ClearChannel Sandusky, WLKR changes

[cARLOS Blake]

Quote from: sandybeachtheone on October 25, 2007, 06:07:36 pm
Not sure if anyone can tell what is going on at the Clear Channel/Sandusky group when their own morning show host (Nancy) has no idea.....let alone what is going on in the market around them. This might be the case when you say ..... "Who's on First???"..... don't believe it's Randy Hugg...he may have had the OM title at one time....BUT...times have changed ! Chances are better to tune in on a local station giving the listener what they want......can I hear... 95.3 WLKR??? THANK YOU!!

Sandy-
Are you Mr. Small Market Radio Analyst? How do you know what people want is outdated mainstream rock/watered down bland Alternative Ska music like WLKR plays, with gung ho high school volleyball play by play announcers the next minute? Maybe no one can tell what's going on at CC Sandusky because maybe employees are told NOTHING about all the misery going on around them behind closed doors, muchless ratings or even so much as a "hello" from their new GM. If you really want to nitpick go after Eagle 99 who still can't seem to get their optos to fire correctly or K-96 who sound about as local as the WOLF. Apply for one of the Sales openings over there. Then maybe you'll know what's going on in the tin can.

 

[mikey102]

Anybody out there hear of BAS buying some of the CC markets in Ohio? I understand that BAS folks were in Findlay today interviewing management and selleres and plan to do the same in Sandusky on Wednesday.

 

[VODood]

Anybody out there hear of BAS buying some of the CC markets in Ohio? I understand that BAS folks were in Findlay today interviewing management and selleres and plan to do the same in Sandusky on Wednesday.

If BAS buys all stations will cease to be live. BAS/Fremont is all off the 'bird.

 

[Rusty Muck]

I'd rather have either Elyria-Lorain or Saga take a swipe instead.

In fact, the ONLY BAS station not completely off the bird is WMVO/1300 - and even then, they did not renew the contract of that station's main personality, Ron Staats - along with four others staffers.

I can't fault BAS for operating the stations the way they do. But the fact is... WLEC, if they did buy it, would become a total shell. More than what CC has reduced it to already.

- nate81

 

[Radiobum]

Word is the BAS deal is for real. Folks over in Findlay were told the same thing.

 

[cARLOS Blake]

They were in Sandusky Wednesday looking at the "books". If they weren't going to buy for sure I don't think they would've shared all that info with them. If BAS buys but keeps WCPZ Hot AC they'll probably use the same feed as Eagle 99 & who knows what they'll do to WMJK. Anyone know if any current BAS station has live morning shows? And if they buy what will become of high school sports on WLEC(their main form of revenue)?

 

[Just Wondering]

Who is BAS? I'm don't think I've heard of BAS.

WLEC is/was a sports jewel in the Sandusky area. It would a shame to see anything happen to it.

As far as WLKR changes, I agree with anyone who says it sounds terrible. I realize it's just an opinion, my opinion, but it's the strangest selection of music I've ever heard. Most of it isn't "mainstream", and it seems to have no flow or reason to it. It's just very odd. I don't understand how many people actually enjoy this format. That's one reason my company no longer advertises with them.

The morning DJ is boring. He blathers on, stutters constantly and can't ever seem to get to the point. It seems like he talks, just to hear himself talk. He's obviously in love with himself.

Whoever's making the decisions at this radio station, including music selection and on-air talent should be stripped of the decision.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Who is BAS? I'm don't think I've heard of BAS.

WLEC is/was a sports jewel in the Sandusky area. It would a shame to see anything happen to it.

As far as WLKR changes, I agree with anyone who says it sounds terrible. I realize it's just an opinion, my opinion, but it's the strangest selection of music I've ever heard. Most of it isn't "mainstream", and it seems to have no flow or reason to it. It's just very odd. I don't understand how many people actually enjoy this format. That's one reason my company no longer advertises with them.

The morning DJ is boring. He blathers on, stutters constantly and can't ever seem to get to the point. It seems like he talks, just to hear himself talk. He's obviously in love with himself.

Whoever's making the decisions at this radio station, including music selection and on-air talent should be stripped of the decision.

BAS bought the FM side of WFRO AM/900-FM/99.1 back in 2002... ABC bought the AM station in order to silence it to make Radio Disney's WFDF at 50kW Detroit based station. BAS dumped all live programming and seperated the signals (ABC leased WFRO-A for the duration of its' existence) turning the AM into ABC's "Real County" (and ultimately ESPN Radio), while WFRO-F went with the "Eagle."

The other two stations, WQIO-FM and WMVO-AM, were spun off from CC's Ashland/Mansfield cluster... and WQIO went with the Eagle, too. Out of all the BAS stations, only one of them has any live personailities of any sort (not counting PBP coverage), and that's tiny little ol' WMVO... which has live programming from 9a to 2p. And even then, they let go of station mainstay Ron Staats upon the takeover, him having been there for well over 30 years.

Every one of them carries an ABC satellite format of some sort. The automation is not the best... liners are not read by the DJs but with the imaging voice... pretty substandard.

WLEC overtries with a sports/talk format. Hardly a "jewel" - it should have gone with news/talk a la WEOL or WMAN ten years ago. Why CC stuck with a dying format in pop standards on that signal is beyond me. And they are affiliated with a second-tier sports network (for weekdays, anyway) in FSR. Any new owner would flip it to ESPN Radio immediantly. BAS would do so, in keeping with their relationship with ABC. Which means buh-bye to both Mark Fogg and Wiede...

The minute BAS pulls the plug on WCPZ and takes it all satellite as Eagle 103, the station is dead. It would be a dumb, dumb move and a wast of 50 kW ERP. At least invite Steve Schoffner, Ace Callahan and Rey to stay... maybe have Mark Fogg replace Randy Hugg in the morning slot...

Make fun of WLKR if you wish... but everyone's entitled to an opinion. Even if it's wrong.

At least the station's airing something different! Well, they plucked a format (adult album alternative) that's different from all the other pop/rock formats out there. Considering they have country WKFM in their stable, plus have to deal with Hot AC WCPZ, Classic Rock WMJK, satellite drones SAC WFRO and Oldies WOHF - it's a distinct format. Something I wish existed in Cleveland, and definately should have been a format that WMVX should take immediantly. Oh, and WLKR does have live bodies in the studio... and execute the format right.

Oh, and Carlos Blake, WLKR has dropped Paul Harvey and ABC News, switching to Fox News in the process. There's more about it in OMW tomorrow (sorry OA, but I had to respond to this now... ).

- nate81

 

[RF Man]

Wow! Someone has been searching the internet.

BAS bought the FM side of WFRO AM/900-FM/99.1 back in 2002... ABC bought the AM station in order to silence it to make Radio Disney's WFDF at 50kW Detroit based station. BAS dumped all live programming and seperated the signals (ABC leased WFRO-A for the duration of its' existence) turning the AM into ABC's "Real County" (and ultimately ESPN Radio), while WFRO-F went with the "Eagle."

The other two stations, WQIO-FM and WMVO-AM, were spun off from CC's Ashland/Mansfield cluster... and WQIO went with the Eagle, too. Out of all the BAS stations, only one of them has any live personailities of any sort (not counting PBP coverage), and that's tiny little ol' WMVO... which has live programming from 9a to 2p. And even then, they let go of station mainstay Ron Staats upon the takeover, him having been there for well over 30 years.
_
Every one of them carries an ABC satellite format of some sort. The automation is not the best... liners are not read by the DJs but with the imaging voice... pretty substandard.

WLEC overtries with a sports/talk format. Hardly a "jewel" - it should have gone with news/talk a la WEOL or WMAN ten years ago. Why CC stuck with a dying format in pop standards on that signal is beyond me. And they are affiliated with a second-tier sports network (for weekdays, anyway) in FSR. Any new owner would flip it to ESPN Radio immediantly. BAS would do so, in keeping with their relationship with ABC. Which means buh-bye to both Mark Fogg and Wiede...

The minute BAS pulls the plug on WCPZ and takes it all satellite as Eagle 103, the station is dead. It would be a dumb, dumb move and a wast of 50 kW ERP. At least invite Steve Schoffner, Ace Callahan and Rey to stay... maybe have Mark Fogg replace Randy Hugg in the morning slot...

Make fun of WLKR if you wish... but everyone's entitled to an opinion. Even if it's wrong.

At least the station's airing something different! Well, they plucked a format (adult album alternative) that's different from all the other pop/rock formats out there. Considering they have country WKFM in their stable, plus have to deal with Hot AC WCPZ, Classic Rock WMJK, satellite drones SAC WFRO and Oldies WOHF - it's a distinct format. Something I wish existed in Cleveland, and definately should have been a format that WMVX should take immediantly. Oh, and WLKR does have live bodies in the studio... and execute the format right.

Oh, and Carlos Blake, WLKR has dropped Paul Harvey and ABC News, switching to Fox News in the process. There's more about it in OMW tomorrow (sorry OA, but I had to respond to this now... ).

- nate81

 

[Just Wondering]

Nate81,

Thank you for the information. I'm assuming that when you say the AM station was silenced, it was shut down.

Let me clarify my thoughts on WLEC: I didn't care for the old Big Band format, but I've always thought highly of their local sports presentations. It's a product you don't hear too often anymore.
I've known Mark Fogg for 30 years, and I think a lot of him and his work. He's top notch.

As far as my opinion of WLKR, my opinion's no more wrong than yours is right. I'm not alone in my feelings either. Certainly, the station's advertising revenue has to be off, especially since the format change.
I know quite a few business owners that have dropped their advertising, or will when any current contracts expire. At some point, someone is going to notice there's less money coming in.

With the previous format, they pushed being an "at-work" station, with sort of a soft rock format. Now, it's like an about face. This format isn't suitable for a professional setting, and it doesn't see to be a good fit in a small, conservative, mainly rural area. Cleveland maybe, this area, no.

It's kind of funny. When I asked the person in charge, Tim about the switch at a Rotary meeting a few months ago, he said there was no format change. He said the format was expanded. I'm not in the radio business (I found this site via Google), but I think I can tell the difference. Pink Floyd is in, Billy Joel is out.
Big difference.
It was like talking to a brick wall. I'm just wondering who these people talked to, or what the thought process was when they switched things.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Oh, and Carlos Blake, WLKR has dropped Paul Harvey and ABC News, switching to Fox News in the process. There's more about it in OMW tomorrow (sorry OA, but I had to respond to this now... ).

That's OK...you're not bound to my publishing schedule.

Though as I noted to you, I'd also heard it earlier from other sources. Thanks to your ever-vigilant ears for catching it on the radio, tho...

-OA/OMW

 

[Rusty Muck]

I'm assuming that when you say the AM station was silenced, it was shut down.

Yes, as ABC technically owned both WFRO-AM and WFDF, they shut down WFRO-AM. BAS only was LMAing the station for the duration of its' existence until ABC got the OK to pull the plug.

With the previous format, they pushed being an "at-work" station, with sort of a soft rock format. Now, it's like an about face. This format isn't suitable for a professional setting, and it doesn't see to be a good fit in a small, conservative, mainly rural area. Cleveland maybe, this area, no.

THAT I would agree. I am somewhat surprised that WLKR-FM did flip to AAA, especially when it is such short-spaced between WFHM/95.5, which makes reception tricky at best. I can easily pick up like-formatted CIDR/93.9 out of Detroit, and quite honestly, it IS one of the best Canadian-run radio stations.

Taking a wild guess, it could be that Tim Kelly is trying to incubate the AAA format possibly for a grafting onto a Cleveland station. But since ELB's only Cleveland-grade station, WNWV, is stable with the smooth jazz format, it can't happen there. And therein lies the question: is ELB looking at one of CC's Cleveland stations that may be spun-off over the next year to use for such a format? That's the only thing that makes sense here.

- nate81

 

[kentuckymedia]

Nathan, you took the words right out of my mouth. I have an odd feeling that Cleveland could eventually see a AAA land somewhere on the radio dial, im thinking....WMVX - 96.5 THE RIVER and move Kiss to 106.5

 

[Just Wondering]

Nathan,

You lost me with the incubate and grafting Cleveland station comment...What do you mean, and what does it have to do with WLKR's coverage area?

Perhaps I'm reading what your saying the wrong way, but my point is that this particular music selection/format doesn't seem to fit the area, and I'm sure once that's reflected revenue-wise, someone will realize that.
Ever since WLKR moved out of Norwalk, there's been some okay changes, but there's been some bad ones as well. Plus, you can never seem to get a straight answer out of the person supposedly in charge.
He should run for public office!

 

[Neither Hear Nor Their]

Yeah, I'm familiar with the AAA format. It's rock-based but certainly not hard-rock...(93.9 is excellant!) AAA may not be as "office-friendly" as a soft-rock format but it's a much better segue into sports.
Also, if they're like most small-market stations, chances are they draw more revenue from their sports (especially h.s. sports) than anything else...that won't suffer from a music format change. People but advertising for those broadcasts because they want to support h.s. athletics, schools and the kids.

 

[Just Wondering]

So if businesses scale back their advertising dollars because of a format change, which means less revenue for the station, that's okay?

 

[Neither Hear Nor Their]

No. It's never good to lose business. However, my point is...when it comes to ROS buys, I'm guessing most are agency.

 

[Neither Hear Nor Their]

Besides, what I said was that I doubt format changes really hurt h.s. sports sales (at most small stations).
Look at a lot of really small market stations that do h.s. sports. They sell the you-know-what of of it despite what's on for the other 20 or so hours of the day.

 

[allears07]

From reading posts on here, seems that most of you have knowledge and/or experience in the radio world. But I do wonder how much of it is/was done outside of the small market middle Ohio area. Maybe many of you are talking out of your rears?
Regardless, everyone is entitled to their own opinions - and that's life, and life inside or outside radio. But I have some thoughts regarding some of your posts about WLKR. Again - maybe some of these are my own opinions.
Seems to me that most of you don't really understand Triple A formats. Or think you do - because you've heard one or two other stations with the format. If you want real knowledge of ANY AAA format - they appeal to both men and women - pretty much 50-50 split - ages 21-54 generally. Majority of those numbers will come from 21-34 and 45-54. Their listeners trend to be well educated, high HH income levels, home ownership, and have kids - but mostly kids that are grown and out of the house. SOOOO - I can see why WLKR would switch to one of the hottest growing nationwide radio formats in the US - appeal to more listeners, which in turn, appeals for more business owners to allocate dollars to a station that can reach MORE of thier audience, instead of a niche group.

With the few tidbits I do know about LKR's history - obviously people will take a while to get used to change. I mean, Soft AC to AAA is a big change - especially after like 45 years! People everywhere hate change - but sometimes its just necessary - especially in the business world. I would only assume that the change is a business growing decision - to make more $$ because you appeal to a wider audience. Thats pretty simple, dontcha think??!?!? And pretty smart.
My own opinion - seems like most of you were/are P1's for WLKR, and as much as you want to fight and bash their change - you seem to be listening enough to know the ins and outs daily of what their doing. Like it or love it - you're still listening. And dont let me hear that crap about "Triple A in a small market wont work..." Please - radio works everywhere. And if there is nothing like it in the area - seems like a great move to me - and others just missed the boat!
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