K-Love coming to WRQQ 97.1 Belle Meade 7/16/2012

[xmusicmatt]

I read some of the legal documents filed with WRQQ's application on the FCC website. as of 12:01AM on 7/16, RQQ has to carrry all of the K-Love programming content 24x7 without any interruptions (except for EAS). They are allowed 2 hours a week for local content, Sunday mornings btwn 6a-8a to meet the FCC requirements there. So, both Vandy and B&T will either have to move elsewhere, or be off the air.

None of the cumulus programming will carry over... The purpose of EMF taking over the station is to program it... "The Cloud group" will have to either air RQQ's programming they had on 97.1 on one of their other signals or end their relationships with Bob and Tom and the sports they also carried.. Only local content EMF will have is likely some public affairs stuff early Sunday morning.

And yes, the call letters will change.. EMF won't keep RQQ.

 

[techguy1975]

This is the link for the WRQQ application for the license change, as well as other supporting documents

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/w...xt=25&appn=101506226&formid=314&fac_num=26689

 

[onetake]

It was interesting to see a poster use the phrase "Nashville is a huge Christian market." The format in both listeners and music sales has not shown grown really in part because the mega stars of the format (A Grant/M W Smith/Chapman) are not as hot. Additionally this will be one of the few markets where Way FM, the Fish, and Klove take the additional attraction shared by Bott and Moody, along with some gospel, and either grow or split the religious audience. Truth is Klove does a lot of record company tied in promotions, and with the labels based here they stand to benefit from a positive experience with the record companies that can hear them now, and the artists and writers who live here.

Fish here isn't the same as in other markets. After the morning show they carry their network. KLTY Dallas and WFSH Atlanta are the 2 monster fish products and it's just different.

Klove actually does sound enormously better than Fish. However, neither station benefits from using a deep oldie base of familar tunes and the "sameness" in the sound of this format, just doesn't make it was interesting or even appealing as it was 10 years ago. Just because lots of churches are in Nashville doesn't mean this will be a bit hit.

Klove is non commercial. So whatever business 97.1 has been taking out of the market might just flow to other stations needing to have a revenue boost. Hope Cumulus is fair to the 97.1 people who have hung in with change after change year after year. They deserve a medal!

 

[yorkie9]

Looks like the website is down and the Facebook page is gone also. They don't waste any time!

www.971rqq.com

 

[xmusicmatt]

Looks like the website is down and the Facebook page is gone also. They don't waste any time!

www.971rqq.com

Mainstream Rock fans aren't exactly the type that would take kindly to their "Classic Hits" station being blown up for Jesus music... I guess Cumulus wants it to go away [Facebook and web] so they don't have to deal with the backlash in such a public way.

 

[Kent]

While I can't speak for the Facebook page, I had no trouble visiting the website. I'd guess it was a hiccup on one of your sides.

 

[the marv]

Who knows? Maybe they'll blow up one of the country stations they own and move classic hits to it.

 

[carolinaradio]

I got the website to come up and the Facebook link on their website to load their FB page (which was updated today).

We don't have a classic hits station down here in Greenville, SC and I enjoy streaming WRQQ occasionally, among other classic hits stations. I've always felt Bob & Tom held 97.1 in its 2010-present incarnation back somewhat. I know they've had consistency issues until a couple of years ago, but I think the music selection is quite good and has been for a while. Would be nice if they moved classic hits to one of the Volt (essentially Cumulus in operations) or Cumulus stations.

 

[yorkie9]

While I can't speak for the Facebook page, I had no trouble visiting the website. I'd guess it was a hiccup on one of your sides.

Yes - it's back up for me now also. Must have been maintenance going on.

 

[Kent]

How about moving classic hits, Vandy, B&T, and WRQQ to 106.7? Cumulus doesn't own it anymore, but they operate it.

No, they don't. Volt Radio operates 106.7 and makes all programming and day-to-day operation decisions. Federal law prohibits Cumulus from operating those stations. Cumulus is permitted to reimburse Volt for any operating loss the station sustains and is allowed to pay the trustee a management fee, but that's about it. Volt must pay for and carefully document any other services it receives from Cumulus.

Now, Cumulus would be allowed to take 106.7 back from Volt's trust or LMA the station now that they would be within ownership limits if they operated it. Also, even with the trustee having control over the station, he probably has a pretty good idea of what Cumulus wants and won't likely go out of his way to ruffle their feathers.

 

[JustinT]

How about moving classic hits, Vandy, B&T, and WRQQ to 106.7? Cumulus doesn't own it anymore, but they operate it.

No, they don't. Volt Radio operates 106.7 and makes all programming and day-to-day operation decisions. Federal law prohibits Cumulus from operating those stations. Cumulus is permitted to reimburse Volt for any operating loss the station sustains and is allowed to pay the trustee a management fee, but that's about it. Volt must pay for and carefully document any other services it receives from Cumulus.

Now, Cumulus would be allowed to take 106.7 back from Volt's trust or LMA the station now that they would be within ownership limits if they operated it. Also, even with the trustee having control over the station, he probably has a pretty good idea of what Cumulus wants and won't likely go out of his way to ruffle their feathers.

I'm pretty sure 106.7 isn't being operated by Volt anymore… Cumulus did indeed take back 106.7, and traded it with 92.1.

That leaves me wondering, could Vandy sports find their way to 92Q for the remainder of the contract? Tried to reach out to my contacts at VU, but haven't heard back yet.

 

[jetfli]

Interesting that Vandy's Coming Out Party for its new uniforms this week features 102.5 the Game on location with nary a Cumulus station in sight. Makes you wanta **** your head to one side and say "Hmm."

 

[Rocky2539]

Couple things: EMF has wanted into Nashville for at least 10 years, and they waited until they could get a decent signal. Expect them to expand the amount of programming they originate from Nashville regularly for their whole network. Also, EMF asking FCC to convert 97.1 to non-commercial, so that will reduce the sales competition a bit. They target basically the same audience as the Fish stations, so look for the Fish shares to shrink some.

Dollar-wise, the Vanderbilt contract is a big issue. Cumulus will likely do their best to find a way to keep it, but seems doubtful that Vandy's self-image will allow them to swallow being on a small signal like 92Q unless they have no other option or can work out some way to supplement that with other station(s). 92Q replaced RQQ in the Volt trust last Fall, but I bet a deal could be worked out if they had to. They'd rather deal with Volt than Cromwell. Vandy sports would be much more money for 92Q, but dropping TSU to take Vandy would be suicide for them.

Big winner here is Hippy Radio. Now, there's nothing musically between them and 105.9. That may help them overcome their lack-luster start, programming wise. Of course, they will still be signal-challenged for much of the Metro.

 

[firepoint525]

97.1 has been one of the biggest punching bags in Nashville radio for this site during the five years or so that I have been reading and posting here. I'm going to miss taking digs at them for playing the same song as many as four times in a row last summer! ;D But I still say that their darkest days were when they were calling themselves "the tower"! : Who came up with that idiocy for them? They would have been better off reverting back to "Star 97." But stations apparently don't like to admit that they have failed in their previous makeover attempts.

 

[jwk1979]

Dollar-wise, the Vanderbilt contract is a big issue. Cumulus will likely do their best to find a way to keep it, but seems doubtful that Vandy's self-image will allow them to swallow being on a small signal like 92Q unless they have no other option or can work out some way to supplement that with other station(s). 92Q replaced RQQ in the Volt trust last Fall, but I bet a deal could be worked out if they had to. They'd rather deal with Volt than Cromwell. Vandy sports would be much more money for 92Q, but dropping TSU to take Vandy would be suicide for them.

The same can be said about 102.5 the Game. Even though they have a strong signal in West of Downtown Nashville, it is very weak and almost non-existance east and southeast of Nashville. I live in Smyrna and have never been able to get a consistant signal there. It goes in and out the farther east or south you go. And their studios are Murfreesboro Road. So basically, any Vanderbilt fan in Wilson County east or Rutherford County south wouldn't be able to listen to their team on the flagship station if it becomes 102.5 the Game.

 

[jetfli]

K-Love may be non-commercial, but they still will be competing for dollars. They will rely on "fund-raising, going after the same pool as Way for both individuals and corporate sponsors. And they'll be competing for corporate sponsorships in the same pool as the Fish's commercial sponsors.

I realize EMF has long wanted its signature brand in this market, but i'm surprised that aren't bringing in Air 1, considering how popular afternoon man Brandt was when he was on Way in fairly recent history.

Don't forget how Vanderbilt came to RQQ... Looking for a station that could carry its programming without conflict. They made sure the contract put them in a position to make certain choices should things not work out.

 

[Kent]

I'm pretty sure 106.7 isn't being operated by Volt anymore… Cumulus did indeed take back 106.7, and traded it with 92.1.

As Rocky points out, Cumulus took back 97.1 and traded it with 92.1. It's possible, though not likely, that they could take 106.7 back in an LMA as soon as EMF begins programming 97.1.

That leaves me wondering, could Vandy sports find their way to 92Q for the remainder of the contract? Tried to reach out to my contacts at VU, but haven't heard back yet.

It would be possible, but they'd have to negotiate with Volt, or Volt would have to buy the contract from Cumulus.

 

[Tibbs4]

You guys do realize there are more stations in the Crums portfolio. Let's just say WSM-FM or WKDF-FM. No way there will be anything Vandy put on QQK. Why mess with the #1 station in the market. And for what it is worth, Crums was still sending sales agents out with the 97.1 Vandy sports package early this week. Gotta wonder how that would make you feel if you were just out doing your job, I.e clueless, even by default. Word of the EMF deal(s) have been floating around solidly for a few weeks.

Mac - you did the best you could, sir. Stuck with them all the way...class act! I hope that is remembered and rewarded. Who knows....maybe something new and exciting will come out of this for you. The fact that you cracked a consistent 3 + share in the real demos is actually saying something.

 

[deltas69]

and what will become of Doogie ?? I still occasionally drop in on Bob and Tom..only for a minute or two to catch the traffic with Doogie..I hope there's a place for him there..don't know him..but seems like a nice guy..

 

[Tibbs4]

Didnt mean to leave any of the RQQ crew out of my post. Just had to hurry through. You are right Pat. It's sad that this happens. I know it is 'only business'...but still. I guess a lot of us have been taken down from stations being blown out, but things like this, are a vivid and painful reminder that there are still very real and good people pushing these stations. Anybody heard anyone on RQQ or is it on auto silence?