WLIB 1190 AM

[Schroedingers Cat]

In Southeast Michigan, I measured WOWO at 10 mV/m under maximum conditions, when it was 50000 watts directional at Night.

 

[BJSteigner]

It seems a waste for WLIB to be simulcasting for months LaExitosa on 98.7 FM, which has a strong signal. As it could take years till a buyer emerges, would it be difficult to lease out or sell time on the station, till someone eventually acquires it? Perhaps there could be arrangements to carry sports play by play that overlaps coverage of other games.
Even if the resulting revenue is modest, it may be better than just running a simulcast.

Emmis wants too much money for the stations....Remember now they have to pay investors, staff, ALOT of expenses before it FULLY exits the radio business.

 

[MarcB]

La Exitosa 98.7 and 1190 was supposed to be a temporary station. It came on the air in early January 2025. Today is June 17th, 2026 and they're still on the air. That's not exactly what I call temporary. And over thec17 months they've added personalities, local commercials, have done remote broadcasts, and even added liners about the New York Knicks. I'm sure the whole operation is simple, but they're certainly putting a lot of effort into a temporary station.

Also is 98.7 and 1190 a package deal or would they sell them separately.

And I know it's just me, but since the two stations are simulcasting I would've changed 98.7 to WLIB-FM.

 

[Marcos_C]

Also is 98.7 and 1190 a package deal or would they sell them separately.

According to the original post of the following thread from 2023, the intention was for both stations to be sold as a package deal.

WEPN 98.7 To Be Sold Next Year?

An article in InsideRadio states that the arrangement to lease the station to Good Karma for broadcasting ESPN Radio ends about a year from now. CEO Jeff Smulyan says he intends for Emmis to leave the radio business, and will put up WEPN for sale, along with WLIB 1190 AM. As ESPN has made recent...

radiodiscussions.com

And I know it's just me, but since the two stations are simulcasting I would've changed 98.7 to WLIB-FM.

I think Emmis made the right call by not making that change. The call sign WLIB stood for something during the AM station's heyday as an African-American talk station, and La Existosa 98.7 is not it.

 

[gr8oldies]

Great point. In NYC, operating hours for a daytimer in December and January would be signing on as late as 7:15 am and signing off as early as 4:30 pm. They had a little bit of power for pre-sunrise and post-sunset authority, but it was only 100 watts (according to a February 1974 entry in the history cards).

Even in the 70s, 100 watts would fail to cover the majority of the huge area that comprises the NYC market.

From the dark recesses of my mind, I recall that WLIB was able to operate full power until WOWO's sunset.

 

[kevtronics]

From the dark recesses of my mind, I recall that WLIB was able to operate full power until WOWO's sunset.

Yes, just like 1560 WQXR (now WFME) being able to stay on their daytime pattern until sunset at WNZR in Bakersfield, CA.

 

[luperm]

I think Emmis made the right call by not making that change. The call sign WLIB stood for something during the AM station's heyday as an African-American talk station, and La Existosa 98.7 is not it.

Emmis could care less about call the letters. Listeners don't care either. What little WLIB call letter heritage there may be does not matter to anyone, but for a few radio geeks.

The station has a brand, and the call letters are only stated once hourly as required.

There's a cost (albeit small) to changing call letters. It's not worth the cost or the administrative hassle. End of story.