102.5 WHIZ Move in...

[OhioMediaWatch]

I just heard there id and it said WCVZ Baltimore. They don't say anything about Columbus in there id.

That would provide more fuel to the "Hank Littick Is Only Running It To Keep The Allocation Warm" theory.

Love it that the Z-ville spots are airing in Columbus. I wonder if he's getting any extra change out of regional advertisers?

 

[xiradiodotcom]

The signal is non-existent from about grandview avenue to downtown on 670. Looks like they have the same problem as 95.5, but they have the 102.3 translator. By the way, is that still allowed with 102.5 closer now? Can't wait for 101.7 to move in with another country format soon.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Interesting observations, OhioMedia.  Obviously no one (who will talk) knows for sure whether you're right, but it certainly sounds like a plausible prediction.

So you think that when Littick keeps talking about reaching hundreds of thousands of new potential listeners in the Columbus area, he is actually wearing his station-salesman (LMA-salesman?) hat instead of his ad-salesman hat?

Do you think a sale or LMA might already be in the works?  Or that they may be sitting tight hoping for improved economic conditions?

If they're going to be playing to Zanesville, anyway, until a sale/LMA, why couldn't they have just as easily simulcast 92.7's live Hot AC instead of butting heads with COL, HOK, CLT, and WINK?   Especially since the latter three all have their best coverage in the southeast/east part of the metro like 102.5?   Saga Hot AC rimshot WVMX is especially weak to the south, and the Zanesville Hot AC uses a very different kind of music aproach anyway -- one that's never been tried in Columbus (not even on a weak rimshot, let alone a decent signal).  What's to be gained by taking away some listeners from a potential buyer like Wilks?  (Or come to think of it, would that give Wilks MORE incentive to consider taking control of 102.5?)

BTW, it's a tad ironic that the calls Christian Voice orginally put in place in Zanesville have come back to roost in their own backyard.  So we have WCVO and WCVZ in the same market.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Can't wait for 101.7 to move in with another country format soon.

Do any of the sleuths have an opinion on when (and if) 101.7 WNKO will make the move?

 

[knowbetter]

The signal is non-existent from about grandview avenue to downtown on 670. Looks like they have the same problem as 95.5, but they have the 102.3 translator. By the way, is that still allowed with 102.5 closer now? Can't wait for 101.7 to move in with another country format soon.

the translator appears to be gone, I believe it had to be shut off

 

[gabigley1]

Interesting observations, OhioMedia. Obviously no one (who will talk) knows for sure whether you're right, but it certainly sounds like a plausible prediction.

BTW, it's a tad ironic that the calls Christian Voice orginally put in place in Zanesville have come back to roost in their own backyard. So we have WCVO and WCVZ in the same market.

I wonder if the WCVO is considering purchasing WCVZ 102.5 instead of WRFD? Also, there has been some talk of WRFD purchasing WCVZ and staying
in the Columbus market instead of selling off WRFD to WCVO.

BTW, Did anyone catch the sign-on of the new Columbus stick? The 102.5 CE tells me they signed on at 6:59 PM last might. This is the email he sent
me after a couple of weeks of total silence.

"Yes, these are the new call letters.
As of 6:59PM last night we have been on the air. Thank you for all of your interest in the past."
Bill Hicks
Chief Engineer WHIZ Media Group

I guess they wanted to catch WCOL by surprise. One of the their WHIZ sales reps told me that the format was killing the completion so I guess
they think they are going to take on the competition here in Columbus, at LEAST in the short term.

 

[gabigley1]

The signal is non-existent from about grandview avenue to downtown on 670. Looks like they have the same problem as 95.5, but they have the 102.3 translator. By the way, is that still allowed with 102.5 closer now? Can't wait for 101.7 to move in with another country format soon.

the translator appears to be gone, I believe it had to be shut off

The translator is still on. How long the WHIZ Media Group and the FCC will allow it to stay on the air is anyone guess but I don't think Wilkes/WHOK will turn it off voluntary without being told to do so by the FCC. I doubt WHIZ Media Group is is in any big hurry to get it turned off because they are conducting Program Tests now.

 

[CatFM]

The signal is non-existent from about grandview avenue to downtown on 670.

ALL of the the signals not on the WBNS-TV tower are non-existent in that area. All of the RF from that tower wipes out everything else.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

The signal is non-existent from about grandview avenue to downtown on 670.

ALL of the the signals not on the WBNS-TV tower are non-existent in that area. All of the RF from that tower wipes out everything else.

I don't seem to have a problem with 93.3 in that area.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

ALL of the the signals not on the WBNS-TV tower are non-existent in that area. All of the RF from that tower wipes out everything else.

I would say that's true for the rimshots, but I can still pick up stations on other downtown/obetz towers: 88.7, 89.7, 90.5, 91.5, 93.3, 97.9, 105.7 and 107.5 without issue to name a few. 106.7 and 101.1 are usually listenable as well. It probably doesn't help with all the buildings blocking to the southeast, either. I guess if they are aiming purely at the burbs, they will have some luck, but this is in no way a metro flamethrower.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Where does 93.3 transmit from? Nationwide?

 

[xiradiodotcom]

Where does 93.3 transmit from?  Nationwide?

The WTVN farm in Obetz: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WLZT&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

At 32000 watts, it has little trouble overcoming the post office tower downtown.

Here is a basic breakdown of the core Columbus FM signals:

Nationwide: 97.9, 105.7
Borden Building: 107.5
Post Office(Ch 10): 92.3, 94.7, 96.3, 97.1, 98.9, 99.7
Channel 6/28 Tower (just SW of downtown): 88.7, 89.7, 91.5
Leveque Tower: 90.5
WTVN farm in Obetz: 93.3

 

[gabigley1]

The 102.3 translator is broadcasting from the post office tower downtown, aka the WBNS-TV tower. Here is the coverage map of that translator:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX231335.html

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Where does 93.3 transmit from? Nationwide?

The WTVN farm in Obetz: http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WLZT&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

At 32000 watts, it has little trouble overcoming the post office tower downtown.

Here is a basic breakdown of the core Columbus FM signals:

Nationwide: 97.9, 105.7
Borden Building: 107.5
Post Office(Ch 10): 92.3, 94.7, 96.3, 97.1, 98.9, 99.7
Channel 6/28 Tower (just SW of downtown): 88.7, 89.7, 91.5
Leveque Tower: 90.5
WTVN farm in Obetz: 93.3

Thanks. I read your original too fast and missed that you said "downtown/obetz," not just downtown.

I remember when Q-FM used to broadcast from Obetz, their signal had problems even as far from downtown as campus. Once had a DJ snap at me when I mentioned that very matter-of-factly.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

gabigley, I just wanted to tell you...good work in engaging the WHIZ CE on this. If you have some of this information and it's not just speculation or semi-informed guesses, please, tell us!

Speaking of semi-informed guesses, like my own...

Interesting observations, OhioMedia. Obviously no one (who will talk) knows for sure whether you're right, but it certainly sounds like a plausible prediction.

So you think that when Littick keeps talking about reaching hundreds of thousands of new potential listeners in the Columbus area, he is actually wearing his station-salesman (LMA-salesman?) hat instead of his ad-salesman hat?

Funny you should mention that. I finally did get that video going on the WHIZ site, and that very thought went into my head. Of course, potential buyers/LMA partners won't be watching that video, unless they go online or happened to be in Z'ville last night.

But that's the same idea I got.

If I were Mr. Littick, I would have led up front with something like "of course, we moved the long-time WHIZ-FM "Z" format to 92.7 some time ago, so this only affects our original signal - which is doing country music". With all the hulabaloo back when this was first filed, you'd think he'd downplay the move of the original signal and stress that the WHIZ-AM/FM/TV combo continues to serve Zanesville, only with the FM at its new (and now established) frequency.

Do you think a sale or LMA might already be in the works? Or that they may be sitting tight hoping for improved economic conditions?

I think the only way a sale/LMA is in the works is if it's EMF/K-Love. EMF is moving at all deliberate speed to line up decent signals in midwest markets, and Hank Littick all but has the neon "FOR SALE" sign up.

If there's a second buyer (who???), maybe our man in Zanesville is trying to squeeze out the highest bidder.

I think someone at very least LMAs the signal within six months, if not sooner. Again, just my own gut feeling, not based on any hard info.

If they're going to be playing to Zanesville, anyway, until a sale/LMA, why couldn't they have just as easily simulcast 92.7's live Hot AC instead of butting heads with COL, HOK, CLT, and WINK? Especially since the latter three all have their best coverage in the southeast/east part of the metro like 102.5? Saga Hot AC rimshot WVMX is especially weak to the south, and the Zanesville Hot AC uses a very different kind of music aproach anyway -- one that's never been tried in Columbus (not even on a weak rimshot, let alone a decent signal). What's to be gained by taking away some listeners from a potential buyer like Wilks? (Or come to think of it, would that give Wilks MORE incentive to consider taking control of 102.5?)

You may have something there - and if there is a second party in this (aside from presumed interest from EMF), it may be Wilks looking to upgrade 107.1.

I don't think Hank Littick is going to be programming 102.5 long enough to care about what he's competing with, format wise.

The problem with simulcasting 92.7 instead of doing the 102.5 automated country format? It's even more Zanesville-focused than 102.5. Last time I heard it, "Highway 102" was airing assorted Z-ville spots, presumably bonused off of buys on "Z92". Z is more intensely a local station, with personalities and news/features aimed at Muskingum County. As far as I know, much of that doesn't run on 102.5, again, aside from the local spots.

 

[CatFM]

ALL of the the signals not on the WBNS-TV tower are non-existent in that area. All of the RF from that tower wipes out everything else.

I would say that's true for the rimshots, but I can still pick up stations on other downtown/obetz towers: 88.7, 89.7, 90.5, 91.5, 93.3, 97.9, 105.7 and 107.5 without issue to name a few. 106.7 and 101.1 are usually listenable as well. It probably doesn't help with all the buildings blocking to the southeast, either. I guess if they are aiming purely at the burbs, they will have some luck, but this is in no way a metro flamethrower.

I should have been more specific in my wording because I have no doubt that most or all of the "in county" signals can be heard in that area, but my radio will not pick up most or all of the "out of county" signals through there. Specifically, that includes the Saga peanut whistles (103.5, 104.3, and 107.5) as well as 103.1, 103.9, and 106.3. I don't know how well 95.5 and 100.3 hold up in that environment since I don't listen to them.

 

[CatFM]

ALL of the the signals not on the WBNS-TV tower are non-existent in that area. All of the RF from that tower wipes out everything else.

I would say that's true for the rimshots, but I can still pick up stations on other downtown/obetz towers: 88.7, 89.7, 90.5, 91.5, 93.3, 97.9, 105.7 and 107.5 without issue to name a few. 106.7 and 101.1 are usually listenable as well. It probably doesn't help with all the buildings blocking to the southeast, either. I guess if they are aiming purely at the burbs, they will have some luck, but this is in no way a metro flamethrower.

I should have been more specific in my wording because I have no doubt that most or all of the "in county" signals can be heard in that area, but my radio will not pick up most or all of the "out of county" signals through there. Specifically, that includes the Saga peanut whistles (103.5, 104.3, and 107.5) as well as 103.1, 103.9, and 106.3. I don't know how well 95.5 and 100.3 hold up in that environment since I don't listen to them.

I will correct my posting before someone jumps me on it...that should be 107.9 instead of 107.5 for Saga.

 

[gabigley1]

Ohio Media Watch,

Great post on the the new 102.5 move-in except you are a little confused on their NEW Columbus tower site location. Your post should read:

From our estimation, it appears "Highway 102" is one of the better Columbus rimshots, signal-wise, from its new tower southeast of Columbus in southwest Fairfield County.

As far as the owner of WCVZ/102.5 Baltimore saying the station should make a impact on the west side of Columbus, I guess he referring to the
largest concentration of country music listeners in Franklin County. That sentence is what may have confused you. I take to to mean they plan
on staying country as long as they won the station. They no doubt think they can be competitive with WCOL and there is nothing wrong with that
fighting spirit.

http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/

COLUMBUS AGAIN, PART ONE: As media news usually runs in cycles here at OMW, the Columbus cycle is still hitting on all cylinders.
[EDIT]



[EDIT-post truncated as excerpt exceeds amount permitted under Fair Use.]

 

[Allfirdup]

they way i read it was that they arent even trying to be a columbus station other than a signal covering the city, they are running Zanesville commercials, Zanesville Muskingum County weather, i even listened to a WHIZ TV spot, the station cant even be picked up in central Ohio. the advantage they have right not is being able to not only show a coverage map to potential buyers, but now they can actually see that for a rim shot, this is a pretty good signal.

Also i dont think you can say that the largest concentration of country music listeners are on the west side of the county, id guess its pretty even across the Metro. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean there aren't a lot of listeners out there, if you add up all the country station in this market they count for a 14 share. and in fact WCLT in Newark pulls anywhere from a 1.5 to 2.5 in the Columbus area with no attempt in marketing to Columbus.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Oops, thanks for the direction catch! I always do that with southeast/southwest for some reason.

I'm hearing from at least one person out to the northwest who is picking up 102.5 with a decent signal. I don't think it'll be awful till out past Marysville, but certainly weaker as you head that way.

One more time...Hank Littick isn't going to spend a dime trying to run this as a Columbus station. It's a Zanesville station with a really, really far west transmitter site.