What's going on in that market? Looks like the WIND combo is still going strong, and Rock 104 as well. SKY's always held up well but took a major hit last book - is there something to that or was it just a bad book? KTK's back as a major player after a few years in the dumps. K Country always holds their own - did that child molestation thing w/ their morning show cause any problems? Outside of those stations, anyone sounding good? Did The Buzz ever make any waves? Are they still doing that college radio format?I've long thought that Ocala is a good growing market and that's where the money is. Gainesville's not growing and there's not a lot of disposable income in that market, whereas Ocala has a lot of rich retirees and a decent economic base.
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Gainesville/Ocala
- Thread starter ZV
- Start date
I've been in this market for many years, and I have seen many changes over the years although there isn't too much going on in the Ocala/Gainesville market now. We did, however, get a new FM station, WXRA-FM 99.3 out if Inglis. The tower is actually just North of Dunnellon, and the class A signal throws a pretty nice 60dbu contour over West Ocala. It's 54dbu completely covers Ocala. Currently, WXRA is programming Air 1 Radio network's contemporary christian music format.
On another note, Ocala lost its oldest radio station, WCFI-AM 1290 (originally since 1939 WTMC) in February when the previous owner had shut the station down and not returned it to the air in a timely manner. As a result, the FCC cancelled the license an deleted the frequency from Ocala. Anyone can re-apply for a Construction Permit to rebuild the 1290 facilities once the filing window opens. I've considered filing for it myself.
You had asked about other local Ocala stations. WMFQ "Big 92.9" sounds pretty good with its classic Top 40 programming. It's only live during the Bill Barr morning show as the rest of the day is completely voice tracked. However, it sounds completely live, so they are doing a great job over there at the "Q".
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
On another note, Ocala lost its oldest radio station, WCFI-AM 1290 (originally since 1939 WTMC) in February when the previous owner had shut the station down and not returned it to the air in a timely manner. As a result, the FCC cancelled the license an deleted the frequency from Ocala. Anyone can re-apply for a Construction Permit to rebuild the 1290 facilities once the filing window opens. I've considered filing for it myself.
You had asked about other local Ocala stations. WMFQ "Big 92.9" sounds pretty good with its classic Top 40 programming. It's only live during the Bill Barr morning show as the rest of the day is completely voice tracked. However, it sounds completely live, so they are doing a great job over there at the "Q".
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
M
MN Maniac
Guest
I love this market! Worked there in the early 90s, just before the growth really started to take off. I knew it would be a Top 100 before too long.
I take it WXRA has displaced the Ocala religious translator on 99.3 (?) Or is it a nasty mess, similar to what happened in Jacksonville when an east side translator signed onto WRUF's 103.7 frequency?
WTMC: Are the 3 towers still there, or have those since been demolished? Last I heard, they were running some sort of second-tier Talk programming.
The WTRS morning crew has posted a blurb on their MySpace page, stating they are #1 in mornings? True? The last time I was there (2004), WOGK owned the Country audience in Gainesville-Ocala.
I take it WXRA has displaced the Ocala religious translator on 99.3 (?) Or is it a nasty mess, similar to what happened in Jacksonville when an east side translator signed onto WRUF's 103.7 frequency?
WTMC: Are the 3 towers still there, or have those since been demolished? Last I heard, they were running some sort of second-tier Talk programming.
The WTRS morning crew has posted a blurb on their MySpace page, stating they are #1 in mornings? True? The last time I was there (2004), WOGK owned the Country audience in Gainesville-Ocala.
Just curious, MN Maniac... Which station did you work and what was your "on-air" name?
Yes, the Bible Broadcasting Network translator W257BD (99.3) is off the air. It was interfering with the protected 54dbu signal of WXRA, and since translators have a secondary license classifcation, they really had no choice but to move frequency or cease operations.
No, the former WTMC, which had become WCFI in 1999, towers are gone. They were torn down in May of 2005. WCFI licensee - Vector Communications - did not own the transmitter site, and the property owner wanted to clear the land and sell it. The station had been off the air so long they lost their lease and ultimately the station license. The very last programming on 1290 was CNN Headline News although, for a short while, it was programming AP Network News 24-hours. The station was known as News Radio 1290. They did "dabble" with classic country mixed with CNN at the very end.
True, WOGK is the dominant station (Number 1) in Ocala and Gainesville. I haven't looked at the AQH or dayparts in the Arbitron to determine if "Dave, Beth and Bo" of WTRS are, indeed, number one although they could be. Personally, I'm not a big "Mr. Bob" fan from K-Country 93.7.
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
Yes, the Bible Broadcasting Network translator W257BD (99.3) is off the air. It was interfering with the protected 54dbu signal of WXRA, and since translators have a secondary license classifcation, they really had no choice but to move frequency or cease operations.
No, the former WTMC, which had become WCFI in 1999, towers are gone. They were torn down in May of 2005. WCFI licensee - Vector Communications - did not own the transmitter site, and the property owner wanted to clear the land and sell it. The station had been off the air so long they lost their lease and ultimately the station license. The very last programming on 1290 was CNN Headline News although, for a short while, it was programming AP Network News 24-hours. The station was known as News Radio 1290. They did "dabble" with classic country mixed with CNN at the very end.
True, WOGK is the dominant station (Number 1) in Ocala and Gainesville. I haven't looked at the AQH or dayparts in the Arbitron to determine if "Dave, Beth and Bo" of WTRS are, indeed, number one although they could be. Personally, I'm not a big "Mr. Bob" fan from K-Country 93.7.
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
M
MN Maniac
Guest
Mark,
I came to Ocala in May, 1991. Did 7-Midnight on WTRS as "The Maniac." Lots of phones and goofy stuff. My main competition was Jon Byrd at Z-93, so I basically did a CHR night show and played country music. The following year, Fred Petty hired me to do weekends/fill-in at WOCA-WMFQ while I attended classes at SFCC.
I checked with a friend of mine who showed me the morning numbers. I know quoting them here is a no-no, but WTRS is nowhere near #1 in Arbitron. More like 6 positions down. I'm assuming this includes the 104.9 simulcast numbers since WYGC was not listed separately (?)
Are you working in the market currently?
Drew
I came to Ocala in May, 1991. Did 7-Midnight on WTRS as "The Maniac." Lots of phones and goofy stuff. My main competition was Jon Byrd at Z-93, so I basically did a CHR night show and played country music. The following year, Fred Petty hired me to do weekends/fill-in at WOCA-WMFQ while I attended classes at SFCC.
I checked with a friend of mine who showed me the morning numbers. I know quoting them here is a no-no, but WTRS is nowhere near #1 in Arbitron. More like 6 positions down. I'm assuming this includes the 104.9 simulcast numbers since WYGC was not listed separately (?)
Are you working in the market currently?
Drew
Drew, I've heard your name before. Do you know someone named Tony who also worked at WTRS back then? Tony and I have known each other since the mid 80s, so over 20-years.
I would also be very interested in seeing your ranking among the other stations from that period if you have them available.
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
[email protected]
I would also be very interested in seeing your ranking among the other stations from that period if you have them available.
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
[email protected]
M
MN Maniac
Guest
jmtillery said:
Oh yeah. I know Tony. I also remember something about a "Heat FM" pirate network involving one station near Dunnellon and another over in Citrus County ;D
MN Maniac said:
LOL, so you remember The Heat? That was so long ago. I won't say who was involved with that set-up other than to say it wasn't me, but I know who was responsible. Those two operators now have legitimate licensed FM stations now.
Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
[email protected]
M
MN Maniac
Guest
> LOL, so you remember The Heat? That was so long ago. I won't say who was involved with that set-up other than to say it wasn't me, but I know who was responsible. Those two operators now have legitimate licensed FM stations now.
I know who was responsible also. I lived south of Ocala on 475, but could hear both stations. Took down the TV antenna on the mobile home I was renting and cut the VHF-Lo elements down to resonance for FM
Then, connected it to my Pioneer boombox which had pretty decent sensitivity.
Once, a listener called "The Heat's" 800 number and won a contest. The jock asks "What station are you listening to?" The listener gave the frequency of the Dunnellon station. Priceless!
I wonder if "The Heat" people ever checked their list and realized they did not have a legitimate affiliate in that location?
I know who was responsible also. I lived south of Ocala on 475, but could hear both stations. Took down the TV antenna on the mobile home I was renting and cut the VHF-Lo elements down to resonance for FM
Then, connected it to my Pioneer boombox which had pretty decent sensitivity.Once, a listener called "The Heat's" 800 number and won a contest. The jock asks "What station are you listening to?" The listener gave the frequency of the Dunnellon station. Priceless!
I wonder if "The Heat" people ever checked their list and realized they did not have a legitimate affiliate in that location?
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