IF YOU COULD BUY...

[lovejamminoldies]

If you could buy one company out in Columbus, which one would it be and what would you change or do to each station?

 

[V.Riley]

I'd buy NABCO, and do the following:

Move the music format currently on AM 920 WMNI over to WTDA 103.9 FM.
Might take some of the talk format over to AM 920 WMNI, or better yet make 920 a 24x7 News station.
WRKZ 99.7 FM I'd either change the format to run up against WNCI and give them a run for their money, or I'd come in to a forum such as this and say, something like...If you could control a format of a station in Columbus, Ohio what you change it to? Then If I agreed with the majority of votes, I'd go with it.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

Not bad!

If I did NABCO...

920: 24/7 News.... no music.
1039: Active Rock... Columbus IS missing one.
997: NOW to take on WNCI.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Lest anyone forget that Bernard is still looking for a buyer for 103.1 and 1580 is on a "rent to own" basis, the choice is obvious for me.

103.1 is increasing its listenership as a Mexican station, so I'm not about to touch it.

Would I revert entirely to the schedule as Gary Richards had it on 1580? No.

Would I even make the format entirely progressive talk? Not necessarily. But Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz would be back on the air in Columbus. And I have a good feeling the liberals in this area would cozy up to Matt and Ramona (for lack of a liberal host in late afternoon with a national following of 1 million+). Thom Hartmann would also have a place on the schedule, and Dr. Bob Fitrakis, Michael Alwood, Michael Daniels and Chris Hayes could make up Columbus' newest live and local morning show, preceded by Rachel Maddow at 5 a.m.

The rest of the schedule would be "neutral" syndicated hosts such as Chuck Woolery, who used to work in Columbus (Wasserstrom). Too bad Frangela is not in national syndication yet.

Of course, high school sports will be back with Gary at the helm.

Simply put, let the Catholics find another station. (Wait, I am Catholic. ;D)

P.S. Ed Schultz may be in a station-buying mode now that he will be on MSNBC.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

103.1 should have continued to attack 1075! It was working for a minute there!

1580 should be Progressive Talk though. It's the only void. However, no simulcasting out-of-city stations LOL

 

[radiogeek07]

This may come as a shock, but I'd buy...
Clear Channel!
610 WTVN, 92.3 WCOL, and WNCI would all remain the same.
Radio 106.7, reincarnation of The Blitz. May be Bubba The Love Sponge in mornings.
105.7 same


93.3... Make it lively hits from the 60's 70's and 80's. No slow stuff. Make it sound like a CBSFM in New York for example.

 

[xmusicmatt]

103.1 should have continued to attack 1075! It was working for a minute there!

I thought 103.1 had a nice mix when they programmed a format against 107.5. The only drawl back at that time (besides the weaker signal) was Stop 26 was having issues and I remember for a while 103.1's audio sounded as if it was on an 8khz Phone Line... Rap music does not sound good on an analog 8khz pots line.

 

[alans613]

RadiOhio...The minute I bought the station the Sports format would go back to 1460(As would all sports!). I would flip the FM to an Adult CHR to compete with WNCI as "Hot 97.1" or "Now 97.1"...Or "97.1 Kiss-FM".

 

[lovejamminoldies]

GREAT IDEAS!

Ya know... 1031 did do a good job against 1075. Played remixes. Mixshows every day. But eventually the sound quality went downhill.

- Columbus is missing another Urban/Rhythmic.
- An Active/Rock
- Another CHR/Adult CHR

We're in the top 40 markets. Where's the good stuff?

 

[gabigley1]

Lest anyone forget that Bernard is still looking for a buyer for 103.1 and 1580 is on a "rent to own" basis, the choice is obvious for me.

103.1 is increasing its listenership as a Mexican station, so I'm not about to touch it.

Would I revert entirely to the schedule as Gary Richards had it on 1580? No.

Would I even make the format entirely progressive talk? Not necessarily. But Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz would be back on the air in Columbus. And I have a good feeling the liberals in this area would cozy up to Matt and Ramona (for lack of a liberal host in late afternoon with a national following of 1 million+). Thom Hartmann would also have a place on the schedule, and Dr. Bob Fitrakis, Michael Alwood, Michael Daniels and Chris Hayes could make up Columbus' newest live and local morning show, preceded by Rachel Maddow at 5 a.m.

The rest of the schedule would be "neutral" syndicated hosts such as Chuck Woolery, who used to work in Columbus (Wasserstrom). Too bad Frangela is not in national syndication yet.

Of course, high school sports will be back with Gary at the helm.

Simply put, let the Catholics find another station. (Wait, I am Catholic. ;D)

P.S. Ed Schultz may be in a station-buying mode now that he will be on MSNBC.

Do think it's worth reviving the format in Columbus a second time? The Progressive Talk format station failed in Miami because the advertisers didn't get the results they expected. Could you make money with the PT format here if you owned WVKO-AM 1580? Other Progressive talkers have reported the exact same problems. Not to mention 1230 AM in Cbus.

The management of WINZ-AM 940 in Miami changed to Sports programming after programming PT for several years. You advertised on P.T. WVKO-1580 and also complained of poor results so WVKO dropped PT. So, why revive PT in Cbus?...
Tom Hartman and Stephanie Miller couldn't keep the format afloat at WINZ and that is why they are gone as of today from
WINZ-AM 940 in Miami.

Click here to see why the WINZ management decided to drop the PT format from their 940 frequency:

http://www.am940southflorida.com/pages/Change.html

PS, From the Miami board:

livingfruitvirus
rimember
Posts: 1479
Re: When WINZ Flips back to Sports... the AM options are?
« Reply #63 on: Today at 04:34:51 pm » Quote

"So did any of the liberal shows on talk about losing WINZ? It's a good signal in a huge market. If I was in their shoes I'd consider this a significant loss to their network."

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Lest anyone forget that Bernard is still looking for a buyer for 103.1 and 1580 is on a "rent to own" basis, the choice is obvious for me.

103.1 is increasing its listenership as a Mexican station, so I'm not about to touch it.

Would I revert entirely to the schedule as Gary Richards had it on 1580? No.

Would I even make the format entirely progressive talk? Not necessarily. But Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz would be back on the air in Columbus. And I have a good feeling the liberals in this area would cozy up to Matt and Ramona (for lack of a liberal host in late afternoon with a national following of 1 million+). Thom Hartmann would also have a place on the schedule, and Dr. Bob Fitrakis, Michael Alwood, Michael Daniels and Chris Hayes could make up Columbus' newest live and local morning show, preceded by Rachel Maddow at 5 a.m.

The rest of the schedule would be "neutral" syndicated hosts such as Chuck Woolery, who used to work in Columbus (Wasserstrom). Too bad Frangela is not in national syndication yet.

Of course, high school sports will be back with Gary at the helm.

Simply put, let the Catholics find another station. (Wait, I am Catholic. ;D)

P.S. Ed Schultz may be in a station-buying mode now that he will be on MSNBC.

Do think it's worth reviving the format in Columbus a second time? The Progressive Talk format station failed in Miami because the advertisers didn't get the results they expected. Could you make money with the PT format here if you owned WVKO-AM 1580? Other Progressive talkers have reported the exact same problems. Not to mention 1230 AM in Cbus.

The management of WINZ-AM 940 in Miami changed to Sports programming after programming PT for several years. You advertised on P.T. WVKO-1580 and also complained of poor results so WVKO dropped PT. So, why revive PT in Cbus?...
Tom Hartman and Stephanie Miller couldn't keep the format afloat at WINZ and that is why they are gone as of today from
WINZ-AM 940 in Miami.

Click here to see why the WINZ management decided to drop the PT format from their 940 frequency:

http://www.am940southflorida.com/pages/Change.html

PS, From the Miami board:

livingfruitvirus
rimember
Posts: 1479
Re: When WINZ Flips back to Sports... the AM options are?
« Reply #63 on: Today at 04:34:51 pm » Quote

"So did any of the liberal shows on talk about losing WINZ? It's a good signal in a huge market. If I was in their shoes I'd consider this a significant loss to their network."

Bigley: You misread my comments. I did not say I would bring back progressive talk as a format in and of itself. What I did say is I would bring back the most popular progressive talkers, mixed in with other talkers who were either non-political or politcally neutral.

 

[drt]

Lest anyone forget that Bernard is still looking for a buyer for 103.1 and 1580 is on a "rent to own" basis, the choice is obvious for me.

103.1 is increasing its listenership as a Mexican station, so I'm not about to touch it.

Would I revert entirely to the schedule as Gary Richards had it on 1580? No.

Would I even make the format entirely progressive talk? Not necessarily. But Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz would be back on the air in Columbus. And I have a good feeling the liberals in this area would cozy up to Matt and Ramona (for lack of a liberal host in late afternoon with a national following of 1 million+). Thom Hartmann would also have a place on the schedule, and Dr. Bob Fitrakis, Michael Alwood, Michael Daniels and Chris Hayes could make up Columbus' newest live and local morning show, preceded by Rachel Maddow at 5 a.m.

The rest of the schedule would be "neutral" syndicated hosts such as Chuck Woolery, who used to work in Columbus (Wasserstrom). Too bad Frangela is not in national syndication yet.

Of course, high school sports will be back with Gary at the helm.

Simply put, let the Catholics find another station. (Wait, I am Catholic. ;D)

P.S. Ed Schultz may be in a station-buying mode now that he will be on MSNBC.

Do think it's worth reviving the format in Columbus a second time? The Progressive Talk format station failed in Miami because the advertisers didn't get the results they expected. Could you make money with the PT format here if you owned WVKO-AM 1580? Other Progressive talkers have reported the exact same problems. Not to mention 1230 AM in Cbus.

The management of WINZ-AM 940 in Miami changed to Sports programming after programming PT for several years. You advertised on P.T. WVKO-1580 and also complained of poor results so WVKO dropped PT. So, why revive PT in Cbus?...
Tom Hartman and Stephanie Miller couldn't keep the format afloat at WINZ and that is why they are gone as of today from
WINZ-AM 940 in Miami.

Click here to see why the WINZ management decided to drop the PT format from their 940 frequency:

http://www.am940southflorida.com/pages/Change.html

PS, From the Miami board:

livingfruitvirus
rimember
Posts: 1479
Re: When WINZ Flips back to Sports... the AM options are?
« Reply #63 on: Today at 04:34:51 pm » Quote

"So did any of the liberal shows on talk about losing WINZ? It's a good signal in a huge market. If I was in their shoes I'd consider this a significant loss to their network."

That was considerate and classy for WINZ management to explain the change. (to the extent they did).......

However.......... what they didn't or forgot to mention was that WINZ has tried the sports format twice before and failed miserably. (partly due to lack of promotion, just like the lack of promotion of the progressive talk venture).

WQAM 560 and WAXY 790 are both sports and though WINZ has better signal coverage during the day in Miami/Dade and Broward; their night time power reduction and directional pattern makes listening in northern Broward (Fort Lauderdale; Pompano Beach) difficult in some areas.

Their 3rd attempt at sports will not include any local sports programs. (Both WQAM and WAXY have some local programming)

btw- Clear Channel's conservative talk WIOD doesn't do much better in the ratings than WINZ did; the number one talker in Miami is WAQI 710 which is a Spanish language conservative (at least very anti-Castro) talker that has a good signal over Dade and Broward counties in spite of the jamming from Cuba.

drt

 

[willcail]

If I could buy NABCO I would do the following:

103.9: Leave it as a talk station. Upgrade to Hybrid Digital Radio, I still believe in the FM talk format Here will be the lineup:

5AM-6AM Rachel Maddow Show
6AM-9AM Dan Patrick Show
9AM-12PM Stephanie Miller
12PM-3PM Ed Schultz Show
3PM-6PM Live Local Drive Time with Micheal Alwood, Bob Fitrakis, and Joel Riley (Fantasy radio show)
6PM-7PM Shark on Sports
7PM-10PM Cooper Lawrence Show
10PM-1AM Roy Masters Live
1AM-4AM Phil Hendrie
4AM-5AM CBS Radio News (if possible)

This is Fairness Doctrine proof lineup.

Onto WNMI 920AM

Since the call letters are supposed to mean News Music Information, upgrade to Hybrid Digital Radio. I would do the following:

5AM to 10AM a straight news program, must be neutral.
10AM to 12PM The current American Standards/Nostalgia music format.
12PM to 2PM Fred Thompson Show
2PM to 4PM The current American Standards/Nostalgia music format.
4PM to 6PM Drive Time evening news program, must be neutral
6PM to 3AM The current American Standards/Nostalgia music format.
3AM to 5AM CBS Radio News (if possible)

WRKZ 99.7 FM

Stay the same. Bring back Greggo for morning drive. Move Bob and Tom to mid Mornings from 9AM to 1PM. The Active Rock format for the rest of the time. Upgrade to Hybrid Digital Radio.


If I can buy 103.1 WVKO FM I would try to do the following. Try to improve the wattage of the station, if possible. Install Hybrid Digital Radio broadcast equipment. Here is the lineup:

5AM-6AM Wall Street Journal This Morning.
6AM-7AM Rachel Maddow
7AM-9AM Local AM Drive Time Show with Bob Fitrakis, Joel Riley, and local news updates with Micheal Alwood.
9AM-12PM Stephanie Miller
12PM-3PM Ed Schultz
3PM-6PM Local PM Drive Time Show with Micheal Alwood and someone with an opposing view.
6PM-7PM Local/National News Hour.
7PM-9PM Leslie Marshall Show
9PM-11PM Rusty Humphries
11PM-1AM The Alan Colmes Show
1AM-4AM Phil Hendrie Show
4AM-5AM CBS Radio News

Try to make it Fairness Doctrine proof. Can't wait to see the WTF postings. Trying to think outside the box.

 

[lovejamminoldies]

No WTF. Just talk city! We need less talk and more music on FM imo.

 

[gabigley1]

Would I revert entirely to the schedule as Gary Richards had it on 1580? No.

Would I even make the format entirely progressive talk? Not necessarily. But Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz would be back on the air in Columbus. And I have a good feeling the liberals in this area would cozy up to Matt and Ramona (for lack of a liberal host in late afternoon with a national following of 1 million+). Thom Hartmann would also have a place on the schedule, and Dr. Bob Fitrakis, Michael Alwood, Michael Daniels and Chris Hayes could make up Columbus' newest live and local morning show, preceded by Rachel Maddow at 5 a.m.

The rest of the schedule would be "neutral" syndicated hosts such as Chuck Woolery, who used to work in Columbus (Wasserstrom). Too bad Frangela is not in national syndication yet.

Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartmann all consider themselves themselves "Progressive Talkers" if I'm not mistaken. They alone would take up nine hours a day of your daytime schedule. Rachel Maddow is on Air America and they consider themselves "Progressive Talkers". All the old WVKO morning crew align themselves with "Progressive Talk" so your fantasy station would have thirteen to fourth hours of progressive talk in all the cultural day parts.

 

[gabigley1]

Sorry, I was interrupted during the post.

Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartmann all consider themselves "Progressive Talkers" if I'm not mistaken. They alone would take up nine hours a day of your daytime schedule. Rachel Maddow is on Air America and they consider themselves "Progressive Talkers". All the old WVKO morning crew align themselves with "Progressive Talk" so your fantasy station would have thirteen to fourteenth hours of progressive talk in all the crucial day parts. So, your fantasy stations would be labeled(I think) as "Progressive Talk" by the radio industry rather you like it or not.

It seems like you want to 'shake' the "Progressive Talk" label because the two previous "Progressive Talk" formatted radio stations failed here in Columbus. They were WTPG 1230 AM and then 1580 AM. That said,
I'm looking froward to a proposed format like yours.

 

[gabigley1]

PS,

Head Stephanie Miller mention this article today on her show(streaming via WCPT in Chicago):

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/jeff-p...nie-miller-blames-liberal-radio-struggles-sta

 

[V.Riley]

...I would do the following:... Upgrade to Hybrid Digital Radio...

I'm guessing you are predicting rapid growth in the HD Radio market?

I've done a couple informal surveys in several social networks in the area, and although the audience for the survey was small, the results kept pointing to a big fat goose egg for those who had HD Radio, or were even thinking about getting HD Radio. Hopefully that was just the economy talking, or maybe those people were currently in a pissy mood after having to worry about their analog TV going away that they didn't want to hear anymore about HD whatever. While I think HD Radio has a future, I'm not certain it is an immediate growing market for Radio. If you are expecting an immediate return for your investment, I personally wouldn't bank on HD Radio for that.

Of course that is just my 2 cents.... come to think of it, if you were selling HD Radio Receivers for lets say... 2 cents, then I'd be willing to buy a couple, and I'm sure others might look kindly to a deal like that as well. So given that possibility, you might be on to something there. Especially if you can get the FCC to say that on such and such a date all AM/FM analog signals will be going away and the listening public will need to get an HD Radio in order to continue listening to their favorite stations. Then again, maybe the consumer will just turn to Internet Radio since more people may have Computers with Internet access than have HD Radios.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Sorry, I was interrupted during the post.

Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartmann all consider themselves "Progressive Talkers" if I'm not mistaken. They alone would take up nine hours a day of your daytime schedule. Rachel Maddow is on Air America and they consider themselves "Progressive Talkers". All the old WVKO morning crew align themselves with "Progressive Talk" so your fantasy station would have thirteen to fourteenth hours of progressive talk in all the crucial day parts. So, your fantasy stations would be labeled(I think) as "Progressive Talk" by the radio industry rather you like it or not.

It seems like you want to 'shake' the "Progressive Talk" label because the two previous "Progressive Talk" formatted radio stations failed here in Columbus. They were WTPG 1230 AM and then 1580 AM. That said,
I'm looking froward to a proposed format like yours.

Bigley: Conservative stations are not labeled as "conservative talk," just "talk." Why should this one be any different?

 

[alans613]

...I would do the following:... Upgrade to Hybrid Digital Radio...

I'm guessing you are predicting rapid growth in the HD Radio market?

I've done a couple informal surveys in several social networks in the area, and although the audience for the survey was small, the results kept pointing to a big fat goose egg for those who had HD Radio, or were even thinking about getting HD Radio. Hopefully that was just the economy talking, or maybe those people were currently in a pissy mood after having to worry about their analog TV going away that they didn't want to hear anymore about HD whatever. While I think HD Radio has a future, I'm not certain it is an immediate growing market for Radio. If you are expecting an immediate return for your investment, I personally wouldn't bank on HD Radio for that.

Of course that is just my 2 cents.... come to think of it, if you were selling HD Radio Receivers for lets say... 2 cents, then I'd be willing to buy a couple, and I'm sure others might look kindly to a deal like that as well. So given that possibility, you might be on to something there. Especially if you can get the FCC to say that on such and such a date all AM/FM analog signals will be going away and the listening public will need to get an HD Radio in order to continue listening to their favorite stations. Then again, maybe the consumer will just turn to Internet Radio since more people may have Computers with Internet access than have HD Radios.

I think the only way to get HD Radio to the masses is to do what is happening with TV these days, MAKE people switch to digital. I think now is the wrong time to do it with analog TV signals biting the dust on June 12(I've heard enough complaints about that one, even though I do think Digital TV is better). Also local stations aren't making people care much about HD either. Besides Clear Channel stations I NEVER hear a commercial for HD Radio. The economy could be another, but really, besides radio geeks like us no one really knows about HD Radio. That is the reason this format isn't gaining traction with the masses as of now.