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KYW should simulcast on 94.1 this weekend

R

Radio Wreck

As someone who is nostalgic about the AM Band, even I say it's time to let it go. I was trying to hear the latest on KYW about the storm that's coming, and trying to listen was pointless. Within the last couple of years, higher voltage wires have been installed along the road on my way to work, and that, combined with an electronically fuel injected vehicle have rendered 1060 useless near me.

Obviously I'm not the only person who can't hear our local news station, so until/unless they make the leap to FM, I'm advocating that they simulcast on 94.1 FM this weekend for storm coverage. Many people could lose power and will be reliant on battery operated radios. There are a lot of people in the suburbs who can't get 1060 in their homes and buildings and if there is lightning involved, the AM Band is useless anyway.

CBS, I'm sorry that AM sucks, but with this dangerous strom approaching, I can't think of any good reason to not simulcast on 94.1 this weekend and I'm asking that you do.
 
With no power and using a battery operated radio, 1060 should come in clearly. All that electronic stuff and interference from the power grid will be gone if Irene takes out power.
 
I disagree. We shouldn't have to hope the power grid goes out so we can hear news coverage clearly. That's absurd.

1060 and 1210 don't come in clearly in all areas of the Delaware Valley. They should cover the storm on 94.1 so the entire area can hear the signal loud and clear. And all three news channels should let viewers know that if they lose power, that they can hear coverage on KYW.

For channels 6 and 10, it's not about promoting the competition, it's about letting people know they can hear coverage of a potentially deadly storm on a battery operated radio if the TV goes out.

Again, there is no valid argument against this.
 
the CBS AM dilemma

I can tell you that in the inner western suburbs along routes 1, 3, and 30, that 1210 is the least strong of the three signals (610, 1060, and 1210). 950 is superior now as well. As a Phillies' fan I am unhappy. It seems wrong that the Flyers, whose fan base is smaller than the Phillies, will be on 94.1. I know that there are potential conflicts between the Phillies and Eagles games, and I understand, as a fan of both, why the Eagles win out. But most of the time, there are no conflicts.

This is one of the most densely populated areas of the suburbs, and 1210 is virtually unlistenable next to high voltage lines. I know that I am not the only one that has pointed out deficiencies with the signal.

If I were the Phillies, or for that matter CBS, I would reconsider the value of 1210. Who cares that it is marginally listenable in certain parts of 38 states? Perhaps that was important in 1960. It isn't now. If it is not listenable in prime Phillies territory, then they are missing out. I can't say that WEEU or WDEL put out a better signal, but 1210 is only a bit better than those.

I realize that in other parts of the area, similar complaints are valid regarding 1060 and 610.

However, WTOP, KDKA-FM, and WBZ-FM, WCFS (WBBM on 105.9) and KFRC-FM (KCBS on 106.9) have changed the landscape forever. AM clear channels are a meaningless antiquity compared to a quality full-market FM signal. Yes, I think it's cool that I can hear KMOX in Pennsylvania, but really, does that add any value to that station?

The issue isn't necessarily how to make the AM assets work, but to consider whether they are more valuable under a sale or trade scenario. New York seems to be the only place left that this is not yet an issue. ???
 
In a true emergency, just about every station will be wall-to-wall news and info. If they don't have the resources to do it themselves, they'll simulcast a TV station. If a tornado hits or an evacuation suddenly needs to take place, EAS will be activated and every station on the dial will be broadcasting that info. Disasters are a time when radio as a whole, not just news stations, shines. KYW might be the best radio news resource in Philadelphia, but I can't think of a situation where being able to listen to it is a matter of life or death.

The four news channels in Philadelphia (you forgot 29) should inform their viewers to have portable radios handy, but I don't see any reason 6, 10, and 29 should be promoting KYW. As for 94.1, if the hurricane gets bad enough, I'm sure you'll see 94.1, 98.1, 1210, and 610 all simulcasting KYW. But that's a decision that doesn't have to be made right now.
 
Not so sure that we'll reach that point. Sure, it happened on 9/11, with music stations airing broadcast TV coverage, but that was such a different situation. The CBS stations might draw on KYW resources, and maybe others will include more information than usual, but I don't see much reason to think we'll be seeing some mass shift to temporary news on the bulk of stations. (Heck, there might be something said for maintining format as a way for people who are looking for a respite from the "it's still windy and raining" coverage.)
 
imhomerjay said:
Not so sure that we'll reach that point. Sure, it happened on 9/11, with music stations airing broadcast TV coverage, but that was such a different situation. The CBS stations might draw on KYW resources, and maybe others will include more information than usual, but I don't see much reason to think we'll be seeing some mass shift to temporary news on the bulk of stations. (Heck, there might be something said for maintining format as a way for people who are looking for a respite from the "it's still windy and raining" coverage.)
Click to expand...

You're probably right, which is why I prefaced my statement with "In a true emergency..."

Either way, my point remains: Access to KYW Newsradio is not the life-or-death issue the original poster is making it out to be. In a true emergency, every station is going to have news coverage. If there are widespread power outages, every station is going to have at least occasional updates on them. If neither of these things happen, then there's no need for someone to listen to radio for updates. People might WANT to listen to KYW, but it's not a public safety issue.
 
Well, they did simulcast KYW on 94.1 this weekend. But it was only for four hours, and it was a simulcast of KYW-TV, not KYW(AM).
 
I think radio did a pretty good job of covering things.
Though I've not seen this since sept 11.
WXTU,WRDW,WIOQ,WMGK,WMMR all had ABC audio either live or taped updates or both.
I believe WIFX (who also did ABC) had the longest live coverage, still goin at almost 6 this afternoon.
WRLU? Not sure who or what that is at 900 also had ABC coverage.
Andi and crakit? were on XTU in the wee hours.
WPHT had CBS3.
ABC anounced the stations that had there coverage from time to time.
I thought I heard NBC 10 on B101.
WOBM-FM had WKXW-FM Trenton, live coverage for some while in mono with the left channel only comeing through.

XTU and WPHT had there own promo's about live coverage from ABC.
WYSP had the night guy give updates.

Didn't check the others for promo's, just bounced around to see who did what.



I was thinkin Julius can't say there wasn't live coverage!
 
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