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Countdown to WFMX Flip

Don't think it's Country. Why would Clear Channel let all of their WFMX reps go? Not a single Rep will be coming to the Greensboro offices with the move. There were some good people at WFMX with some strong relationships. No, Country doesn't make sense. WTQR is so strong that they don't fear any competitors. It would take deep pockets to go up against them. AND, rumors today are that Clear Channel has bought WSJS (who's been on the market for a while). WSJS is down to 3 salespeople and limping along. Don't know for sure, but I've heard there is an "Interim Manager" there this week which could mean it's a done deal. They'll have the News/Talk, so no need to switch to that. I'm sticking with some form of Urban that will compete with WQMG.
 
See SJS thread for comments concerning interim manager.

As for FMX, who knows what CC will do with it. One thing is certain, they will do it on the cheap and they will use a combined sales force as they have done in many markets. The relationships you speak of are not local to the Greensboro market, so are of little value to CC in that aspect. The sell a great deal of combo and hardly any of their personnel wear a station logo - it is always a CC logo!

So far, noone has addressed the NASCAR angle! Any thoughts? Of course, if WSJS goes back to CC, the point is moot!
 
Then again, if CC hasn't bought SJS, taking FMX news/talk could be a great idea. They'd serve Winston-Salem with a much better signal than ZTK could ever manage in the western areas. But they're going to have to do local news to cover all of the Triad, and even at the major market stations, CC isn't very well known for that.
 
Josh C. said:
johnqdoe said:
Bars, soft drinks, and pizza will only take you so far. College kids aren't buying new cars or houses or appliances.
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Again, I have to make the point... that's just plain wrong. Take my brother as an example. He's in real estate as a college student, and he's making more money than he knows what to do with at this point. He's not the only one. There are more college students with money to spend than you think, and the mentality you're exhibiting with that comment is exactly the same mentality holding businesses (radio included) back from targetting people my age.
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agreed...I can name off several spots in the triad that caters to college nightlife..hell..I've worked at 9 of them in WS, HP and Greensboro, kindof got out of radio and went to club DJ'ing, but looks like its making a circle back to radio LOL

I thought 94.5 was gonna be the station that straightened up WJMH, but it didn't happen...i've lost my confidence in CC and urbans
 
The whole reason 94.5 wasn't able to make a dent in WJMH is two-fold 1)because Clear Channel wasn't willing to "live" the lifestyle necessary for a young Urban station. 2) 94.5 signal is NOT good and WJMH has one of the best signals in the market. Also, WJMH lives and breathes the lifestyle and they're on the street everywhere. Entercom has got that area covered big time! However, WQMG, as an Urban AC is different. I don't think you really have to be quite as committed. It's kind of like WMAG only Urban. That station is just sitting there all fat and happy. I think there are some bucks to be made by going up against them.

On the other hand, CC does own Rush Limbagh and I've often wondered why they didn't do a News/Talk, especially with an election year coming up!!! I suspect it's pretty expensive to do News/Talk, but with more pressure for local news and information, they could use those employees on other stations, along with the news information, and make it all more cost effective and give the community more local content.

I really don't think they'll do Country again. They tried it with 94.5 and even the slightest bit of competition against WTQR just wouldn't be tolerated. So, they settled for a very mediocre Country station that was difficult to sell and never sounded very good, on purpose!!! A total throwaway. WTQR's ratings have been down now 3 books in a row, so why take a great new signal and hurt their cash cow? Makes no sense.
 
Talk would be a decent option for one of their stations (CC) but I wouldn't imagine it on the FMX frequence. Actually, the 94.5 signal could be decent for talk. Turn off the stereo and it would boost the fringe coverage. As long as CBS owns WSJS, CC would not likely take Rush. Too many larger markets with Rush on CBS stations - and they wouldn't want to get into a pissing match. Remember, Rush is a cash cow with stations paying huge royalties to air the show - in addition to the advertising time. Top 20 markets get into six figures.
 
All Access reports this afternoon that CC has sold WSIC (WFMX's) AM to Davidson, and that they're moving WFMX to WS/GSO/HP.
 
Actually, what All Access reported this afternoon is that WSIC (WFMX's AM) was sold to Iredell Broadcasting. Country Personality/Programmer, Billy Buck, is part of this group which includes some investors who were interested in the land. Not new that WFMX is moving to CC's Greensboro offices. WFMX's last day to broadcast is rumored to be Wednesday with the new format (whatever that's going to be) debuting on Thursday of this week. Anybody heard anything new about what it will be?
 
ACTUALLY, if we're going to be picky, what All Access reported was that Clear Channel is selling Talk WSIC to Iredell Broadcasting for 700k PLUS an LMA. Wouldn't that negate the land deal -- or are we talking about LMA-ing FMX?
 
Caught the typo -- you're right CCX. Actually -- wouldn't FMX put CC over the limit for ownership in the market -- for additional acquisitions? And -- since Urban's actually knocked Country out of the #1 spot at points in this market -- wouldn't that make sense?
 
CC has to either unload FMX or move it. Mercury is just a CC holding company. They were over the limit in the Charlotte market - which is the reason for them to move FMX to Clemmons (Greensboro market). They only have four in Greensboro.

City of license is Clemmons, but studio will be in Greensboro with other CC stations.

I guess we'll know tomorrow!
 
I heard that the flip/move was to have happened last week, but for whatever reason didn't. And, since no one has brought this up...you do realize that WFMX is(or was) the LP-1 EAS station for the Statesville EAS Local area(Iredell, Davie, Alexander, Rowan, Ashe, Wilkes, Watauga, Caldwell, and Yadkin counties--I think those are right). Of course, with the move to Sauratown Mtn, a diminished signal, and moving out of the Statesville EAS area I've been told that WEND(106.5) is now the LP-1 for the Statesville area. WEND is licensed to Salisbury(Rowan County).

In listening to WFMX today, it sounded like "business as usual". I guess I shouldn't expect anymore, but with the heritage of WFMX, there should be some extended farewells. Guess it will be a short, "thanks for the memories", a George Jones ballad, and we're outta here. After 40+ years in the same place, it seems there should be more.

Eric
 
Wouldn't it be nice if the radio business allowed farewells? Unfortunately, the clean break with no explaination is the normal policy. Heritage means nothing to Big Radio today!
 
I heard yesterday evening that Clear Channel GM, Morgan Bohannon is scheduled to meet with WFMX employees today. The flip is supposed to occur at midnight tonight, but could happen even sooner if all the technical issues are worked out. Still uncertain of the format.
 
CCX said:
I heard yesterday evening that Clear Channel GM, Morgan Bohannon is scheduled to meet with WFMX employees today. The flip is supposed to occur at midnight tonight, but could happen even sooner if all the technical issues are worked out. Still uncertain of the format.
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Why would the Charlotte GM meet with them if it's gonna be a GSO station?
 
johnqdoe said:
CCX said:
I heard yesterday evening that Clear Channel GM, Morgan Bohannon is scheduled to meet with WFMX employees today. The flip is supposed to occur at midnight tonight, but could happen even sooner if all the technical issues are worked out. Still uncertain of the format.
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Why would the Charlotte GM meet with them if it's gonna be a GSO station?
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Because until the switch, the station is still overseen by Charlotte.
 
Yes, the flip is supposed to happen today. Yes, the GM of Charlotte was meeting with them today.

No, putting WFMX in Greensboro will NOT put CC over the limit. That was the purpose of moving it to GSO. There was talk back when I was there about a year ago that CC wanted WFMX to go to Charlotte, but they would have to unload someone first. The first thought, WEND. That never materialized because WEND came back with a great book, for an active rock station.

Though I still work for CC now, I don't want to say anything to jeopardize my job, yes, Mercury was a holding company for CC. Technically, Statesville is considered a part of the Charlotte market. Owning WFMX would have put CC over the limit in Charlotte. They didn't want to sell WFMX because it was a threat. A threat to not only WTQR, but to WKKT as well.

To make a long story short, I put in 7 long years at WFMX and am proud to say I've worked for them. Yes, it's a shame as to what's happening with WFMX. I believe in 3 or 4 more years it would have have been 50 long years for WFMX. Now, all that's about to be gone. It's a sad day.

I'm not embarrassed to say sometimes I want to sit down and cry. My family and I grew up with that station. My dad's parents grew up with that station. If you people on this board only knew the kind of people that worked there. We were a FAMILY. Sure, we had fights with each other. What good family doesn't? But it was nothing like most radio stations. We were a family and still are a family, and I'm proud to say that I'm a part of that family. God bless everyone at WFMX, I miss you!!!

OJ
 
This is, of course, the 1996 Telecom act at it's worst.

While the act changed the technology and competitiveness for the cell phone and telephone industry, and cable television, and has done some great things for the public in those areas, it has really damaged radio. There is an intersting series of articles in the June 9th issue of R&R. If you happen to have access to a copy, I suggest you read the articles for EACH format!

Consolidation (and even the relaxation of the rules prior to 1996) have cost small and medium sized towns their hometown radio stations - and in the process, cost many jobs. Small town radio is still alive - in the really small towns - but there is little inbetween! Kinda like baseball going from Rookie League straight to the Majors - only a few will ever make it - and there are fewer and fewer places for the moderately talented radio person to hone his or her skills.

And even if they do, voice tracking has eliminated the need for them! Now, I'm a business person. And I understand the cost of doing business, and the need to hold the line on those costs but there has to be an end somewhere! VT overnights is OK, maybe even some weekends - but there should never be a recorded voice on the radio from 6AM to 12M! It just ain't right!
 
Just heard that Clear Channel is going to flip the signal on WFMX today at 5:00, BUT, the format will not change yet. They are having some difficulties and it looks like it might be next week before we know what the new format will be.
 
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