Just wondering if anyone’s heard anything. I saw over on the other radio site where a Jack FM domain had been registered & was rumored for Knoxville. But it was in the premium subscription area, so I didn’t see the details. Anyone have any news or guesses. Is Midwest going to do something w/ that translator? Or, what I’d guess is more likely, is Summit Media making a change? Summit has a Jack station in Greenville, & recently flipped their classic hits station in Richmond to Jack. Are they about to ditch ‘NOX’s classic hits for Jack in Knoxville? It would be better produced than that awful voice track service 93.1 uses for classic hits. Or could they be making changes at 100.3 or 104.5? Anyone know anything?
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Jack FM returning to Knoxville?
- Thread starter BRH
- Start date
Quite possible, Rich. Plus 93.1 does seem to get plenty of non-traditional revenue in sponsoring events, and a jockless Jack would make that tougher as there would be no recognizable emcee/promoter. I question Pirkle paying the Jack licensing fee for a translator pair...unless he's going to flip 94.3? In Richmond, Summit also has a Classic Rock so I can see Classic Hits somewhat cancelling it out. When I heard Richmond's version of Classic Hits, they sounded hotter and whiter than WNOX. I do think the local folks at WNOX would dump Westwood One if they could.
I had thought of the Pirkle possibility as well. But I agree on the Jack licensing fee. I would think he’d just do it generically (kinda like what they’re running now). Another possibility is maybe Midwest dumping Duke & reverting to Jack on 95.7. I think they’ve dropped their Duke format on some other stations if I remember correctly. Although, Duke gets good numbers & is cheap to run. But then again, classic country, even with good numbers, can be hard to monetize. I was thinking Summit since they’ve recently licensed Jack in Richmond & Greenville (the G’ville is a translator that used to be Chuck FM before licensing Jack). Anyway, who knows. Maybe just a squatter as well. I’ve also wondered why someone like 106.1 The River didn’t jump on Jack after 95.7 dropped it. It could help them as it’s a better known quantity.
A few days ago radio insight said it was registered by Oak Ridge FM. 2 domains were registered. The other was for 94.3. I'd be shocked to see them drop the only alternative format on knoxville though.
I've got to think it's not easy to sell alternative as a standalone though. Not that Jack as a standalone would be much better but it would be cheaper to run.
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If Pirkle does flip 94Z to Jack, that leaves a wide open hole in the market for some sort of current based rock format (be it alternative or active rock). I know it’s not the easiest audience to sell, but wonder if anyone else fills that hole? An alternative format would pair nicely with Summit’s other 18-34 stations as they dominate those demos w/ Star & Hot. I would personally hate to lose alternative though.
I guess if Pirkle flips 94.3, he could put the alternative format on the two translators. Maybe just run it jockless as a jukebox.
I guess if Pirkle flips 94.3, he could put the alternative format on the two translators. Maybe just run it jockless as a jukebox.
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I believe the 101.5 translator is running at full power from Sharps ridge now. It's getting a strong signal in Maryville with very little interference from WQUT. It's working a lot better than I thought it would. Also they're playlist seems to be a lot heavier on 80's and 90's. I've enjoyed listening to it. Would be a good place for Jack or a locally programmed Adult Hits station.
Update on 101.5 as 101.5 VLZ. Apparently as of this morning they have switched to Active Rock. 97.1 and 1120 are dead air. I wonder what this means for 94Z. I hope they stay. An active rock and alt combo is awesome to have. The Tri- Cities have both formats. Why shouldn't we?
97.1 and 1120 are playing the same thing now. 97.1 has way better audio though. No mention of those signals though. At least having 97.1 gives good coverage to Sevier County and Blount County. 101.5 doesn't sound bad in Maryville. The audio just needs improvement. So 101.5 is dead in West Knoxville?
Just using a basic portable radio, no I can't hear 101.5 at all. In fact 101.7 WJSQ comes in better.
So if I understand correctly, the Oak Ridge FM LMA is over and 1120 has gone back to being programmed by Mid-Century with 101.5 and 1180. So Oak Ridge FM still owns 97.1? Maybe that's why the new VLZ is not mentioning 97.1. Possibly something new might be placed there if Oak Ridge FM still owns it. If Mid-Century owns it, maybe they will put WKCE on it.
So if I understand correctly, the Oak Ridge FM LMA is over and 1120 has gone back to being programmed by Mid-Century with 101.5 and 1180. So Oak Ridge FM still owns 97.1? Maybe that's why the new VLZ is not mentioning 97.1. Possibly something new might be placed there if Oak Ridge FM still owns it. If Mid-Century owns it, maybe they will put WKCE on it.
I actually messaged WVLZ. They do not own 97.1. They are just rebroadcasting on their at the moment. 1180 is still currently oldies with the WKCE calls. 1120 is WVLZ which is where the station gets the name. To my understanding, 97.1 is attached to 1120. If they are going to drop 97.1, then the WVLZ calls would have to move back to 1180 (that being they want to keep the VLZ name) and it would have to broadcast the Active Rock format. That then puts WKCE back on 1120 and 97.1. It doesn't make sense because Oak Ridge FM owns 1180. Maybe somebody can help us understand a bit better. I know I'm rambling on but this is how I've been told the translators line up.
I read an article about Oak Ridge buying silent (at the time) 1180 am. I knew they owned 97.1. I'll just wait and see where things end up. I want to say that eventually 97.1 can translate 1180 according to the rules of the am rivitalization. I think it is only stuck to 1120 for a certain amount of time. If I can find the article I add a link. Mid Century does in fact own 1120 and 101.5 though. The name doesn't seem to fit now though if 1180 am is owned by Oak Ridge. I'm not certain on any of this though. This is just what I've gathered in the past few hours.
Hmm, interesting trying to figure out who’s behind what. 101.5 does seem to have a much better signal now. I picked them up all the way down into Loudon Co now. I wonder if there was some sort of agreement between Oak Ridge FM & Mid Century with the competing Active & Alt formats. Wonder if the next piece of the puzzle is 94.3 dropping alternative for the rumored adult hits/Jack format? Could’ve been part of the reason for Mid Century doing the active rock format. Who knows. Also if Oak Ridge FM still owns the 97.1 translator, they’ll have to make a deal w/ someone to rebroadcast something. (Unless they upgrade 94.3 with an HD & HD2 signal to rebroadcast. And I don’t see them spending the cash for an HD upgrade. Or they could buy another AM to rebroadcast, I guess. Would prob be cheaper than an HD upgrade).
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If 97.1 stays in Sevier County and doesn't move to Sharps Ridge like their current Construction permit shows, they could always use it to repeat 94.3's main signal. It would give Sevier County a better signal. I don't know how well the move of 97.1 would benefit the signal. I see they have a lot of protection behind Sharps Ridge. Probably due to 97.1 in Somerset, KY.
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