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Entercom waited too long...
- Thread starter LA_Guy
- Start date
That's true, he may be right.
He may also be totally wrong. WEEI has thrived nicely while being on "substandard" AM, and on an AM signal with horrible coverage over one of the more lucrative markets (Metrowest). I believe the NET revenue (not gross) in 2005 was over $35 million, just from WEEI! The reason they thrived was content: they had the Sox, and they had a lot of successful sports & talk shows the rest of the day.
98.5 is far and away a superior signal...but if they put lousy content on it, the signal quality won't matter worth a damn. Even with the Patriots and Bruins games; those just aren't on the air enough to compete with 162+ nights and days of Sox games and advertising opportunities.
The real rub, of course, is that the new 98.5 could be good enough to take a bite out of WEEI's audience and revenues. It's widely rumored that WEEI heavily subsidizes the rest of the Entercom Boston stations. How true that is is highly suspect, but even a moderate hit on WEEI could mean a lot of pain on Guest Street in Brighton.
He may also be totally wrong. WEEI has thrived nicely while being on "substandard" AM, and on an AM signal with horrible coverage over one of the more lucrative markets (Metrowest). I believe the NET revenue (not gross) in 2005 was over $35 million, just from WEEI! The reason they thrived was content: they had the Sox, and they had a lot of successful sports & talk shows the rest of the day.
98.5 is far and away a superior signal...but if they put lousy content on it, the signal quality won't matter worth a damn. Even with the Patriots and Bruins games; those just aren't on the air enough to compete with 162+ nights and days of Sox games and advertising opportunities.
The real rub, of course, is that the new 98.5 could be good enough to take a bite out of WEEI's audience and revenues. It's widely rumored that WEEI heavily subsidizes the rest of the Entercom Boston stations. How true that is is highly suspect, but even a moderate hit on WEEI could mean a lot of pain on Guest Street in Brighton.
As there's almost a month until the trigger is pulled, Entercom can still upstage CBS by popping WEEI on FM. Despite the comments on Mike's revenue, we're talking about saving the cash cow here. Don't be shocked if we see WEEI-FM 93.7 before August 13.
It's also time for Entercom to rethink this ridiculous business of running the Red Sox on WRKO. Put 'em back on WEEI next year.
It's also time for Entercom to rethink this ridiculous business of running the Red Sox on WRKO. Put 'em back on WEEI next year.
I wouldn't want that. At work, WRKO comes in much better for me. It stinks the nights they're on WEEI. And in some parts of my building even WRKO has problems. But generally it's better. (A big postal sorting facility in N Reading, a few miles from the RKO sticks)
informal poll, or just a question: does Entercom start simulcasting WEEI on one of their FMs before
the debut of WBZ-FM?
My vote:
...yes.
the debut of WBZ-FM?
My vote:
...yes.
I'm not going to pretend to know the actual reason for that, but I believe it was the result of two things:
- An expansion of the WEEI brand to create additional ad inventory. Which, considering the train wreck WRKO was at the time (and arguably still is) seemed no more crazy an idea than most.
- Significant pressure from the Sox to "separate" the game carriage from the substantial negative commentary about the team during the sports-talk shows on WEEI.
The former is one of those things that looks incredibly stupid on the face of it, and it actives antagonizes the consumer...but it also happens to work well for the company, so they're going to keep doing it. Hate it all you want, but it makes Entercom money so they ain't gonna stop. Not unless WRKO magically starts doing better as a talk radio station overall, and I don't think anyone sees that happening.
As for the latter, it does seem shocking that a radio station would even acknowledge such a request, much less acquiesce to it. If it's true, then I imagine what happened was the Sox threatened to put the squeeze on sponsors that do business with WEEI. That could mean a lot of pain in short order; Entercom Boston is highly dependent on the Sox games for a lot of their revenue/success.
>>Not unless WRKO magically starts doing better as a talk radio station overall
As Howie would say, "We're going off the air in Boston at 6:23 pm so we can bring you the very
exciting Red Sox pregame show, but you can still catch us at AM 830, WCRN..."
As Howie would say, "We're going off the air in Boston at 6:23 pm so we can bring you the very
exciting Red Sox pregame show, but you can still catch us at AM 830, WCRN..."
What about WEEI on 99.5? Don't they own a piece of WCRB that they bought from Nassau?BRNout said:
PTR
No, I do not believe that they do. There was some deal that they were making with Nassau to install WEEI on that frequency, but the thing fell through. Certainly someone knows more detail than I.
The WRKO/WEEI Red Sox thing is absurd. Yeah, I've read all of the justifications and they come off about as well as someone's explanation as to why it's okay for them to screw around with their second cousin!
Legal? yes. A good idea? No
If it was so brilliant, you'd see such arrangements all over the country and you don't. With Entercom finally getting some competition in the business of sports radio (and let's face it, CBS is about the most capable one out there to take them on), they'll have to quit fiddling around with the Sundays here, Wednesdays there scheduling of Red Sox games on the radio.
IF they take WEEI to FM in Boston, the Red Sox will need to be on it.
The WRKO/WEEI Red Sox thing is absurd. Yeah, I've read all of the justifications and they come off about as well as someone's explanation as to why it's okay for them to screw around with their second cousin!
Legal? yes. A good idea? No
If it was so brilliant, you'd see such arrangements all over the country and you don't. With Entercom finally getting some competition in the business of sports radio (and let's face it, CBS is about the most capable one out there to take them on), they'll have to quit fiddling around with the Sundays here, Wednesdays there scheduling of Red Sox games on the radio.
IF they take WEEI to FM in Boston, the Red Sox will need to be on it.
raccoonradio said:
They're insane if they don't... only question is, which one? Both of their FM brands, one much more than the other, stand to gain from the demise of WBCN. 97.7 WKAF is the obvious choice, but with no BCN and a weak signal on 107.3, that might be the frequency to gain the most. As others are guessing, given Nassau's extremely bleak financial picture and the general demise of classical music (heard about WQXR yet?), WEEI on 99.5 seems a serious possibility. 99.5 doesn't have the signal of 98.5 in MetroWest, but it would be good enough to compete.
Several possibilities...
The most obvious one is to move 107.3 back to Paxton and put WEEI-FM on it. Keep 850 also. 107.3 (especially from Paxton) fills in nicely where 850 doesn't cover. Put WAAF on 93.7 and Mike on 97.7. Or leave WAAF on 97.7 by itself. With 'BCN gone it should be able to hold its own on 97.7.
If they can LMA 99.5 (a good possibility since Nassau is desparate for ca$h) then things get a bit more interesting. Mike could go on 99.5 and sports on 93.7. Classical could go away or go on either 107.3 or 97.7. Or put classical on an HD 2 channel.
In any case, Entercom has to do SOMETHING! They left their flank vulnerable and now CBS is attacking. Doing nothing is the same as surrendering.
If I were the big guys at Entercom, the Boston GM would be fired for doing something so STUPID as to leave my major cash cow so vulnerable to attack. If they had put sports on FM sooner, CBS would have not even CONSIDERED doing it here!
The most obvious one is to move 107.3 back to Paxton and put WEEI-FM on it. Keep 850 also. 107.3 (especially from Paxton) fills in nicely where 850 doesn't cover. Put WAAF on 93.7 and Mike on 97.7. Or leave WAAF on 97.7 by itself. With 'BCN gone it should be able to hold its own on 97.7.
If they can LMA 99.5 (a good possibility since Nassau is desparate for ca$h) then things get a bit more interesting. Mike could go on 99.5 and sports on 93.7. Classical could go away or go on either 107.3 or 97.7. Or put classical on an HD 2 channel.
In any case, Entercom has to do SOMETHING! They left their flank vulnerable and now CBS is attacking. Doing nothing is the same as surrendering.
If I were the big guys at Entercom, the Boston GM would be fired for doing something so STUPID as to leave my major cash cow so vulnerable to attack. If they had put sports on FM sooner, CBS would have not even CONSIDERED doing it here!
I am certain that WEEI will find its way onto FM. But with a rock station gone, I'd bet that they'd leave WAAF alone, especially at the 107.3 dial position, since many listeners know that's were WAAF is. A WEEI-FM simulcast should go onto 93.7, perhaps even in mono to help enhance coverage. They won't reach much past Worcester, but they have other simulcasting stations in Worcester and Springfield to help with that. Plus, 93.7's stick in a bit north of Boston, so they'll be able to get well into New Hampshire and southern Maine, and 103.7 in Rhode Island will help them south of the Mansfield/Foxboro area. They should also keep the WAAF simulcast on 97.7. While Mike FM may have a group of devoted listeners, they are also the listeners that will flip to WBMX, WMJX, or WROR.
Jacko
Jacko
Entercom really has to develop a plan that works to protect their base of listeners quickly. First though, is they need to examine all of their FM stations from both engineering and format standpoints that allows them to compete effectively with CPS' and other broadcast properties.
From an engineering standpoint
1. 107.3, move back to the Paxton Armstrong tower, and use the WUNI tower as a stand by site.
2. 93.7 and 97.7, find effective ways to improve their signals in the city, especially 97.7. Do the necessary engineering and paper work to move to the Hancock Tower or the Prudential or another high rooftop if possible.
Format standpoint
1. Move WAAF to 93.7
2. Move WMKK to 97.7
3. Simulcast WEEI on 107.3. Run Red Sox on both 850 and 107.3 and leave WRKO to talk only format. The 850 AM signal is easy to get in the city while the 107.3 FM covers most of the rest of the market.
Another scenario, that could profoundly change things, as mentioned here before would be if Nassau's creditors are willing to sell 99.5, that might fair even better for Entercom, where that signal could be used for WAAF while keeping WMKK on 93.7 and WCRB to 97.7. 107.3 could be used as WEEI-FM.
From an engineering standpoint
1. 107.3, move back to the Paxton Armstrong tower, and use the WUNI tower as a stand by site.
2. 93.7 and 97.7, find effective ways to improve their signals in the city, especially 97.7. Do the necessary engineering and paper work to move to the Hancock Tower or the Prudential or another high rooftop if possible.
Format standpoint
1. Move WAAF to 93.7
2. Move WMKK to 97.7
3. Simulcast WEEI on 107.3. Run Red Sox on both 850 and 107.3 and leave WRKO to talk only format. The 850 AM signal is easy to get in the city while the 107.3 FM covers most of the rest of the market.
Another scenario, that could profoundly change things, as mentioned here before would be if Nassau's creditors are willing to sell 99.5, that might fair even better for Entercom, where that signal could be used for WAAF while keeping WMKK on 93.7 and WCRB to 97.7. 107.3 could be used as WEEI-FM.
LA_Guy said:
Not only that, but whenever they do it, the move will be seen as reactionary and panic-stricken. They'll look like a scared follower rather than a bold leader. The biggest losers are the hosts during drive-time; WEEI's limp-wristed signal before the sun comes up and after it goes down will drive listeners to WBZ-FM...and away from impotent D&C and the always-interrupting Big O. Sports radio was his oyster in Boston; now it's a piece of seaweed.
"From an engineering standpoint
1. 107.3, move back to the Paxton Armstrong tower, and use the WUNI tower as a stand by site.
2. 93.7 and 97.7, find effective ways to improve their signals in the city, especially 97.7. Do the necessary engineering and paper work to move to the Hancock Tower or the Prudential or another high rooftop if possible."
Here's my 2 cents (part "perfect world/wishful thinking"):
1) Yes, move 107.3 back to Paxton, but flip that to WEEI-FM (change the RI call letters). Perfect compliment to 850. Screw that WUNI site!
2) Move 93.7 down a tad closer to town (if possible).....maybe to the old WXHR/Channel 56 tower on Zion Hill in Woburn. That becomes WAAF, with the 97.7 simulcast from Blue Hills filling out the coverage to the south where the skyline and Blue Hills itself blocks Woburn's coverage in that direction. Another nice compliment. Zion Hill Woburn would cover metrowest pretty well (I understand the microwave up there hits Mt. Greylock in western Mass.).
3) 99.5 becomes "Mike".
4) WHRB goes Classical 24/7 to fill the void left by WCRB. WCRB (99.5) does not get into the city of Boston very well anyway.
5a) 1510 is sold to an African-American group, whereby Boston (and a big chunk of New England) finally gets a fulltime black-oriented station. Maybe that dude from "Big City FM" gets involved. Bonus: With WNLC New London off of 1510, and WWZN letting out their pattern, I now hear WWZN on parts of Long Island day and night.
or
5b) 1510 is bought by WGBH, to become WGBH-AM, running the NPR talk shows, freeing WGBH-FM for more Classical to fill the void left by WCRB.
Just dreaming......
1. 107.3, move back to the Paxton Armstrong tower, and use the WUNI tower as a stand by site.
2. 93.7 and 97.7, find effective ways to improve their signals in the city, especially 97.7. Do the necessary engineering and paper work to move to the Hancock Tower or the Prudential or another high rooftop if possible."
Here's my 2 cents (part "perfect world/wishful thinking"):
1) Yes, move 107.3 back to Paxton, but flip that to WEEI-FM (change the RI call letters). Perfect compliment to 850. Screw that WUNI site!
2) Move 93.7 down a tad closer to town (if possible).....maybe to the old WXHR/Channel 56 tower on Zion Hill in Woburn. That becomes WAAF, with the 97.7 simulcast from Blue Hills filling out the coverage to the south where the skyline and Blue Hills itself blocks Woburn's coverage in that direction. Another nice compliment. Zion Hill Woburn would cover metrowest pretty well (I understand the microwave up there hits Mt. Greylock in western Mass.).
3) 99.5 becomes "Mike".
4) WHRB goes Classical 24/7 to fill the void left by WCRB. WCRB (99.5) does not get into the city of Boston very well anyway.
5a) 1510 is sold to an African-American group, whereby Boston (and a big chunk of New England) finally gets a fulltime black-oriented station. Maybe that dude from "Big City FM" gets involved. Bonus: With WNLC New London off of 1510, and WWZN letting out their pattern, I now hear WWZN on parts of Long Island day and night.
or
5b) 1510 is bought by WGBH, to become WGBH-AM, running the NPR talk shows, freeing WGBH-FM for more Classical to fill the void left by WCRB.
Just dreaming......
Jacko said:
I would not turn 93.7 into mono. The increase of coverage would be neglible considering most car radios already have a "blend circuit" to automatically mono-down the signal once the receiver goes beyond a certain distance from the transmitter. The WEEI network is already fed in Stereo to all co-owned stations. So, leave it at that. But, yes... the Stiles Hill site for WAAF has proven to be a real "DOG" in terms of coverage. Considering that 'AAF already has WKAF (97.7) to cover downtown, why use a lousy signal to cover the rest of the population on 107.3? Go back to Paxton (while you still can......). The move to West Boylston was a big blunder, pure and simple. Use Stiles Hill as a backup and go back to Paxton and put some B**LS behind that signal.
Many years back when Gowdy still owned WCGY, I was asked to find them a better site to move to. They wanted to move to an existing tower and I did the study and concluded the best (only) existing tower was the old WUPI tower RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from where they are now. The plan was to replace that tower with a 500 foot self supporter. Unfortunately, Gowdy got sticker shock when he saw how much a SS tower cost (around 500 K)-a foolish decision when you consider moving then would have added at least 10 million to the value of the station at selling time.
Why do I come up with this? Simple. 93.7 is as close to Boston as it can be. It basically can't move any closer without changing its city of license and downgrading to a B1-or going terribly directional. In a nutshell it's maxed out right where it is.
97.7 can move a little bit closer to Boston. It too would have to change city of license-probably to Somerville. It's main problems are 97.5 in Dover NH and 97.7 in Winchendon. A move to FM 128 in Newton might also be possible, but why? It does pretty good right where it is. Remember, this station is a class A, and always will be. I don't know if 99.1 might be available, but I doubt it. Also consider that upgrades can take years-and WEEI needed to move to FM A YEAR AGO!
As such, their best options are to move 107.3 back to Paxton IMMEDIATELY and put WEEI on it. Take 93.7 and put the better of the two billers (Mike or WAAF) on it. Put the other one on 99.5/97.7 (assuming you can buy/LMA 99.5-a likely possibility).
Why do I come up with this? Simple. 93.7 is as close to Boston as it can be. It basically can't move any closer without changing its city of license and downgrading to a B1-or going terribly directional. In a nutshell it's maxed out right where it is.
97.7 can move a little bit closer to Boston. It too would have to change city of license-probably to Somerville. It's main problems are 97.5 in Dover NH and 97.7 in Winchendon. A move to FM 128 in Newton might also be possible, but why? It does pretty good right where it is. Remember, this station is a class A, and always will be. I don't know if 99.1 might be available, but I doubt it. Also consider that upgrades can take years-and WEEI needed to move to FM A YEAR AGO!
As such, their best options are to move 107.3 back to Paxton IMMEDIATELY and put WEEI on it. Take 93.7 and put the better of the two billers (Mike or WAAF) on it. Put the other one on 99.5/97.7 (assuming you can buy/LMA 99.5-a likely possibility).
LA_Guy said:
Curt was very frugal when it came to his radio stations. 93.7 was basically an after-thought for so many years since he bought it. It wasn't until 1973 that he ramped up WCCM-FM to the full Class B status (still in mono). And even then, he only operated the station until 10:00 PM, the minimum schedule for an FM station to operate. Originally, 93.7 operated from atop Franklin Street in Lawrence with 5,000 watts (horiz. only). It was a pretty abysmal signal. The full-power signal from the new site in Andover was quite impressive. So, much in fact he put a little bit of money to go Stereo and to go automated TM Stereo Rock. It was one of my favorite stations at the time. The nice thing about WCGY was that you could drive from south of Boston (from my old town of Randolph) and drive well into New Hampshire and NEVER lose it. Of couse now, 93.7 is setting its' sights for the more lucrative Boston market (and I don't blame them). 'CGY was a great station in its' time.
107.3: Back to Paxton as WEEI-FM
99.5: WAAF
97.7: WCRB
93.7: WMKK--no change
850: WEEI--no change
680: WRKO--no change
103.7 call-sign change only (WWEI? Have they used that one?)
Conceivably a frequency swap between WAAF and WMKK, which would give WAAF 93.7 the better signal in Boston. This one probably isn't a top priority and could wait for the dust to settle.
BTW, has anyone else noticed that WICN has applied to move from Stiles Hill to Paxton at lower power with an ND antenna?
99.5: WAAF
97.7: WCRB
93.7: WMKK--no change
850: WEEI--no change
680: WRKO--no change
103.7 call-sign change only (WWEI? Have they used that one?)
Conceivably a frequency swap between WAAF and WMKK, which would give WAAF 93.7 the better signal in Boston. This one probably isn't a top priority and could wait for the dust to settle.
BTW, has anyone else noticed that WICN has applied to move from Stiles Hill to Paxton at lower power with an ND antenna?
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