So a very popular radio station in Boston formerly called WBOS has recently changed its name to Radio 92.9. The former WBOS was geared more towards a 30 and above crowd that had a lighter mix of tunes. They didn’t play the heavy alternative songs like WBCN 104.1 or the “tad bit” more obscure stuff like WFNX. WBOS focused on the safe hits of the 80s, 90s, and today!
Well without warning WBOS changed its name & brand to Radio 92.9 while at the same time firing all of its DJs, cutting back on commercials and even more dramatically focusing on that younger pop alternative, made to look alternative clones that the music business have been shelling out. They are obviously targeting a younger audience but I have yet to hear anyone praise the new format (unless you read their testimonials) but rather I know a few who have taken them off their presets.
First off, the move to limited commercials and no talk is very interesting since it sounds very familiar to the XM and Sirius model which I love. 20 years ago the radio could dish out anything they wanted and you were forced to listen to them since that’s all there was. Today we have iTunes, downloaded music, XM Radio, YouTube (which is great for music videos) and a host of other competitors. Even though I really liked the WBOS DJs (especially Morse on Music) they are adapting to the times. This I like, however, the problem with Radio 92.9 is that they can’t seem to find their voice. They play a lot of crap that’s a cross between alternative and pop. A mix of WBCN, WFNX, Kiss 108 and Mix 98.5. Just because you throw in a mix doesn’t mean people will like it. How about some groundbreaking music that’s NOT alternative pop that the music industry wants you to hear. The man reason I like the River (92.5) is because they play good music no matter where it’s from – independent or major label. I would imagine (AND HOPE) that The River extends their reach deeper into Boston – I mean it is a bigger market than metro west. It would be nice if the radio business actually acknowledged that Damien Rice and Ray Lamantagne are amazing artists even though they don’t sell as many albums as Maroon 5 – who are very weak by the way!
The new Radio 92.9 appears to be straddling the fence, not quite sure what kind of tunes to play. Pick a genre and go with it! WFNX is not necessarily my favorite station but take a listen to Julie Kramer’s Leftover Lunch or XM’s Fred to hear what good programming sounds like. Thank goodness for the Internet, iTunes (which is huge for independent artists) , YouTube, Julie Kramer & XM Radio!!!
Update 2/27/08: Is it just me or does it sound like Radio 92.9 listened to the feedback and changed their play list back to sound more like WBOS? Please feel free to leave your comments below. For their last 100 songs see: http://rockphoria.com/2008/02/28/radio-929/
This is bullshit if you ask me. They have absolutely no personality now. How can you get rid of someone like George Knight??
WBOS seems to have always struggled with finding a voice. This is just another nail in their coffin. Maybe Buzz Knight should be fired. Greater Media can do much better, but Knight seems to be the bad seed.
what ARE they playing now? i have the most eclectic musical taste of anyone i know (presets to 102.5, 99.5, 91.9, kiss108, 92.5 not to mention news and talk shows) but WHAT is coming out of 92.9? it seems like it’s mostly really angry music with a little mainstream rock thrown in. No thanks. They’re off my dial.
WTF is this? WBOS was my absolute favorite station–it introduced me to talented, underappreciated artists like Josh Ritter and Ryan Adams. Now it’s all angry rock and rap. The hell?
[...] Contrary to Radio 92.9’s feedback page I would imagine Boston’s Radio 92.9 (formerly WBOS) was getting slammed with negative comments. If you look at today’s last 100 songs played [...]
These guys have effectively destroyed a great on-air brand in a matter of weeks. I couldn’t figure out exactly what was going on until I brought it up at a party last week, at which point no fewer than ten people jumped in to say what a train wreck this new format is. They’ve lost me except for Sunday mornings with George. I thought the point was to add listeners, not alienate your well established base?
love the new 92.9… just watch out for songs repeating
The “new” 92.9 is horrible. I have been a faithful listener for years and now will be no longer. If I wanted to here alternative rock I would listen to BCN. They have ruined a good thing. Shame on them.
the new 92.9 is great its like have a satalitte radio but without the subscription fees
I like it. Music I enjoy, (alternative) with hardly any commercials or DJ’s that think folks have tuned in to hear them. Seriously the drive home is mostly talk, commercials and a song or 2 mixed in between.
I think Radio 92.9 sounds much better than it did on its first day.
I just tried to leave a comment on Radio 92.9 about how god awful they are but low and behold, there is no contact information on their website. To me, this switch is a sad day for radio. 92.9 and 92.5 are the jems of radio and of Boston. What WBOS has done has just made all of us true music fans listen exclusively to 92.5 instead of switching back and forth. I hope George Knight finds another good home soon. He made my Sunday mornings, just wondering what he’d play next. Rarely was I disappointed. Up until now… I hope Buzz is reading these comments. Bring me my radio back.
This Station F’n rocks!! Its about time there is a radio station that knows how to play music!! If i wanted to hear people talk all morning I would watch tv!!!Thanks for delivering the music every morning!!
You know what; I wasn’t going to post anything but after reading some comments I just had to, so here it is. All you guys that say you don’t like the new Radio 92.9 are probably between 30, 40, 50, years old and just can’t take the reality that we the younger audience are taking over. And guess what; if you don’t like it find another radio station that plays your boring ass songs and leave 92.9 alone you losers!
I happen to like this station for a few reasons. First, like the editorial said, it has hardly any commercials. Secondly, I disagree with what the editorial said about the station playing “good music” that the industry wants to sell, because the industry wants to sell what’s popular, and not necessarily what’s good, and also that “good music” is subject to personal taste. Further, I can understand where many allude to the station ineffectively possessing a voice, but I like to live in the now, and the now is hard to define for anyone. We’ve passed the time of arena bands, underground style, and even rap is changing. To live in the now is to play the now. If I wanted to hear Van Halen or even Nirvana, I’d go dig out my record collection from my middle school era. Is that to say that there’s nothing out there? Yes and no. The industry has changed to accomodate to the public and a signing is right at a mediocre band’s fingertips. I like to hear what all the new music is up to, even if it is sub-par. To me, that’s what music appreciation is about. So in comparison, trash outnumbers solid material, but the solidness is out there and I can appreciate finding it amongst the wasteland and listening for the cutting edge. Forget the 80’s and 90’s. Follow the music forward and live in the now. Radio 92.9 is one of the only stations that has the backbone to change with the times, and shouldn’t we all appreciate that?
I’m a regular visitor to Boston from the UK – and I work in radio as a Programmes Editor. I always tuned in to WBOS when in town and enjoyed the mix of music and the personality of the DJs. I also frequently dip in and out of the new 92.9 via the internet from the UK. I’m not impressed with the limited playlist and lack of live announcements: I think the station has lost its way and now sits uncomfortably in a radio no-mans-land. I’m still visiting Boston regularly and will be seeking a new station to listen to on future stays. Would The River 92.5 or WBCN satisfy me? I think I need to do an internet trawl to hear whats out there in Greater Boston, but I know for certain 92.9 won’t be supplying my future listening pleasure!
i love wbos.the station sounds like wbcn now.i will only be listening on sunday mornings.