Hmmm, Columbus might have some decent radio stations someday

[BuckeyeCity]

Of course we will need to buy the equiptment but the new HD2 channels are starting to look very promising.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From R&R

Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006
Radio Companies Debut HD2 Channels

As part of their participation in the HD Digital Radio Alliance, Clear Channel, Emmis, Greater Media and Bonneville this morning announced the debut of HD2 channels in many major markets throughout the country.

Clear Channel will debut 25 HD2 digital channels in five markets over the next five days. CC will add 82 HD2 multicasts in 20 more markets over the next two weeks. By the end of Q1 2006, the company will have digital channels up and running in 28 markets.

Emmis is rolling out new programming on HD side channels in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and its hometown of Indianapolis, while Greater Media is adding HD2 channels in Philadelphia and its hometown, Boston, to the three it already operates in Detroit.

Adding to the three HD2 channels its already operating in Chicago, Bonneville today announced that it will debut three new digital side channels in San Francisco and another two in Washington DC within the next few days.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006
Emmis Debuts Diverse HD2 Programming

In its three-station New York cluster, Emmis has already launched an "Old School Hip Hop" channel alongside its CHR/Rhythmic WQHT (Hot 97), while the WRKS-FM (Kiss FM) side channel will be airing Gospel. Emmis' WQCD-FM (CD 101.9) will debut a side channel called "Chill," which will feature ambient or lounge music rooted in pop, world music, smooth jazz and electronica.

In Los Angeles, KPWR-FM (Power 106) will broadcast "Power Dos," which Emmis calls "a bilingual and musically extended version of Power 106." The side channel on Country KZLA-FM will feature Adult Alternative.

In Chicago, Alternative WKQX-FM (Q101) will launch "Punk/Young Alternative," while Classic Rock WLUP-FM (The Loop) will air an HD2 channel dubbed "Loop Loud," which will feature extreme hard rock.

Emmis's hometown CHR/Pop WNOU/Indianapolis' HD2 channel will be called "Radio Now" and will air dance music, while AC WYXB will air disco on its digital side channel. Country WLHK (Hank FM) will air Americana music on its HD2 channel.

Emmis will spread the actual on-air dates throughout the year; the side channels for Power 106 and KLZA are expected to begin broadcasting by the middle of next month.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<P ID="signature">______________
Incognito!

You don't know me.</P>

 

[Trick_Magnet]

Perhaps CD101 could put together something interesting on a second channel. I don't have much confidence in the other companies in town to put some stimulating programming on the air.
This sounds like the last gasp for IBOC. We have one more reason to talk about it. People who were early adopters have been alienated by this new version which is not compatible with their expensive radios. Good job.
I know I'm beating a dead horse but from my vantage point satellite may be getting to critical mass (as an innocent bystander to this radio stuff).
Trick_Magnet

> Of course we will need to buy the equiptment but the new HD2
> channels are starting to look very promising.
>
---------------> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> From R&R
>
> Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006
> Radio Companies Debut HD2 Channels
>
> As part of their participation in the HD Digital Radio
> Alliance, Clear Channel, Emmis, Greater Media and Bonneville
> this morning announced the debut of HD2 channels in many
> major markets throughout the country.
>
> Clear Channel will debut 25 HD2 digital channels in five
> markets over the next five days. CC will add 82 HD2
> multicasts in 20 more markets over the next two weeks. By
> the end of Q1 2006, the company will have digital channels
> up and running in 28 markets.
>
> Emmis is rolling out new programming on HD side channels in
> New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and its hometown of
> Indianapolis, while Greater Media is adding HD2 channels in
> Philadelphia and its hometown, Boston, to the three it
> already operates in Detroit.
>
> Adding to the three HD2 channels its already operating in
> Chicago, Bonneville today announced that it will debut three
> new digital side channels in San Francisco and another two
> in Washington DC within the next few days.
>
---------------> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006
> Emmis Debuts Diverse HD2 Programming
>
> In its three-station New York cluster, Emmis has already
> launched an "Old School Hip Hop" channel alongside its
> CHR/Rhythmic WQHT (Hot 97), while the WRKS-FM (Kiss FM) side
> channel will be airing Gospel. Emmis' WQCD-FM (CD 101.9)
> will debut a side channel called "Chill," which will feature
> ambient or lounge music rooted in pop, world music, smooth
> jazz and electronica.
>
> In Los Angeles, KPWR-FM (Power 106) will broadcast "Power
> Dos," which Emmis calls "a bilingual and musically extended
> version of Power 106." The side channel on Country KZLA-FM
> will feature Adult Alternative.
>
> In Chicago, Alternative WKQX-FM (Q101) will launch
> "Punk/Young Alternative," while Classic Rock WLUP-FM (The
> Loop) will air an HD2 channel dubbed "Loop Loud," which will
> feature extreme hard rock.
>
> Emmis's hometown CHR/Pop WNOU/Indianapolis' HD2 channel will
> be called "Radio Now" and will air dance music, while AC
> WYXB will air disco on its digital side channel. Country
> WLHK (Hank FM) will air Americana music on its HD2 channel.
>
>
> Emmis will spread the actual on-air dates throughout the
> year; the side channels for Power 106 and KLZA are expected
> to begin broadcasting by the middle of next month.
>
>
>
--------------------> ------------------------------------------------------------
>

 

[kevinkelly]

> Perhaps CD101 could put together something interesting on a
> second channel. I don't have much confidence in the other
> companies in town to put some stimulating programming on the
> air.
> This sounds like the last gasp for IBOC. We have one more
> reason to talk about it. People who were early adopters
> have been alienated by this new version which is not
> compatible with their expensive radios. Good job.
> I know I'm beating a dead horse but from my vantage point
> satellite may be getting to critical mass (as an innocent
> bystander to this radio stuff).
> Trick_Magnet
>
> > Of course we will need to buy the equiptment but the new
> HD2
> > channels are starting to look very promising.
> >

Last gasp for IBOC? It just started... and the general public hasn't even heard of it yet. This isn't AM Stereo. This actually has a chance.

This board complains a lot about the state of radio in Columbus, but this market is BLESSED with radio diversity. Columbus may not have exactly what you like, but look at what Cols does have. Country oldies on K-95 and a pretty decent format at that. The Brew is NOT the Fox recycled... the Brew plays songs that I haven't heard since the WLS days of the mid 80s. "She Can't Love You" by Michael Stanley Band. Do any of you guys remember that song? No, because it hasn't been on the radio since the mid 80s on WLS. Well, maybe the Infinity station where Michael Stanley does mornings in Cleveland probably plays it, but other than that, who else in the last 20 years? The Brew. Columbus has Ted FM, a great Jack station. They may not play your favorite songs, but they don't play the same recycled "researched" songs, so it's refreshing. Then you have legendary stations like WNCI and WLVQ and WBZX and WWCD and WSNY. You have Magic 98.9, Power 107, Smooth Jazz, Oldies... what more could you expect here?

I'm obviously not promoting one company over another, as I have said something good about every company in the market, but if you were a regular listener, and not a radio insider, wouldn't you rate this market as much more listenable than say, Louisville or Cincinnati? Name a market with cool stations. More than one cool station. Hello, anybody there? I didn't think so. The only cool station I've heard out of market in a long time is 95.5 the Wolf WSM-FM Nashville, and the only other cool station there is WSM AM which plays country oldies. The FM is a mix of country and southern classic rock. They rock! Let's see THAT format in Columbus. WCOL HD2? WHOK HD2?

I return you to your Columbus sucks thread...

 

[xmusicmatt]

Columbus Radio does not suck that bad! We have 88.7 RadioU in Columbus, You do not find that in many other markets.

While yes Columbus has a lot of cookie cutter formats that other markets have, Not many markets have stations like CD101, WCBE, WOSU-FM, WMNI, K95.5, TED FM etc that we have.

So while Columbus has a lot of what other markets have, Columbus also has stuff that you dont find in many other places.



<P ID="signature">______________
Program Director/Music Director
X Music Online
The X
Today's Best Music
http://www.xmusiconline.com/</P>

 

[BuckeyeCity]

> This board complains a lot about the state of radio in
> Columbus, but this market is BLESSED with radio diversity.
> Columbus may not have exactly what you like, but look at
> what Cols does have. Country oldies on K-95 and a pretty
> decent format at that. The Brew is NOT the Fox recycled...
> the Brew plays songs that I haven't heard since the WLS days
> of the mid 80s. "She Can't Love You" by Michael Stanley
> Band. Do any of you guys remember that song? No, because it
> hasn't been on the radio since the mid 80s on WLS. Well,
> maybe the Infinity station where Michael Stanley does
> mornings in Cleveland probably plays it, but other than
> that, who else in the last 20 years? The Brew. Columbus has
> Ted FM, a great Jack station. They may not play your
> favorite songs, but they don't play the same recycled
> "researched" songs, so it's refreshing. Then you have
> legendary stations like WNCI and WLVQ and WBZX and WWCD and
> WSNY. You have Magic 98.9, Power 107, Smooth Jazz, Oldies...
> what more could you expect here?
>
> I'm obviously not promoting one company over another, as I
> have said something good about every company in the market,
> but if you were a regular listener, and not a radio insider,
> wouldn't you rate this market as much more listenable than
> say, Louisville or Cincinnati? Name a market with cool
> stations. More than one cool station. Hello, anybody there?
> I didn't think so. The only cool station I've heard out of
> market in a long time is 95.5 the Wolf WSM-FM Nashville, and
> the only other cool station there is WSM AM which plays
> country oldies. The FM is a mix of country and southern
> classic rock. They rock! Let's see THAT format in Columbus.
> WCOL HD2? WHOK HD2?
>
> I return you to your Columbus sucks thread...
>

Nowhere did I say in my original post that Columbus radio sucks, but since you mentioned it, I would have to say yes, this market does suck. The Brew "IS" recycled. Jeeze, wake up man. There is nothing exciting about that station and QFM96 is better. I do not listen to Country so I have no opinion on WCOL or WHOK. Don't even get me started on WNCI. Power 107 is too damn ghetto. Smooth Jazz and Oldies is not my cup of tea. Ted FM is overrated and the signal is useless.
The only thing Columbus radio has going for them is The Grego Show on 99.7 The Blitz. However, you’re right, all these people who are switching to Sirius or XM is because Terrestrial Radio is so good in markets like Columbus.

The possibility of true diverse formats on HD2 is intriguing and and the only hope for a stale and boring radio market like Columbus.

*EDIT - To add, here are the new HD2 formats for CC Cincy:

Clear Channel FMs: (Launching January 30)
WEBN-FM | Mainstream/Active Rock | HD2 Channel: New Alternative
WKFS-FM | CHR | HD2 Channel: Classic Hip-Hop
WOFX-FM | Classic Rock/Hits | HD2 Channel: AAA
WVMX-FM | Hot AC | HD2 Channel: Urban Variety

Now that's what I'm talking about, that would make for interesting and diverse radio.

<P ID="signature">______________
Incognito!

You don't know me.</P><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Incognito! on 01/20/06 04:50 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[Trick_Magnet]

Try this: Tune to 88.3 when you are driving on 270, 670 or 70 during rush hour. You will pick up many of those little transmitter adapters for satellite and to a lesser extent iPods. I've found many cars emitting music, preaching, uncensored comedy etcetera. These are people not listening to terrestrial radio.
I also didn't say that Columbus radio stinks. I was suggesting it is not exciting. It's Milquetoast save the Blitz or CD101. Most everyone plays it safe with no edge what-so-ever.
Michael Stanley Band is bland. That's why the song hasn't been played for 20 years.

Trick_Magnet

> >
>
> Nowhere did I say in my original post that Columbus radio
> sucks, but since you mentioned it, I would have to say yes,
> this market does suck. The Brew "IS" recycled. Jeeze, wake
> up man. There is nothing exciting about that station and
> QFM96 is better. I do not listen to Country so I have no
> opinion on WCOL or WHOK. Don't even get me started on WNCI.
> Power 107 is too damn ghetto. Smooth Jazz and Oldies is not
> my cup of tea. Ted FM is overrated and the signal is
> useless.
> The only thing Columbus radio has going for them is The
> Grego Show on 99.7 The Blitz. However, you’re right, all
> these people who are switching to Sirius or XM is because
> Terrestrial Radio is so good in markets like Columbus.
>
> The possibility of true diverse formats on HD2 is intriguing
> and and the only hope for a stale and boring radio market
> like Columbus.
>

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

> > Perhaps CD101 could put together something interesting on
> a
> > second channel. I don't have much confidence in the other
> > companies in town to put some stimulating programming on
> the
> > air.
> > This sounds like the last gasp for IBOC. We have one more
>
> > reason to talk about it. People who were early adopters
> > have been alienated by this new version which is not
> > compatible with their expensive radios. Good job.
> > I know I'm beating a dead horse but from my vantage point
> > satellite may be getting to critical mass (as an innocent
> > bystander to this radio stuff).
> > Trick_Magnet
> >
> > > Of course we will need to buy the equiptment but the new
>
> > HD2
> > > channels are starting to look very promising.
> > >
>
> Last gasp for IBOC? It just started... and the general
> public hasn't even heard of it yet. This isn't AM Stereo.
> This actually has a chance.
>
> This board complains a lot about the state of radio in
> Columbus, but this market is BLESSED with radio diversity.
> Columbus may not have exactly what you like, but look at
> what Cols does have. Country oldies on K-95 and a pretty
> decent format at that. The Brew is NOT the Fox recycled...
> the Brew plays songs that I haven't heard since the WLS days
> of the mid 80s. "She Can't Love You" by Michael Stanley
> Band. Do any of you guys remember that song? No, because it
> hasn't been on the radio since the mid 80s on WLS. Well,
> maybe the Infinity station where Michael Stanley does
> mornings in Cleveland probably plays it, but other than
> that, who else in the last 20 years? The Brew. Columbus has
> Ted FM, a great Jack station. They may not play your
> favorite songs, but they don't play the same recycled
> "researched" songs, so it's refreshing. Then you have
> legendary stations like WNCI and WLVQ and WBZX and WWCD and
> WSNY. You have Magic 98.9, Power 107, Smooth Jazz, Oldies...
> what more could you expect here?
>
> I'm obviously not promoting one company over another, as I
> have said something good about every company in the market,
> but if you were a regular listener, and not a radio insider,
> wouldn't you rate this market as much more listenable than
> say, Louisville or Cincinnati? Name a market with cool
> stations. More than one cool station. Hello, anybody there?
> I didn't think so. The only cool station I've heard out of
> market in a long time is 95.5 the Wolf WSM-FM Nashville, and
> the only other cool station there is WSM AM which plays
> country oldies. The FM is a mix of country and southern
> classic rock. They rock! Let's see THAT format in Columbus.
> WCOL HD2? WHOK HD2?
>
> I return you to your Columbus sucks thread...
>


The more relevant question is how Columbus compares to those other markets when you look at *stations that you can pick up reliably metro-wide* (or even county-wide). From that more-meaningful viewpoint, Columbus definitely loses. It's rimshot central.<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[talkers]

Well you can thank all the rimshot stations in this market to the lack of vision radio companies had for Columbus back in the 50's and 60's, compared to Cincinnati, Dayton, and a lesser part Cleveland. Also thank the FCC for the seperation rule and adjacent channel spacing as well. At least Clear Channel is trying to remedy this with the move of 93.3 to the WTVN Obetz tower, and the proposed move of WMRN to the WOSU-TV tower, and moving in 105.7 (which had a horrible coverage out of Marysville) to downtown Columbus to at least give it a full Franklin County coverage. Yeah Yeah Yeah we're going to hear about how Clear Channel is "evil" but at least they are willing to do it compared to all those stations previous owners that didn't have the vision to do it.

>
>
> The more relevant question is how Columbus compares to those
> other markets when you look at *stations that you can pick
> up reliably metro-wide* (or even county-wide). From that
> more-meaningful viewpoint, Columbus definitely loses. It's
> rimshot central.
>

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

> Well you can thank all the rimshot stations in this market
> to the lack of vision radio companies had for Columbus back
> in the 50's and 60's, compared to Cincinnati, Dayton, and a
> lesser part Cleveland. Also thank the FCC for the seperation
> rule and adjacent channel spacing as well. At least Clear
> Channel is trying to remedy this with the move of 93.3 to
> the WTVN Obetz tower, and the proposed move of WMRN to the
> WOSU-TV tower, and moving in 105.7 (which had a horrible
> coverage out of Marysville) to downtown Columbus to at least
> give it a full Franklin County coverage. Yeah Yeah Yeah
> we're going to hear about how Clear Channel is "evil" but at
> least they are willing to do it compared to all those
> stations previous owners that didn't have the vision to do
> it.

I think you have it nailed. While I have no facts or figures to back this up, perhaps Columbus's historical anonymity relative to its size -- and penchant for "not making waves" -- also somehow figured in. For years, we were also the largest market -- by far -- to have only three commercial TV stations, and Columbus still lags similarly-sized TV markets in this regard (which is probably one reason this has historically been such a good market for cable TV).

Anyway, re your last point, that CC has been the only company to finally get with the program and accomplish effective move-ins, that's precisely why I get so dismayed at their unusually dubious format choices for these "prizes". Their CC colleagues in markets all around us seem to make some excellent choices with their secondary stations, while the Columbus choices elicit a big "huh???. While I can't personally verify this, some longtime insiders have posted to this board that local CC format decisions are often made for petty, "get back at someone" reaons. Columbus sure doesn't need that kind of crap, if it really happens. I keep envisioning CC Corporate (and their great FCC lawyers) as the "parents" who give their "kid" (CC Columbus) a shiny new car. Instead of using the car responsibly, the kid mainly wants to use his "toy" to show up the other kids, and ends up recklessly totalling it. (Of course, many people -- myself NOT included -- are unhappy about Columbus move-ins in general, especially from reasonably-size towns like Chillicothe, Marion & Zanesville.)<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[talkers]

With 105.7 as "The Brew" right now. it's actually not bad. I like the 80's rock, and it is different compared to Q-FM-96 since they play a lot of 60's and 70's rock. Granted I would love to see them switch to what "Star 107.9" used to be as a true 80's station, but don't see that happenening anytime soon (Star 107.9, with that crappy signal, was consistantly in the 2's...imagine what they could have been with a downtown signal?).
Lite FM, well, is better than it was with Shawn Ireland gone, and the format being tweaked with the new PD. Notice they got a big jump AFTER Shawn left? Yeah some of it is the Christmas music, but they had only been playing it for the last 2 or 3 weeks of the book? Could 3 weeks really account for their 2 plus share jump?
Of course we have no idea at this time what CC has in store for 106.7 when it moves in (right now it's country, and that won't stay because of WCOL)? I know people on here would like to see a true CHR ala "Channel 95.5" in Detroit, but that would be a big competitor against WNCI, and definitely knock them out of #1 while keeping WCKX relatively intact. An alternative station aka "Channel Z" would be cool, and give CD101 a good run since 106.7 will have a huge advantage with the signal (Channel Z at 98.9 always beat out CD101). An oldies station? Very doubt it because Lite-FM is basically oldies, and then there's 107.9 too. A rock station? God I hope not! A spanish speaking station? Is there enough hispanics in this town to support it? A mix station? That's possible since the only things close to it is Mix 97.1 and Ted-FM. They won't do a hard rock station like The Blitz beacuse of the Blitz and WAZU. How about maybe a FM talker and bring back Sterling and Steve Cannon and add shows like Michael Savage, Michael Reagan, Mike Gallagher? I guess 106.7 is going to be the $25,000 question that's for sure. I agree with others out there, I hope it's not another waste of a signal.

> Anyway, re your last point, that CC has been the only
> company to finally get with the program and accomplish
> effective move-ins, that's precisely why I get so dismayed
> at their unusually dubious format choices for these
> "prizes". Their CC colleagues in markets all around us seem
> to make some excellent choices with their secondary
> stations, while the Columbus choices elicit a big "huh???.
> While I can't personally verify this, some longtime insiders
> have posted to this board that local CC format decisions are
> often made for petty, "get back at someone" reaons.
> Columbus sure doesn't need that kind of crap, if it really
> happens. I keep envisioning CC Corporate (and their great
> FCC lawyers) as the "parents" who give their "kid" (CC
> Columbus) a shiny new car. Instead of using the car
> responsibly, the kid mainly wants to use his "toy" to show
> up the other kids, and ends up recklessly totalling it. (Of
> course, many people -- myself NOT included -- are unhappy
> about Columbus move-ins in general, especially from
> reasonably-size towns like Chillicothe, Marion &
> Zanesville.)
>

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

> With 105.7 as "The Brew" right now. it's actually not bad. I
> like the 80's rock, and it is different compared to Q-FM-96
> since they play a lot of 60's and 70's rock.

I agree the Brew isn't bad at all, although I still think there are other things that would have made more sense for Columbus. BTW, a lot of the Brew's air talent helps the station sound slick and major-market...likely because they ARE voice-tracked from major markets.

Can't say for sure if this has any implications for Columbus, but the station the Brew was modeled after, in Milwaukee, began a big tumble (after several years of consistently top-tier ratings) shortly after the Columbus Brew came on.

> Granted I would
> love to see them switch to what "Star 107.9" used to be as a
> true 80's station, but don't see that happenening anytime
> soon (Star 107.9, with that crappy signal, was consistantly
> in the 2's...imagine what they could have been with a
> downtown signal?).

> Lite FM, well, is better than it was with Shawn Ireland
> gone, and the format being tweaked with the new PD. Notice
> they got a big jump AFTER Shawn left?

I had that in mind when I made a point (in another thread) of saying my big beef was strictly with the choice of format for 93.3, NOT the execution. I can only imagine what their talented PD and the rest of the staff could do with the right format...on that great signal...SIGH. Oh well, at least it gives a poor, forgotten soul like Barry Manilow an FM home in a Top 40 market (yech....).

> Yeah some of it is the
> Christmas music, but they had only been playing it for the
> last 2 or 3 weeks of the book? Could 3 weeks really account
> for their 2 plus share jump?

Oh no, it was a full month of Xmas at 93.3. It's simple math, 93.3's big Fall jump was driven by the All-Christmas period. There were no big jumps in books or trends for 93.3 until December was added, and then BAM! The jump almost all occured between the Sep-Oct-Nov trend and Oct-Nov-Dec. If you could break out the share for December only, the jump would be *a lot* more than 2. If their main format is unchanged next year, they should probably start All-Christmas even earlier. They obviously execute All-Christmas well.

> Of course we have no idea at this time what CC has in
> store for 106.7 when it moves in (right now it's country,
> and that won't stay because of WCOL)? I know people on here
> would like to see a true CHR ala "Channel 95.5" in Detroit,
> but that would be a big competitor against WNCI, and
> definitely knock them out of #1 while keeping WCKX
> relatively intact. An alternative station aka "Channel Z"
> would be cool, and give CD101 a good run since 106.7 will
> have a huge advantage with the signal (Channel Z at 98.9
> always beat out CD101).

CC's class A alernative in Dayton has sure been a consistent good performer. It would be easy for CC/Columbus to beat CD101 via both signal and better programming. But the alternative format is in a bit of a slump now, and as an aside it sure wouldn't be my own personal wish for the station.

> An oldies station? Very doubt it
> because Lite-FM is basically oldies, and then there's 107.9
> too. A rock station? God I hope not! A spanish speaking
> station? Is there enough hispanics in this town to support
> it? A mix station? That's possible since the only things
> close to it is Mix 97.1 and Ted-FM.

Musically, the Brew already overlaps a lot with Ted-FM and quite a bit with Mix 97.1...and of course QFM.

> They won't do a hard
> rock station like The Blitz beacuse of the Blitz and WAZU.

CC/Columbus has never shied away from duplicating existing local formats and trying to steal them in a head-to-head battle. This still goes on, although over the past few years they've at least started differentiating themselves *somewhat* from the target-of-attack instead of virtually cloning. But there's still way too much duplication vs. what the market needs. Wish they'd get away from that damned attack mindset and emulate the market-focused "put on something really different/fill a hole" attitude that has really paid off for CC in a lot of other towns.

Generally, the only time head-on (or near head-on) attacks makes sense for Columbus is when the attacked station has a signal so poor it can't adequately serve the metro (or even the county). In that case it's not really so much an attack as it is coming up with a version of the format that isn't hamstrung by a crappy signal. And Columbus sure has plenty of signal-challenged stations. But CC/Columbus instead seems to focus on going into attack mode or chipping away at the BIG-signal, highly-rated competitors. So we end up with big-signal-station duplication in a city with a limited number of good signals. Makes no sense. I wish they would stop that...just like their colleagues elsewhere they could probably make plenty of money with the other approach. Maybe CC/Columbus really *is* , for example, hellbent on taking revenge on Sunny because its owner badmouthed CC and tried to stop the 93.3 move-in. If so, they're operating in the dark ages of business. (Sorry...that set me off agian...)

> How about maybe a FM talker and bring back Sterling and
> Steve Cannon and add shows like Michael Savage, Michael
> Reagan, Mike Gallagher? I guess 106.7 is going to be the
> $25,000 question that's for sure. I agree with others out
> there, I hope it's not another waste of a signal.

God, I hope not. But I'm not at all optimistic. Perhaps it's too early to judge, but I don't see any evidence of a more-enlightened format-choice mindset with John-Boy Crenshaw in as head of programming. It's probably local CC head Tom Thon who makes these calls anyway.

>
> > Anyway, re your last point, that CC has been the only
> > company to finally get with the program and accomplish
> > effective move-ins, that's precisely why I get so dismayed
>
> > at their unusually dubious format choices for these
> > "prizes". Their CC colleagues in markets all around us
> seem
> > to make some excellent choices with their secondary
> > stations, while the Columbus choices elicit a big "huh???.
>
> > While I can't personally verify this, some longtime
> insiders
> > have posted to this board that local CC format decisions
> are
> > often made for petty, "get back at someone" reaons.
> > Columbus sure doesn't need that kind of crap, if it really
>
> > happens. I keep envisioning CC Corporate (and their great
>
> > FCC lawyers) as the "parents" who give their "kid" (CC
> > Columbus) a shiny new car. Instead of using the car
> > responsibly, the kid mainly wants to use his "toy" to show
>
> > up the other kids, and ends up recklessly totalling it.
> (Of
> > course, many people -- myself NOT included -- are unhappy
> > about Columbus move-ins in general, especially from
> > reasonably-size towns like Chillicothe, Marion &
> > Zanesville.)
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[CMHDave]

106.7 speculation

> > They won't do a hard
> > rock station like The Blitz beacuse of the Blitz and WAZU.
>
>
> CC/Columbus has never shied away from duplicating existing
> local formats and trying to steal them in a head-to-head
> battle. This still goes on, although over the past few
> years they've at least started differentiating themselves
> *somewhat* from the target-of-attack instead of virtually
> cloning. But there's still way too much duplication vs.
> what the market needs. Wish they'd get away from that
> damned attack mindset and emulate the market-focused "put on
> something really different/fill a hole" attitude that has
> really paid off for CC in a lot of other towns.

I would think a WXEG -or- WEBN type stations are both a possible scenario. And if CC Columbus would get their digital schtuff together they could offer HD2 alternative like WXEG and WEBN are planning.

WXEG-FM | Alternative | HD2 Channel: All New Alternative
WEBN-FM | Mainstream/Active Rock | HD2 Channel: New Alternative

CC Columbus doesn't have either of those formats in the market so it won't be competing against itself for market share (or advertisers). Personally my money would be on a WEBN type format that could attack both WAZU and WBZX listenership/advertising money.

Up to this point I think CC Columbus has chosen formats based on the demos served. Yea Lite FM was very unpopular on this board but look who they serve? 25-54 women that like to spend money. They choose the Brew to better position themselves for the 25-54 male listener base. I would fully expect them to go after the 18-34 male demo with an Active Rock format. (and this could be done with a CHR too but we know that would beat on WNCI which they don't want)

> > How about maybe a FM talker and bring back Sterling and
> > Steve Cannon and add shows like Michael Savage, Michael
> > Reagan, Mike Gallagher? I guess 106.7 is going to be the
> > $25,000 question that's for sure. I agree with others out
> > there, I hope it's not another waste of a signal.
>
> God, I hope not. But I'm not at all optimistic. Perhaps
> it's too early to judge, but I don't see any evidence of a
> more-enlightened format-choice mindset with John-Boy
> Crenshaw in as head of programming. It's probably local CC
> head Tom Thon who makes these calls anyway.
>

Would CC Columbus ever have 3 talk stations? I don't think so but I don't know much about these kinds of things going on in other markets. Where one radio owner has 3 talk stations in the same market.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Re: 106.7 speculation

> Up to this point I think CC Columbus has chosen formats
> based on the demos served. Yea Lite FM was very unpopular
> on this board but look who they serve? 25-54 women that like
> to spend money.

Based on the latest demo rankers I've seen (Spring '06 Arbitron), 93.3 actually does a lot better 35-64 than 25-54. Which is what you'd expect when you're playing Barry Manilow and Lobo. Probably driven a lot by the 55+ component.
<P ID="signature">______________
Nu_Roo_2 formerly Nu__Roo formerly Nu_Roo</P>

 

[CMHDave]

Re: 106.7 speculation

> > Up to this point I think CC Columbus has chosen formats
> > based on the demos served. Yea Lite FM was very unpopular
>
> > on this board but look who they serve? 25-54 women that
> like
> > to spend money.
>
> Based on the latest demo rankers I've seen (Spring '06
> Arbitron), 93.3 actually does a lot better 35-64 than 25-54.
> Which is what you'd expect when you're playing Barry
> Manilow and Lobo. Probably driven a lot by the 55+
> component.
>

LOL. Well I suppose the good thing is, sooner rather than later Manilow will only be appealing to people on fixed incomes once again with little wiggle room to spend money... which I am assuming is why Adult Standards is an extremely difficult format to financially justify.

 

[wscx200]

Re: 106.7 speculation

> > >


They won't do a hard
> > > rock station like The Blitz beacuse of the Blitz and
> WAZU.

No Money in it. Adults 25-49 or 25-54, that is the ONLY thing that matters.
I'd like another Urban AC that isn't so ghett. OR a/an AAA would be totally cool also.


> >
> > CC/Columbus has never shied away from duplicating existing
>
> > local formats and trying to steal them in a head-to-head
> > battle. This still goes on, although over the past few
> > years they've at least started differentiating themselves
> > *somewhat* from the target-of-attack instead of virtually
> > cloning. But there's still way too much duplication vs.
> > what the market needs. Wish they'd get away from that
> > damned attack mindset and emulate the market-focused "put
> on
> > something really different/fill a hole" attitude that has
> > really paid off for CC in a lot of other towns.
>
> I would think a WXEG -or- WEBN type stations are both a
> possible scenario. And if CC Columbus would get their
> digital schtuff together they could offer HD2 alternative
> like WXEG and WEBN are planning.
>
> WXEG-FM | Alternative | HD2 Channel: All New Alternative
> WEBN-FM | Mainstream/Active Rock | HD2 Channel: New
> Alternative
>
> CC Columbus doesn't have either of those formats in the
> market so it won't be competing against itself for market
> share (or advertisers). Personally my money would be on a
> WEBN type format that could attack both WAZU and WBZX
> listenership/advertising money.
>
> Up to this point I think CC Columbus has chosen formats
> based on the demos served. Yea Lite FM was very unpopular
> on this board but look who they serve? 25-54 women that like
> to spend money. They choose the Brew to better position
> themselves for the 25-54 male listener base. I would fully
> expect them to go after the 18-34 male demo with an Active
> Rock format. (and this could be done with a CHR too but we
> know that would beat on WNCI which they don't want)
>
> > > How about maybe a FM talker and bring back Sterling and
> > > Steve Cannon and add shows like Michael Savage, Michael
> > > Reagan, Mike Gallagher? I guess 106.7 is going to be the
>
> > > $25,000 question that's for sure. I agree with others
> out
> > > there, I hope it's not another waste of a signal.
> >
> > God, I hope not. But I'm not at all optimistic. Perhaps
> > it's too early to judge, but I don't see any evidence of a
>
> > more-enlightened format-choice mindset with John-Boy
> > Crenshaw in as head of programming. It's probably local
> CC
> > head Tom Thon who makes these calls anyway.
> >
>
> Would CC Columbus ever have 3 talk stations? I don't think
> so but I don't know much about these kinds of things going
> on in other markets. Where one radio owner has 3 talk
> stations in the same market.
>