98.9 being shopped around

[xmusicmatt]

If the rumors of LMA on Nov 1st are true.. I would go with a Christmas format Stick one to Clear Channel/SAGA on the Santa-train!

 

[lovejamminoldies]

I think R1 was kinda stupid to put Jack on 98.9 anyway. I don't know, I kinda feel that certain formats just don't work in Columbus. Adult Hits being one of them when the city is covered with rock. However, I do feel that FM Talk will be even worse, but if it's sold to Salem, all you can expect is Talk or CCM.

 

[xmusicmatt]

I think R1 was kinda stupid to put Jack on 98.9 anyway. I don't know, I kinda feel that certain formats just don't work in Columbus. Adult Hits being one of them when the city is covered with rock. However, I do feel that FM Talk will be even worse, but if it's sold to Salem, all you can expect is Talk or CCM.

R1 might have been but to be honest.. I was listening to Jack coming home from work this early morning... and I have to say .. out of the jack's I've heard.. I was enjoying the mix... Will be kinda sad to see it go -- I truthfuly don't punch up FM often (unless it's the Air1 Translator at 99.3 or 88.7 RadioU)..

Some of the imaging was fun to hear too .. the pokes at their studio location on E 1st Ave oh and the lady that said "hi jack, I would make a request but you dont take them.. the lights are on but no one is home" ... how true

 

[lovejamminoldies]

Listening to them now... who's locally programming Jack?

 

[del_griffith]

Salem takes over Nov 1st. Radio One was asking 4.5 million, I wonder what it finally sold for.

Interesting.... If this is true.. I bet we see '98.9 FM Talk' .. I don't see Salem doing CCM here with The River in town. Salem has wanted a place to park it's conserve talk stuff and WRFD was never a big option with it's daytime only signal and already making $$$ with it's brokered programming.

There's your key to why you hear what you hear on RFD.

 

[CPSteinmetz]

If Salem wanted an outlet for conservative talk, they probably could have picked up an under-performing AM in this market pretty cheap. Conservative talk didn't work too well when NABCO tried it either. I look to see CCM.

 

[the marv]

With 98.9 a downtown signal it will be interesting as a ccm since 104.9 the river is on a suburban signal in Gahanna.

 

[gabigley1]

Salem takes over Nov 1st. Radio One was asking 4.5 million, I wonder what it finally sold for.

It's now official:

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/prnewswire/press_releases/Ohio/2012/10/23/PH98680

Radio One, Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to Sell the Assets of WJKR-FM in Columbus

PR Newswire

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Radio One, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROIAK; ROIA) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets of one of its Columbus, Ohio radio stations, WJKR-FM (The Jack, 98.9 FM), to Salem Media of Ohio, Inc., a subsidiary of Salem Communications (Nasdaq: SALM). The station is not a core asset for Radio One and Radio One will continue to own and operate two urban format radio stations in the Columbus market: WCKX-FM (107.5 FM), which plays mainstream/urban and WXMG-FM (106.3 FM), which plays R&B and oldies. The closing on the sale of WJKR-FM is subject to customary conditions, prorations and adjustments, including approval from the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"). Radio One expects the transaction to close shortly after final consent from the FCC. However, under a local marketing agreement, Salem will be providing programming for the station on November 1, 2012.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

The way these things normally work, the next PPM monthly will probably show Jack-FM with its highest numbers to-date.

Like xmusicmatt, I usually found 98.9 to be among the most listenable of the Jacks, at least for the last 4-5 months.

 

[dawg4life]

Someone should try to find out what domain names have been registered by Salem just for kicks.

 

[xmusicmatt]

Someone should try to find out what domain names have been registered by Salem just for kicks.

I have tried -- so far 989TheFish.com and 989FMTalk.com are still avail for purchase - I almost thought about squatting on them

 

[xmusicmatt]

With 98.9 a downtown signal it will be interesting as a ccm since 104.9 the river is on a suburban signal in Gahanna.

I think we'll see Conserve talk before CCM... I don't see Salem doing CCM on 98.9 ... but then again who knows. [If they launch on Nov1st with Christmas music -- I think we'll have a better chance of seeing CCM...]

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I wonder if Saga bid on 98.9, or even considered it? Given their stated intention of looking at new acquisitions I would guess "yes."

Also, does anyone know what Salem was going to pay for 102.5? Also, I wonder when WWCD's LMA expires? If it's soon, seeing the 98.9 sale might encourage a push for a 102.5 sale.

 

[xmusicmatt]

I wonder if Saga bid on 98.9, or even considered it? Given their stated intention of looking at new acquisitions I would guess "yes."

Also, does anyone know what Salem was going to pay for 102.5? Also, I wonder when WWCD's LMA expires? If it's soon, seeing the 98.9 sale might encourage a push for a 102.5 sale.

I wonder that too -- but then again could it been a situation that R1 wanted to sell the station but ensure it didn't go to someone who could "compete" with their remaining stations? Selling to Salem solves that.

 

[del_griffith]

With 98.9 a downtown signal it will be interesting as a ccm since 104.9 the river is on a suburban signal in Gahanna.

I think we'll see Conserve talk before CCM... I don't see Salem doing CCM on 98.9 ... but then again who knows. [If they launch on Nov1st with Christmas music -- I think we'll have a better chance of seeing CCM...]

I don't think so. I think this will be a chess game. So 98.9 goes Fish and weakens CVO. CVO which as I understand it has some underlying profitability issues (Remember, they couldn't close the WRFD acquisition deal). I believe Salem also wanted/wants CVO. If they weaken CVO and come in to make an acquisition, they can have a pay for play teach and preach on AM, a Fish FM and an FM outlet for their talk network. And it's also a payback on not closing the WRFD acquisition deal.

 

[gabigley1]

Salem had a CHRISTIAN MUSIC STATION on FM back in 1994 to 1996 and it did not work.
But Salem may have this chess game with CVO. This is the only reason CCM on 98.9 makes any sense.

WEAK SIGNAL HURTS GOSPEL STATION
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Saturday, May 14, 1994
By Tim Feran

Dispatch Radio Critic

It's good news/bad news time for WRZR ( 103.1 FM).

The good news is for the station's new owners, Salem Communications; its new sister station, WRFD (880 AM); and for listeners.

California-based Salem gained a 24-hour FM signal in one of the nation's better radio markets for less money than the previous owners.

WRFD, which has suffered from being on the AM dial and not having a nighttime signal, gained a way to broaden the audience for its Christian message.

If faith can move mountains, maybe enough prayers can make a peashooter signal sound like a cannon shot.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC STATION CLOSES SHOP
Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) - Friday, May 10, 1996
Author: Tim Feran, Dispatch Radio Critic
There is no more Joy in Johnstown. WTJY (103.1) - the Joy - has signed off.

The contemporary Christian music station has been replaced on the same frequency by WSMZ, a new urban station.

While the Joy is gone, WRFD (880 AM) remains in the fold of Salem Communications.

Meanwhile, fans of Christian music are left with WUFM (88.7 FM), the station one listener described as "what would happen if you crossed CD101 and the Blitz, gave the songs Christian lyrics, then drank a pot of coffee."

 

[gabigley1]

I wonder if Saga bid on 98.9, or even considered it? Given their stated intention of looking at new acquisitions I would guess "yes."

Also, does anyone know what Salem was going to pay for 102.5? Also, I wonder when WWCD's LMA expires? If it's soon, seeing the 98.9 sale might encourage a push for a 102.5 sale.

I wonder that too -- but then again could it been a situation that R1 wanted to sell the station but ensure it didn't go to someone who could "compete" with their remaining stations? Selling to Salem solves that.

Yes, a very reliable source said that Saga did look over 98.9 this year. They then decided they were not interested in buying 98.9.

 

[wprt949]

30 days and 30 nights of non stop christmas Music that would be a good way too gain Cume

 

[lovejamminoldies]

98.9 will not work with CCM... it won't work with conservative talk either imo.

 

[knowbetter]

98.9 will not work with CCM... it won't work with conservative talk either imo.

then again...maybe it will!

From this morning's Columbus Dispatch....

Maryland-based Radio One has agreed to sell Columbus radio station WJKR (98.9 FM) to Salem Communications, pending regulatory approval.

The price was not disclosed. As part of the sale, Salem will begin providing programming for the station on Nov. 1.

WJKR, “The Jack,” is one of three stations Radio One owns in Columbus and the only one to air a non-urban format.

The company currently owns or operates 55 stations, including local stations WCKX (107.5 FM), which plays R&B and hip-hop, and WXMG (106.3 FM), which plays R&B and oldies.

Salem Communications has headquarters in California and owns or operates about 100 stations that play Christian and conservative-opinion content, including WRFD (880 AM).