You may have read about Salem's power increase to 50,000 watts and their switch to conservative talk as "The Apple" on 970 WWDJ (now WTTT, and soon to be WNYM). You may also have read that this could be a waste of a signal. However, tyhere are a fw things Salem can do to make this station competitive in the New York market, and possibly cut away some ayudience from WOR and WABC.
First, Salem has got to get Laura Ingraham LIVE for the 9AM-NOON slot. Any Salem stations that have been somewhat successful have had Laura Ingraham. If Salem cannot sign Ingraham (which is probably what will happen since she's on WABC), I would put on Monica Crowley from 9-10 and Dennis Miller for the remaining two hours of the mid-morning slot. AVOID Mike Gallagher. I know he is a Salem syndicated show, but his show won't work in New York (yes, I know he has been on WABC before) just as it hasn't worked in many other markets.
Second, "The Apple" needs a LIVE AND LOCAL morning show. Bill Bennett will just not cut it in New York. I would have said John Gambling a couple of months ago, but WOR has him now. Salem will have to go with someone talented that isn't one of the "big" guys right now. Maybe Andrew Wilkow or Marc Simone.
Third, avoid airing Dennis Prager against Rush. I would say if "The Apple" has to go syndie in that time slot, get Dennis Miller because he is at least different from Rush and O'Reilly, which are the competiition in that time slot.
Fourth, in the afternoon slot, put Michael Medved. I may have suggested Dr. Laura, but this is a Salem station and the purpose of it is to clear their talk shows in the nation's largest market. And Michael Medved isn't half bad. He may even get some ratings against Sean Hannity, since Medved is much more of a Tri-State conservative than Sean is, especially with his love of John McCain.
Now I know this is getting long, but Salem is going to need a lot of help to make this staion successful. After 6PM, Salem probably will go with Hugh Hewitt just to get the extra ad dollars for having him cleared in New York. At 9PM, I'd recommend Monica Crowley for just an hour if she is not airing earlier in the day. At 10PM, I'd go with Dr. Laura, altough she may be better earlier. Overnights, just fill them up with Mike Gallagher. That is probably the place where he will get Salem the best ratings.
First, Salem has got to get Laura Ingraham LIVE for the 9AM-NOON slot. Any Salem stations that have been somewhat successful have had Laura Ingraham. If Salem cannot sign Ingraham (which is probably what will happen since she's on WABC), I would put on Monica Crowley from 9-10 and Dennis Miller for the remaining two hours of the mid-morning slot. AVOID Mike Gallagher. I know he is a Salem syndicated show, but his show won't work in New York (yes, I know he has been on WABC before) just as it hasn't worked in many other markets.
Second, "The Apple" needs a LIVE AND LOCAL morning show. Bill Bennett will just not cut it in New York. I would have said John Gambling a couple of months ago, but WOR has him now. Salem will have to go with someone talented that isn't one of the "big" guys right now. Maybe Andrew Wilkow or Marc Simone.
Third, avoid airing Dennis Prager against Rush. I would say if "The Apple" has to go syndie in that time slot, get Dennis Miller because he is at least different from Rush and O'Reilly, which are the competiition in that time slot.
Fourth, in the afternoon slot, put Michael Medved. I may have suggested Dr. Laura, but this is a Salem station and the purpose of it is to clear their talk shows in the nation's largest market. And Michael Medved isn't half bad. He may even get some ratings against Sean Hannity, since Medved is much more of a Tri-State conservative than Sean is, especially with his love of John McCain.
Now I know this is getting long, but Salem is going to need a lot of help to make this staion successful. After 6PM, Salem probably will go with Hugh Hewitt just to get the extra ad dollars for having him cleared in New York. At 9PM, I'd recommend Monica Crowley for just an hour if she is not airing earlier in the day. At 10PM, I'd go with Dr. Laura, altough she may be better earlier. Overnights, just fill them up with Mike Gallagher. That is probably the place where he will get Salem the best ratings.
