Merlin Media sold news-talk 106.9

[XCountry285]

Looking at CC's stations in Philly:

WDAS-FM - Not going to flip.
WIOQ - Possible, but unlikely.
WISX - Most likely to flip.
WRFF - Second most likely.
WDAS (AM) - Third most likely, but CC wants Rush Radio on FM.
WUSL - Not going to flip.

I'm almost positive that all of CC Philly stations are doing just fine and won't flip...

 

[musichead1029]

106.9 to EMF; Whither Rush and Levin?

Let's remember, shall we, that PHT didn't drop Rush. PHT pulled Hannity and Beck a year earlier, reportedly because they thought they could do better with cheaper programming. This is what motivated Premiere to seek (and find) an outlet that would take more of its programming. Premiere found a buyer who was willing to take their 3 top conservative talk hosts and then told PHT they would not be offered a Rush renewal.

When their best-known personality moved across the dial, most of the PHT audience went with him. PHT was no longer a destination station for much of the audience, and the lackluster replacement programming (local!) didn't attract many back. PHT subsequently tanked in ratings and billings.

The question is, does CBS want to stay in the talk format that they now effectively have all to themselves? If they do, they will take Limbaugh back in a heartbeat and regain momentum instantly. If Premiere offers them a palatable deal, they might take Hannity or Beck as well. They'd be smart to consider taking Levin also. Limbaugh will put them back on the map from Day 1. Any of the other hosts will bolster a lineup that few have expressed interest in.

Clear Channel doesn't have a track record of blowing up profitable formats to plug in the Premiere division's programming. So, how well is WRFF billing? Not very well, I hear, like many Alt Rock outlets. So that's a possibility. But only if CBS balks.

If CBS didn't want to outbid EMF for 106.9, it would appear that they're obviously looking beyond AM-FM to alternate delivery systems (wifi, cell) for their news product. For all the chances over the years they've had to upgrade the relatively lousy 1060 signal (put it on 1210, simulcast on FM, buy a suburban AM as a repeater), they've stayed put. KYW is still ubiquitous and no one's coming after it. Why mess with what isn't broken and possibly sacrifice another revenue stream in the process? No reason.

CBS has nothing else to put on 1210 that will bring in the revenue that good talk shows will generate (provided program acquisition costs are kept reasonable), and Premiere has no obvious outlet for the programming. CBS is back in the driver's seat, and hopefully they've learned something from the experiences of the last two years. You get what you pay for.

And hopefully investors have learned to stay far away from Randy Michaels.

 

[joshzz]

I don't think that 1210 would even consider Rush at this point. They have more unique overall listeners even though they garner a 2.0. Looking at the numbers I think a lot of WWIQ listeners may be people possibly elderly that keep the radio tuned to WWIQ 24/7.

WPHT Talk CBS Radio, Inc. 1.8 2.1 2.0 326,700

WWIQ News/Talk Merlin Media, LLC 2.8 2.1 2.1 196,500


The real problem is, all of this aside, Rush and Hannity are just a difficult sell to businesses.

 

[theradiokid]

Rush and Hannity will end up on WDAS (1480.) Yeah, it's a lousy signal, but there's really nowhere else for them to go. It'll happen... Just watch.

 

[joshzz]

I doubt very much that WDAS-AM will trash a burgeoning, low cost format to bring in the pied pipers of manipulation. One of the important things to note is that there's a lot more to it than just turning on a switch on and off.

There are people assigned to this format, including sales people that work with specific clientele. I suspect they sell both the AM and FM together. WDAS-FM has been one of the top five stations in the market for decades and the AM added value is significant. As more people turn to the internet, Iheart radio, etc., the signal on the AM dial is less significant but the presence is still needed.

Most importanty, as I have stated in various posts, conservative talk offered by Limbaugh and Hannity is a very difficult sell not just in Philly but across the country. Some businessmen are known to like them but don't want their business associated with these guys. They may even be inclined to advertise on a conservative talk station but prefer one that's local and friendly with the callers.

The smooth Jazz station is positive, upbeat and connects with the local communities in a big way.

 

[joshzz]

I think it's much more likely that Limbaugh will end up on WFYL-AM and possibly WSNJ-AM.

WNJC-AM has a really nice signal but Limbaugh's handlers would have to come up with decent money to broker time there.
That may be the best scenario for Limbaugh and Hannity if they want to remain viable in Philly. They may have to buy time to stay in the market. It relieves the owner of the nightmare task of scooping up reluctant sponsors.

 

[Small Market Guy]

The smooth Jazz station...connects with the local communities in a big way.

Said no one ever.

 

[luperm]

The smooth Jazz station...connects with the local communities in a big way.

Said no one ever.

Exactly. Let alone on a high band, flea-powered AM.

 

[joshzz]

Hope to see you both at the smooth Jazz concerts in August. All Smooth Jazz concerts are FREE, family friendly, general admission and open to the public. The concerts occur at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, located at 101 S. Columbus Blvd. at Chestnut Street. Penn's Landing has convenient adjacent parking lots, and can be easily accessed by public transit.

Read more: http://www.wjjz.com/common/events/smooth-jazz/#ixzz2bND6fDLC

 

[BobSmolarek]

This is such a huge disappointment, to finally get religion off of 106.9 and now so quick its going back to religion. All these bashers of big companies, but if a big company bought 106.9 it would not be going back to religion. I do like that one suggestion to get talk on 610 and move CBS sports to 1210. I could see Hannity disappearing but someone has to pick up Rush I would think.

 

[FredLeonard]

This is such a huge disappointment, to finally get religion off of 106.9 and now so quick its going back to religion. All these bashers of big companies, but if a big company bought 106.9 it would not be going back to religion. I do like that one suggestion to get talk on 610 and move CBS sports to 1210. I could see Hannity disappearing but someone has to pick up Rush I would think.

Right on! Religious broadcasters have swallowed up more previously good local stations than Clear Channel or Cumulus. They clutter up the non-commercial portion of the FM band, too, and keep potential public radio stations from finding air space. The FCC should clamp down on all religious broadcasting. Make them pay taxes. Stop them from soliciting donations or selling religious artifacts. And reserve for 88-92 for bona fide public broadcasters.

Rest in peace ....

Wibbage Radio 99
Fabulous 56
The Station of the Stars 950
The Voice of Chester County WCOJ
Bucks County Radio WBUX

I'm sure people can add others to the list of heritage stations swallowed up in the name of selling god.

 

[satech]

Of course, Premiere could do the unthinkable: They could pay somebody local to take the show. Lansdale. 860. 1540.

Philly is already well surrounded by stations carrying Rush: 830 WEEU in Reading, 790 WAEB in Allentown, 770 WABC in NYC, and 1450 WILM in Delaware. People in Center City may not be able to pick up these signals, but then again, they're probably not listening to conservative talk radio anyway. But the suburban counties will still have somewhere to hear Rush on the AM dial.

 

[MarcB]

This is such a huge disappointment, to finally get religion off of 106.9 and now so quick its going back to religion.

It's not going religion. K-Love plays Contemporary Christian Music. Big difference between that and 106.9's former Family Radio format.

 

[Dancerev889]

Talk radio has run its sensible course. Music radio is not far behind

With over 100 years of recorded audio available to us, it's hard to believe that there isn't ONE brand-new "fresh out of the box" format that can be sold to a mainstream audience.

People think that the only way to make money is through cookie-cutter programming, but the legends who last throughout the decades are usually the ones with the most creativity and are able to present a particular format in a way in which no one else has ever done.

Is there no one new to think outside of the box in some unchartered territory? The answer has to be no. But whoever they are, apparently they aren't behind a microphone.

There are some formats out there that could be used. However, some companies are using the cookie cutter approach to it so it wont work.

Here another thought. Radio Disney to the FM.

 

[aindik]

I don't think that 1210 would even consider Rush at this point. They have more unique overall listeners even though they garner a 2.0. Looking at the numbers I think a lot of WWIQ listeners may be people possibly elderly that keep the radio tuned to WWIQ 24/7.

WPHT Talk CBS Radio, Inc. 1.8 2.1 2.0 326,700

WWIQ News/Talk Merlin Media, LLC 2.8 2.1 2.1 196,500


The real problem is, all of this aside, Rush and Hannity are just a difficult sell to businesses.

I wonder how many of those unique listeners are only listening to the Phillies games?

I would think not many bc the Phillies are on FM now, but habits are hard to break.

 

[FLjack2]

This is such a huge disappointment, to finally get religion off of 106.9 and now so quick its going back to religion.

Right on! Religious broadcasters have swallowed up more previously good local stations than Clear Channel or Cumulus. They clutter up the non-commercial portion of the FM band, too, and keep potential public radio stations from finding air space. The FCC should clamp down on all religious broadcasting. Make them pay taxes. Stop them from soliciting donations or selling religious artifacts. And reserve for 88-92 for bona fide public broadcasters.

Just like talk sells (you used to sell,) religion sells. And don't discount the so-called "religious broadcaster." This station will be a music station and will compete with AC stations. Broadcasters are doing it all over the country. Take a look at Orlando's ratings. The #1 station there on a pretty regular basis is a "religious" music station way down the left end of the dial!!!!

As far as religion swallowing up "good local stations," sorry -- but that doesnt fly anymore. There are very few local stations with local talent. 106.9 was all syndicated crap by the time this deal was done.

 

[TheBigA]

The FCC should clamp down on all religious broadcasting. Make them pay taxes. Stop them from soliciting donations or selling religious artifacts. And reserve for 88-92 for bona fide public broadcasters.

Hmmm....how would they do that? From what I can see, a non-profit is a non-profit.

 

[satech]

Take a look at Orlando's ratings. The #1 station there on a pretty regular basis is a "religious" music station way down the left end of the dial!!!!

Philadelphia is not Orlando. The South is heavily evangelical Christian, while the Northeast is more diverse and less religious. And even nationwide, the #2 most popular religion in the USA is "none". So, yes, a Christian music station could still be successful in Philadelphia -- "Praise 103.9" already is -- but it certainly wouldn't be anywhere close to #1 in the ratings.

 

[HGN2001]

You guys are still quoting those 6+ numbers. Remember that they are averages - 7-full-day averages from 6a-midnight.

That means that whatever WPHT or WWIQ run at 10 PM on Saturday nights count just like every other hour of the week. And it's why those numbers are essentially meaningless.

Unless you have the right demos and dayparts to look at, don't even bother trying to figure things out.

 

[joshzz]

FLJACK2,

We feel that our Christian station would have significant ratings in this area if it is possible to obtain a bigger signal.

Contemporary Christian Radio is a fast growing format. WRBS in Baltimore traditionally has at least around a 4.0 rating.