Entercom announces what it keeps, what it doesn't

[JustinT]

Now here's a scenerio, Newsradio moves to the FM. Iheartradio then merges and tweaks the formats of Jam'n 94.5 and the new 97.7. I'm not saying that will happen, but it could happen!

Merging The New 97.7 and Jam'n would be like Entercom merging Magic 106.7 and AMP.

There hasn't been much talk about where The Bull fits into this new world. Without a doubt, The Bull is performing better than anything on that signal ever has before. But word (on these boards, at least) had been that iHeart went with the country format when WKLB was at the top of the ratings, to pull WKLB down just enough to put Kiss on top. Will that still be needed?

 

[TheBigA]

iHeart went with the country format when WKLB was at the top of the ratings, to pull WKLB down just enough to put Kiss on top. Will that still be needed?

They still need a Boston clear for the Bobby Bones show. And Boston is a huge market for country anyway. Kenny Chesney sold out two nights at Gillette. So they won't be giving up on country in Boston.

 

[Retro]

Merging The New 97.7 and Jam'n would be like Entercom merging Magic 106.7 and AMP.

OK, point taken!

 

[miketheradioguy]

They still need a Boston clear for the Bobby Bones show. And Boston is a huge market for country anyway. Kenny Chesney sold out two nights at Gillette. So they won't be giving up on country in Boston.

And it's awesome that iHeartMedia brought The Bobby Bones Show into Boston.

 

[JustinT]

OK, point taken!

To your credit... an urban AC/urban contemporary fusion -- split by daypart -- was exactly what Radio One was doing on 97.7 WILD-FM!

But with such extreme demographic differences in dayparts, it's hard to imagine that getting another shot by a more mainstream operator.

 

[Retro]

To your credit... an urban AC/urban contemporary fusion -- split by daypart -- was exactly what Radio One was doing on 97.7 WILD-FM!

But with such extreme demographic differences in dayparts, it's hard to imagine that getting another shot by a more mainstream operator.

Upon more thinking, wouldn't such a mix be more like Mix 104.1 instead, no pun intended?

 

[miketheradioguy]

To your credit... an urban AC/urban contemporary fusion -- split by daypart -- was exactly what Radio One was doing on 97.7 WILD-FM!

But with such extreme demographic differences in dayparts, it's hard to imagine that getting another shot by a more mainstream operator.

If iHeartMedia makes changes at 97.7, I would rather see KJ & Kesha (no reference to the pop singer) being replaced with Steve Harvey and add their syndicated Keith Sweat Hotel to the lineup.

 

[Retro]

If iHeartMedia makes changes at 97.7, I would rather see KJ & Kesha (no reference to the pop singer) being replaced with Steve Harvey and add their syndicated Keith Sweat Hotel to the lineup.

Now I think that KJ and Kesha are quite good!

 

[miketheradioguy]

Now I think that KJ and Kesha are quite good!

Don't be surprised if they get replaced with Steve Harvey, similar to what iHeartMedia did with Frankie V & Ashlee Feldman on Jam'n 94.5 when they replaced their morning show with The Breakfast Club in 2016.

 

[JustinT]

Upon more thinking, wouldn't such a mix be more like Mix 104.1 instead, no pun intended?

The thing about WILD-FM is that it really wasn't a mix. The station wasn't around too long, but I seem to recall they ran Tom Joyner mornings (with the 2-3 songs per hour being Urban AC) and Urban AC in middays, followed by a change over to an urban contemporary/hip-hop block from 2-7 p.m. This led into the most abrupt transition of all, with The Quiet Storm and classic soul in nights. No idea what they were running in overnights.

 

[ksradiogeek]

If iHeartMedia makes changes at 97.7, I would rather see KJ & Kesha (no reference to the pop singer) being replaced with Steve Harvey...

"Rather see"?

So you would "rather see" two local personalities lose their jobs within a year in favor of syndicated talent that hasn't had a clearance in the market before?

Context and word choice are key, "Mike." I'd have to think you honestly wouldn't want to see hard working, live, local talent without a paycheck because of your own personal preferences.

 

[ksradiogeek]

The thing about WILD-FM is that it really wasn't a mix. The station wasn't around too long, but I seem to recall they ran Tom Joyner mornings (with the 2-3 songs per hour being Urban AC) and Urban AC in middays, followed by a change over to an urban contemporary/hip-hop block from 2-7 p.m. This led into the most abrupt transition of all, with The Quiet Storm and classic soul in nights. No idea what they were running in overnights.

Correct. And that formula works in places like Buffalo, not Boston.

 

[Wimmmex]

So you would "rather see" two local personalities lose their jobs within a year in favor of syndicated talent that hasn't had a clearance in the market before?

There is an overabundance of enthusiasm on radio message boards and discussion lists to add more syndicated programming (mainly from people NOT working in the business for a living. Remember the endless call for stations to run The Keith Sweat Hotel"?)

I think it's because people hear about programs that are run elsewhere...that they can't hear in Boston, and it makes them curious. And to an extent that is understandable.

It's easier to envision some show that is syndicated, than to envision a local talent being developed over the years.

 

[miketheradioguy]

"Rather see"?

So you would "rather see" two local personalities lose their jobs within a year in favor of syndicated talent that hasn't had a clearance in the market before?

Context and word choice are key, "Mike." I'd have to think you honestly wouldn't want to see hard working, live, local talent without a paycheck because of your own personal preferences.

We've already seen WBZ's staff being put in jeopardy and it's possible that the staff at the other stations iHeartMedia's acquiring from CBS Radio-Entercom could also be affected as a result of this transaction. It's not that I necessarily want this to happen, but it wouldn't be surprising to see iHeartMedia doing additional cuts at any of the stations they're acquiring in Boston. I did read that 1410 WZBR no longer runs Steve Harvey nor The Keith Sweat Hotel, so it's possible that iHeartMedia could give them a clearance in the Boston market, similar to what TheBigA pointed out about Bobby Bones.

 

[Wimmmex]

I did read that 1410 WZBR no longer runs Steve Harvey nor The Keith Sweat Hotel, so it's possible that iHeartMedia could give them a clearance in the Boston market.....

Aaaaaaaah! PLEASE No More "rather see" SYNDICATION!

Let's "rather see" more local live talent...and young talent being developed!

 

[miketheradioguy]

Aaaaaaaah! PLEASE No More "rather see" SYNDICATION!

Let's "rather see" more local live talent...and young talent being developed!

The problem is that iHeartMedia may not want to retain all the local talent on 97.7. Chances are that some of the local talent may be let go of or moved to other dayparts in favor of in-house syndication. We'll certainly see what changes happen once iHeartMedia assumes control of the station.

 

[TheBigA]

It's easier to envision some show that is syndicated, than to envision a local talent being developed over the years.

The problem is older listeners are less likely to want to hear what a "new local talent" is saying.

Older talent, for example Howie Carr, realized a long time ago that there's more money in syndication.

So the choice is new younger talent who the older audience doesn't like, or the more established, better known syndicated hosts.

We're at a point where a lot of the local talent in Boston are starting to age out of their formats. That's a problem.

 

[Wimmmex]

So the choice is new younger talent who the older audience doesn't like, or the more established, better known syndicated hosts.

I don't agree that's the binary choice. I think we should want to encourage and develop new (likeable) talent.

So the choice is new younger talent who the older audience doesn't like, or the more established, better known syndicated hosts.

Older talent, for example Howie Carr, realized a long time ago that there's more money in syndication.

Well that benefits Howie...but I don't think the listeners.

 

[Methuselah]

The problem is older listeners are less likely to want to hear what a "new local talent" is saying.

Well, part of the problem is (at least, with talk radio from my perspective, is "younger" hosts do not have the experience to provide proper analysis, etc.

For example, there is a nice guy, Matt Allen, who hosts a show afternoons (against K000nah) on WPRO-AM. Nice kid. But, he's in his early 40s and has been a talk show host his entire career. Its hard to take him seriously on some issues. On fluff pieces, sure, its talk filler. Hard-hitting political analysis? Different thing.

 

[TheBigA]

I think we should want to encourage and develop new (likeable) talent.

Keep in mind that's not as simple as it seems. The audience has to have an open mind, and in some formats, they don't.

New young talent makes sense in new young formats. Try to launch a new talk show today. Much easier with CHR.

Well that benefits Howie...but I don't think the listeners.

I'm not just talking about Howie. To get an older, more credible host, one who the audience will accept, you need to offer more than local radio. Because radio is competing with other media that isn't limited by geography. So if the goal is to get someone who brings more than likability, you might need to offer them more than Boston. It's not just money, but reach and fame.