them is. The fact that there are no commercial news-talk stations in either of these markets now is intriguing, all the TV stations up there must really suck up the news dollars.

[ChrisWL1980]

WUPT is Classic Rock (has been for a bit now) though I think the difference is Metallica and Michael Jackson. Lots of crossover between the formats there. The format we run on WDMJ is 60's/ 70's. Classic Hits format is more 70's & 80's (maybe even newer depending on the presentation.) Everything was redone.

Might wanna update your website for The Point then. It still suggests you're a Classic Hits station. The logo even suggests '80s pop.

[jjup]

Thanks Chris-we missed the mini header.

[ChrisWL1980]

FWIW, I was in St. Ignace yesterday and listened some to WDBC, very staticy but it was there. "Up Where We Belong," Elvis, Air Supply, Al Jarreau, Glen Campbell, Beatles, Olivia Newton-John - sounds like the modern version of Adult Standards to me. They're certainly not playing Maroon 5 and Maren Morris anymore like they were two years ago.
What I couldn't tell was whether the music is from Westwood One, Local Radio Networks or local automation.

[Colonel Flagg]

WDMJ's adventurous attempt at AOR back in the 80's was very interesting. Wish I had a few recordings of that.

[SpartanAM]

Since this thread has been revived, I am glad to report that I was pleasantly surprised to hear the new music format and restored full power daytime facilities of WDMJ last I was up that way. However, I couldn't believe there was no Tigers affiliate in the market. When did WDMJ stop airing the games?

[jjup]

Tigers were last on in 2019 on WDMJ. RRN bought in July 2020 and they were not on and we decided against affiliation.