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Lost In Translation

E

Element9

Shows you how disconnected people have become with this board, maybe all radio boards. Published reports two days ago have Entercom buying a translator for $125 grand from Family Life Ministries with the intention of putting WBEN back on FM. And nobody here jumps on it. Years ago, there would be a dozen posts on the first day. Now, we have pissing matches between posters debating the meaning of one word in a post.

Well, here we go again. "WBEN on FM." This time with a 250 watt in-city translator on 104.7. Apparently the big swingin' dicks in Bala Cynwyd and Buffalo think another attempt to attract younger listeners to the right wing based news-talk outlet will be more successful on a 250 watt in-city FM translator than a 19 kw signal on 107.7 from Whethersfield. Anybody remember the local memo that was issued when the WBEN simulcast was yanked last Fall? “Our research shows that over 90% of our listening continues to occur at WBEN/930AM.”

Entercom corporate really wanted to get its hands on Class A 101.7 Catholic Radio WLOF, Elma. Word is Entercom offered a swap of their grave yard 1400 for the solid signal Class A on 101.7. The owner of 101.7 reportedly told the Entercom BSD's that he may have been born in the morning, but it wasn't yesterday.

Public records indicate Entercom has applied to the FCC for a CP to increase WLKK's tower height from 801' HAAT to 846' HAAT while reducing ERP from 19.5 kw to 17 kw. Corona effect? Who knows if this move will make a difference on this long tortured rim shot signal. More than a few local engineers say a reduction of antenna height and commensurate increase of ERP would be more effective.
 
Element9 said:
Apparently the big swingin' dicks in Bala Cynwyd and Buffalo think another attempt to attract younger listeners to the right wing based news-talk outlet will be more successful on a 250 watt in-city FM translator than a 19 kw signal on 107.7 from Whethersfield. Anybody remember the local memo that was issued when the WBEN simulcast was yanked last Fall? “Our research shows that over 90% of our listening continues to occur at WBEN/930AM.”
Click to expand...

I really love this story.

First of all, I think they got a bargain.

Second of all, where do a majority of retired people live? In the city, or out near Whethersfield?

Third, and this is just my opinion, I'd put a country format on KB, and pump country on that translator to try to steal a point or two from WYRK. But that's just me.
 
Element9 said:
Anybody remember the local memo that was issued when the WBEN simulcast was yanked last Fall? “Our research shows that over 90% of our listening continues to occur at WBEN/930AM.”
Click to expand...

Yes, and the memo actually said 95%, not 90. lol

After all the imaging and then re-imaging with the addition, then subtraction of the simulcast, people are really going to be confused the next time around---if it comes to fruition.

I'm just amazed they don't simulcast WGR on an FM. They're MUCH more likely to get younger FM listeners AND their signal coverage in some areas really needs the help.
 
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TheBigA said:
I really love this story. First of all, I think they got a bargain.
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Entercom paid the going rate in a sellers' market. Translators having equal power in markets close to Buffalo's size went for around $70 to 80 thousand. But 104.7 may appreciate at a better rate than translators in other markets. Then again, it could be good money thrown to the wind, depending upon how it's used.

Second of all, where do a majority of retired people live? In the city, or out near Whethersfield?
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Check the US Census quick facts here http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/3611000.html The city's ethnic composition is growing and is certainly not the base for WBEN's conservative skewing talk format. Those inclined to listen to WBEN are most likely to be Caucasian and older. Much older. The majority of these listeners live in the 'burbs, predominantly the first and second ring suburbs south, east and north of the city, well within the 60 dbu contour of 107.7.

Third, and this is just my opinion, I'd put a country format on KB, and pump country on that translator to try to steal a point or two from WYRK. But that's just me.
Click to expand...

KB years ago went to the rodeo and was gored by WYRK which has owned the country brand in Buffalo, lock, stock and barrel for around 30 years. As to KB stealing "a point or two" from WYRK; it didn't happen then and it's less likely to happen now. The 50 kw AM signal isn't what it was, and even with a 250 watt city based FM translator, it would barely make a dent in WYRK's massive, across the board ratings which are the result of the station's heritage, promotion, music and personalities. The AM band might just as well end at 1230... maybe 1400. There's a radio station on 1520? Yeah. But only radio geeks and die-hardest sports fans are aware of this.
 
Element9 said:
The city's ethnic composition is growing and is certainly not the base for WBEN's conservative skewing talk format.
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I agree, and around the country, conservative talk is doing terrible on FM. The fact that WBFO gets a 2.8 tells me there's not much audience for news on FM. That's why I suggested country. But maybe they're aiming at WBLK. Except I don't know that Entercom owns any urban stations.
 
I did listen to WBEN on 107.7 at night for an occasional check to see if Noory had anything interesting. Other than that I could have cared less and didn't listen. Most of my nights are spent with the all-night jukebox.
 
Demos say that country and right-wing talk are losers in the the city. I still don't know why they didn't use 107.7 to simulcast WGR and fill in the huge nighttime gaps east of the city, but the local BSDs a Entercom apparently think that WBEN's got a few more years left as a cash cow, which might get them into their retirement years.

The FM translator is simply a "We're trying, and building for the future" for Bala Cynwyd. There will be a little less cap-ex for Buffalo, and a little more "tighten, lighten, and brighten" around Corporate Parkway. The bottom line is that CHUM-FM is likely to become unlistenable in downtown Buffalo. That should annoy fans of Hot AC, and wipe out an alternative to Star 102.5 in the city. It could mean a few more tenths split by Star and Kiss - assuming that those pissed off by the loss don't simply leave terrestrial radio altogether. That's their best hope of recouping the cost of the translator, and it adds another flanker to Entercom's stable.

Entercom Buffalo not only doesn't know how to program 'KB effectively, they don't WANT to program 'KB effectively because they're afraid it would cannibalize WBEN's ratings. The only people who have that push-button programmed are old people, radio geeks, and the occasional Bisons fan. Finding that the games are broadcast on 'KB on the Bison's page requires Sherlock Holmes-like skills. There are lots of references to on-line listening, mobile apps, and video highlights. Or, try to find a mention of the Bisons on the "ESPN 1520" home page. Somebody must have missed the whole "synergies" memo.
 
SirRoxalot said:
Entercom Buffalo not only doesn't know how to program 'KB effectively, they don't WANT to program 'KB effectively because they're afraid it would cannibalize WBEN's ratings.
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So now they use it as a spillover for WGR. Has that cannibalized GR's ratings?
 
Public records indicate Entercom has applied to the FCC for a CP to increase WLKK's tower height from 801' HAAT to 846' HAAT while reducing ERP from 19.5 kw to 17 kw. Corona effect? Who knows if this move will make a difference on this long tortured rim shot signal. More than a few local engineers say a reduction of antenna height and commensurate increase of ERP would be more effective.[/QUOTE]

I remember listening back in the day when it was called WBIV and they featured easy listening.
Formerly living in WNY, I know that area is quite hilly. The increase in HAAT might just improve
the signal a bit. Cannot imagine what engineer would say otherwise.....
 
When Adelphia owned the radio station, the engineering staff improved the 107.7 plant and the signal to what is now considered its optimum with regard to tower height and transmitter power. As ERP is a metric derived by way of transmitter output power, antenna gain and height, there's only so much that can be done with the 107.7 RF signal given the FCC licensed parameters. Reference the CP which calls for increasing the antenna height but reducing the power. The engineers that have spoken to this issue distinguish between 'coverage' and 'penetration.'
 
Prescott Joe said:
The increase in HAAT might just improve
the signal a bit. Cannot imagine what engineer would say otherwise.....
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The problem with too much height and too little power is that you can be heard everywhere but listened to nowhere. The signal does not, as another post mentioned, penetrate homes and workplace structures.

In Los Angeles, I pushed a project to take a class A from over 1000 feet above average terrain... and 570 watts... to 6 kw at maximum height for class. We lost fringe coverage of a very large area, but got actual listening; the ratings on the signal more than tripled with no change in programming.
 
TheBigA said:
So now they use it as a spillover for WGR. Has that cannibalized GR's ratings?
Click to expand...
An apples to oranges comparison. KB suffers from benign neglect. The patient needs a heart transplant but the doctors are content to keep the patient alive by way of tubes and medication. There's a pulse, but no real quality of life. ESPN is a great brand, but even the greatest brands need local support. The Bisons are the class of minor league baseball. That said, they're not the Buffalo Bills or the Buffalo Sabres.
 
From today's Inside Radio:

Entercom feels no pressure to put AMs on FM dial.

From the relocation of Boston sports station WEEI to FM nearly three years ago, to last week’s deal to buy a translator for “News Talk 930” WBEN, Buffalo, Entercom has experimented with how to expand its AM brands in an FM world. But CEO David Field says they’ve been “very selective” in adding simulcasts.
 
Entercom Buffalo is top-heavy with AMs, and is trying to increase its FM presence. Did they overpay? Let's just say its likely that there were more "interested parties", and a bit of bidding may have been involved. The current programming on WBEN has a shelf life. $125K will look like chump change down the road when their big AMs start to fade.
 
WOW. Lucky for Entercom, they're not in any violation for owning too many FM's in Buffalo.
I'm not surprised they couldn't get 101.7. Chatting with the current owner is like trying to buy the cadbury secret.

101.7 was also a great radio station years back as "the spot". I miss that station. Great music!
 
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I am not sure who 107.7 is protecting in Canada besides 107.9, but it is too bad they didn't look into an FM DA, that will put more ERP toward Buffalo without reducing power. I agree that they will not improve inbuilding by dropping the power and increasing the height, but maybe there is a barn in the way that is blocking the signal toward downtown...lol.
Does anyone know if they plan to move the translater at 104.7 that is on top of Buffalo General? I think that is where it is currently, I think 104.5 CHUM is still stronger in most of the area.
I listen to WBEN on 102.5 HD2 where it works very well except in downtown were I have to switch to 930am because the 102.5 signal is blocked by some buildings. Maybe the 104.7 is to fill in where the HD does not reach!! Again LOL.. I am one that listens to HD (I know what you are thinking, that I am the only one). Hey also for those that don't care, WGR is also on 98.5 HD2. Truth is, anyone less than 40streams audio in their car from their crack phone. So translaters in the future may be more useless than AM anyway. Translaters are like AM stations at night; in that; unless they have lots of height, they get lost in the noise.
 
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