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New York's Country HD2

B

Barry

Audacy announced that starting today, their country station on WXBK HD2 will have a hosted show weekdays from 3-6 pm. This is the continuation of New York's Country that was set up when the primary channel became The Block.
The hostess will be Sabrina ("From Queens"). She was a part of the former morning show on New York's Country, when it was a regular radio station.
Even though this is a modest effort compared to what would be expected from a conventional radio station, it seems interesting that Audacy is doing this on an HD2 signal that is not rebroadcast on a translator.
 
I posted about this a couple days ago in the Audacy New York thread but it doesn't hurt to have it's own thread.

Interesting to see any money at all being spent on local talent for an HD-2 with no translator. Some might call it a long overdue investment into building the audience on HD subchannels, though. I see they're also running national Audacy talent piped into other dayparts.
 
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The new show has at least one sponsor. This business also advertised extensively on New York's Country, when it was a regular station.
It was mentioned on air that this sponsorship is a major reason they're offering a hosted program.
They're also running a contest offering tickets to a sold out concert by a major country artist. Perhaps his record label is also paying for the frequent mentions.
This seems to be an interesting experiment. Sure, an HD2 is expected to have a small audience. But the overhead to operate one is probably low enough that it could be profitable if they attract an advertiser or two, even if they're charged a low rate for their spots.
The station's website indicates they're also carrying the national midday and evening shows. So far, this has been incorrect.
 
I think the WXBK 94.7 signal is strong in most of the areas in northern NJ where there are significant amounts of Country fans. That's one reason that Cumulus put a Country format on it when it was acquired from Family Radio, And of course once the tower is moved to the new location, the signal will become stronger in New York.
Country fans have become used to hearing the music on 94.7. The frequency is part of the brand-New York's Country, 94.7. I believe there's no compelling reason to mess with that, and confuse the listeners even further.
 
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Is the 94.7 signal moving actually set in stone? It’s been talked about and approved for years it seems but it still hasn’t happened. I believe the CP runs out this year.
 
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101tm said:
Is the 94.7 signal moving actually set in stone? It’s been talked about and approved for years it seems but it still hasn’t happened. I believe the CP runs out this year.
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If they were smart they would move 94.7's signal. They barely get any listeners in the city that would enjoy it. Not many people in Sussex County would listen to Classic Hip Hop sadly. I do like country, but I really love the classic hip hop.
 
CTListener said:
How? There's no room in NYC for another commercial FM, is there?
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The 106.3 Translator maybe? 97.5 is a translator and so is 101.5 and I think 104.7. They would need a lot of translators to make it close to the signal they had over NYC and NJ.
 
Not sure how many people use HD but the listener activity probably won't be through the roof. But then again it might.
 
The end of New York's Country on a primary FM frequency has evidently created an opening for a second Country station along the nearby Jersey Shore. RadioInsight reports that the oldies format of TownSquare's WOBM 1160 AM abruptly ended today. In it's place was born Cat Country 96.7/104.1. The two translators are carrying WOBM 1160 AM/1310 WADB. Cat Country (co-branded with sister station WPUR in Atlantic City). It will be hosted by personalities from nearby Townsquare stations, including WPUR's morning team. They're kicking it off with 5000 songs in a row, commercial-free.
Their rival, Thunder Country, is rated #2 in their area, Monmouth, Ocean. So there is apparently room for a competitor.

"The Jersey Shore's #1 For New Country"
From RadioInsight
 
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Barry said:
The end of New York's Country on a primary FM frequency has evidently created an opening for a second Country station along the nearby Jersey Shore. RadioInsight reports that the oldies format of TownSquare's WOBM 1160 AM abruptly ended today.
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I wouldn't be shocked if Beasley did something similar with WMTR in Morristown. WNSH was #6 there before the flip.

The country format is potentially money sitting on the table.
 
TheBigA said:
I wouldn't be shocked if Beasley did something similar with WMTR in Morristown. WNSH was #6 there before the flip.

The country format is potentially money sitting on the table.
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Yes.
I had previously posted my opinion that WMTR would be a good candidate for a flip to Country. They have the added bonus of being receivable in parts of New York, unlike Cat Country.
However, I don't think they have any FM translators.
 
Barry said:
The end of New York's Country on a primary FM frequency has evidently created an opening for a second Country station along the nearby Jersey Shore. RadioInsight reports that the oldies format of TownSquare's WOBM 1160 AM abruptly ended today. In it's place was born Cat Country 96.7/104.1. The two translators are carrying WOBM 1160 AM/1310 WADB. Cat Country (co-branded with sister station WPUR in Atlantic City). It will be hosted by personalities from nearby Townsquare stations, including WPUR's morning team. They're kicking it off with 5000 songs in a row, commercial-free.
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Beach Radio can still be heard online.
 
Townsquare Media is now quite invested in Country radio in the area. In addition to the new station at the Jersey Shore, and their other Cat Country in Atlantic City, they also have the 3 stations in the Hudson Valley and Danbury CT simulcasting The Wolf.
 
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