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Givin' It Up (almost) Entirely...

A

amfm.com

Guest
The mid-day and afternoon news blocks are gone at WILM, so they have apparently quit as a news-"gathering" organization. Really makes you wonder why they bothered bringing in a morning host only to get rid of other staffers and cut out virtually all news programming.
 
The WILM website still shows all the staff still there. I haven't listened to Bruce Elliot's show lately, but when I tuned in about two weeks ago, Phil, Allan, and Ted were still there doing news and sports and the new traffic gal, Christy has been brought on board. I don't listen to Hannity, but I'm assuming at least two of them are there in PM drive, Christy for live traffic, and Ted or Allan for the news capsules on both WILM and WWTX until 6 or 7pm when the computer kicks in to auto drive for the over night. My guess is, Phil does a similar thing downstate for WDOV and WDSD, and Tom-FM. What it may mean is that maybe only Phil and Ted, and possibly Allan are still full timers and Christy, and Bruce are part timers, same with Watson. It may mean that none are full timers as it may mean that once Watson's show goes off at noon, the station is on auto pilot until PM drive when Christy, Phil, and Ted reappear. By the way, who's the producer for Watson's show, now.

In once sense, I totally hate what WILM has done, but on the other hand, they may be giving the listeners they seek, what they want. All right wing talk all the time, other than the 3 hours of Watson, my guess is, once he retires, that time slot will be filled with a Premiere talk show, so then WILM will be all right wing talk during the weekday. Bruce Elliot definitely is spinning the news stories he's discussing, so even their AM drive "news block" is some news and some right wing "commentary". Whether or not WILM can sell that format to paying sponsors remains to be seen. The biggest thing to keep listeners away is the 3-4 minute blocks of PSA's heard several times each 1/2 hour. You hear far more PSA's than you do news or even Bruce's right wing spin. If they truly want that show to work, they've got to cut out all that wasted time, as that chases listeners away. Most folks know the difference between a real commercial and a public service announcement. You may hate commercials, but you understand they have to be there, but PSA's are voluntary and a few is one thing, but WILM is way out of balance.
 
Long form news blocks are gone. "Added" traffic announcer Christa is a WDSD morning show staffer now with traffic reporting duties. There's a big difference between news announcing and news gathering and it would seem nearly impossible for them to cover stories any longer. And you're probably right, when John Watson goes, don't expect a local replacement.
 
The surprising part is Watson is still there. They never attempted to simulcast his show downstate. I imagine regional management would love to get Beck into Wilmington (even more since he's out in Philly). Watson continues to sound like a cranky geezer with his same-old, same-old callers.

I know Watson claims he's not right-wing. His rants belie that. He's not really a neo-con. He's more of an Archie Bunker conservative (OK, George Jefferson conservative, if you prefer).
 
He's liberal on social issues (abortion, affirmative action), conservative on things like capital punishment and U.S. military interventions abroad.

By the way, he's been in the hospital in recent days.
 
DX said:
He's liberal on social issues (abortion, affirmative action), conservative on things like capital punishment and U.S. military interventions abroad.

By the way, he's been in the hospital in recent days.
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Of course he's pro affirmative action. He does have a vested interest in that one. It's how he got and keeps his job.
 
I just don't see how there is any future for WILM. A decade ago, when it was still locally owned, it did aggressive local news coverage and had an intelligent morning anchor/PD (Allan Loudell) who gave his listeners intelligent radio. The audience was a good mix of upscale professionals, blue collar whites in the old peripheral neighborhoods like Richardson Park, and not an insignificant number of African Americans who lived close to the stick in south Wilmington. The city's movers and shakers were enthusiastic listeners. Yet, the sales staff couldn't sell it then. How the heck is anybody supposed to sell it now? The upscale listeners have defected either to DEL or elsewhere, and the station is programming conservative talk radio that would probably work great south of the canal but is pretty much DOA in downtown Wilmington. IMHO, the station should either be 1) Afro-centric/urban talk or 2) off the air. The way things are going, it may end up being one or the other.
 
I noticed Charles Brittingham (the president of the Delaware NAACP) hosted Watson's show Wednesday. Glen Urquhart, former tea party candidate for Delaware's lone house seat in Washington, was doing Watson's show today and he said, he'd be back tomorrow.
 
I have been noticing that since the new morning host arrived, the station's imaging has greatly improved. Don't know that there is a connection, but it is much better, tighter, with a professional sound rather than the "small market" sound WILM had prior to that.

In addition, the types of PSA's has improved. The PSA's have more of a "news" feel rather than Smokey Bear.

At least in the afternoon, I am noticing more ads and promos, replacing the PSA's. But the absence of promos for John Watson is very telling. Outside of promos for the morning guy, the rest are for the national hosts. I seem to sense that the end is near.
 
If Watson retires, my guess is WILM will become the "Philly allocation" for Beck as WILM is already airing Hannity and no other station closer to Philly has picked up either since WPHT dropped them. Unfortunately, for those Beck/Hannity fans in Philly, WILM only goes up to about the airport during the day and not much above Silverside Road, in North Wilmington after dusk when much of Hannity's show is on in the Winter months.

Yes, I'd agree that the quality of the PSA's have improved, but 4 minutes at a shot is far too much of any PSA's. I'd find some filler things to insert there for the WILM listener since WDOV has more local spots to air. Yes it's more work, but then you might hold and keep more listeners. Like Fox news does with those fox retro fillers during their newscasts. Maybe WILM can get permission to use some of those, etc. or generate Delaware versions of their own.
 
MikefromDelaware said:
If Watson retires, my guess is WILM will become the "Philly allocation" for Beck as WILM is already airing Hannity and no other station closer to Philly has picked up either since WPHT dropped them. Unfortunately, for those Beck/Hannity fans in Philly, WILM only goes up to about the airport during the day and not much above Silverside Road, in North Wilmington after dusk when much of Hannity's show is on in the Winter months.

Yes, I'd agree that the quality of the PSA's have improved, but 4 minutes at a shot is far too much of any PSA's. I'd find some filler things to insert there for the WILM listener since WDOV has more local spots to air. Yes it's more work, but then you might hold and keep more listeners. Like Fox news does with those fox retro fillers during their newscasts. Maybe WILM can get permission to use some of those, etc. or generate Delaware versions of their own.
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One other possibility: Maybe Clear Channel Radio/Premiere Networks' enthusiasm for Beck has waned. His Fox News cable ratings are down. He's lost some big affiliates. There are reports and indications advertisers have gotten wary of the controversy he generates (not the least of which, his incendiary comments about Egypt). If so, look for WILM (and WDOV) to bring back Mike Gallagher - especially if Salem is willing to play Let's Make A Deal to get the show cleared again (which they have been known to do). Although WILM previously ran Gallagher on delay, the show runs live during Beck and Watson's current time slot.

Fox also has a cozy relationship with Clear Channel. They have a nine to noon show called Kilmeade and Friends, which they might push. Citadel Media has Hannity and Levin on WILM/WDOV but nothing in the late morning slot currently. Two hours of Dennis Miller from Westwood One, ten to noon, would be another - albeit more remote - possibility. Dial Global has Neal Boortz, also starting at ten.
 
If I remember correctly, it seemed that Mike Gallagher did have decent ratings for WILM back then. What is Kilmeade and Friends from Fox like. Sounds like it might be a more interesting program than another lone big mouth ranting for three hours. I didn't like Gallagher as he came across, to my ear, as a cheap imitation of Rush, but I haven't heard his shtick in years so maybe he's improved.

I wouldn't mind WILM picking up someone like a Dennis Prager. I know he's on WNTP in Philly, but I can't get it at work as WNTP has a weak signal in the Wilmington area. He's a conservative, without all the bombast and vitriol of Rush/Hannity/Beck/Levin, etc, etc. He's kind of the "intellectual conservative talk show host". Of course, the big mouths get better ratings, so it's unlikely WILM or CC Delaware are going to seek out Dennis Prager's show as they need a strong show to beat out WDEL's Al Messitti who'd be on opposite of whatever WILM puts in Watson's place when John retires.

I believe WDOV is still carrying Beck, but based on what you're saying, it's possible that when the latest contract is up, WDOV will dump him. Of course, Kent County is far redder than New Castle County so Beck's show may pull in great ratings for WDOV plus may have solid local spots sales.

I find it interesting that both WDOV and WGMD in Rehoboth Beach, both red county's have better local spot loads than WILM. I wonder if WILM went lib talk both local and on the bird if they'd pull in more listeners and actually get some local spots as NCC is very blue, especially the northern part where WILM's signal is strongest vs below the canal.
 
I've enjoyed Praeger, too. Unfortunately, he's on opposite Rush, so that probably rules him out. Same for Medved.

Probably Gallagher would play well downstate. Even for some conservatives, Beck's act seems to be wearing thin.

Progressive talk might be an interesting way to go. Clear Channel does have the largest number of progressive talk stations and they do syndicate Randi Rhodes (same time slot as Hannity). Late mornings Eastern time is Stephanie Miller who is articulate and very funny. Still flipping the station to progressive talk means dropping Rush. Doing a progressive show as a lead in to Rush means turning over your entire audience and goes against conventional thinking on radio programming.

Let's not forget Clear Channel has a history of outrageous stunt programming (i.e., Bristol Palin being offered morning drive in Phoenix). I wouldn't be surprised if they've talked about giving the late morning slot to Christine O'Donnell.

In any case, I doubt these decisions will get made at either WILM or WDOV. Maybe at the regional office in Philly or at the radio division in Cincinnati.
 
Progressive talk might be an interesting way to go. Clear Channel does have the largest number of progressive talk stations and they do syndicate Randi Rhodes (same time slot as Hannity). Late mornings Eastern time is Stephanie Miller who is articulate and very funny. Still flipping the station to progressive talk means dropping Rush. Doing a progressive show as a lead in to Rush means turning over your entire audience and goes against conventional thinking on radio programming.

So far WDEL has been successful in doing just that. Of course they have the neutral newshour buffering the lib talk of Messitti and the GOP talk of Jensen, but WDEL has made that work. So maybe WILM could do the same thing, which in a sense they are already doing airing Watson prior to Rush. Watson's isn't a conservative, but granted he's not a total lib either, but he's far left compared to most conservative talkers, so maybe Stephanie Miller's show then Rush.

I notice both Messitti and Jensen play off each other in promos and even during their respective shows, where one will say some supposed outrageous thing the other said during their show. Kind of a nice bash of the other guy while promoting his show. Wilmington has enough libs and conservatives where airing a lib prior to Rush might just work, especially since WDEL is airing a lib at the same time. Anyhow, it might be good for some of those ultra right wingers to hear a real lib in Miller so then they'd have something to compare when Rush/Hannity are bashing them. They might find those two exaggerate a bit.

Glen Urquhart filled in a couple of days for Watson. He's no radio star to say the least. Christine "I'm not a witch" O'Donnell would probably do a good job as she has the personality to do a talk show assuming she actually reads up on the issues so she can talk intelligently on them, rather than just spouting the GOP talking points for the day. I still think WILM would be better off with a syndicated talker over Christine.
 
MikefromDelaware said:
Christine "I'm not a witch" O'Donnell would probably do a good job as she has the personality to do a talk show assuming she actually reads up on the issues so she can talk intelligently on them, rather than just spouting the GOP talking points for the day.
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Hey, it works for Rush, Beck, Hannity, Levin, Gallagher....

Maybe Mascitti and Watson are not a strident as the syndicated hosts but they are far from being liberals. You should listen to some real progressive talk radio sometime. All the shows are available online. I would be very curious about your reaction.

I recall vaguely that Nazi Jensen had a "liberal" (sort of) partner for a time doing sort of a political Siskel and Ebert, Point-Counterpoint thing. Jensen couldn't stand real debate with somebody he couldn't just pot down and fired the guy.
 
Yes I remember him having a side kick and actually used to enjoy listening to Jensen's show then. I prefer a point counter point show over "the lone ranter" doing a three hour show. I rarely listen to Jensen now. Why listen to a cheap copy of Rush when Rush is on the other station at the same time.

Good point about Rush/Hannity/Levin/Gallagher, etc. So yes, as Christine O'Donnell has the gift of gab and has no problem talking about almost any topic, she just might be successful with the tea party crowd since they'll listen to anyone who's spouting the party line, that is the tea party line. I know I wouldn't listen as her voice is simply irritating to my ear, and frankly she has nothing of value to say, in my opinion. But I'm sure she'd create a stir at first as many would tune in hoping to hear her discuss Masturbation, or How to cast a spell on a liberal, or other such topics. Once the newness wore off and she actually had to say something of substance, I'm not so sure she'd keep an audience. I think even Sarah Palin's star is fading and she's got far more going for her than Ms. O'Donnell. So, I still wouldn't choose Christine O'Donnell to be WILM's new talk show after John Watson eventually retires.

I"ll have to make some time and try to listen to some real lib talk online. When I do, I'll chime in with my thoughts.
 
MikefromDelaware said:
I"ll have to make some time and try to listen to some real lib talk online. When I do, I'll chime in with my thoughts.
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From things you've posted, you'd probably like Thom Hartmann (noon-3pm). Maybe Bill Press, too (6am-9am). Both are on Progressive 1090 KPTK. Go to Radio.com. Click on "News" and scroll down the list of stations until you find it (alphabetical order so you have to scroll down to "P"). My favorite is Stephanie Miller (9am-noon) but I'm not sure she's your cup of tea.
 


From things you've posted, you'd probably like Thom Hartmann (noon-3pm). Maybe Bill Press, too (6am-9am). Both are on Progressive 1090 KPTK. Go to Radio.com. Click on "News" and scroll down the list of stations until you find it (alphabetical order so you have to scroll down to "P"). My favorite is Stephanie Miller (9am-noon) but I'm not sure she's your cup of tea.

Are these shows available as podcasts to hear later? My work computer is set up to not allow employees to stream radio, so I have to do this at home.
 
Listening live is free. Unfortunately current podcasts are available by paid subscription only (the case with most talk shows).

Thom Hartmann's podcasts (and Stephanie Miller's) are available free after seven day at:
http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Hartmann.html
http://www.whiterosesociety.org/Miller.html
This should at least give you a taste of progressive talk.

If you hear something you like progressive talk stations also run "best of" shows on the weekend. Most of the program websites have station lists and broadcast times (local time, not necessarily Eastern time).

Someone as interested in radio as you (with Internet radio blocked at work) might want to look into software that lets you record Internet radio on your home computer to listen to later or take with you on a portable device. I use Applian's Replay AV which lets you schedule recordings like a Tivo does. There are also free programs for recording audio streams but all the ones I know of don't let you schedule unattended recordings. And when you get your next cell phone, you might want to consider getting one that lets you listen to wireless live Internet radio (at work and in your car) - as well as recordings.
 
Thanks for the info. I'll check out those podcasts that are free after seven days.
 
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