AKRON ARBITRENDS: LOCALLY OWNED RADIO KEEPS TOP 3 SPOTS

[SeanMGilbow]

As Clear Channel slashes staff across the country, locally owned radio still dominates the Akron market.

Realizing these are trends, it will be no surprise if the latest book has:

Rubber City Radio Group's WQMX as #1. (Country)
Media-Com's WNIR as #2. (Talk, mostly local)
Rubber City Radio Group's WONE as #3. (Rock)

But the station to watch? Rubber City Radio Group's WAKR.

With Christmas music playing instead of the Indians, the latest Arbitrends show a 20 percent increase in listeners, beating Clear Channel's WKDD. If the Arbitrends tend to favor younger listeners, Clear Channel's Akron/Canton stations will not be happy at all with the next book.

And WKDD had the best showing of the stations in the cluster. WHLO took a huge hit, WRQK still remains near the bottom of the heap, and WARF and WHOF aren't even listed.

Why do I get the feeling there are locally owned operations across the country who would love to know how the likes of Nick Anthony and Bill Klaus are taking Clear Channel to the woodshed?

And if WAKR's Arbitrend jump is any indication (not easy with an older listener base), it's only a matter of time before it kicks WTAM to the curb, just like WTAM did to Paul Harvey.

 

[WiseOwl]

Sean - Let's be honest with each other.

Sean-

Sorry dude, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Weren’t you the same guy that posted here and the Ohio Majority Radio board just months ago praising Clear Channel for having Progressive talk on 1350 in Akron? It was a virtual rear-end kissing fest as you were airing spots on the stream on 1350 and proclaimed that after airing a month of spots, you got two, yes two calls! I seem to recall a post authored by you taking Rubbercity radio to the woodshed for wasting WAKR when they could have gone progressive talk. Now suddenly you’re on here bashing away at the very people you just months ago were headover heels for?

May I ask what exactly does staff cuts have to do with it? After all, your favorite progressive talk station on 1350 was 100% on Satellite with NO local programming. Looking at the schedule of WVKO, it’s 100% Syndicated as well, and it looks like several of the big boys in Columbus are KILLING them and will continue to do so.

Talk about a flip flop.

I have no interest on either side, Rubber city, Klaus, & Clear Channel can run their stations as they wish. I just can’t stand when posters lay out the BS. Just come out of the closet and say why you dislike the cluster in Akron and be forthright about it.

As for the numbers, you are quoting 12+ numbers. WAKR should be in the top 3 on a regular basis, if not #1. With, and this is not a slam, the largest population cell in Summit county 55+, The format on WAKR should be pulling them in left and right. The WAKR numbers released this week had everything to do with the Indians playoff run, not the Christmas music which did not affect this trend. I recall a time in the mid to late 90’s WAKR was #1 in AM Drive 25-54, beating WKDD, WONE, WQMX and WNIR.

WRQK has never been a player in Akron, ever.

WHOF has no signal in Akron.

The biggest story of the trends are the still embargoed Cleveland trends.

Does anybody listen to WMJI anymore?

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Owl...in the words of the late Richard Harris and Donna Summer, "Someone left the cake out in the rain." Which pretty much also describes your rebuttal. I will go point-by-point.

I seem to recall a post authored by you taking Rubbercity radio to the woodshed for wasting WAKR when they could have gone progressive talk.

WRONG. The only thing I wished WAKR could change was its playlist, and I did mention that in a previous posting on this board. While I felt an AM station should not be focusing on songs from a few decades, especially if the format is Adult Standards, the jury is out on if Chuck Collins made the right call on going Oldies.

Now suddenly you’re on here bashing away at the very people you just months ago were headover heels for?

ABSOLUTELY, AND I HAVE THAT RIGHT SINCE I LOST WHAT I INVESTED. Clear Channel's decision to flip the format was at about the time my commercials were reaching a saturation point on the web stream, a point where listeners would start buying because they were becoming familiarized with my product line. And, as is the case with Clear Channel's stations in Columbus and Cincinnati which also aired progressive talk, WARF has fallen out of the Arbitrends.

May I ask what exactly does staff cuts have to do with it? After all, your favorite progressive talk station on 1350 was 100% on Satellite with NO local programming.

WRONG AGAIN. Radio Free Ohio had a longtime Akron radio talk show host, Joe Finan, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Listeners were saddened when he left the airwaves shortly before his death about this time last year. As for the cuts, they may not have happened in Akron/Canton this time around, but Columbus and Cincinnati staffers got the ax in Ohio this week. And the cuts are making their way through Clear Channel stations across the country.

Looking at the schedule of WVKO, it’s 100% Syndicated as well, and it looks like several of the big boys in Columbus are KILLING them and will continue to do so.

WVKO just became a progressive talk station on December 3. The station was off the air for nearly a year as the previous owner filed for bankruptcy. Right now, WVKO is pretty much a one-person operation, with the General Manager serving as Program Director and Sales Manager as well. But despite having to broadcast via webcasts of Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, Air America, etc., until the satellite issues are resolved, the station already has a dozen advertisers. Clear Channel's AM 1230 had no advertisers during its first two weeks as a progressive talk station. And, under its current format, it also just dropped out of the Arbitrends.

As for the numbers, you are quoting 12+ numbers. WAKR should be in the top 3 on a regular basis, if not #1. With, and this is not a slam, the largest population cell in Summit county 55+, The format on WAKR should be pulling them in left and right. The WAKR numbers released this week had everything to do with the Indians playoff run, not the Christmas music which did not affect this trend. I recall a time in the mid to late 90’s WAKR was #1 in AM Drive 25-54, beating WKDD, WONE, WQMX and WNIR.

You missed the point. Instead of the Arbitrends going down from August/September/October, when the Indians played all three months, to September/October/November, the numbers went UP. And for a station known for its 55+ listenership, the numbers going up 12+ cannot be seen as just a fluke when it comes to Arbitrends which supposedly attract better numbers for stations with younger audiences. As for being #1, the station was #1 overall in the market as recently as the winter of 1991. That was before Adam Jones (Bob Allen's former on-air partner that formed the morning team of Adam and Bob), Bill Hart and Bob Friend were fired in favor of a news/talk format featuring Rush Limbaugh.

WRQK has never been a player in Akron, ever.

WHOF has no signal in Akron.

Nonetheless, they are part of the Akron/Canton cluster. And WHOF now does have a signal well-received in Akron after it was moved from the former WJER-FM's previous city of license, Dover.

Does anybody listen to WMJI anymore?

Yes. Among Akron listeners, the Clear Channel station was ranked in the top five with CBS Radio's WZAK.

-----

Oh, as for your remark about me coming out of the closet...I did that shortly after turning 40.

 

[YEKIMI]

I listen to WMJI but only in the mornings. After 10 AM I switch it off or turn on my XM because I have already heard the songs they will play because I heard them the day before...and the day before that...and the day before that one....and the...well, you get the picture.

 

[airwaveobserver]

WRQK has never been a player in Akron, ever.

You're right, but they have been trying. Ever since CC took over, they have been trying to brand themselves as an Akron station and go against WONE. Their website is akroncantonrocks.com, for Christ's sakes.

WRQK has failed miserably since CC took over, in Canton and Akron, despite the CC rebranding. CC has destroyed WRQK. Look at their Canton numbers. Embarrassing.

When they flip to classic rock, when a real PD takes over, will you still say they aren't trying to go against WONE?

 

[VODood]

As Clear Channel slashes staff across the country, locally owned radio still dominates the Akron market.

Realizing these are trends, it will be no surprise if the latest book has:

Rubber City Radio Group's WQMX as #1. (Country)
Media-Com's WNIR as #2. (Talk, mostly local)
Rubber City Radio Group's WONE as #3. (Rock)

But the station to watch? Rubber City Radio Group's WAKR.

With Christmas music playing instead of the Indians, the latest Arbitrends show a 20 percent increase in listeners, beating Clear Channel's WKDD. If the Arbitrends tend to favor younger listeners, Clear Channel's Akron/Canton stations will not be happy at all with the next book.

And WKDD had the best showing of the stations in the cluster. WHLO took a huge hit, WRQK still remains near the bottom of the heap, and WARF and WHOF aren't even listed.

Why do I get the feeling there are locally owned operations across the country who would love to know how the likes of Nick Anthony and Bill Klaus are taking Clear Channel to the woodshed?

And if WAKR's Arbitrend jump is any indication (not easy with an older listener base), it's only a matter of time before it kicks WTAM to the curb, just like WTAM did to Paul Harvey.

Let's remember that the trends are 12 plus, purely cosmetic numbers. A station can do poorly 12 plus and still do very well in key demos.


Re: WMJI. Outside of Lanigan & Malone the station is horrible.

 

[OhReally?]

WRQK has never been a player in Akron, ever.

You're right, but they have been trying. Ever since CC took over, they have been trying to brand themselves as an Akron station and go against WONE. Their website is akroncantonrocks.com, for Christ's sakes.

WRQK has failed miserably since CC took over, in Canton and Akron, despite the CC rebranding. CC has destroyed WRQK. Look at their Canton numbers. Embarrassing.

When they flip to classic rock, when a real PD takes over, will you still say they aren't trying to go against WONE?

But the fact of the matter remains -- no matter how many locales a station puts in their positioner -- WRQK has never been considered a factor in the Akron market.

 

[OhReally?]

You missed the point. Instead of the Arbitrends going down from August/September/October, when the Indians played all three months, to September/October/November, the numbers went UP.

Your problem with that comparison is that the Indians played all month long in September (as they do every year). It also helped that the Indians, after getting their clocks cleaned by the Yankees in mid-August and pretty much had a "come-to-Jesus", went on the have the best record in baseball for the rest of the season from that point on, as they continued to play great ball throughout September. Included in that month was the 3rd week of September when they swept the Tigers and then clinched the ALCS in the 3rd weekend of September. Then, we all know the Indians made it until Game 7 of the ALCS, which went until mid-October.

Nonetheless, they are part of the Akron/Canton cluster.

That's irrelevant. Being part of the cluster is beneficial for selling the station. It still does not change the fact that WRQK is not a factor in the Akron market.

And WHOF now does have a signal well-received in Akron after it was moved from the former WJER-FM's previous city of license, Dover.

Again, that's irrelevant, too. Look at all the stations in Cleveland that are "well-received" in Akron and Canton. They're main focus IS Cleveland. Everything else is secondary. WHOF's main focus is NOT Akron. But it's a selling point for the station.

And these are trends. To quote the late Chris Farley: "whop-dee-freaking-doo!".

 

[airwaveobserver]

Take a gander at the last Canton book, in WRQK's target demos.

I dobut the execs are saying 'whoop-dee-doo.'

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Your problem with that comparison is that the Indians played all month long in September (as they do every year). It also helped that the Indians, after getting their clocks cleaned by the Yankees in mid-August and pretty much had a "come-to-Jesus", went on the have the best record in baseball for the rest of the season from that point on, as they continued to play great ball throughout September. Included in that month was the 3rd week of September when they swept the Tigers and then clinched the ALCS in the 3rd weekend of September. Then, we all know the Indians made it until Game 7 of the ALCS, which went until mid-October.

You also missed the point. The Indians didn't play in November, but the Arbitrends showed an INCREASE from August/September/October to September/October/November.

The Browns were showing mediocrity, the Cavs have yet to get out of mediocrity, and the Buckeyes don't have that big of a following in Akron. Certainly, these are trends, and the book will tell the tale. But the increase still is an attention-getter.

As far as selling point...are you hinting Clear Channel might be selling its underperforming properties? If so, that might be a smart move if it wants to go private. It's been a year since announcing the intention to go private, and in the wake of more cuts nationwide, Clear Channel may have to consider selling stations in bigger markets.

As for the Akron/Canton properties, Rubber City and the Klaus family are sure to make a nice offer for a share of the stations. It may make Akron a two-owner market, but at least it would be locally owned and operated.

 

[alans]

I wonder what mix Chuck will have once xmas music comes to an end in a little
over a week,it should be interesting.
Too bad in Cleveland all the major stations are destroyed by CC,CBS RADIO,RADIO ONE
with the exception of WNWV THE WAVE 107.3 which has local ownership.
If only we had the kind of station like AM740 ALL TIME FAVORITES IN TORONTO CANADA
Or a 24/7 dose of THE SUNDAY OLDIES JUKEBOX ON 88.9FM.
If Chuck and Nick Anthony are smart they could do a combination of both stations and then
let the fun begins with CC,CBS,RADIO ONE Maybe the message being sent to the big 3 simple
WE'RE SICK OF THE COOKIE CUTTER,PLAYLIST SLASHING CRAP YOU'VE BEEN HANDING US!!!

 

[Rusty Muck]

I wouldn't be surprised to see WAKR evolve into an 50's/60's/70's oldies varient after Christmas. Such a move would be smart, as to avoid the skyrocketing age demos which has crippled the whole adult standards format. (Hints were also given by Chuck to OMW about this late last month...)

WNWV was fortunate enough to have avoided consolodation ten years ago. And even then, I believe that any and all offers would have been refused or rejected. They are THE moneymaker for Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting; in fact, given the state of Lorain County's economy, having WNWV in your station group is a very good thing. It's just a shame I just can't stand the format.

- nate81

 

[OhReally?]

WE'RE SICK OF THE COOKIE CUTTER,PLAYLIST SLASHING CRAP YOU'VE BEEN HANDING US!!!

This blanket comments shows how much you don't know. CBS Radio is far from "cookie-cutter." Their programmers (the ones I know) are allowed to actually program. There is no corporate playlist, like Cumulus.

 

[OhReally?]

As far as selling point...are you hinting Clear Channel might be selling its underperforming properties? If so, that might be a smart move if it wants to go private. It's been a year since announcing the intention to go private, and in the wake of more cuts nationwide, Clear Channel may have to consider selling stations in bigger markets.

I am not hinting at anything. You missed MY point of my comment. Could CC -- or any radio company -- consider selling its' underperforming properties? Possibly, but certainly not in this current economy. They're having an extremely difficult time trying to sell the properties currently on the market. It's been a nightmare, from what I've been reading.

As for the Akron/Canton properties, Rubber City and the Klaus family are sure to make a nice offer for a share of the stations. It may make Akron a two-owner market, but at least it would be locally owned and operated.

I don't see that happening. Unless CC, for example, makes it known they wish to unload a station or two in the Akron and/or Canton market, then maybe someone might inquire.

 

[kentuckymedia]

Last I heard is that once Clear Channel completes its divesting of markets #130 - Unrated, they will begin pairing off their over-limit stations and markets from #7-=#130. Eventually Akron/Canton/Youngstown will be sold. Just not sure when.

The Rubber City radio group has shown interest in buying the Clear Channel Canton properties which would technically give them...

WAKR-AM Adult Standards
WHLO-AM News/Talk
WTUE-AM Sports/Talk
WONE-FM Classic Rock
WQMX-FM Country

WKDD-FM Hot AC
WHOF-FM Adult AC
WRQK-FM Rock

I assume they dont have to sell any stations if they were to get CC/Canton, but I could be incorrect on that.

At one point I heard Peterson wanted to get in the buying game. I know Nextmedia wants the moon for their properties in Canton but we all know thats not going to happen. Maybe he could get the WHBC duo for 20 million?

 

[david9396]

kentucky--unless cc has filed a calls change with the fcc, 1350 is currently on air as espn1350/warf/akron.
given the fact that radio one owns woneAM and wtueFM (one-two punch, getit?), rubbercity may run into opposition from radioone to reposition warf as wtueAM. but who knows, whats' good for the goose.....

WHEN cc sells their akron/canton cluster, I believe that nick and dominic at rubbercity would be far more likely to purchase them than the hbc twins from next media, the klaus family from wnir/1520, donnie or jack.
cc is going to demand too high a price to make it feasable for the smaller independent owners to make a serious bid.

i've noticed that since warf became espn1350, their signal comes across cleaner and with less static than they did as libtalk, foxsports or even as the whistler.

personally, i would like to see the fcc roll the ownership clock BACK to 2+2 ownership in any market and return operation BACK to LOCAL ownership and formats. will it happen? doubtful. nonetheless, the FCC DOES REQUIRE that each station SERVE their local communities. that's why i am encouraged to see LOCAL ownership do 1-2-3 in the local arbitrends.

david9396 formally known as david5258

 

[OhReally?]

WHEN cc sells their akron/canton cluster, I believe that nick and dominic at rubbercity would be far more likely to purchase them than the hbc twins from next media, the klaus family from wnir/1520, donnie or jack.
cc is going to demand too high a price to make it feasable for the smaller independent owners to make a serious bid.

CC is finding out they are not exempt to problems that homeowners who are trying to sell have been dealing with regarding the real estate market recently. CC -- or any company -- can ask whatever they want, but the market will tell them what they will -- or will not -- get. Look at the problems CC is having selling the stations they're trying to now because of the mortgage and credit industries. Don't be surprised if there is a huge "fire sale" just so they can get rid of them already. From what I have been reading, it has not been going the way they expected at all -- whatsoever.

personally, i would like to see the fcc roll the ownership clock BACK to 2+2 ownership in any market and return operation BACK to LOCAL ownership and formats. will it happen? doubtful. nonetheless, the FCC DOES REQUIRE that each station SERVE their local communities. that's why i am encouraged to see LOCAL ownership do 1-2-3 in the local arbitrends.

There is a huge vote scheduled for today by the FCC to loosen media ownership restrictions to allow broadcasters in the nation's largest markets to own a newspaper.

-OhReally? (formerly known as "UGottaBSh*ttingMe") ;D

 

[VODood]

I wouldn't be surprised to see WAKR evolve into an 50's/60's/70's oldies varient after Christmas. Such a move would be smart, as to avoid the skyrocketing age demos which has crippled the whole adult standards format. (Hints were also given by Chuck to OMW about this late last month...)

WNWV was fortunate enough to have avoided consolodation ten years ago. And even then, I believe that any and all offers would have been refused or rejected. They are THE moneymaker for Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting; in fact, given the state of Lorain County's economy, having WNWV in your station group is a very good thing. It's just a shame I just can't stand the format.

- nate81

I dont' think Adult Standards is as bad off as some think. Jones Radio just severed it's ties with Music Of Your Life, not because it's losing audience, but to launch their own network. They're hiring talent, producers, etc.

Today's adult standards includes many contemporary artists, from Buble' to Rod Stewart to Diana Krall, and many others, with of course the staples of the format.

Fits nicely between jazz and ac/gold.

 

[VODood]

I wouldn't be surprised to see WAKR evolve into an 50's/60's/70's oldies varient after Christmas. Such a move would be smart, as to avoid the skyrocketing age demos which has crippled the whole adult standards format. (Hints were also given by Chuck to OMW about this late last month...)

WNWV was fortunate enough to have avoided consolodation ten years ago. And even then, I believe that any and all offers would have been refused or rejected. They are THE moneymaker for Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting; in fact, given the state of Lorain County's economy, having WNWV in your station group is a very good thing. It's just a shame I just can't stand the format.

- nate81

55-79, with a core of 64-73. HAC delivery with talent, imaging, etc. Essentially what WMJI was circa 1996-99.

WAKR would be wise to hire Ravenna and Scott Howitt. Sandy Bennett needs a gig too. She was cut loose from WSNY/Columbus two months back.

Also could hire former WMJI staffers Luther Heggs and Chris Quinn.

A GREAT sounding station is WDJO/Cinci www.oldies1160.com, streaming in stereo!