No Sale Looming, ESPN 98.7 expected to pivot to Music

[Theater of My Mind]

Don’t bother. They just seem to ignore those two stations, plus the Alt 92.3 successor on HD whenever they’re suggested, and pounds the keyboard for a mainstream alt that’s not coming back.

Because they're not Alternative. WFUV is Triple-A. And WNYU I don't even know because it's block programmed and musically all over the place, plus with their timeshare agreement with WFDU the OTA signal is off the air half the time.

My go-to stations for Alternative now are Radio Felician on the iHeartRadio app, Indie88 on TuneIn, Alt Nation and XMU on SiriusXM. But none of those are candidates for 98.7 and it doesn't even matter anymore.

 

[luperm]

I want another alternative rock station!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is hard to imagine someone launching a format with such a long track record ranging from significant underperformance to outright failure. But hey…anything is possible!

 

[RMarino]

A “format” won’t be launched until there is a buyer. Those who think Emmis will bother programming alternative or a Kiss FM revival are dreaming. They have made it known that they want out of the radio business.

 

[ksradiogeek]

Because they're not Alternative.

I’m aware.

WFUV is Triple-A. And WNYU I don't even know because it's block programmed and musically all over the place, plus with their timeshare agreement with WFDU the OTA signal is off the air half the time.

Yet they, not to mention fellow AAA’er WXPK, are the closest market #1’s going to get back to alt.

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

This article says that the 98.7 broadcast ends on the 23rd!!!! WCBS to cease operation as NYC all-news staple: ESPN New York moving to 880 AM, will resume Mets broadcasts | amNewYork

I wouldn't trust AMNY as far as I can throw a javelin. Their timing is definitely incorrect.

 

[NYRadioFan22]

A “format” won’t be launched until there is a buyer. Those who think Emmis will bother programming alternative or a Kiss FM revival are dreaming. They have made it known that they want out of the radio business.

So do you think we'll be left with dead air on 98.7 on August 31?

 

[fybush]

So do you think we'll be left with dead air on 98.7 on August 31?

We.

Don't.

Know.

Why is that so hard to understand?

The only people who know anything right now about what happens to 98.7 are at Emmis. They are not on this forum.

It is highly likely that the first thing anyone outside of Emmis knows about what shows up on 98.7 will be when we actually hear 98.7 on September 1.

 

[CTListener]

The only people who know anything right now about what happens to 98.7 are at Emmis.

And people at whatever entity is going to take over 98.7. And perhaps spouses and close friends of those people.

 

[RadioGuy1864]

And people at whatever entity is going to take over 98.7. And perhaps spouses and close friends of those people.

That assumes that a Buyer has already negotiated with and come to terms with Emmis. That may not be the case.

 

[CTListener]

That assumes that a Buyer has already negotiated with and come to terms with Emmis. That may not be the case.

Maybe. But do radio station deals really come together so quickly that there can be no buyer two weeks before there is one?

 

[davideduardo]

Maybe. But do radio station deals really come together so quickly that there can be no buyer two weeks before there is one?

As Scott says, only the Emmis folks know. But a deal could be done or nearly done and just waiting for an announcement and a possible LMA until a transfer is approved. Or there may be no deal that Emma’s likes.

We don’t know.

 

[TheBigA]

Nobody expected what was announced Monday. This will likely be the same thing. Unless they announce it or file something with the FCC, we won't know.

 

[Weiserguy]

You know, it is possible that Mr. Smulyan cut a short-term, stand-by deal with another broadcaster -- perhaps the buyer of one of Emmis's other stations -- to re-transmit another station(s) temporarily on the 98.7 signal. It wouldn't be the first time. (I can't recall the specific details, but I do remember another station stunting, pre-format change/launch, by running a wheel of out-of-market signals for a day or two over the course of a week or two.) In that case the OOM stations were co-owned and it was an interesting listen, stations and formats and personalities from other cities. With 98.7, the station(s) couldn't be co-owned if Emmis no longer owns any other radio properties (except WLIB, but I'm assuming that simulcasting gospel in NYC is a non-starter), but would a Boston or Philly or Chicago station really turn up their nose at an opportunity to air in Market #1, maybe catch the attention of some Madison Avenue types, even if it is only temporary?

 

[TheBigA]

You know, it is possible that Mr. Smulyan cut a short-term, stand-by deal with another broadcaster -- perhaps the buyer of one of Emmis's other stations -- to re-transmit another station(s) temporarily on the 98.7 signal.

They call that an LMA. He said he was open to that last September. But it's hard to monetize without any confirmed ratings, and that will take a few months. So unless its a long-term LMA, there's no real point to doing it. His most recent deal was with Urban One, and we've discussed them as a potential buyer. They recently cashed out of a DC casino, so they would be able to buy with cash.

Urban One Reaping $145.5M In Sale Of National Harbor Stake

Urban One grossing $145.5 million in divestment of MGM National Harbor interest.

www.casino.org

That's enough money to buy 98.7 plus the two MediaCo stations.

 

[Mark Roberts]

The only people who know anything right now about what happens to 98.7 are at Emmis. They are not on this forum.

Maybe Walter Mercado knows. But he's not telling.

(Yes, I know....)

 

[101.9 La Kalle]

Maybe Walter Mercado knows. But he's not telling.

That caught me off guard. Take my like and have a good day.

 

[Identnut]

Maybe Walter Mercado knows. But he's not telling.

(Yes, I know....)

That means a Spanish format. SBS or Univision confirmed.

 

[K.M. Richards]

With 98.7, the station(s) couldn't be co-owned if Emmis no longer owns any other radio properties (except WLIB, but I'm assuming that simulcasting gospel in NYC is a non-starter),

HUH? 🤔

but would a Boston or Philly or Chicago station really turn up their nose at an opportunity to air in Market #1, maybe catch the attention of some Madison Avenue types, even if it is only temporary?

Hell, I'd jump at the chance for free publicity, even if it was a short term programming deal. Who wouldn't?

 

[Weiserguy]

HUH? 🤔

Did I not write it clearly enough? Emmis only owns one remaining station besides 98.7, 1190 WLIB. If you assume WLIB's gospel format is a non-starter as the originator of a simulcast, and Emmis doesn't own anything else, then it would have to be someone else's station. Call it an LMA, call it a goodwill offer, call it a favor, I don't care.

Hell, I'd jump at the chance for free publicity, even if it was a short term programming deal. Who wouldn't?

The line forms to the left, just behind the dentist who's offered up his own stream.

 

[MTNProductions]

ESPN is not reviving ESPN Deportes, and Good Karma has less of a reason to do so. That "for sale" sign is already being plopped right in front of 1050.

Put an oldies format on 1050, or a standards format on 1050, and maybe they might be doing better. Look at WLML’s “Legends 100.3” down in South Florida. They played a lot of great standards music like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and others, just like what WNEW-AM “11-3 O” and WQEW did back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. WLML is owned by Dick Robinson Entertainment, the same guy who created “American Standards By The Sea” every Saturday and Sunday, and I hope maybe 1050 might be a candidate for a standards format to put it on AM as “Legends 1050”. This might go back to the days of WHN from 1962 until 1973 when it flipped to country.

And all I can say is, Mike McGann is a sensational midday guy, and I can take it over Race Taylor from WCBS-FM on middays, and he did a fantastic job playing MOR/standards the way it sounded back in the glory days of the good old WNEW-AM “11-3 O” and WQEW 1560AM in New York City.

Overall, I don’t see standards going to 1050 anytime soon.