Official: BAS and CC close the deal

[Rusty Muck]

Is it true they brought back Nick Vincent & are shutting down their websites? ??? ???

Nick went back on the air a couple of weeks ago. He quit his sales job with a local car dealership (Kasper I believe) and came back on board. Super nice guy with a young family...hope he doesn't have problems keeping the job. I've heard that the web and email goes sometime this week, due to it all being CC run/owned. Staffs were mailed their severance packages. GM was fired last Friday. Rumored to kill sports on LEC, back to music.

The former GM's name is Dave Kelly, BTW. Not a shock.

I'm now presuming from reading this... the ENTIRE staff was canned??? Reading from the past threads, kentuckymedia had said that everyone would be interviewed for their jobs... so it's my assumption that Nick may have been hired with BAS' knowledge.

Odd enough that Nick already had a page put back up for him just, what, three weeks ago? - and it will be taken down, likely for the ABC Hits&Variety crapola (though if BAS is picking that channel up, they haven't done the WCPZ customization just yet).

WLEC taking the Timeless Favorites channel is very good PR for BAS, even as the demos for that format are all through the roof. Remember, toward the end of the original format, WLEC had been heavily voice-tracked for all dayparts save for Mark Fogg and Dave Hayes, so switching to a satellite channel may not be that big a difference.

IMHO, why downplay the call letters? "1450 - Music You Love"? Why not "The Music You Love, 1450 WLEC"? And "The Lake" is a better fit for AAA - (Hell, WLKR-FM has those calls built into them already!) WCPZ should've taken "The Point" instead...

- nate81

 

[kentuckymedia]

Nathan -

I agree with you totally. BAS most likely came in or is coming in the next week to re-evaluate all positions. My hope would be that Jim and TK keep WCPZ live of some sort. Or atleast operate it similar to WKFM. Live in the mornings and afternoons. The rest of the dayparts are delivered via Westwood One.

I would assume that Nick was part of the package. BAS tried to get him once before to become OM of their cluster in Fremont. Nick is a great guy and will really keep those stations to the best positions he can. Renee is tracked out of CC Lima, so chances are they wont need her services, especially once the WAN is cut.

WLEC returning to ABC Stardust is the best move possible. What they should do is work out an option with WLKR to operate ESPN Radio from 7-5am on 1450 and then carry Adult Standards during the day. They may copycat a lot of the station from WMVO which has a "Tradio" show and some local personality during the day.

Bringing back Oldies to the Northcoast was a good move on Bas' part. The format has done well on its previous incarnations. Having someone in Sandusky sell Oldies will also fair well for the company. Im not so sold on the "Wolf" name for Oldies, but that wont ever change.

BAS also spends money on Billboards. While it may not be much, they offer something that Clear Channel wont to their small markets. Look for Billboards to be placed all over Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky and Huron counties.

Their flagship Mount Vernon station WQIO carries Mid Ohio Racing. Dont be too surprised to see that duplicated on 92.1. They will probably bring local football back to 102.7 as well 92.1 and 100.9.

 

[voice-of-reason]

All 3 Sandusky stations will be going satellite effective 2/1, all using the ABC Radio Networks service.

WLEC = "Timeless", core artists include Carpenters, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Elvis, and Frank Sinatra.
WMJK = "Classic Rock", enough said
WCPZ = "Hot AC - Today's Best Hits", contemporary young-adult alternative currents with 80's/90's CHR classics.

Will the three be true 24/7 satellite stations?
WMJK, yes.
WCPZ, no. Morning Show will remain live.
WLEC, still in discussion. There is an immediate need for the morning man to stay on because of the heavy HS sports content, but once the HS basketball season has ended, so could his employment.

The new WCPZ afternoon guy was not part of the BAS deal.

Look for maybe three of the programming staffers to remain full-time, with others offered part-time based on seniority.

CC is operating the stations currently with no debt, but with questionable expenses. BAS is going to come in with a nice chunk of debt. In this economic environment, it would only make sense to reduce your overhead. The questions will be "how much do you cut" and "at what expense"? If BAS kills the localism and the heritage established by WCPZ and WLEC, what happens in two to three years when the economy turns for the better? The cash cow that once was will be nothing but ground up hamburger.

 

[Rusty Muck]

This is all just guesswork and thinking on my part... so don't get mad at me:

* WCPZ, in an ideal situation would be best following the WKFM formula. Live in AMD and PMD, syndicated in all other times. Maybe with John Tesh in nights, but that would fit better with WFRO. Not suggesting that they go with satellite of some sort wouldn't make sense - with the way the market is, both economically and demographically. (WLKR-FM is the only station in the area that DOESN'T use satellite programming, and that's probably because Dial-Global doesn't have an AAA channel...) But it would be suicide for 102.7 to go ALL-satellite, ALL-the-time.

They might stay local in the mornings, but probably without the current team of Randy Hugg and Nancy Krause. I'd be flabbergasted if either one (or BOTH!) of them stayed. Then it's a chess game... maybe with either Ace or Nick helming the show solo. The other would move to afternoons, just on pure logic (or become part-time, possibly as a board-op for sports contests on WLEC).

* If Steve Schoffner stays as news director, then it's the same arrangement as always, with him originating at 1450 and feeding news reports both to 102.7 and 92.1... BAS will probably expand the news content, even to the point of reviving the extended noon and 5pm newscasts on WLEC. So... full circle for 1450 in that regard.

* Judging by how they handled WQIO/WMVO, WLEC sports director/morning man Mark Fogg should stay. Hell, he could even replace Randy on WCPZ!

* And if BAS wanted to eventually copy the WMVO formula they've kept otherwise on 1450, shows like "Tradio" will be a good fit.

* Say buh-bye to "Weed after Rome" on 1450... and if Dave Wiedenheft isn't reassigned back over to the news department, he'll be a goner. And that depends if BAS wants to have two newscasters/reporters in their stead... or, they might promote Adam Taylor from WQIO/WMVO up to the North Coast to fill his position. Who knows?

* WMJK already had low overhead with the amount of VT'ing over there, switching to satrad will not be a total shock. Neither would the eventual station flip between them and WOHF, swap one computer for another.

* WLEC, with the right promotion and imaging (hint, hint... hire back Jeff Baxter for that! ) and replenished news content, might be able to get their old listener base back. Even though a station flipping to standards outright wouldn't make sense in any other situation, this is a solid win for BAS. I give them a lot of credit for making the move... Jim L. will get a lot of goodwill.

- nate81

 

[VODood]

"Wolf" for Oldies is a hideous moniker.

 

[Radiobum]

All this leaves My1077 out in the cold. In the end, since they are not going to LMA this station, like the others, they will want to sell it before closing.

 

[voice-of-reason]

Nathan--
Great points regarding the direction of WCPZ. Using the WKFM formula would be the route to go, reduce your expenses while trying to retain some degree of localism. Should have been done years ago.

I disagree their afternoon or evening jock could become the lead-in morning show, that is a major stretch. One-half of the current WCPZ morning show(Randy Hugg) has a great following and throwing him to the curb would get the same reaction as to when WLEC dropped the nostalgia format. His sidekick though, brings zero to the show and wouldn't be missed. Of course, BAS may feel have a 20+year radio vet on the staff may a hinderance and he may not buy-in to some of the things BAS would like to do. Sometimes a clean-slate is best, in some eyes.

Regarding WCPZ afternoons, I feel BAS would be best suited with a local jock, but not any that are current employees. Too bad their last PMD jock bolted to New Mexico, although he was a bit rough for a Hot AC, you could tell he put alot of effort in his show and it paid dividends with listenership.

Steve Shoffner is a Cleveland-type talent, he brings so much to the table, a pros pro. If BAS would give him the keys to the News Department for all of their stations, he could create a formidable news presence in each of their market. He may be their best acquired asset(employee).

If WLEC flips to the 'Timeless' ABC feed, it would make more sense financially than an all-out flip-flop back to nostalgia. Sure the WLEC numbers were great with nostalgia, but look at the audience. 90% of it was 65+. Any advertiser will tell you this demo is practically worthless on a small market level. These people have established brands, it's tough to break through this. The 'Timeless' format shifts the target to a demo that has more $$ potential, and the suspected hope is, yes the old-time WLEC listeners will come back even though it is not exactly what was played before. It will be close enough, and yes BAS management will initially look great in the court of public opinion.

I am not sure of the staffing at BAS in Mt.Vernon or Fremont/Bellevue. They may have better quality staffers that could oversee some of the Sandusky departments. Or vice versa! We'll see.

 

[voice-of-reason]

All this leaves My1077 out in the cold. In the end, since they are not going to LMA this station, like the others, they will want to sell it before closing.

My 107.7 shares studio space with WCKY in Findlay. Difficult to LMA at the moment, but could under a separate LMA within 30-45 days....

 

[kentuckymedia]

After looking over potential line-ups...here is what I came up with.

WCPZ - 102.7 THE LAKE "The Northcoast's home for Todays Best Hits" (I also heard Z103)

6AM - 10AM : Randy and Nancy in The Morning
10AM - 3PM : Dan Lopez (ABC)
3PM - 7PM : Matt and Ramona (Greater Media)
7PM - 12AM : Johnny Wolfe

WMJK - 100.9 THE COAST "The Northcoasts Classic Rock Experience"

6AM - 10AM : Chaz Mixon in the Morning
10AM - 2PM : Michelle Michaels
2PM - 7PM : Frank Welch
7PM - 10PM : Alice Cooper @ Night

WLEC - 1450 WLEC "Your Favorites"

5AM - 9AM : Doug Stevens Good Day
9AM - 12PM : Steve Shoffner "Good Morning Sandusky"
12PM - 3PM : Nancy Krause "WLEC Hometown Radio"
3PM - 5AM : Adult Contemporary w/Mark Fogg Sports

BAS BROADCASTING SANDUSKY:

Tom Klein VP/MM
Randy Hugg OM/PD
Paul Mize Production Director
Steve Shoffner News Director
Mark Fogg Sports Director
Nancy Krause News
Dave Wiedenheft News

 

[nightfly61]

Congrats to Jim and the gang at BAS.....the good ole' boys of Toledo radio continue to work harder and harder! Guess it must make some type of sense to set up a "birds nest" by the purchase of the 5 stations.

Y would you congratulate someone for ruining so many peoples lives by dish? Oh yeah you're Mrs. Gold 101 arent ya? There's a few like you down here in Cinci too. Too bad.

 

[nightfly61]

Regarding WCPZ afternoons, I feel BAS would be best suited with a local jock, but not any that are current employees. Too bad their last PMD jock bolted to New Mexico, although he was a bit rough for a Hot AC, you could tell he put alot of effort in his show and it paid dividends with listenership.


[/quote]
You've gotta be kidding! That guy was aweful! All he ever talked about was himself and World Westling on a female based station. He let the f-bomb fly at one station & continues to slam former employees on his blogs. His main listeners were perdominantly 12 year old skateboard type males.

 

[1sttimecaller]

WLEC. Music on AM? in Sandusky? Just to please a few old folks? The Sports made sense. WLEC carries: Browns, Indians, Cavs, Buckeyes, High School Sports. Plus ESPN games and Westwood One. They have play-by-play ALMOST everyday. My best guess is the sales force had trouble selling music, but sold the ever loving daylights out of sports, so the flip made business sense. Arbitron numbers in Sandusky don’t mean lick. Good luck selling the music, you’ll need it. Last time I looked this is a business. While it may seem like a fine idea to play music for people who will soon be tasting dirt, they won’t be able to sell it.


Monikers??! It’s WCPZ with a 30 year heritage!?!?!? How about just calling the station 102.7 WCPZ?


This is for Kentucky Media. Aren’t you a PD in Lima? How in the world do you have so much time to speculate on Sandusky? Get back to work..lol.


Finally, Mo Z is a terrific talent who will make it to the big leagues someday, just ask him.
He was/is terrible on air. Mo has the BIGGEST ego you’d ever run into. Typical jock who thinks he knows better than the PD. I hope it doesn’t end up costing his wife a job in Arizona.

 

[kentuckymedia]

Baylor -

Im sorry your mis-informed. I am working in Clarksville/Hopkinsville. Call me sometime 931-648-7720. If you notice that is quite far from an Ohio number

 

[1sttimecaller]

Ed?

 

[Radiofreewill]

107.7 WPFX - Here is the problem. WBVI currently utilizes ABC formats. So Bas will have to select another format and maybe a whole other provider. After all this switch to My, its going to be useless in the end.

Does anyone know who is staying as OM of Sandusky? How about the other positions?

I think WFOB used ABC, but I thought WBVI was running Jones' Hot AC format.

 

[martard]

Finally, Mo Z is a terrific talent who will make it to the big leagues someday, just ask him.
He was/is terrible on air. Mo has the BIGGEST ego you’d ever run into. Typical jock who thinks he knows better than the PD. I hope it doesn’t end up costing his wife a job in Arizona.

ROTFLMAO! That is classic!

 

[voice-of-reason]

Everyones 'takes' on the WCPZ afternoon jock are for the most part accurate. I agree he had a 50,000 watt ego! But I did say he was rough, and I most likely would not have given him the job unless all my other options were worse. In spite of his deficiencies, he had a show that people listened to. The numbers did not decline during his stay. In a voice-tracked world, he at least kept things fresh. And yes, from what I understand, he did butt heads with their management. I would rather employ someone that is passionate about what they do, than someone that says 'yes maam' to your face, then blasts you on this message board.

John Baylor--Your comments about the WLEC format and the WCPZ moniker are right on the money.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Monikers??! It’s WCPZ with a 30 year heritage!?!?!? How about just calling the station 102.7 WCPZ?

Even though they haven't called themselves that for ten years now. (And one of them was with the blah WMTX calls, the WCPZ calls were used at that time on "Majic 100.9" as a placeholder.)

The fact that we automatically refer to it AS "102.7 WCPZ" speaks volumes about the station's heritage.

- nate81

 

[Rusty Muck]

WLEC. Music on AM? in Sandusky? Just to please a few old folks? The Sports made sense. WLEC carries: Browns, Indians, Cavs, Buckeyes, High School Sports. Plus ESPN games and Westwood One. They have play-by-play ALMOST everyday. My best guess is the sales force had trouble selling music, but sold the ever loving daylights out of sports, so the flip made business sense. Arbitron numbers in Sandusky don’t mean lick. Good luck selling the music, you’ll need it. Last time I looked this is a business. While it may seem like a fine idea to play music for people who will soon be tasting dirt, they won’t be able to sell it.

I can't disagree with you. Even if BAS gets goodwill out of the move, let's face it, the AM band is dying a slow death.

Mark Fogg (currently WLEC's morning host/PD/sports director) said EXACTLY the same thing in a Sandusky Register interview last year. The sales dept. couldn't sell the standards format; and they had to plug sports non-stop. So sports/talk was the logical choice. Even though choosing between ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio and Sporting News Radio is sometimes like pulling teeth! (CC's ownership stake in FSR was really the reason why it landed on WLEC in the first place.)

WLEC never had to stay status quo for so many years, playing a format that is otherwise outdated. Sad to say, but it's true. They could've slowly phased out music in select dayparts and made a transition to a news/talk format.

- nate81

 

[rick bell]

Hey y'all - Rick Bell in the hiz-ous. Gonna be a lot of Sanduskians looking for jobs. Wonder if ABC is hiring????