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Another Possible Format For 101.7??

J

Joseph_Gallant

Since launching in 2009, WBZ-98.5 (a/k/a "The Sports Hub") has aired Fox Sports Radio programming overnights (and in some weekend periods).

But with Sports Hub owner CBS announcing it's own sports radio network as of next January, FSR will be homeless in Boston.

Given FSR's relationship with incoming 101.7 owner Clear Channel in a lot of markets, could the 101.7 station they are acquiring from WFNX broadcast an interim format of some kind through January 1st (likely a simulcast of WJMN-94.5 or WXKS-107.9), then go 24/7 Fox Sports Radio on January 2nd??

While I still think a contemporary Spanish-language music format is the most likely future of 101.7, with a slight chance of it becoming a simulcast of WXKS-1200, maybe CC might decide on an interim format for five and a half months, or until such time as they can get Fox Sports Radio.

Running FSR 24/7 will be cheap. And perhaps they can augment that with syndicated sports event programming (i.e. the NCAA Basketball Tournament, NASCAR races, etc.); perhaps also selling time to producers for local college play-by-play.
 
Point well taken, though in an already over-saturated sports market, could Fox Sports work here? And doesn't 98.5 the Sports Hub run FSR overnights?

If they decide on Talk or Rush Radio, I could see FSR being syndicated when on automation on the weekends, but this is all speculation, which is why we're on a message board and we obviously don't know ANYTHING about radio because NOBODY else works in radio or knows anything about how a station is run.

EDIT***Missed the last part about FSR leaving the Sports Hub soon...Carry on!
 
EEI and Sports Hub are doing well in ratings and billing, as some don't find them boring. (And
for those who don't like them, try listening to _any_ radio in other markets...worse!) But yes,
EEI and Sports Hub are just fine and doing something like, say, Fox Sports 24/7 on 1200
probably wouldn't work, other than helping CC clear spots/shows as they syndie FSR.

Who knows, 96.9 may abandon talk eventually (Smooth jazz... :) ) or RKO or who knows. If
they think Mainstream or Urban AC will fly then they'll try it...and maybe it would work, if
on a good signal. (Radio One sure didn't stick with it, or with black-oriented talk on 1090
hence the current China Radio International brokered time)

Entercom did lose a bit of money by losing Mike 93.7 but they had to, to compete with
98.5 and what with people preferring FM. Here's a hint: making money isn't boring
And yes, if they feel Urban AC or whatever would work that's what you'll hear on 101.7
in about a month. I'd guess if Ent. had another FM signal to spare they'd run Mike there
as it's low cost, high profit, but they don't.

Some would consider the CRI programming on 1090 boring. Or prog talk on 1510. Or
conservative talk on 1200. Or NPR on 89.7 and 90.9. Or classical on 99.5, but it's
there, isn't it? (And I'm including the non-comms in there...they make money too
via donations and all.)

Yes it would be interesting to have it but tell that to "the suits".

FM: the growing home for talk (and no royalties to pay! well almost none)
mp3s, pandora, computers, etc: the growing home for music.

Keep in mind also WEEI paid big bucks for Sox rights. They're not changin'. They HAD to
put it on FM to SURVIVE. They need to maximize what they can from the investment.

I don't recall what 97.7 did for ratings or billing under Radio One, but they sold it
to Entercom so Ent. could //WAAF (which makes money and needs a boost in Boston).

>>101.7 Jack FM

If CC wanted a low cost, high profit signal, maybe.

It's all up to the bigwigs and what they think will fly. But hey who knows...years ago the thought of stations running top 40 rock, talk, or sports seemed far fetched. A pioneer
may launch a format that could do well, thank you.
 
I find this puzzling. If GM was gonna blow up 96.9 for anything, wouldn't it be for Mike/Jack? Supposedly that billed reasonably well for Entercom, and it cost them next to nothing to operate it so the net profit was quite tidy. Mike 93.7 was a cash cow, that's why they were so reluctant to blow IT up to put WEEI on there, wasn't it?

I could see why that wouldn't necessarily work for 101.7, since 101.7 doesn't have a full-market signal and arguably a full-market signal is needed for Mike/Jack. But 96.9 *is* a full-market signal, and now the Jack format is certainly available for the taking...
 
In this mix of radio switches, Boston needs a full time ESPN radio affiliate so Boston won't be without major sports events like the NBA Finals which were not on radio in Boston.
 
mnw1890 said:
In this mix of radio switches, Boston needs a full time ESPN radio affiliate so Boston won't be without major sports events like the NBA Finals which were not on radio in Boston.
Click to expand...

i found the NBA finals on 455.5125 and 926.650 in boston. as well as on MW
 
I certainly would want to hear the baseball playoffs (non Sox) while at work, etc.--and would hope WEEI would keep ESPN for that (i.e. keep up what they're doing).

aaron: yes that was the situation with Mike, a money maker which was reluctantly blown up.
As much as we love personality radio, if the bigwigs can make money with jockless they'll
try. My own suggestion was that they could have scooped 98.5 by going with the simulcast
as soon as possible, even before the Sports Hub debut (there was a month or two of
advance warning) even though it meant killing the revenue stream of Mike. Maybe they
were waiting to see how Sports Hub would do.

Two major teams, a powerful signal, CBS talent and promotion--it seemed pretty clear
it would be a huge challenge. This was no 890 or 1510.
Agreed also about 96.9 vs 101.7 signal wise and "Jack" and why GM might try it. They may
be doing OK with talk--they have Eagan and Braude and Graham in contracts till next year
at least and for all we know may be trying to get Howie.

An example of Variety Hits from Pittsburgh---does have jocks though

http://www.bobfm969.com/
Song log just played:
White Town/Supertramp/Duran Duran/Def Leppard/Mamas and Papas/Gavin DeGraw/
Foreigner/Boston/Eagles/Natalie Imbruglia
 
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