Pensacola Numbers

[redneckriviera]

"@RNR...CC might be willing to swap sticks, but that doesn't mean they're willing to hand over cash to Cumulus by giving up Rush, etc."

They wouldn't give up cash for Rush--they'd charge Cumulus the going rate for Mobile on top of whatever they're getting for Pensacola.

But, hey, it's not worth even thinking about--it's highly unlikely to happen. The market managers in M-P wouldn't want to give the other an inch, and they guys upstairs wouldn't think anything that happens in Mobile or Pensacola is worth their precious time.

Just sayin' that there are lots of ways to skin the proverbial cat.

Oh, and as far as the all-news idea goes, "expensive" is in the eye of the beholder. Ultimately, profit is the goal, and if spending a little more generates considerably more profit, then it makes sense.

 

[Rob]

Well, somethings got to give. I think we just need one or two CHR/URBAN stations and that's it.

I'm still learning what you guys have known for years and trying to give you an audience point of view. I probably represent the only person who cares.

OK - then how about bringing back the MY 100 format since it did so well @ 107.3. I miss listening to Tom Kent. I'm shocked 94.1 didn't pick him up.

-Rob

 

[Poledo]

There's already a small issue with Rush as WNTM is IDing as "710 AM and 96.1 HD2 Mobile-Pensacola".

Also, WCOA CAN go FM, they just have to use the class A 106.1 signal. Move Majic to 100.7 or 104.1 and put WCOA on 106.1. Ain't gonna happen, it makes too much sense.
What about a downgrade? Swap 100.7 for the Christian owned commercial FM 95.7 in Navarre, then you have 95.7 FM, with no Alabama coverage, to put News/Talk on. They would be a top 3 Pensacola station with the second smallest stick in the market. Do it right and they may make #1 every now and then!

Another possibility for news/talk FM in Pensacola is WNRP's CP for a translator on 106.5 in Milton. When are they going to move that baby to Gulf Breeze or Pensacola and push it up to 250 watts? Bring back Luke McCoy and Larry Butler on a little 250 FM translator and they might beat WCOA. Rush isn't necessary, look to WSB/WGST in Atlanta.

That leaves sports for 100.7. Shouldn't be hard to get enough rights to make a good station.

Damn I'm tired. Maybe it's the Flexeril typing this instead of me?

 

[redneckriviera]

FWIW, for legal ID purposes, the only thing required nowadays is that the calls and COL be adjacent, thus "WNTM, Mobile." But the city of license can be followed by as many other cities, towns, villages, nations, continents, favorite foods, whatever. Thus "WNTM, Mobile-Pensacola-Biloxi-Gulfport-New Orleans-New York and Los Angeles." It's immaterial. As is HD radio, at least up until this point. On the other hand, if I was the Cumulus Pensacola MM (and, thank God I'm not) I'd think about making a fuss about it now rather than waiting for years just in case HD radio actually does become something. Harder to make a case after it's been on the damn thing for ten years...

 

[Nate Wesley]

Can't do WCOA on the FM without dumping the Rush,Sean, Glenn cash cow. WNTM in Mobile will scream bloody murder over market rights.

Sports you have the same issues with Saints coverage or if you wanted to go ESPN or Sporting News radio. Even FSU or UF play-by-play has those issues. Fox sports is locked in to another N/T in PNS.

Remember how redneckriveira mentioned 93BLX and TK-101 as two stations doing equally well in both Pensacola and Mobile? I gara-dang-tee you sports on 100.7 or 107.3 would do the same thing, the separate market thing is practically set up for one big stick station to take both.

ESPN Radio exists on a pea-shootin' Class A licensed to Bay Minette. And Pensacola has no fulltime sports station; I'll bet that Pensacola news/talker clearing Fox Sports Radio has it on mostly during overnights. I know they have existing contracts, but [more] money still talks, especially when you've got an class C FM that covers both metros. For that matter, you've got national options outside those two networks: Dan Patrick, Jim Rome, and the Sporting News Radio lineup.

As for football? Make due with NFL broadcasts from Compass Media or Sports USA until you can outbid both WNSP and WCOA for exclusive rights for the Saints (easier to do if you're Cumulus, who has the Saints on WCOA). And with the overall popularity of college football in the area, you're not limited to UF or FSU--you'd do pretty well if you could steal Alabama or Auburn football. Maybe LSU if you're desperate for SEC games (they've got fans down here too).

I'm tellin' ya, it can be done!

 

[Poledo]

Yeah, we all know about legal ID's (Rob might need a refresher)... but I'm even gravitating away from AM radio and have been listening to Rush occasionally on 96.1 HD2. I was shocked when they added "Pensacola" to the WNTM ID...

If Cumulus wants to stay in the news/talk radio business they need to get their hands on Navarre's WKFP 95.7 and move WCOA there, even if they have do some horsetrading... humm... what about moving WDLT to 100.7 and then trade Mobile's 98.3 for 95.7 in Navarre. That should be a deal "too good to refuse". Also, those Christians seem to like AM stations... Cumulus has 4 strong local AM stations: 1370, 1260, 900, and 660 (with this deal, move WGOK to 100.7) that they could offer to trade for 1 little FM out in the Navarre swamp.

Clear Channel and Cumulus worked together on the 104.1 <-> 104.9 swap back in the '90's. Why won't they work something out to put News/Talk under the same corporate umbrella in both Mobile and Pensacola (and FWB) markets?

Is the fact that the metro Pensacola area has 4 strong news/talk AM stations and Mobile has 2 AMs, an FM, and grade B coverage of the Biloxi FM news/talk keeping this format off the 100kw sticks?

There are so many ways this could be done. Some of them would be very easy ways to get started... then grow the new 100kw FM over time. Why isn't anyone doing it?

(I'm rambling... took some more Flexeril, and something much stronger mixed with it. I need to quit posting on the net) :

 

[Rob]

I still think this area has room for one more 100KW stick -

I feel kind of left out because it seems that most, if not ALL of fl has an FM news talk station but us. I don't know why? Are we really that small compared to say ft myers which has one? Even Panama City?

Let's get this pushing forward. I'm tired of the blahness that is our radio dial.

106.1 would make a great news talk station if it had either a powerboost or towerheight or both. It should cover Crestview and Ft Walton.

Here's my thoughts - Remove one CHR station, One Urban station and country station (98.7 perhaps) replace them with formats that are appealing to adults 18 = 45 both men and women. The V100 format in Panama City is doing very well. I listen to it when I can and would love to have a station like that here.

We need a true classic rocker also as we lost KROCK and 102.1 is more of a "BOB and JACK" format.

VARIETY is the spice of life!!

PS - TOM KENT is also missed - BIG TIME.

-Rob

 

[macab4490]

Well forget about having ONE CHR station, there is now three (or 2 1/2). I have been out of the area for about two and a half months now and I noticed the recent change. Ladies and Gents - we are talking about 107.3 FM. This station is just like the one in Atlanta (105.7 & 96.7FM). Basically it's the same exact station but without any of the dj's, and of course, it's in a different city.

Anyways, 107.3 the Groove went CHR/Rhythmatic. I think it's great. I would rather have seen a CHR on 107.3 when they originally flipped back in February of last year and WJLQ-FM just remained the same. I like stations when they have local flavor and dj's but i100 sounds like it's all syndicated. That's Cumulus for yea, folks. Unfortunately.

So, I would bring back Classic Hits to 94.1 and Have Tom Kent back on!!! He was good to hear on the radio and hey I am not even in my 40's or 50's or 70's....hah.

This i100 station will stay but WABB looks like they got it now! They now have RDS but without displaying the Artist/Title info.

 

[Dr voicetrack]

They only thing syndicated on JLQ is Billy Bush at night. I want to say the only local jock on The Groove is Matt McCoy. Am I wrong? Too early to say how the Groove will do. Isn't this the 3rd time 107.3 has tweeked in like 18 months? I remember them messing with the AC format before switching to The Groove. Right now, they're an unfocused Rhythmic CHR. Need to see where it goes before making a call on it.

Are you trying to say WABB is on top or will win out because they have RDS? Stop it. That doesn't mean squat. WABB is always playing catch up when it comes to technology. If you've been paying attention, it's been a "what's i100 doing?" mentality when it comes to imaging, and presentation. Still waiting for streaming.

WABB was already wildy throwing punches into the air trying to fend off the competition. Now that Groove in in the same ballpark, I expect more of the same. If not more of it. That pie just got busted up even more. This next year will be fun to watch.

 

[macab4490]

They only thing syndicated on JLQ is Billy Bush at night. I want to say the only local jock on The Groove is Matt McCoy. Am I wrong? Too early to say how the Groove will do. Isn't this the 3rd time 107.3 has tweeked in like 18 months? I remember them messing with the AC format before switching to The Groove. Right now, they're an unfocused Rhythmic CHR. Need to see where it goes before making a call on it.

Are you trying to say WABB is on top or will win out because they have RDS? Stop it. That doesn't mean squat. WABB is always playing catch up when it comes to technology. If you've been paying attention, it's been a "what's i100 doing?" mentality when it comes to imaging, and presentation. Still waiting for streaming.

WABB was already wildy throwing punches into the air trying to fend off the competition. Now that Groove in in the same ballpark, I expect more of the same. If not more of it. That pie just got busted up even more. This next year will be fun to watch.

I just don't see WABB competing to the top level of i100 nor 107.3. For many reasons. One because they can't even stream online. Uh, you might want to fix that Dittman (or whoever owns them). Second, yea RDS is not a big deal but it's cool because it's something that is recognizable. Talking about their imaging, and presentation - it's kinda lousy. Their imaging is weak. I enjoy WBBM-FM's B96 presentation. It's very catchy. Yea, i know because it's a CHR station in Chicago but it's cool. So is the WKST-FM Pittsburgh and a lot of the CC's CHR''s. WABB is not. They have a lot of work to do. I should have been more clear when speaking of them being on top. Their music flow is good. But Clear Channel (my own opinion so dont hate are great. FLZ, XL, Z100, and G105 are amazing CHR's. If no one competes to that level, I do think if i100 flips, the Groove will take it's place. Clear Channel CHR's are great! That's the only thing I like about WGRV because I know what they can do to that station and make it amazing. But this is not Atlanta nor a San Francisco type of market so they might not take a huge focus on it which will ultimately mean WABB will win out because of the lack of focus on WGRV.

i100 is good. Music that is. Again, i love stations that have spice and variety to it. Bringing local flavor on the radio is huge. Well, to me that is.
I don't know about you though...:/

 

[Nate Wesley]

Too early to say how the Groove will do. Isn't this the 3rd time 107.3 has tweeked in like 18 months? I remember them messing with the AC format before switching to The Groove. Right now, they're an unfocused Rhythmic CHR. Need to see where it goes before making a call on it.

Someone mentioned the evolution of Atlanta's former Groove, and I can see why. Specifically, I think Clear Channel believes it can replicate the Ft. Walton success of WFFY 'Fly 92' over the entire Mobile-Pensacola coast. With many hip-hop & R&B acts now blatantly dabbling in songs for pop promotion, there's an argument that they're trying to be a 'suburban BLX'. Some of the artists featured in their 'last ten songs played' (according to The Groove website as of 2pm) include Usher, Rihanna, Keri Hilson, and Jeremih w/ 50 Cent alongside Britney, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga.

WRGV's healthy use of TV promos are probably what's keeping them from totally re-branding the station--which is partially a shame, because 'Wild 107-3' kinda works.

 

[redneckriviera]

Clear Channel obviously knows how to program CHR--whether of the pop or rhythmic stripe. New York's Z100, LA's KIIS and DC's Hot 99.5 stand as ample evidence of that. If they put some money, effort and time into 107.3, it could happen in Mobile-Pensacola.

But for all the criticism of WABB, it is worth noting that they continue to kick CHR ass in both markets per Arbitron. And until the challengers at least get somewhere in the same ballpark as 97.5, comparisons aren't much more than mental masturbation. Although I'll admit that I'm way out of the demo (wrong gender & too old), they still sound like the winners to me. You know--they actually have commercials. For i100, it's still kind of a hobby--a non-profit venture.

Whipping WABB looks like a long-term project. Hope they all have lots of time & money to invest.

 

[Poledo]

WRGV's healthy use of TV promos are probably what's keeping them from totally re-branding the station--which is partially a shame, because 'Wild 107-3' kinda works.

What TV station are these promos running on? I've never seen a TV commercial for Groove 107.3. I'm not even sure if I've seen a billboard.

 

[trock]

WRGV's healthy use of TV promos are probably what's keeping them from totally re-branding the station--which is partially a shame, because 'Wild 107-3' kinda works.

What TV station are these promos running on? I've never seen a TV commercial for Groove 107.3. I'm not even sure if I've seen a billboard.

I've seen them on WPMI tv15 and I think on WALA tv10 but I'm not certain.

 

[Nate Wesley]

WRGV's healthy use of TV promos are probably what's keeping them from totally re-branding the station--which is partially a shame, because 'Wild 107-3' kinda works.

What TV station are these promos running on? I've never seen a TV commercial for Groove 107.3. I'm not even sure if I've seen a billboard.

I've seen full 30s and shorter promos on WKRG pretty regularly. There's a billboard in the Mobile area too IIRC.

 

[Poledo]

As I recall Q-100 had plenty of billboards around Mobile also and TK is Mobile's only rocker... so that leaves Pensacola with 1 AC, 2 country stations and one urban radio station: 94.1, 98.7, 102.7 and 106.1. All the rest of the commercial FM stations target Mobile or Fort Walton/Destin. Not exactly a format hole... but there's defiantly a hole in/for Pensacola radio.
We need a couple class A or C3 stations from lower Alabama to move in and provide local service to the Pensacola market. Too bad we can't just trade radio dials with Panama City! :

 

[redneckriviera]

As I recall Q-100 had plenty of billboards around Mobile also and TK is Mobile's only rocker... so that leaves Pensacola with 1 AC, 2 country stations and one urban radio station: 94.1, 98.7, 102.7 and 106.1. All the rest of the commercial FM stations target Mobile or Fort Walton/Destin. Not exactly a format hole... but there's defiantly a hole in/for Pensacola radio.
We need a couple class A or C3 stations from lower Alabama to move in and provide local service to the Pensacola market. Too bad we can't just trade radio dials with Panama City! :

I agree that, in general, most of the stations are so intent on not identifying too closely with either city that neither one gets much love--i.e., attention or real service. Both Pcola country stations do a good job, but the rest could be located most anywhere--just music & liners.

There is one huge music format hole in Pensacola (and to a lesser degree, Mobile) : Hot AC. But with 107's move now into the CHR/Rhythmic war zone, I don't see any obvious candidates. At one time, 99.9 was pretty close--with the exception of Delilah, of course--but now both WMXC and WMEZ seem very comfortable splitting the Mainstream AC dollars along market lines. The notion that both stations "simulcast" Ms. D during evening hours is laughable.

If you're not quite sure what Hot AC sounds like nowadays, check out KSTP-FM in the Twin Cities at www.ks95.com. The target is W25-44/18-49. Hotter than 94.1 & 99.9, but not as ethnic/rhythmic as the truckload of CHRs fighting over 12-24/18-34...

 

[macab4490]

Okay, this would make sense. 94.1 or 99.9 will fill that void. HOT AC that is.
You don't need Deliah on two stations in the same market. That's ridiculous.
I say 94.1 over 99.9.

 

[redneckriviera]

BTW, my notation that Hot AC is an obvious format hole in Pensacola and "to a lesser degree, Mobile" is because of the different ethnic composition of the two markets. The Pensacola metro is about 16 percent black, while Mobile is about 26 percent. Hot AC has less urban flava...

 

[NWFLRadio10yrs]

If I'm not mistaken didn't 94.1 have Delilah first? It seems like 99.9 had some other lady (similar to Delilah) about 10 years ago. I can't remember her name but it seems like her show was called "Heart to Heart" or something, but it was a syndicated request and dedication show like Delilah.