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Hagerstown Radio
- Thread starter edocean
- Start date
My wife listens to it, and she's in the demo (albeit on the upper end)--so whatever you're doing must be on target. She's hung around radio for enough years to be pretty picky.
I'll have to wrench myself away from WTOP and ESPN for a few minutes and check it out. I'll file a report from the male perspective, which you may then completely disregard. LOL!
I'll have to wrench myself away from WTOP and ESPN for a few minutes and check it out. I'll file a report from the male perspective, which you may then completely disregard. LOL!
I'm guessing that you're fishing for compliments on the heels of a good book (best ever under Main Line?), but here goes. I listened for four hours over two days--a decent sample, I think.
The music is skewed more toward pop than in the past and that does make it more mass appeal--generally more listenable. While trying to be objective, but at the risk of being politically incorrect, it still sounds like a station programmed for a different market--a more ethnically diverse market than 90 percent Caucasian Washington County, Maryland. My guess is that from 95 percent Caucasian Franklin County, Washington County must appear much darker than it really is. But, look, it's the only thing even close to a CHR within earshot, so you really have a lot of room for error.
Imaging is fine, though--well produced. For an old-fashioned "small" (3-kw equivalent) Class A FM, the "Four State" positioning is simply odd. Wishful thinking. At ground level, it means nothing. On the flipside, since no FM positions itself as "Hagerstown's," there may be a missed opportunity. Human interaction--even just voicetracking--could fall into the same category. Again, it could be anywhere. Or nowhere.
Though I recognize it as merely an accident of timing, the "Barnyard Jamboree" spots sound extremely out of place on this otherwise African-American radio station. Funny, actually. But, a buck is a buck. Bonus spots?
Then again, you're not going to look a #3 (12+) showing in the mouth. Congratulations.
The music is skewed more toward pop than in the past and that does make it more mass appeal--generally more listenable. While trying to be objective, but at the risk of being politically incorrect, it still sounds like a station programmed for a different market--a more ethnically diverse market than 90 percent Caucasian Washington County, Maryland. My guess is that from 95 percent Caucasian Franklin County, Washington County must appear much darker than it really is. But, look, it's the only thing even close to a CHR within earshot, so you really have a lot of room for error.
Imaging is fine, though--well produced. For an old-fashioned "small" (3-kw equivalent) Class A FM, the "Four State" positioning is simply odd. Wishful thinking. At ground level, it means nothing. On the flipside, since no FM positions itself as "Hagerstown's," there may be a missed opportunity. Human interaction--even just voicetracking--could fall into the same category. Again, it could be anywhere. Or nowhere.
Though I recognize it as merely an accident of timing, the "Barnyard Jamboree" spots sound extremely out of place on this otherwise African-American radio station. Funny, actually. But, a buck is a buck. Bonus spots?
Then again, you're not going to look a #3 (12+) showing in the mouth. Congratulations.
Keep your eye out on WICL.
Reasons...
1. Gary Michaels is set to retire at the end of this month according to DCRTV and WICL, well its a safe bet to say that WICL is, OK was HIS baby. Plus I believe a good bit of the oldies on WICL from what I understand came from Gary's personal library too.
2. WICL I have noticed is adding more and more sports. The other night I tuned in expecting to hear oldies..instead I heard WVU sports talk plus a promo for high school football..on WICL ! !
3. Its pretty well known around Martinsburg that Prettyman is having some serious money woes lately. While WLTF is doing well and still making money ( though they did lose long time announcer Casey Brooks recently ), the other Prettyman stations really arent doing that well such as WEPM and WICL.
Prediction...I see sports coming to 95.9 ( yes I know it was predicted before ) but with Gary Michaels soon to be gone, I wouldn't be surprise to see WEPM sports popping up on 95.9 FM full time.
Reasons...
1. Gary Michaels is set to retire at the end of this month according to DCRTV and WICL, well its a safe bet to say that WICL is, OK was HIS baby. Plus I believe a good bit of the oldies on WICL from what I understand came from Gary's personal library too.
2. WICL I have noticed is adding more and more sports. The other night I tuned in expecting to hear oldies..instead I heard WVU sports talk plus a promo for high school football..on WICL ! !
3. Its pretty well known around Martinsburg that Prettyman is having some serious money woes lately. While WLTF is doing well and still making money ( though they did lose long time announcer Casey Brooks recently ), the other Prettyman stations really arent doing that well such as WEPM and WICL.
Prediction...I see sports coming to 95.9 ( yes I know it was predicted before ) but with Gary Michaels soon to be gone, I wouldn't be surprise to see WEPM sports popping up on 95.9 FM full time.
I wouldn't argue too much with you on the chances of 95.9 eventually morphing into something else, but I'd quibble about some of the particulars.
I'm guessing that a simulcast of 1340 might be tough to accomplish since they carry so much ESPN stuff, and VerStandig's 1380 up in Waynesboro would likely block them from using it in Hagerstown.
As for Prettyman's financial situation, uh, that's a joke. The cluster has always lived off 97.5, and the other two have always been tagalongs. As long as WLTF keeps churning out money, it really doesn't matter what 1340 and 95.9 contribute. No one will ever need to hold a benefit for Bill Prettyman.
And the departure of Casey Brooks and Gary Michaels is irrelevant. Twenty years as jocks in the same place is commendable and a positive reflection on the company, but sooner or later most of us either need a change or are ready to hang it up. Jocks get to retire, too!
I'm guessing that a simulcast of 1340 might be tough to accomplish since they carry so much ESPN stuff, and VerStandig's 1380 up in Waynesboro would likely block them from using it in Hagerstown.
As for Prettyman's financial situation, uh, that's a joke. The cluster has always lived off 97.5, and the other two have always been tagalongs. As long as WLTF keeps churning out money, it really doesn't matter what 1340 and 95.9 contribute. No one will ever need to hold a benefit for Bill Prettyman.
And the departure of Casey Brooks and Gary Michaels is irrelevant. Twenty years as jocks in the same place is commendable and a positive reflection on the company, but sooner or later most of us either need a change or are ready to hang it up. Jocks get to retire, too!
jackandcoke said:And the departure of Casey Brooks and Gary Michaels is irrelevant. Twenty years as jocks in the same place is commendable and a positive reflection on the company, but sooner or later most of us either need a change or are ready to hang it up. Jocks get to retire, too!
Actually with Casey Brooks, she had only spent a little more than ten years at Prettyman as prior to that she was with WYII under Ken Smith not Bill Prettyman. When Prettyman bought WYII in 1997 ( ? ) they took her along as well as everyone else at the old WYII, though Casey was the only one besides Stacy Drake to had stayed there after WYII became WLTF though..but still considering the number of people who had stayed on the air at Prettyman for a long period of time within the past 10-15 years or so ( and this goes way beyond Gary & Casey as I can think of at least 12), yes it does give a positve reflection on Prettyman. But then again a LOT of this was under Yogi Yoder and not current GM Norm Selmenda ( ? on the spelling there ) since it has been under Norm that a lot of people did end up leaving Prettyman for one reason or another. The public and messy firings of longtime radio icons Stacy Drake and Rob Mario is proof of that.
Sports on 1340 coming to 95.9..yeah ESPN could be a problem but they could go with FOX Sports though. Just a guess. Charles Town's 1550 wouldn't be a factor since for all intents & purposes they are a Winchester, VA radio station and their night signal is so poor they can't even reach the Charles Town races & Slots Hollywood Casino.
On a similar note I wonder how Martinsburg's WRNR-AM 740 makes it in this economy? They way their news director Al McGulivary (?) says about them on DCRTV..why WRNR is billing quite a bit even moreso than WLTF...I don't see how.
Lot of speculation there. Where to start?
Well, so Casey only worked for Prettyman for 13 years? Must be an awful place to work! And how long did she work for Norm? 4 or 5 years? He must be terrible. Actually I've heard nothing but good things about him--but, look, this isn't the place to be taking anonymous shots anyway. Between you and me, I'd guess that Stacey was pretty much ready for a change of scenery judging by his last few years on the air there, but they just beat him to the punch. Nice guy, but the thrill was gone.
And, hey, everyone who has ever known the Wachtels always has nice things to say. But WRNR is a little teapot and they do a fraction of the business that WLTF does. A small fraction. My guess is that LTF does more in profit (you know, the amount left over after all the bills are paid) than WRNR does in top-line sales income. If their news guy thinks otherwise, it might give you a clue why after all these years he's still a news guy at a tiny AM station in a West Virginia town of 17,000. He just doesn't know any better. But, godalmighty, don't take his low-information observations as Gospel, or go repeating them on a public forum. Makes you look a little silly.
Hey, how 'but them 'Eers!
Well, so Casey only worked for Prettyman for 13 years? Must be an awful place to work! And how long did she work for Norm? 4 or 5 years? He must be terrible. Actually I've heard nothing but good things about him--but, look, this isn't the place to be taking anonymous shots anyway. Between you and me, I'd guess that Stacey was pretty much ready for a change of scenery judging by his last few years on the air there, but they just beat him to the punch. Nice guy, but the thrill was gone.
And, hey, everyone who has ever known the Wachtels always has nice things to say. But WRNR is a little teapot and they do a fraction of the business that WLTF does. A small fraction. My guess is that LTF does more in profit (you know, the amount left over after all the bills are paid) than WRNR does in top-line sales income. If their news guy thinks otherwise, it might give you a clue why after all these years he's still a news guy at a tiny AM station in a West Virginia town of 17,000. He just doesn't know any better. But, godalmighty, don't take his low-information observations as Gospel, or go repeating them on a public forum. Makes you look a little silly.
Hey, how 'but them 'Eers!
Stacey Drake
By the way, speaking of Stacey Drake, have y'all heard him on 92.9/WDHC yet? I was driving through the area a few weeks back and stumbled onto 92.9 and there he was! Sounded like he was glad to be back home in Country where he belongs. Sounded like he was enjoying himself!
By the way, speaking of Stacey Drake, have y'all heard him on 92.9/WDHC yet? I was driving through the area a few weeks back and stumbled onto 92.9 and there he was! Sounded like he was glad to be back home in Country where he belongs. Sounded like he was enjoying himself!
jackandcoke said:And, hey, everyone who has ever known the Wachtels always has nice things to say. But WRNR is a little teapot and they do a fraction of the business that WLTF does. A small fraction. My guess is that LTF does more in profit (you know, the amount left over after all the bills are paid) than WRNR does in top-line sales income. If their news guy thinks otherwise, it might give you a clue why after all these years he's still a news guy at a tiny AM station in a West Virginia town of 17,000. He just doesn't know any better. But, godalmighty, don't take his low-information observations as Gospel, or go repeating them on a public forum. Makes you look a little silly.
Hey, how 'but them 'Eers!
Unfortunately for the Wachtels and WRNR by having a news director who for a long period of time was part of a website that had just about ZERO credibility ( SVRTV.net ) doesn't help. "Stories" like WHAG's Lou Scally making 800K a year just for his weather job, calling John VerStandig a "..sexy cigar smoking hot hairy daddy bear..WOOF" and "reporting" that Bill Prettyman was sued by Denver's KXKL-FM "Kool 105" when WICL was using "Cool 95.9" without permission from the KXKL so thats why WICL is now "oldies 95.9 ". Yeah right.
I doubt DCRTV's Dave Hughes had lost any sleep over SVRTV and no way do I take any of Al's comments as gospel ( nobody does ).
Nah no matter how silly I or anyone else can be on here, Tobis Uphold and Al McGuilvray have been doing it for so long themselves and both continue to do so on other forums even after SVRTV, one would think they would had learned their lesson by now. Well at least Al is still working in the biz..Tobis Uphold...its back to McDonalds.
You don't have a Top 40 or an Alternative Rock station. Wild to me isn't Top 40 its Rhythmic CHR (Completely different from CHR) Wild doesn't play acts like Train, The Script, or rock artists like Neon Trees or Paramore or Daughtry
R
ratingsgeek
Guest
XCountry285 said:You don't have a Top 40 or an Alternative Rock station. Wild to me isn't Top 40 its Rhythmic CHR (Completely different from CHR) Wild doesn't play acts like Train, The Script, or rock artists like Neon Trees or Paramore or Daughtry
Huge black audience in Hagerstown and they rack up enormous TSL for Wild. Don't want no stinking Daughtry. Must be an easy sell to the huge black business community in the Hub City.
ratingsgeek said:XCountry285 said:You don't have a Top 40 or an Alternative Rock station. Wild to me isn't Top 40 its Rhythmic CHR (Completely different from CHR) Wild doesn't play acts like Train, The Script, or rock artists like Neon Trees or Paramore or Daughtry
MIX95.1 WIKZ plays all those artists plus Tao Cruz, Enrique Iglesias, Usher and more. It is the de-facto Top 40 in the market
does mix play these artists with Pitbull, Kanye West or other artists like that? if they play the songs from Usher & Enrique with Pitbull then they're Top 40
RockofHBG said:MIX95.1 is NOT a Top 40 station, but close enough to cover the mainstream top 40 format mountain. MIX plays everything but rap. What MIX doesn't play, you can get on WILD
Wow, that's a big chunk of programming territory to cover, don'tcha think? AC, Hot AC and Mainstream Top 40? Being in a non-competitive market is pretty sweet!
There is an assumption here, too, that 95.1 is so big in Hagerstown that the market is sufficiently served by one such format monster. But every county breakout ever issued has shown WIKZ's audience to be mostly in Franklin County. In Hagerstown it's a secondary player.
And so is WLLD, notwithstanding the nice showing in the spring book.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe they should think about taking 96.7 into the Mainstream arena to give Hagerstown something listenable inside buildings, too. Right now it's kind of a wasted frequency.
radiolistener66 said:RockofHBG said:MIX95.1 is NOT a Top 40 station, but close enough to cover the mainstream top 40 format mountain. MIX plays everything but rap. What MIX doesn't play, you can get on WILD
Wow, that's a big chunk of programming territory to cover, don'tcha think? AC, Hot AC and Mainstream Top 40? Being in a non-competitive market is pretty sweet!
There is an assumption here, too, that 95.1 is so big in Hagerstown that the market is sufficiently served by one such format monster. But every county breakout ever issued has shown WIKZ's audience to be mostly in Franklin County. In Hagerstown it's a secondary player.
And so is WLLD, notwithstanding the nice showing in the spring book.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe they should think about taking 96.7 into the Mainstream arena to give Hagerstown something listenable inside buildings, too. Right now it's kind of a wasted frequency.
You really ought to listen to the station before you comment on it. WIKZ is not in any way shape or form a mainstream AC. It is a Hot AC/adult CHR. The reason that it has no CHR/ Hot AC competition is that it's destroyed all comers over the last decade. Magic , The Point, The Pulse, Hot...gone, gone gone, gone.
Now about the coverage issue of Washington County. In the last 12 months both a brand new transmitter and a new antenna have been installed. Will it make a difference in the ratings? Who Knows?. I've picked up MIX much more solidly in places such as Valley Mall and downtown Hagerstown better than ever before. We'll wait until January to find out.
RockofHBG said:Oh, and by the way it's WDLD, not WLLD. Do you know where Hagerstown is located?
Ooooooooooo--must've hit a hot button. That'll teach me.
You're right. WIKZ is hot-hot-hot AC. Nothing mainstream about it. And it is a wonderful radio station--programmed by an absolute genius--with a perfect signal in the Hub City, a place I've never seen. Nor have I ever heard any of the radio stations there--a point made obvious by my inability to type.
And "Wild"--spelled WDLD (just like in the English language) is a great station, too.
Look, if you don't want critiques of your stations, don't ask for them. Just keep your head down, cash the checks, and let the sales people worry about converting your World Class Programming into revenue. Maintain a low profile, and retirement will be here before you can say Wick-see.
It doesn't matter what we think. So don't ask.
Look, if you don't want critiques of your stations, don't ask for them. Just keep your head down, cash the checks, and let the sales people worry about converting your World Class Programming into revenue. Maintain a low profile, and retirement will be here before you can say Wick-see.
I don't recall me or anyone asking your opinion about said radio stations. I will, however, ask your opinion when I'm thinking of purchasing a faucet.
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