XCountry285 said:
IMHO after the recent attempt at FM news, It might take a few years before anyone tries it again. I know there were content issues but from the outside looking in, 1010's successful branding would take some time to "undo".
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Insurance Tunes Out WBAI Sandy Claim
- Thread starter DToTheJ
- Start date
IMHO after the recent attempt at FM news, It might take a few years before anyone tries it again. I know there were content issues but from the outside looking in, 1010's successful branding would take some time to "undo".
I really don't see CBS moving WINS to FM. What's the point? It already gets great ratings on AM, and the signal gets out a lot farther than any FM would. In addition, CBS doesn't have any competition in all-news (save for WNYC maybe), as opposed to the situation with WFAN, where a direct competitor moved to FM and the teams they carry were demanding to be on FM. In addition, a music format on FM in NYC would be far more lucrative.
As for WBAI, the most obvious scenario would be a swap with Cumulus. At least they have something to offer (i.e. another signal in 103.9). Another possibility would be WNYC, but would they shell out all that cash just to move WQXR to a bigger stick? Plus, they likely wouldn't offer as much as, say, Cumulus.
As for WBAI, the most obvious scenario would be a swap with Cumulus. At least they have something to offer (i.e. another signal in 103.9). Another possibility would be WNYC, but would they shell out all that cash just to move WQXR to a bigger stick? Plus, they likely wouldn't offer as much as, say, Cumulus.
The bottom line is that, it seems, Pacifica has GOT to cash out their 99.5 equity right away before the roof caves in on them and/or the stick value goes down ever further.
I still think a swap with an AM + cash is the way to go. If not WINS (if CBS is reluctant to try news on FM), maybe Bloomberg with 1130 or Disney with 1560 (both quite good coverage and big night coverage), or Salem with 570 or 970, or Univision's 1280 (all have very respectable market coverage).
Interesting idea about WNYC giving WBAI 105.9 + cash for 99.5 for WQXR. WBAI would still be centrally located at the Empire, but at reduced power.
You always have the bottom of the barrel AMs like 1330, 1380, 1420, 1480 and 1600 (in 1600's case: day good, night awful), but the trade would have to be a boatload of cash for those little stations.
I still think a swap with an AM + cash is the way to go. If not WINS (if CBS is reluctant to try news on FM), maybe Bloomberg with 1130 or Disney with 1560 (both quite good coverage and big night coverage), or Salem with 570 or 970, or Univision's 1280 (all have very respectable market coverage).
Interesting idea about WNYC giving WBAI 105.9 + cash for 99.5 for WQXR. WBAI would still be centrally located at the Empire, but at reduced power.
You always have the bottom of the barrel AMs like 1330, 1380, 1420, 1480 and 1600 (in 1600's case: day good, night awful), but the trade would have to be a boatload of cash for those little stations.
WBAI's GM defends his station against "unfair and mean-spirited" views:
http://www.amsterdamnews.com/opinio...cle_a8cf8c3e-9241-11e2-b7ef-001a4bcf887a.html
http://www.amsterdamnews.com/opinio...cle_a8cf8c3e-9241-11e2-b7ef-001a4bcf887a.html
DToTheJ said:
Didn't ESPN / ABC LMA going to FM result in lower numbers? I am not sure it it was seasonal or just a change lag. If WFAN doesn't get a significant bump, Did it make sense financially? With all the concrete and steel sticking up 100's if not 1000's of feet, could class B's FM's even on the ESB have signal issues in some parts of the market? WINS directional pattern should concentrate it's power at NYC proper. If you are in WINS's main lobe in NYC, do they have a better signal than WCBS AM? I know it an apples and oranges comparison but, IMHO for spoken word format, anything above 9 KHZ is not necessary.
At some point, CBS is planning to split the AM/FM simulcast of WFAN, if not schedule multiple elements of its CBS Sports Radio into either or both frequencies. Until then, the combined signal gives WFAN an advantage over FM-only WEPN - and to answer your question, so far, it's working...
InsideRadio reports that WBAI's current situation is apparently going from bad to worse.
Not only were they unable to make the April 30 payroll, but they could not pay the current rent for the Empire State Bldg. site with the mere $4000 they have on hand. Their treasurer stated that if the latter payment is not made by this Monday, 'BAI will be "In violation of their lease agreement."
WPFW, their sister Pacifica station in Washington D.C. lost a court battle and is being evicted from the building where their studios are housed.
More WBAI Woes: http://www.insideradio.com//Article.asp?id=2648376&spid=32061#.UYPjANjD8-I
Not only were they unable to make the April 30 payroll, but they could not pay the current rent for the Empire State Bldg. site with the mere $4000 they have on hand. Their treasurer stated that if the latter payment is not made by this Monday, 'BAI will be "In violation of their lease agreement."
WPFW, their sister Pacifica station in Washington D.C. lost a court battle and is being evicted from the building where their studios are housed.
More WBAI Woes: http://www.insideradio.com//Article.asp?id=2648376&spid=32061#.UYPjANjD8-I
Barry said:
My God, what are they waiting for? Offer 99.5 in exchange for a strong AM like 1130 or 1560 (or even 1280) plus cash. Use the cash to address debt. Those bigger AM signals (1130 and 1560) get out very well at night throughout the Northeast, so that would be a plus.
Maybe Cumulus would swap 94.7 + cash. Or 103.9 + cash, if WBAI wants to stay on FM.
They could do a similar swap + cash deal in San Francisco where they are on a full class B commercial frequency worth multi-millions.
They have options which would guarantee their survival in some form PLUS get them a big chunk of cash.
Are they going to argue over chickens**t while the hen house is burning down?
HHH said:
Yes.
Yup, they are. Too stuck in their ways to see the forest from the trees.
WBAI deserves to go down at this point. With all of the "alternative media" on the internet, it's an anachronism. Obviously, enough people aren't listening and those that are don't have the cash, or the will, to keep the thing afloat.
If you really think about their audience... it was what, just shy of 100k in the last PPM report that published non-subscribers... that audience is small and if they're a bunch of Occupy-whatever crowd, they don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of. So how are they going to give to a radio station.
Also, IF, they were doing any kind of compelling programming, more people would be listening. Obviously, they're not reaching who they think they are or who they want to reach. Or both.
WBAI deserves to go down at this point. With all of the "alternative media" on the internet, it's an anachronism. Obviously, enough people aren't listening and those that are don't have the cash, or the will, to keep the thing afloat.
If you really think about their audience... it was what, just shy of 100k in the last PPM report that published non-subscribers... that audience is small and if they're a bunch of Occupy-whatever crowd, they don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of. So how are they going to give to a radio station.
Also, IF, they were doing any kind of compelling programming, more people would be listening. Obviously, they're not reaching who they think they are or who they want to reach. Or both.
Perhaps a swap between Cumulus' WNSH 94.7 + some cash for WBAI would be a good deal for both parties.
WBAI would receive a station that still reaches a good chunk of the area. And since there is no rent paid to the Empire State Bldg. for this NJ based signal, they would realize significant monthly savings.
And Cumulus would have on 99.5 a far stronger signal in LI for Nash FM. There is apparently considerable demand there for country music. Nash FM had an overall rating of 2.0 in the Nassau/Suffolk PPM's, even though its signal on Long Island is rather limited.
WBAI would receive a station that still reaches a good chunk of the area. And since there is no rent paid to the Empire State Bldg. for this NJ based signal, they would realize significant monthly savings.
And Cumulus would have on 99.5 a far stronger signal in LI for Nash FM. There is apparently considerable demand there for country music. Nash FM had an overall rating of 2.0 in the Nassau/Suffolk PPM's, even though its signal on Long Island is rather limited.
If WBAI hardly has any money, how would they afford a costly transmitter move to the Conde Nest building?
A swap with Cumulus for WNSH or WFAS FM would give them millions in cash + a transmitting facility that is ready to go. And the rent would likely be lower than the Conde Nest location.
A swap with Cumulus for WNSH or WFAS FM would give them millions in cash + a transmitting facility that is ready to go. And the rent would likely be lower than the Conde Nest location.
Would a swap with WNSH really make a difference? Granted, they would save on ESB rent but I'm not sure there's much of a difference in value between the two stations. If Pacifica was smart enough to finally throw in the towel and maximize the value of their signal, I'm not sure a frequency trade would make much difference. If they swapped with WFAS, on the other hand, they could get a massive cash infusion, though they would lose considerable signal power. I don't think they'll ever be desperate enough to move to AM. They're just way too stubborn and arrogant.
It's tough to figure out what Pacifica is going to do. So far it doesn't look like they're looking to sell assets, and they have no idea how to bring in much-needed money aside from weak begging. And the people running that station are just not living in reality. They don't really care if they put compelling programming on the air that people would actually want to listen to. They think money is evil, though they need it to stay in existence. They won't take corporate donations. And they constantly resist anything resembling change. At this point, they probably deserve to go belly-up. It's really a shame, since Pacifica provides a radio voice to groups that don't have one, and they are definitely pioneers in FM broadcasting, taking a chance on the new medium that netted them some extremely powerful signals (that they have no idea what to do with). But as far as community radio goes, I've seen much smaller groups with very little money that have their act together more than Pacifica does. They're run by people, not egos.
It's tough to figure out what Pacifica is going to do. So far it doesn't look like they're looking to sell assets, and they have no idea how to bring in much-needed money aside from weak begging. And the people running that station are just not living in reality. They don't really care if they put compelling programming on the air that people would actually want to listen to. They think money is evil, though they need it to stay in existence. They won't take corporate donations. And they constantly resist anything resembling change. At this point, they probably deserve to go belly-up. It's really a shame, since Pacifica provides a radio voice to groups that don't have one, and they are definitely pioneers in FM broadcasting, taking a chance on the new medium that netted them some extremely powerful signals (that they have no idea what to do with). But as far as community radio goes, I've seen much smaller groups with very little money that have their act together more than Pacifica does. They're run by people, not egos.
FightingIrish said:
I think that the incremental value of the WBAI signal might be in the vicinity of $10 million... certainly enough to keep Pacifica going for quite a while... with a less costly transmitter site.
ai4i said:
Yes, it seems that is the best scenario. Get a nice AM + cash for 99.5, and go for the greater AM coverage.
Almost all of WBAI is spoken word anyway.
I don't think they can get one of the huge non-D's like770 or 880 or 660, but I'll bet that 1010, 1050, 1130, 1560, or maybe even 710 might be willing to talk. Even 1280, 970 or 1190 wouldn't be a bad tradeoff.
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