Not that I am intent on blowing up Rock 103, but...

[sjs1959]

While none of you seem enthused at the prospect of Smooth Jazz at 102.7, it seems to me like a losing proposition to stay with what they have.

I notice on the other boards that there is trend in medium and large markets to move News/Talkers to FM; Little Rock has had one for several years now. Would it not make sense to think about simulcasting WREC on 103?

Again, it saves money, and it might draw more listeners. Your thoughts?

 

[DeadElvis]

First, it won't necessarily save money. Running a N/T is not a cheap proposition. Sure, much of it is syndicated (and you had better have Rush to tentpole) but, you also need some local content. You mention Little Rock -- there are actually 2 talk FMs there. There's KARN AM/FM (the FM not having the best signal as a suburban C2), and a 100 kW Sports on 103.7. Interestingly, I was listening to 103.7 today. Midday, they had on a multi-person show that isn't embarrassing. That'll run a few bucks.

Will 103 drop Classic Rock for N/T? I doubt it anytime soon. But, one day, there will be N/T on FM. As a consultant once told me, "when you own a shoe store, you want it in the mall; and the mall for radio is FM." He's right, of course. But, simply simulcasting WREC on 103 really doesn't help Clear Channel. WREC is doing just fine, thank you, on 600. Duplicating that stream won't bring enough new ears, I would argue, to justify kissing off 600. It's all about increasing what you have. You may, however, disagree.

It may not be CC who pulls the trigger. Don't count Entercom out. They have an FM in New Orleans running N/T (of course, they also own WWL-AM, so the situations between Memphis and NOLA may not be exactly analogous). Perhaps Entercom may try something eventually?

One has to wonder, when will they get the Memo that WSNA ain't workin'? I'm just sayin'...

Citadel? Well, maybe. But, right now, Citadel hasn't got two dimes to rub together (CDL closed at 95 cents today -- 95 CENTS!), so it's unclear how nimble they can be right now.

Of course, at some point in this string, someone will argue that 103 should go country. I hope when they do, they explain what weaknesses of Kix they would capitalize upon. The music's fine. Talent is adequate (I'll always be a Memphis Mark fan). Positioning (eh?) is acceptable. Music quantity? Maybe there's something. But, the graveyard is littered with....

DE

 

[sjs1959]

How ironic would it be if it did go country, considering that's what it was when it went to AOR in the late 70s, WZXR country, and all automated, IIRC.

Do you think, DE, that CC is going to stay with Classic Rock? Surely it doesn't bill what it once did, does it? I appreciate your thoughts on the N/T, and granted, 600 is a strong AM stick. I just think they are going to have to make a decision about them in the VERY near future.

 

[radiosaur]

I just got back from St. Louis. My radio there was glued to K-HITS. Not only was the music mix awesome, but the jocks are STL vets who know and talk about the music. Some of the positioning statements even mention that. Before I'd do anything radical wtih 103, I'd try doing what K-HITS is doing.

Besides, with Lance leaving...could FM 100 strap on the cowboy boots?

 

[DeadElvis]

Do you think, DE, that CC is going to stay with Classic Rock?

It's all about their bottom line. And, let's face it, that's what Clear Channel thrives upon.

For me to speculate would be less-than-responsible. I am not privy to any numbers. Certainly, 103 has a lot of heritage, so unless or until the cash flow indicates a change, I suspect they'll stay in the format.

Your actual mileage may vary.

DE

 

[Grapevine]

As a consultant once told me, "when you own a shoe store, you want it in the mall; and the mall for radio is FM."

As with many analogies, it's humorous but not very relevant.

But let's have some fun with Mr. Consultant's witty observation.

The most successful shoe store is Limbaugh Shoes, with over 600 locations nationwide. Their customer base is about 20 million different shoppers a week.

While it's true that some Limbaugh Shoes locations are in shiny new malls, the VAST majority are in the tired old 50s-era strip centers.

There is only one Limbaugh Shoes franchise available for every market. So if customers wish to shop at Limbaugh Shoes -- and a new $500,000,000 contract says they do -- then they must travel to the store's location, no matter where that location happens to be.

Our friend Mr. Consultant has lost sight of two very important words: Exclusive content.

Exclusive content is also why you will never see locations of Limbaugh Shoes in the fledgling Satellite Mall. The folks at Limbaugh Shoes understand that every pair of shoes sold in the Satellite Mall is one less pair that their local franchise will sell.

This is not to say that there won't be lots of shoe stores in the future moving to or adding locations in the mall.

But as long as the old strip centers have tenants like Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Ingraham, Levin and Beck, they'll do just fine.

 

[sjs1959]

As a consultant once told me, "when you own a shoe store, you want it in the mall; and the mall for radio is FM."

As with many analogies, it's humorous but not very relevant.

But let's have some fun with Mr. Consultant's witty observation.

The most successful shoe store is Limbaugh Shoes, with over 600 locations nationwide. Their customer base is about 20 million different shoppers a week.

While it's true that some Limbaugh Shoes locations are in shiny new malls, the VAST majority are in the tired old 50s-era strip centers.

There is only one Limbaugh Shoes franchise available for every market. So if customers wish to shop at Limbaugh Shoes -- and a new $500,000,000 contract says they do -- then they must travel to the store's location, no matter where that location happens to be.

Our friend Mr. Consultant has lost sight of two very important words: Exclusive content.

Exclusive content is also why you will never see locations of Limbaugh Shoes in the fledgling Satellite Mall. The folks at Limbaugh Shoes understand that every pair of shoes sold in the Satellite Mall is one less pair that their local franchise will sell.

This is not to say that there won't be lots of shoe stores in the future moving to or adding locations in the mall.

But as long as the old strip centers have tenants like Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Ingraham, Levin and Beck, they'll do just fine.

Unless, of course, they get tired of the same old style of shoes, and look for something different. Styles do change over time.

 

[littlebigradio]

Limbaugh Shoes......don't know why they're so popular.....the only come in one size and color.

 

[Meepster]

Maybe they're so popular because they're the "right" shoes! ;D
Sometimes the "left" ones are just too loose.

 

[Grapevine]

Unless, of course, they get tired of the same old style of shoes, and look for something different. Styles do change over time.

Today, by the way, is the 20-year anniversary of The Limbaugh Show on national radio. I guess the shoe still fits.

When Bill Clinton took office in 1993, the prevailing belief on the left was that Limbaugh was done. That was over fifteen years ago. How's that working out?

In 1997, ne'erdowell WMC general manager Don Myers dropped Limbaugh from the News/Talk 790 lineup, saying that Limbaugh was "done" and that his style of radio was "yesterday." That was over ten years ago. Nice call, Don.

Liberal orthodoxy had Air America running Limbaugh out of business. Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy were just bugs in the windshield of Rush's Maybach 57S.

 

[radiosaur]

I know it pains some to admit it, but if you're in radio and are honest with yourself ya gotta admit Rush is one of the all-time great radio personalities.

Rush is a great entertainer while doing his show as well, while Err America was just bad radio regardless of the politics. Malloy is the only good radio talent I heard over there. Don’t agree with him...But he’s a good host…and they booted him early on.

Come to think of it….Didn’t WMC give away Sean, the news talk format, and all their good news talent to WREC along with Rush?

 

[Zeke_Terry]

Rock 103 is old and busted - just take it out back and shoot it. And as far as Rush is concerned he can go hug a __________! (insert your own favorite naughty thing)

Listening to Talk radio gives me gas - and so does Taco Bell, but at least Taco Bell fills me up.

 

[radiosaur]

And as far as Rush is concerned he can go hug a __________!

his bank account?
his new multi-year contract?
his mansion?
his Hall of Fame slot?

 

[Grapevine]

And as far as Rush is concerned he can go hug __________!

a. A Half-billion dollar contract
b. A $36,000,000 beachfront estate in Palm Beach, Florida
c. A $45,000,000 Gulfstream 550 personal jet
d. A $500,000 Maybach 57S luxury car
e. A Box of $100 cigars
f. An NFL team (He has expressed interest in one day owning a team. He has the pockets to do it.)
g. Pretty much any damn thing he wants to

I don't think Al Franken can afford most of the items on this list.

Maybe Al can buy a used Cessna 172 and get a timeshare in Panama City.

 

[tomservo]

Rush is a great entertainer while doing his show as well, while Err America was just bad radio regardless of the politics. Malloy is the only good radio talent I heard over there. Don’t agree with him...But he’s a good host…and they booted him early on.

Regardless of how ya feel about his politics, Rush is good at what he does because deep down in his heart he's just a DJ. He has that jock sense of entertaining that so few guys on the radio have anymore. If you've ever heard his airchecks when he was a oldies jock at "14-K - 14 Karat Gold" in Pittsburgh you know he's still a jock at heart: "Stick that thumb up in the air! VANITY FARE!" ;D

Now, back to the topic at hand...

Putting talk on FM DOES actually help out ratings. Apparently the coveted 25-54 demo likes FM more than AM and more folks will listen to talk if it's more accessible. Bonneville has done well putting talk on FM in SLC, talk is moving to FM in Seattle from what I hear, and of course I bet the FM talkers in LA, Little Rock and Nashville all do better than the AM competition. (Err, ETA: At least in the younger demos.)

Despite having what seems like crap content, Supertalk probably does well here in Mississippi with their, er, 7 FM outlets.

Eventually talk or sports will do well in Memphis, someone just has to make the move. The comments about cost are irrelevant if CC simulcasts WREC to FM, where is the added cost? They're already paying for those shows on AM now.

Maybe WREC has too much of a lock on conservative talk to go FM and alter their "brand". So put sports talk on FM. Citadel a while back flipped an FM rimshot in Birmingham to talk; now they've blown a langusing Hot AC to move the sports onto that signal. With local & ESPN on FM and Fox Sports on the 50kW AM, they own that demo.

Having talk on FM in Memphis might actually get me to shut off the XM. I can't stand to listen to WREC through the I-Buzz.

 

[DeadElvis]

> The comments about cost are irrelevant if CC simulcasts WREC to FM, where is the added cost? They're already paying for those shows on AM now.

I think you miss the point. You're right; if one merely simulcasts 600, costs don't increase. But, little else does, too.

In this hypothetical, you're walking away from a heritage brand (presumably Rock 103), that -- I assume -- still has billing, just to duplicate a station that is already doing well. That makes sense if you're talker is being attacked, but seems a bit short-sighted if it's not.

OK. There is an argument for staking a claim to the franchise on FM before you're attacked, but we'll save that discussion for another day.

If I were CCU, I would want my numbers for talk AND something else, too. Perhaps I'm just a bit greedy.

DE

 

[radiosaur]

A laywer - greedy? Say it ain't so, DE! ;D

 

[sjs1959]

> The comments about cost are irrelevant if CC simulcasts WREC to FM, where is the added cost? They're already paying for those shows on AM now.

I think you miss the point. You're right; if one merely simulcasts 600, costs don't increase. But, little else does, too.

In this hypothetical, you're walking away from a heritage brand (presumably Rock 103), that -- I assume -- still has billing, just to duplicate a station that is already doing well. That makes sense if you're talker is being attacked, but seems a bit short-sighted if it's not.

OK. There is an argument for staking a claim to the franchise on FM before you're attacked, but we'll save that discussion for another day.

If I were CCU, I would want my numbers for talk AND something else, too. Perhaps I'm just a bit greedy.

DE

Does anyone know what their billing IS at this point? How is it vis-a-vis 98.1? I certainly understand not wanting to blow up a heritage station, but haven't they squandered that heritage? What's that worth now? This is not the Rock 103 we grew up with by a long shot...

Just my .02, I appreciate the conversation on this.

 

[radiosaur]

Billing, is of course the reason they would or would not flip.

I think Rock 103 is fixable, and I think Spencer is capable of fixing it. Maybe not with CC at the helm, but it IS fixable. Sometimes it sounds like they are trying but never follow through.

 

[sjs1959]

I would tend to agree with that, because I believe that CC is the problem and not Spencer, the moves he's made has been with CC's gun at his head. However, unless they sell it to someone who cares about radio from a listener standpoint, 103 is only going to continue to atrophy to the point of irrelevance.