Is The Lake Next?

[Bob1370]

"Another FM format bites the dust in favor of an AM simulcast. This time the AM signal isn't a problem! It's WGY!"

The strange thing is, the FM signal footprint is a tiny fraction of the AM--it won't even cover some of the 25 mv/m AM contour. Seems like a total waste, will add little or nothing to WGY's audience but takes away a potential revenue stream that a different format on FM might be able to pull away from some other cluster.

I can understand why WTOP moved to FM, or why KCBS chose an FM simulcast--in each case AM directional pattern limitations got them added coverage in the core market by going to FM either as an alternative (as in DC) or as a parallel channel . When that isn't a problem, like in Albany/Schenectady/Troy, it makes little sense because the program will not necessarily pull in added or better demos just for being on FM, especially if the AM signal is demonstrably way better.

 

[Savage]

As AM demos skew older and older, it's WGY's attempt to recalibrate the audience to a younger crowd. There's a significant number of young people who aren't even aware of the AM buttons on their car radios. I can't tell you how many times in recent years I've been in the front seat of a car driven by someone under 35. When they're out doing errands or engrossed in conversation I punch up the AM band, and find all the factory presets still there, no local stations programmed.

It's sad to say. But it's true.

 

[Lee Rust]

For younger folks, radio means FM.

To most of them, the AM broadcast dial is just as obscure as the shortwave bands or the moons of Jupiter. They've heard about such things, but never bothered to take a look.

Speaking of dials, the under 30 set probably haven't seen many of those either, but the new iPod Nano has a really nice virtual tuning dial on the FM tuner. You flick it with your finger and it 'spins' with the same smooth motion and inertia as an old Telefunken.

 

[Bob1370]

One thing I've found (which is borne out by WXXI-AM's track record, with better shares and cume relative to market size than all but a handful of NPR-affiliate FMs in the country); if you program it, they will come.

If AM listenership for spoken word programmming skews old, it's because the programming itself skews old. Seen coverage of a tea party rally lately? Same 55+ demos as a typical talk show. Flipping bands won't help a station with that kind of audience profile, it'll just pull that audience to another band.

 

[Element9]

Previous to simulcasting news-talk WGY, Clear Channel's Albany FM was Alternative format WHRL. The 6 kw signal on 103.1 is solid in the Metro. In the latest Arbitrend (diary), the former WHRL scored a 2.8 Persons 12+ in Albany-Troy, market #63. By contrast, Buffalo's WLKK does Classic Rock with 19.5 kw from Whethersfield on 107.7 and has a 2.2 Persons 12+ in the latest Arbitrend (diary) for Buffalo-Niagara Falls, market #53.

If CC decided to simulcast a 50 gallon flame throwin' AM on a Class A FM, it's conceivable Entercom and WBEN, especially given its 12+ is slipping, might be considering the possibility of bolstering its 5 kw Buffalo AM with a simulcast move to FM. This doesn't necessarily guarantee WBEN will gain 10 thousand new 25-49 year old listeners. But moving to FM may be a wise pro-active choice. WNYPB, licensee of WNED-AM offers a smart news-talk line-up and a very strong news staff, and is about to LMA WBFO-FM. This public radio/NPR AM-FM news-talk combo could present WBEN with its strongest competition in ten years.

 

[ThePickleReport]

For younger folks, radio means FM.

The problem is radio isn't even in the equation for many. Radio=iPod instead.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Can't imagine too many young people getting excited about Beach, Bauerle, or Rush - no matter what band they're on. Maybe when Sandy retires....