Why does Radio Nova have an 80s show...

its_steve116

...but not ones for other decades?

SVI40

Because the 80's were the best decade ever, and it give young people a chance to listen to what they missed out on. 😂

TheBMG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058304804/why-does-radio-nova-have-an-80s-show

Presume they feel that the eighties are a demographic ‘sweet spot’ for their audience. A good decade for all sorts of rock genres too.

martco

oh that's easy, because 80's rules, it was a rich period for music and art, a peak I think

there just isn't any other decade that touches it (granted built upon 60/70's) for innovations, genres, about every crossover and art reference I can think of...politics like Cold War and social upheaval, John Landis movies, media e.g. MTV, the list is just endless

plus it was proper hard to make music, pre-digitization

my kids are in their early 20's but brought up on a diet of ska/punk/reggae/yacht rock/new rom...in the house I bet like many others and it stuck cos its just better

the best things stick because they are the best.

TheBMG

Hail fellow Gen X’r!

its_steve116

They used to have a five-night-a-week 80s show, then it became 80s/90s, then due perhaps to the all-80s show on Friday nights it was replaced by Nova playlist stuff.

TheBMG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120844317#Comment_120844317

Think they still do an 80s feature during lunch too

tinytobe

The thing is, rockstations have a problem: They have to reach a more general audience. In the end they are neither real rock, they try to be mainstream, and sometimes drift into 80ies pop easily.

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120854569#Comment_120854569

I don't think a bona-fide "classic rock" station is economically viable in Ireland. Look what happened to TXFM; it had a very restricted format and went under.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876477#Comment_120876477

What about Zenith in the South East of Ireland? Are they still on air?

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876758#Comment_120876758

I mean licensed stations

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876769#Comment_120876769

Zenith isn't licensed? Didn't know that.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876477#Comment_120876477

a further problem for nova is they don't have an all-ireland licence. (or else do, but only operate on the east coast)

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876758#Comment_120876758

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876769#Comment_120876769

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120878821#Comment_120878821

Zenith is an online station, just to clarify. It has run on temporary FM licenses on a number of occasions.

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120878827#Comment_120878827

Radio Nova is licensed for Dublin and the commuter belt, namely north Wicklow, Meath and Kildare. It does, however, have a reach as far as Co. Louth.

tinytobe

Sunday evening there is a radio show in Radio Nova where they play a good amount of new Irish rock groups. Worth tuning into.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120885450#Comment_120885450

I thought Zenith was oficially licensed on 103.8 in the South East?

Declan A Walsh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120913277#Comment_120913277

I have replied on the main Radio Nova thread.

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120888931#Comment_120888931

It's a very good show!

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120842949#Comment_120842949

The 90s gave us Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Oasis, Blur, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, Pulp, Suede, Supergrass, Jurassic Park, Austin Powers, Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura, The Mask, The Commitments, Billy Madison...

And you know Dee, you don't have to stick to the strict 1980-1989 definition of the 80s, you could throw in some tunes from 90-92 as well, they're the 80s in all but name... 🙂

loyatemu

every second song on Nova is from the 80s anyway. The others are mostly The Killers.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121067847#Comment_121067847

I think Radio Nova should have such a show every evening, not just Sunday. Ireland has still some good new rock talent.

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121069104#Comment_121069104

Have you heard of Forge Hounds? They're from Waterford and have a great classic rock sound.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121069490#Comment_121069490

That's the sort of music for Radio Nova.

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121070366#Comment_121070366

Yeah, the sort of music Radio Nova *should* be playing.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121071208#Comment_121071208

This is also the reason why I am so interested in DAB+ coverage in Ireland. If DAB+ was there, Radio Nova could easily have another programme exclusively dedicated to new and Irish rock music.

Incidentally they have a couple of streams as well: They call them "digital" but they aren't DAB+.

https://www.nova.ie/nova-digital-radio/

I'd say if somebody wants decent rock music, one would have to turn to those streams, smartphone coverage would have to be a must.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120885452#Comment_120885452

It can go quite a bit further than that. I once went on a drive to Whitehead, north-east of Belfast, with Nova on the whole time. Lost it in Belfast but it came back after coming out the other side.

RINO87

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121071208#Comment_121071208

Slightly off topic....but to me this is exactly the type of music 2FM should be playing, as a PSB. Give all up and coming bands, DJ's etc the exposure that they're not going to get on the commercial stations.

tinytobe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121072165#Comment_121072165

Sticking to the topic, one general question: ( I am the dumb one here and still don't understand....)

Why do so many rock stations, especially in Europe, try to market and combine 80ies with rock? It's not that this is one and the same audience or interest group?

If somebody likes rock, it's either classic rock, or something more modern, but definitely not 80ies.

lertsnim

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120913277#Comment_120913277

They were on it for a few weeks years ago. Only Christmas FM and the pride radio station go on there now.

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121074194#Comment_121074194

I've never truly understood it either.