AM 600 WBOB

[John FL]

When WBOB moved from 1530 to 600, I figured there would be a bump in the ratings. According to their website, the old Radio Disney frequency of 600 provides better coverage. Where I live on the southside I can hear the station OK except when I pull into a parking garage or near those AM killing big utility poles. I still wonder if signal is an issue. Maybe it's me but AM sounds more hollow than ever. I guess nothing is available on FM.

These guys have put together a pretty impressive line-up that includes local shows. I’m not a sports talk fan so I’m not sure if doing a daily sports show makes sense, maybe it does. The other day I heard a little of the Just Speak Up local show and I believe I heard A.J. Davis in the talk fest I have to admit, I always found A.J. very interesting and simply a great talent. I have no idea where he is politically but I would think he’s somewhere in the middle and maybe that could offer a little opinion variety at WBOB.

I have to wonder if they ran with a local program first thing in the morning if that would provide a better lead in to the rest of the day. Laura Ingraham in mid mornings is probably their biggest strength. (She's not bad to look at either..lol) No one is expecting them to be a threat to WOKV but I would think that great lineup should at least bring them more than fractional shares. Thoughts?

 

[jmtillery]

With the excellent AM signal and decent programming line-up, WBOB is in a very good position to become Jacksonville’s strong second tier news-talk outlet.

As for the noise heard on AM radio, specifically WBOB, that is commonplace today mainly due to the additional “man-made” noise that exist today that did not exist years ago. The AM low frequency range has always been subject to reception interference from various sources, including power lines, thunderstorms or even something as simple as a kitchen appliance in use. Normally additional power from the radio station itself will solve some of the noise problems but not all. As you approach the AM fringe signal, reception interference becomes more of an issue.

Growing up listening to AM radio, I accepted the reception noise as part of the normal listening process. It was annoying at times, but the programming I was listening to was well worth staying tuned to the station. In those days we were not spoiled, as listeners are today, with static free FM reception. Unfortunately, the noise, static and reception interference problems commonly associated with AM signals today is a fact of life, and there isn’t much anyone can do to correct it due to the natural laws of electro-magnetic physics.

 

[charlestondxman]

600 does have a very good signal. Probably second or third best AM in Jacksonville behind 690 and 550. You can hear it well in Charleston, SC every day.

 

[Captain Parrot]

600 does have a very good signal. Probably second or third best AM in Jacksonville behind 690 and 550. You can hear it well in Charleston, SC every day.

Back in "the day" WPDQ on that frequency gave the Legendary WAPE 690 a run for their money. I remember it being as loud on Daytona Beach in the early 70s as the Big Ape. Maybe they'll give WOKV, now on 690 a run for their money as well. All the Best to the Under Dog!

 

[cd637299]

I think I posted this before, but I'll ask again----

How was 600 doing in Jax during 1980 when Radio Moscow (via Cuba) was using 600? I heard this RM up in Massachusetts, and the signal wasn't all that bad.....Was in or around Jax during December of that year, and monitored 600 (I think it was called Sunny back then)....was able to hear Jax of course, but I don't recall if RM was an issue the night I was there.

I am not sure of the power that was used by the RM relay, but they might have cranked out 500 kW.

If anyone worked at 600 during that time, would love to hear.....

cd

 

[nfladxer]

While, I'm past the 25-54 demo now, and since I grew up on AM, I still enjoy listening to AM on occasion, despite any of the technical issues of AM versus FM. Let's face it, some of the old car radios had fabulous sounding AM - but the newer digital readout tuners concentrate on the FM. Most of the WBOB talk lineup seems to be very listenable. The change from 1320 to 600 IS a good thing (600 is a heritage frequency in Northeast Florida) but since the frequency shift to 600 involved being on AM 1530 for a few months last Summer, that may have damaged 'BOB's base audience. That's one possibility, but with some outside marketing, and a little more time, WBOB may evolve into a healthy Conservative Talk alternative - with Laura Ingraham, Glenn, Beck, Mark Levin, and some other very solid Conservative Talkers, one would think so. It really all depends on what Chesapeake-Portsmouth is willing to put into the station and stay with the product. Also, WBOB IS on FM, on 2 translators - one at 107.7 FM Downtown, and now on an upgraded full power translator - 100.3 in Orange Park. I would think the OP one will be more effective.

 

[smedge2006]

Chesapeake-Portsmouth's principals are related to the brass at Salem Communications. Salem dumped its Jax properties on C-P, arguably to improve its appearance to investors by getting out of a smaller market. Salem doesn't invest in much local content on its properties and I don't expect C-P to behave any differently. Outside Marketing? It certainly isn't going to carve much out of WOKV. If "second tier" was a step on a staircase down from OKV, it would be quite a fall.

The BOB appears likely to continue Jacksonville's heritage as a place with underdeveloped talk radio. All of its hosts are "second tier" with the exception of Beck, who was first-tier but seems to be falling back into that tier after losing New York and Philly. Levin, Ingraham... none of these people can turn a pretender into a contender. A Tampa station recently dumped Ingraham for three hours of infomercials. She hasn't been picked up yet.

 

[jmtillery]

I think it was called Sunny back then

cd

AM 600 was, indeed, called Sunny 60 with the call letters WSNY in the late 70s. The format was known as Bright MOR Personality.

 

[jmtillery]

It certainly isn't going to carve much out of WOKV. If "second tier" was a step on a staircase down from OKV, it would be quite a fall.

The BOB appears likely to continue Jacksonville's heritage as a place with underdeveloped talk radio. All of its hosts are "second tier" with the exception of Beck, who was first-tier but seems to be falling back into that tier after losing New York and Philly. Levin, Ingraham... none of these people can turn a pretender into a contender.

No one is suggesting that WBOB will overtake WOKV in the ratings nor advertising revenue. However, positioned and marketed correctly, WBOB is in an excellent position to become Jacksonville’s news-talk alternative to WOKV. Second tier news-talk is always better than third, forth and fifth tier radio. Keeping this in mind, second tier is quite good when you compare WBOB with the majority of the other area AM stations that fall well below second tier.

Given a choice, I’d much rather have the number one market station; However, when that is not possible due to limitations, I’d rather have a very strong second tier news-talk outlet than have a complete bottom feeder producing very little, if anything, in revenues. Always understand your strengths, weaknesses and limitations as well as always understand your competition’s strengths, weaknesses and limitations.

 

[jmtillery]

600 does have a very good signal. Probably second or third best AM in Jacksonville behind 690 and 550. You can hear it well in Charleston, SC every day.

That is one of the advantages of AM radio signals mixed with salt water. WBOB's daytime signal hugs the Atlantic coast, same as WOKV, for miles. I've heard the daytime signal as far North as Wilmington, North Carolina. FM signals will not extend that kind of reach under non-tropospheric ducting conditions.

 

[nfladxer]

Yes, I agree, that while AM 600 WBOB will never likely give WOKV a serious run (without a huge cash infusion), WBOB is now positioned to be one of Jacksonville's most popular Talk Radio choices - one would think a 2 to 3 share is possible. I also disagree with an earlier post - Glenn Beck AND Laura Ingraham are both TOP TIER talk hosts (both in the top 10 nationally)!
Along with Bill Bennett, Mark Levin and Dennis Miller - these are ALL reputable TOP TIER hosts - WBOB has a strong National weekday lineup - the strongest they've had in their history. I think the key is whether or not CP will spend a few more bucks to promote/market the product correctly. I'll guarantee you that WOKV is not unaware of their existence.

 

[nfladxer]

Here's a theoretical question for Mark, or whomever is willing to give an honest answer. Since I know for a fact WBOB does NOT currently subscribe to Arbitron: Given the same exact circumstances, if station B did subscribe to Arbitron, could that station expect to get the same ratings results with PPM, whether or not they subscribe? In other words, since Arbitron is a business, if you're not fully on board, as in a paying subscriber, are you put at a further disadvantage?

 

[jmtillery]

Generally speaking, all stations in a rated market will show in the PPM or Diary results whether said stations are Arbitron subscribing stations, or not, provided the station(s) have enough listeners to make a showing in the ratings. However, a non-subscribing station cannot legally use any numbers from Arbitron as a marketing tool without first becoming a subscribing station.

Using WBOB as an example, if WBOB actually shows any meaningful numbers, the management at WBOB may want to seriously consider becoming an Arbitron subscribing station as this will open many new advertising doors that otherwise are not available to the station.

 

[nfladxer]

Mark, thanks for the reply - that makes perfect sense. I guess, like JohnJax, I've been puzzled why WBOB hasn't made more than a fractional dent in the PPM ratings yet since they moved down the dial to the much better AM 600 position. This certainly makes them one of the top 4 or 5 strongest AM signals in town, especially during the daytime. While some of their local brokered programming may have less appeal, their weekday syndicated talent is very solid, and should fare well in a Conservative Talk world, of course that's this listeners opinion. Generally, again, in my opinion, WBOB sounds more consistent than in years past when they were on 1320. Even in a PPM world, I suppose these things take time.

 

[radiobum]

Personally I think talk stations need live local shows in AM drive to succeed. I wonder if Bill Bennett gets ratings anywhere. Since WOKV has a newsblock in AM drive, a talk show to counter that seems like a natural-but of course that involves spending money.

 

[nfladxer]

Radiobum's point is well taken - I agree a locally based, compelling, relevent talk show would be the way for WBOB to boost their ratings - but C-P's past history doesn't bode well for that cash trigger being pulled.

 

[Megacycler]

I don't live in the JAX area but was wondering how much improved is WOKV's night time signal since the increase to 25kw? Its my understanding that the coverage pattern was "broadened" slightly in an attempt to cover more of the metro area. I was told that prior to the night time power increase, the only interference free area was a more or less narrow path between Baldwin and the beaches.

 

[cd637299]

I don't live in the JAX area but was wondering how much improved is WOKV's night time signal since the increase to 25kw? Its my understanding that the coverage pattern was "broadened" slightly in an attempt to cover more of the metro area. I was told that prior to the night time power increase, the only interference free area was a more or less narrow path between Baldwin and the beaches.

I don't live in Jax either, but I think that the night signal is heard well in Bermuda!

cd

 

[ThatGuyOnTheRadio]

I don't live in the JAX area but was wondering how much improved is WOKV's night time signal since the increase to 25kw? Its my understanding that the coverage pattern was "broadened" slightly in an attempt to cover more of the metro area. I was told that prior to the night time power increase, the only interference free area was a more or less narrow path between Baldwin and the beaches.

I don't live in Jax either, but I think that the night signal is heard well in Bermuda!

cd

The night signal is pretty awful North to South and pretty much STOPS west of the tower site in Baldwin, it's throwing all it's might to the East. Even then, the AM can be a tough catch from the southside at night where WOKV's studios are.

 

[jmtillery]

Personally I think talk stations need live local shows in AM drive to succeed. I wonder if Bill Bennett gets ratings anywhere. Since WOKV has a newsblock in AM drive, a talk show to counter that seems like a natural-but of course that involves spending money.

ABSOLUTELY!!! A locally produced morning talk program interspersed with local news, traffic and weather, and then actually promoted with TV ads and outdoor advertising will give WBOB a tremendous competitive advantage.