If CBS buys IQ106.9, what will they do with it?

[aindik]

Every one of Clear Channel's FM stations in Philly have higher ratings than WWIQ, and all with better demos. None of them are flipping for political talk.

CBS selling 1210 to Clear Channel is reasonable. CBS probably doesn't see Clear Channel's talkers as a threat to its news or sports ratings.

Or maybe CBS decides to sell 610 and put the sports network on 1210.

 

[fmradio1]

CBS hardly cross-promotes WPHT at all these days. They might be open to selling one of their AM's to get rid of that headache, although direct deals between CBS and Clear Channel are rare. Still, CC picked up an AM in New York (WOR) to clear all their syndicated hosts so I suppose they could do the same thing in Philly, if CBS is willing to deal.

In past years, clearing their Premiere syndicated hosts in the larger markets was a high priority. It doesn't seem to be that way anymore, at least outside of Rush. When Talk 1200 dumped the format in Boston last summer, CC placed Rush on Entercom-owned WRKO (and Coast To Coast moved as well.) IIRC, Hannity and Beck still don't have a clearance, although WRKO is running Marc Levin at night. That matches what happened here, when Rush & C2C stayed on 1210 while the other hosts were dropped before the arrangement with Merlin. If WWIQ was to go away, my guess is that the previous deal with 1210 would happen again, unless CC was to somehow buy 1210 (or 610) outright.

 

[aindik]

Baseball teams still seem interested in the unique reach of 50 kw non-directional AM stations, even if nobody else is. So it would make sense for CBS to keep 1210 if it continues to be interested in keeping the Phillies. Which would make a lot of sense along side the sports network.

Clear Channel doesn't need that kind of reach for its syndicated talk shows. It just needs good coverage within the market. 610 provides that. Coverage outside the main market is handled by other affiliates for the shows.

 

[doowopvault]

Sorry DooWop, there are no illusions. You can stick your fingers in your ears and say "lalalalalalalala" all you want, or regale us with stories about selling your little specialty show on an underpowered AM in some podunk town, but the reality is, in the major markets, using PPM ratings technology, high cuming stations with younger demos are much easier to sell (and make much more money) than low cume stations targeting 55+. Radio stations are in the business to make money, not to provide "something for everyone." If there is an underserved audience that radio can reach they will do so....IF THEY CAN SELL IT! And this has been the case ever since radio was invented. It's a business first, and a content provider second.

Now that people have many different provider options, the prevailing wisdom is that "radio sucks." Radio is doing what it has always done...putting on formats that bring in the most listeners and can be sold at the highest dollar to the most clients. Radio will never be able to match your custom playlist on Pandora or your MP3 collection. That would be called "narrowcasting." Radio is in the business of "broadcasting." Talk (and 50's-60's oldies for that matter) doesn't reach enough listeners as they used to, and like network general interest entertainment, Big Band, EZ listening, and Smooth Jazz formats they will eventually go by the wayside to be replaced by ones that younger people prefer. It's just the circle of (radio) life.

It's just that older people sometimes get butthurt that it's their favorite music or talk format that falls out of fashion. At least there are internet options out there today...that didn't exist in past years.

YAWN!!!!!! Yeah, heard it all before...about cumes, PPM's and all this crap that doesn't tell me anything. I can go on and on, but the moderator will just remove the post to "take it outside". But I will say this...you can make all the belittling, uninformed comments you want,it is people that think like you, working in radio that is destroying radio, and it isn't just my opinion, it is the opinion of people that have worked in the business, people that are working in the business and the opinion of many. many listeners. But it's fine...all they are doing is destroying themselves from within and sending more people to the independently owned stations and internet stations.

 

[MoldaMania182]

YAWN!!!!!! Yeah, heard it all before...about cumes, PPM's and all this crap that doesn't tell me anything. I can go on and on, but the moderator will just remove the post to "take it outside". But I will say this...you can make all the belittling, uninformed comments you want,it is people that think like you, working in radio that is destroying radio, and it isn't just my opinion, it is the opinion of In that have worked in the business, people that are working in the business and the opinion of many. many listeners. But it's fine...all they are doing is destroying themselves from within and sending more people to the independently owned stations and internet stations.

While I'm not a fan of the 'put-down' presentation, everything fmradio1 said was still correct. Like any other business, radio for quite a long time now is about gathering the largest audience for the highest $. Period. You may not like that truth, but it still the truth none the less and nor will that ever change. In fact reaching your audience across all their channels is what others want to see. (see Arbitron buyout) You can rag on cumes and numbers, but if it doesn't tell you anything, then it's you who doesn't understand what it is your looking for and why you should be. The methodology isn't perfect, won't ever be, but it get's the job done. Channel your personal passions to a better place.

On topic, Clear isn't going to blowup any of their FMs either, not unless 106.1 does much worse, and absolutely not 104.5... ??? ???

 

[Seltzer]

Every one of Clear Channel's FM stations in Philly have higher ratings than WWIQ, and all with better demos. None of them are flipping for political talk.

CBS selling 1210 to Clear Channel is reasonable. CBS probably doesn't see Clear Channel's talkers as a threat to its news or sports ratings.

Or maybe CBS decides to sell 610 and put the sports network on 1210.

THis would be a great solution to the problem.