1210 WPHT programming changes

[chuckydoll]

I'm sure prior to that in the 1930's- early 50's being a CBS O&O was a profitable time for WCAU with the CBS radio programming when network radio was still a profitable enterprise and radio was the family entertainment medium.

WCAU didn't become a CBS O&O until 1958, long after the Golden Age of Radio. The old Evening Bulletin newspaper owned WCAU before then.

 

[Gregg]

Whoever thinks that you can't program a successful 50,000 watt Talk station in Philadelphia today with local hosts is JUST WRONG!

In fact, WPHT is probably the most UNSUCCESSFUL 50,000 watt/24 hour large market talk radio station.

Look at how successful Talk stations are in other large markets around the U.S. KFI in Los Angeles makes tons of money and most of its hosts, except for Rush and Noori/Bell are local talent. (Dr. Laura is syndicated but she is based at KFI.) KGO San Francisco is all local talk 24/7 except for the one-hour Dr. Dean Edell show. KFI and KGO have round the clock local news and traffic.

WABC NYC draws better ratings than WPHT. WGN and WLS both do better in Chicago than WPHT by itself. WJR is often #1 in Detroit. In Boston, WRKO is always in the top 10 and WTKK, an FM talker, is a close second, plus WBZ is usually #1 or #2 and they do talk from 7pm to dawn.

WBAP Dallas does better than WPHT. KTRH Houston does better than WPHT. WSB is often #1 in Atlanta. And all these stations have a mix of local and syndicated shows.

It isn't just the "times" that stop WPHT from being a competitive talk station. I wonder if CBS puts all its efforts in keeping KYW on top and WPHT is the poor step-sister. In fact, I wonder if a lot of people who might want to listen to talk are so turned off by WPHT's poor programming that they listen to KYW even though it's all-news. It's so much a better radio station they might be winning talk fans by default.

And the success of nearby NJ 101.5 with an all-local line up of hosts makes WPHT's poor ratings even more embarrassing. Again, maybe some folks might be giving ratings to NJ 101.5 even if they live on the Pennsylvania side of the border.





Gregg
[email protected]

 

[tcp/ip]

In fact, WPHT is probably the most UNSUCCESSFUL 50,000 watt/24 hour large market talk radio station.

What do you mean?, #6 in the market (tied for #5 really) isn't "Unsuccessful".

Meanwhile WNTP, from a ratings standpoint, is a mere "blip".

I really don't know what you people want/expect?

WPHT-AM
Mo-Su 6A-12A

AVG WK

848,600

Cume

1,019,200

 

[imhomerjay]

And all these stations have a mix of local and syndicated shows.

As does WPHT. Look, I'd be the first to say that my personal taste would be mostly, if not all, local, but I understand that's not a business reality in today's market. Likewise, I understand why weekends have to be what they are, even though I enjoyed when they had Joe Watkins on Saturday mornings for a while doing local talk.

Three local hosts isn't stellar, but it's something. And which of the syndicated shows makes sense to bump (leaving aside for the sake of argument the issues of corporate obligations)? Beck is the only one that would be a viable option--Rush and Hannity are simply too strong to do without.

I know there's a big camp that hates Smirconish, and that's all well and good. I happen to like that he seems to genuinely take each issue on its own merits and comes down based on a fairly consistent viewpoint: keep the government out of people's personal lives (see the Schiavo case and gay marriage as examples). He's less of a talking points machine than Rush or Hannity, to be sure. Maybe that's what riles folks.

 

[Slant]

In fact, WPHT is probably the most UNSUCCESSFUL 50,000 watt/24 hour large market talk radio station.

What do you mean?, #6 in the market (tied for #5 really) isn't "Unsuccessful".

Meanwhile WNTP, from a ratings standpoint, is a mere "blip".

I really don't know what you people want/expect?

WPHT-AM
Mo-Su 6A-12A

AVG WK

848,600

Cume

1,019,200

With the PPM, everyones cume has gone up....what you need to look at is AQH. WPHT needs to concentrate on creating great programming. I don't get the Dr. Maz thing either...maybe he has assured Baldini that his show will bring in more revenue? Phil Boyce should come down and consult PHT...maybe he can help the station sound live and local while running a mix of syndie and local content.

 

[BRNout]

With the PPM, everyones cume has gone up....what you need to look at is AQH. WPHT needs to concentrate on creating great programming. I don't get the Dr. Maz thing either...maybe he has assured Baldini that his show will bring in more revenue? Phil Boyce should come down and consult PHT...maybe he can help the station sound live and local while running a mix of syndie and local content.

No, I don't understand how Dr. Maz is on at all. Local hosts can be incredibly successful IF they are relevant, pleasant to listen to, and entertaining. Maz sounds so bad that I cannot possibly listen to him. Look, it may not be his fault, but the man has no pipes and just sounds dreadful. Unlistenable.

Local host selection can make or break a station. Do it well and reap the benefits; do it poorly and watch the ratings go down the tube. Aside from Smerconish and Sid Mark, most of WPHT's hosts seem to be in that second group.

 

[trolleyk]

You are absolutely correct. 1210 WPHT is the worst 50,000 watt radio station in the country compared to other giant AM stations. Their programming for the most part is about the corporate dollar. It starts with "bag-o-wind" Smerconish to O'Reilly. A real waste of air time.

 

[Jul]

You are absolutely correct. 1210 WPHT is the worst 50,000 watt radio station in the country compared to other giant AM stations. Their programming for the most part is about the corporate dollar. It starts with "bag-o-wind" Smerconish to O'Reilly. A real waste of air time.

It wasn't like that with WCAU-AM in my view. You have to agree with that at least despite the mistakes CBS made with WCAU, the programming was far better that what 1210 AM has right now.