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Cumulus buys WFME 94.7

The fall of the Family Radio empire has been breathtaking. A good barometer is their international shortwave service, which sustained huge cuts in the Summer of 2011, and is being further cut back in the new broadcasting semester that starts at the end of October. It wouldn't surprise me if WYFR, Family Radio's U.S. based shortwave operation, is completely gone by the end of 2014.

Beware of predicting the end of the world, as the world that ends just might be your own.
 
Mediafrog+ said:
The fall of the Family Radio empire has been breathtaking. A good barometer is their international shortwave service, which sustained huge cuts in the Summer of 2011, and is being further cut back in the new broadcasting semester that starts at the end of October. It wouldn't surprise me if WYFR, Family Radio's U.S. based shortwave operation, is completely gone by the end of 2014.
Click to expand...

I think the shortwave cutbacks are more reflective of the general death of that band for international broadcasting than the specific and documented problems of Family Radio.

Legendary broadcaster HCJB, a pioneer of the shortwave ministry concept going back to the early 30's, has all but ceased any international broadcasting and is focusing on local FMs and the internet. They closed their huge Pifo, Ecuador, transmitter site and decided against a relocation to another place in the country...

Similar things are happening to faith-based shortwave broadcasters from Chile to Bonaire to Africa.
 
This has been quite a month in New York radio. Last week Merlin sells 101.9 to CBS and now Family radio to Cumulus. Three possible scenarios: WABC to 94.7, Country, a format that has been missing in New York for quite some time, or alternative to placate the listeners of WRXP which will soon be history.
Another poster mentioned Scott Shannon's True Oldies channel full time on 94.7. He was just replaced on another 94.7 frequency in Chicago.

It should be interesting. Come the New Year the FM dial sure will be different than it was at the beginning of this year.
 
Earlier, I was thinking a music format for Cumulus. As crazy as it sounds I am seeing oldies. They already have the True Oldies channel with Scott Shannon so there's the "cheap". I don't see alternative, country nor dance/EDM filling that void but if the latter did occur.....

HIRE ME!!!!!! :D
 
Since upgrading 94.7 will be almost impossible because of 94.3 on Long Island and Pacifica has apparently been interested in offloading WBAI 99.5 for cash and either a non-comm or a rimshot, I could see Cumulus offering them 94.7 plus cash for 99.5.
 
An interesting purchase for sure. I don't have much else to contribute beyond what is said, though I'm curious why 103.9 isn't being mentioned more in conjunction with the purchase. The other day, I heard 103.9 during their top of the hour bury their COL and finish their jingle with "WFAS, New York". I found that quite the departure from the Westchester positioning they've been using.

My exposure to Cumulus was primarily in Cincinnati and Youngstown markets, which, though they are very different demographically, give a small snapshot of what type of formats they run with. They seem to do quite a bit of rock, anywhere from old classics to edgier active formats. They typically have a news/talker, sometimes sports, and usually some hot AC.

My guess would be if WABC were to move to FM, the True Oldies Channel would occupy 770; however, I think WABC stays put where it is. I also think like some others that WPLJ gets even hotter, almost CHR, while 94.7 might fall on the soft side of a Lite FM so they could sell the two in combo. I also think WFAS may shift to a classic rock/hits format after they take over 94.7.

Just more speculation for discussion. Always a fun read with some of the regulars here...
 
My dream: Active Rock.
with hair & classic metal specials FRI night/Sat night and Sunday night
Eddie truck I used to love now its so predictable hearing him on hair nation on Sirus XM made me sick.
Lets get a 94.3 WCYY station in the NYC area.
I can't get 103.9 long island because of WFAS
94.3 the shark has a crappy playlist
101.9 kicks ass but is leaving us :/
-Jamie "OZ" Old Greenwich CT
 
luperm said:
WVIP at 93.5 FM will give you a general idea of what WFAS-FM coverage will be from its new facility.
Click to expand...
when is WFAS supposed to go to their new facility? I get them strong in Stamford to Norwalk over WRCN which I hear has been really kickin ass. IE five finger death punch, Disturbed etc...
 
My guess is that Cumulus will not use 94.7 for WABC's programming.
That is because CEO Lew Dickey stated the station will provide "compelling new programming.."
Besides, WABC 770 appeals to a mature demo that is quite comfortable with AM radio.
 
Barry said:
An article in Crain's New York Business asserts, "According to an industry executive familiar with the terms of Tuesday's transaction, Cumulus is paying $40 million for the station...
"Radio observers are speculating that Cumulus will either flip WFME to a rock station to fill the gap left by 101.9, or turn it into a country station...


http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20121016/MEDIA_ENTERTAINMENT/121019915#ixzz29VEld4TW
Click to expand...

Again, I don't see WFME going with a rock format. WDHA already has a rock format and their signal is almost identical to WFME (WDHA is shifted about 10 miles to the west). Plus you already have WAXQ covering this area so I don't see room for 3 rock stations.
 
Kent said:
Since upgrading 94.7 will be almost impossible because of 94.3 on Long Island and Pacifica has apparently been interested in offloading WBAI 99.5 for cash and either a non-comm or a rimshot, I could see Cumulus offering them 94.7 plus cash for 99.5.
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense! None of us likes Cumulus, but they must have a plan. Makes no sense a major operator like Cumulus would purchase a signal-challenged FM in Market #1 when only Northern NJ can receive it. 99.5 is a full-market B.

The only other alternative would be for Cumulus to purchase 94.3 and take it dark, freeing the way for 94.7 to move to Manhattan.

Everything is all speculation at this point. :)
 
radioguy39nj said:
The only other alternative would be for Cumulus to purchase 94.3 and take it dark, freeing the way for 94.7 to move to Manhattan.
Click to expand...
I believe this has been discussed before, and the FCC would disallow this. The rules for AM and FM are different. Even if the 94.3 license was surrendered, the placeholder exists and must be protected. Scott Fybush can much better explain this...
 
I'm thinking the new format will be Country, Alternative, or a WABC simulcast. Cumulus loves the Country format.

Urban AC cannot be ruled out, either, given the recent sign-off of WRKS.
 
Personally, I can't imagine why Cumulus would change the current format on 94.7. It's rock solid as is... ;)

Seriously, though, they have many format holes to choose from. My bet is country, which would make a nice female, Jersey focused combo with PLJ, and would also fit with the conservative talk format on 770. From a sales standpoint, country is red hot, and with 94.7's suburban focused signal, would do well there, more than an Empire FM would.

On the other hand, I could see them doing something active or alternative rock on 103.9...or putting WABC-FM on that frequency.

Then you would have a 4 station combo to compete, admittedly on a second tier, with CBS and Clear Channel...for younger demo, and female, Jersey focused buys.
 
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