Buffalo has a new Oldies station

[davideduardo]

Yeah. I don't know how much fun is involved. On this very message board I've already offered my thoughts about improvements. You, along with others here, apparently didn't see fit to acknowledge them.

Your suggestions are vague and unspecific; you offer nothing actionable and your posts are the cynical rants of a misanthrope.

Of course, the self-proclaimed "I-know-everything-already" crowd (or individual, as the case may be) certainly couldn't conceive that other's thought could ever warrant consideration. How many times have you pulled up to a light and heard anyone blasting content from WECK?

How many times do you hear the radio "blasting" from the car of any mature adult? Stoplights are not a ratings device.

Anyhow... First, were I ever to be the owner of WECK, it would have been a free & clear outright gift from someone that knows the underlying value of dirt.

How un-clever. Profitable radio stations are ulta-common. Most stations make money or provide an income for a sole proprietor. The value of a station is proportional to its cash flow or its potential. The owner of WECK, a very successful career broadcaster, obviously knows that he can make a profit doing what he is currently engaged in.

In any event, were Mr Shula to want feedback and suggestions, he'd likely find a way to assemble a "listeners club" or the like where he could bring a couple of pizzas and chat with users of his station about the programming. Fer shur he ain't gonna' be looking for guidance from you.

I would never invest in a troubled/dying outdated industry (fitting that it abuts a cemetery, no?) and/or a specific entity that shows absolutely no long term financial sustainability.

If that is the case, you likely will never buy a car; they have a finite life span, they break down and they are worth nearly nothing if you keep them a while.

Radio is viable for quite a few years to come. Like any depreciating asset, one tries to get a decent return on it during its lifetime so that the ROI makes up for the declining asset value; think of the comparison with oil wells that certainly applies here.

So, were I to have been gifted all of WECK, I'd capitalize on the asset.

What does that mean?

It'd be worth far more as things other than an AM radio station (with or without these translators)... especially from a Net Revenue aspect. Ask the Gajewski's next door.

Again, what does that mean? And what is "net revenue"? There is net income, but "revenue" is usually used as income prior to expenses, so there is no "net" that can be applied.

Make the station a success? Define "success."

Success for a commercial station means making a profit. Period.

Without a profit, one can not provide community service, fair pay for the staff, and all those other good things that a profitable station can do.

To hear one poster here (that apparently knows anything and everything that even remotely has to do with radio), the station is already a sweeping blazing unprecedented success. In fact, it is so much of a success that it leaves all other radio stations in the Buffalo area in it's 'success dust' so-to-speak. I disagree. Once I get your definition of success, I'll revisit my response, if you'd like.

Apparently the station is billing nicely and serving an under-served portion of the audience. Those two conditions are conducive to profitability.

Have a great day - for the WECK listeners reading this... turn your hearing aids up and get a fresh Depends, because meals-on-wheels is almost there and a Mama's Family rerun is about to start.

I am going to have to wipe the snark off my screen.

About a third of the MSA population is over 55. Using ACS (the annual survey done by the Census Bureau), we see that the lowest rate of poverty is in the 55-64 and 65+ demographics. With life expediencies averaging in the late 70's (meaning lots of seniors are in their 80's and 90's), there is a lot of money in the demo. While national brands and services generally don't focus on that demo for a variety of reasons, local retailers and service providers know that seniors are a prime market for many local providers.

The "depends" remark is uncalled for and mean-spirited; it disqualifies you from any meaningful dialogue.

 

[davideduardo]

The now-mellowing and evolving geezer radio incarnation of WECK is hardly on the tip of everyone's tongues. And those that may fall into that category - those waiting for meals-on-wheels in their extreme first-ring suburb housing supported by an eroded social security fixed income yelling get-off-my-lawn at the now generation - the clock is ticking for their visit to Elderwood or Amigone. In the meantime, they're hoping to hear what the latest sale is at the Boulevard Mall Acme... which to them is "cool" too. In other words, you are playing to a diminishing and out-of-touch audience with a has-been medium and passed-by staff... an approach that is economically unsustainable.

Those who insult seniors and the elderly will know soon enough how wrong they have been!

 

[four4rock]

Hey Rob, get a room for yourself. On page 1 of this thread, you said "WECK made a dumb move" & "The wolves are at Buddy's door". Not exactly Positivity & Praise.

Obviously, you cannot agree to disagree. Personal attacks are common for people who cannot think critically...

Hahahahahaaaaaa! Yepper. Thank you! I didn't wanna be the one to play the "mom-he-said-it-first" card (though, truth be told, it was really hard not to). Stand-by for the account executive spin of how his negativity is really helpful and glorious. It might be a while... y'know while he waits for his WECKian era dial-up to connect and NetScape to launch. [And, yes, I'm registering "WECKian". I'll issue the RFQ for logo design stat.] The future is gushing forward, while WECK milks mice.

 

[four4rock]

Your suggestions are vague and unspecific; you offer nothing actionable and your posts are the cynical rants of a misanthrope.
**** I was asked what I'd do. I answered. Figure it out.

How many times do you hear the radio "blasting" from the car of any mature adult? Stoplights are not a ratings device.
****A fair amount, actually. Try NFB at evening "rush".

How un-clever. Profitable radio stations are ulta-common. Most stations make money or provide an income for a sole proprietor. The value of a station is proportional to its cash flow or its potential. The owner of WECK, a very successful career broadcaster, obviously knows that he can make a profit doing what he is currently engaged in.
**** Are you going for a gender reference, or did you mean "ultra"? Lotsa folks are "successful"... until they are not.

In any event, were Mr Shula to want feedback and suggestions, he'd likely find a way to assemble a "listeners club" or the like where he could bring a couple of pizzas and chat with users of his station about the programming. Fer shur he ain't gonna' be looking for guidance from you.
****Wouldn't expect to be his consultant. but, according to the WECKmeister [registering that, too!], I'm in his "demo". How do samples work again?

If that is the case, you likely will never buy a car; they have a finite life span, they break down and they are worth nearly nothing if you keep them a while.
****I've "bought" cars, and I've "invested" in cars. Very different objectives. You tried. You failed big time on that one.

Radio is viable for quite a few years to come. Like any depreciating asset, one tries to get a decent return on it during its lifetime so that the ROI makes up for the declining asset value; think of the comparison with oil wells that certainly applies here.
**** A radio station is far from a natural resource. Again you tried. You failed.

What does that mean?
****Think hard. You can figure it out. I have faith.

Again, what does that mean? And what is "net revenue"? There is net income, but "revenue" is usually used as income prior to expenses, so there is no "net" that can be applied.
****Net Revenue is Net Revenue. It's 2018, not the 1960's. Common usage today. Progress is a wonderful thing.

Success for a commercial station means making a profit. Period.
****Talk about a vague thought.

Without a profit, one can not provide community service, fair pay for the staff, and all those other good things that a profitable station can do.
****Truth.

Apparently the station is billing nicely and serving an under-served portion of the audience. Those two conditions are conducive to profitability.
****"Apparently"?

I am going to have to wipe the snark off my screen.

About a third of the MSA population is over 55. Using ACS (the annual survey done by the Census Bureau), we see that the lowest rate of poverty is in the 55-64 and 65+ demographics. With life expediencies averaging in the late 70's (meaning lots of seniors are in their 80's and 90's), there is a lot of money in the demo. While national brands and services generally don't focus on that demo for a variety of reasons, local retailers and service providers know that seniors are a prime market for many local providers.

The "depends" remark is uncalled for and mean-spirited; it disqualifies you from any meaningful dialogue.
****lol "Disqualified". Wait. Are we running an over-bored NASCAR?

 

[four4rock]

Those who insult seniors and the elderly will know soon enough how wrong they have been!

There was no insult to "seniors" or the "elderly". Read again. Maybe you are one of the people about whom I was speaking?

 

[davideduardo]

There was no insult to "seniors" or the "elderly". Read again. Maybe you are one of the people about whom I was speaking?

The Depends, Meals-on-Wheels and TV viewing choice comments are demeaning and misanthropic. If those qualities don't, when combined, result in an insult, then I am dumbfounded.

 

[davideduardo]

If that is the case, you likely will never buy a car; they have a finite life span, they break down and they are worth nearly nothing if you keep them a while.
****I've "bought" cars, and I've "invested" in cars. Very different objectives. You tried. You failed big time on that one.

Nope. I was using an everyday example, but perhaps should have used most MLPs as an example. Master Limited Partnerships invest, generally, in assets which have declining value but which produce excellent cash flow each year until the revenue stream is exhausted. This is particularly appropriate a comparison when radio is known for higher margins than retail or manufacturing... (as an example) getting a 25% ROI each year, even with future declines, means the capital and a good rate of return will be obtained in the interim.

Radio is viable for quite a few years to come. Like any depreciating asset, one tries to get a decent return on it during its lifetime so that the ROI makes up for the declining asset value; think of the comparison with oil wells that certainly applies here.
**** A radio station is far from a natural resource. Again you tried. You failed.

It does not matter if radio is a natural resource; both an oil well and a pure terrestrial radio station have long-range declining revenue capability, but in the interim can be very profitable.

Again, what does that mean? And what is "net revenue"? There is net income, but "revenue" is usually used as income prior to expenses, so there is no "net" that can be applied.
****Net Revenue is Net Revenue. It's 2018, not the 1960's. Common usage today. Progress is a wonderful thing.

"Net Revenue", when used, is a retail and manufacturing term. It is gross income less the cost of goods sold. In broadcasting we use Broadcast Cash Flor, the broadcast version of EBITDA. That is net income before taxes, interest, depreciation and amortization. Radio has no COGS since it makes no tangible product

Success for a commercial station means making a profit. Period.
****Talk about a vague thought.

There is nothing vague about "profit". "Profit" is when you have money left over after paying the bills.

Apparently the station is billing nicely and serving an under-served portion of the audience. Those two conditions are conducive to profitability.
****"Apparently"?

I don't have access to the books, but all indicators are that Buddy made a smart move with WECK by serving the 55+ audience. My few moments of experience in broadcasting make such a conclusion "right" to me.

The "depends" remark is uncalled for and mean-spirited; it disqualifies you from any meaningful dialogue.
****lol "Disqualified". Wait. Are we running an over-bored NASCAR?

No, we are evaluating whether serving the senior audience is a viable option for a locally run station. Given the "older" nature of Buffalo, and the other statistics I cited, that looks like a viable market opportunity. Most seniors don't use depends, most don't get Meals on Wheels and most don't live in poverty; it's an increasingly viable market segment.

 

[Buddy Shula]

I am speechless, four4rock. You should be kicked off this board for knowing nothing about radio and the business of radio. FYI, WECK has NEVER been more profitable than it is now. EVER Not even close. So while I am working on negotiating some LMA's and Purchases on more Buffalo FM's you can keep wishing you were in my spot. What you said were comments not called for. They were personal and childlike. You add nothing to this board, an i hope that the moderator can see that. For the others like Rox, Topsound, David E, BigAl and Rob P....thank you for believing in my movement. Now i am going to BLAST WECK ON THE SPEAKERS, because if you do that, you know you have listeners.

 

[Buddy Shula]

Yikes. Not sure what pleasure one derives from a radio discussion board, given such a low opinion of radio.

WECK sounds A LOT like the Oldies 104 of 20 years ago. That audience is still around for the most part, and I'll bet (without any data to back it up) there's a younger shadow demo as well. That was always the case "back in the day."

Thank you Topsound

 

[Buddy Shula]

Just for fun, Four4Rock, what would you do with the station if you owned it? What's your plan to make such a station successful? What is your advice?

Thank you B-Turner.

 

[Element9]

If it was mine, I'd likely try for a LMA versus a format. My fear would be if I could achieve any decent level of success a frequency owner with a better signal might be hungry enough to give it a try. So, I wouldn't try what the owner of WECK is trying.

Very thoughtful. It's happened before, especially in larger markets. But would any of the stations Mr. Ostrander derides want that demo? Objective question. WHTT could make a few adjustments and overwhelm the upstart.

 

[davideduardo]

Very thoughtful. It's happened before, especially in larger markets. But would any of the stations Mr. Ostrander derides want that demo? Objective question. WHTT could make a few adjustments and overwhelm the upstart.

A station owned by a major group is not going to put in the management time needed to do what Buddy is doing; the returns will produce a lower profit margin than those larger groups expect (and what they need to satisfy their debt).

Satisfying shareholders is a lot different than just being able to pay a loan. They expect growth and ever-increasing profits to keep up the share price.

 

[four4rock]

The Depends, Meals-on-Wheels and TV viewing choice comments are demeaning and misanthropic. If those qualities don't, when combined, result in an insult, then I am dumbfounded.

Uh, no. Depends' current marketing/advertising focuses on use of their product to somehow magically put users back in the swing of progressive life. It's silly. I'm pointing out that just because someone slaps on an incontinence product it doesn't automatically mean that their mindset changes. There is no one-to-one correlation. Seniors are seniors. Whatever. It's the mindset to which I am referring. Think stereotype. WECKs going after the stodgy... the group that gets disappointed when they partake of something akin to Depends and then rest in their old ways because the product didn't transform them. Those seniors are living in the past. They are not going to change... no matter what undergarment they use; no matter what WECK advertises or plays. And those people go away whilst lamenting the removal of diagonal parking in Williamsville and the closing of the Lions Tea Room. "Senior" alone means absolutely nothing. It's largely a fluid case-by-case marketing term, no? Most don't even know what it really means.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I'll bet that if any of those stodgy, Depends-wearing seniors could figure out how to use a computer, and find their way to this thread, they'd hunt and peck a response to Mr. four4rock. Alas, they're still waiting for his diatribe to download on their AOL connections, and muttering about having to pay for a special box to make their black and white Philco pick up "I Love Lucy." They'd get rid of the Philco, but it's got really good speakers - just like their old AM radio.

 

[four4rock]

...but it's got really good speakers - just like their old AM radio.

lol The paper cone has a tear... and the chassis is probably worth a pretty penny at Gerdau!

 

[R.D.P.]

Keep up the good work Mr. Buddy Shula. You're thinking outside the box. Excited because it's working out for you. Like you sir, I'm doing the same. This 45 year old something, is having big time success with his own LPFM radio station. And yes...I do play music for the senior populace and that block is having big time success. Matter of fact, it's the hottest nighttime and Sunday morning radio program, in these parts. This radio station may not appeal to everyone reading but Jesus Radio Selma is a hit with the locals. Doing the CCM/SG hybrid mix is working very well for me. So well, I have no future plans of changing it.

And yes...I do get contributions from all kinds of people and age groups. And yes...I do have four underwriters helping me stay afloat, with more to come. And in closing...I have been known to watch Mama's Family. I grew up on that show and still find it entertaining.

Dan <><

P.S. And yes...I love me some Southern Praise. Love the songs we feature on this show and intend to add even more to it. To axe it now, would lead to the end of Jesus Radio.

In closing: Let Mr. Buddy run his ship, as he sees fit. I would listen to his broadcast, if I was living in his area of the world.

 

[davideduardo]

Uh, no. Depends' current marketing/advertising focuses on use of their product to somehow magically put users back in the swing of progressive life. It's silly. I'm pointing out that just because someone slaps on an incontinence product it doesn't automatically mean that their mindset changes. There is no one-to-one correlation. Seniors are seniors. Whatever. It's the mindset to which I am referring. Think stereotype. WECKs going after the stodgy... the group that gets disappointed when they partake of something akin to Depends and then rest in their old ways because the product didn't transform them. Those seniors are living in the past. They are not going to change... no matter what undergarment they use; no matter what WECK advertises or plays. And those people go away whilst lamenting the removal of diagonal parking in Williamsville and the closing of the Lions Tea Room. "Senior" alone means absolutely nothing. It's largely a fluid case-by-case marketing term, no? Most don't even know what it really means.

That's a marvelous, textbook quality job of stereotyping seniors. For the most part, it is inaccurate.

 

[four4rock]

That's a marvelous, textbook quality job of stereotyping seniors. For the most part, it is inaccurate.

Correct.

Wasn't trying to apply the stereotype to all seniors (whatever that means)... or even a majority. I never said that.

By the way, what defines a "senior"? Is it simply chronological age? And, if it is purely age, what is the age? Or, are there other factors (employment condition, for example)? I ask because I think it is relevant to a discussion of WECK.

 

[b-turner]

Buddy, I commend you for choosing to do something different with your AM. Not only did you choose the more difficult road, you have created a path to success for others to be inspired and act accordingly. You have my admiration and respect. I know it takes a personality where you stay true to the plan and never get discouraged and that's likely the biggest fight. Keep winning them over one at a time. You're doing what some would love to do. Folks like me sit back quietly in the background wanting to cheer you on.

 

[Tall Thin One]

Listen online at weckbuffalo.com.