Encouraging!

Today CBS Radio launched a new top 40 station in Houston and from the story/press release on All Access it looks like they had all their ducks in a row--HOT 95-7 will launch with a full complement of digital applications, including streaming audio, text messaging, online communities, podcasts and downloads.

Rumors become reality as CBS jettisons Smooth Jazz KHJZ/HOUSTON in favor of Top 40/Mainstream HOT 95-7 under OM/PD JEFF GARRISON.

In addition to the on-air programming, HOT 95-7 will launch with a full complement of digital applications, including streaming audio, text messaging, online communities, podcasts and downloads. Listeners can log onto www.hothitshouston.com for the complete interactive experience.

GM LAURA MORRIS, said, "We've built HOT 95-7 for the listener. We don't pick the hits; they do. Every hour, listeners can vote for the top hit of that hour and we'll play the song at the top of the next hour. We'll do that 24 hours a day ... it's the first and only station we know of giving listeners that kind of control."

GARRSION added, "We're about today's new music, celebrity artists, pop culture, lifestyle and trends ... whatever is HOT now. We're online, on demand and in touch with the pulse of the next generation of radio listeners."

Nothing on the website appears to be "under construction" and the stream worked well including the interactive "vote for your favorite song" function. Very nice! For a station looking to attract a young audience these enhancements need to be standard equipment.

I'm not here to shill for CBS Radio, but instead to use what appears to be a smooth launch as an example of what is necessary to do it right in 2008. Now, I only listened to the station for 1 piece of imaging and 2 songs, so I won't comment on the programming.

And...

Another Smooth Jazz station bites the dust. Subtracting a handful of still-successful SJ stations the format looks like it's cratering. Yes, it's been aging for a number of years now and yes, the format strayed from one of it's original mantra's of being not only smooth, but fresh and yes, the definition of what made up the Smooth Jazz coalition has shifted. But no, the format which adds a unique and historically successful flavor to the radio dial doesn't have to die.

More on that another day.

AAA in NYC

Well, you gotta hand it to Emmis! What was the least likely format to pop up in New York? OK, OK -I know it's country (despite the fact that I believe Country could be a consistent 2.5-3.0 share in NY). Well after country it would be another rock station, a triple A station no less.

Radio-Info had the story this afternoon:

"The New York Rock Experience" - WRXP - may provide the tri-state area with the full-market adult alternative station that it's lacked. Emmis PD Blake Lawrence even promises that the on-air personalities and staff will "play a direct part in choosing the music", from artists like Franz Ferdinand, Springsteen, Nirvana, Coldplay, U2, Pearl Jam, the Who and Radiohead. First song today at 4pm: Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground's Rock and Roll, followed by what Emmis says is the world premiere of a new REM track titled Supernatural Superserious. WRXP replaces smooth jazz WQCD - which had been rumored to be on the market for sale by Emmis. The new website is here.

A few questions come to mind:

• Are there enough sophisticated rock listeners in NY to drive a enough cume to the frequency?
• Will the coalition of new music, classic rock, and alternative form a viable hybrid? (And I truly love hybrids)
• Where is the audio stream? It seems a little behind the curve to launch without it.
  
• With Smooth Jazz gone in NY, does this in effect issue a death sentence for the format nationally?
• How much of WQCD's African-American audience (about 1/3) migrates over to WRKS (98.7) to further bolster its ratings?
• Will WRXP's promise of personalities being involved in music selection:
  
• flash back to the prog rock era of jock programmed shows or simply will they have a vote in the music meetings?
• will this tactic be communicated over the air as a listener benefit?
• will the masses care?

These are not naysayer questions--to the contrary. But anytime a big signal New York station does something outside the lines one has to ask the questions. I am happy to see someone taking a chance and doing something I would have to say is surprising.

We'll all be watching!