Trades are reporting that Larry Fuss is getting back to The Delta with the purchase of Debut Broadcasing stations in Greenville. Thought he owed several stations there a few years back and left the market. Did he not own stations in Greenville, Cleveland, and maybe one in Lake Village? Not sure if the market is there to support the stations that are in the market now. A good operator with these stations could most likely do well if the formats were right. The market has a huge Black population but there are a number of urban stations in the area so that may not be an opportunity. Would be very interested in what you folks think who are in the area. Does anybody know if Debut sold the station in Vicksburg, think it was Vicksburg.
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Debut Sold
- Thread starter nuffsaid
- Start date
Debut had an interesting concept... building a chain of smaller market stations, improving facilities and programming. One of the first things they did in Greenville was to re-do the 1330 antenna system from the ground up. I would be the last to portray myself as some sort of business economics sort, but it seems like they were just getting started when the bottom fell out on the economy, so like someone who got into the housing market late, they probably bought at pre-fall prices, and had to pay for it with post-fall cash flow. IIRC their main source of dough was syndicated programming.
I read that Larry Fuss who at one time owned stations in Greenville is the buyer. Not sure that I know that much about him or his company but do feel you are correct about buying at the wrong time. 2009 was a very distructive year for every broadcaster in America and it will take some time for all of this to turn around. Does anybody know what is going on in Greenville these days? Know there are a couple of urban stations and a gospel FM if I am not mistaken.
nuffsaid said:
Yes, they do own KLSM 104.5 out of Vicksburg (licensed to Tallulah, actually). However, the article said there would be no other changes at the four other stations Debut owns, so I'm assuming they're holding on to it.
From what I hear Larry Fuss is a first class operator and he could have a chance in Greenville if he has the right people in place. The market is hugely urban with almost 70% Black but that also means there are 30% white! DA! Anyway a leader that has both sales and programming experience who understands this kind of market could be effective. Think Larry takes over today with his LMA .. GOOD LUCK LARRY!
Really think this is going to be a major uphill battle for Larry and whatever team he puts together in Greenville. The economy is really pretty weak, from what I hear his sales staff is very weak, and the stations (thanks to Debut) has a very tarnished image. New management, or any management, will have their work cut out for then with these stations in the weeks and months to come. This is truely a "turn around" situation that will not happen over night. Good luck Larry!
I assume it was under Debut that WBAQ dropped elevator music for "lite fm"? I always thought the elevator music was indicative of Greenville as a whole. Outdated, a little worrisome in fact, but still kinda charming.
Maybe now that Mr Fuss is taking over he can put someone to finishing their website.
Maybe now that Mr Fuss is taking over he can put someone to finishing their website.
There is always potential if you have a sales staff and GM who is willing to look for it. I'm sure with the success that was had in Cleveland, that you guys will do well in Greenville. WBAQ has a heck of a signal, the Leland FM is solid as well. Just got to ask for the business from the right people....
I agree with Media as there is a need for a leader that can train sellers and keep an eye on the programming. However, there is a real need to understand the market. Think they have a market manger who is a former CC corporate guy and to be honest I do not see that working in Da Delta! Larry is a smart guy and am sure he will find a seasoned manager that can not only train a sales staff but lead them on the street by example. The formats of the stations are OK but think maybe a rhythmic CHR on Q102 could be huge and the soft AC on BAQ could be refined and the stations could be OK. I think there is an Oldies presentation on the AM. Debut did a lot to screw up the stations so there is going to be some fense mending to be done by whoever takes the reigns.
I couldn't possibly tell you what's on Q102, but the last time I heard WBAQ it was downright a full AC with no more sleepy soft stuff than Sunny in Tupelo. But that may have just been on the overnights, who knows… Personally I like the oldies setup on the AM, and it has a really good daytime signal.
As mentioned earlier, the AM has a new antenna system, which probably helps. Harkening back to the 1330 WJPR days... I guess it "covers the delta like the dew," which was the slogan back when.
The signals that Larry Fuss has picked up from Debut are really pretty good. WBAQ and WIQQ are right on target with their signals, format needs some tweeking but they are petty good. The AM, WNIX, has either a new ground system or something as mentioned earlier. Heard they took a major lighting strike back last summer and were actually off the air for what I hear was a month or so. That is all fixed now and the signal is reported to be booming. Earlier somebody mentioned that a strong leader with some reasonable sellers could make a difference in the city and I agree. If you have people out on the street asking for ad dollars you normally will get it. Finding the talent in the Delta will be the major hurdle and the even bigger hurdle is finding a quality GM that wants to be in Da Delta! The market has really changed over the years. Larry has his work cut out for him but do feel their is good things on the horizon.
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