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Could Good Karma put ESPN 880 on translators?
- Thread starter nd2023
- Start date
Cover most of the city? I don't think so. NYC takes in a LOT of territory and two translators wouldn't do it. Not to mention, there's a 107.9 in Westport CT and a pair of 94.3 stations on Long Island and Asbury Park.
In the largest markets, translators are not being used. You'd easily go into and out of their coverage areas, or get spillage from a suburban station on their frequency.
I think Good Karma just took the easy frequency when Audacy offered it. Maybe Good Karma should have said, "We don't want 880. We want 94.7." Audacy's Hip Hop station 94.7 WXBK is the lowest rated commercial FM station in New York. But I guess the cost was too high and Good Karma just wanted an outlet for its ESPN New York operation. It figures it will get its fans to go to the app to hear it, if they don't like AM radio.
In the largest markets, translators are not being used. You'd easily go into and out of their coverage areas, or get spillage from a suburban station on their frequency.
I think Good Karma just took the easy frequency when Audacy offered it. Maybe Good Karma should have said, "We don't want 880. We want 94.7." Audacy's Hip Hop station 94.7 WXBK is the lowest rated commercial FM station in New York. But I guess the cost was too high and Good Karma just wanted an outlet for its ESPN New York operation. It figures it will get its fans to go to the app to hear it, if they don't like AM radio.
I'm not listening long enough, and I know this seems to be a rather unpopular opinion, but I believe 880 is still on 101.1 HD2. Are they promoting that at all? Even if they just give the call numbers once an hour somewhere in a sweeper. I'm sure that HD signal would be better than what any translator could do.
Yes, in particular Peter Rosenberg has mentioned that on the afternoon program when he was on Mon.-Thu.
Other shows have referenced 101.1-HD2 as a choice.
Rosenberg mentioned he was getting messages via social media that the 880 signal was "bad" + "unlistenable".
He asked those people to send him video/audio of their "listening experience".
After he went through them all, he said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the signal - all sounded fine.
It turned out to be a case where the listeners either:
--never (or rarely ever) listened to an AM station previously, and/or
--just wouldn't put up with the sound quality of their new home on AM vs. their old home on FM.
Thus, he did offer that they should listen through 101.1-HD2, the app or web site ("they have FM quality sound").
Other shows have referenced 101.1-HD2 as a choice.
Rosenberg mentioned he was getting messages via social media that the 880 signal was "bad" + "unlistenable".
He asked those people to send him video/audio of their "listening experience".
After he went through them all, he said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the signal - all sounded fine.
It turned out to be a case where the listeners either:
--never (or rarely ever) listened to an AM station previously, and/or
--just wouldn't put up with the sound quality of their new home on AM vs. their old home on FM.
Thus, he did offer that they should listen through 101.1-HD2, the app or web site ("they have FM quality sound").
“Bad and unlistenable” is why AM is dead to the younger generation.
No. Seriously, they have made their approach crystal clear.
No, because the FM band is too crowded to use translators. And the AM signal in this case (880) is a powerful one, not some low wattage AM station.
Nope, this is because the AM signal is (880) which was originally the WCBS-AM, so it cant switch to FM since it's too very crowded for the translators
K.M. Richards
Program Director, The Eighties Channel™
If Good Karma had wanted to stay on FM, they could have either extended the LMA or converted it to a purchase.
K.M. Richards
Program Director, The Eighties Channel™
But that matters less to Sports Talk. Their audience will put up with the signal deficiences, for most part.
And everything that has been said about translators is true; in a metropolitan area, where the FM dial is filled to capacity, there is only a minimal chance of getting a stable signal from them.
So why did WFAN have the need to go FM. 660 is another blowtorch signal.
To compete with WEPN-FM, which began its LMA in April. WFAN went FM a few months later.
Better audio quality and to reach the generation that barely knows AM exists. Sports fans are spread over all age ranges.
Are they even listening to the radio at all though to care about FM.
The ones that are are listening to FM. Every listener counts, especially in the age ranges that are still useful to advertisers. Why are you so obstinate about WFAN's move? The only advantage that 660 blowtorch has over the FM signal is the ability to reach out-of-market listeners, who are useless to the station and its advertisers.
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