Is WVKO AM in trouble??

[Chuck Douglas]

This is the problem with media consolidation. They need to sell the station and let someone else to own the station. They don't want the competition. Heck I don't listen to the Reds on 1230 since I can pick up WLW just fine. On some nights with my amplified AM external antenna can pick up WTAM 1100 AM HD on my HD100 radio.

*&!%$&*^+@%*!!!!!!!!!!
I had to get that off my chest.

 

[gabigley1]

There is radio spots for the other paper on WVKO AM. I'm guessing it is some sort of deal. Free advertising for both.

I think this is sometimes referred to as a trade-out in radio bussness? WVKO-AM was airing spots for "The Other
Paper" a few weeks before that WVKO-AM ad appeared in print there. So, I wasn't surprised to see the WVKO-AM print ad there. BTY, the new WVKO-AM ad in last weeks paper makes it very clear that WVKO-AM is NOT connected to Clear Channel. I not sure why they wanted to make that statement but I have a few clues.

Today is WVKO-AM one year anniversary for its Progressive Talk format on 1580 AM in case anyone is interested!

 

[GR]

WVKO makes it to its paper anniversary. The switch to Progressive Talk was one year ago today.

 

[willcail]

Hey since it is a year is it time to evaluate the schedule? With Thom Hartman from 3-5PM. and have Randi from 7-9PM, Malloy 9PM-12AM, Jon Elliot 12AM-2AM, Phil Hendrie 2-4AM, and Doug Stephan from 4-6AM?

 

[gabigley1]

Hey since it is a year is it time to evaluate the schedule? With Thom Hartman from 3-5PM. and have Randi from 7-9PM, Malloy 9PM-12AM, Jon Elliot 12AM-2AM, Phil Hendrie 2-4AM, and Doug Stephan from 4-6AM?

I wouldn't mind hearing Phil Hendrie but that wouldn't fit into VKO's Progressive Talk format.

Hopefully, WYTS-AM will make some chances to their talk format soon. They have had the same talk show line
up for almost three years now.

 

[jakej]

Hopefully, WYTS-AM will make some chances to their talk format soon. They have had the same talk show line
up for almost three years now.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But with O'Reilly reportedly getting out of the radio business sometime during the first quarter of next year, someone's going to have to take his spot.

 

[gabigley1]

Ohio Media Watch has a update on WVKO-AM here: http://ohiomedia.blogspot.com/2008/12/out-of-box-monday.html Also, see the Radio-Info thread on the Columbus Clippers moving over to WMNI-AM aver being on WVKO-AM for many years.

WVKO-AM has made improvements to its audio chain but it is still mediocre at best for a top-40 radio market.
Ohio Media Watch claims the audio at WVKO-AM has been fixed but they are based in Cleveland and WVKO-AM can't be heard that far north unless one listens on the internet. At least WVKO-AM is doing their best.

 

[willcail]

Well for WYTS Lou Dobbs. I've been listen to Lou Dobbs from time to time on WCLT 100.3 HD-2/HD-3 FM. On my HD100 receiver.

Well Phil Hendrie would air overnights and there are other progressive talk stations carries Phil. I want some live overnight programming. Like Joey Reynolds.

 

[gabigley1]

WVKO-AM's first day on the air was Monday morning, December 3, 2007 at 6:00 AM. This is what was posted
on the WVKO-AM website about their first anniversary party:

http://www.wvko1580.com

WVKO Listener Appreciation Night at Studio 35 - a Success!

Thanks to all who came out to the see “Religulous” and “W” on December 9th at Studio 35 Cinema. We had a capacity crowd, who came out “to drink the Liberal Kool Aid”, and to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Progressive Talk being back on the air in Central Ohio.

Thanks to the WVKO personnel and volunteers who made this past year possible … but the thanks really goes to you, the listeners. Thank you and happy holidays and best wishes for the new year.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I'm surprised they would pick Religulous as one of the movies. People who didn't have advance knowledge of its content could have been mightily offended, or at least annoyed. Any idea how the audience reacted?

 

[SeanMGilbow]

I'm surprised they would pick Religulous as one of the movies. People who didn't have advance knowledge of its content could have been mightily offended, or at least annoyed. Any idea how the audience reacted?

Favorable.

 

[redsfan1966]

Congrats to WVKO for making it to its one year anniversary.....and a big "way to go" for its celebration on 12/9 at Studio 35.  The old movie theatre in Clintonville was jam packed (people had to be turned away after about an hour and a half)--and everyone seemed to be having a good time.  Mr. Richards (GM) and crew were very responsive to those with questions and in handing out info and bumper stickers and Mr. Alwood gave very inspiring and stirring remarks about the past year and the future for VKO.  It was a very well done affair. 

If only a packed movie house could be applied to the Arbitrons.... :-\

 

[willcail]

Well WVKO AM Fall Phase One ratings is around 13 to 14 thousand listeners per week. Studio 35 have a capacity of around 300 to 400 persons, those pesky fire codes limited on how many people can be in the theater at one time.

There are now WVKO AM yard signs. It all comes down to advertising the station. The Other Paper and I'm assuming Outlook Weekly have WVKO AM print ads.

Remember buy from the local advertisers and Garry will work out deals on local ad buys as well. Right now 3C Body shop buy another round of ads on VKO. Don't tell me 3C is a no name local company.

 

[gabigley1]

There are now WVKO AM yard signs. It all comes down to advertising the station. The Other Paper and I'm assuming Outlook Weekly have WVKO AM print ads. .

I saw one of those signs at 4th and Nationwide Blvd., just north of Downtown. It looks like someone planted it on city property.
It looks like it made be a trade out with the city of Columbus because it seems to be on city property. ??? After all, Columbus needs EVER penny it can get so why not charge rent on that yard sign?

I was listening to Big Eddy on VKO-AM when I came across that sign during one of my walks and that thought
came to me.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Congrats to WVKO for making it to its one year anniversary.....and a big "way to go" for its celebration on 12/9 at Studio 35. The old movie theatre in Clintonville was jam packed (people had to be turned away after about an hour and a half)--and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Mr. Richards (GM) and crew were very responsive to those with questions and in handing out info and bumper stickers and Mr. Alwood gave very inspiring and stirring remarks about the past year and the future for VKO. It was a very well done affair.

If only a packed movie house could be applied to the Arbitrons.... :-\

Sounds like we have a replacement for Blitz Fest

 

[willcail]

Does Arbitron includes web streams?

 

[del_griffith]

any truth to the rumors that Saint Gabriel (WUCO owners) have been sniffing around seeing if they can LMA the frequency?

 

[gabigley1]

any truth to the rumors that Saint Gabriel (WUCO owners) have been sniffing around seeing if they can LMA the frequency?

Is the station even up for rent? I'm sure they want a Columbus signal but if VKO isn't up for rent, why would they even bother to inquire unless the station is dropping progressive talk. Saint Gabriel has been looking for
a Columbus signal for several years now and WVKO-AM would work if the price is right.

 

[SeanMGilbow]

any truth to the rumors that Saint Gabriel (WUCO owners) have been sniffing around seeing if they can LMA the frequency?

No.

 

[gabigley1]

Gary Richards was quoted during the one year anniversary party as saying that it's a month to month struggle to keep WVKO-AM and progressive talk radio on the air in Columbus.
If the above rumor is true, maybe Gary Richards has given notice that he can't rent WVKO-AM anymore.
Another listener in this podcast(see below) says the station is on the air by the skin of it's teeth
This doesn't look good even after their listeners have contributed to WVKO-AM to help keep it on the air. I hope the rumor is not true but it doesn't look good for VKO-AM and progressive talk radio in Columbus
and that would explain why another group is looking into renting WVKO-AM.

They talk about the station 34 minutes into this this one year anniversary broadcast here:

http://www.wvko1580.com/mp3/bluestate-20081213.mp3