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EEI to FM scenario back in play?

raccoonradio

raccoonradio

http://www.twitter.com/bruceallen [Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch]

>>Michael Holley has hinted numerous times today* about WEEI's upcoming (but as yet unannounced) move to FM.

Supposedly Michael Holley has been dropping hints about a WEEI move to FM in Boston area and domain names have been registered for ESPNRadio1001.com and ESPNRadio997.com (ESPN in Worc & Prov. on
Citadel stations?)

*--the tweet was from 22 hrs ago actually, so "yesterday"

It would be awkward for such a move (EEI to FM on an Entercom property; ESPN full time on 850) to happen right during the Celts season, etc., but hey, Entercom ripped the Sox off RKO right in the middle of the season
(no doubt thanks to competition from the folks on Soldiers Field Rd)

Stay tuned...
Currently 100.1 is classic hits and 99.7 is //WPRO
 
...of course the domain names could be placed there as a tease for something that isn't happening but we'll see

espnradio1001.com and espnradio997.com both registered to Citadel 12/07/09 (WHOIS search)
Citadel does have a 100.1 in Mich though
 
I doubt it was ever "out of play" really.

I'm sure they came up with a strategic date to do the flip, be it 1/1, or otherwise.

But as I've said in other posts, ESPN supposedly doesn't give out affiliations unless you carry Mike and Mike, so I don't think they would have signed a deal with WEEI unless there was more to come.

As for moving the C's mid season, maybe they'll keep them on AM AND FM for the rest of the season to transition people (except for times when there is a BC/Sox conflict).

But after that I'd expect BC on 850, Sox/C's on FM, and when there's a conflict bump one to 850.
 
thetheo said:
But as I've said in other posts, ESPN supposedly doesn't give out affiliations unless you carry Mike and Mike, so I don't think they would have signed a deal with WEEI unless there was more to come.
Click to expand...

When it comes to network affiliations everything is negotiable.

The name of the game is not programming (be it mike and mike or wahtever). The name of the game is getting spots aired in a given market.

Remember, right now, ESPN Radio does not have ANY of their spots running in Boston.

The affiliation deal is more of a "How many spots will you clear, and how much compensation will be gained from them?"

You can be an affiliate without running any programming.

Keep in mind that WEEI appears to have lowered their spot load since SPort Hub came on the air. The number of spot avails on WEEI is at a premium right now....and I"m sure they don't want to give up inventory.
 
raccoonradio said:
...of course the domain names could be placed there as a tease for something that isn't happening but we'll see

espnradio1001.com and espnradio997.com both registered to Citadel 12/07/09 (WHOIS search)
Citadel does have a 100.1 in Mich though
Click to expand...

Citadel owns WWFX-FM 100.1 "The Pike" in Worcester. I'm a big fan of both WWFX and WORC-FM in Worcester which are both owned by Citadel along with WXLO-FM 104.5 in Worcester. I would hate to see Worcester's Pike get "blown up" for ESPN.

In Providence, Citadel currently has WPRO-AM 630 running on 99.7
 
chrisradioanimal said:
Me too!!! The Pike is a great station.
Click to expand...

I like the Pike as well. Perhaps Citadel would move The Pike down to 98.9 FM, and replace Oldies 98.9's usually laughable ratings with a proven winner on a signal that works throughout much of Worcester County.
 
Some of ESPN's spots may be airing on WEEI or even WRKO at various times. I think some ad spot
featuring Colin Cowherd turned up on...RKO.

WPRO is indeed running also on 99.7 but you wonder if maybe they could pick some PRO shows and
some ESPN as well? (kind of a crazy quilt talk/sports talk station but anything's possible)

>>As for moving the C's mid season, maybe they'll keep them on AM AND FM for the rest of the season to transition people

could be...
 
Me too!!! The Pike is a great station.
Click to expand...

Except for that rather bastardly "let's move closer to Boston and nuke WBRS's signal" move they made back in the late 1990's. Wiped out half of WBRS's coverage and there was nothing WBRS could do.
 
Michael Holley has an enormously inflated opinion of his own importance. Mr. know-it-all should stick to his sound effects, cutesy little nicknames, and his jive talk and leave business to the professionals. I'm sure that if 'EEI had an announcement like that, Michael Holley would not be their spokesperson.
 
@Racconradio and anyone else, correct me if I'm wrong, I thought ESPN is already on in Provicence/New Bedford area (1450am Providence, 1340am New Bedford area) For those who live in that area, are those stations on at night, and how well does it come in?

Radiojay1 said the signal is weak in those areas, but when I went down there in 2002, back then both those stations were carring (a former) Urban AC Network from the former ABC Radio Network. I picked 1340 up in Avon/Brockton area. Both stations came in good in Providence and Newport, RI

How about you all??
 
ArtSpooner said:
Michael Holley has an enormously inflated opinion of his own importance. Mr. know-it-all should stick to his sound effects, cutesy little nicknames, and his jive talk and leave business to the professionals. I'm sure that if 'EEI had an announcement like that, Michael Holley would not be their spokesperson.
Click to expand...

Jive Talk?!?!?

Wow!

Anyway, Holly is one of the more enjoyable writers/radio hosts/TV hosts/etc we have in this town. I find him smarter and easier to listen to than most and wish he was on in the AM so I could listen more.
 
With Citadel's reported financial reorganization (possibly resulting in some spin-offs), plus CBS' commitment to "Sports-tainment" AKA Male Sports-centric Entertainment Programming, AND ESPN doing their online regional sports network programming...It would make sense for any heritage Sports station in any market to do whatever it takes to strengthen their position before CBS gets their ducks in a row. Word is "Sports-tainment" is CBS' new focus format. Anyone willing to throw a hat in the ring nationally would be wise to think about:

A. purchasing Citadel's property & flipping it to ESPN-FM (question being, would purchasing a "Worcester" signal put them over the ownership limit in Boston)

B. Raiding the local established Sports Radio stations to establish their lineup.

This scenario will most-likely play out in some cities. We'll see if Boston's one of them.
 
@Racconradio and anyone else, correct me if I'm wrong, I thought ESPN is already on in Provicence/New Bedford area (1450am Providence, 1340am New Bedford area) For those who live in that area, are those stations on at night, and how well does it come in?
Click to expand...

WLKW and WNBH are both Class C's on graveyard channels. They have poor nighttime coverage to put it kindly due to the mess of skywave interference from hundreds of other stations on the same (and adjacent) frequencies across the country; I'd say they're receivable within the red contour on R-L's maps at best. During the day it's not so bad, though. I've listened to WNBH up in Medfield, MA and the quality was perfectly listenable.

Isn't WNBH about to go back to conserva-talker again, anyways?
 
raccoonradio said:
Supposedly Michael Holley has been dropping hints about a WEEI move to FM in Boston area
Click to expand...

"EEI-FM - the Eagles without the turkeys"!
 
If you mean the Philadelphia Eagles, in an NFL Mon, Thu, or Sat night game ... :)

For those too young or who were in a different part of the country, WEEI-FM (103.3, now WODS) was "Soft Rock" and had slogans like "Sgt Pepper. Without general chaos." "The Eagles. Without the turkeys."
And (a contest winner) "Linda Rondstadt without wondering what just Blue Bayou."
 
raccoonradio said:
If you mean the Philadelphia Eagles, in an NFL Mon, Thu, or Sat night game ... :)

For those too young or who were in a different part of the country, WEEI-FM (103.3, now WODS) was "Soft Rock" and had slogans like "Sgt Pepper. Without general chaos." "The Eagles. Without the turkeys."
And (a contest winner) "Linda Rondstadt without wondering what just Blue Bayou."
Click to expand...

My favorite was "Joni without the Baloney". IMHO, there has never been a better radio station in Boston than WEEI-FM in their "soft rock" days.
 
thetheo said:
ArtSpooner said:
Michael Holley has an enormously inflated opinion of his own importance. Mr. know-it-all should stick to his sound effects, cutesy little nicknames, and his jive talk and leave business to the professionals. I'm sure that if 'EEI had an announcement like that, Michael Holley would not be their spokesperson.
Click to expand...

Jive Talk?!?!?

Wow!

Anyway, Holly is one of the more enjoyable writers/radio hosts/TV hosts/etc we have in this town. I find him smarter and easier to listen to than most and wish he was on in the AM so I could listen more.
Click to expand...
You hear enjoyable, I hear condescending know-it-all. He's lucky to be paired with Mr. Nice Guy Arnold. I don't think anyone else would put up with his crap.
 
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