My wishlist for the Boston radio dial....

[Keith321]

I posted something on the message board as a response about "my wishlist" for Boston radio.

It got me thinking even more...so here is an extended version. ;-)


1.) 101.7 to Jazz. I think this would garner more listeners than they have now and would blend in OK with the rest of the Pheonix's artsy empire. It would also be cheaper for the Pheonix to operate. While the signal is limited, I think fans of jazz would seek it out (they are a loyal bunch!). Jazz apparently doesn't get enough listeners for a full signal FM...but just might be a lucrative niche for WFNX.

2.) 1510 AM to Talk, Air America or Progressive Talk. I really don't care what kind of talk...just another talk station! AA or Progressive Talk might be cheap to run for the very expensive to operate 1510AM. But having a secondary talk station would be a good alternative to when RKO has some of their god-awful people on the air. It would also require RKO to be better.....competition makes for better radio. Maybe some sold time on weekends and/or overnights

3.) A suburban station picks up an older oldies format (50's 60') and has some fun with it. Maybe some specialty shows on the weekend....maybe some automation late nights and weekends to save costs. While WODS has abandoned this music...someone should pick it up. Maybe some sold time in odd hours. It would be a hoot to tune to every now and then...and they could 'own" the oldies moniker.

A suburban signal with a "not to bad" coverage map that could have some fun with this format might be 1330 AM or 1430AM. Both would be fun to listen to from time to time. I'd also take 1550AM 1300AM or 1360AM (althoug they are probably all making money now with their foreign language broadcasts.)

4.) A suburban (like either freq mentioned above) signal picks up Country Oldies....has some fun and runs with it! Hillbilly at Harvard stuff.....some schamltzy stuff....some fun/novelty oldies. Again, some specialty shows on the weekend....some automation nights and weekends. Maybe a bit of sold time at odd hours.

5.) Someone does Urban....or Urban AC on and FM HD-2 channel.

6.) 1090AM puts some effort into either being a real black/urban station. Either that or WGBH purchases them for some daytime talk. (1090 has a pretty good signal ---yeah, I know it's daytimer--, but is centered over Boston...and licensed to Boston.)

7.) WBOS finally finds it's niche with the AAA format...! There is so much good music for adults available on AAA....but WBOS is all over the road with it's music choices and presentation. I hold out some hope for them. (They just got rid of their PD who brought them into the ratings basement....who will be the next PD? Someone capable I hope!)

These would fill out the choice in Boston radio a lot....and provide more choices. I suggested the AM stations...because none of the bigger station are going to change to these lesser formats.


Do we really need foreign language broadcasts on 650, 800, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330, 1430, 1470, 1490, 1550 and 1600AM?


No, my names isn't Joseph Gallant. These aren't predications...just some changes I think would do the market well.

 

[MarcB]

Do we really need foreign language broadcasts on 650, 800, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330, 1430, 1470, 1490, 1550 and 1600AM?

650 is Portugese.

800 and 1200/1430 play Spanish Hits. 800 targets the suburbs. 1200 needs the 1430 simulcast until 1200 gets its new signal up an running.

1230/1300 is Spanish language Christian Programming.

1470's format is up in the air. Correct me if I'm wrong but I beleive Mr. Kline has mentioned it's mostly a simulcast of 1360 only because they can't find the right crowd to lease out the station, and it won't necessarily be foreign language. I believe he also said he'd consider leasing to a Progressive Talk group.

1550 is a daytimer and broadcasts a different languages including: Greek, Indian, Irish, and Hatian.

1600 - Not sure what the deal with them.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

WAZN 1470 is currently simulcasting the bulk of the WLYN schedule, with a few exceptions.
We could consider ANY type of programming - it does not necessarily need
to be in a foreign language. The so-called "progressive talk" people were made
an offer - the best deal they are ever going to get. They turned it down flat,
and shot themselves in the foot...Their problem. It seems that they would rather
whine than actually DO something to further their agenda. :

If you think a particular show or format could succeed, why not take a flyer, and put your
money where your mouth is, buy some time, publicize it, and try and grow an audience?

Wishlists are fine, but they are not productive, and will never get RESULTS.
Email me anytime, we'll discuss...

[email protected]

 

[raccoonradio]

101.7 to jazz: maybe but Mindich and the Phoenix people prob. wouldn't do that.

1510 to prog. talk: the fans of prog. talk would be glad though the signal isn't the best at night. Whether
it would get ratings or not, who knows; one big piece of advice would be to get a local talk host or two.
The signal is good in some areas by day at least and it beats what the prog talk fans here have right now,
which is...nothing. Ratings wise it could be modest but that could be just as good or slightly better than
what WWZN is doing now. Or are advertisers dead set against advertising on such a station? Hint:
don't slam Wal-Mart--they might wanna advertise (See: Arnesen, Deborah "Arnie", and her
"FU-Vs" description that teed off some car dealers...)
A talk station that would pick up Dennis Miller, Mark Levin, etc. might be OK too.

Older oldies: See (putting on my Scott Shannon voice): "TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL" (but local DJs
would be nice!)

Agreed on classic country. Note of course that when I call for it, I'm saying "It's a station I'd
like to listen to" not necessarily "It's the type of station that could make money"!
But if someone wanted to make a slight profit running birdfed hayseed stuff, go right ahead!
(btw, prayers for Porter Wagoner--who did a great album recently--who has lung cancer
and is in rough shape now)

Urban--like the old WILD? Hip hop's on 94.5 but there are other soul/R&B/urban type formats
that could work. Then again, just tune to that pirate station...while you can...to hear it!

 

[blamethemayo]

im not sure a *real* classic country station...that plays stuff like hillbilly at harvard does..could make it here.

sometimes i tune in sunday mornings to 102.5. goodness. all i hear is juice newton, eddie rabbit and maybe a little kenny rogers sprinkled in. do bostonians consider that 'classic country?

 

[JustinT]

im not sure a *real* classic country station...that plays stuff like hillbilly at harvard does..could make it here.

sometimes i tune in sunday mornings to 102.5. goodness. all i hear is juice newton, eddie rabbit and maybe a little kenny rogers sprinkled in. do bostonians consider that 'classic country?

The classic country on 102.5's HD-2 seems to have a pretty good variety if you like that kind of stuff.

7.) WBOS finally finds it's niche with the AAA format...! There is so much good music for adults available on AAA....but WBOS is all over the road with it's music choices and presentation. I hold out some hope for them. (They just got rid of their PD who brought them into the ratings basement....who will be the next PD? Someone capable I hope!)

If you're looking for a better AAA, 92.5 WXRV is the station that fits the bill. WBOS has never really had direction, and given "The Ticket" proposal a month or two ago, I'm somewhat skeptical how devoted GM really is to the future of AAA on 92.9.

 

[radiorama1]

WAZN 1470 is currently simulcasting the bulk of the WLYN schedule, with a few exceptions.
We could consider ANY type of programming - it does not necessarily need
to be in a foreign language.

In other words, what he is trying to say here is he will take anyone with $$$, (and a pulse), to be on his 700/76 watt station.

He would let Joe from Joe's Deli on for an hour of salami talk--- if the price was right.

THIS, my friends, is what the radio landscape looks like in 2007, what a shame.

So go ahead, and shoot him an email... he needs to pay his light bill this month.

 

[ciao99]

I posted something on the message board as a response about "my wishlist" for Boston radio.

It got me thinking even more...so here is an extended version. ;-)


1.) 101.7 to Jazz. I think this would garner more listeners than they have now and would blend in OK with the rest of the Pheonix's artsy empire. It would also be cheaper for the Pheonix to operate. While the signal is limited, I think fans of jazz would seek it out (they are a loyal bunch!). Jazz apparently doesn't get enough listeners for a full signal FM...but just might be a lucrative niche for WFNX.

2.) 1510 AM to Talk, Air America or Progressive Talk. I really don't care what kind of talk...just another talk station! AA or Progressive Talk might be cheap to run for the very expensive to operate 1510AM. But having a secondary talk station would be a good alternative to when RKO has some of their god-awful people on the air. It would also require RKO to be better.....competition makes for better radio. Maybe some sold time on weekends and/or overnights

3.) A suburban station picks up an older oldies format (50's 60') and has some fun with it. Maybe some specialty shows on the weekend....maybe some automation late nights and weekends to save costs. While WODS has abandoned this music...someone should pick it up. Maybe some sold time in odd hours. It would be a hoot to tune to every now and then...and they could 'own" the oldies moniker.

A suburban signal with a "not to bad" coverage map that could have some fun with this format might be 1330 AM or 1430AM. Both would be fun to listen to from time to time. I'd also take 1550AM 1300AM or 1360AM (althoug they are probably all making money now with their foreign language broadcasts.)

4.) A suburban (like either freq mentioned above) signal picks up Country Oldies....has some fun and runs with it! Hillbilly at Harvard stuff.....some schamltzy stuff....some fun/novelty oldies. Again, some specialty shows on the weekend....some automation nights and weekends. Maybe a bit of sold time at odd hours.

5.) Someone does Urban....or Urban AC on and FM HD-2 channel.

6.) 1090AM puts some effort into either being a real black/urban station. Either that or WGBH purchases them for some daytime talk. (1090 has a pretty good signal ---yeah, I know it's daytimer--, but is centered over Boston...and licensed to Boston.)

7.) WBOS finally finds it's niche with the AAA format...! There is so much good music for adults available on AAA....but WBOS is all over the road with it's music choices and presentation. I hold out some hope for them. (They just got rid of their PD who brought them into the ratings basement....who will be the next PD? Someone capable I hope!)

These would fill out the choice in Boston radio a lot....and provide more choices. I suggested the AM stations...because none of the bigger station are going to change to these lesser formats.


Do we really need foreign language broadcasts on 650, 800, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330, 1430, 1470, 1490, 1550 and 1600AM?


No, my names isn't Joseph Gallant. These aren't predications...just some changes I think would do the market well.

Why should urban or urban AC be limited to an FM HD-2 signal?
And forget WILD-AM. What Boston needs is urban programming on a full time signal, even if it's an AM full time signal.

 

[sp113]

Why should urban or urban AC be limited to an FM HD-2 signal?
And forget WILD-AM. What Boston needs is urban programming on a full time signal, even if it's an AM full time signal.

I think what the original poster was saying that it's doesn't look like any of the current major FM owners want to Urban or Urban AC. (It just aint gonna happen.) I'd too would be happy if it was available on an HD-2 channel. And forget AM...music, especially younger music for anyone under 55, belongs on FM.

If there were more compelling formats on HD-2....people just might buy the radios!

I have to tell you...spend $100-$150 on a radio (one time) and you can enjoy all the non-commercial Jazz you want without any ongoing subscription fee? For all the jazz fans I know...thats a great deal! However, most jazz fans don't know it's available.

As long as the programming on HD-2 channels is totally UNderwhelming, as it is now....no one will make the effort to purchase a radio. (Even if the price is down to what it is now....$100)

But I know I would gladly one time spend $100 to get one of my favorite formats!

 

[sp113]

Do we really need foreign language broadcasts on 650, 800, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330, 1430, 1470, 1490, 1550 and 1600AM?

650 is Portugese.
800 and 1200/1430 play Spanish Hits. 800 targets the suburbs. 1200 needs the 1430 simulcast until 1200 gets its new signal up an running.
1230/1300 is Spanish language Christian Programming.
1470's format is up in the air. Correct me if I'm wrong but I beleive Mr. Kline has mentioned it's mostly a simulcast of 1360 only because they can't find the right crowd to lease out the station, and it won't necessarily be foreign language. I believe he also said he'd consider leasing to a Progressive Talk group.
1550 is a daytimer and broadcasts a different languages including: Greek, Indian, Irish, and Hatian.
1600 - Not sure what the deal with them.

Again, the question....do we need all of them? I would like to think not!

im not sure a *real* classic country station...that plays stuff like hillbilly at harvard does..could make it here.

sometimes i tune in sunday mornings to 102.5. goodness. all i hear is juice newton, eddie rabbit and maybe a little kenny rogers sprinkled in. do bostonians consider that 'classic country?

The classic country on 102.5's HD-2 seems to have a pretty good variety if you like that kind of stuff.

Well, I think the poster knows that none of these ideas have to be ratings blockbusters....but considering how they are doing now....would be a nice improvement. ;-

Juice, Eddie Rabbit, Kenny Rogers? Well given the little exposure the area has had to country music in the last 40 years....that may be what Bostonians think is Country Oldies. (Seems to do well in the ratings at 102.5!)

I've also heard them play Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Loretta Lynn and some other little gems.

]7.) WBOS finally finds it's niche with the AAA format...! There is so much good music for adults available on AAA....but WBOS is all over the road with it's music choices and presentation. I hold out some hope for them. (They just got rid of their PD who brought them into the ratings basement....who will be the next PD? Someone capable I hope!)

If you're looking for a better AAA, 92.5 WXRV is the station that fits the bill. WBOS has never really had direction, and given "The Ticket" proposal a month or two ago, I'm somewhat skeptical how devoted GM really is to the future of AAA on 92.9.

How about we pick up "The River" and plop the whole station on a better signal WBOS 92.9?

I hear great things about "The River"...but there is no South Shore signal for them!

Why is WBOS doing so poorly compared with WXRV, with a better antenna/signal, bigger budgets, more professional announcers, and more than likely a budget big enough to hire a capable PD?

WBOS comes in great all over Boston from the top of the Pru. I still hold out hope that it will find it's way...especially with the opening for a new PD.

 

[ciao99]

Do we really need foreign language broadcasts on 650, 800, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330, 1430, 1470, 1490, 1550 and 1600AM?

650 is Portugese.
800 and 1200/1430 play Spanish Hits. 800 targets the suburbs. 1200 needs the 1430 simulcast until 1200 gets its new signal up an running.
1230/1300 is Spanish language Christian Programming.
1470's format is up in the air. Correct me if I'm wrong but I beleive Mr. Kline has mentioned it's mostly a simulcast of 1360 only because they can't find the right crowd to lease out the station, and it won't necessarily be foreign language. I believe he also said he'd consider leasing to a Progressive Talk group.
1550 is a daytimer and broadcasts a different languages including: Greek, Indian, Irish, and Hatian.
1600 - Not sure what the deal with them.

Again, the question....do we need all of them? I would like to think not!

I disagree with you here. In fact, we probably need more ethnic stations. The native born white American population is declining in Mass. They are moving to the Sunbelt. The population growth is driven by immigrants. In other markets, white stations have had to make way for non-white and ethnic formatted stations, Boston is the lone hold out.

im not sure a *real* classic country station...that plays stuff like hillbilly at harvard does..could make it here.

sometimes i tune in sunday mornings to 102.5. goodness. all i hear is juice newton, eddie rabbit and maybe a little kenny rogers sprinkled in. do bostonians consider that 'classic country?

The classic country on 102.5's HD-2 seems to have a pretty good variety if you like that kind of stuff.

Well, I think the poster knows that none of these ideas have to be ratings blockbusters....but considering how they are doing now....would be a nice improvement. ;-

Juice, Eddie Rabbit, Kenny Rogers? Well given the little exposure the area has had to country music in the last 40 years....that may be what Bostonians think is Country Oldies. (Seems to do well in the ratings at 102.5!)

I've also heard them play Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Loretta Lynn and some other little gems.

]7.) WBOS finally finds it's niche with the AAA format...! There is so much good music for adults available on AAA....but WBOS is all over the road with it's music choices and presentation. I hold out some hope for them. (They just got rid of their PD who brought them into the ratings basement....who will be the next PD? Someone capable I hope!)

If you're looking for a better AAA, 92.5 WXRV is the station that fits the bill. WBOS has never really had direction, and given "The Ticket" proposal a month or two ago, I'm somewhat skeptical how devoted GM really is to the future of AAA on 92.9.

How about we pick up "The River" and plop the whole station on a better signal WBOS 92.9?

I hear great things about "The River"...but there is no South Shore signal for them!

Why is WBOS doing so poorly compared with WXRV, with a better antenna/signal, bigger budgets, more professional announcers, and more than likely a budget big enough to hire a capable PD?

WBOS comes in great all over Boston from the top of the Pru. I still hold out hope that it will find it's way...especially with the opening for a new PD.

Someone on the board once said that Boston has several low rated rock stations that are dedicated to their formats. How very true. WBOS and WXRV could probably fold into one. WFNX isn't doing anything unique anymore and their ratings are down. They aren't filling a void anymore so they could fold too and their audience could split between WBOS and WAAF. That would clear up space for some format voids.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

WAZN and WLYN's parent company (MRBI, a private, family owned company) is expanding, and
quite financially healthy, thank you for asking. We are quite well known within the communities
we currently serve, thank you for asking. I have had certain groups come to me, and I have told them to
take their business elsewhere, not interested, thank you for asking. [EDIT]

I am old enough to remember the way things used to be: 3 TV stations in town, public TV on for a few hours a day, no such thing has cable. WRKO as a top-30 powerhouse, transistor radio pressed to my ear. Being in high school, as people "discovered" a thing called FM radio. A telephone call to the next town was a toll call. Nostalgia has a way of distorting those memories...

While neither station is a blowtorch of a signal, we cover a good amount of the metro area.
Get in the car and drive around, as I have. Notice that the WAZN signal actually goes UP at night,
with a different directional pattern.

To those who bemoan that the little guy has been frozen out of thee increasingly corporate
broadcast BUSINESS, we offer an alternative. Those who would like to see different programming
represented - here is your chance to actually DO something about it! It is absurd to think that
somebody else will change formats to suit your wishes, and, oh yea, THEY are going to pay for it!
PUH-LEEZ! To quote my 9th grade french teacher: less jaw work, more paw work.


[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[JustinT]

]7.) WBOS finally finds it's niche with the AAA format...! There is so much good music for adults available on AAA....but WBOS is all over the road with it's music choices and presentation. I hold out some hope for them. (They just got rid of their PD who brought them into the ratings basement....who will be the next PD? Someone capable I hope!)

If you're looking for a better AAA, 92.5 WXRV is the station that fits the bill. WBOS has never really had direction, and given "The Ticket" proposal a month or two ago, I'm somewhat skeptical how devoted GM really is to the future of AAA on 92.9.

How about we pick up "The River" and plop the whole station on a better signal WBOS 92.9?

I hear great things about "The River"...but there is no South Shore signal for them!

Why is WBOS doing so poorly compared with WXRV, with a better antenna/signal, bigger budgets, more professional announcers, and more than likely a budget big enough to hire a capable PD?

WBOS comes in great all over Boston from the top of the Pru. I still hold out hope that it will find it's way...especially with the opening for a new PD.

AAAs don't usually pull great 12+ numbers, and breakouts aren't much better. Look at WXRT 93.1 in Chicago, WTGB 94.7 in Washington... their numbers aren't great at all, KFOG 104.5/97.7 in San Francisco is one of the best and even that isn't higher than a 3 share. The success is all in the billing, but despite an impressive power ratio WBOS still doesn't bill all that great.

WXRV isn't doing incredible in the ratings either, but everyone seems to recognize that their programming is far better. The signal is undeniably their biggest problem. With interference from 92.9's Pru stick, 92.5 can't be heard in the areas of Boston and Cambridge that they have the most potential listeners. I don't think that the 92.5 signal can be improved to the south, considering the proximity to 92.3 WPRO-FM in Providence and 92.7 WMVY on the Vineyard.

I still have doubts about the future of WBOS. Again, in the last two years GM has considered flipping WBOS to sports under Red Sox ownership, flipping WBOS to active rock if WBCN went to talk, and, most recently, flipping WBOS to sports if they could get D&C. I don't think this says much about their devotion to the format. Either the next PD is going to be someone with little experience who can continue the status quo until the next opportunity comes up, or the new PD will have experience with another format and will be responsible for making the flip.

 

[JIBGUY]

has never worked professionally in the broadcast BUSINESS.

To those who bemoan that the little guy has been frozen out of thee increasingly corporate
broadcast BUSINESS, we offer an alternative.

------------------------------------------------------------
Uh Jeff, be careful.... Broadcasting is a business AND a public service. The FCC doesn't hand out licenses based upon business-only. Even the largest radio conglomerates know how to describe its philosophy differently to its stockholders versus how it describes it to the public/Congress/FCC.

Hmmm.... maybe WJIB should rent out (simulcast) Midnight to 6 AM on 1470, or better yet 1510. In the case of the latter, it would give WJIB's music another 49,995 watts.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

Again, we serve our audience...
As to a WJIB/WLYN/WAZN simulcast, we could discuss, sure...
it could be a win/win/win situation...

 

[NO DAG]

Hypothetically, I'm sure WJIB could pull off some great numbers of it increased it's daytime power by 49,750 watts and nighttime juice by 49,995 watts if it was somehow able to grab hold of the 1510 signal.. WJIB would have to go into business for real. For example, look how well WJIB's current 740 counterpart CHWO in Toronto does with somewhat of a similar format, with good numbers in Buffalo...

 

[MarcB]

I agree enlighten us. As for myself personally I'd buy time on 1470, but #1 I don't have any money and I mean any money at all and #2 I don't live anywhere near Wooburn (which I guess is where the studios for 1470/1360 are located according to Multi-Cultural's website). There's no way I'd drive from CT to Wooburn once or twice a week to do a show with the way New England winters are not even if I traded in my Pontiac Sunfire for a Chevy Trailblazer.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

Actually, most of our programmers originate from their own studio locations, and
get their programming to us by several different means...and, yes, we are located in
West Cummings Park, Woburn, in the space formerly inhabited by 1510...

 

[argytunes]

Rather than bicker with broadcasters who wish to keep their anonymity, let's go back to the original topic.

I'd LOVE to listen to an FM SOUNDTRACK RADIO STATION...hosted by professionals who know the music as well as the movies. While I realize that a good portion of this material has been relegated to AM low power stations or satellite...can you imagine how great it would be to give listeners something DIFFERENT that was featured 7 days a week instead of just a few hours on the weekend?

Are there any FM radio stations (in any market) with bad ratings OR NO RATINGS AT ALL willing to try this format?

And yes...it's a format that could be automated if necessary? :

argytunes---who is basically sick of the same old same old when it comes to radio programming!

 

[Oldbones]

I'd LOVE to listen to an FM SOUNDTRACK RADIO STATION...hosted by professionals who know the music as well as the movies. While I realize that a good portion of this material has been relegated to AM low power stations or satellite...can you imagine how great it would be to give listeners something DIFFERENT that was featured 7 days a week instead of just a few hours on the weekend?

Are there any FM radio stations (in any market) with bad ratings OR NO RATINGS AT ALL willing to try this format?

By "FM soundtrack station" do you mean show tunes and the like? Didn't some suburban AM bomb miserably with that back in the 80s? Sounds more appropriate as a specialty show on one of the "community" non-coms like WMBR.