After several Christmas weekends throughout the year, and a ton of Christmas music going through New Years last year, WSPA flipped the switch to all-Christmas this morning. Only slightly later than last year. I would think they’re concerned about another station doing it considering how early they switched, but I don’t see who would unless it’s used as a stunt for a format change (also likely not to happen)
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
WSPA-FM goes all-Christmas
- Thread starter 101tm
- Start date
Nah they’ve been starting very early for the past few years. The only thing about WSPA is last year they didn’t get a bump out it it all. It’ll be interesting to see if they can sustain it over the next couple/few years.
Absolutely corrected about another station flip. I think, what's now Lake did it last year (or maybe the year before) and got a one day jump on Magic. And since the station's numbers are not great, what do they have to lose? I really don't think there's any chance of a format flip. (although there's been much chatter over the last few years about moving Hawk & Tom to the station, since that's their demo now. And with Heidi out, might be a good time to revamp the show.)
I believe WMYI went all Christmas in 2019 when they were stunting between My 102.5 and The Lake. Last year I think it was just WSPA-FM.
The numbers aren’t as strong as they once were but I’m sure WSPA-FM still does well for Audacy. It’s an easy sell that doesn’t take that much investment. I’m not sure if they’d be willing to shell out the $$$ for Hawk and Tom to put them on 98.9 when they’ve just used syndication in mornings for almost 10 years in AM drive even though they are definitely more fitting for a Hot AC, AC, or even classic hits format….definitely not CHR
My thoughts would be that they would put Hawk and Tom on Magic and then put a new syndicated show on B. Audacy probably has several CHR morning shows they want to promote. It's a wash money-wise. It might bring some new life to 98.9. plus, pretty much all of B is now syndicated.
After some research, WSPA-FM was one of the first commercial full market FM’s to switch to all Christmas. iHeart flipped around 80 of their stations a week or so later.
WSPA-FM was the first Audacy station to flip to all Christmas and was the only Audacy station to do so until about 2 weeks later. Most others will tomorrow. This station obviously gets something from Christmas that others don’t.
WSPA-FM was the first Audacy station to flip to all Christmas and was the only Audacy station to do so until about 2 weeks later. Most others will tomorrow. This station obviously gets something from Christmas that others don’t.
i think they have probably built a good list of seasonal advertisers over the years that only buy during the holidays. ratings from all christmas are incidental. money is more important,
They also use to do a "shake the tree" contest where listeners won TONS of different prizes. Was actually a cool idea. Sales and promotions worked toget to get everything from pretty amazing prizes to just cleaning out the old prize cabinet. Definitely was popular. Not sure what they did last year with COVID since the offices were closed. Winners always had to pick up the prize. I assume they are doing it again this year.
They also have sponsors for the all-Christmas format which is used on social media and probably generates $$$. They also have the title (and have had really) of being the de facto/official all Christmas station for a few years since 102.5 left the building with it.
I guess what I was saying was I wonder if WSPA-FM flipping to all Christmas so much earlier than the other Audacy AC’s means anything…do they perform less during the year, so they need Christmas more? Or is it just extremely successful and profitable in GSP?
I guess what I was saying was I wonder if WSPA-FM flipping to all Christmas so much earlier than the other Audacy AC’s means anything…do they perform less during the year, so they need Christmas more? Or is it just extremely successful and profitable in GSP?
If you are hinting about a format flip, I wouldn't count on it. That station is THE heritage station in the market for adults. I'm sure, financially, it does very well, even if ratings don't reflect that.
Oh no, not at all. They aren’t about to flip 98.9. I just meant performance in a general sense compared to tiger Audacy AC’s, I’m sure it does well enough for them in this market. WSPA and WROQ are really all Audacy has going for them in the market these days.
Don't discount WORD. I believe it was their top billing station last year.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I do wonder how all of the changes with election fatigue, a new administration and the loss of Rush Limbaugh have affected them.
I know ratings are down, but I wouldn't count on revenue to be off more than just possible COVID related stuff, like many stations. They are talk, so they run TONS of spots.
I wonder who WGTK’s listener base is, and if they switch between WORD? I would imagine the demos on 94.5 are even older than 106.3. 94.5 has remained pretty stable over the years, I think they got a tiny election bump but whoever is listening must be pretty loyal. I would think the 106.3 listeners are probably more likely to be casual and switch between WROQ, Earth FM, WESC, etc.
corporate owners don't care what happens the week between christmas and new years. someone will press a button when its not a company holiday.
Any song referncing the Wise Men and any song about winter is legal until Epiphany.
- Status