A different tack on the sale of 96.5/Akron AND the CBS Radio stations...

[Rusty Muck]

I've given this a lot of thought, especially given the obvious belief that KISS-FM will be moving to 106.5 after the sale of 96.5/Akron is done. (And if you listen to WMVX for any length of time, man, you WANT it to happen...)

Let's put it this way. We have five major stations in the market available:

* CBS Radio is set to unload their four properties in Cleveland (WDOK, WQAL, WNCX, K-ROCK) three of which have very good metro signals. K-ROCK's overall reach is hampered by a short-spaced signal between 92.5 signals in Toledo and Canton, plus 92.1 in Bellevue.

* The 96.5 signal, by rule of thumb, should have as equal a coverage area as WDOK, WNCX or WQAL. It uses the same tower that WZAK does - the WTAM tower in Independence - but is impossible to run as a stand-alone. I'm also of the doubters that it could ever again play off as an Akron station. Sorry... but "96.5 WKDD" is impossible to reincarnate.

Given these two facts, and that these five signals were put on the market at the same time, wouldn't it be a wild stretch to suggest that an incoming station owner (Entercom or Bonneville come to mind; they have picked up several former CBS Radio properties) buys WDOK, WQAL and WNCX... plus the intellectual property of K-ROCK?

But wait... it gets better.

Said same buyer then moves to buy the 96.5 signal (under the conventional wisdom that WAKS' intellectual unit will move over to 106.5) and places K-ROCK's format and call letter there. I of course am operating under the presumption that the active rock format will remain on K-ROCK up until then.

(Or they launch a country station on 96.5 to go after BOTH WGAR AND WQMX to the south... I admit that's rather fanciful, but MORE realistic than those silly "Country K-92.3" rumors... )

And then, 92.3 is dispatch to an independant owner. (Radio One as an FM relay for WJMO/1300? Good Karma for WKNR? Or, it's swapped with WCLV/104.9... is highly unlikely BUT ironic, as 92.3's transmitter is on the WFHM/95.5 tower... adjacent to the WCLV studios.)

Please note that Entercom and Bonneville actually engaged in such a manuever in Cincinnati. While the premise here is different, I'm only saying that no one should presume that all four CBS Radio stations and 96.5/Akron will still be held together under different umbrellas.

 

[HHH]

"And then, 92.3 is dispatch to an independant owner. (Radio One as an FM relay for WJMO/1300? Good Karma for WKNR? Or, it's swapped with WCLV/104.9... is highly unlikely BUT ironic, as 92.3's transmitter is on the WFHM/95.5 tower... adjacent to the WCLV studios.)"

Well, after the big frequency swap some years ago, anything is possible.

My take:

FM relay for WJMO 1300? Nah. 1300 is a nich AM, that has no major revenue potential.

WKNR relay for Good Karma? Hmmm. Maybe. But, WKNR's signal (at least daytime) covers more ground than 92.3

WCLV swap with 104.9? I don't know how probable it is, but makes sense. The WCLV signal from 104.9 is spotty in their traditionally strong east-side listening locations, and the 92.3 tower puts it smack dab in the middle of where they should be. Plus, as you say, it is right at their studio location. 104.9 is a very good signal for a class "a", but it is still only a lower power class "a". Plus, it is on the wrong side of town. A move to 92.3 will give CLV a more market balanced signal, and a strong shot to the east side. But, it won't help all that much toward Akron due to the null toward 92.5 in Canton. However, still a big improvement over 104.9.

 

[rubberchicken]

It would be great to have K-ROCK on the bigger 96.5 signal, but it would have to be retooled back to an Alternative station. That needs to happen now to be honest. Copying WMMS' music just ain't getting it done, that was a lousy move to begin with.

 

[kentuckymedia]

If 96.5 does not end up back in Akron, the only real chances I see are Good Karma...or Elyria Lorain.

What if 104.9 moves to 96.5. Then Elyria Lorain picks up 104.9 to combo with some form of Soft AC to compliment 107.3?

If 96.5 moves to Akron, look for Rubber City to yank that station in a heartbeat...they want it!

I dont see CBS getting involved, too much red tape to cut.

 

[madd dogg]

dare we speculate on randy michaels? they have a tv station in cleveland.

 

[TenInARow]

What if 104.9 moves to 96.5.

Well wouldn't that be irony!

 

[HHH]

"dare we speculate on randy michaels? they have a tv station in cleveland."

No. NO. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

We don't need this sicko with his rubber penis, dropping his pants through the window on female jocks, bringing his group of immature
buddies along for the ride, who sweep through the building upsetting everyone with their foul language and dirty jokes, only to stand in front of someone who is trying to support their family and tell them, with a big grin yet, that "there's going to have to be some changes made around here", stop off at Promotion to show off their latest billboard design (which always has some kind of T & A reference), then all pile into a limo and head to the nearest strip club.

God help the people at Channel 8.

 

[Rusty Muck]

dare we speculate on randy michaels? they have a tv station in cleveland.

No way. He is pretty much headstrong in the TV biz now managing TWO TV groups in Tribune and LocalTV. But I could be wrong...

 

[Rusty Muck]

What if 104.9 moves to 96.5. Then Elyria Lorain picks up 104.9 to combo with some form of Soft AC to compliment 107.3?

Or they take WEOL's talk format full time on FM, and make 930 all-sports with FSR, Dan Patrick and all the sports PBP. Which wouldn't be unheard of...

 

[TenInARow]

"dare we speculate on randy michaels? they have a tv station in cleveland."

No. NO. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

We don't need this sicko with his rubber penis, dropping his pants through the window on female jocks, bringing his group of immature
buddies along for the ride, who sweep through the building upsetting everyone with their foul language and dirty jokes, only to stand in front of someone who is trying to support their family and tell them, with a big grin yet, that "there's going to have to be some changes made around here", stop off at Promotion to show off their latest billboard design (which always has some kind of T & A reference), then all pile into a limo and head to the nearest strip club.

God help the people at Channel 8.

Post of the WEEK right there! Month maybe! ;D

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I was kicking this around with a friend just this week - someone with very good radio sense who is more than welcome to chime in if he's reading - and we landed at the 92.3-as-replacement-for-WCLV's-104.9 scenario.

92.3 is the "odd man out" in the signal discussion, given all of the other four stations are full-market stations. 96.5 is not 100% there vs. 102.1/104.1/98.5, but is effectively a full-market station from Brecksville.

And 92.3 is basically the most East Side-centric signal out there. Bob Conrad didn't have much choice with the then-available signals in the 2001 swap, and there's really no East Side rimshot class A like 104.9 is on the West Side.

It wasn't the worst possible scenario for him in 2001, but close...the class A wasn't the problem, it was the fact it was on a stick that he was able to nudge only into Avon, when the classical music/arts base in the Cleveland market is over by his studios clear on the other side of town. I haven't tried picking up 104.9 in the University Circle area, but I imagine it's not all that great a signal even that close to the other side of downtown.

Now, as we discussed this week, we're not sure how much money Mr. Conrad/WCLV Foundation still has out of 2001, if this is a move he's interested in, or if there's a way to pry out 92.3 from the four CBS stations presumably on the block.

But, does that clear the way to pair up the three remaining stations with 96.5, and give one new owner a shot at a newly-reconstructed four station cluster...98.5, 102.1, 104.1 and 96.5...from two sellers?

This is all personal speculation this week, and since people turn to the Mighty Blog(tm) for information about media around these parts, I just want to clarify that it's not based on any actual fact, or even squishy rumor. It's just our own "what if?" scenario...

 

[HHH]

"Now, as we discussed this week, we're not sure how much money Mr. Conrad/WCLV Foundation still has out of 2001,"

Only Bob knows whether all of this is worth it, but--bear in mind--that WCLV would get something for selling off 104.9. Possibly to Elyria-Lorain. They could take it Spanish, since it hits Lorain and West Side Cleveland city pretty well. You certainly would have to have some kind of niche format on 104.9.

92.3 seems perfect for the new WCLV upgrade. Presume the cost is not as much as 96.5, with its superior coverage. BUT (now that we are just speculating and dreaming) wouldn't it be GREAT if Bob got 96.5? Clear Channel would get that spot on the dial out of their competitive arena....how much is that worth to them? On the other hand, CC needs the money, so I am sure that 96.5 will go to the highest bidder, and Bob may not think the several mil more for 96.5 compared to 92.3 is worth it for the extra coverage area, since 92.3 covers all of the Cleveland Metro counties pretty well (a lot better than 104.9).

Whatever happens, I hope Bob gets an upgrade. I love WCLV, and it is a hard catch when I drive around in certain areas.

 

[kentuckymedia]

CBS could possibly end up with 96.5 and spin off 92.3 to WCLV in which they spin off 104.9 to Elyria Lorain. This is all possible, but what about Good Karma. Could they be back in the fold of everything?

Maybe Good Karma launched 96.5 The Hog

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I don't even remotely speak for Mr. Conrad, but my gut radio-guy feeling is that he wouldn't bite at whatever price CC is asking for 96.5. 92.3 has the advantage of being, presumably, a less expensive "East Side centric" signal that A) would cost him a few mill less than 96.5, and B) would allow him to "bring home" the classical format to the East Side cultural center of the market. And as a class B, it's still enough to cover the West Side with little problem all the way out to Lorain.

Would E-L be interested in 104.9, assuming any of this happens? I don't know, and don't know what format they'd put on the signal. I don't know if they'd buy it to be a WEOL simulcast.

As for Good Karma, Craig's name gets brought up every time someone thinks a station is being sold.

But I have seen no evidence that Young Mr. Karmazin has any appetite - or enough money - for a full market Cleveland FM station. It's not his MO. He generally buys rimshots or even far rimshots and upgrades them into the market, signal and programming wise. He's a "bang for the buck" kinda guy.

Either 96.5 or 92.3 would help his nighttime signal vs. 850, but it feels like using an elephant gun to kill a fly to me. 850 is a decent signal, and even at night it covers most of Cuyahoga County with little problem.

Akron? Forget about it. Akron is gravy. Medina County, though, is in the Cleveland market. While both Craig and Bob Conrad would "like to have" Akron, certainly, it's not their core market.

There's a first time for everything, I guess...850 was Karmazin's first in-market non-rimshot full-signal AM signal...but I just don't see him shelling out double-digit millions for a full-market Cleveland B.

Others have kicked around EMF (K-Love), which is definitely in a buying mode. But I'm thinking whatever the standalone full-market B ends up being sold as a single would be too rich for them, as well.

If Mr. Conrad somehow ended up with 92.3, 104.9 would be an appropriate rimshot for the K-Love folks to enter Cleveland with something other than a translator.

Again, just kicking stuff around. I don't have ANY information that any of this is even being talked about!

 

[kentuckymedia]

I agree with you totally OMW. Always a fan!

If Conrad can work out a deal to pick up 92.3 and CC send 96-5 to CBS as part of a package deal, I would most likely bet my lunch on E-L picking up 104.9.

Primary reason would be to find a way to downgrade the audience in Lorain County appetite for WDOK. Im thinking they would put on some form of Jack or AC "Soft AC" to help lure the LC audience to stick with E-L

"Soft Hits 105" something similar to Bonneville in SLC

 

[HHH]

Seems to me that if Elyria-Lorain got 104.9, it would make a good Spanish station. Hits Hispanic areas Lorain vacinity and West Side inner city Cleveland.

Estimated 75,000 Spanish speaking in Lorain and Cuyahoga county.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I'm not sure E-L is the automatic presumed buyer if 104.9 came loose in all this, or if they'd do a Spanish-language format if they would be the buyer.

I do agree with the general sentiment that 104.9 would be a decent outlet for the area's first commercial FM Spanish-language station. It wouldn't cover some of the Spanish-speaking population up in, say, Painesville, but it'd find a Lorain audience...an audience that is quasi-served now by non-comm rimshot WNZN/89.1. (And by rimshot, I mean TO ITS OWN COL!)

Again, this only happens if Bob Conrad is interested in/can get 92.3 or one of the available five stations between the CBS sell-off and CC's need to divest 96.5.

 

[YEKIMI]

I was on vacation when the big freq swap happened, but when I got back, I vaguely remember a big hue & cry, people rioting in the streets, effigies of Bob Conrad being burned [well, maybe not THAT bad] by citizens of Akron and points south no longer being able to pick up WCLV . I listened to it sometimes when it was on 95.5 and was disappointed, when it went to 104.9, that it could barely be picked up in Akron and sometimes not picked up at all. I'm sure most who like that format migrated to WKSU but....wouldn't it make sense for WCLV to get a signal that reaches south into Akron so as to pick up some of those Summit county advertising dollars? Or get the best of both and flip it to Classical Spanish.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I'm sure most who like that format migrated to WKSU but....wouldn't it make sense for WCLV to get a signal that reaches south into Akron so as to pick up some of those Summit county advertising dollars? Or get the best of both and flip it to Classical Spanish.

Don't get me wrong...I'm sure that Bob Conrad would still like to provide a signal to Akron, if it was possible.

But his biggest problem isn't the "hue and cry" from south of, say, Macedonia. It's the "hue and cry" from people in his core east-suburban listening base, in the traditional "arts" corridor and in the rich, rich eastern suburbs (Hunting Valley, etc.) where 104.9 is not even a rumor, let alone a signal. You have lots of rich, older people out there who lost their classical music station in 2001.

WKSU fills some of that void, even in Hunting Valley, Waite Hill and the like, but it's not a perfect substitute.

Summit County isn't Bob's problem, it's eastern Cuyahoga County (plus Lake, etc.), within the Cleveland market. Why do you think he arranged that deal with WBKC/1460? There was basically no equivalent available to him in the eastern suburbs further south of Painesville.

Again, I'll repeat myself to make sure what I'm saying is clear - I have no idea if Mr. Conrad A) is interested in getting into this sudden availability of signals or B) has or is willing to spend the money (from the 2001 deal or whatever) on even a 92.3. It's just virtual chess piece moving on my part, trying to predict where all the signals land after CBS and CC do find deals for them.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Summit County isn't Bob's problem, it's eastern Cuyahoga County (plus Lake, etc.), within the Cleveland market. Why do you think he arranged that deal with WBKC/1460? There was basically no equivalent available to him in the eastern suburbs further south of Painesville.

The original plans were for WCLV to originate on 1420, with the relay on 104.9. Radio Seaway would own both licenses, with the FM donated to the WCLV Foundation. After all, 104.9 was just to be an FM relay from Lorain. The FM would have the tx moved to Avon, while the AM tx would be cleaned up and upgraded. And both stations would install the IBOC HD system. Simple enough.

That all changed after Salem botched up WRMR and openly announced that the station would be taken off the air (by Errol Dengler, no less). Of which Bob Conrad arranged the deal to purchase WRMR's format and intellectual property and place that on 1420 instead.

And that brought about the deal with WBKC.

By doing so, that saved the standards format. But it came at a high price - and it does puzzle me sometimes why Bob didn't elect to just relay WCLV's programming on 1420 instead of selling it back to Salem...