It's true Tom.
I can not say that the programming would be universal between the two stations, although you would think it would be a simulcast........and technically and signal wise, it would make sense to do so.
My intitial thought would be that WAZL would be the first to flip, due to the high Spanish population there........but radio waves travel and apparently WCDL, not making money at standards, and the fact that WNAK has fallen from grace since the death of..........well, you know what I mean.........my predition is that all three AM's will go Spanish eventually.
The problem with the concept is that NEPA is not used to a Spanish population but is comfortable with the Polish population which kept Polka music, and similar programming alive and well here. You mentioned Bill Flynn. Bill was instantly dumped by WCDL, and in all likely hood will be dumped immediately from WNAK when it flips. I see no real huge Polish population in the Hazelton area that would support the show neither. I"m sure Bill will find an outlet to broadcast his program on so it is heard in most of NEPA: in fact listeners and fans will demand it: but the possibilities are getting slimmer unless he goes onto college/public radio, and his is a business, not a charity.
As a reminder, NYC, before several powerful Class B FM's switched to Spanish, had at least 2 regional AM's that at first, programmed Spanish music/news. As more and more Hispanics fled into the city, and DIDN'T speak English, one, and then another FM adopted the format.
Those AM's continue to operate successfully, programming news and music that the larger FM's won't. However all those stations are financially stable. And it is not because they are in stereo, or HD: it is because they provide a format that isn't on FM in NYC.
You also won't find many stations simulcasting programming or using translators in the NYC area because there is no reason to. Here, we have two, three stations simulcasting the same programming because there is nothing more to put on those stations anymore (that sells).
The next thing will be: "which FM will switch to Hispanic?"........and that will be an easy one to guess........because my next prediction will be which Class A, who has had a dozen formats in 6 years, based in Scranton/WB will be the first to go Hispanic?
NEPA needs to (NEEDS TO) ADJUST to the idea that NYC hispanics ARE moving here, WILL be here and more spread out, will be part of the workforce and taxpayer base, and they are the new population. Like it or not, radio will adjust to that and find it's market.
WNAK will go Spanish, WCDL has, WAZL will be next, and that is the tip of the icebrrrrrrrrg.
I'll go one more: I can see one other regional AM also going Spanish with a different format.
Care to guess?........it's an easy one.
Regards,
Carl
