Cumulus buys WFME 94.7

[luperm]

Hey (this won't happen) but Radio Disney 1560 could move to 94.7 (since not many kids listen to the AM)
and then Camping can take over 1560, a class A, AM signal

RD would then definitely grab most of the youngest demos by moving it to FM....lol

That's a problem since Radio Disney (WQEW) is owned by Disney, while Cumulus will now own WFME. How will moving Disney's programming to 94.7 and Family Radio's programming to 1560 benefit Cumulus? Disney and Cumulus are unrelated companies.

 

[fybush]

The same article also says, "Engineers say there is an opening to relocate WFME’s tower from West Orange, NJ, which is 18 miles to the west of Manhattan." In addition to modifying the signal of sister station WMAS FM, Cumulus "would also likely need to coordinate with other co-channel FMs, including Clear Channel country WDSD, Wilmington, DE and Townsquare Media’s “Oldies 94.7” WIYN, Binghamton, NY."
Seems that moving WFME to ESB, if it happens, could take years.

Not sure where they're getting that list from, as it includes one station that's fully-spaced and leaves out the biggest obstacle to a WFME move.

WDSD is 218 km from Empire. Full spacing for a B-to-B co-channel is 241 km.

WIYN is 188 km from Empire. Full spacing for A-to-B co-channel is 178 km.

So WDSD would be a factor (but pretty easily resolvable with the use of the 73.215 short-spacing rules and possibly a DA in Delaware). WIYN is not a factor; a move of WFME actually improves that spacing. And there's still WWSK 94.3 to deal with - it's 59 km from Empire to the present WWSK site, and minimum spacing is 69 km for A-to-B second adjacent.

 

[luperm]

I don't know if you know New York radio, but over the past 25 plus years New York can't support more than one Rock station. The pending demise of WRXP is proof of that. New York is NOT a rock town.

This has to the silliest thing I've read on the board in a LONG time. Just wow. If you're not a fan of Alternative, that's fine, but you're not entitled to your own facts.

So what are your facts? Rock stations (other than classic rock) have not exactly thrived in New York City. If alternative was such a slam dunk, you'd see a least one station sustain the format. At least there are some HD2 options that rock fans can explore (92.3, 102.7, and 104.3 HD2). It would be nice if everyone got what they wanted on FM. Unfortunately, some people are not satisfied now, and won't be satisfied when this all plays out.

 

[leethalweapon]

So what are your facts? Rock stations (other than classic rock) have not exactly thrived in New York City. If alternative was such a slam dunk, you'd see a least one station sustain the format. At least there are some HD2 options that rock fans can explore (92.3, 102.7, and 104.3 HD2). It would be nice if everyone got what they wanted on FM. Unfortunately, some people are not satisfied now, and won't be satisfied when this all plays out.

While it the Alternative format may not scale the heights of Z100 or WLTW, the growth of WRXP v2 (as a straight forward Alternative station) in the last two months has shown that there is an audience there, ripe for the picking. If left alone to run it's course with some promotion and and marketing, over time it may have landed somewhere in the middle of the top 10 in it's target demo's. Cumulus may well have an eye on the next book to see if the growth of the WRXP format is to continue, all-be-it to see where it finishes. Knowing that it has an expiry date, will listeners still be attracted to it.

 

[Barry]

If the most likely music formats for 94.7 are country and alternative rock (assuming it does not get programmed for talk), it would be interesting to know which local advertisers would prefer to buy. As the signal is strongest in northern NJ, perhaps Cumulus sales people would focus on businesses in that area.
As Cumulus' WPLJ does very well with its audience in NJ, a compatible music format that appeals to listeners and advertisers in that area could be quite successful

 

[davideduardo]

If the most likely music formats for 94.7 are country and alternative rock (assuming it does not get programmed for talk), it would be interesting to know which local advertisers would prefer to buy. As the signal is strongest in northern NJ, perhaps Cumulus sales people would focus on businesses in that area.
As Cumulus' WPLJ does very well with its audience in NJ, a compatible music format that appeals to listeners and advertisers in that area could be quite successful

In a market like New York, even a more limited coverage station depends on agency business.

With 15 million people in the 60 dbu of WFME, they will not be able to approach most non-agency, single location small businesses; the ad rates will be too high for them. Cumulus will have to deal with regional accounts, like car dealers that appeal to a large area, and multi-location retailers and service providers.

Obviously, if there is an account that does more business on the western side of the market than on Long Island, then they will have a good fit... if the station gets a good audience level.

 

[badjef]

If the most likely music formats for 94.7 are country and alternative rock (assuming it does not get programmed for talk), it would be interesting to know which local advertisers would prefer to buy. As the signal is strongest in northern NJ, perhaps Cumulus sales people would focus on businesses in that area.
As Cumulus' WPLJ does very well with its audience in NJ, a compatible music format that appeals to listeners and advertisers in that area could be quite successful

In a market like New York, even a more limited coverage station depends on agency business.

With 15 million people in the 60 dbu of WFME, they will not be able to approach most non-agency, single location small businesses; the ad rates will be too high for them. Cumulus will have to deal with regional accounts, like car dealers that appeal to a large area, and multi-location retailers and service providers.

Obviously, if there is an account that does more business on the western side of the market than on Long Island, then they will have a good fit... if the station gets a good audience level.

David, you sound as though you are teetering on the fence of my micro-market business model. Thank you.

But, I don't think "WFME", for lack of any other designation for this station, will adopt that practice, yet. This station is, and has been, in such a unique position. I think it will have to develop its own formula.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[chrocket87]

Cumulus may well have an eye on the next book to see if the growth of the WRXP format is to continue, all-be-it to see where it finishes. Knowing that it has an expiry date, will listeners still be attracted to it.

From recent history, it seems listening either stays the same or increases after expiration is announced. Some recent examples (and all of these had pre-announced expirations):
In WRXP's last book (2011), listening was about the same as in previous books.
For WKRK/Cleveland, the ratings for it's last book were down. Mind you, the station had been declining in the books for about 6 months before the flip occurred, so this down book seemed to be more of a regular fluctuation.
WZGC/Atlanta is expected to flip to Sports in about a week and since the flip was announced in July, it's 6+ numbers have nearly doubled.
Finally, WKQX/Chicago also recorded a small bump in 6+ for it's final book (2.1, higher than the 1.8-1.9 where it had been meandering for months beforehand), but IIRC, it's 18-34 numbers jumped over 30%.
So, to answer your question, I think it will either see a significant gain in ratings due to wanting to hear it's last moments or listening will be "business as usual". I don't expect to see a listeners exodus until after the flip.

 

[kevinsealy]

chrocket87,

What you've posted is true about Merlin Media. But if the revived WRXP was pulling a 3.0 share, or even making a run at WAXQ-104.3 would Alternative Rock still be on the air?





Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[chrocket87]

chrocket87,

What you've posted is true about Merlin Media. But if the revived WRXP was pulling a 3.0 share, or even making a run at WAXQ-104.3 would Alternative Rock still be on the air?



Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

Not in this case. CBS doesn't want 101.9 for 101.9's sake. CBS has been looking to put WFAN on FM for quite some time and apparently believes it's other formats are worth preserving (should put the talk of flipping NOW to rest, seeing as they paid $75 million to flip something else). That is their very specific agenda.
If this were going to another owner whose agenda was simply to break into/expand their presence in the market, then perhaps.

 

[XCountry285]

Merlin only owned one station in the largest market in the country. It made sense for them to sell it because it cost the most money.

 

[Frequency Breakdown]

chrocket87,

What you've posted is true about Merlin Media. But if the revived WRXP was pulling a 3.0 share, or even making a run at WAXQ-104.3 would Alternative Rock still be on the air?





Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

Kevin, There is relatively ZERO crossover between New Rock and the Q. Yet, you keep making comparisons.

Thanks,
Frequency L. Breakdown

 

[radioguy39nj]

Where on the FM dial could WWSK move? Or where could they move their stick or possibly COL to?

Any move involving WWSK will cost Cumulus lots of $$$$! All that to get 94.7 on the ESB. It might be cheaper to swap with Pacifica for 99.5.

 

[KyleSmith1988]

Why not just a directional antenna on the ESB with a null to the east and NE...?
Or they can move it to 4TS or the new WTC when it's done...with a directional antenna.

It doesn't have to be at the very top of the building (master antenna)
it can be rooftop level, about 200-300 feet below the other signals...

I know there's little or no room for a DA at the ESB but theres plenty of room at 4TS for this kinda thing, no?

 

[yossefgershon]

No one thought about 105.5/106.3/94.7 KICK!!!!!! ???

 

[luperm]

Why not just a directional antenna on the ESB with a null to the east and NE...?
Or they can move it to 4TS or the new WTC when it's done...with a directional antenna.

It doesn't have to be at the very top of the building (master antenna)
it can be rooftop level, about 200-300 feet below the other signals...

I know there's little or no room for a DA at the ESB but theres plenty of room at 4TS for this kinda thing, no?

Can't be done as 94.7 would then be short spaced to 94.3 on LI. That can't be mitigated by a DA.

 

[ansky212]

No one thought about 105.5/106.3/94.7 KICK!!!!!! ???

That would be an interesting concept if they simulcasted Kicks Country on all 3 stations. It could work considering 105.5/106.3 cover areas in Westchester/Putnam counties where 94.7 is weakest in terms of signal strength.

 

[Barry]

I really like Kicks 105.5/106.3, as it has live DJ's, and plays a good mix of current and older country songs.
But I do not think it would make sense to simulcast it on 94.7, as the station is programmed for the Danbury CT and Westchester County areas, not NJ or NYC.
If WFME goes country, it should have its own programming, probably focusing on NJ.

 

[tomservo]

Since everyone and their grandmothers have gotten in on this, I might as well, too.

I really think there's something to the concept of Cumulus wooing Pacifica for WBAI. It would solve two problems at once and give both what they want — Pacifica a virtually market-wide signal with a lower bill and Cumulus a city-centre signal.

As for formats, Cumulus is cheap but maybe there's a glimmer of hope that they realize they gotta spend to play in the big sandbox? Younger-skewing speech programming appeals, especially if they stick with the current WFME signal, but so does country. If they could swap for 99.5 I would think music would make a bigger impact. Country, or dare I agree with everyone else, alt. rock of some type. Oldies is probably a no-go. Yeah, we love Shannon's pet project but it skews to the one foot in the grave demographics and I don't think NYC would be any different.

Again though, that 99.5/94.7 swap really sounds like a much easier way into the city proper than a complex and costly move-in scenario that depends on bribing your competition.

 

[stationless listener]

If the 94.7 signal were to be moved into the city (and we've been down that road explaining why that's almost impossible under current FCC rules) it almost guarantees another chr/urban/female/talk format for that station. For some reason, city folk are allergic to any other format, especially the national buyers. As much as some love the idea of a signal swap, I think they may not like the result of such an action.

Using the current location I can get the fringe benefit of hearing a station that isn't programmed to city audiences. I'd even tolerate some country, provided it's not too yokel for my taste. However, my preference would be alt rock, dance or music similar to what's heard on NJ101.5 during the weekends but for every day.

Hope they don't screw it up.