January 12, 2005
A letter to other radio stations
I will mail this to several area stations tomorrow:
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is XXXXXXXX and I am a radio listener in Washington, D.C., who is currently in search of a new radio station. As you are undoubtedly aware, WHFS-FM changed formats this week, switching from “alternative” rock to Spanish-language music. While I appreciate latin music, my lack of all but a very basic knowledge of the Spanish language prevents me from fully enjoying the new 99.1 FM. My loss can be your gain because the first preset on my car stereo is now open and your station can fill it, provided you convince me that I would enjoy the music you play.
First, a little about me: I am a 23-year-old young professional who lives and works in Washington. I listen to the radio almost exclusively in my car, which I drive mainly evenings and weekends, about 15,000 miles per year. I rarely scan the radio dial, instead switching between CDs and my six presets (WHFS, WWDC, WARW, WIYY, WAMU and WBIG), making a preset assignment in my car even more valuable. Musically, I tend to listen to inde rock at home and in clubs, but the fact that I tend to seek out music not found on the radio signals my openness to different genres.
To your advertising department, I am a diamond in the rough that your station could claim as its own through smart actions taken before I re-assign the WHFS preset. While I own a car I am happy with, I do not have the three other main products/services advertised on the radio: diamonds, network administrator certification or dining room sets. I could be convinced to get any of these three, perhaps by one of your advertisers. Best of all, I am old enough to have my own disposable income but young enough to remain in advertisers’ favorite age cohort for quite some time.
So, how does your station earn its own dedicated button on my car stereo? You can persuade me with words (it is easiest to reach me via email at XXXXXXXXXX), but I would also like to know how much you want my top preset spot. Free CDs? I promise I will play them from beginning to end to evaluate your format. T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats? I will judge them on the criteria of fashion and comfort. A free iPod filled with your playlist? I’ll be yours.
Please take a minute to think about this unique opportunity to gain a valuable listener in this era of media fragmentation and satellite radio. I’ll even promise to keep your station assigned to the preset button until I either get a new car or move out of the listening area.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXXXXX
Posted by rj3 at January 12, 2005 5:19 PM
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Comments
I think the real solution here is to leave it programmed to 99.1 and become fluent in Spanish. When I got in the car today for a ten minute trip, I put it on 99.1 and listened to it in Spanish the whole way. It wasn't so bad. I'm just going to leave my button programmed to that and see what happens.
I would be interested to hear the D.C. Spanish-speaking community's reation to the new station. I wonder if they think it's good or how it compares to other Spanish-speaking stations in the area, etc.
Does anyone know where I can hear "Loveline" in the D.C. area now? I don't think anyone else was else was carrying it and I'm wondering if anyone will be picking it up.
Posted by: Mike at January 13, 2005 11:07 PM
Oh, you're 23.
That explains it . . .
Posted by: David Patterson at January 18, 2005 7:13 AM
the day hfs went off the air 98 rock had loveline listed as their DJ between 10-12 but it hasnt been on the radio i havnt checked the website but maybe its going there if not someone needs to pick it up. Also 105.7 will be playing HFS from 7am-3pm weekends or somthing like that just go to their site they tlak aobut it
Posted by: ALex at January 24, 2005 8:32 PM
Well depending on your age and how long you have been listening to WHFS you might enjoy a small radio station out of annapolis called WRNR 103.1. They have 99.1's old alternative format and play a wide variety of music. You will also find some old HFS DJ's such as Rob Tim and Damian. I live in the Baltimore area and am able to get this station on my dial but they don't have a very big signal so DC might not be able to get them. But give it a try they are a great station.
Posted by: Bug at January 25, 2005 9:54 AM
Go to WPGC 95.5, and WKYS 93.9, WERQ 92.3 (These are Urban radio stations. WPGC is the number 1 rated staion in dc (the stats don't lie)
Posted by: charles Roland Stevens III at February 1, 2005 5:42 PM
there are a lists of sites where it is streaming online here:
http://www.dolland.net/loveline/faq/index.html
Posted by: A at April 4, 2005 1:30 AM