There are only so many seats at the table. The heritage players in Buffalo don't give up their seats. These days hold them and eye each other's servings on the table. If a low-power Independent like WECK can secure a seat at the table, it's a major accomplishment. And it has.
Thinking it could swipe some food off 97 Rock's plate, WBUF rolled the dice and shed the Jack-FM brand. 97 Rock stuck WBUF in the hand with a serving fork, and kicked WBUF's chair out from under it. WBUF is no longer sitting at the table, it's now eating at the kiddies' table in the kitchen with WXRL, WUFO and The Wolf. WBUF as "the new-era of Classic Rock" has failed to launch. Cheap Beer and Stale Wings isn't cutting it. The rest of the station is a "meh."
David Eduardo noted in previous threads that he believed Sparknet's licensing terms for Jack-FM are flexible outside the Top 50 markets. Jack-FM was a known brand and most likely remains so in this market. The Jack-FM brand and format was effectively executed years ago by a program director who's now programming 97 Rock. Townsquare should consider sending the present WBUF PD to Sparknet boot camp and re-launching the Jack-FM format.
"You go back, Jack, do it again,
wheel turnin' 'round and 'round...
You go back, Jack, do it again."
Great assessment. I can tell you for a fact, from the top brass at these companies that they no longer care about ratings. At all.
They care about having as much as a syndicated jukebox on the air as they can. They spend very few dollars on these stations, and the outdoor marketing you may see , or tv spots is trade with the tv station or nfta
I can tell you that WECK does not do a lick of trade. I don’t allow it. Plus, trade is considered cash by the IRS, and is taxable to me. Every penny of advertising you see from WECK, I am writing a check for.
Shares overall are going to keep going down, because no one is just discovering radio. While shares from 50K stations go down, it helps WECK by default. I knew this would happen 5 years ago when I purchased it.
There is no turning back now. Corporate giants in radio have decided that radio is outdated for the most part. They need to tell their stockholders about a shiny new toy, before their stockholders bail. Right now, that’s digital, which again, radio jumped on the bandwagon too late. Instead of being proactive, radio is reactive.
I was told by senior management this month that if radio had to depend solely on spot sales to make numbers, they would be bankrupt.
They will never spend time and money to localize it, the way it should be. Like I mentioned in an earlier reply post, talk stations will do fine, if it’s local. WBEN and GR have very loyal audiences , and they are driving in their own lane, a lane they own.
I also have to hand it to YRK and GRF . They are live and local, mostly, but more importantly, they are still part of the community. When I think of both these stations, I have nothing but fond memories growing up as a kid. Super fest and Rally in the Alley with 97 Rock, weekend Jamborees with YRK. They have become part of the songbook of peoples lives. I don’t necessarily agree with the limited playlists, but that is coming from corporate.
97 Rock has some amazing jocks who grew up in our community, and sound great. Russo, JP, Tiberi, and now Shred and Regan. These are all very good jocks, music tellers, image creators and local people.
I remember the first day Clay started at YRK, part time. He and I both were on air at NUC . He has done a remarkable job catering to the country audience and becoming part of their lives.
BLK also deserves its place in the market. They have not veered from their lane in decades.
For me personally, it is actually sad to see what these other stations have become. WECK is not Z100 in NYC . I realize that. We do the best with what we have. However, I am in a place where purchasing some of these bigger wattage stations is a very true reality. However, companies won’t sell, because they may get more from investor groups when they have more stations. But you can bet, that if they do sell, in Buffalo, I will give my all to get them. Not because I am some radio tycoon, but I still believe. When people care, anything is possible.
But like always, radio is reactive, not proactive, so when these companies decide to sell, the nail in the coffin will already be hammered in
For me personally, I really try to be
