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Great Eastern Radio buying CC Lebanon cluster - News/Talk FM to come to Keene?

FTL_Ian

FTL_Ian

Looks like Great Eastern Radio will be purchasing Clear Channel Lebanon as of tomorrow 5/16.

WTSM 93.5 has been granted a construction permit to move their transmitter to Swanzey and boost power as of a few days ago. The station is listed as news/talk, but it is currently a simulcast of country WXXK 100.5.

Any rumors floating around as to how Great Eastern will be programming WTSM 93.5? There are already two country stations serving the Keene market. A news/talk FM in Keene would be awesome and provide Saga's excellent WKBK AM with some healthy competition.
 
WKBK could use a little competition to keep it on its toes, especially with their recent cutbacks. If Great Eastern gets the Swansey CP built, hopefully it'll be a bit "edgier" than the rather conservative KBK. Maybe some more liberal and/or libertarian shows. Maybe even Free Talk Live? :)

What do you think about WTSM simulcasting with WTPL 107.7 Hillsboro NH? That could free up some cash to be invested in some good local and national hosts.
 
It's a good bet that WTSM and WTPL simulcast programming, and don"t be surprised to see another station added to provide a network of stations serving NH. This, in my opinion, would be an option for how they like to run their stations; cheap programming and load up on the spots. You can get a pass on a ton of spots on News Talkers.

The only problem that I see for Great Eastern is that SAGA is not going to roll over lightly in Keene without a battle, and neither is Nassau, for that matter, in West Lebanon. Both have pretty bright and sophisticated people at the helm, and they both know street fighting and mass marketing warfare and will spend money to protect their positions.

Vox did a great job first time around and made a lot of money. Times have changed since their departure when they sold big. The economy is different, the markets are different and have ratings to keep broadcasters honest, and ownership with management at the competition that they now have should not be underestimated. Hopefully, Great Eastern did their homework and can do battle on two fronts. But then again...Who REALLY Cares?




If I were in Keene I'd have my ears to the tracks on this, as SAGA can hardly afford to have their clocks cleaned in this ( yet another ) market.
 
Re: Great Eastern Radio buying CC Lebanon cluster - News/Talk FM to come to Ke

SAGA is having their "clocks cleaned" in what other markets?
 
I'd love to know what markets in New England where Saga is getting their 'clocks cleaned'.. That is a very interesting statement.. Please explain yourself..
 
Toni, Jo Jo...Where have you been boys? The statement may be a strong, but how about Portland where they had their legendary, heritage, monster country station-WPOR soundly beaten in all demos (except 55+) by what is in essence an out of market country station - WTHT in the Fall ratings. WPOR is Saga's number 1 billing station in the Portland market. This would clearly qualify as "huge".
 
I'd call that a 'hiccup'' in the short term, I'm sure WPOR is beating WTHT where it counts.. Revenues.. Not to discount the ratings success of 99.9 The Wolf, though they will need a few consistant 'books' to prove that the Wolf's success was not perceived in the market or in the advertising community as a fluke occurance.

Just kidding about the "For Sale" comment.. Jeff and company certainly have a good track record of success with move-ins and start ups through the years..
 
Re: Great Eastern Radio buying CC Lebanon cluster - News/Talk FM to come to Ke

Jeff and Co....do know what they are doing. Most likely these two keene signals will be simulcasts of Lebanon stations. For example, when Jeff had WHDQ he placed a translator in Rutland to make the signal 'broader' for advertisers. WHDQ never had a presence in Rutland.

The same is probably going to happen here. Keene listeners are very heritage driven.....they may listen but without being local.....it might as well be a satellite station. Keene likes the fact that they recognize the station as being local. Hard to achieve that in Lebanon.
 
Re: Great Eastern Radio buying CC Lebanon cluster - News/Talk FM to come to Ke

NHRadio said:
WKBK could use a little competition to keep it on its toes, especially with their recent cutbacks. If Great Eastern gets the Swansey CP built, hopefully it'll be a bit "edgier" than the rather conservative KBK. Maybe some more liberal and/or libertarian shows. Maybe even Free Talk Live? :)
Click to expand...

That would be lovely. If Keene gets two talk stations, certainly one of them would decide that having the locally originating nationally syndicated show on their station would be a good idea...
 
I think you will find them putting both frequencies---101.7/93.5---on the market as a package and selling them. That will bring down the overall price that Great Eastern paid for the remaining stations in the Upper Valley without significant affect to the billing. Much more of a winning situation for Jeff and company.
 
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