Interesting. I seem to recall Clear Channel doing country on this frequency about 6 or 7 years ago. Anyone remember 102-5 The Bull? THAT really worked out well. Even when they moved it over to the superior (at least for the north side of the market) 96.5 signal for awhile, and relegated Peach to 102.5, they still couldn't get a lot of traction against WDEN, and ultimately Peach ended up with the simulcast on both frequencies, PLUS a translator!
If this is indeed the plan for 102.5 (and not a smokescreen -- it wouldn't be the first time Clear Channel did that), I'm sure this new run at Country will be done with the same optimistic enthusiasm that accompanied the last run, and has pretty much been the norm for the behemoth. In other words, not much. Expect a lot of syndication, Premium Choice generic voicetracked jocks, and a really pared-down playlist. And since 102.5 is a part of the Aloha Trust, look for even LESS to be put into it than you would expect from a rank-and-file Clear Channel station.
Then again, with the "synergies" forthcoming from the skyscraper in Atlanta (code word for slicing even deeper into the bone to help pay for the 2+ billion dollar Citadel boondoggle), here's hoping my friends on Mulberry Street don't get trimmed down even further and give 102.5 an opportunity to make an in-road on WDEN, at least in the zip codes where they can be competitive (Houston, Peach, and south Bibb).
Now would be a really good time for Cumulus to consider installing at least a voicetracked midday show on WDEN, since, I believe, they are just robo-jocking 10-3. I'd be wanting to really shore up things, and not get complacent. Not that a Class A is going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things against a 40+ year heritage station, but I wouldn't want to hedge my bets.
Good luck to all involved, if this indeed is the new format at 102.5.
TDO
