WHFS-FM, the Washington area radio station that was a pioneering purveyor of alternative rock to generations of young music fans, did a programming U-turn yesterday by ditching the genre for a Spanish-language, pop-music format that transforms it into the largest Spanish-language station on the local dial.
Wow.
I don’t know what to say.
Just like that, my radio station of choice when I was younger goes off the air.
WHFS has had a long history and has changed from a free-form throw it against the wall and see if it sticks format to a much more corporate and competitive format. They got picked up by Infinity Broadcasting somewhere along the way. Even when they had to change to the Clear Channel format to stay competitive, music director Pat Ferrise who has always had an ear for hits has kept things as fresh as possible in the monotinous neometal everything-sounds-the-same world of modern rock.
I mean honestly, the only place I’ve ever heard anything from The Streets on mainstream radio in the US is when Pat played it during a segment on the latest HFS morning show. Speaking of the morning show, I used to listen to Aq and Kath and then later Lou Brutus. Every once in awhile on weekends I’d catch some random up and coming electronica on Trancemissions.
Ever since I could remember, HFS has been the underdog station. They were always a little smaller and a little less popular than DC101, the “big” rock station in town. I’ve still got the ticket stubs to HFSTivals of years past that I camped out for, back when it was the big show of the summer. I didn’t realize that their numbers were so bad that it required a complete 180 degree format switch.
It’s not that HFS didn’t suck. Of course they did. Radio in general in this city (and from what I can tell nationally) sucks. Stations must stick to an extremely tight playlist aimed specifically at their demographic, and under no circumstances shall they deviate at all. You can figure out the programming on any station in the DC area by listening to it for 20 minutes or so.
Then there’s the Clear Channel factor. They own the “big” rock station, DC101, which sucks too. Not that I don’t listen to Elliot from time to time. But their programming tends to suck just about as much as any major radio station in the area.
The sad thing is that this format change happened yesterday at noon and I only realized it because it was front page news on the Post. Why’s that? Because I tend not to listen to commercial radio much anymore. I’ve switched from well-tuned morning shows aimed directly at my demographic to listening to WAMU, my local NPR station and CDs while on my way to and from work. I tend to listen to Morning Edition on my commute in and The World or All Things Considered on my way home. I usually listen to CDs or listen to the radio in the mid-afternoon if I’m out and about. Of course that’s contingent on finding a song that doesn’t suck that I haven’t heard a million times.
I digress.
I guess that there are a couple of things to be learned from this format change:
- “Independent” (and by independent I mean non-Clear Channel) radio is dying.
- Spanish pop is The Next Big Thing. 99.1 El Zol is nudged between two big CC stations: 98.7 WMZQ and “Hot” 99.5. That’s prime time dial space in the DC area.
- Radio conglomerates like Clear Channel and Infinity Broadcasting will do anything it takes to make a buck and exploit untapped markets.
I’ll stop rambling now. Now I understand what my father must have felt like when Eddie Gallagher and WWDC/WGAY AM1260 was replaced by “business talk” and later “sports talk” 1260.
I’ll probably point my HFS button on my car stereo to WRNR, a low powered station with awesome eclectic programming run by some of the old old school WHFS staff. WHFS, may you rest in peace.
Comments
96 responses to “WHFS 99.1: May You Rest in Peace”
Honore de Balzac~ Solitude is fine but you need someone to tell you that solitude is fine.
I’ve been reading your entries all over my morning holiday, and I will have to admit the entire article has been very enlightening and rather well written. I believed I might let you realize that for some reason why this weblog does not view well in Internet Explorer 8. I desire Microsoft might stop changing their software. I’ve a question for you. Would you thoughts changing weblog roll hyperlinks? That might be truly neat!
I love the valuable knowledge you be offering on your articles. I will be able to bookmark your weblog and have my youngsters test up here generally. I am somewhat certain they are going to be told a number of new stuff right here than anybody else!
I admire the precious knowledge you offer to your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and have my kids check up here generally. I am relatively sure they’re going to learn a variety of new stuff right here than anybody else!
Thanks for making the trustworthy attempt to talk about this. I feel very sturdy about it and would like to read more. If it’s OK, as you acquire extra in depth knowledge, might you mind adding more articles very similar to this one with additional info? It might be extremely useful and useful for me and my friends.
I feel that may be a fascinating point, it made me assume a bit. Thanks for sparking my considering cap. Once in a while I am getting so much in a rut that I just feel like a record.
I think, that you are not right. I am assured. I can prove it. Write to me in PM, we will discuss.
I am impressed with this website , really I am a big fan .
Good issues?I’d note that as someone who in point of fact doesn’t write on blogs a lot (if truth be told, this may be my first submit), I don’t suppose the term ‘lurker’ could be very becoming to a non-posting reader. It’s not your fault the least bit , but in all probability the blogosphere may come up with a better, non-creepy name for the 90% people that experience studying the content .
Speak to the point
Whats up, I just hopped over on your website by means of StumbleUpon. Now not one thing I’d typically learn, but I liked your thoughts none the less. Thanks for making something price reading.
Thank you for making the trustworthy strive to explain this. I believe very robust approximately it and would like to learn more. If it’s OK, as you reach more extensive knowledge, would you mind including extra posts similar to this one with more information? It could be extremely useful and useful for me and my colleagues.
I like the dear information you be offering for your articles. I can bookmark your weblog and have my youngsters check up right here generally. I’m moderately certain they’re going to be informed numerous new stuff here than anybody else!
Thanks for that, incredibly interesting on the subject. I will do some more googleing for WHFS 99.1: May You Rest in Peace at Matt Croydon::Postneo
Excellent issues?I would note that as any person who actually doesn’t write on blogs so much (in reality, this can be my first publish), I don’t think the term ‘lurker’ could be very becoming to a non-posting reader. It’s not your fault in the least , however possibly the blogosphere could get a hold of a greater, non-creepy title for the ninety% folks that revel in studying the content .
francis magalona ♫ super proxy 2k9 The Final tribute is a pretty good post. I just found your blog and needed to say that Ive really loved reading your weblog articles. Any way Ill be grabbing your feed and I hope you post once more soon.
Abnormal this publish is totaly unrelated to what I was looking google for, but it surely was listed at the first page. I assume your doing one thing right if Google likes you sufficient to place you on the first page of a non comparable search.
I had a good time here but will return to google now.
ieeu ycpax porn djzprdj r uf z znb
FSbqjIm
I picture this could be numerous upon the written content material? on the other hand I nonetheless imagine that it is usually suitable for nearly any type of subject subject material, as a result of it will steadily be pleasing to resolve a warm and delightful face or maybe pay attention a voice when initial landing.
Good day, I just hopped over in your website online by way of StumbleUpon. Not one thing I’d usually read, however I liked your emotions none the less. Thank you for making one thing value reading.
City move can be and should be an easy process. With Manhattan Movers NYC it start with call to our office! No hidden costs, no surprices! Call us. We serve Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens – all NYC. Manhattan Movers NYC, 553 Broome St, New York, NY 10013, (212)300-6628
Addititionally there is many chocolate molds as well as snack doing gadgets so that you can try out the side on creating your individual chocolates junk food. It is just a fun method to acquire children linked to your kitchen area plus a powerful way to generate unique merchandise. The chances tend to be infinite in the tastes plus materials to attempt. Many very effective sugary snacks providers commenced by doing this, for a passion from a dwelling kitchen area.
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
Good points?I would notice that as any individual who in reality doesn’t write on blogs so much (in reality, this may be my first put up), I don’t suppose the time period ‘lurker’ is very becoming to a non-posting reader. It’s no longer your fault the least bit , however possibly the blogosphere may get a hold of a better, non-creepy title for the 90% of us that revel in reading the content material .
Thanks for making the sincere strive to provide an explanation for this. I believe very strong approximately it and wish to be told more. If it’s OK, as you reach more in depth wisdom, could you thoughts including extra posts very similar to this one with more information? It could be extraordinarily helpful and helpful for me and my colleagues.
Thank you for making the sincere effort to speak about this. I feel very strong approximately it and would like to read more. If it’s OK, as you acquire extra intensive knowledge, may you thoughts including extra articles similar to this one with additional info? It might be extraordinarily helpful and helpful for me and my friends.
vyvoz stroitelnogo musora spb…
vyvoz musora…
Seotons
seotons
Thanks for making the honest effort to discuss this. I believe very robust approximately it and wish to learn more. If it’s OK, as you acquire more intensive knowledge, might you mind including more articles very similar to this one with more information? It will be extraordinarily helpful and helpful for me and my friends.
Thank you for making the honest effort to talk about this. I think very strong approximately it and wish to learn more. If it’s OK, as you acquire more extensive wisdom, may you thoughts including extra articles similar to this one with additional information? It will be extraordinarily useful and useful for me and my friends.
you know your stuff, thank you alot,  good read.
The internet page was certainly wonderful! Lots of major critical information and inspiration, each of which we all ought!
Just right issues?I’d word that as somebody who truly doesn’t write on blogs much (actually, this may be my first submit), I don’t think the time period ‘lurker’ could be very becoming to a non-posting reader. It’s no longer your fault in the slightest degree , but most likely the blogosphere may just come up with a greater, non-creepy name for the 90% of us that revel in reading the content material .
vente de liens
http://www.refpowa.org/paidpr/
achat de liens
really liked the post that you published actually. it just isn’t that simple to discover great stuff to read (you know.. READ! and not just browsing through it like some uniterested and flesh eating zombie before going to yet another post to just ignore), so cheers man for really not wasting my time! 😉
I definitely like your webpage articles the way in which you insert up the things…I’ve examine the topic with incredible interest.
Thanks for making the sincere attempt to speak about this. I feel very robust approximately it and wish to learn more. If it’s OK, as you acquire more in depth knowledge, could you thoughts including extra articles similar to this one with additional info? It could be extraordinarily helpful and useful for me and my friends.
Undoubtedly interesting notion for me . Will you post some far more ? coz i desire to follow ur twitter or facebook
[url=http://www.trvobi.com]travesti[/url]
really enjoyed the post that you wrote . it just is not that simple to find great posts toactually read (you know.. READ and not just browsing through it like some uniterested and flesh eating zombie before going to yet another post to just ignore), so cheers man for really not wasting my time! 😀
tory burch shoe sale …
As the summer goes, winter comes.You should have some shoes in store. Based on this point, the Tory Burch sale Shoes is developing faster and faster. More and more people do online shopping.With so many shoes in it, now I advise you getting a pair of T…
discount tory burch shoes…
Tory Burch is developing faster and faster.Tory Burch Boots become more and more fashional.More and more people prefer to wear shoes like this.Tory Burch is an attainable, luxury, lifestyle brand defined by classic American sportswear with an eclectic …
Peculiar this submit is totaly unrelated to what I used to be looking out google for, but it surely was once listed at the first page. I suppose your doing one thing proper if Google likes you adequate to place you at the first page of a non related search.
xzCUExT