WQCD drops Smooth Jazz to become "New York's Rock Experience"

Emmis Smooth Jazz WQCD (CD 101.9)/New York has flipped to Rock, as "The New York Rock Experience." Described as "an innovative new adult rock format," it promises "a respectful and intelligent mix of new music, Classic Rock and Alternative" as 101.9 RXP. The new Rock station has launched a brand new Web site as well at www.1019rxp.com.
"On-air personalities will play a direct part in choosing the music," announced 101.9 RXP Program Director Blake Lawrence. "It's unheard of in radio these days, but 101.9 RXP is about the music and not so much the music business - we're merging rock styles and generations into a singular community that we call The New York Rock Experience."

FMQB

From www.AllAccess.com

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS has pulled the plug on Smooth Jazz WQCD (CD101.9)/NEW YORK to launch 101.9 WRXP, THE NEW YORK ROCK EXPERIENCE. "101.9 RXP" represents a new Adult Rock station in the NEW YORK tri-state market which merges New Music, Classic Rock, Alternative and local Rock into a new adult blend. The first hour of the format can be found on the new site, as well as an explanation for the direction, "NEW YORK's ROCK EXPERIENCE."
101.9 RXP will feature a variety of rock from artists such as FRANZ FERDINAND, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, NIRVANA, COLDPLAY, U2, PEARL JAM, DAVE MATTHEWS, THE POLICE, BECK, RADIOHEAD, THE WHO, OASIS, ARCADE FIRE, SOCIAL DISTORTION and REM. The playlist will not be determined by era, but rather by the acoustic quality of each song, as determined directly by on-air personalities and staff.
Jocks To Have Say In Music
"On-air personalities will play a direct part in choosing the music," announced 101.9 RXP PD BLAKE LAWRENCE. "It's unheard of in radio these days, but 101.9 RXP is about the music and not so much the music business -- we're merging rock styles and generations into a singular community that we call THE NEW YORK ROCK EXPERIENCE."
"Having grown up on the great NEW YORK Rock radio of the past, I'm absolutely thrilled that EMMIS has identified an unserved audience that now has a great new three-dimensional rock brand!" said EMMIS VP/Programming JIMMY STEAL. "This brand builds, and expands upon, NEW YORK's great Rock radio legacy -- RXP is a Rock station that truly represents a rock culture, for rock music lovers ... and is not just another Rock format."
The first song to air on 101.9 RXP was "Rock and Roll" by legendary NEW YORK icon LOU REED and THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, followed by the world premiere of REM's "Supernatural Superserious."
"Some of the world's greatest rock artists got their start playing by the fountain in WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK just steps away from our studios," said new on-air personality and newly named MD/afternoon personality BRYAN SCHOCK. "That communal rock spirit is what we mean by the NEW YORK ROCK EXPERIENCE, and it is the spirit with which 101.9 RXP will be playing and launching new local artists."
On-Air Staff Still Being Chosen
BRYAN SCHOCK will be heard weekdays in the afternoon. He is the first on-air personality to emerge from the massive search now underway for live and local on-air talent for the station. "This is a completely unique and custom radio station with absolutely nothing off the shelf" EMMIS/NEW YORK Market Manager DAN HALYBURTON said. "Our talented team has been working tirelessly to offer a new adult Rock radio brand that is truly unique and deserving of being the caretaker of NEW YORK's rich rock heritage"
EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS/NEW YORK commissioned multiple research projects from PARAGON MEDIA STRATEGIES prior to the launch of WRXP. Programming consultants included MIKE HENRY of PARAGON, and JOHN BRADLEY and DAVE RAHN of SBR CREATIVE MEDIA.
The Smooth Jazz format will continue to live on as an HD2 channel. Click here for those details.