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Author Topic: Why There’s More Music on AM Now?  (Read 1437 times)

Offline ThaDood

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Why There’s More Music on AM Now?
« on: January 29, 2021, 2009 UTC »
I've notice that too, there seems to be more AM stations with tunage, again. Radio Survivor has noticed that too,    http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2021/01/18/why-theres-more-music-on-am-now/

That, and Boomer found an updated AM Stereo Map on facebook,    https://www.facebook.com/groups/iloveamradio/
Neat radio dump site, but I didn't see the map. Maybe, y'all can play 'Where's Waldo' and try to spot that?       
I was asked, yet another weird question, of how I would like to be buried, when I finally bite the big one. The answer was actually pretty easy. Face-down, like a certain historical figure in the late 1980's, (I will not mention who, but some of you will get it, and that's enough.) Why??? It would be a burial that will satisfy everyone: (1) My enemies will say that it will show me where to go. (2) On the same point, I can have my enemies kiss my butt. (3) It will temporarily give someone a place to park a bicycle. See??? A WIN / WIN for everyone.

Offline Ct Yankee

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Re: Why There’s More Music on AM Now?
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2021, 2059 UTC »
I've noticed a small uptick in AM music here.  WABC 770 NYC was THE music station in 60's and 70's (frequently would announce their call letters as W-A-Beatle-C) and can be heard throughout the eastern half of the US.  They switched to an all talk format in the early 80's.  After a recent single owner, non-network purchase they have gone to full music on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  Iconic WABC DJ Cousin Brucie from the music era and Tony Orlando (yes, THAT Tony Orlando) host on Saturdays, Joe Piscopo (formerly SNL) is behind the mic with Sinatra music on Sundays.

Local station WNTY 990 am Southington, CT now has an oldies music format which began during the past year.  Finally, the former WQUN (eventual WATX) Hamden, CT is expected to return to the airways this summer with a music format. The explanation for a programming direction toward music by an AM station might be as simple as the old advice "Zig when everyone else Zags".

« Last Edit: January 29, 2021, 2104 UTC by Ct Yankee »
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Offline redhat

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Re: Why There’s More Music on AM Now?
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2021, 1730 UTC »
Without looking to the article, this is mostly due to FM translators.  AM's are now a throw away broadcast property, as station owners assume that no one listens to them anymore, and talk doesn't make much sense on FM.

That's it in a nutshell.

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Re: Why There’s More Music on AM Now?
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2021, 0100 UTC »
I've noticed a small uptick in AM music here.  WABC 770 NYC was THE music station in 60's and 70's (frequently would announce their call letters as W-A-Beatle-C) and can be heard throughout the eastern half of the US.  They switched to an all talk format in the early 80's.  After a recent single owner, non-network purchase they have gone to full music on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  Iconic WABC DJ Cousin Brucie from the music era and Tony Orlando (yes, THAT Tony Orlando) host on Saturdays, Joe Piscopo (formerly SNL) is behind the mic with Sinatra music on Sundays.

Local station WNTY 990 am Southington, CT now has an oldies music format which began during the past year.  Finally, the former WQUN (eventual WATX) Hamden, CT is expected to return to the airways this summer with a music format. The explanation for a programming direction toward music by an AM station might be as simple as the old advice "Zig when everyone else Zags".

I grew up with WABC  :D
I even had a bicycle radio back in the 60s (a CB in the early 70s).
WABC just had that good vibe :)

 

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