Is WVKO AM in trouble??

[smedge2006]

No commercial radio station has any business asking for donations.

It's absurd for anyone to contribute money to a station that could change format at any time -- and not refund the cash. Lawsuits have been filed over format changes by contributors to public stations, and the courts have sided with the stations.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

No commercial radio station has any business asking for donations.

It's absurd for anyone to contribute money to a station that could change format at any time -- and not refund the cash. Lawsuits have been filed over format changes by contributors to public stations, and the courts have sided with the stations.

Doesn't WCVO still ask for donations in addition to running commercials? I rarely listen to CVO, so someone please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[gabigley1]

Is WVKO-AM going to refund cash donations to donors if WVKO-AM winds up dropping it's Progressive Talk
format on 1580-AM in a few weeks time? There were many angry WTPG listeners when they dropped their
Progressive Talk format on 1230-AM last year so it stands to reason that some of the WVKO donors will
request a refund of their cash donation if WVKO dose drops Progressive Talk from 1580-AM.

It seems bringing in Ed Schultz and Bill Press into town is a better way to raise funds for the station/format.
Nothing is listed on the WVKO-AM website about any Ed Schultz and/or Bill Press upcoming appearances.
Bill Press said he will be in town soon and there is talk of Ed Schultz being in town this July. WVKO-AM
said Bill Press will be rescheduled for June but nothing is scheduled yet on the WVKO website.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Are they are also asking for donations on-air and directing listeners to the website to submit the donations?  If the answer is no, and they are instead depending entirely on listeners who just happen to visit the website -- or unrealistically assuming that all listeners already visit -- then I can see why the station is in trouble.

 

[ajhenderson]

If WVKO is leased, they may not have control over when the format changes - if they get the locks changed on them, the owner can program whatever he wants until someone else leases it. As to appearances, you might be on to something... what they'd have to do is ask for donations to put Bill and Ed up in Columbus, so they could have appearances to raise money instead of ask for donations

 

[gabigley1]

Are they are also asking for donations on-air and directing listeners to the website to submit the donations? If the answer is no, and they are instead depending entirely on listeners who just happen to visit the website -- or unrealistically assuming that all listeners already visit -- then I can see why the station is in trouble.

Mr. Gary Richards has an announcement running on WVKO where he encourages his/their listeners to visit the WVKO-AM website at http://www.wvko1580.com/ This is run dozen of times during the day on WVKO-AM.
So, from that standpoint, this website site is sanctioned by Mr. Gary Richards and COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS but they don't directly solicit cash donations over the air. At LEAST not
yet.

They have made it clear today that any donations would go to COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC.
They part was recently added to their contribution page http://www.wvko1580.com/contributions/

QUOTE

Your contribution goes directly to WVKO, where Gary Richards is the General Manager. Gary is also the President of Cowtown Communications, which is the “parent company” of WVKO-AM.
If you wish to contribute by check, make it payable to “COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC”, and send it to:
Cowtown Communications, LLC
c/o WVKO AM
74 S. 4th Street
Columbus, OH 43215
If you have any comments or suggestions for the station, please fill out our online comment form on our Contact page.
Thanks very much for your support!
Gary Richards, General Manager, WVKO AM
-and-
Ohio Majority Radio

QUOTE

 

[gabigley1]

I noticed on the contribution page that COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC. is
listed as the WVKO-AM parent company. Bernard Ohio is the Licensee of WVKO-AM so are they the true parent company of WVKO-AM? COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC. has a LMA agreement with Bernard Ohio of Dallas, Texas.
If Bernard Ohio is actually the parent company of WVKO-AM then their donors are being deceived into thinking that their donations are going to the WVKO-AM parent company. COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC. dose not own WVKO-AM.

If COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC dose not make good make good on it's
rent payments to Bernard Ohio then COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
would lose programing rights to WVKO-AM signal. This may happen in the next
few weeks and the WVKO-AM listeners that donated to the cause thinking they
were saving the progressive talk format on WVKO-AM would be out their donated money.

Also, if COWTOWN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC goes under, where would this leave
the Columbus Clippers? The Columbus Clippers were left without an affiliate back
in 2006 when WVKO-AM fell silent on May 4 of that year.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Local afternoon news on WVKO-AM to start in June

Just posted at the WVKO message board:

Hi, everybody.

Beginning next month, you'll be able to get updates on the day's news during afternoon drive here on WVKO-AM 1580.

A big thanks to Gary Richards and Michael Alwood for offering me the opportunity to bring you the news on the drive home.

This will be my first time regularly behind a microphone since 1989, when I anchored the afternoon newscasts on WADC in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

I'm a graduate of Kent State (December 1985), where I majored in Journalism (Broadcast News and Telecommunications). After an extended internship with WAKR in Akron, still among Ohio's top news operations, I was hired after college with another Akron-area station, WCUE, where my coverage of Akron/Summit County news ranked the station among the top ten news contributors to the Ohio Associated Press in 1986.

Keep in mind: I'm not quitting my day job as a Customer Service Assistant with the Ohio Department of Public Safety (Bureau of Motor Vehicles). I will arrive at the station directly from work to bring you the day's news.

Also be aware this will mean you will hear more of my commercials about how I clean my toilet bowl with my bare hands (Michael really enjoys that spot), but it all comes down to yours truly and my business, www.CleanLeft.com, showing its commitment to progressive talk becoming a permanent fixture on WVKO and in the Columbus radio market.

The specific start date in June is not official.

But Monday is June 2.

Stay tuned.

 

[gabigley1]

Sean Gilbow,

Will WVKO-AM still be on the air by the time you start your new gig?

You seem to be very very compassionate about the WVKO format but
their progressive talk format seems to be on shaky ground at the very best.

When Bruce Collins announced announced that he was dropping the progressive
talk format on WTPG 1230 on WTVN last year he said he was doing so because
there were "problems" over on that CC station. He didn't elaborate but CC may
have had problems selling ad time on WTPG despite the increase of ratings
over the previous format(s). Personally, I think CC Columbus did a better job
of executing the progressive talk format and wish they would have kept the
progressives talk format on 1230 AM.

Will Bill Press and Big Eddie every make a WVKO appearance. Bill Press said on
they air that his Columbus appearance will be rescheduled but no new date has
been mentioned. Has Bill Press given up on WVKO?

 

[gabigley1]

Click here for the rest of this letter to the editors:

http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...mbes.ART_ART_06-02-08_A8_3FABV7P.html?sid=101

Bashing of Clinton turns off listeners
Monday, June 2, 2008 2:57 AM

(QUOTE)
I was somewhat amazed to receive an e-mail last week from Ohio's Progressive Talk radio station, WVKO (1580 AM), asking me for a contribution to help keep it on the air. After some consideration, it's actually not that surprising. WVKO's money problems are most likely due to the fact that the shows it carries have alienated over half of its audience.

HILARY FRAMBES
Plain City, OHIO
(QUOTE)

 

[SeanMGilbow]

1. The station is experiencing a rough patch.
2. Bill Press is currently on vacation.
3. Plans for Ed Schultz are still in the works.
4. WVKO will be at Pride on June 28.
5. I have a day job. The resolution of one unexpected issue involving my car will determine when I begin delivering the news afternoons.
6. The Clintonista whose letter appeared in the Dispatch has no clue as to what an Arbitron book is. WVKO did not show up in the Arbitrends but still appeared in the Winter 2007-08 ratings tied with the former progressive station owned by Clear Channel. I'll deal with the woman later; she's not worth my time.
7. And since when does operating a station on auto-pilot beat having actual people behind the scenes?

 

[gabigley1]

These are Letters to the Editors regarding WVKO-AM asking for contributions so it stay on the air.
If the WVKO-AM site is run buy Ohio Majority Radio and they are asking for contributions for
WVKO-AM's sake then those contributions should go directly to WVKO and not Ohio Majority Radio.
Mr Richards makes it seem as though he knows nothing about the contribution page on the WVKO-AM
website which will lead some to think their contributions will go to directly Ohio Majority Radio instead of
WVKO radio. Is anyone else troubled by this beside Ms. HILARY FRAMBES in her letters below??

I don't think letters to the editors are copy-righted, it they are please just include the links.

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/liv...mbes.ART_ART_06-02-08_A8_3FABV7P.html?sid=101

Bashing of Clinton turns off listeners
Monday, June 2, 2008 2:57 AM

(QUOTE)
I was somewhat amazed to receive an e-mail last week from Ohio's Progressive Talk radio station, WVKO (1580 AM), asking me for a contribution to help keep it on the air. After some consideration, it's actually not that surprising. WVKO's money problems are most likely due to the fact that the shows it carries have alienated over half of its audience.

When hosts like Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller turn their shows into a two- or three-hour Hillary Clinton bash-fest, we Clinton supporters change the radio station. Let's not forget Randi Rhodes' inflammatory comments about New York Sen. Clinton that ended in her suspension.

The fact is, I am a progressive Democrat and haven't listened to WVKO in months. And I'm sure I'm not alone, as Clinton won Ohio by 10 percent over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

If you drive half your audience away, then I'm sure advertising revenue becomes a problem. I guess it's not surprising that the station's in trouble, considering all that.

HILARY FRAMBES
Plain City
(QUOTE)

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/liv...ds__MUST_ART_06-10-08_A8_HFAEQ4C.html?sid=101

(QUOTE)
WVKO-AM did not seek contributions
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:55 AM

I wish to set the record straight regarding Hilary Frambes' June 2 letter, "Bashing of Clinton turns off listeners." Frambes claims she received an e-mail from WVKO-AM (1580) asking for a contribution and accuses the station of bashing New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and alienating its audience.

First of all, Frambes did not receive an e-mail from WVKO. She might have received one from Ohio Majority Radio, which supports WVKO but is not affiliated with the station. WVKO has, from Day One, remained neutral, not endorsing any candidate.

With the exception of two one-hour local talk shows, the programs aired by the station are nationally syndicated shows that WVKO has contractual obligations to carry. The station is not responsible for the content of the shows or the opinions expressed by the hosts.

Finally, Frambes uses fuzzy math to contend that WVKO is alienating more than half its audience, as Clinton won Ohio by 10 percentage points. WVKO's coverage area is primarily Columbus and Franklin County, where Illinois Sen. Barack Obama actually defeated Clinton.

GARY RICHARDS
WVKO general manager
Columbus
(QUOTE)

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/liv.../Frambes_ART_06-16-08_A6_0PAFQ5D.html?sid=101

(QUOTE)
E-mail contained links to radio station
Monday, June 16, 2008 3:10 AM

I respond to the Tuesday letter "WVKO-AM did not seek contributions," from Gary Richards, general manager of WVKO-AM (1580). The station did indeed send me an e-mail asking for a contribution.

Even though Richards stated that I "might have received one from Ohio Majority Radio, which supports WVKO but is not affiliated with the station," the e-mail I received on May 23 was indeed signed by "WVKO Management and Ohio Majority Radio."

The e-mail address from which the letter was sent includes the domain name of WVKO1580.com. The station's call letters are sprinkled throughout the e-mail, with links to contribute to the station at www.wvko1580.com/contributions/. There's even a link in the e-mail to make comments or suggestions to the station.

And finally, the station's Web site ( www.wvko1580.com) has a link for contributions right on the front page. Either Richards has no idea what his staff is doing, or Ohio Majority Radio acted without his knowledge. Either scenario is troubling.

HILARY FRAMBES
Plain City
(QUOTE)

 

[Allfirdup]

These are Letters to the Editors regarding WVKO-AM asking for contributions so it stay on the air.
If the WVKO-AM site is run buy Ohio Majority Radio and they are asking for contributions for
WVKO-AM's sake then those contributions should go directly to WVKO and not Ohio Majority Radio.
Mr Richards makes it seem as though he knows nothing about the contribution page on the WVKO-AM
website which will lead some to think their contributions will go to directly Ohio Majority Radio instead of
WVKO radio. Is anyone else troubled by this beside Ms. HILARY FRAMBES in her letters below??

if you look at the bottom of the contribution pages on the WVKO site it says right on it where to send dontations and it is signed
Gary Richards, General Manager, WVKO AM -and- Ohio Majority Radio

http://www.wvko1580.com/contributions/

 

[lifeuw19]

Sean,
I have to know... how much does an ad run on WVKO?
Thanks...

 

[SeanMGilbow]

Sean,
I have to know... how much does an ad run on WVKO?
Thanks...

I don't sell the ad time. I just buy packages at $500 to $1,000 at a crack.

The news which I do is brokered programming. It gets me more spots.

As the listeners who check the WVKO and Ohio Majority Radio message boards already know, I'm working overtime at the BMV due to a major computer problem involving mail-in registration renewals. That's why I haven't been on the air the last several days, and it may be the first of July before I get back behind the microphone if the computer problem isn't corrected in a timely fashion.

Which is also why I have no time for the likes of Hillary Frambes, and why I haven't responded to some of the postings of late.

What I will tell you is the station does have a satellite dish, contrary to a previous post.

And before anyone asks...I do what I do because I enjoy being behind a microphone doing what I wanted (note past tense) to do as a career. But money talks, especially at $30 an hour when working overtime (public record). And I'm not the only person with a day job and relevant experience who is "giving" their time for the success of WVKO-AM. But we are determined, in spite of the glitches, to make this work.

Trust me...the glitches at WVKO are nothing compared to what we're dealing with at the BMV right now. And while you may be hearing Governor Strickland nearly every hour now on the station, the one thing we're trying to avoid is the Governor having to address any service interruptions with the BMV. Nonetheless, my advice if your plates are due for renewal in the next couple of weeks is go online or visit your nearest Deputy Registrar.

Sorry I can't be of more help right now.

 

[psonderman]

VKO prefers to sell packages, but its 1st Quarter rate sheet was as follows:

Monday-Sunday

6AM - 7PM

:30 - $25

:60 - $35

7PM - 12M

:30 - $20

:60 - $30

12M - 6AM

:30 - $15

:60 - $25

 

[cadkins6739]

Satellite dish doesn't matter, it will not improve the audio. The problem is the poor quality STL feed. That's why WVKO sounds like remote used to in the 60's. That should be fixed. I was listening a few nights ago, and the level was too high and the distortion was so bad I couldn't listen to it anymore. The live programing has so much potential and is so good in many cases, and shouldn't have to suffer the bad audio. It will always sound like a remote even with a sat dish until the STL audio is improved.

Sean,
I have to know... how much does an ad run on WVKO?
Thanks...

I don't sell the ad time. I just buy packages at $500 to $1,000 at a crack.

The news which I do is brokered programming. It gets me more spots.

As the listeners who check the WVKO and Ohio Majority Radio message boards already know, I'm working overtime at the BMV due to a major computer problem involving mail-in registration renewals. That's why I haven't been on the air the last several days, and it may be the first of July before I get back behind the microphone if the computer problem isn't corrected in a timely fashion.

Which is also why I have no time for the likes of Hillary Frambes, and why I haven't responded to some of the postings of late.

What I will tell you is the station does have a satellite dish, contrary to a previous post.

And before anyone asks...I do what I do because I enjoy being behind a microphone doing what I wanted (note past tense) to do as a career. But money talks, especially at $30 an hour when working overtime (public record). And I'm not the only person with a day job and relevant experience who is "giving" their time for the success of WVKO-AM. But we are determined, in spite of the glitches, to make this work.

Trust me...the glitches at WVKO are nothing compared to what we're dealing with at the BMV right now. And while you may be hearing Governor Strickland nearly every hour now on the station, the one thing we're trying to avoid is the Governor having to address any service interruptions with the BMV. Nonetheless, my advice if your plates are due for renewal in the next couple of weeks is go online or visit your nearest Deputy Registrar.

Sorry I can't be of more help right now.

 

[gabigley1]

Noticed today that WVKO-AM is charging $3.50 for their new bumper stickers. I
collect radio stickers from stations I enjoy listening to but this is the first time I
have have heard of a station charging for one. This may be a first for a commercial
station. It looks like the profits from the sale of these bumper stickers will go to the keep WVKO-AM on the air fund. It doesn't cost $3.50 to make each sticker so there must be a profit here for the radio station.

Personal, I'm a fan of the format and would like to see WVKO-AM succeed but I
don't think they need to nickel and dime their audience to death so they can stay on the air. This could wind up turning off listeners.

This is their new store: http://www.wvko1580.com/products-page/ and nothing is for free here because it goes to the keep WVKO-AM on the air fund. You do want
to keep WVKO-AM on the air don't you?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Hmmm, this is starting to sound like Skybus.  OK, maybe $3.50 will go a little further toward covering VKO's expenses than a Skybus $5.00 beef jerky sale eased their humongously greater costs of operating.  But I still don't know how far that can go to help VKO...  I would have liked to see Skybus succeed, and I would like to see VKO succeed.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

If it were up to me, I'd give away either a bumper sticker or window cling with each T-shirt or magnet order.

But I have no affiliation with the online store.