Cumulus buys WFME 94.7

[Barry]

If the most likely music formats for 94.7 are country and alternative rock (assuming it does not get programmed for talk), it would be interesting to know which local advertisers would prefer to buy. As the signal is strongest in northern NJ, perhaps Cumulus sales people would focus on businesses in that area.
As Cumulus' WPLJ does very well with its audience in NJ, a compatible music format that appeals to listeners and advertisers in that area could be quite successful

[DavidEduardo]

If the most likely music formats for 94.7 are country and alternative rock (assuming it does not get programmed for talk), it would be interesting to know which local advertisers would prefer to buy. As the signal is strongest in northern NJ, perhaps Cumulus sales people would focus on businesses in that area.
As Cumulus' WPLJ does very well with its audience in NJ, a compatible music format that appeals to listeners and advertisers in that area could be quite successful

In a market like New York, even a more limited coverage station depends on agency business.

With 15 million people in the 60 dbu of WFME, they will not be able to approach most non-agency, single location small businesses; the ad rates will be too high for them. Cumulus will have to deal with regional accounts, like car dealers that appeal to a large area, and multi-location retailers and service providers.

Obviously, if there is an account that does more business on the western side of the market than on Long Island, then they will have a good fit... if the station gets a good audience level.

[badjef]

If the most likely music formats for 94.7 are country and alternative rock (assuming it does not get programmed for talk), it would be interesting to know which local advertisers would prefer to buy. As the signal is strongest in northern NJ, perhaps Cumulus sales people would focus on businesses in that area.
As Cumulus' WPLJ does very well with its audience in NJ, a compatible music format that appeals to listeners and advertisers in that area could be quite successful

In a market like New York, even a more limited coverage station depends on agency business.

With 15 million people in the 60 dbu of WFME, they will not be able to approach most non-agency, single location small businesses; the ad rates will be too high for them. Cumulus will have to deal with regional accounts, like car dealers that appeal to a large area, and multi-location retailers and service providers.

Obviously, if there is an account that does more business on the western side of the market than on Long Island, then they will have a good fit... if the station gets a good audience level.

David, you sound as though you are teetering on the fence of my micro-market business model. Thank you.

But, I don't think "WFME", for lack of any other designation for this station, will adopt that practice, yet. This station is, and has been, in such a unique position. I think it will have to develop its own formula.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

[chrocket87]

Cumulus may well have an eye on the next book to see if the growth of the WRXP format is to continue, all-be-it to see where it finishes. Knowing that it has an expiry date, will listeners still be attracted to it.

From recent history, it seems listening either stays the same or increases after expiration is announced. Some recent examples (and all of these had pre-announced expirations):
In WRXP's last book (2011), listening was about the same as in previous books.
For WKRK/Cleveland, the ratings for it's last book were down. Mind you, the station had been declining in the books for about 6 months before the flip occurred, so this down book seemed to be more of a regular fluctuation.
WZGC/Atlanta is expected to flip to Sports in about a week and since the flip was announced in July, it's 6+ numbers have nearly doubled.
Finally, WKQX/Chicago also recorded a small bump in 6+ for it's final book (2.1, higher than the 1.8-1.9 where it had been meandering for months beforehand), but IIRC, it's 18-34 numbers jumped over 30%.
So, to answer your question, I think it will either see a significant gain in ratings due to wanting to hear it's last moments or listening will be "business as usual". I don't expect to see a listeners exodus until after the flip.

[Kevin L. Sealy]

chrocket87,

What you've posted is true about Merlin Media. But if the revived WRXP was pulling a 3.0 share,  or even making a run at WAXQ-104.3 would Alternative Rock still be on the air?





Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

[chrocket87]

chrocket87,

What you've posted is true about Merlin Media. But if the revived WRXP was pulling a 3.0 share,  or even making a run at WAXQ-104.3 would Alternative Rock still be on the air?



Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

Not in this case. CBS doesn't want 101.9 for 101.9's sake. CBS has been looking to put WFAN on FM for quite some time and apparently believes it's other formats are worth preserving (should put the talk of flipping NOW to rest, seeing as they paid $75 million to flip something else). That is their very specific agenda.
If this were going to another owner whose agenda was simply to break into/expand their presence in the market, then perhaps.

[XCountry285]

Merlin only owned one station in the largest market in the country. It made sense for them to sell it because it cost the most money.

[Frequency Breakdown]

chrocket87,

What you've posted is true about Merlin Media. But if the revived WRXP was pulling a 3.0 share,  or even making a run at WAXQ-104.3 would Alternative Rock still be on the air?





Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

Kevin, There is relatively ZERO crossover between New Rock and the Q. Yet, you keep making comparisons.

Thanks,
Frequency L. Breakdown

[radioguy39nj]

Where on the FM dial could WWSK move?  Or where could they move their stick or possibly COL to? 

Any move involving WWSK will cost Cumulus lots of $$$$!  All that to get 94.7 on the ESB.  It might be cheaper to swap with Pacifica for 99.5.

[KyleAndMelissa22]

Why not just a directional antenna on the ESB with a null to the east and NE...?
Or they can move it to 4TS or the new WTC when it's done...with a directional antenna.

It doesn't have to be at the very top of the building (master antenna)
it can be rooftop level, about 200-300 feet below the other signals...

I know there's little or no room for a DA at the ESB but theres plenty of room at 4TS for this kinda thing, no?