Avenue 950 moving to 1550?

[fybush]

I have to think that if the idea had any legs it would have been tried already. AFAIK. it hasn't been tried for getting US control of a foreign Class A AM allocation. I have trouble believing that that is the result of nobody ever having thought of it. A generic problem that is created whenever the FCC attempts to solve a problem by granting an STA is that when the "time is up" for the operation described in the STA, the station that holds the STA finds all sorts of creative ways to use the courts to extend the STA indefinitely. (And I don't mean just when the STA expires; the STA's time could be over when conditions described in the STA have been met. In this case, the conditions could be met when the CRTC/Industrie Canada grants a CP for the Canadian facilities described in an STA.) The result is a mess in which the only winners appear to be the lawyers who file all of the petitions to keep the STA on the air.

Dan, I'm not sure why you're using the French spelling for Industry Canada:

http://www.ic.gc.ca/ic_wp-pa.htm

In any event, I would think that even STA operation by a US station on a Canadian clear channel would still run afoul of the relevant treaties, which means we're still operating here at a level pretty far above the FCC or Industry Canada. This is State Department/Foreign Ministry territory, and even if one imagines that this issue is big enough for State to be interested in pursuing, there'd have to be some sort of quid pro quo. What might Canada want from us in return?

 

[DanStrassberg]

Dan, I'm not sure why you're using the French spelling for Industry Canada:

I thought that, notwithstanding Canada's bilingualism, Industrie Canada was the only legitimate name for the entity. In French, an adjective follows the noun it modifies. Hence I thought that in "Industrie Canada," Canada was an adjective. That means the organization's English name would be Canadian Industry. I didn't think that was the case (and it isn't), but I thought that the result was that the French name was the only correct one. Anyhow, I imagine that Francophones are delighted to see Anglophones use French names for Canadian entities.

 

[[email protected]]

Re: re: Avenue 950 moving to 1550?

Most Catholics would likely prefer "The Avenue" to "Relevant Radio".

So...reciting the "Hail Mary" over and over again isn't as compelling as classic big band music ???? (just kidding)

Certainly...the Catholic radio programming I've heard has been so archaic and irrelevant that it's no wonder no one is listening. They are in need of a real good radio savy program director.

 

[fybush]

I thought that, notwithstanding Canada's bilingualism, Industrie Canada was the only legitimate name for the entity. In French, an adjective follows the noun it modifies. Hence I thought that in "Industrie Canada," Canada was an adjective. That means the organization's English name would be Canadian Industry. I didn't think that was the case (and it isn't), but I thought that the result was that the French name was the only correct one. Anyhow, I imagine that Francophones are delighted to see Anglophones use French names for Canadian entities.

The names of Canadian government agencies aren't typically very grammatically correct, either in English or in French. "Statistics Canada/Statistique Canada"? "Environment Canada/Environnement Canada"? "Canada Post/Postes Canada"?

The CRTC, interestingly enough, is a tortured acronym in both languages: Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in English, Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes ("Canadian council on radio broadcasting and telecommunications") in French.

 

[audioguy]

Re: re: Avenue 950 moving to 1550?

So...reciting the "Hail Mary" over and over again isn't as compelling as classic big band music ???? (just kidding)

Certainly...the Catholic radio programming I've heard has been so archaic and irrelevant that it's no wonder no one is listening. They are in need of a real good radio savy program director.

I don't know that that's true. First, I'm not Catholic and I don't have an axe to grind, but why are you so sure that nobody cares about Relevant Radio? I've actually read comments to the contrary on this board. To me, it seems like a excellent alternative to all of the same old same old syndicated programs; the conspiracy theories, the left and right political hate programs, and the others that broadcast ten minutes of spots back to back.

Of possibly more relevance is the question of how useful a 1.5 kW daytime signal at the high end of the dial will be as far as covering Chicago is concerned. WONX wiped out three suburban signals so they could increase their power (quite a bit, actually) and what do they have? a crummy signal over most of the Chicago area.

If 50 kW WGN doesn't penetrate the high rise buildings downtown, I don't think a 1.5 kW hair dryer signal from Highland Park with a short stick and a truncated ground system that yields an antenna efficiency only a hair over the minimum required will do that well. However, if they play nice music on it, I'll listen (I'm close enough to hear them even if they only ran 250 watts).

 

[cyberdad]

Re: re: Avenue 950 moving to 1550?

.....why are you so sure that nobody cares about Relevant Radio? I've actually read comments to the contrary on this board. To me, it seems like a excellent alternative to all of the same old same old syndicated programs; the conspiracy theories, the left and right political hate programs, and the others that broadcast ten minutes of spots back to back.

I am catholic, and I agree from a philosophical standpoint. But, speaking just for myself, I find that the Relevant Radio format tends to be anything but. Well-intentioned to be sure, but I'll just be charitable and say for the most part, what they're doing doesn't make for compelling radio. Perhaps at some point a way can be found to execute the concept better and in the process attract a wider following.

As for 1550, my guess is that "The Avenue" format (which as I alluded to earlier has more appeal than "Relevant Radio") will essentially be a place-holder to one extent or another.

 

[Prais]

I'm an ordained Catholic deacon, with a finger or 2 in a few Catholic stations, and, a long secular radio resume.

The audience is there. Mother Angelica gets lots of checks from Catholic grannys who put her envelope "between the gas bill and electric bill." (her words).

The 2000 year old Church may not be "relevant" to you, but, believe me, the programming (Rosary, Masss, Catholic education, devotions, history, music) makes sense to LOTS of people that regular radio IGNORES, anyway.

The programs are quite unintersting, (but quite good theologically)
but realize that a Catholic radio format is alot NEWER than what our Protestant brothers serve up, and I really don't see Ken Copeland or the Bott stations, or Moody sounding more "exciting" or "relevant" - or being a ratings smash....or am I missing something?

PS I was told today by a non-believer that "Catholics control the world." Won't my Bishop be surprised! I can't wait to share that with him.

 

[cyberdad]

The 2000 year old Church may not be "relevant" to you, but, believe me, the programming (Rosary, Masss, Catholic education, devotions, history, music) makes sense to LOTS of people that regular radio IGNORES, anyway.

The programs are quite unintersting, (but quite good theologically)

I never said the Church was not relevant to me. Very much the contrary. My reference was to the Relevant Radio programming....which you agree is "quite uninteresting", and I absolutely agree is "quite good theologically". What I said was that Relevant Radio was well-intentioned, but not compelling. So, IMHO, the challenge is to take what I view as a glorious message and do a better job of delivering it to those who could benefit.

By coincidence my point was illustrated just this morning at mass. We had a missionary priest. As a deacon, you're undoubtedly aware that, unfortunately, some of these guys have a very real and sincere need and a very compelling story to tell. But due to problems with English and/or general poor communications skills, the missionaries often end up boring parishioners rather than inspiring them. This morning, however, we had a visiting priest who talked about Haiti and "knocked it out of the park". So it can be done. And the visiting Father clearly was doing quite well with the second collection.

Relevant Radio needs to find a way to "knock it out of the park", without altering or sugar-coating the mission or the message in any way. I stand to be corrected, but as things stand now from what I can see, they're not only failing to reach the flock, they may also be failing to reach the shepherds. I've never seen it mentioned in our bulletins, nor have I ever head a priest bring it up....either from the pulpit or in a conversation. On top of that, my wife's aunt is a nun who lives only a few miles from the 950 stick, and I've never heard her bring it up.

But, as I saw this morning, the message can be delivered effectively and successfully. Until then, there's always "The Avenue"

 

[[email protected]]

Without doubt a 1.5KW signal from a stick in Highland Park, IL isn't going to cover much. But it will do OK in some significant suburbs. I'm thinking Highland Park, Lake Forest, Winnetka, etc...those suburbs have a pretty desireable demographic. But it will take some focused programming.

Personally...and this is just my speculation...the principals involved in the CP likely wanted to just sell the CP and make some quick cash rather than actually build the station.


As far as the Catholic format goes...it's true that it is in it's infancy...but it doesn't have to repeat others mistakes. Rather than repeating what would be considered a Sunday Mass, the radio format should provide for communication to it's audience in a manner that compliments their Sunday Mass, a direct personal communication with the listener (individual). Who knows programming such as that may attract new people...which I think the Catholic church would like.

 

[Prais]

Innovation is needed.

To me, the Protestants have had this exact problem for a MUCH longer time.

 

[stereolane]

This is a shame, because I believe that "The Avenue" could really work as a fulltime format on a good signal in Chicagoland.

 

[Prais]

Now, they just have to gather and convince a great sales staff to get on the street.

 

[audioguy]

They would also need a decent signal, like 560, 820, or 1160. None of the others cover enough of Chicagoland to make it worthwhile. An FM would be even better, but I'm assuming there aren't any they could get their hands on, except maybe 87.7.

 

[audioguy]

It would be refreshing news if someone targeted the north shore with something other than noisy, distorted rebroadcasts of Russian and Polish web streams. I'm all ears!

 

[HadYourPhil]

I think The Avenue will come to a dead end.

 

[audioguy]

I think The Avenue will come to a dead end.

Is that why your signature says "we improve things by making them worse"?

 

[dxer720]

You might be right, HadYourPhil.

As I love the music, I fear I'm one of the few who even knows about it...Even here in Lake Geneva. I have not seen so much as a note posted on a grocery store bulletin board about it...Let alone any organized promotion. The website, in its current form, does nothing.

Getting this new station on the air is only a third of the battle. You've got to have compelling programming & potential listeners have to be told of it's existence.

Even if the signal reached all of Chicagoland, it would do no good if nobody knows about it. How many people would just happen to "Scan" by. I doubt very few radio owners have used that button when in their "home area".

 

[stereolane]

Surprisingly, The Avenue is doing quite well in Fort Myers, FL.

To me, it sounds more "Chicago" than Fort Myers. Go figure.

 

[Icangelp]

Surprisingly, The Avenue is doing quite well in Fort Myers, FL.

To me, it sounds more "Chicago" than Fort Myers. Go figure.

Perhaps the Avenue is age appropriate in Fort Myers...

 

[stereolane]

Surprisingly, The Avenue is doing quite well in Fort Myers, FL.

To me, it sounds more "Chicago" than Fort Myers. Go figure.

Perhaps the Avenue is age appropriate in Fort Myers...

That statement is painting with broad brushes. First of all, The Avenue is FULLTIME in Fort Myers, and if you listen on-line, you will see that the station is a fairly active community promotional machine. In Chicago, it was only on in the evening / overnight with little, if any, promotion. Some would say it was an experiment, or a place-holder. As for demographics, Chicagoland is how many times LARGER than metro Fort Myers? Furthermore, this format is a 35+ format, not a "retirement age to nursing home age" format.

From reading some of the posts on this board, if the posters are decision makers in the business, it's no wonder that radio is becoming irrelevant.