Power Increase for 98.7?

[tennessee_steel]

While Mike Hammond was filling in for HHH this morning, a caller asked about a rumored power increase for 98.7. Hammond confirmed it ("can't go into detail, but it's more than a rumor and look for it next year"). Anyone have more detail? A power increase might be difficult per the adjacencies - could there be a frequency change?

 

[knoxbob]

Doing a poor mans search on radio-locator staying at 98.7 could be done, since 106.1 is licensed to Oliver Springs WOKI can now move their COL. By moving it southeast of Knoxville they should be far enough away from the 98.7 in middle Ky. They might be able to get a low class B status with a better signal into Knoxville. With some good engineering and donating some cash to stations they might effect it could be done.

 

[Kent T]

There is one other thing to consider, 98.3 will be affected to some extent by the move. And Horne won't like it either. 98.7 may not be talk too long given Cumulus tendency to carve every economy possible.

 

[borderblaster]

You have 98.5's both east and west and Spartanburg SC on 98.9 to contend with. As long as 98.7 can sell those shift-long remotes the talk format is probably safe.

 

[knoxbob]

Horne has ignored the Sweetwater station too long. They aren't even at it's max tower height. They are running off the AM tower which is in a hole. If they would get that stations tower height up you could get a decent signal into Knoxville with it and I could listen to the T.O.C. on FM instead of the 670AM signal they have it on.

 

[Kent T]

If Horne Radio would rent space on the WJSQ-FM 101.7 tower between Niota & Sweetwater, that signal would be good for over 50 miles either way.

 

[knoxbob]

Back a couple of years my business partner and I looked into purchasing the Sweetwater combo from Horne and moving the tower site was something we looked at. The move to the WJSQ tower can not happen due to the pending auction of the new FM for Englewood @ 97.9. There is a very limited window of where it can be moved due to WOKI 98.7, the station in Ky. @ 98.3 and the Englewood open freq.

Horne wanted way too much for those stations and we didn't pursue it anymore. But I think it's still on the market but not listed anywhere.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Horne wanted way too much for those stations and we didn't pursue it anymore. But I think it's still on the market but not listed anywhere.

Horne is really, really, really interested in selling. Until there's money on the table. Then he isn't.

 

[BRH]

Horne really needs to do something with 105.3 as well. That station does have a decent signal into west Knoxville/Maryville/Oak Ridge, but the current format is a joke. It's not really even a commercial AAA format anymore, instead it sounds more like a non-comm college station with weird stuff no ones ever heard of before. Why doesn't he just put True Oldies Channel on that signal? Heck, any mainstream type format would garner more listeners than what they are doing now. I have to believe that he simply operates that station as a hobby instead of a business & just plays what he personally likes. Because business wise, it's a complete waste.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Horne really needs to do something with 105.3 as well. That station does have a decent signal into west Knoxville/Maryville/Oak Ridge, but the current format is a joke. It's not really even a commercial AAA format anymore, instead it sounds more like a non-comm college station with weird stuff no ones ever heard of before. Why doesn't he just put True Oldies Channel on that signal? Heck, any mainstream type format would garner more listeners than what they are doing now. I have to believe that he simply operates that station as a hobby instead of a business & just plays what he personally likes. Because business wise, it's a complete waste.

What format would we would do if we owned a station and didn't care about revenue or listeners? I can think of two or three unorthodox things right off the bat. Maybe I'd change it every week. Willie Nelson one week, then disco, then All African Anteater Ritual Music, then All Sinatra.

 

[knoxbob]

Since Don Fowler has more money than sense (seeing how he over paid for WLIL to keep in in LC) he could pay cash for 105.3 and move it back to Loudon County where it is licensed and pair it up with WLIL.

 

[RMarino]

Horne really needs to do something with 105.3 as well. That station does have a decent signal into west Knoxville/Maryville/Oak Ridge, but the current format is a joke. It's not really even a commercial AAA format anymore, instead it sounds more like a non-comm college station with weird stuff no ones ever heard of before. Why doesn't he just put True Oldies Channel on that signal? Heck, any mainstream type format would garner more listeners than what they are doing now. I have to believe that he simply operates that station as a hobby instead of a business & just plays what he personally likes. Because business wise, it's a complete waste.

BRH, for once I'm actually agreeing with you. WFIV wasn't always this bad. They were actually a good sounding mainstream AAA until about two years ago. Then when they became I-105 they lost me as a listener because the programming became too niche. Even Nashville's Lightning 100 sounds better at least last time I heard them. WFIV needs to get back to being more accessible to a mainstream audience. If they can't do that, then like BRH said, switch to True Oldies.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Since Don Fowler has more money than sense (seeing how he over paid for WLIL to keep in in LC) he could pay cash for 105.3 and move it back to Loudon County where it is licensed and pair it up with WLIL.

He could do Light Rock and call it "Recliner 105.3."

Gishelle could do a night show to compete with Delilah. And Bill Hayes could sponsor it and provide give-aways for the lonely women listeners. Most of The B's nighttime audience would switch stations.

 

[BRH]

Seems to me like a classic hits format (or True Oldies Channel satellite service) would be the most logical format for 105.3, if Horne was actually interested in ratings and ads. Classic Hits is obviously the biggest hole in the market that's currently unfilled. Granted, it's an aging demographic format, but with a rimshot signal, you have to take what you can get. Also, 105.3 has a great signal in Farragut and the retirement communities of Tellico Village and Rarity Bay where there are people with money in the demos that would listen to classic hits.

I guess another option might be an 80s/90s type format (kind of like Cumulus's Journey format they are doing in several markets.) But Jack FM is already kinda serving that audience.

 

[borderblaster]

60s/70s Classic Hits would work well, and much better than a format that plays obscure music for aging hipsters. Something like Rewind 94.9 in Cincinnati could be a plan.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

I wonder what kind of deal he'd make to just let me plug my iPod into the STL?

 

[Kent T]

Only problem is, does your iPod have BWF files on it? No lossy MP3 should be used on the air. Especially due to cascading algorithms which make sonic artifacts. AAC is better than MP3 on this by the way.