Family Stations Will Sell 94.7FM WFME Newark

[Ai4i]

Come on folkes, this is New York.
If they had no facility of any kind, it would not matter.
The paper is all that means anything.

 

[TimeIsTight]

I don't see a simulcast with WKXW. There is too much overlap. You would be picking up too much New York which is contrary to their target audience.

Let's not forget that WKXW has always had its transmitter just a few miles from New Jersey's Western border, and that half of its signal, and a good portion of its population coverage is in Pennsylvania, yet it has been successful by just targeting its potential listeners in NJ.

Using WFME to essentially simulcast WKXW in North Jersey would bring in lots of new potential Jersey listeners in wealthy parts of Essex County, all of upscale Bergen County, the Gold Coast and all of Hudson County, all of Passaic County, and parts of Morris County where the WKXW signal is marginal.

In short, there would be millions of new advertiser attractive potential listeners who would have a geographic reason for listening to the news and programming, just as listeners in Central Jersey do now. Townsquare could offer exactly the same programming but make spots targeted at North or Central Jersey available separately. And with PPM, even though they carried exactly the same programming the two "simulcasting" stations would be rated, and could be sold, separately.

As to what's valuable in the sale price, it's really just the license if the transmitter can be moved. If not, then the current transmitter real estate might be included.

Let's not forget, that when WPAT-FM was sold, all that was included was the license and transmitter on the ESB. And the sale price, IIRC, was something like $130-million.

Likewise, when WVNJ-FM was sold to become WHTZ, the sale was really only the license and an old transmitter.

If you've ever been to WFME in West Orange, there isn't a whole lot there, since it was really set up to mostly play tapes that were recorded in Oakland, California. IIRC, there isn't enough room for the office and studio space needed for a regular commercial radio station, and a regular major market radio station wouldn't want its studios and offices there anyway.

As to the sale price, a lot will depend on the likelihood that the transmitter can be moved to the ESB, or elsewhere in Manhattan. A much higher tower at the current location isn't a likely solution.

The property becomes much less desirable if it will forever be handicapped by transmitting from its current location. However, a lot will still depend on who wants to buy it and for what reason. The Townsquare, WKXW program simulcast is probably the one scenario that would maximize the station's value if it has to forever continue transmitting from the current location.

If it can be moved to NYC, the greatest value will probably be to a major operator not already maxed out in the number of NYC FM stations it can own, or ESPN. Needless to say, the consulting engineers and FCC practice lawyers can really earn their fees if they can figure a way to move the transmitter to NYC.

As to the probable sale price, I think Scott Fybush is certainly in the right neighborhood (as he always is) at $50-million, unless there are two or more well financed bidders who really want it badly, especially if it can be moved.

 

[Ai4i]

...could a higher tower be constructed in NJ that can reach Long Island, comparable to other full B's?

The station, a full class B, already runs 37.2 Kw @ 174m HAAT, the equivalent of 50Kw @ 150m HAAT.
Any increase in height would be accompanied by a corresponding decrease in ERP.
Their usable signal contour would not change by one meter.
B's on the ESB run about 6 Kw give or take some.

 

[davideduardo]

Let's not forget, that when WPAT-FM was sold, all that was included was the license and transmitter on the ESB. And the sale price, IIRC, was something like $130-million.

$83.5 million in 1995. And IIRC, the transmitter was on the master antenna at the World Trade Towers; a WPAT engineer was lost on 9/11.

 

[TimeIsTight]

$83.5 million in 1995. And IIRC, the transmitter was on the master antenna at the World Trade Towers; a WPAT engineer was lost on 9/11.

You're absolutely correct. The WPAT-FM transmitter was at the top of the World Trade Center. I actually worked at WPAT when the move there from the Chrysler Building was being planned, and watched the S-meter needle jump on my FM tuner from the edge of the New York market when the change was first made. And I reported the positive result to the delighted WPAT engineers within seconds. I realized my mistake as soon as I hit the "post" button. I just couldn't remember, off hand, what year WPAT-FM was sold for the big bucks. For some reason, I had this mental picture of a commercial refrigerator sized transmitter at the top of the ESB paying $200-k a year to be there. And somebody paying about $100-million for the right to do that.

I am glad to hear that the buyers of WPAT-FM in 1995 paid less than I saw reported, which was probably too high a number to even include WPAT-AM, studios and somewhat valuable real estate at that time.

Unfortunately, WPAT-FM is now, ratings wise, only a fraction of its one time self. It definitely offers a better signal than WFME and probably WBLS. I am sure it would be attractive to the same potential buyers, but I wonder if the current owners would be willing or wise to sell?

 

[badjef]

...could a higher tower be constructed in NJ that can reach Long Island, comparable to other full B's?

The station, a full class B, already runs 37.2 Kw @ 174m HAAT, the equivalent of 50Kw @ 150m HAAT.
Any increase in height would be accompanied by a corresponding decrease in ERP.
Their usable signal contour would not change by one meter.
B's on the ESB run about 6 Kw give or take some.

If they raised the antenna and lowered ERP, it would give it a better sprinkling of signal and better signal vector towards the City buildings And help to reduce the multi path.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[chrish]

Where did you get this odd sprinkling of signal terminology, In my 44 years in the business most in top 10 markets I have never heard anything such asd you describe, we are not talking about making cinnamon toast or colored sugar on cupcakes. It is not analogous to raindrops sprinkling down upon peoples heads
it is penetration density through strutures.

 

[JH_Radio]

I remember when I was on Long Island from 2004 sept till Febuary 2006, i dont think I could get WFME.
I was in Port Washington.
WFME really came thru on the train ride up there from PA. Someware strong in North Jersey.

 

[badjef]

Where did you get this odd sprinkling of signal terminology, In my 44 years in the business most in top 10 markets I have never heard anything such asd you describe, we are not talking about making cinnamon toast or colored sugar on cupcakes. It is not analogous to raindrops sprinkling down upon peoples heads
it is penetration density through strutures.

Empire signals, at ~6kw, do not do a good job of penetrating buildings as higher powered stations in other markets. ( and, as David Eduardo likes to remind me, 105.9 at 600w and his experience of seeing Empire and not receiving WQXR from a hotel room.) but they do have a good even spread of the signal outside of the city because the signal "sprinkles down over the area.

Other markets, such as my area of Tampa Bay, the 100kw stations have nice building penetration.

You can be descriptive, too.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[fybush]

$83.5 million in 1995. And IIRC, the transmitter was on the master antenna at the World Trade Towers; a WPAT engineer was lost on 9/11.

WPAT-FM was indeed transmitting from WTC on 9/11, and in fact is still licensed there because of spacing issues that have prevented it from becoming fully licensed at ESB. But no WPAT engineers (or any radio engineers) died on 9/11; the six engineers who died were all TV guys.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

The FCC has reportedly approved WFME's application to go back to commercial operation.

 

[wprt949]

I hope merlin does not plunk the money down to buy it

besides what would they do with it ?

 

[leethalweapon]

I hope merlin does not plunk the money down to buy it

besides what would they do with it ?

Classic Rock... Like the LOOP in Chicago.

 

[WNTIRadio]

A second classic rock station will flop just as much as FM News is.

How about country? Seriously. With 94.7's solid signal through all of northern NJ, give it a go. You'll have the format to yourself and won't be competing with entrenched stations.

 

[TheBigA]

How about country? Seriously. With 94.7's solid signal through all of northern NJ, give it a go. You'll have the format to yourself and won't be competing with entrenched stations.

It really depends on who buys it and what their intentions are. We won't know that for a few months.

 

[crainbebo]

I already said this before, but what about a revival of CD 94.7 (Smooth Jazz with no crossovers except for major Anita Baker/Sade hits), or maybe image it as "94.7 The Wave" and have CBS buy it (like KTWV LA).

-crainbebo

 

[XCountry285]

Alternative Rock @ 94.7 but programmed correctly to cater to the NYC Market or WYNY Country

 

[ncountysurf]

I already said this before, but what about a revival of CD 94.7 (Smooth Jazz with no crossovers except for major Anita Baker/Sade hits), or maybe image it as "94.7 The Wave" and have CBS buy it (like KTWV LA).

-crainbebo

No offense, but why not call it '8-Track 94.7' or 'Cassette 94.7'. Those names are no more antiquated than 'CD 94.7'... or the Smooth Jazz format for that matter.

I'm think alternative, but without billing itself as alternative or even rock. Perhaps a presentation similar to 'Click 98.9' in Seattle (although I think Click is a silly name). Just modern music.

 

[crainbebo]

I already said this before, but what about a revival of CD 94.7 (Smooth Jazz with no crossovers except for major Anita Baker/Sade hits), or maybe image it as "94.7 The Wave" and have CBS buy it (like KTWV LA).

-crainbebo

No offense, but why not call it '8-Track 94.7' or 'Cassette 94.7'. Those names are no more antiquated than 'CD 94.7'... or the Smooth Jazz format for that matter.

I'm think alternative, but without billing itself as alternative or even rock. Perhaps a presentation similar to 'Click 98.9' in Seattle (although I think Click is a silly name). Just modern music.

If you don't like "CD 94.7", I also said maybe call it "94.7 The Wave" and have CBS take it over instead of Merlin, as they own The Wave in Los Angeles.

-crainbebo

 

[WNTIRadio]

Everyone assumes that Merlin will buy WFME? Where is this "magical money" supposed to come from? I can't imagine that there's much positive cash flow from the properties they currently own.

CBS? Maybe. But I don't think it's a slam dunk that they will wind up with it.

I'm thinking a dark horse may come in here, such as Greater Media or Entercom and have a NYC stick. GM is close with WMTR and WDHA, why not get a full market (at least 90% market) FM! They have Boston and Philly stations, I'm sure one in the middle would be nice for them. They also have a kick-ass country station in Boston...