Westwood One has launched a new 80s/90s based syndicated Classic Rock format.
“Classic Rock X” launched last month on Forever Media’s “Rocky 96.5” WRQY Wheeling WV. Forever contributed to the development of the format and intends to launch it on more of their stations.
The new format will focus on harder leaning titles mostly from the 1980s and 90s with core artists including AC/DC, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Rose, Nirvana, and Alice In Chains.
Westwood One, the largest radio network in the U.S. and the leader in 24-hour radio formats in America, today announced the launch of a new take on their popular Classic Rock format, which debuted on Forever Media’s WRQY (Rocky 96.5) in Wheeling, WV. The format was developed in conjunction with Forever and will soon be featured in more of their markets, as well as offered to the marketplace at large.
The new format, dubbed by the trade name Classic Rock X, features a harder-edged music mix, with titles by AC/DC, Def Leppard and Guns N’ Roses replacing titles from acts like the Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, and Bruce Springsteen. Classic Rock X also includes songs from Nirvana, Alice In Chains, and other mainstay 90s bands. The live air staff and imaging invokes the “classic rock that really rocks” attitude, and positions it between Westwood One’s Classic Rock and Rock 2.0 24-hour format offerings.
“We were excited by the opportunity to work with Westwood One to help develop a Classic Rock format for the ‘X’ generation to include more 80’s rock titles and to create a format with energy,” according to Jim Shields, VP Programming for Forever Media, Inc. “This format fills a void that radio can now offer to rock audiences aged 35 to 53 years old.”
Classic Rock X is offered as a Westwood One Local format, which provides affiliates with breaks that are customized with content from the local market and that are produced and delivered on the company’s patented STORQ2 platform, the updated version of which began rollout in the last year.
“Classic Rock X is a great example of how we can launch a uniquely prescribed format that meets the marketplace’s specifications, in short order,” commented Kirk Stirland, President of Programming at Westwood One. “With our strong, proven infrastructure and staffing, we’re able to convert our customers’ desires into winning products, smoothly and efficiently.”
