Power play

Okay, I mentioned it in passing last time, but something screwy is going on at WZZN (The Zone) here in Chicago. AC/DC is definitely a legitimate part of their music programming. Not only is the band in fairly heavy rotation, but they're even using the band in their station ID commercials.

Don't get me wrong, I like AC/DC. But The Zone is firmly entrenched in the post-Nirvana flavor-of-the-month style of alternative rock, and has been since it's inception. So there's got to be more to this story. Are they tweaking their format to go after WLUP's older classic rock audience? Are they planning to change formats outright? What does that say about their ongoing battle with fellow modern rock outlet WKQX (Q101)?

Another interesting piece of the puzzle is a new segment in the noon hour featuring two Metallica songs. Every weekday. So they could be trying to outflank Q101 on the heavy stuff, basically moving into the space vacated by the demise of The Blaze (103.5) many years back, which is interesting, since their old program director ended up at Q101 when Q101's old program director, Bill Gamble, bolted for The Zone. It's a big incestuous thing, this Chicago radio market.

I'm really curious, so I'll try to dig a bit with some people I know in and around the business, maybe even look up some Arbitron ratings in the process. There's more to this, I'm sure of it.