100.3 Urban AC Pirate

[SonicOverload]

WMWM has been going in a new direction recently. They have upgraded a lot of equipment and have become more involved in the community even doing live remote broadcasts of salem state baseball games. They are trying to move from a mindset of "we only play music no one wants to hear" to a direction of "we want people to listen"

I play The Dropkick Murphy's which is on a major label and played on every rock station in Boston, I play the clash, the ramones, social distortion, all on major labels and all played on every rock station in the country. We have a metal show that plays a lot of well known artists. The mindset is changing over at WMWM so I think an urban ac show would be well recieved especially as it is an underserved format. The only restriction is you cannot sell advertising and cannot profit from it.

this has little to do with the thread but the misplaced apostrophe is one of my pet peeves. DROPKICK MURPHYS, not DROPKICK MURPHY'S. And why play Boston? Just turn to any of several stations on the FM dial and you'll be able to hear "More Than A Feeling" within 5 minutes. Ehh... who am I kidding. I'm playing Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" on my show tomorrow. But off the original 7" vinyl, surface noise and all. And Thin Lizzy > Boston, anyway. ;D

also, I play the Ramones, Clash and Social D a few times a year but try to dig into the catalog a bit and not play, say, "I Wanna Be Sedated"... something like "Go Mental" off "Road To Ruin" is something you won't hear on 'FNX and is a great song.

 

[ciao99]

The number one station in that market is frequently is WYBC, an Urban AC.

Wrong. In the latest book, WYBC is not beat by mainstream AC, it's tied with the so-called "mainstream" AC station. And if you go back 2 books, WYBC was # 2, bested only by rock station WPLR.

So...once is frequently then?

The point remains. WYBC has been #1 in New Haven. When it's not, its in the Top 3, and beats other so-called mainstream formats. Got it now?

 

[spilot113]

The point remains. WYBC has been #1 in New Haven. When it's not, its in the Top 3, and beats other so-called mainstream formats. Got it now?

Yes, got it.....

WYBC is not #1 now.

They did not beat the mainstream AC station.

Crystal clear....

I suggest you look at New Haven Connecticut. It's a new England city with similar proportions in terms of white, black (african- american, jamaican, blah blah blah)...

Got that too.....

The black population of New Haven is 14.2%

While Boston's Black population is less than half: 6.4%

 

[ciao99]

The point remains. WYBC has been #1 in New Haven. When it's not, its in the Top 3, and beats other so-called mainstream formats. Got it now?

Yes, got it.....

WYBC is not #1 now.

They did not beat the mainstream AC station.

Crystal clear....

I suggest you look at New Haven Connecticut. It's a new England city with similar proportions in terms of white, black (african- american, jamaican, blah blah blah)...

Got that too.....

The black population of New Haven is 14.2%

While Boston's Black population is less than half: 6.4%

Dude, WYBC isn't # 1 this book. Yeah, so what? It has been #1 many times. You claim it the so-called mainstream AC station beat WYBC. You just got served, it didn't.

 

[NSPUNX]

I guess I was mistaken by typing Murphy's. I'll ask Mike McColgan when he's on my show this week.

 

[spilot113]

Dude, WYBC isn't # 1 this book. Yeah, so what?

So...it's not #1

You claim it the so-called mainstream AC station beat WYBC. You just got served, it didn't.

Check the demo....

 

[NHRadio]

If I understand you correctly (and it isn't usually easy) "good ownership" means "willing to lose money doing a niche format". Just buy an XM or Sirius radio and move on, hmm? I wouldn't mind an Urban AC in Boston as I enjoy it....but as so many have said before...if there was money in it someone would be doing it.


With good Ownership ( Inner City WBLS NY Owners or dedicated New local Owner ), Boston can support a Urban A/C format.
[/quote]

 

[ciao99]

Thats what I thought RAPKING. You are not willing to stand up for what you beleive in, You are not willing to do anything constructive to change things, You are not willing to take a financial risk to do what you think is right, You are not willing to work hard to serve the community, You are unwiliing to put your money where your mouth is. Thats fine. Just as long as everyone sees you for what you are.

Me? I didnt like the fact that there was nothing on the radio that played the music I, and my friends enjoy. I found a legal non-comm that would give me an air shift. I put 10-15 hours a week into making a play list, production, lining up guests, listening to and editing music from new local bands. I spend my own money on the supplies I need to do a good show (blank Cd's, music etc...) I stood up and did something legal about what I didn't like. I invest my time and my money. What do you do? Start ten new threads a week saying "BOSTON NEED A URBAN AC"

BY THE WAY BOSTON DOES NOT NEED A URBAN AC IT NEED'S WITH AN S ON THE END!!!!

Rapking can post 20 threads a week if he feels like it. It's not enough for you to dominate the radio airwaves. You have to keep minorities off the dial at the same time. My goodness, you can only listen to one station at a time, if it going to kill you if one station targets minorities? Is it really necessary for Caucasian men to dominate stations that no one's even listening to? i.e. The Zone.

Keep fighting the good fight Rapking.

As for the community radio stations, I applaud the immigrant work ethic of the Carribean brothers and sisters. They didn't wait for someone to put on a product for them, they went out and did it themselves and asked for nothing in return. They are not making big money. Instead they do it out of their love for the music and connecting with the audience. It's something that corporate radio lackies can't understand because they've never experienced it.

 

[board_manager]

Some posts have been relocated to Take It Outside

http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,100960.msg789861.html#msg789861

 

[DG02816]

Ciao,

No question it's a good thing when a group of people try to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. But if they want to do radio, they should do it LEGALLY-like the rest of us have to do. I've been in this business 31 years, and I've never seen so much F*** the system as I see now. If you want to make the changes, do it from WITHIN the system. I'm happy to be one of those corporate LACKEYS-this is the way the Commies would spell it-that you seem to turn your nose up at.

 

[NSPUNX]

There is nothing stopping anyone, of any background, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, political belief, hair color, eye color, preference for certain music, dislike for music in general, or anything from putting together a business plan, securing financing from a bank, or private investors, purchasing a radio station, and programming it how they want. You accuse "Caucasian Males" of dominating the radio industry but there is nothing stopping anyone else from doing what you say these "Caucasian Males" have done. Equality is a two way street, why should one group have to follow the rules of law, while another group gets a free pass? Some people on this board want to yell and scream about not having a radio station that caters to thier taste but not one of you will put your money where your mouth is, or take the risk of losing your life savings to make it happen. You claim that these "Caucasian Males" are dominating the radio industry, and of that is true it is because they took the risk at some point in the past to start a legal radio business just like you, or anyone else could. Instead of doing that some people choose to break the law and regardless of who they are, or what they play it is something I am going to be vocally and ethically against. In my opinion the fact that you seem to think that one group of people shoule be able to do something that no one else can is a racist attitude, as I said equality goes both ways. Everyone should be held to the same standards no matter what thier race, ethnicity, religion, orientation, hair color, or eye color. PERIOD.

 

[mcamp]

Hate to say it, but we don't live in Saudi Arabia.

It's really hard for me to have any sympathy for corporate radio these days. I'm not advocating what "Flex" is doing (and hijacking on a semi-local licensed broadcaster's frequency is not only tasteless-even to the majority of pirates, but WRONG in every sense of the word), but you also have to understand if corporate radio was doing such a fantastic job, then why is the industry collapsing? And if Boston needs an Urban AC, then why don't they have one by now?

Somebody somewhere decided to fill a hole, albeit illegally. But consider this; if the corporate end of radio was doing it's job for it's listeners ("shareholders" don't count), there would be a LOT fewer pirates out there. Before 1996, pirate stations were few and far in between. Now they are everywhere and the problem is just getting worse. There are now pirates that step on other pirates fer cryin' out loud. And the problem is completely out of control in many areas of the country

Personally, I favor creating a smaller class of licensed broadcaster with a maximum of 1 watt and a special set of rules they must adhere to. Most of the people who run pirates aren't bad people in general and have good intentions. This should be a fair compromise. Or more local accountability for corporate broadcasters for listeners in their COLs. If corporate radio resists change (part of the reason the industry is coming apart at the seams - it's too much of an "old boys club"), then there needs to be an easier alternative for legitimate access to the airwaves because not everybody can start an LPFM...

Like I said, if corporate radio was reaching out to underserved audiences the way they should, then there wouldn't be so many pirates. And it's not going away. FCC enforcement budgets are also being cut.

The government can't fight every war it creates and expect to win them all when the money just isn't there and less and less tax revenue to fight them coming in - remember that the next time you hear the words "tax cut". Like Mom used to say "Money don't grow on trees."

If enforcement against pirates are so important to you, then break out the checkbook and start writing, payable to The Federal Communications Commission (Memo: Enforcement) and the amount you pay will be the measure of your sincerity on this. Otherwise, don't bitch about it.

And one more thing, a license is a privledge to serve the community of license...not a RIGHT to dominate the local radio dial in the next big city to maximixe profits for shareholders. Somewhere along the way, corporate broadcasters have forgotten this. And I think they need to be reminded. If the FCC won't do it, the pirates will.

It's up to you...

Just a few comments, but 1st...this was one of the best things I've read so far at this site.
Let me start by saying...I'm not in radio....I'm the one who listens...part of what programmers are trying to draw in....and I'm not buying.
Secondly, if anyone thinks a pirate radio is taking food out of the mouths of WHEB....that station starts to fade in Peabody...by the time you hit Boston, nothing worth tuning in to, except static.
As for glorifying pirate radio...sometimes to bring about change is to break the rules....a well thought out petition to corporate radio won't cut it....hit 'em where it hurts...in their wallet.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

alternatives...

You want to "send a message"? Then change the station, shut the radio OFF,
watch TV, go for a walk, read a book, listen to your Ipod, etc.

Supporting illegal stations - not the way to go...

 

[mistermicrophone]

Let me start by saying...I'm not in radio....

Secondly, if anyone thinks a pirate radio is taking food out of the mouths of WHEB....that station starts to fade in Peabody...by the time you hit Boston, nothing worth tuning in to, except static.

Tell us our product sucks (or is good). Tell us who you like, who you don't...and why. Hell, support the pirate if you wish...but yeah, no offense, don't come on a radio board and tell us what we should think about the livelihood of fellow broadcasters. Regardless of what you think, these pirates do have an effect on all commercial radio stations, which, in turn, has a negative effect on the industry as a whole. That's why there is so much hatred for these pirates.

 

[mcamp]

Let me start by saying...I'm not in radio....

Secondly, if anyone thinks a pirate radio is taking food out of the mouths of WHEB....that station starts to fade in Peabody...by the time you hit Boston, nothing worth tuning in to, except static.

Tell us our product sucks (or is good). Tell us who you like, who you don't...and why. Hell, support the pirate if you wish...but yeah, no offense, don't come on a radio board and tell us what we should think about the livelihood of fellow broadcasters. Regardless of what you think, these pirates do have an effect on all commercial radio stations, which, in turn, has a negative effect on the industry as a whole. That's why there is so much hatred for these pirates.

What I'm saying is WHEB signal doesn't make it to Boston...so how can that have any effect on Boston listeners who most likely don't listen to HEB because it doesn't come in.

 

[BRNout]

Dude, WYBC isn't # 1 this book. Yeah, so what?

So...it's not #1

You claim it the so-called mainstream AC station beat WYBC. You just got served, it didn't.

Check the demo....

I cannot believe how badly you missed the point on WYBC. It is as if you didn't even care to consider Ciao's point. Look at the New Haven book over the past 5 years. WYBC has been number one in the 12+ beauty contest several times. Not just once.

Not only that (and this is important), WYBC has the weakest commercial stick in the entire market. The smallest geographical range. By far. It is hemmed in to the south and west by a 94.3 on Long Island and by 94.1 WHJY to the northeast. There is also frequently a pirate on 94.1 in Hartford that clobbers it's fringe signal there too. So, the station doesn't reach potential urban listeners in places like Milford and Stratford; nor can it get any listeners in Bridgeport - which would be a great demographic area for them. WYBC is weak into Meriden and barely reaches Waterbury.

Why does this matter? Because the AC, CHR and classic rockers that you're touting as beating WYBC have full-market coverage. Throughout New Haven County, into Middlesex County and well beyond into Hartford. WPLR, for example, can be heard into Massachusetts and is solid and local in almost every corner of the New Haven market. Same for WKCI (which WYBC beats all the time). So, a little pea shooter frequently beats the big guys. Can you imagine the signal at 97.7 being number one in Boston? WYBC has pulled off the equivalent on multiple occasions.

The lesson here is one of pure business sense (also missed so far). Yeah, rock and AC and other formats may be (are) bigger draws. But they are also very well represented. The competition is fierce. The smart move is to pick out an underserved group and serve them well. That group may be less than 10% of the overall audience, but if you can get them on board - you end up being very successful. That a lackluster station like WJMN has been the number one music station 18-34 for years tells me that this is a market that has room for something other than the 132,456th play of Kashmir by Led Zeppelin.

As far as I am concerned, those who have not considered the above points are the ones with blinders on. Not me. :

 

[mistermicrophone]

Let me start by saying...I'm not in radio....

Secondly, if anyone thinks a pirate radio is taking food out of the mouths of WHEB....that station starts to fade in Peabody...by the time you hit Boston, nothing worth tuning in to, except static.

Tell us our product sucks (or is good). Tell us who you like, who you don't...and why. Hell, support the pirate if you wish...but yeah, no offense, don't come on a radio board and tell us what we should think about the livelihood of fellow broadcasters. Regardless of what you think, these pirates do have an effect on all commercial radio stations, which, in turn, has a negative effect on the industry as a whole. That's why there is so much hatred for these pirates.

What I'm saying is WHEB signal doesn't make it to Boston...so how can that have any effect on Boston listeners who most likely don't listen to HEB because it doesn't come in.

Well, the pirate is the Haverhill area, correct? It can be heard out onto 95, from what I understand. Let's say you live in Boxford or Georgetown or Newburyport and listen to WHEB...now you're getting interference from this pirate. Even though the station is licensed to Portsmouth, the average listener doesn't know that (and you're not the average listener). They just know that they can't here the station they like and this may have an adverse effect on their advertisers...therefore taking food out of peoples mouths.

Not to mention, these pirates have a negative effect industry wide, so don't come onto a radio board and tell radio people not to worry about OUR livelihood!

 

[mcamp]

Let me start by saying...I'm not in radio....

Secondly, if anyone thinks a pirate radio is taking food out of the mouths of WHEB....that station starts to fade in Peabody...by the time you hit Boston, nothing worth tuning in to, except static.

Tell us our product sucks (or is good). Tell us who you like, who you don't...and why. Hell, support the pirate if you wish...but yeah, no offense, don't come on a radio board and tell us what we should think about the livelihood of fellow broadcasters. Regardless of what you think, these pirates do have an effect on all commercial radio stations, which, in turn, has a negative effect on the industry as a whole. That's why there is so much hatred for these pirates.

What I'm saying is WHEB signal doesn't make it to Boston...so how can that have any effect on Boston listeners who most likely don't listen to HEB because it doesn't come in.

Well, the pirate is the Haverhill area, correct? It can be heard out onto 95, from what I understand. Let's say you live in Boxford or Georgetown or Newburyport and listen to WHEB...now you're getting interference from this pirate. Even though the station is licensed to Portsmouth, the average listener doesn't know that (and you're not the average listener). They just know that they can't here the station they like and this may have an adverse effect on their advertisers...therefore taking food out of peoples mouths.

Not to mention, these pirates have a negative effect industry wide, so don't come onto a radio board and tell radio people not to worry about OUR livelihood!

Lets just say I'm analysing the situation....I listened to HEB on the way in...pretty painful, didn't here a song until I hit I-95, but that's besides the point...I was pulling into work in peabody at 8:00 am...as usual, HEB's signal begins to wane...but I don't hear something coming in in it's place.

 

[NSPUNX]

You must have a really cheap radio in your car mcamp. I live in Danvers and can pick up HEB fine in Peabody, Lynn, Revere, Saugus, Chelsea, East Boston, and not great but ok in Boston.

 

[BRNout]

I have gotten HEB at Logan Airport and in Hingham (near the water). So, it does get down there. And, no, it is not my favorite station by any means.