das-a tried it why not mass appeal oldies stations

[got2bfunky]

This station took a page out of what the streaming stations are doing on the Internet and have decided to go deep into every artist's catalog. The repetition is minimal at least during the times I listen each day, which is on my morning and evening work commute using my iHeart Radio app since I live out of signal range (Harrisburg). If they brought back some of the old station imaging to give it that feel from back in the day, this station would be perfect.

This is also going to be real test of how the listenership on the Internet, phones, etc. will affect the support of the station. An AM radio station, let alone one with a music format, has a hard road to follow. I hope this station is here to stay for a long time.

 

[klutch00]

Methinks that one of the reasons why WDAS-AM is playing many 'oh wow' songs is that they may be able to do so simply because they are on AM, the debt to service that station isn't as great as it would be if it was a major FM outlet and because the audience which really likes that kind of material will be more likely to take the trouble to 'flip the band-switch' over and tune them in. In today's day and age, it's getting harder and harder to find innovative unique playlists on FM radio stations, especially if they're commercial operations. The days of free-form on FM are long gone and I believe there still exists an audience which is willing to go out of their way to hear music they like on terrestrial radio - even if it is on AM. Granted, time will tell if WDAS will be a success. Like you (got2bfunky), I too, hope that WDAS is successful and that their success will spill over into other markets! I think it'd be great if such a format was offered on a clear channel powerhouse!

I think because so many of the oldies stations existed on FM in the past (as do 'classic hits' stations today) and because said stations have such a massive debt to service, they're more interested in which format is going to generate the most amount of money within the shortest period of time.

 

[billjacobs]

They're playing great music, and it sounds like their IBOC is off, because the day signal is nice and rich.

Their biggest obstacle is their nighttime pattern, which (unlike their day pattern) is aimed mostly southeast. Anyone west or northwest of their TX is out of luck after sunset. They're essentially a daytimer to those folks.

I see the small northwest lobe on their pattern, but I live in it, and once they go to night pattern, they're gone here.

Bill

 

[DG02816]

True, Bill. It comes of having a tight DA-2 with a power drop at night to 1 kW. And it's protecting 1480's in NYC and OH, plus WBCB on 1490.

 

[imhomerjay]

"Mass" appeal? Considering WOGL's numbers overall, they're doing the "mass" appeal oldies format today.

 

[musichead1029]

WDAS Internet Format

Methinks that one of the reasons why WDAS-AM is playing many 'oh wow' songs is that they may be able to do so simply because they are on AM, the debt to service that station isn't as great as it would be if it was a major FM outlet and because the audience which really likes that kind of material will be more likely to take the trouble to 'flip the band-switch' over and tune them in.

I agree, but the 'switch' CC is looking for listeners to flip is to their I-Stream-Radio service, and WDAS(AM) is a cheap audition channel for a future CC webstream. Using a Philadelphia transmitter for a format that's likely to have resonance locally creates a buzz up front. Temporarily avoiding the performance royalties during the gestation period is likely another small plus on the balance sheet. And simulcasting on an HD-2, besides exercising an Ibiquity contract CC is already locked into, leaves open the possibility of acquiring some translators for an FM broadcast (but only if CC determines that this wouldn't siphon off a significant number of DAS-FM listeners, which it might).

That there happens to be an AM transmitter attached to this venture in 2012 is just a political matter. Look to the future, and you don't see an interference-plagued AM fleawatter as a central focus of any programming outside of dollar-a-holler (hey, look, this just came in - the government is auctioning houses!).

 

[billjacobs]

True, Bill. It comes of having a tight DA-2 with a power drop at night to 1 kW. And it's protecting 1480's in NYC and OH, plus WBCB on 1490.

At the risk of falling into the Fantasy Radio game ("suppose-we-moved-this-station-here-and-that-station-there-and-played-Hungarian-moose-calls-on-it..."), WDAS be able to run a night pattern more consistent with its day pattern -- and thus not lose half its potential audience at sundown -- from a site out here near WPEN's night site, assuming they could draw a pattern that would sufficiently protect WBCB.

BIll

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

For several years now, WISL Shamokin has been off the air.

WISL 1480. They were a full-time station for many years in these parts. Clear Channel bought them as a birdcage lining for their purchase of WISL-FM (95.3) -- and promptly shut down the AM.

Perhaps WDAS could open up their nighttime pattern a bit more in that direction with WISL dark? A thumbnail theory here (from a non-techie) is that WDAS would have the capacity to do thatl do a few non-Euclidean things to their patterns because they have that fourth tower.

* * * * * * *

Much good fortune to WDAS 1480. The renaissance is probably about ten years too late, but you can never tell. Maybe some of the kids will pick up on it. Habits like that skip generations, hi.