In New York City, rock gets rolled

Rock and roll is dead.

At least contemporary rock and roll, and at least in New York City, which will be without a commercial rock station as of this fall, when WEMP begins simulcasting WFAN, a sports network.

Yesterday CBS Radio said it is buying the 101.9 frequency in order to bring its popular AM station to an even broader audience, signaling the waning power of rock on the radio dial.

WEMP had been NYC’s last remaining commercial rock station, as defined by Arbitron, playing contemporary music. The city does have a classic rock station and some areas can receive signals from rock stations in neighboring areas, such as New Jersey.

Rock simply hasn’t been a popular format in NYC of late. In fact, WEMP had already undergone several format changes in the past 15 months, including a stint as a news-talk station and as an alternative rock station.

Of course the current music scene is as much to blame as anything. Dance music and pop have dominated the top 40 for some time.
 

Tags: AM, audience, cbs radio, music, New Jersey, new york city, NYC, nyc radio, radio, radio formats, wemp, wfan