Got $100,000?

[Runrigger]

A couple of RI CPs for sale here: http://www.radiostationsforsale.net/

1370AM, which is the old WKFD in Wickford
1140AM WRDG, which I know nothing about

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

A couple of RI CPs for sale here: http://www.radiostationsforsale.net/
1370AM, which is the old WKFD in Wickford
1140AM WRDG, which I know nothing about

Last I heard, the 1370 CP for, I think, Charlestown, was held by Astro Telecommunications, owners of 1540 WADK, and the 99.3 licensed to Block Island.

The 1140 CP for Greenville was granted to Alexander Langer, owner of some AM properties in the Boston market, including business format 1060 WBIX. The 1140 would feature a 6 tower directional pattern(s) including protection for the 1150's in the Boston market and Connecticut, as well as 1130 in NYC, and, of course, 1140 WRVA, Richmond VA. In short, if seen on a map, it would probably not look that much different than the pattern(s) of 990 WALE.

Power would be 27 KW daytime, 1.2 KW nights.

Being of the opinion that more competition is always for the best, I would like to see both CP's eventually get built out......but in this economy......I'm not holding my breath.

 

[N1WVQ]

No go on 1370. That C.P. expired on October 29th & was deleted on November 6th.

 

[riradio02842]

I am honestly surprised that all the low power local AM's in RI haven't banded together to create some type of network to compete with the likes of WHJJ and WPRO. Imagine a small network that included the following stations:

1540 WADK Newport
1230 WBLQ Westerly
1180 WCNX Hope Valley
1450 WLKW West Warwick
1380 WNRI or 1240 WOON Woonsocket
990 WALE Greenville

This small network would give you state wide coverage during the daytime hours. Night time hours could be programmed individually at each station if they wanted to, considering most stations are either off the air at sunset or at dramatically reduced coverage areas. They could share local news coverage responsibilities by centralizing to one news desk as well.

I know that a few of these stations serve their communities well. However, by joining forces they probably would be able to sell more ads and provide better programming state wide. This would probably allow them to use less syndicated programming as well. Your thoughts?

 

[MissAM]

RIRadio... that is an excellent idea! Why would they not do that? Egos I guess for one reason... why else?

 

[VelvetR]

I am honestly surprised that all the low power local AM's in RI haven't banded together to create some type of network to compete with the likes of WHJJ and WPRO. Imagine a small network that included the following stations:

1540 WADK Newport
1230 WBLQ Westerly
1180 WCNX Hope Valley
1450 WLKW West Warwick
1380 WNRI or 1240 WOON Woonsocket
990 WALE Greenville

This small network would give you state wide coverage during the daytime hours. Night time hours could be programmed individually at each station if they wanted to, considering most stations are either off the air at sunset or at dramatically reduced coverage areas. They could share local news coverage responsibilities by centralizing to one news desk as well.

That's an amplification of a concept I advocated back in about 1961. There were fewer stations then; the list might have included WERI, WYNG, WADK, WRIB, WXTR, WNRI and I've forgotten who else (WLKW, 990 then, wasn't included as it was deep into "Beautiful Music" and felt itself to be alone in its' class). Part of the problem then was that several were daytimers. The larger part was that sales departments were not interested in the coordination that would have been required and the bean counters didn't want the extra work of divvying up receipts and costs. The stations that had news departments (such as they were) were cool with the idea. Another nail was the only means of linking them up was expensive phone lines as there wasn't enough reliable signal overlap to do on-air networking.

Deep down under all of that was a faint echo of The Yankee Network which operated out of WNAC, Boston but was first network NOT using phone lines but rather one phone line up to Mount Washington where the feed was carried region-wide on a very high powered FM for off-air pickup by affiliates. The FM, itself, just ran incidental programming when not in network mode. The (probably) derelict building on Mt. Washington is still know to old-timers as "The Yankee Network Building".

 

[riradio02842]

I am honestly surprised that all the low power local AM's in RI haven't banded together to create some type of network to compete with the likes of WHJJ and WPRO. Imagine a small network that included the following stations:

1540 WADK Newport
1230 WBLQ Westerly
1180 WCNX Hope Valley
1450 WLKW West Warwick
1380 WNRI or 1240 WOON Woonsocket
990 WALE Greenville

This small network would give you state wide coverage during the daytime hours. Night time hours could be programmed individually at each station if they wanted to, considering most stations are either off the air at sunset or at dramatically reduced coverage areas. They could share local news coverage responsibilities by centralizing to one news desk as well.

That's an amplification of a concept I advocated back in about 1961. There were fewer stations then; the list might have included WERI, WYNG, WADK, WRIB, WXTR, WNRI and I've forgotten who else (WLKW, 990 then, wasn't included as it was deep into "Beautiful Music" and felt itself to be alone in its' class). Part of the problem then was that several were daytimers. The larger part was that sales departments were not interested in the coordination that would have been required and the bean counters didn't want the extra work of divvying up receipts and costs. The stations that had news departments (such as they were) were cool with the idea. Another nail was the only means of linking them up was expensive phone lines as there wasn't enough reliable signal overlap to do on-air networking.

The one difference today is that technology can solve most of the problems. Although some stations are daytimers, they could just join in, whenever they sign off. Here's how I would day part it:

6AM - 9AM: Network AM Drive Program
9AM - 12PM: Network Mid Morning Program
12PM - 3PM: Reserved for local stations
3PM - 6PM: Network PM Drive Program

News each hour is centralized by the network news desk.

6PM - 6AM could be programmed by each station on their own. Or special programming could air over the network, like RI high school sports, etc. Since most day timers are off the air by this point, it would be more flexible.

The network would be funded with two methods. First, the owners "subscribe" to the network for a small fee. This creates the initial funding pool for programming, staff, and technology. In addition, there would be network spots that can be sold on all stations. In addition, each local station has part of the stopset to sell on their own (similar to the way Entercom programs the WEEI network).

There would have to be a coordinating "flagship" station - it would be best that one of the 24 hour stations play this role. One thing thats important would be to clearly identify all the stations and frequencies that are part of the network once or twice an hour. That way if you're in the car driving around, and a station fades out, you know where to tune to continue listening.

I think in the year 2009 it could easily be done. It would just take some work and coordination, but it could be done.

 

[VelvetR]

The one difference today is that technology can solve most of the problems. Although some stations are daytimers, they could just join in, whenever they sign off. Here's how I would day part it:

6AM - 9AM: Network AM Drive Program
9AM - 12PM: Network Mid Morning Program
12PM - 3PM: Reserved for local stations
3PM - 6PM: Network PM Drive Program

News each hour is centralized by the network news desk.

6PM - 6AM could be programmed by each station on their own. Or special programming could air over the network, like RI high school sports, etc. Since most day timers are off the air by this point, it would be more flexible.

The network would be funded with two methods. First, the owners "subscribe" to the network for a small fee. This creates the initial funding pool for programming, staff, and technology. In addition, there would be network spots that can be sold on all stations. In addition, each local station has part of the stopset to sell on their own (similar to the way Entercom programs the WEEI network).

There would have to be a coordinating "flagship" station - it would be best that one of the 24 hour stations play this role. One thing thats important would be to clearly identify all the stations and frequencies that are part of the network once or twice an hour. That way if you're in the car driving around, and a station fades out, you know where to tune to continue listening.

I think in the year 2009 it could easily be done. It would just take some work and coordination, but it could be done.

No question technology could make it possible.

Human nature, particularly that of bean counters (who are alleged by some to have human genetic content deep down in there somewhere) argues otherwise.

But remember, with sufficient work and coordination even pigs can be taught to fly! It's solely a case of insufficient willpower that prevents it from happening.

 

[McRadio]

You have local freebie newspaper chains like The Observer that distribute localized editions. I've never compared them but it seems to me some features and stories are common to all but the rest is geared to the specific city or town. A group of stations could use the same theory. Naturally with the newspaper there's lots of old school stuff you used to hear on the radio like birthdays, stories about businesses that advertise, etc but with AM old school is the way to go. Of course one big problem is getting people to listen and the demographics that would listen are not that desirable to sponsors.

 

[N1WVQ]

Maybe not to the national buys but to locals, they love stuff like high school football & spelling bees. Local is the only way A.M. is going to survive.