Let's Speculate On "98.7 The Fan" Air Talent

[NewsStud]

The point I was making, was that 620 was not on any FM simulcast as 970 has been via the HD-2 of WXTB for the last 5 years. They haven't even used a translator as they intend to do with, not one, but TWO, FM translators for 970.

This really doesn't mean much. Putting WFLA on WXTB's HD-2 stream had little to do with trying to reach anybody new. Nobody (except us geeks) has an HD Radio. CCU was, at that point in time, looking for free (cheap) content for HD channels. WMTX had that "Pride Radio" feed, etc. Putting WFLA on WXTB's second channel was 1) free and 2) making use of the 970/97.9 theme.

It was not a serious attempt to have WFLA compete on FM. It was never even thought of in such a way. Why would it have been? Barely anybody had the ability to receive it over-the-air (this still predated the "iHeartRadio" days) and those of us who have HD Radios likely have a set-top box. Radio's money is made in drive times. People in cars need to be listening.

But I agree with you about the play-by-play. If "The Fan" doesn't carry games of some Tampa Bay home teams... it will be a pretty worthless endeavor. You can't do sports without sports.

 

[badjef]

The point I was making, was that 620 was not on any FM simulcast as 970 has been via the HD-2 of WXTB for the last 5 years. They haven't even used a translator as they intend to do with, not one, but TWO, FM translators for 970.

This really doesn't mean much. Putting WFLA on WXTB's HD-2 stream had little to do with trying to reach anybody new. Nobody (except us geeks) has an HD Radio. CCU was, at that point in time, looking for free (cheap) content for HD channels. WMTX had that "Pride Radio" feed, etc. Putting WFLA on WXTB's second channel was 1) free and 2) making use of the 970/97.9 theme.

It was not a serious attempt to have WFLA compete on FM. It was never even thought of in such a way. Why would it have been? Barely anybody had the ability to receive it over-the-air (this still predated the "iHeartRadio" days) and those of us who have HD Radios likely have a set-top box. Radio's money is made in drive times. People in cars need to be listening.

But I agree with you about the play-by-play. If "The Fan" doesn't carry games of some Tampa Bay home teams... it will be a pretty worthless endeavor. You can't do sports without sports.

With all due respect, in 2007, if they were looking for content, there were still 3 AM's to hop on, not just one.
97.9 offered them the easiest swap for the Northern coverage they were looking for at the time.

But, I would love it if they used the 94.5 translator for simulcasting 620, instead of 970.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[billalm]

Wow. You guys are running around in circles about this new station, frequencies, coverage, play by play rights, and even irrelevant things such as HD radio. Seriously... you're thinking way too much. It's like "raydeogeek" said, it's not viable for Clear Channel.... yet. Play was a underperforming station that had outlived it's usefulness. Cross promote and sell 98.7 The Fan with 99.5 WQYK and you have a winner or at the very least a better performing combo for CBS.

...And has ANYONE bothered to take a peek at when the contracts between Clear Channel and the Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning end? I doubt it. How about letting these guys get this station on the air first and then rip it if it sucks.... and to be quite honest, you can have a "sports" station without play by play. Good local programming is the base. In 2012, I don't think play by play is as important unless you're selling all these stupid player and coaches shows that CC loves to sell during Bucs season.

 

[badjef]

Wow. You guys are running around in circles about this new station, frequencies, coverage, play by play rights, and even irrelevant things such as HD radio. Seriously... you're thinking way too much. It's like "raydeogeek" said, it's not viable for Clear Channel.... yet. Play was a underperforming station that had outlived it's usefulness. Cross promote and sell 98.7 The Fan with 99.5 WQYK and you have a winner or at the very least a better performing combo for CBS.

...And has ANYONE bothered to take a peek at when the contracts between Clear Channel and the Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning end? I doubt it. How about letting these guys get this station on the air first and then rip it if it sucks.... and to be quite honest, you can have a "sports" station without play by play. Good local programming is the base. In 2012, I don't think play by play is as important unless you're selling all these stupid player and coaches shows that CC loves to sell during Bucs season.

Hey, Bill, settle down, I'm going to start worrying about you...

The topic included the word "speculate". Well, we are monkeys in a room full of typewriters.

I have no "skin in the game", as they say. It's just fun to second guess based on what we don't know. About the same as the "sports geeks" do on the sports stations, anyway. The only difference is they get paid and we don't have to watch the seconds and minutes tick away.

So...what do you think?

And watch for the heart condition.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[Parttimer]

Here's the difference... 620 will stay on AM, because if it moves to FM they can't replace the AM billing.

Play and 1010 both are doing little business. Sports can be sold without huge numbers, just do OK in Men 25-54 and you're good. Plus they save the music royalties 98.7 was costing them. 98.7 the Fan will be an upgrade in gross dollars and profit margin. Play-by-pay is gravy.

Even if they don't get a major league contract right away, there's still 1010, which you could load up with Florida State, Orlando Magic, maybe even NASCAR. They will have tons of inventory available.

 

[coolaid213]

you guys are too much, really. Vadar/Cedric - as far as your speculative comments about 98.7 sports 'sounding like a trainwreck' - what on earth are you talking about?

For the record, I don't think 98.7 is going to be a trainwreck, in fact I think it will probably be a success. I was poking fun at Vadar's comment that 98.7 will be a trainwreck, yet he thinks 98 Rock and FLZ aren't already. Quite frankly, the FM dial is pretty sad these days, so I'm in favor of anything different from what we have now.

Also, I think it would be smart for 98.7 The Fan to incorporate some non-sports talk programming somewhere in there. For example, I've noticed that a lot of sports talk stations carry Phil Hendrie. A lot of folks (such as my self) could give a crap about professional sports these days. There's so much more going on to be interested in.

On a side note, either there's been some hardcore tropospheric ducting going on lately, or WFLA's translator at 105.9 got a boost. I'm able to pick it up crystal clear at my house in St. Pete now. I can't wait for them to get their St. Pete translator up and running... that will be interesting

 

[Parttimer]

Also, I think it would be smart for 98.7 The Fan to incorporate some non-sports talk programming somewhere in there. For example, I've noticed that a lot of sports talk stations carry Phil Hendrie.

Of the things that will never happen, that is at the top of the list.

A lot of folks (such as my self) could give a crap about professional sports these days. There's so much more going on to be interested in.

Then you are mot the target audience. Listen to something else.

That's really no different than the "Station X plays music I don't like, so they should change to a format I DO like. becuase everyone likes what I like."

 

[DToTheJ]

...I think it would be smart for 98.7 The Fan to incorporate some non-sports talk programming somewhere in there...

Unless that programming is Bubba or Stern, probably not the best idea in the world. With the exception of Don Geronimo in Sacramento, I can't find any non-sports programming among any of CBS' sports stations, at least ones that immediately come to mind. I suppose 98.7 should pick up Imus In The Morning? (Trivia: One of Imus' first affiliates when syndication started via WW1 was WQYK-AM.)

 

[coolaid213]

Also, I think it would be smart for 98.7 The Fan to incorporate some non-sports talk programming somewhere in there. For example, I've noticed that a lot of sports talk stations carry Phil Hendrie.

Of the things that will never happen, that is at the top of the list.

A lot of folks (such as my self) could give a crap about professional sports these days. There's so much more going on to be interested in.

Then you are mot the target audience. Listen to something else.

That's really no different than the "Station X plays music I don't like, so they should change to a format I DO like. becuase everyone likes what I like."

I'm not saying it would happen, I'm saying I think it would be smart. Having some non-sports programming on the station (possibly in overnight hours) could greatly reduce listener fatigue. I definitely won't be spending much time listening to "The Fan", but whether or not I like sports isn't the point. The fact is, people don't turn to their radio to get scores or stats, or even to hear the game anymore. All of this is available online or on TV. If sports radio is going to be a competitive format they need to give people (even non-sports fans) a reason to listen. A host who's good at creating some controversy and getting the phones ringing is what's going to fuel a station like this. For example, if they put Warren Sapp on, even though I don't like Warren Sapp, and even though I don't like professional sports... I would probably still tune in to hear what kind of crazy provocative stuff he's saying... dig?

 

[badjef]

Also, I think it would be smart for 98.7 The Fan to incorporate some non-sports talk programming somewhere in there. For example, I've noticed that a lot of sports talk stations carry Phil Hendrie.

Of the things that will never happen, that is at the top of the list.

A lot of folks (such as my self) could give a crap about professional sports these days. There's so much more going on to be interested in.

Then you are mot the target audience. Listen to something else.

That's really no different than the "Station X plays music I don't like, so they should change to a format I DO like. becuase everyone likes what I like."

I'm not saying it would happen, I'm saying I think it would be smart. Having some non-sports programming on the station (possibly in overnight hours) could greatly reduce listener fatigue. I definitely won't be spending much time listening to "The Fan", but whether or not I like sports isn't the point. The fact is, people don't turn to their radio to get scores or stats, or even to hear the game anymore. All of this is available online or on TV. If sports radio is going to be a competitive format they need to give people (even non-sports fans) a reason to listen. A host who's good at creating some controversy and getting the phones ringing is what's going to fuel a station like this. For example, if they put Warren Sapp on, even though I don't like Warren Sapp, and even though I don't like professional sports... I would probably still tune in to hear what kind of crazy provocative stuff he's saying... dig?

We all have interests outside of sports even if we would listen to sports 24 hours a day. But if you are going to say you have a Sports format, then, BE SPORTS.

Case in Point:

I like Ice Road Truckers. I wish it was on another channel. Once they established the "history of the Ice Road Trucker", it ceased to have relevancy on "The HISTORY Channel".

If the program is related to the format, fine. Specialty programs have always been around. The best programmed stations have been those whose programs have complemented the feeling of the station.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[billalm]

Outside Warren Sapp who I think would tire very quickly, Cedric basically nails his point. "Hot talk" is what 102.5 does. You can be a sports station and deviate from sports... just as long as you continue to entertain that demo and include some sports news at some point during the hour.

"History" has evolved like MTV and a number of other channels have. Many have dropped their original names (for example The Learning Channel for TLC) to distance themselves from what they originally were. That's imaging. Execute it right and it doesn't matter if you don't talk "sports" or "history" 24/7.

 

[Parttimer]

Theoretical discussions aside, when CBS puts sports on FM, it is sports 24/7. It gets great numbers in-demo and makes lots of money.

 

[badjef]

Outside Warren Sapp who I think would tire very quickly, Cedric basically nails his point. "Hot talk" is what 102.5 does. You can be a sports station and deviate from sports... just as long as you continue to entertain that demo and include some sports news at some point during the hour.

"History" has evolved like MTV and a number of other channels have. Many have dropped their original names (for example The Learning Channel for TLC) to distance themselves from what they originally were. That's imaging. Execute it right and it doesn't matter if you don't talk "sports" or "history" 24/7.

Any successful station has imaged itself for a consistancy. MTV positioned itself with its name - Music Television. As soon as it "evolved" from that, it ceased to be unique and became just another tv station.
Disco 92KTU, Hot-Rockin' Z-100, WINS - Give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world, MusicRadio WABC, all positioned themselves with what they did and followed through with it as a result, kicked butt.

I've seen Warren (QB KILLA) Sapp as a one-trick pony. My perception could be wrong, I'll give him that. We'll see. John Lynch would be my first pick. He grew up in radio and knows the business.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[NewsStud]

Wow. You guys are running around in circles about this new station, frequencies, coverage, play by play rights, and even irrelevant things such as HD radio. Seriously... you're thinking way too much..

Yeah, and? ;D

These boards are famous for people arguing over nothing! Why should Jeff and I be any different?

Speaking of nonsensical ideas and inconsequential opinions... anybody get a load of 970 WFLA's new logo? Peeeeee-yooooooo!

 

[badjef]

Wow. You guys are running around in circles about this new station, frequencies, coverage, play by play rights, and even irrelevant things such as HD radio. Seriously... you're thinking way too much..

Yeah, and? ;D

These boards are famous for people arguing over nothing! Why should Jeff and I be any different?

Speaking of nonsensical ideas and inconsequential opinions... anybody get a load of 970 WFLA's new logo? Peeeeee-yooooooo!

It is too buzy. Buzy enough that it doesn't even have room for the FOX branding. It is probably temporary as it doesn't mention the 94.5 slated for Pinellas.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[NewsStud]

It is too buzy. Buzy enough that it doesn't even have room for the FOX branding. It is probably temporary as it doesn't mention the 94.5 slated for Pinellas.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

Yeah! And it *STILL* doesn't include 97.9 FM HD-2! What the hey?!?!?! ;D

 

[Frank Ferreri]

On a more serious note...whatever happened to Bingo Bob?

 

[badjef]

It is too buzy. Buzy enough that it doesn't even have room for the FOX branding. It is probably temporary as it doesn't mention the 94.5 slated for Pinellas.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

Yeah! And it *STILL* doesn't include 97.9 FM HD-2! What the hey?!?!?! ;D

We radio geeks are the only ones that care about HD, anyway.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[exboardop]

Sileo isnt going to happen. Neither is Sapp. Neither is Lynch. Sapp and Lynch actually have TV deals on weekends and I dont see John Lynch working 6 days a week even though he would do good. Sapp would be awful on radio. He's awful on TV, but that's another story.

If they could get Todd Wright, that would be a home run. But based on what I know, I dont know that he is interested.

I dont see them recycling any other former or current local talent... outside of one of the former TV people like Al Keck. JP wouldnt be a bad choice either, but jeez, looks like they have burned that bridge.

 

[badjef]

Sileo isnt going to happen. Neither is Sapp. Neither is Lynch. Sapp and Lynch actually have TV deals on weekends and I dont see John Lynch working 6 days a week even though he would do good. Sapp would be awful on radio. He's awful on TV, but that's another story.

TV is here today and even gone faster than Radio.

John Lynch would more than likely do Radio from San Diego. I can see a "secondary" gig for Tampa.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!