103.9

[redsfan1966]

I'm not here to decipher gabigley--thats for the rest of you. It appears the pieces are starting to fall into place for 103.9's changes. Mark "the Shark", Kelly Quinn, and Jeff Logan will now host "MorningTalkFM" from 6a - 9a weekdays (beginning 9/14) and from promos I heard driving back from Rossburg OH last nite -- Michael Savage will air 6p - 9p beginning on 9/14. I am a big Mark "the Shark" fan, but it looks like they are taking him from sports to general talk. Not a great move if you ask me, which I know no one did.....

I do give them credit for trying to take on Bob Connors; if they could spin it as a "fresh talk alternative" - it may work. Just wonder what happens to Dan Patrick -- I still think a move to its live time slot (9a - 12p) is the best way to go. If I were GM (and lord knows I shouldnt be) heres how I would do it---

MorningTalkFM (6a - 9a)
Dan Patrick (9a - 12p)
Dennis Miller (12p - 3p)
Laura Ingraham (3p - 6p)
Michael Savage (6p - 9p)

Then try to get rights to Cavs and Indians games (rumor has it that Indians brass is not happy with "The Fan") and run Savage after the ballgames...

After that it really doesnt matter --- hell, run CNN audio overnight if you dont want to keep Doyle and Hendrie.

 

[inquisitor]

I'm not here to decipher gabigley--thats for the rest of you. It appears the pieces are starting to fall into place for 103.9's changes. Mark "the Shark", Kelly Quinn, and Jeff Logan will now host "MorningTalkFM" from 6a - 9a weekdays (beginning 9/14) and from promos I heard driving back from Rossburg OH last nite -- Michael Savage will air 6p - 9p beginning on 9/14. I am a big Mark "the Shark" fan, but it looks like they are taking him from sports to general talk. Not a great move if you ask me, which I know no one did.....

I do give them credit for trying to take on Bob Connors; if they could spin it as a "fresh talk alternative" - it may work. Just wonder what happens to Dan Patrick -- I still think a move to its live time slot (9a - 12p) is the best way to go. If I were GM (and lord knows I shouldnt be) heres how I would do it---

MorningTalkFM (6a - 9a)
Dan Patrick (9a - 12p)
Dennis Miller (12p - 3p)
Laura Ingraham (3p - 6p)
Michael Savage (6p - 9p)

Then try to get rights to Cavs and Indians games (rumor has it that Indians brass is not happy with "The Fan") and run Savage after the ballgames...

After that it really doesnt matter --- hell, run CNN audio overnight if you dont want to keep Doyle and Hendrie.

I think this is an excellent move, provided this team can pull it off. It kind of follows the format of WKRC and WHIO (one local morning show, with the rest being syndicated). I always liked Jeff Logan on the radio, I miss his color on the Buckeyes games, and Mark and Kelly .... it's like 92X again. Savage goes live, which is a good move, though I like what WKRC does by having a Cincinnati financial guy between 6 and 7. I would dump Dan Patrick, as I don't think sports works on a general talk station and make Laura Ingraham live, although I don't really like her show, either.

 

[inquisitor]

Now, having said that...since you say you have a small business, Inquisitor, are you advertising on the radio? I advertised on both 1230 and WVKO as well as a progressive station in Akron over the last five years. I put my money where my mouth is. If you want more conservatives on WTDA, you should be on the phone with NABCO tomorrow saying you want to advertise your business.

Again, with all due respect, this shows your naivete. What have the Mnichs ever done for me (other than give me a tour of the station when it was in the Southern Hotel when I was a kid) that I should feel obligated to put my money in their pocket?

Business isn't rocket science. Basically, you look at what works elsewhere, put your own twist to it, then implement it. When the dollars and cents hit your pocket directly, I don't see why you would try to swim upstream with something that doesn't work a lot, when there are plenty of formats to try that do seem to have success elsewhere.

 

[gabigley1]

Also, I couldn't believe 103.9 was planning to go full time sports with all the sports stations in town. It now looks like that rumor has been laid to rest.
If they WERE planning to go full time sports, my next question would have been what network they were planning to air? I see there is another
24 hour sports network called Sporting News Radio or something like that and that is what they may have aired if they went 24/7 sports.

Question, how many people think this new morning show on 103.9 will be able to compete with Bob Connors on WTVN? Are they even trying to compete for BC's audience? Maybe they are just thinking they will be able to grab most of BC's audience when he retires with their new local morning talk show and wanted to get a jump start on the competition. After all, they won't EVER be able to replace BC when he retires because BC is like Walter Cronkite to the Columbus radio audience and will never be able to be replaced. Just a thought.

Thanks to redsfan1966 for the update on 103.9 and laying the sports rumor to rest.

No, I'm Not a radio professional. I'm a radio buff. I've run across a couple of people that post here who aren't in the radio business and have never been in the biz.

I was hanging with you there...

Also, you have seasoned radio professions who occasional post on the board and yes that really mixes things up here.

There's the part where I say "HUH?" out loud.

I'm in trouble if you can't decipher what I was trying to say. On this board, you have the common people like me with no time in the radio business and people with many years of experience in the radio business like you. The posts from the common people on the street and the posts from the
radio professions employed in radio business are all mixed up on this Columbus radio board. Am I making any scene now??

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

How nice.  Even if these moves work, in this case "work" is defined simply as bringing them back up to where they were with:  TED-FM.  Whoop-ti-do, how brilliant!  Columbus radio never ceases to amaze.  People, these rimshots (even the "somewhat better" ones) are a joke.  Only on the Columbus board do they get this kind of attention, because of the paucity of really decent signals.

Actually, why would anyone have an interest in what one of these bad-joke signals chooses to do?  It's an automatic lost cause.  103.9  looks like a powerhouse next to 103.1, the same way a 90-pound weakling would look like a powerhouse compared to a 50-pound weakling.  Just different degrees of lost-causedom.  A unique and embarrassing property of Central Ohio radio.  Sure, there are rimshots elsewhere, but they don't garner this kind of attention because everyone knows they're a joke and they have viable signals to discuss instead.  The beat goes on...

 

[gabigley1]

Here is the official announcement from the WTDA FM website:

http://www.tedfm.com/MorningTalk.asp

 

[inquisitor]

After all, they won't EVER be able to replace BC when he retires because BC is like Walter Cronkite to the Columbus radio audience and will never be able to be replaced. Just a thought.

I think they made a huge mistake when they got rid of Chuck Gillespie. I don't know why those people are so in love with Joel Riley over there. Bad voice, nothing interesting to talk about, can't stand him on the radio. He may be a great guy, or he may have something on someone over there. I have no comment on him as a music DJ as I haven't heard him, but I don't know why he survives on WTVN. Chuck does a good show Sunday nights, but I think they need to do something to zip it up a bit ... the show sounded a little sleepy for my tastes the other evening.

 

[willcail]

Oooh a radio buff huh? From a person who is on the WCRS LPFM programming borad a radio buff doesn't mean a thing. The hypothetical lineup I propose have about eight hours of lib talk. Sixteen hours of non lib talk. Plus when I listen to Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller they still get calls from Columbus Ohio. Lib Talk a failure? How? Ed Schultz and Thomm Hartmann have been on the air for over six years. Stephanie Miller starting her sixth year on the radio. Plus Lionel have been doing radio for over twenty years. Plus I'm keeping Dan on Sports and expanding Mark the Shark to three hours during PM drive time. I'm guessing this is where the chunk of WDTA FM ratings are. Looking back on the previous ratings book WDTA FM doesn't look so well. A radio buff doesn't mean anything.

 

[Chuck Douglas]

Chuck does a good show Sunday nights, but I think they need to do something to zip it up a bit ... the show sounded a little sleepy for my tastes the other evening.

They can't ALL be Marconi candidates...but thanks for listening!

 

[inquisitor]

Chuck does a good show Sunday nights, but I think they need to do something to zip it up a bit ... the show sounded a little sleepy for my tastes the other evening.

They can't ALL be Marconi candidates...but thanks for listening!

You're a nice guy (maybe too nice), you interact well with the audience and you keep the show moving along. I think there needs to be a little more going on to make your show more interesting. Maybe bumper music, interract with the weather guy...something to mix it up a bit. I know its hard to even get callers on a Sunday, but that's my impression, anyway. I also like the Dirk Thompson show, it has an irreverent twist to it ... HE would be awesome to have as a weekday host.

Joel Riley, on the other hand, I find excrciating to listen to. If he is being groomed to replace Bob Conners, God help you. John Corby's good in that role and so was Chuck Gillespie. Chuck G. was an excellent fill-in given the limited experience in radio he had.

Come to think of it, Art Schlichter sounded okay the other day when he was filling in for Corby.

 

[del_griffith]

It was my understanding that Ramsey's show was one of the bigger hits on 103.9. Anyone have anything on that?

 

[gabigley1]

Oooh a radio buff huh? From a person who is on the WCRS LPFM programming borad a radio buff doesn't mean a thing. The hypothetical lineup I propose have about eight hours of lib talk. Sixteen hours of non lib talk. Plus when I listen to Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller they still get calls from Columbus Ohio. Lib Talk a failure? How? Ed Schultz and Thomm Hartmann have been on the air for over six years. Stephanie Miller starting her sixth year on the radio. Plus Lionel have been doing radio for over twenty years. Plus I'm keeping Dan on Sports and expanding Mark the Shark to three hours during PM drive time. I'm guessing this is where the chunk of WDTA FM ratings are. Looking back on the previous ratings book WDTA FM doesn't look so well. A radio buff doesn't mean anything.

No offense to you. I wasn't aware of your outstanding qualifications in the radio business because you are on the WCRS LPFM programming board.

It looks like WTDA 103.9 isn't going to pick up any of the progressive talkers during it's program realignment. Since GR hasn't been able to get another progressive talker on the air in Columbus, Ohio, I doubt we'll see another progressive talker in Cbus this calendar year and probably not in 2010 either. Even Sean G. thought we world have a progressive talk back on the air by the end of this calendar year, at the very latest, and that was his worst case scenario he posted on the board last January.

After all, they won't EVER be able to replace BC when he retires because BC is like Walter Cronkite to the Columbus radio audience and will never be able to be replaced. Just a thought.

I think they made a huge mistake when they got rid of Chuck Gillespie. I don't know why those people are so in love with Joel Riley over there. Bad voice, nothing interesting to talk about, can't stand him on the radio. He may be a great guy, or he may have something on someone over there. I have no comment on him as a music DJ as I haven't heard him, but I don't know why he survives on WTVN. Chuck does a good show Sunday nights, but I think they need to do something to zip it up a bit ... the show sounded a little sleepy for my tastes the other evening.

Yes, I was also surprised when they got rid of Chuck Gillespie BUT I expected for them to keep Joel Riley on staff because they DO love him.
For several months on this board, I predicted that Joel Riley would stay on staff when the rumors were flying that Glenn Beck would take over
Joel's 9:00 AM to Noon talk show on WTVN. Joel even managed to survive a couple of layoffs after Glenn Beck took over his old time slot.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Now, having said that...since you say you have a small business, Inquisitor, are you advertising on the radio? I advertised on both 1230 and WVKO as well as a progressive station in Akron over the last five years. I put my money where my mouth is. If you want more conservatives on WTDA, you should be on the phone with NABCO tomorrow saying you want to advertise your business.

Again, with all due respect, this shows your naivete. What have the Mnichs ever done for me (other than give me a tour of the station when it was in the Southern Hotel when I was a kid) that I should feel obligated to put my money in their pocket?

Business isn't rocket science. Basically, you look at what works elsewhere, put your own twist to it, then implement it. When the dollars and cents hit your pocket directly, I don't see why you would try to swim upstream with something that doesn't work a lot, when there are plenty of formats to try that do seem to have success elsewhere.

With all due respect, Inquisitor, I can't see why you are so obsessed with money and profits. It has showed all throughout your postings, even the ones deleted by the editors. What you would call naivete I call altruism, though I also take advantage of the tax laws in the process.

Personally, I am glad to know the matter concerning 103.9 can be put to rest. Now that the changes at the station are known, we will all have to wait to see if the station will score a 0.1.

 

[inquisitor]

After all, they won't EVER be able to replace BC when he retires because BC is like Walter Cronkite to the Columbus radio audience and will never be able to be replaced. Just a thought.

I think they made a huge mistake when they got rid of Chuck Gillespie. I don't know why those people are so in love with Joel Riley over there. Bad voice, nothing interesting to talk about, can't stand him on the radio. He may be a great guy, or he may have something on someone over there. I have no comment on him as a music DJ as I haven't heard him, but I don't know why he survives on WTVN. Chuck does a good show Sunday nights, but I think they need to do something to zip it up a bit ... the show sounded a little sleepy for my tastes the other evening.

Yes, I was also surprised when they got rid of Chuck Gillespie BUT I expected for them to keep Joel Riley on staff because they DO love him.
For several months on this board, I predicted that Joel Riley would stay on staff when the rumors were flying that Glenn Beck would take over
Joel's 9:00 AM to Noon talk show on WTVN. Joel even managed to survive a couple of layoffs after Glenn Beck took over his old time slot.

I like most of the local people on the air over there with three exceptions.

First, Joel Riley simply has got to go. He is simply not an interesting talk host, and there is something about him that really, really, really turns me off. I tried to listen on numerous occasions, but his topics, his callers and his show are beyond uninteresting. I can even listen to NPR before I can listen to him. I hate Glenn Beck, but he is a definite improvement over the Riley show. I will quit listening to WTVN if he is the one replacing Bob Conners. Stick to DJ-ing!

Second, Joe Bradley has an annoying voice and tries too hard to be funny. He just doesn't sound right to me with Corby; I think he was better as Bob Conners' producer.

Third, I'm not to keen on the news staff these days, purely from a presentation standpoint, that is. The news is fine, but they had better announcers about five years ago.

Those are my only three beefs with WTVN except for the fact that there is so much syndicated crap on that station these days. All the rest of the local talent on that station is okay. Just my opinion.

 

[redsfan1966]

just a few thoughts regarding 103.9's changes..as I have stated before, I am a fan of Mark "the Shark"'s--but I am not so sure "MorningTalkFM" is going to work out....the hour I listened was very sports/OSU specific, which plays to his and Logan's strengths--but not necessarily what I would think management might be looking for in a "general" talk show...plus I wonder why there is no CBS national news at the top of the hour or any weather during the show. Kelly and Shark are ok--just dont know if this is the show to lead 103.9 out of the rating's basement.

Only other thing I would change is put Ingraham from 3 - 6 pm, so the "dittoheads" could switch over from Laura after Rush and put Ramsey at 9 pm (Ramsey's show would fare better in a tape delay than Laura's)....

 

[inquisitor]

Only other thing I would change is put Ingraham from 3 - 6 pm, so the "dittoheads" could switch over from Laura after Rush and put Ramsey at 9 pm (Ramsey's show would fare better in a tape delay than Laura's)....

Remember Bruce Williams? It's like he had one answer to every single caller, "Get a Lawyer." That's how I feel about Ramsey and his "Don't buy anything on credit" lectures. Ramsey grows on you, and of course he is 100% correct, but shows with host doing a three-hour monologue are getting boring. Does nobody do a show anymore where authors or experts are being interviewed if only to mix things up a bit?

 

[KevinFodor]

just a few thoughts regarding 103.9's changes..as I have stated before, I am a fan of Mark "the Shark"'s--but I am not so sure "MorningTalkFM" is going to work out....the hour I listened was very sports/OSU specific, which plays to his and Logan's strengths--but not necessarily what I would think management might be looking for in a "general" talk show...plus I wonder why there is no CBS national news at the top of the hour or any weather during the show. Kelly and Shark are ok--just dont know if this is the show to lead 103.9 out of the rating's basement.

Only other thing I would change is put Ingraham from 3 - 6 pm, so the "dittoheads" could switch over from Laura after Rush and put Ramsey at 9 pm (Ramsey's show would fare better in a tape delay than Laura's)....

What credibility does CBS Radio News have anymore? That network is on so few big radio stations anymore it's almost laughable. (BTW: I don't ridicule the TV network here...it's the radio service that's been the issue).

One would think there might be other options...CNN? Fox Light? (I understand Fox will allow one full network affiliate and a "light" affiliate in the same market.) Though, most likely CC has those options tied up. Certainly perhaps an ABC affiliation might be available.

Weather? How 'bout The Weather Channel? Or any other handful of weather services out there.

 

[willcail]

I'm involved in a radio station unlike the majority of posters who think they know radio and yet they aren't invovled in any radio station to begin with. When I look at the recent Talkers Mag Top Talker's list I did see that Thom Hrtmann, Ed Schultz, and Lionel placed higher than Dennis Miller. Ed placed higher than Mancow. Stephanie Miller placed higher than Rusty Humphres. Oh wait Talkers Mag is some sort of libreal rag huh? Then somesay facts does have a libreal bias.

 

[Rusty Blades]

Then somesay facts does have a libreal bias.

Now who can argue with that?

 

[inquisitor]

I'm involved in a radio station unlike the majority of posters who think they know radio and yet they aren't invovled in any radio station to begin with. When I look at the recent Talkers Mag Top Talker's list I did see that Thom Hrtmann, Ed Schultz, and Lionel placed higher than Dennis Miller. Ed placed higher than Mancow. Stephanie Miller placed higher than Rusty Humphres. Oh wait Talkers Mag is some sort of libreal rag huh? Then somesay facts does have a libreal bias.

Okay, so your lib talkers just barely beat the bottom-of-the-barrel conservative talkers. Is anybody on this board clamoring to get Dennis Miller, Mancow or Rusty Humphres (who the hell is that?) on the air? I can't even stand Miller when I watch him on O'Reilly at night. He's kind of like John Corby without the radio talent-I bet he's awful on the radio.