Now that Paul Sidney has passed...

[Markieo]

How long do you think it will be before the vultures at Clear Channel, Citadel, Cox, CBS, etc. swoop down and buy WLNG, and turn it into another cookie-cutter format of the month station? :'(

 

[Ted Russell]

Today, WLNG Radio held an open house for listeners, and radio people, and friends of Paul Sidney to gather and celebrate his life and career at WLNG. Having met the crew and the owners of the station, I think its safe to say that the tradition of WLNG will continue in Paul's Vision for many years to come.

BTW, it was pointed out today that Paul died on the 92nd day of the year, at 1 AM.

 

[starcastle]

If those companies were interrested in WLNG, they would have made some sort of move in the past, and really what would they gain from buying that place, it has such a rich history and is loved by the locals, putting what some call a cookie cutter/kool aid station would be a losing move for them. WLNG aint going anywhere.....I guess that what makes it unique too.....


Plus a few posts back on another thread, it was noted that Paul Sidney didnt even own the place for the past few years...funny they always kept the image that Paul was the sole owner, thats what I thought.

 

[davideduardo]

How long do you think it will be before the vultures at Clear Channel, Citadel, Cox, CBS, etc. swoop down and buy WLNG, and turn it into another cookie-cutter format of the month station? :'(

The station and the market are, by the big company standards, very small. It's in market 263, and the station bills (2008 figure) just a tad over $1 million a year. Contrast that with the near $60 million billing of the leading nYC station.

Hopefully, the station will continue to be locally owned and operated.

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

Evidently, the writ of 'big company standards' don't run to market 263.

Legacy says so. More importantly, ratings say so. And WLNG doesn't even buy the book.

Is there another East End biller doing $20,000 a week?

 

[davideduardo]

Is there another East End biller doing $20,000 a week?

WRCN did about $120 k a month last year, and WDRE did $100 k per month. WEHM and WBON both did about $70 k to $75 k a month.

Only about 40% of radio listening in hamptons-Riverside is to stations home to the market.

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

>> 'Hopefully, the station will continue to be locally owned and operated' <<

Spoken as a true radio person who was a hobbyist first and an empolyee later.

Same here.

 

[andreajesus]

Hey, gang, I wouldn't worry too much - i suspect that 'LNG is gonna be LOCALLY-owned and operated for a LONG time to come - Mr. Sidney would want it that way...

 

[radioray]

But somebody has to be the boss, who will be GM now?

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

But somebody has to be the boss, who will be GM now?

Paul actually stepped down from the GM role a couple of years ago.
WLNG's press release on his passing referred to him as their "former
General Manager and President Emeritus."