WQCD 101.9 New York dropping smooth jazz for rock.

All the major radio trade paper websites are buzzing as news filters out that WQCD 101.9 New York ('CD 101.9) is dropping the smooth jazz format after 20 years. Reports are that it will become a triple-A/classic hits hybrid and is now known as 101.9 RXP. They already have the calls WRXP and the positioner for the station is 'The New York Rock Experience'.

Word is all the staff save for the PD is gone. The format flip will happen at 4pm Eastern.

This was one of the major stations nationwide in the smooth jazz format. They had consistently good ratings in the crowded NYC market over that 20 year period.

Rock does not do well in New York City. Only one rocker showed up in the top ten in the Fall Arbitron book, and two other rockers had less combined in ratings than the one that did.

This leaves a very plump opportunity for a station lagging in the ratings to pick up the smooth jazz format and run with it. They will do very well as fans of the music are very loyal to the format and will stay with any station that airs it.