IF YOU COULD BUY...

[willcail]

With the financial issues of Satellite Radio, and auto makers are putting Hybrid Digital Radios in cars. I'm betting that HD Radio will stick around longer. Plus I like hearing WTVN on WLZT-2 HD FM to listen to WTVN. I do like the new wave format of 106.7-2 HD FM as well. If HD radio becomes AM stereo the receivers would sill be useful since they can sill pick up the analog radio signals.

The future of radio would be FM. FM Talk can succeed. Look at KTLK FM 100.3 and WXXM 92.1. I just can't take the distortions of AM radio anymore. If they are broadcasting in Hybrid Digital then I'll listen.

 

[Josh.B]

WHKC, and put it back to the way it started, (or at the very least, the version Robb had for it) for the handful of us who liked it. I know it is an unsuccessful format, but hey, you asked!

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

WHKC, and put it back to the way it started, (or at the very least, the version Robb had for it) for the handful of us who liked it. I know it is an unsuccessful format, but hey, you asked!

80's is performing in some markets, especially on Cox-owned stations.

 

[gabigley1]

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

Bob Connors, aka BC, is upset with all the progressive talkers badmouthing WTVN AM radio.
I'm beginning to think that the format won't work here because BC said so. That also applies to the Stephannie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartman shows.
He has been on radio in Columbus for over fifty years now so he most know this market. After All, HE MAKES C.C. Columbus a ton of money.

This is what BC had to say about this on his "Open Phones" show for Saturday, April 4th:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We talk about whatever you want to talk about. Everone is welcome. I was noticing one of those 'Progressive Websites' just badmouthing WTVN because of
this and we're terrible and ogres and we're this and all of that."

"If ANY of you listening are from those DEFUNCT FORMATS that are NOT financially VIABLE you are welcome here.... 6:09 AM, Bob you are on the air."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Go here and click on the audio podcast for April 4th and hour #1 to hear BC say this:

http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=bconyourpc.xml

Speaking of the "Progressive Talk" format, Ed Schultz will be in town next Saturday. Click here:

https://www.wegoted.com/events/detail.asp?eventID=11

Sean, I thought he was going to announce a NEW affiliate here in Columbus. I was in for a big disappoint when I went to his site. Are you going to ask him about buying a station in Columbus? Is he wiling to back Gary Richards?

I head him talk about this on the web... YES, I have to listen to him on line now because he wasn't financially viable on both WTPG and WVKO-AM here
in Columbus and no one is willing to place him back on the air in Columbus. They also must think his show isn't financially viable so why bother.

 

[gabigley1]

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

Bob Conners, aka BC, is upset with all the progressive talkers badmouthing WTVN AM radio.
I'm beginning to think that the format won't work here because BC said so. That also applies to the Stephannie Miller, Ed Schultz and Thom Hartman shows.
He has been on radio in Columbus for over fifty years now so he most know this market. After All, HE MAKES C.C. Columbus a ton of money.

This is what BC had to say about this on his "Open Phones" show for Saturday, April 4th:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"We talk about whatever you want to talk about. Everone is welcome. I was noticing one of those 'Progressive Websites' just badmouthing WTVN because of
this and we're terrible and ogres and we're this and all of that."

"If ANY of you listening are from those DEFUNCT FORMATS that are NOT financially VIABLE you are welcome here.... 6:09 AM, Bob you are on the air."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Go here and click on the audio podcast for April 4th and hour #1 to hear BC say this:

http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=bconyourpc.xml

Speaking of the "Progressive Talk" format, Ed Schultz will be in town next Saturday. Click here:

https://www.wegoted.com/events/detail.asp?eventID=11

Sean, I thought he was going to announce a NEW affiliate here in Columbus. I was in for a big disappoint when I went to his site. Are you going to ask him about buying a station in Columbus? Is he wiling to back Gary Richards?

I head him talk about this on the web... YES, I have to listen to him on line now because he wasn't financially viable on both WTPG and WVKO-AM here
in Columbus and no one is willing to place him back on the air in Columbus. They also must think his show isn't financially viable so why bother.

 

[GR]

You advertised on P.T. WVKO-1580 and also complained of poor results so WVKO dropped PT.

Huh? WVKO dropped PT?

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.

he wasn't financially viable on both WTPG and WVKO-AM herein Columbus

[EDIT]


OK, one more time:

WVKO did not "drop" Progressive Talk. St. Gabriel Radio bought WVKO (sale pending) so it could air it's Catholic Radio format. Had the station's license holder, Bernard Radio, not accepted St. Gabe's offer, or had SGR not made an offer to buy the station, Cowtown Communications would still be running WVKO and would still be airing Progressive Talk.

The format did not "fail," - on the contrary. Cowtown took a station with zero listeners, and made it viable. WVKO's ratings gradually increased every book, from 0.0 to .5 to .7 to .8 to 1.0. Who knows where it would have ended up? WVKO provided unique and diverse programming that could be heard nowhere else on the Columbus airwaves. The station's listeners loved the format, and station events drew large and enthusiastic crowds. The station's advertisers, for the most part, got good results. In the election, Democrats swept to victory in local, state and national races. And against all odds, the station finished in the black after just one year in business. By any standards, WVKO was an unqualified success.

None of this is a secret.[EDIT]


[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[gr8oldies]

Do we have to beat this WVKO dead horse for another 50 pages?

 

[V.Riley]

Do we have to beat this WVKO dead horse for another 50 pages?

It appears that we must. We must continue to NAG about WVKO, although many say NEY. I've heard it said that Dead Horses tell no tails, but if we lead this horse to water could we make it drink? Would it do any good to hitch this horse to a wagon? Has their luck run out, depends on on how they hang their horse shoes. I've talked to much, my voice is getting a little horse.

Happy Trails,
Mr. Ed

 

[willcail]

Since WTVN rather have junkies on their airwaves then so be it. I have a policy that I don't listen to junkies, like Rush and Glenn.

 

[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.

St. Gabriel Radio is in a three day fund raising effort and is trying to get enough donations so they can get
financing from the bank to buy WVKO-AM. They say if they don't get the money to buy WVKO-AM 1580, the
frequency will go dark in July. Sean, dose this mean Cowtown Commutations is again interested in doing a LMA
with Bernard Ohio and putting progressive talk and High School sports back on the 1580 frequency?

If not, is any other station planning to put the format back on the air? Is Cowtown Commutations planning to buy any stations? Do they have any financial backers to pull it off? You said Ed Schultz was thinking of buying
a station in Columbus and programming it as progressive talk a few months ago.

Click here to hear the progress of their fundraiser efforts:

http://www.stgabrielradio.com/indexs.html

 

[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.

St. Gabriel Radio is in a three day fund raising effort and is trying to get enough donations so they can get
financing from the bank to buy WVKO-AM. They say if they don't get the money to buy WVKO-AM 1580, the
frequency will go dark in July. Sean, dose this mean Cowtown Commutations is again interested in doing a LMA
with Bernard Ohio and putting progressive talk and High School sports back on the 1580 frequency?

If not, is any other station planning to put the format back on the air? Is Cowtown Commutations planning to buy any stations? Do they have any financial backers to pull it off? You said Ed Schultz was thinking of buying
a station in Columbus and programming it as progressive talk a few months ago.

Click here to hear the progress of their fundraiser efforts:

http://www.stgabrielradio.com/indexs.html

I am completely out of the loop on all this.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

First, to the vast majority of you reading this, I need to mention that I have asked gabigley1 in a private e-mail not to post messages asking me about anything to do with WVKO. I have not been in touch with Gary Richards since the programming change at the station. Therefore, as with my previous postings elsewhere stating that I have no affliliation with Ohio Majority Radio, the same holds true regarding Cowtown Communications.

However, I will share with you what another member, OhioMediaWatch, posted on his blog three weeks ago:

http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/2009/04/news-snow-and-trouble.html

An OMW reader passes along this tidbit from Inside Radio, bouncing off of an article in the Wall Street Journal about Bernard Radio principal Daniel Zwirn:

-----

Wall Street wiz kid’s woes are good news for some radio owners. They’re likely celebrating the news that controversial hedge fund manager Daniel Zwirn is reportedly within days of turning over his holdings. The Wall Street Journal says a deal has been reached that would transfer some of Zwirn’s assets to new management. Several investment firms looked at taking over his portfolio, but the paper says many dropped out of bidding when it became clear Zwirn was attempting to find a new role.

Zwirn is a brash, 37-year-old high-flying portfolio manager who’s been under SEC investigation. Federal regulators have put a freeze on withdrawals from the $3 billion fund — which had been worth $5.5 billion before they started their review. Investors complained their cash funded his lavish lifestyle

-----

Inside Radio says it's "unclear" what impact the above would have on the five Ohio stations, which Zwirn picked up out of the bankruptcy proceedings for former owner Stop 26 Riverbend.

Stop 26, with attorney Percy Squire as majority owner, owed the largest chunk of its debt to Zwirn's fund. And like Florida-based Tama Broadcasting, Squire complained loudly about the process that ended up with Zwirn's Bernard Radio taking over the stations.

In Youngstown, Bernard Radio directly operates its three stations. It has a mainstream talk format with various syndicated conservative hosts on WGFT/1330, at least some local hosts on urban WRBP/101.9, and a combination of locally-programmed and satellite gospel, some Spanish language programming, and brokered English-language talk host Louie Free on WASN/1500.

In Columbus, Bernard Radio's two stations are operated by other parties. WVKO/1580 went from liberal talk to Catholic religion late last year after being LMA'ed by St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, and another group operates the Spanish-language format on WVKO-FM/103.1.

We've always maintained that Bernard Radio is not in the long-term ownership business, no matter what Mr. Zwirn's financial situation is at this time...


Having cited this posting, here is my two cents, and the opinions expressed are strictly my own:

1. St. Gabriel may be biting off more than they can chew in this economic downturn. The asking price for the station was $1.5 million. Catholics are having to make choices on where they contribute. And while churches like mine are feeling the financial effects with a drop in donations, it's only expected that Catholics with limited finances will focus on supporting their parishes over supporting a radio station.

2. Bernard will not let the station go dark--again. What happens with 1580 will depend on how quickly Zwirn turns the station over to a buyer.

As for Ed Schultz, who was in Columbus two weeks ago to speak to my union's convention...He is right now rather busy with his new show on MSNBC.

Remember that a number of talkers from both sides of the fence were yanked off the air with the format changes at 1580, 1230 and 103.9. Before there is any further speculation, we should wait until the spring ratings period is over and see where 103.9 and the 1460 simulcast end up.

Until then, I would like to remain in obscurity for a little while longer, thank you very much.

 

[willcail]

Since WTDA is now at the bottom of the Winter 09 ratings then it might be time for someone else to be the PD of that station. Since Laura, Mancow and Michael "Weiner" Savage did nothing for the station. I'll still support FM talk. Since Sports Talk on WBNS FM is doing fine.

I'll still think that Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz would help the station ratings.

Here what I do with the station revised :

Mondays to Fridays

5AM-6AM Wall Street Journal Report
6AM-9AM Local AM Drive Time Show
9AM-12PM Stephanie Miller Show (Live)
12PM-3PM Ed Schultz Show (Live)
3PM-6PM Local PM Drive Time Show with Mark The Shark
6PM-9PM Dan Patrick Show (Time Delayed)
9PM-12AM Dennis Miller
12AM-1AM Jerry Doyle
1AM-4AM Phil Hendrie
4AM-5AM CBS Radio News Feed

Saturdays
5AM-7AM Roy Masters Encore
7AM-8AM Local Week in Review show (taped)
8AM-9AM Watchdog on Wall Street (Live)
9AM-10AM Marc Sussman The Money Message (Live)
10AM-12PM Auto Smarts 4U (Live)
12PM-1PM Motor Trend Magazine 2ND Hour (Live)
1PM-2PM Plant Talk (Live)
2PM-5PM The Tech Guy (Live)
5PM-8PM Science Fantastic (Live)
8PM-10PM The Twilight Zone Dramas
10PM-12AM Best of Phil Valentine Show
12AM-5AM Best of Joey Reynolds

Sundays (Steelers Football during Football Season)
5AM-5:30AM Religious programming
5:30-6AM American This Week
6AM-7AM Newsweek On Air
7AM-9AM Public Affairs Programming
9AM-12PM At Home with Gary Sullivan
12PM-1PM Pro Football Weekly
1PM-2PM Best of Clark Howard
2PM-5PM The Tech Guy (Live)
5PM-7PM The Travel Show W/Eric Hastings
7PM-8PM Meet the Press
8PM-11PM Science Fantastic (replay)
11PM-1AM On The Real with Chuck D
1AM-4AM Best of Joey Reynolds

Plus CC needs to sell off 1230 AM. If they are continuing to cut jobs, why not sell off underperforming stations instead? Oh wait that makes too much sense.

 

[gabigley1]

First, to the vast majority of you reading this, I need to mention that I have asked gabigley1 in a private e-mail not to post messages asking me about anything to do with WVKO. I have not been in touch with Gary Richards since the programming change at the station. Therefore, as with my previous postings elsewhere stating that I have no affliliation with Ohio Majority Radio, the same holds true regarding Cowtown Communications.

Sorry Sean, I've NEVER received your personal message regrading my posts on radio-info.com. I was just commenting on some of the remarks you made on the
last few days days of the WVKO-AM LMA under Cowtown Communications. You were the one that said St. Gabriel Radio may not be able to secure the
financing to buy WVKO-AM radio back in December. If you are listening to WVKO-AM right now, they keep making announcements that if they aren't able to raise the funding to buy the station by July 15, 2008, they(St. Gabriel radio) may loses the frequency and they may go dark on the 1580 AM frequency.

My point is that St. Gab. Catholic Radio is only LEASING the station like Cowtown Communications was. Why would Bernard Radio take the station away from Cowtown when St Gab. doesn't have the money to buy the station? St. Gab. is making announcements on the air that they are "Leasing the station and if they don't have the money to buy the station by July 15, they will be in serious trouble."

In this case, Bernard Ohio could have continued to lease to Cowtown until the Catholic group had the money to buy the station. That is the point I'm trying to make. Of course, I'm talking into consideration that Cowtown Communications wanted to continue to lease the 1580 AM frequency from Bernard Ohio AND they
were able to do so. St Gabriel. is saying "the station may be taken away from them" aka the LMA, if they don't have the necessary financing from the banks by July 15, 2008." That is why they are asking for 'sustaining members' so they can show the bank they have the necessary financial support to buy the station.

Also, it looks like WTDA needs some programming help. I noticed they are down to a 0.5 in the latest trends released yesterday afternoon. You were
the one that said WTDA-FM should place the Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz Show on the station as soon as possible back then. it looks like they need
them more then ever. I don't think WTDA, 103.9 FM, has EVER been that low in a trend.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

First, to the vast majority of you reading this, I need to mention that I have asked gabigley1 in a private e-mail not to post messages asking me about anything to do with WVKO. I have not been in touch with Gary Richards since the programming change at the station. Therefore, as with my previous postings elsewhere stating that I have no affliliation with Ohio Majority Radio, the same holds true regarding Cowtown Communications.

Sorry Sean, I've NEVER received your personal message regrading my posts on radio-info.com. I was just commenting on some of the remarks you made on the
last few days days of the WVKO-AM LMA under Cowtown Communications. You were the one that said St. Gabriel Radio may not be able to secure the
financing to buy WVKO-AM radio back in December. If you are listening to WVKO-AM right now, they keep making announcements that if they aren't able to raise the funding to buy the station by July 15, 2008, they(St. Gabriel radio) may loses the frequency and they may go dark on the 1580 AM frequency.

My point is that St. Gab. Catholic Radio is only LEASING the station like Cowtown Communications was. Why would Bernard Radio take the station away from Cowtown when St Gab. doesn't have the money to buy the station? St. Gab. is making announcements on the air that they are "Leasing the station and if they don't have the money to buy the station by July 15, they will be in serious trouble."

In this case, Bernard Ohio could have continued to lease to Cowtown until the Catholic group had the money to buy the station. That is the point I'm trying to make. Of course, I'm talking into consideration that Cowtown Communications wanted to continue to lease the 1580 AM frequency from Bernard Ohio AND they
were able to do so. St Gabriel. is saying "the station may be taken away from them" aka the LMA, if they don't have the necessary financing from the banks by July 15, 2008." That is why they are asking for 'sustaining members' so they can show the bank they have the necessary financial support to buy the station.

Also, it looks like WTDA needs some programming help. I noticed they are down to a 0.5 in the latest trends released yesterday afternoon. You were
the one that said WTDA-FM should place the Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz Show on the station as soon as possible back then. it looks like they need
them more then ever. I don't think WTDA, 103.9 FM, has EVER been that low in a trend.

I spoke with Michael Alwood earlier this afternoon, and he was in touch with Gary Richards just yesterday. While I will not go into all the details, it appears St. Gabriel, in spite of the front they are displaying for wanting to expand Catholic radio, simply wanted to get progressive talk off the air in Columbus. In other words, St. Gabriel's intentions appear less than honorable.

We may see a few more changes in the Columbus radio landscape. Stay tuned.

 

[jakej]

Also, it looks like WTDA needs some programming help. I noticed they are down to a 0.5 in the latest trends released yesterday afternoon. You were
the one that said WTDA-FM should place the Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz Show on the station as soon as possible back then. it looks like they need
them more then ever. I don't think WTDA, 103.9 FM, has EVER been that low in a trend.

That ain't no "trend", that's the Winter book. And WYTS falls completely off the chart. Again.
Sure gotta love it when the numbers come out, as they're always good for a laugh!

 

[gabigley1]

That ain't no "trend", that's the Winter book. And WYTS falls completely off the chart. Again.
Sure gotta love it when the numbers come out, as they're always good for a laugh!

Your correct, that's the Winter book.

CC Columbus shuns the Progressive Talk format. They won't change the format back to the Progressive Talk format because they say it's not a financially viable
format. When 1230 was Progressive Talk as WTPG, it had the highest ratings on 1230 AM over the last ten years or so. It makes me wonder if the move was
political motivated because how can a Columbus radio station, WYTS 1230, be financially viable with a 0.0 in the Winter Book? Would CC Columbus consider
donating the station to OSU? They would like to get a radio station.

Also, NABCO also seems to shun the Progressive Talk because they aren't interested in changing WTDA to Progressive Talk. WTDA has a 0.5 in the current
Winter book. WVKO-AM had a 1.0 in the latest Fall book as a Progressive Talk radio station and they are on the AM band. Progressive Talk should do better
on the FM band, at least in Columbus.

Since WVKO-AM changed to to Catholic programing, the ratings have taken a nosedive to a 0.0 in the latest Winter Book. Now, i do listen to WVKO-AM radio on occasion because I am Catholic but there were many MORE listeners on WVKO-AM when it was Progressive Talk radio.

Did anyone notice WTVN AM has a 9.0 in the latest Winter book? They are #1 in the Winter book and I think that proves some people STILL listen to AM radio
in Columbus, Ohio.

 

[adamcarrington]

Would CC Columbus consider donating the station to OSU? They would like to get a radio station.

If you could, please define "they" ...

 

[gabigley1]

Would CC Columbus consider donating the station to OSU? They would like to get a radio station.

If you could, please define "they" ...

OSU MAY still be interested in student run and operated radio station. Here are a few articles on the topic from 1998 and 1999 :

http://media.www.thelantern.com/med...adio.Situation.Still.Questionable-43964.shtml

http://media.www.thelantern.com/med...Needs.To.Support.StudentRun.Radio-44009.shtml

http://media.www.thelantern.com/med...entRun.Radio.Antics.Create.Static-47693.shtml

 

[GR]

I spoke with Michael Alwood earlier this afternoon, and he was in touch with Gary Richards just yesterday. While I will not go into all the details, it appears St. Gabriel, in spite of the front they are displaying for wanting to expand Catholic radio, simply wanted to get progressive talk off the air in Columbus. In other words, St. Gabriel's intentions appear less than honorable.

We may see a few more changes in the Columbus radio landscape. Stay tuned.

Sean, as usual, you don’t know what you are talking about. When I spoke to you several days ago, you agreed to retract this misinformation that you posted. Obviously you are not a man of your word, so I will set the record straight myself.

At no time have I or anyone at Cowtown Communications ever insinuated that St. Gabriel Radio attempted to purchase WVKO for the purpose of silencing Progressive Talk. On the contrary – I have repeatedly made it very clear that I believe St. Gabriel Radio's sole reason for attempting to purchase WVKO was to air its Catholic programming in Columbus. I have a long and amicable relationship with St. Gabriel Radio, and I don’t appreciate you insinuating that I have made any disparaging remarks about St. Gabriel Radio either publicly or privately.

By the way, you are right about one thing. We will see a few more changes in the Columbus radio landscape. Great move – alienating the one person in radio that was willing to put you on the air.