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WORD to 98.9, Magic to 106.3
- Thread starter 101tm
- Start date
that metallic tin like sound is Voltair watermarking the PPM signal and its voltair turned up way too much
Visited Charlotte last week, and 98.9 maintains a decent signal except there is now some interference from a 98.7 translator signal that has emerged there. A Black Info Network. There was some bleedover in the SouthPark area, and also some other station began interfering with WBT on 99.3. More overcrowding of the dial. But switched to 11.10 and all was good, although I don't necessarily agree with the point of view of some of the commentators there. But I enjoy their morning show,, and news and traffic is always on point.
And no more B-93.7 in Charlotte due to a Bible network translator.
And no more B-93.7 in Charlotte due to a Bible network translator.
98.9’s signal actually gets better in Concord where they were coming in loud and clear for me last month. Switching the signal to mono has helped it a bit. They brag about the signal reaching Rock Hill, but I can’t believe anybody there is listening, especially with such a superior station like WBT in their back yard.
I don’t know what it is - I don’t listen to conservative talk stations generally - but I’ve heard enough to know stations like WVOC, WBT, or WWNC, aren’t nearly as irritating and obnoxious as WORD. There seems to be a strong sense of self righteousness at 98.9 that I find painfully agitating. But congrats to WORD on their big ratings increase since moving from a C3 to a C - so many more are listening!!!!! 🤣
I don’t know what it is - I don’t listen to conservative talk stations generally - but I’ve heard enough to know stations like WVOC, WBT, or WWNC, aren’t nearly as irritating and obnoxious as WORD. There seems to be a strong sense of self righteousness at 98.9 that I find painfully agitating. But congrats to WORD on their big ratings increase since moving from a C3 to a C - so many more are listening!!!!! 🤣
It is, after all, upstate SC. They're on brand.
The ratings as of late show it’s not resonating with listeners like it once did. Too bad iHeart didn’t lock up news/talk in the market.
I would be able to listen to Christmas music in the car this week if they hadn't done this.
A lot of people were upset over that initially. That’s why 97.7 in Asheville (which ironically signed on as a fill in translator for WSPA-FM) went all Christmas this year, but due to the terrain it’s a very hit/miss signal and just around Asheville.
Magic is on 98.9-HD2 for those with HD but it sounds very bad.
Honestly all of the relays of Magic outside of 106.3 sound terrible. The 101.5 translator in Anderson
is in mono and says WYRD. 95.1 in Pickens sounds like it’s in a closet being fed by a microphone propped up against a radio, WFBC-HD4, and WYRD-HD2 both sound terrible. I contacted them ages ago to no avail.
The fact RDS says "WYRD" means little to nothing to listeners... people probably think the call letters on 98.9 are WORD, anyways.
Sounds like sloppy engineering
The issue is, it should say “Magic” or “WSPA-FM” - the programming on 101.5 and 95.1 translators have not broadcast WYRD’s news/talk programming since March. When news/talk moved to 98.9, those translators were flipped to a simulcast of Magic on 106.3. Audacy simply never updated the RDS or processing on either after they switched from news/talk to AC. The processing is bad enough that I’m pretty sure the average listener can hear. It sounds like it’s in an echo chamber.
I find the addition of Erick Erickson to WORD interesting. I spent some time sampling his show and he is much more stable, measured, and prepared than Tara, Frady, and the like that takes up the rest of WORD's schedule. He actually calls out conspiracies that a lot of the other 98.9 hosts push on their shows which seems to be strange, and isn't rabidly Trump or MAGA. Erickson's show of course originates from WSB in Atlanta which is a conservative talk station but not off the wall crazy like WORD can get considering WSB's market size. Sort of reminds me of how Boortz was but Boortz was still less partisan. I'm shocked 98.9 didn't add Bongino in that slot, he'd fit much better with the rest of the schedule, not complaining though...
I used to enjoy Neal Boortz on both WSB and WBT. And I miss Vince Coakley on WORD, although I still listen on WBT. Although I don't necessarily agree totally with his view point, his program is also more polished, prepared and professional, rather than wacko right wing conspiracies. He is a conservative Christian, not necessarily a MAGA Republican. And I can respect that.
Agree, I enjoy WBT in general even for news/info. It makes 98.9’s childish rants and temper tantrums and conspiracy theories look ridiculous.
The 12-3pm slot is going to always be a problem for 98.9 IMO. Dana Loesch was a bad fit with the rest of the station, and Erick Erickson is pretty “NeverTrump” even though he is hesitantly supporting the former president. I can’t believe that’s going over well with their listeners. He’s a nut, but like I said I think Bongino would do better for them.
Can people stop bumping 3 months 4 months old thread
If there's no activing there's a reason, other forums, it will get locked
If there's no activing there's a reason, other forums, it will get locked
The station switch with 98.9 and 106.3 is still an active and ongoing topic, with a presidential election year affecting adverstising and ratings for WORD, and a weaker signal hurting Magic due to poor promotion and a potential loss of listeners. Coming up on a year after the switch, it is still relevant to analyze results of the changes and consider possible adjustments going forward.
We're still waiting to see if Magic 106.3 will ever succeed.
I’m curious to find out what the next book does. 2.9 for the last monthly was the biggest share 106.3 has gotten since March. I’d be shocked if they collapsed back down to where they were but I’d be surprised if they moved much higher unless they got some later Christmas music listeners.
And yes with this being an election year and having big consequences or benefits for WYRD as well as still watching 106.3 to see if Magic catches on, there’s no need to create a thread for each random thought regarding the situation.
BTW - WYRD is right around where it was when 94.5 The Answer was still around, so it doesn’t look like they got much of that 2-2.5 share. 94.5 probably attracted people that didn’t like the controversial local hosts on 98.9, as well as Sean Hannity being a big name and Mike Gallagher having had a following in the upstate for a very long time.
The next book should be out by the end of this week, if not sometime next week.
And yes it’ll definitely interesting to see how WSPA fared, but note next month’s February book will be the real informative sign of how WYRD is doing.
I agree about Erickson, from what I’ve heard, is breath of fresh air from the tin foil hats and definitely has a libertarian vibe like Boortz was all those years ago.
I’m actually surprised no one in the market has filled a talk void Beck, Clay Travis & Buck Sexton etc yet.
And yes it’ll definitely interesting to see how WSPA fared, but note next month’s February book will be the real informative sign of how WYRD is doing.
I agree about Erickson, from what I’ve heard, is breath of fresh air from the tin foil hats and definitely has a libertarian vibe like Boortz was all those years ago.
I’m actually surprised no one in the market has filled a talk void Beck, Clay Travis & Buck Sexton etc yet.
I was always surprised (before iHeart put BIN on 1440) iHeart never put talk on 660 or 1440 just to clear premiere shows and shave a little off WYRD. Beck has never aired in the market, actually the only main Premiere show cleared in the market now is Coast to Coast on 98.9. iHeart could have gotten translators for 660/1440 before things became so crowded and done a 24/7 talk format on FM even though 660 is daytime only, but they didn’t, then there’s the 104.9 albatross they went with sports on.
Seems like iHeart has decided despite having neighboring news/talk stations they could share resources with (WWNC, WVOC, WSCC) as well as most of their programming in the Premiere arm not not cleared, news/talk isn’t worth it. It’s hard to support two news/talk stations.
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