I thought deregulation started in the late 1970’s. What and when was the FCC docket number called that loosened “operator standards” and the frequency of transmitter meter readings and did away with the “third class with an endorsement requirement or better” requirement to sign a commercial radio station transmitter log. Was that the same docket that allowed class A FM’s to up their power from 3 KW to 6 KW (assuming no interference to existing facilities) in the early 1980’s?
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Atlanta Radio from 1977-78 from the AJC
- Thread starter jabba17
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I thought deregulation started in the late 1970’s. What and when was the FCC docket number called that loosened “operator standards” and the frequency of transmitter meter readings and did away with the “third class with an endorsement requirement or better” requirement to sign a commercial radio station transmitter log. Was that the same docket that allowed class A FM’s to up their power from 3 KW to 6 KW (assuming no interference to existing facilities) in the early 1980’s?
Here's a compilation aircheck from Z93 - when it was smoking hot back in the 70's and early 80's. They did this for an induction into Ga. Radio Hall of Fame. Former PD John Young narrates. I miss radio like this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXukXAwlrMk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXukXAwlrMk
There were a lot fewer stations at that time. According to the spring ‘78 Duncan’s book on American Radio History, WSB was the top rated station with a 16.3. Atlanta was only the #18 radio market at the time. Z93 was 2nd with a 12.3.
Atlanta was at 51% FM share at the time, and had 25 stations that made the ratings. Charlotte at the time was the 66th radio market, and had 16 stations. Charleston only had 13 viable stations at the time. 5 of them on FM. All 5 of them were in the top 7 of ratings there.
Atlanta was at 51% FM share at the time, and had 25 stations that made the ratings. Charlotte at the time was the 66th radio market, and had 16 stations. Charleston only had 13 viable stations at the time. 5 of them on FM. All 5 of them were in the top 7 of ratings there.
Z-93 was really starting to clobber Quixie as the 70s went on as people migrated from AM to FM. Quixie's FM side 94Q started its identity crisis, not knowing whether to replicate its AM sister and compete with Z-93, or go more AOR and compete with 96 Rock. Although 94Q did make a name for itself in the late 70s with its "Rock 40" AOR/Top 40 hybrid.
96 Rock picked up their AM side around this time, which lasted through the better part of the 80s. It was popular among those stuck with AM radios. It simulcasted the FM side but, as a daytimer, signed off at dark with the old Looney Tunes "That's All Folks" theme.
Aren't morning shows still like this?
The commercial with the woman who had a remarkable mouth was done by WBCY Charlotte in 1978 except she had a remarkable voice. And although she was also sexy I think she was one of the actual DJs.
Some of the music is remarkably conservative for a Top 40. Glen Campbell? Really? Now that's what I like.
What a shame that building is gone.
HI Chimp, I did not know the history of the woman from Charlotte. That's cool to know.
There are a lot of those "remarkable mouth" ads online so I must have forgotten she had a remarkable mouth too. WBCY did not seem to be one of them.
R
Rick Rose 2.0
Guest
WGST
Once Jacor sold out to clear channel now iheart the desire to do what was necessary to keep WGST a competitor went away. WGST was better than WSB in the 90s but Clear channel had to destroy the station because they did not want to spend the money to make money with news/talk.
Once Jacor sold out to clear channel now iheart the desire to do what was necessary to keep WGST a competitor went away. WGST was better than WSB in the 90s but Clear channel had to destroy the station because they did not want to spend the money to make money with news/talk.
I don't totally agree with that. Several things happened that really hurt WGST:
1. This was a little before Clear Channel, but once the Braves became of championship caliber, WSB decided to do whatever it took to win them back. WGST had been carrying the team when they went from worst to first, but Cox had the financial wherewithal to pay more than Jacor could afford.
2. WSB had lost its way in the 80's and slid to an also-ran in the ratings. In the early 90's, WSB hired Neal Boortz and Clark Howard away from WGST. Then they brought in Greg Moceri as PD, who totally changed the sound of the station, including new imaging. WSB, which had a tremendous signal advantage over WGST at night, was on its way to #1 again.
3. Clear Channel really dealt the death blow to WGST when they took away the FM simulcast on 105.7. Not a great FM signal, but good enough in the northern portion of the market. Clear Channel wanted to have another profit center, but they killed WGST in the process.
You could also add to those things the departure of Sean Hannity and the ill-conceived Planet Radio theme.
WSB had been carrying the Braves since they came to Atlanta in 1966. At the beginning of the 1991 (worst-to-first) season, Cox said that they were not going to renew their contract with the Braves, and WGST picked them up for 3 years effective with the 1992 season. Of course, by the end of the 1991 season, the folks at White Columns realized they had made a mistake. When WGST's deal was up, WSB got them back for several years.
WSB had also tried a progressive talk format anchored by Mike Malloy in the late 80s/early 90s (prior to 1992). That didn't work.
Clear Channel threw in the towel when they let WSB have Rush and Hannity.
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