FREE ESSAY ON WROU

WROU

I chose to do my report on WROU 92.1 FM, a Dayton urban contemporary radio station that
plays rhythm and blues (R&B), and rap. I've listened to WROU for years and I consider
them my favorite radio station. Although I have listened to the station, I've never paid
attention to how the programming is done, so I figured this would be my chance to do so.

In researching my information I interviewed Stanley Boston, vice-president of programming
operation. In the interview, he stated that WROU aims for the 18-49 demographic age
range, with a concentration on 25-44 year old females. When 92.1 first came on the air
they were the only station aiming toward African American demographics in Dayton,
therefore, the demographics ages 12 and up. Since then other competing stations have
emerged for African American listeners so U92 had to skew through demographics and set on
one. According to Boston, WROU does not play songs that glorify sex and drugs or
disrespect women. He even said that they don't play certain songs that their competitors
play because they feel it's too explicit for 92.1's taste. Like I said at the beginning
of this paper, I've listened to this station for years and in my opinion they do play
songs that disrespect women. For an example, one of the top 20 songs by Hot Boyz talks
about if the police caught him (the artist) with illegal drugs that the woman (his
girlfriend) would take the charge for the crime. If that's not disrespectful toward women
then I don't know what he considers disrespectful.
WROU is positioning itself in the market by being known as the station that plays the
most music and by answering the needs of the community (mainly African Americans). Boston
stressed the point of serving the community. He said many stations are not serving their
community with news/traffic and information because their money driven, but U92 strives
to build a relationship with their listeners.
Our philosophy at WROU is to always be professional communicators in a relaxed state of
delivery, said Boston. The DJ's are told to speak as speaking to one person, being real
and natural.
Monday through Friday the U92 air lineup includes: the nationally syndicated, The Doug
Banks Morning Show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Doug Banks energizes his audience with the
hottest morning show in the country. He pulls in listeners with his comic style, his
flair for topical humor and special guest celebrities like Will Smith, Michael Jordan,
and Denzel Washington. As a 13-time Air Personality of the Year award winner, Banks and
his sidekick DeDe McGuire showcase up features, contests, entertainment gossip and
outrageous characters to a mainstream 18-34 year old demographic. He has held down great
shifts and brought in great numbers at premier call letters in top markets, including
Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. 
Midday Madness from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a no nonsense approach to music that is upbeat
and invigorating. They primarily play music that appeals to age groups 25-54. This midday
show is packed with promotions, top rated contests and audience participation that makes
the midday show informative and entertaining.
Afternoon Jammer from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with Marco, a sophisticated man of contemporary
jams and oldies. The primary emphasis of this segment is to get people home from work
with favorites from not only newer songs, but older ones, also.
Jammin' 8 @ Eight, begins the evenings with listener participation, and the most
requested songs of the day. Audience participation and top rate contests make this show
award winning and appealing to all ages.
The Quiet Fire from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. is when they play a slower form of R&B and get you
ready for bed, so to speak. 
The weekends bring you Saturday afternoons with the hits from Tony Marcel, Walt Baby Love
and Lee Stephens. Saturday evening brings you DJ SKNO (sk-a-no) and Sean Kelly for Club
92. Sunday mornings consist of Gospel music followed by Kickin' the Hits which is a
two-hour weekend show hosted by Doug Banks, also. Following that is the Quiet Fire.
Commercial loads are approximately four minutes in length and are aired every 20, 35, and
50 minutes after the hour.