Non-Cuyahoga county stations

[ajhenderson]

Have been gone for a few years and was curious what's going on at a few stations in the suburban areas that I used to track, including WOBL and WDLW in Lorain County, and also the transformation of WCER in Canton. Interesting how WCER still can't make the Canton book even with more mainstream programming (save the morning show)... are they billing anything with the format adjustment? Seems like the non-religious brokered stuff couldn't be pulling in more than $75/hr.

The DLW/OBL cluster did alright as I recall, but other than the local focus, I never understood going up against 'GAR and 'MJI, two of the top 3 stations in the market, with little AM outlets. Have revenues over there gone the way of the market, too?

I would also think, despite the following of those stations, that it's only a matter of time before Lorain County debuts Cleveland's first Spanish-language station (although the weak WJTB is a LC station as well, I suppose)

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Ah, you're right up my alley, my friend.

I can't speak to revenues or anything, but WOBL/WDLW seem to be hanging in there. The duopoly and probably fairly low operating costs help them survive, along with the usual staples like high school sports.

I don't get the sense that WDLW is "going after" the big guns like WMJI. Like many such small stations, it sounds like the oldies music is just format glue between all the other stuff...local news and sports, etc. etc. Ditto with sister WOBL...which is a classic country station that isn't going after the same country audience as WGAR.

Doug and Lorie seem to be doing OK, last I saw.

There is technically a Spanish-language rimshot non-comm in Lorain County, WNZN/89.1, which (like most such stations) tries boldly to serve Cleveland's western suburbs. The stick is actually out WEST of Lorain, and the signal isn't the best in Cuyahoga County.

At some point, with the Hispanic population starting to actually show some numbers in the Cleveland market, someone's gonna flip...probably a rimshot or a modest AM like a WJTB. I don't know how well WDLW did in its days as a Spanish-language outlet, though...

 

[HHH]

WDLW and WOBL program a "traditional", older-skewing Oldies and Country approach. WDLW still plays a ton of 50s and early 60s, which MJI has cut to practically nil. WOBL plays a more old-line country format, where you still might hear George Jones and Buck Owens, which you will never hear on WGAR.
So both stations are really quite unique if you look closer.

WNZN on 89.1 programs Spanish, but they are broadcasting from Berlin Heights pretty far west of Lorain, and are not heard too deeply into Cuyahoga County due to WCSB at Cleveland State in Downtown Cleveland on 89.3. Besides, WNZN is only on for a few hours a day--I don't know why--and seems like somebody's toy instead of a serious station. Also, they are a non-commercial, public station.......or is supposed to be (I have heard some "underwriting" announcements that went on for two minutes and sure sounded like commercials to me).

With an estimated 60,000 spanish speaking in Cleveland-Lorain combined, I can't figure out why WJTB (which reaches both areas pretty well with a stick halfway between each city) does not take the plunge to 100% Spanish.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

WNZN on 89.1 programs Spanish, but they are broadcasting from Berlin Heights pretty far west of Lorain, and are not heard too deeply into Cuyahoga County due to WCSB at Cleveland State in Downtown Cleveland on 89.3.

Not to mention other 89.1 stations, including the WKSU repeater out in Thompson. The non-comm band is pretty crowded these days.

I've seen references to WNZN on some Cleveland area hispanic-serving websites, and (translated via Google, as I don't speak Spanish) it appears they try to act as a commercial station. Maybe they think they can get away with it because they're not in English? I haven't heard them or their "underwriting", so I can't speak to this issue for sure.

Anyway, as we both noted, the signal stinks past Lorain, and the station has other issues.

With an estimated 60,000 spanish speaking in Cleveland-Lorain combined, I can't figure out why WJTB (which reaches both areas pretty well with a stick halfway between each city) does not take the plunge to 100% Spanish.

I doubt this will happen because of long-noted issues with the station's ownership. If Mr. Taylor ever sells, it's a new ballgame...I wonder if Davidson Media, noted operator of Spanish-language outlets, is sniffing around greater Cleveland...

-OA/OMW