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CBS' AM dilemma

O

observer2

I had originally posted this under the "simulcast KYW" thread, where upon further reflection, I realize it doesn't belong and I've edited it somewhat. Perhaps you'll still think it's BS and are annoyed to see it again. You're certainly entitled to that.

I have heard a number of folks attest to the supposed signal strength and value of 1210, and the importance of keeping and finding another use in the long run for 610. For an opposing point of view, I offer this: I can tell you that in the inner western suburbs along routes 1, 3, and 30, that 1210 is the least strong of the three signals (610, 1060, and 1210). As one of the many Phillies fans in this part of the metro area, that really stinks. I hope, come 2012, that I can hear the Phillies on WIP-FM. I am unconcerned whether fans in Charlotte will still hear them on AM.

This is one of the most densely populated areas of the suburbs, and 1210 is virtually unlistenable next to high voltage lines. I know that I am not the only one that has pointed out deficiencies with the signal.

I realize that in other parts of the area, similar complaints are valid regarding 1060 and 610. 610 has problems in the eastern end of the metro, 1060 in the north. All of these stations have some issue within the 8-county Philadelphia metropolitan area. Some would say that the three stations do well in the city. That's fine, but most people in the metropolitan area (by a big margin) live in one of the outlying counties. Poor signals in King of Prussia, Langhorne, or Marlton are insufficient. Even 106.1 (a supposedly disadvantaged signal due to transmitter site) covers those areas reliably.

We are becoming more like Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, and other areas of the country. WTOP, KDKA-FM, and WBZ-FM, WTKK, WSBB (WSB on 95.5), WCFS (WBBM on 105.9), KIRO-FM, KOMO-FM, WBAP-FM and KFRC-FM (KCBS on 106.9) have changed the landscape forever.

WIP is going to FM. KYW is trying to. Of the CBS stations in Philadelphia, WPHT's programming, minus the Phillies, may be the one that needs least to move to FM. Matching it to the right signal to maximize its potential, and reach the homes of its listeners is still important, regardless of band. Hearing it in Paducah, or even Harrisburg, isn't.

The issue seems no longer to be how to make the AM assets work, but to consider whether they serve a purpose or whether they are more valuable under a sale or trade scenario. New York seems to be the only place left that this is not yet an issue, but Merlin could change that.
 
We have reached the point where the "surival of the fittest is really showing. Only AM stations with at least 10KW in markets like NYC and Philly can still make it worth while to stay on the air.
 
WNPV 1440 in Lansdale is a pretty good listen in Montgomery County. It breaks up somewhat in Bucks, but it's great source of local news and has some decent talk shows. The news department sounds pretty professional for such a small operation.

Another one is WIFI 1460 in Burlington County. Although brokered, it's almost like a college radio station with shows ranging from oldies to dance and hip hop.

The problem with these stations is that you have to be within 5 miles of the transmitter in order to listen to them clearly.
 
I think most would agree that moving the sports talk stations to FM while simulcasting on the existing AM is the way to go so that CBS radio can have the best penetration into the market.

So having 950/97.5 WPEN-AM/FM, 610/94.1 WIP-AM/FM, as well as some day having 1060 and (pick a CBS FM) for KYW-AM/FM. I believe with the new WIP-AM/FM starting up in September, that next years Phillies games should be carried on what would be the new flagship for the Phills 610/94.1 WIP. This would free WPHT to be totally talk and the Phillies would be heard very well around the Philly market. The only losers in that scenario are those who've moved away from the Delaware Valley (outside of the Phillies radio network). They'd no longer be able to hear the Phillies at night on 1210 WPHT. They could always move back to the metro area. It is what it is.
 
Who really cares if WPHT is heard in 26 states at night? It doesn't cover all parts of the region well. WIP-FM will be the much better choice for Phillies games. 94.1 gets everywhere. From Ephrata to Hamburg to Easton all the way down to Ocean City, NJ.
 
People outside the region who want to hear the radio call for Phillies games can listen on the internet or on XM. No, it's not free. But it's cheap and readily available. Terrestrial radio for sports PBP in 2011 should concentrate on the local area. The best option CBS has for the local area is 94.1.

Here's hoping that for 2012, the Phillies broadcasts are upgraded to stereo.
 
phils07 said:
thataveragejoe said:
What happens to the Eagles? Will they just end up on 610?

EDIT: Apparently so, http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/multimedia/radio-information.html
Click to expand...

That says sportsradio 610 wip and 94 wysp for now. They are staying on 94.1.
Click to expand...

Eagles have been both stations for a couple of years now. I bet they'll continue to do what they're doing - air the game on both stations with different levels of delay.

I think the priority will be:
Eagles
Phillies
Flyers
76ers

If only one is playing, it gets both stations. If two are playing, the one higher on the list gets 94.1 and the other one gets 610. If three are playing, the third gets 1210. I don't know if all 4 ever play at the same time.

I do wonder about the Westwood One contract everyone thinks they heard them say they have now. Would CBS air WW1's national NFL coverage of a different game on 610 against the Eagles on 94.1?
 
Perhaps the quintessential FM Philly station, WOGL, fits into the sports PBP mix. A 2012 silmulcast of the Phils on 98.1 and 1210?
 
The AM vs FM thing may be a major issue that could decide who winds up with the rights to the Phillies after this season. I'm sure the club is going to ask for all games to be on FM. With two FM all-sports stations in the market, why not? I would imagine the Eagles contract with CBS states that all of their games must air on 94.1. That creates a problem for CBS, as there will be conflicts in September and October. That leaves an opening for the Fanatic to swoop in an guarantee all games on FM. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I would assume that WIP will start simulcasting the Phils on 94.1 once the switchover happens to help build cume to the "new" station during the stretch run (except during Eagles games.)
 
Unless they're pleased with getting some actual numbers for 1210, while still getting the sports talk audience and accompanying cash, summer Sunday afternoon dead time notwithstanding.

Pull the Phils from WPHT and 1210 goes from the frequency to the cume. :)
 
observer2 said:
Perhaps the quintessential FM Philly station, WOGL, fits into the sports PBP mix. A 2012 silmulcast of the Phils on 98.1 and 1210?
Click to expand...

Never Gonna Happen with an FM sports station as your sister station
 
Yes, but they have the rights to three other teams. Phillies games never happen during morning and rarely during evening drive, when it would cause a problem for WOGL.

In the end, no harm to WOGL, and keeps the Phanatic at bay.
 
A top rated music station that targets women does not stop down for sports play by play 162 times a year.

You can make the case for a male-oriented station, 16-20 times a year, almost all of which are on Sunday. Not 5-7 days a week for 6 months.
 
At least some folks get the bottom line aspect. The possibility of an overflow game, sure...it happened with the Sixers a handful of times as it is. But regularly? Zero chance. None.
 
I don't see CBS using WOGL for sports either. WIP-FM/AM will handle the job. How often are there conflicts? During playoffs for the Phillies and the Eagles season, so my guess is, which ever game is the bigger event, that would be on WIP-FM 94.1, and lesser game on 610 WIP. Other than those conflicts, the games could be on both FM/AM (this is what I'd pick for the widest market coverage) or just FM for the games when there's no conflict and leave AM for sports talk. A number of options for CBS to choose. Of course with this option, 1210 will have to sink or swim as a talk station since they'd no longer have the Phillies to boost ratings and spot revenue.

It is also possible that CBS will keep the Phillies on 1210 and continue to have the Eagles on WIP AM/FM. That way 1210 makes some money too. The only fly in ointment for this scenarios may be with the Phillies when they renew their contract. If they and the Eagles both insist on FM coverage ONLY, that could open the door for 97.5. But with only a couple of conflicts between the Phils and Eagles, I'm sure CBS could work something out with both teams, but I guess time will tell.
 
What about the Phillies reaching an agreement similar to what the Eagles have now with CBS. The Phillies could be on 94 as the primary broadcast synced to the TV [big sell with all the horrible national announcers (read: Joe Buck)] and then they could simulcast the broadcast on 1210 in real time to listen to at the game. It seems to have worked well with the Eagles. I don't see why it wouldn't work with the Phillies.
 
WCAUTVNBC10 said:
What about the Phillies reaching an agreement similar to what the Eagles have now with CBS. The Phillies could be on 94 as the primary broadcast synced to the TV [big sell with all the horrible national announcers (read: Joe Buck)] and then they could simulcast the broadcast on 1210 in real time to listen to at the game. It seems to have worked well with the Eagles. I don't see why it wouldn't work with the Phillies.
Click to expand...

They should do a 94.1/1210 or 94.1/610 simulcast. It's a pain to listen to static filled 1210 during the World Series.
 
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