In a move sure to add validity to CC detractors who say that the media giant is monopolistic and anti-competitive, Clear Channel insiders say "You ain't seen nothing yet!" Fans of WJDX sports programming will likely be dismayed when they tune in on Monday morning October 3rd. Insiders at the 1375 Beasley Road studios of Clear Channel Jackson confirm that preparations have been made to flip the sports-talker to newstalk as of that date. Plans are to move conservative firebrand Glenn Beck from the WZRX 1590 airwaves to WJDX. All network obligations for WJDX will be aired on WZRX for the final 3 months of 2011, relieving them of the traditional 90 day out on network contracts. What is possibly controversial about this move is what Clear Channel is doing to complete the daytime line-up. Through their programming distribution subsidiary, Premiere Radio, Clear Channel, in a national strategy, is maneuvering to collect on the projected 3-4 Billion dollars in political campaign advertising to the maximum extent possible. How will they do it? By exercising the rights to powerhouse talkshow programming such as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity who they expect to be big beneficiaries of conservative challengers to President Obama. What this means here in Jackson is that WJDX listeners will be treated to the most conservative and controversial talk-show line-up currently concievable; Mornings with Glenn Beck, Mid-days with Rush Limbaugh, and afternoons with Sean Hannity. While on it's face this is a strong move to put together a strong conservative line-up at a time when popular opinion and ad dollars are swinging towards conservative talk, it will not go unremarked the next time Clear Channel seeks an exemption or approval from regulators. As this is a move being replicated across the country Clear Channel will be making enemies at a rate unprecedented, even for them. Word has it that here in Jackson they are offering available inventory to select clients for free as added value for the remainder of the year with plans to roll out a more comprehensive sales strategy in the new year. Since all three of the daytime hosts have been branded as "controversial" by most network and national advertisers, they will rely heavily on local ad dollars which as most in the business know have been shrinking dramatically as the economy continues to slide downhill. Only time will tell what the outcome of this maneuver will be. It may be that the CC programming gurus have been too smart by half, planting a seed which may eventually lead to federally mandated sell-offs of properties and/or programming subsidiaries. In the meantime, sportstalk dollars will likely continue to migrate to the ESPN affiliate in Jackson WZNO-FM.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Clear Channel to Flip WJDX 620 From Sports to Talk-WZRX 1590 Going Dark in 2012
- Thread starter SkirtchasinGM
- Start date
Yep, you may remember it as WYHT, "Your Hit Tunes" or if you go way back as "w1", WWUN. Maybe you can score a deal on it now that CC has pulled the plug. It comes with it's own fabulous studio/office located just off I-220. If you have a few spare car jacks you might even get the floors level. 
Wait a minute, Is that THE J Boyd? If so then you could tell the rest of us a thing or two about the history of AM 1590 in the Jackson market. Though my post was primarily about the 620 flip, it did not address sufficiently the heritage of the station now known as WZRX 1590, which was an important player in the Jackson market when launched back in the mid 60's as WWUN. A lot of fine people worked in that Jim Walter home and as hard as it may be for FMer's to believe 1590 once was ranked #1. If it does go dark as CC intends, let's hope the story doesn't end there.
WOW! So with the anticipated 620-WJDX changes, what's to become of 1180-WJNT's 11a-5p block of Rush & Hannity? Probably 2nd tier syndicated talk hosts? The 1590 signal is a respectable signal, would hate to see that just go away. Any possible format holes in Jackson for a new 1590-owner?
1400 AM recently dropped "Music of Your Life" so WZRX could always go back to standards. But WZRX doesn't get out well in the suburbs where most of the white listeners live so they might be better with something else. Classic soul or urban oldies, etc? Or maybe black talk? If WJNT loses Rush and Hannity they might be toast. That is their cash cow. The light bill for 50,000 watts ain't cheap.
Yes...This is J Boyd the original Chief Engineer of WWUN....If you search the archives of this site you will find some lively discussions about it's early history...it's origin, etc. Yes, a lot of people passed thru it's doors on the way to bigger (and better?) things. It helped to encourage me to get into ownership of my own stations. I will say again that the first General Manager, Tim LeBlanc from Baton Rouge, was one of the finest bosses I ever had. Regards...JBI
First off, thanks for the huge belly laugh I just had from the moniker "SkirtchasinGM." Absolutely hilarious. WWUN was the first radio station on which I ever heard my voice. I did a promo for an art museum event that was featuring my band, and it was weird driving in my car and hearing my voice for the first time thinking I couldn't possibly sound like that for real.
Now, Beck, El Rushbo and Hannity being called News/Talk? I suppose they can get away with some top of the hour news lines, but the talk isn't talk at all. It's hard core reactionary BS aimed at angry white men that don't much think for themselves or realize there's a whole world out there not named U.S.A. I'm sure with that line up in Jackson MS the station will own the market. It's not at all a bad programming move if you're trying to make money, but it's a repulsive group of "showmen" that have more interest in seeing Obama fail, ergo America fail, to the tune of them raking in millions of dollars with no conscience for the well being of the country to which they supposedly pledge allegiance. I laugh and cry at the same time over the success of these men and the following they engender.
I will now don my psycological armor and best running shoes and attempt to dodge the slings and arrows coming my way.
Now, Beck, El Rushbo and Hannity being called News/Talk? I suppose they can get away with some top of the hour news lines, but the talk isn't talk at all. It's hard core reactionary BS aimed at angry white men that don't much think for themselves or realize there's a whole world out there not named U.S.A. I'm sure with that line up in Jackson MS the station will own the market. It's not at all a bad programming move if you're trying to make money, but it's a repulsive group of "showmen" that have more interest in seeing Obama fail, ergo America fail, to the tune of them raking in millions of dollars with no conscience for the well being of the country to which they supposedly pledge allegiance. I laugh and cry at the same time over the success of these men and the following they engender.
I will now don my psycological armor and best running shoes and attempt to dodge the slings and arrows coming my way.
How amusing the over-the-top hate posts are...
I worked at WWUN 3 times. Interesting days back then.
Smart move for WJDX (another station I worked before moving into big city radio.) With that signal, they'll do well in that format.
I worked at WWUN 3 times. Interesting days back then.
Smart move for WJDX (another station I worked before moving into big city radio.) With that signal, they'll do well in that format.
Radeo: Lest you think no one agrees with you, I'll come forth and tell you I do. And unlike most, I use my real name rather than hide behind a screen nickname. So there.
No comment on the political stuff since I do my political rag chewing elsewhere, but I don't see what's so outrageous or special about putting Beck, Rush and Hannity together. This is not some controversial move and it sure as Hades won't matter the the FCC come renewal time.
Why?
Because CC does this everywhere they can and they always have. That the big three talkers are split in Jackson is actually the anomaly and not normal. I can't even think of a ranked market where Clear Channel has a "talk" presence that they don't put their own properties (that also includes Coast to Coast AM) together on their own stations. It's that way in Pascagoula, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville and Memphis and probably a whole lot of other places as well.
I'm pretty sure a license denial because of this "controversial" lineup would have made major news waves had it happened, but it never has. Not even in liberal places like San Fran or Chicago or wherever. Considering how conservative Mississippi tends to be, I doubt there will any complaints about it.
If there's anything to be shocked about, it's that the sports format seemed like a solid money maker from the outside versus conservative talk. Guess that's not the case? And shutting down a station like 1590? That's crazy, even in a market like Jackson. I hate to see a heritage station go away especially when it could serve some minority interest. That just seems so unlike even Clear Channel. Are you sure it's just not going to be a swap and the sports goes to 1590?
Why?
Because CC does this everywhere they can and they always have. That the big three talkers are split in Jackson is actually the anomaly and not normal. I can't even think of a ranked market where Clear Channel has a "talk" presence that they don't put their own properties (that also includes Coast to Coast AM) together on their own stations. It's that way in Pascagoula, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville and Memphis and probably a whole lot of other places as well.
I'm pretty sure a license denial because of this "controversial" lineup would have made major news waves had it happened, but it never has. Not even in liberal places like San Fran or Chicago or wherever. Considering how conservative Mississippi tends to be, I doubt there will any complaints about it.
If there's anything to be shocked about, it's that the sports format seemed like a solid money maker from the outside versus conservative talk. Guess that's not the case? And shutting down a station like 1590? That's crazy, even in a market like Jackson. I hate to see a heritage station go away especially when it could serve some minority interest. That just seems so unlike even Clear Channel. Are you sure it's just not going to be a swap and the sports goes to 1590?
they need to get one of those 99 watt FM translators for 1590. If clear channel shuts it down, they may be doing it because they want to eliminate the competition. Its a shame, I've been listening to 1590 since the seventies. Its been top-forty, country, oldies/classic hits, album rock at night after zzq left, adult standards, AOR, heavy metal (z-rock), southern soul/blues, black gospel, news talk and maybe something that I left off.
I've got an Idea, change the call letters to WOKJ and call it the original WOKJ and play some old blues and R&B
I've got an Idea, change the call letters to WOKJ and call it the original WOKJ and play some old blues and R&B
J Alex Bowab said:
J Alex - John Buffaloe. It's never been hidden and is pretty common knowledge that's who radeoengineer is.
Yeah Zach you are probably right. I mean, the priest and Daddy always touched me there, whats the problemo...thats what mama told me anyway...
Hey Zach...it's not always the "three Amigos" on Clear Channel stations...here in Phoenix,
CC Talker 550-KFYI carries Rush/Hannity, but Bonneville owned News/Talker 92.3 KTAR-FM carries Beck, and on a 6 hr delay, airing Noon-3pm local time. The local news-talk chatter here is if and when CC flips "Eva 95.5" (KYOT-FM) to news-talk, perhaps a simulcast of 550-KFYI to skew younger listeners as KTAR-FM has done with moving from 620 to 92.3 and making 620-KTAR the ESPN station with the major sports franchises parked there...Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks and ASU Sun Devils.
CC Talker 550-KFYI carries Rush/Hannity, but Bonneville owned News/Talker 92.3 KTAR-FM carries Beck, and on a 6 hr delay, airing Noon-3pm local time. The local news-talk chatter here is if and when CC flips "Eva 95.5" (KYOT-FM) to news-talk, perhaps a simulcast of 550-KFYI to skew younger listeners as KTAR-FM has done with moving from 620 to 92.3 and making 620-KTAR the ESPN station with the major sports franchises parked there...Cardinals, Suns, Diamondbacks and ASU Sun Devils.
Put sports on 105.1 then or move it over to 1590.
Another thing: instead of making 1590 silent, just sell it to somebody who might want to buy it.
- Status