• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

I'm confused

Up until last week WCDL 1440 was doing a mix of oldies-adult standards.For those who hadn't listened recently it was actually quite good. Then Wednesday they simulcasted WAZL Hazelton. Thursday and Friday was all Hispanic. Yesterday was dead air all day. Today they are simulcasting Light 943. They used to do a lot of block programming at one time but nothing like this. Does route 81 even have a clue? Anybody at the helm there? Are they stunting? What the ****???
 
There was a format change at WAZL to Spanish. As everyone on this board knows, Hazelton has become increasingly Hispanic population wise. I can not think of another hispanic station listenable in Hazelton, so this format flip is probably a pretty good idea for WAZL.

Ed first tried classic country on WCDL when it came back on the air. I don't think it was my crying to Ed to change it to standards, but that is what he ultimately did.
I thought it would be unique and stand out as representative of Carbondale.

I didn't hear the stunting, and I can't see how simulcasting WAZL on WCDL would save any money, but there just isn't the Spanish population in Carbondale (yet) to support that format. And so many have been tried on 1440. WLNP is now doing very well on 94.3, so simulcasting it on WCDL is a waste of spectrum.

My thinking is that Rt 81 is not sure what to do with WCDL.
I don't feel Carbondale proper has supported the station with advertising dollars and WCDL actually did a good job of advertising and being "in your face" on the streets with local promotions.

I hope they do something with it though.......I know they put a ton of money into it to upgrade everything at the plant. Everything. Ed was pretty proud of it.
 
I hope they do something with it though.......I know they put a ton of money into it to upgrade everything at the plant. Everything. Ed was pretty proud of it.

I understand Ed's thinking, but the time has come and gone when an AM station can be really important to the citizens of a small American town. Ed grew up with WHPA in Honesdale, which at one time, if only for a brief time, was part of the fabric of life there. In fact, prior to WHPA's debut in 1971, Wayne County had never had a radio station.

As much as many of us wish those days had never ended, they have. WCDL was once a big part of daily life in Carbondale, maybe even Carbondale's link to the outside world, which was essentially the case with many small town stations. They were fun times. They're not coming back. Wish all we want, they aren't.

There is no stopping an idea whose time has come, and there is no restoring an idea whose time has come and gone. It's a different world.
 
carlvenorden said:
There was a format change at WAZL to Spanish. As everyone on this board knows, Hazelton has become increasingly Hispanic population wise. I can not think of another hispanic station listenable in Hazelton, so this format flip is probably a pretty good idea for WAZL.

Ed first tried classic country on WCDL when it came back on the air. I don't think it was my crying to Ed to change it to standards, but that is what he ultimately did.
I thought it would be unique and stand out as representative of Carbondale.

I didn't hear the stunting, and I can't see how simulcasting WAZL on WCDL would save any money, but there just isn't the Spanish population in Carbondale (yet) to support that format. And so many have been tried on 1440. WLNP is now doing very well on 94.3, so simulcasting it on WCDL is a waste of spectrum.

My thinking is that Rt 81 is not sure what to do with WCDL.
I don't feel Carbondale proper has supported the station with advertising dollars and WCDL actually did a good job of advertising and being "in your face" on the streets with local promotions.

I hope they do something with it though.......I know they put a ton of money into it to upgrade everything at the plant. Everything. Ed was pretty proud of it.
WAZL did not flip to spanish. While it does have spanish programming on during Saturday afternoons, it has not changed it's format. It seems that WCDL has gone all spanish. Not sure what the weekend on-air/off air/Lite-94 thing was, but they are again, all spanish. Maybe some equipment troubles.
 
I have good info that WAZL is indeed going spanish.
Ed feels like I do that there is a future in AM radio, and maybe "we" live in the past a bit, but there is a stereo future in HD for AM.
Granted, I feel that many stations may be forced off the air; the large and the small.
But they won't all go, and with a lighter band in stereo, AM can once again shine.

It's not an arguement, it is an opinion.
Cheers!
 
carlvenorden said:
I have good info that WAZL is indeed going spanish.
Ed feels like I do that there is a future in AM radio, and maybe "we" live in the past a bit, but there is a stereo future in HD for AM.
Granted, I feel that many stations may be forced off the air; the large and the small.
But they won't all go, and with a lighter band in stereo, AM can once again shine.

It's not an arguement, it is an opinion.
Cheers!
I wouldn't take your information and go invest in the stock market or play a lottery ticket if I were you.
 
They were fun times. They're not coming back. Wish all we want, they aren't.
There is no stopping an idea whose time has come, and there is no restoring an idea whose time has come and gone. It's a different world.

Couldn't have said it better myself. AMEN
 
WAZL did not flip to spanish. While it does have spanish programming on during Saturday afternoons, it has not changed it's format. It seems that WCDL has gone all spanish. Not sure what the weekend on-air/off air/Lite-94 thing was, but they are again, all spanish. Maybe some equipment troubles.
[/quote]

This would only show the foolishness of Route 81 Radio. The epicenter of Hispanic population in NEPA and it doesn't flip WAZL but WCDL is now Spanish? Last I checked, the upper valley is not a largely hispanic area although it does hit into Scranton during the day.
 
This was found on their web site. I began to get confused at the part about returning radio to the community and the belief that radio stations belong to their communities. Read the full fairy tale at www.route81radio.com

[quote] "Returning Radio Stations To The Community"

Route 81 Radio, LLC was founded in the belief that radio stations belong primarily to the communities we serve. Route 81 Radio stations practice an almost "Back To The Future" philosophy of the former FCC mandate of "The Public Interest, Convenience & Necessity". All Route 81 Radio Stations have active local news departments and substantial public affairs efforts. We encourage anyone, client, employee or competitor to join us in this endeavor.

If your non-profit or community organization is in need of assistance, contact a Route 81 Radio manager now to learn more about what we are willing and able to do for your community.



Corporate Staff

Ira Rosenblatt, Chief Executive Officer
Ken Karaszkiewicz, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Johnson, Office Manager

[/quote]
 
All Route 81 Radio Stations have active local news departments

Not only isn't that true in Nanticoke, but the news they do run (network) is held back an hour.

They also can't seem to hold onto a sales staff.
 
ThomasCarten said:
All Route 81 Radio Stations have active local news departments

Not only isn't that true in Nanticoke, but the news they do run (network) is held back an hour.

They also can't seem to hold onto a sales staff.
Didn't you also want to add your tired old quote about how "St. Margie" was the only person who had any success there? It's not even remotely true, but maybe if you repeat it enough times someone will come along and believe you.

"They can't seem to hold onto a sales staff" What radio group can? Most radio stations go thru sales people like eggs thru a hen. There are always a couple who stay at any facility, the rest come and go, it's hardly a surprise.

Of course if "St. Margie" were there, everyone would be doing well, the sales staff would never think of leaving and the ratings and revenue would be sky-high. If only for St. Margie!
 
Rt 81 is finding out that in order to survive, they can't be local. I heard WLNP on the way home: it is definately voice tracked now outside of the area (after Ed left, there was a local girl doing the shift, but I don't know who or where she went to).

Unless Rt 81 gets an influx of fundage, you will see more and more imported programming on their stations.

If flipping to spanish, as I suggested before, WAZL is the candidate, not WCDL.
I also suggested I had it on good authority that was going to happen. I stand by that statement.
 
Didn't you also want to add your tired old quote about how "St. Margie" was the only person who had any success there?

I'll stand by my statement, made here many times, that WNAK was never a smashing success, except for its original owner. He made a fortune by not paying anyone a living wage, while at the same quoting chapter and verse from the good book. Words are hollow and meaningless if not accompanied by good deeds.

As to that manifesto on Route 81's site, it sounds like a philosophy they intended to get behind some time ago, but then realized they hadn't the resources to do so. They probably forgot it's even there.
 
That was probably the original focus under Lloyd Roach. Then he got bounced for Ira Rosenblatt. As in Ira Rosenblatt of Tele-Media fame. Under Rosenblatt, the beginning of the end began for WARM and company...looks like the same will happen at Rte. 81...
 
Mack...

You seem to have an issue about Margie. What I wrote about is the dreadful way WNAK handles news; they can't even take a live net join. While I know sales people come and go, I've never heard a station constantly advertising for them.

When I say "Margie," you can respond about Margie. If I didn't, and you do ... ain't *my* issue.

Besides, I seldom listen anymore. It's that flamethrower out of Toronto, CHWO 740AM. In my car, at night; at home, am740.ca fed thru my audio system.
 
carlvenorden said:
Rt 81 is finding out that in order to survive, they can't be local. I heard WLNP on the way home: it is definately voice tracked now outside of the area (after Ed left, there was a local girl doing the shift, but I don't know who or where she went to).

Unless Rt 81 gets an influx of fundage, you will see more and more imported programming on their stations.

If flipping to spanish, as I suggested before, WAZL is the candidate, not WCDL.
I also suggested I had it on good authority that was going to happen. I stand by that statement.
The ..uh...."out of the market afternoon voice" happens to be the new PD of Lite. The "local" girl is the well known Ellen O'Brien and she's still there.
 
Carl --

Going all-ethnic is problematic, although Hazleton has a better chance than some areas.

That said, I worked in a heavily Portugese market (so heavily that the school districts taught ESL courses and "We speak Portugese" signs --in that language-- were in store windows). There was a non-producing FM that went all-Portugese and it lasted a while, but I don't think the format really took off. Quite possibly only the old folks wanted to hear the fada songs and the native tongue, while the kids wanted to assimilate.

My station also did Portugese programming, but we kept it on Sunday mornings and it was so popular (I ran the board) that we used to triple-spot :60s, awful spots with patch-cord fades at the end.
 
carlvenorden said:
Rt 81 is finding out that in order to survive, they can't be local. I heard WLNP on the way home: it is definately voice tracked now outside of the area (after Ed left, there was a local girl doing the shift, but I don't know who or where she went to).

Unless Rt 81 gets an influx of fundage, you will see more and more imported programming on their stations.

If flipping to spanish, as I suggested before, WAZL is the candidate, not WCDL.
I also suggested I had it on good authority that was going to happen. I stand by that statement.

You Sir, should probably stick to playing with your Part 15 antennas and leave real broadcasting to those of us who are professionals. Your good authority is about as effective as a Part 15 station!
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom