Jacksonville

[upstate29651]

What's the news talk situation in that market?

690/106.5 is the 800lb gorilla.

G

 

[N1WVQ]

What's the news talk situation in that market?

On the southern fringes in St. Augustine there's also WFOY & in Flagler County, WNZF (but that may be too far south to be considered the Jax market).

 

[nfladxer]

What's the news talk situation in that market?

690/106.5 is the 800lb gorilla.

G

[/quote]
On the southern fringes in St. Augustine there's also WFOY & in Flagler County, WNZF (but that may be too far south to be considered the Jax market).
[/quote]

News/Talk in Jax area: Cox owned WOKV 690AM/106.5FM is the undisputed leader, with the ONLY real local Radio News presence, established syndicated talk, including Rush, Hannity, plus excellent production standards. Talkradio 600 WBOB, some good weekday syndicated Conservative Talk programs, but uneven local presentation featuring weekday drive time traffic/weather, brokered local weekend shows, and NASCAR, a distant #2 in the talk arena. WFOY AM 1240 St. Augustine, very popular locally in and near St. Augustine proper. They moved their tower several years ago resulting in a much reduced signal coverage area. WNZF, Palm Coast (Bunnell) AM 1550 (also on very effective FM translator)does an excellent job, with very good local elements combined with some syndicated talk fare. But as has been stated, station is located about 60 miles South of Jax, resulting in mainly Flagler County influence and coverage.

 

[nuffsaid]

I heard of WFOY but know nothing about them. Heard the former owner went to prison for some kind of lottery scandal???

 

[Dock Trash]

WAOC (am) and WYRE-FM are also in St. Augustine. WFOY and WAOC are diplexed onto the same tower where the WYRE-FM transmitter is located.

 

[ok walters]

The owners ex husband went to prison, not the owner Kris Phillips. She does a great job with 1240 WFOY and 1420 WAOC. The WYRE transmitter is located at WFOY, not the other way around. WYRE leases tower space from WFOY. The 1240 signal is not very strong, but they do very well in St. Augustine proper.

 

[nfladxer]

The WYRE transmitter is located at WFOY, not the other way around. WYRE leases tower space from WFOY.
The 1240 signal is not very strong, but they do very well in St. Augustine proper.

As I pointed out earlier, 1240 WFOY IS quite popular and successful IN and NEAR St. Augustine. As a long time broadcaster and DX'er in Jacksonville, I was disappointed when they relocated the WFOY transmitter from the bayfront to the WAOC transmitter tower site, because the move resulted in the loss of quite a bit of their fringe signal. I used to be able to hear WFOY quite easily in Jax, but now their signal is pretty much absent. I realize this doesn't seem to impact WFOY negatively, as long as their target audience, the people of St. Augustine, can hear them! Just hated to see their overall signal get reduced. I hope WFOY continues to superserve their local audience - no matter how powerful their signal is! Some larger broadcasters should take notice, and remind themselves how effective "Live and Local" can be!

 

[carolinaradio]

I know this was mentioned in another, earlier thread, but Jack is leaning awfully rock - is it just me, or is it way more rock sounding than when they signed on? If I recall correctly, there was 70s/80s/90s pop in the playlist when they signed on, but now it's almost like a rock station. Most variety hits stations incorporate elements of new wave, pop, disco, etc. in to their playlists, as well as rock.

That's a mistake, IMO, as pop music from the 70s and 80s is vastly underrepresented in this market, unless 96.1 happens to play something from that realm. Seems like Jack is trying to be the 5th rock station.

 

[ok walters]

The old location was great, but the tower was rusted and ready to fall in the water, according to the previous owner. It was a perfect spot, but that real estate was worth too much for a tower site.

 

[John FL]

Since a good number of subjects have been brought up in this string, I’d like to add CC Jax to the mix. Per “Inside Music Media,” it was reported that CC is taking a look at how they use studio and office space across the country. Apparently, someone at each facility is/has been tasked with completing a survey about space and how it is being used. My understanding is this has probably been completed by now.
What it means for Jax, I’m not quite sure given there have been substantial layoffs this year already. The article did say the company is interested in all people working in that space, even if they are corporate employees like Katz, Premiere etc. – if they are in the local facility they need to be counted.

Accounting for the number of employees and the amount of space being used sounds to me like more downsizing is in the works that may go even beyond people to include facilities. In Jax, the radio studios are in the same building as the TV stations. Does that really even matter anymore if more and more automation and national voice tracking is in the works?

What I took from what I read is if additional cuts happen, it will be this month. (July) The morale can’t be too good @ Central Parkway. At this point, whatever happens would not surprise me. I guess we'll have to see what happens or maybe someone in the know can shed some light on this.

 

[John FL]

Well, my last post was probably not news as most businesses look at leasing costs from time to time. But to Carolinaradio's comment about Jack, you are right. Usually new formats go through trials and errors. But I think in this case, it's obvious the station is in other hands. When Jack was launched, the last OM was at the helm. He's gone and the station is probably on auto pilot. It's trending up but that's usually the case for most new formats. But now with Jack and so many rock songs featured, it's more of the same. I've heard Jack type formats elsewhere and while it's not my cup of tea, I think it lives up to more variety hits than what we have here.

In the 15 years I've called Jax home, I don't believe radio here has been this bad. But that's just my opinion. For a market this size to be so top heavy among one or two formats I don't believe really represents this community. Ironically when I got to Jax, diversity in this market wasn't nearly what it is today yet radio offered a lot more choices to listeners and we seemed to rock to a different beat.

If there is any silver lining, perhaps CC is looking at facilities as part of an exit strategy in some markets. Perhaps if a small operator or two buy some stations, maybe the chance goes up that something new and fresh could be brought to market. In the meantime, Cox has made very big news this year - not here - but in South Florida. This has been brought up before. Personally, I don't know what Cox is waiting for. Magic is gone 3 months now and there is a very big hole in the market once again. I'm not holding out hope Cox will do oldies but the addition of a WFEZ type station here just makes sense. PD Gary Williams has seen his stock rise big time in the company. I'd bring him here in a flash to consult in building something unique to Jax. I've known of him for years and I respect his abilities and I consider him a genius of a programmer.

As far as CC goes, slashing payroll and running on the cheap is the focus. If these guys could have positioned Radio Now to be a modern AC and rhythmic leaning like WFLC is in S. Fla and if Magic could have gone softer like a WFEZ, this would have been a formidable combo. That will never be. So now, the bean counters are surely happy but overall what comes out the speakers in Jacksonville is anything but good radio.

 

[carolinaradio]

Well, my last post was probably not news as most businesses look at leasing costs from time to time. But to Carolinaradio's comment about Jack, you are right. Usually new formats go through trials and errors. But I think in this case, it's obvious the station is in other hands. When Jack was launched, the last OM was at the helm. He's gone and the station is probably on auto pilot. It's trending up but that's usually the case for most new formats. But now with Jack and so many rock songs featured, it's more of the same. I've heard Jack type formats elsewhere and while it's not my cup of tea, I think it lives up to more variety hits than what we have here.

It's interesting that Jack is being programmed locally, unlike many other variety hits stations (SHE in Miami, for example) that Clear Channel owns, who run Premium Choice (107.3 ran PC in the late night hours for much of their existence as Magic, like most other CC stations). I believe there is also a national Jack-FM feed. So, there is obviously someone in Jacksonville calling the shots here. I can only guess that this direction is aimed at taking some wind out of The Eagle's share, as well as Classic Rock 94.1 - or potentially excincting them?

The market can not sustain three stations so similar. As successful as it is, I don't know if they can take much out of 96.9, who shares a lot of music with 107.3. The Eagle has done well for quite a few years, as boring as they are, so I don't know if that will change. If they weren't there, I think Jack would stand a better chance.

I think a smarter move for 107.3 as Jack would have been to take on more of a pop sound to take aim at WEJZ, as well as retain some of the former Magic listeners. I'm actually surprised nobody has tried to take on WEJZ directly with an AC format, or something like WFEZ, as you mention. WMGF in Orlando, while not Cox, is a good softer AC station as well - sort of a "middle ground" between a WFEZ-type AC and WEJZ-type AC.

 

[nfladxer]

(107.3 ran PC in the late night hours for much of their existence as Magic, like most other CC stations).

To the best of my knowledge, Magic 107-3 didn't utilize CC Premium choice in the evening until after their most recent OM, Kris Abrams, arrived last fall. Note: For whatever reason, he's already left the building.

I think a smarter move for 107.3 as Jack would have been to take on more of a pop sound to take aim at WEJZ, as well as retain some of the former Magic listeners. I'm actually surprised nobody has tried to take on WEJZ directly with an AC format, or something like WFEZ, as you mention. WMGF in Orlando, while not Cox, is a good softer AC station as well - sort of a "middle ground" between a WFEZ-type AC and WEJZ-type AC.

IMHO, WEJZ seems to be more vulnerable than they've been in the recent past. With their already established Florida experience in the format, Cox would be wise to consider an "Easy Oldies WFEZ-like" station on one of their sticks here in Jax - very wise!

 

[jmtillery]

(107.3 ran PC in the late night hours for much of their existence as Magic, like most other CC stations).

To the best of my knowledge, Magic 107-3 didn't utilize CC Premium choice in the evening until after their most recent OM, Kris Abrams, arrived last fall. Note: For whatever reason, he's already left the building.

I think a smarter move for 107.3 as Jack would have been to take on more of a pop sound to take aim at WEJZ, as well as retain some of the former Magic listeners. I'm actually surprised nobody has tried to take on WEJZ directly with an AC format, or something like WFEZ, as you mention. WMGF in Orlando, while not Cox, is a good softer AC station as well - sort of a "middle ground" between a WFEZ-type AC and WEJZ-type AC.

IMHO, WEJZ seems to be more vulnerable than they've been in the recent past. With their already established Florida experience in the format, Cox would be wise to consider an "Easy Oldies WFEZ-like" station on one of their sticks here in Jax - very wise!

Which Jacksonville signal(s) do you believe are underperforming to the point a new adult contemporary format will be a better choice for said signal(s)?

 

[carolinaradio]

To the best of my knowledge, Magic 107-3 didn't utilize CC Premium choice in the evening until after their most recent OM, Kris Abrams, arrived last fall. Note: For whatever reason, he's already left the building.

I don't know if this is true everywhere, but a lot more markets started using Premium Choice (especially 12-5am'ish) later last year. While I believe it's optional, CC might have started encouraging it more as well. Greenville, SC started using Premium Choice around that time.

IMHO, WEJZ seems to be more vulnerable than they've been in the recent past. With their already established Florida experience in the format, Cox would be wise to consider an "Easy Oldies WFEZ-like" station on one of their sticks here in Jax - very wise!

I wonder if any of the Cox stations are underperforming enough to consider a WFEZ approach on. The only stick that I think would even warrant consideration for a change at the moment is 104.5. I've said it a million times, and I know they tried it before (and gave it no chance), but a classic hits station in the Renda stable would be a smart choice and would help serve as a buffer for Lite against another station going AC, especially a "soft" one. I still think classic hits would have more desirable demos than, say, classic country...

BTW: Jax PPM came out today and 6+, Eagle was down some and Jack was up a bit. Maybe they are on to something with the rock lean. No numbers for Classic Rock 94.1 since Renda doesn't subscribe.

 

[John FL]

To Dr. Tillery’s question “Which Jacksonville signal(s) do you believe are underperforming.,,,, ?” Well, that’s really a loaded question. Ratings don’t tell the full story. Sometimes, it’s all about making changes that strengthen the cluster overall. Sometimes it’s about increasing market share or increasing revenue potential for the cluster as a whole etc. Sometimes it’s about targeting an underserved market. Sometimes it’s just about where the company wants to go. Sometimes it's about filling a format hole.

Think back to when WRUF-FM flipped from Rock to Country. If one were to look at ratings, WRUF-FM appeared to be doing quite well. In fact this board discussed the logic of that flip for months. I don’t recall anyone saying WRUF-FM was underperforming.

Company support for a format plays an important role. Magic 107-3 wasn’t totally underperforming. They were on track in a lot of areas yet the plug was pulled. Much earlier Cox yanked Cool 96.9, despite being the most listened to oldies station in Florida. Cox simply didn’t want to invest time and effort in a format they didn’t see as a winner. So again, the nature of your question can lead to an incorrect conclusion.

What we do know is this. Jacksonville has 5 rock-oriented stations in the market. Perhaps all of them perform well in certain areas and there are of value to the cluster. I can’t see much growth staying the course and I would suspect time spent listening has to be challenging. The rock lovers have lots of buttons to push. With just one less station, TSL would have to go up at the other Cox rockers – and that’s a good thing. But Cox has to ask what I believe is the more important question. Can they perform even better by filling a very obvious programming hole while at the same time improving the performance of other stations in the cluster?

To Carolinaradio's point, I totally agree. Unfortunately, we can't go back in time. WSOS should never have been flipped to classic rock. That signal was just made for a soft classic hits type format. When an AC is partnered with a very well run and SUPPORTED classic hits/oldies format, the results often are a win/win for both the company and the listeners.

 

[nfladxer]

(107.3 ran PC in the late night hours for much of their existence as Magic, like most other CC stations).

To the best of my knowledge, Magic 107-3 didn't utilize CC Premium choice in the evening until after their most recent OM, Kris Abrams, arrived last fall. Note: For whatever reason, he's already left the building.

I think a smarter move for 107.3 as Jack would have been to take on more of a pop sound to take aim at WEJZ, as well as retain some of the former Magic listeners. I'm actually surprised nobody has tried to take on WEJZ directly with an AC format, or something like WFEZ, as you mention. WMGF in Orlando, while not Cox, is a good softer AC station as well - sort of a "middle ground" between a WFEZ-type AC and WEJZ-type AC.

IMHO, WEJZ seems to be more vulnerable than they've been in the recent past. With their already established Florida experience in the format, Cox would be wise to consider an "Easy Oldies WFEZ-like" station on one of their sticks here in Jax - very wise!

Which Jacksonville signal(s) do you believe are underperforming to the point a new adult contemporary format will be a better choice for said signal(s)?

Dr. Tillery, Carolinaradio and JohnJax are on to something, as they have been for awhile. Since the rock audience seems to be over-served in Jax at this time, here's my take. I totally agree with JohnJax, WSOS should NOT have been flipped to Classsic Rock, currently it's just an iPod on steroids. FM 94.1 would make more sense playing "The First Coast's Greatest Hits" - hiring a few well known local hosts, although, in this economy, that doesn't seem likely. While WSOS doesn't have a full market signal, the signal is good enough for a well executed Oldies/Classic Hits format to attract listeners hungry for the format, if properly marketed. Plus, despite what some consultants/surveys may indicate, I feel strongly an updated Oldies format still has tremendous potential and universal appeal, and being family-friendly, solid sales opportunity. And, has been indicated in the past, another option would be for Cox to install their version of "Easy 93.1 WFEZ" on 104.5 - I think this could fly! I've listened to WFEZ extensively, and IMO, if executed on air in Jacksonville at the same level, could give WEJZ some heartburn.

 

[nfladxer]

IF neither Renda or Cox are interested in making changes, the only other current possibilty for an "Easy Oldies" or an "Oldies/Classic Hits" station might be on 105.3, since I believe, it's still being run by a trust, and could possibly still be available for a smart buyer/operator.

 

[carolinaradio]

Dr. Tillery, Carolinaradio and JohnJax are on to something, as they have been for awhile. Since the rock audience seems to be over-served in Jax at this time, here's my take. I totally agree with JohnJax, WSOS should NOT have been flipped to Classsic Rock, currently it's just an iPod on steroids. FM 94.1 would make more sense playing "The First Coast's Greatest Hits" - hiring a few well known local hosts, although, in this economy, that doesn't seem likely. While WSOS doesn't have a full market signal, the signal is good enough for a well executed Oldies/Classic Hits format to attract listeners hungry for the format, if properly marketed. Plus, despite what some consultants/surveys may indicate, I feel strongly an updated Oldies format still has tremendous potential and universal appeal, and being family-friendly, solid sales opportunity. And, has been indicated in the past, another option would be for Cox to install their version of "Easy 93.1 WFEZ" on 104.5 - I think this could fly! I've listened to WFEZ extensively, and IMO, if executed on air in Jacksonville at the same level, could give WEJZ some heartburn.

There is definitely a market for classic hits in a market like Jacksonville. All of the markets in Florida that I can think of, sans the Panhandle, have a classic hits/oldies station. Magic 107-3, while not a top station, went out on a fairly high note and was a good performer throughout most of its relatively short life. The 94.1 signal, while not great (its 60dbu ends a little north of downtown Jacksonville), seems like a good signal for such a format. I also think it is a signal better for a niche format that is not anywhere else.

I can't stream Classic Rock online, or find a log of their recently played songs, so I can't comment on their playlist currently. However, they have an awfully tight squeeze on them from 96.9 and 107.3. Renda has several good Classic Hits stations - notably KOMA in Oklahoma City, which has had the format for around 20 years. Hopefully, should they change 94.1 at some point, they'll consider it (and not go by that Kool 100.7 debacle).

 

[upstate29651]

And, has been indicated in the past, another option would be for Cox to install their version of "Easy 93.1 WFEZ" on 104.5 - I think this could fly!

They would pit themselves against 96.9...not a smart move.

G