• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Predictions for 2012

S

SonoSational18

WKNR's audience will start to erode and move to 92.3.
WTAM will be simulcast on the FM dial, most likely via that 99.1 translator... but don't rule out the possibility of a full-power FM partner (and probably a station you didn't expect).
WWMK will either be sold or switched to ESPN. If that happens, look for a quicker erosion of WKNR's audience.
WKRK will get new call letters and will see some moderate growth in '12. It may not beat WKNR but it will be a close race by the end of the year.
WNCX will stay with classic rock, but will update its mix with more '80's and less '60's. Look for some major personnel changes.
WGAR will see some growth in ratings.
WDOK will continue to uptempo its music mix. Look for a lot of personnel changes and a re-positioning (possibly to "Fresh"). Ratings will fall. Even odds on Trapper Jack's contract being renewed at the end of next year.
WQAL will push more towards CHR, find it's losing its core listeners, and then go back to Hot AC.
WMJI will also be updating its sound with more '80's music. Good chance that Lanigan will leave of his own accord when his current contract is up.
WHLK will see some erosion in listership as the format burns a bit, but will stay top 5.
WNWV will continue to add vocals and evolve into a soft AC by year's end.

WJMO, WHK, WZAK, WFHM, WAKS, WMMS, WENZ will continue in their respective formats.
 
I'm not at all making predictions this year, but you have some interesting stuff there...and I wouldn't disagree with a lot of it. (Heck, I already figured WDOK was heading in a "Fresh" direction, even before I read this, and basically posted the same thing about Trapper Jack in another thread :D)

But...a note or two:

WTAM will be simulcast on the FM dial, most likely via that 99.1 translator... but don't rule out the possibility of a full-power FM partner (and probably a station you didn't expect).
Click to expand...

I don't see that as possible, re: "a full-power FM partner", which is why they are doggedly pursuing 99.1.

None of CC's current FMs are even close to being blown up, and are solid. You could have made the case for 106.5 in the "Mix" days, but "The Lake" was successful beyond CC's wildest dreams, so that's not happening now.

And CC is at the limit on the FM side.

Is there a path I'm not seeing here? CC would probably love to have a full-power WTAM-FM, but I can't see how it actually happens. They certainly aren't blowing up WGAR, WMMS, WMJI or WAKS for it.

WWMK will either be sold or switched to ESPN. If that happens, look for a quicker erosion of WKNR's audience.
Click to expand...

IIRC, CK has a long-term deal with ESPN, reached fairly recently. I don't see "ESPN Radio 1260" in the future, but I wouldn't be surprised if Disney's sell off moves north of the top 30. Maybe CK buys it and moves 1540's programmming there, and sells 1540 to a church or something?

There certainly could be an "out" clause with the CK/ESPN deal, but I don't see Disney flipping 1260 on its own.
 
I predict more of the people that have been on the air for 10 plus years in this town will be shown the door in favor of cheaper talent. Already happening on TV and radio.
 
Less live bodies in the buildings. More automation.
More firings. More work tasks that fired people did, go to those still employed. No longer multi tasking. Now called maxi tasking.
More syndicated shows in all dayparts.
TSL continues to drop across the board.
Less automatic renewal contracts to established hosts. Stations will keep them but pay them less. More pay based on performance.
 
I'd agree with OMW, with a few possible exceptions. GAR is country, and does well The Lake is strong, and cheap to run, so no switch there. Kiss FM is a national format, so no switch there. That leaves...WMMS, where Rover's contract still up in the air...WMJI...where demos are aged, and Lanigan might retire at the end of the year, or as a dark horse, another move in from Akron...WKDD, where ratings are terrible, AND the signal is now skewed much more to the north. Keith could just slide over to 101.7, while running 20 other stations in Ohio.

But, WTAM's ratings are still solid, and CC Cleveland still has 50% of the market share. Who else would do FM news? Not Salem, not Radio One, not Rubber City, and highly doubt CBS....they have enough on their hands with trying to get 92.3 going.
 
How about in 2013:

WMJI becomes WTAM-FM....talk....Bill Wills morning show, Triv moves there for pmdrive and other local talent plus Rush noon-3.

WTAM 1100 becomes a 24 hour sports station...OR possibly 1100 becomes WMJI-AM oldies..since most people 50+ grew up with 60's & 70's music on AM any way.

Obviously, Clear Channel would have to cross-promote on their stations to let core listeners know where "their station" has gone.

923The Fan moves to 98.5...gets a 3-year or 5-year Indians contract, and WNCX moves to 92.3 to play out the aging format.

OK...I know those are pretty out-there predictions. But...if you consider Cleveland is an older market, it's not as crazy an idea as it might at-first seem.
 
wffm78 said:
I'd agree with OMW, with a few possible exceptions. GAR is country, and does well The Lake is strong, and cheap to run, so no switch there. Kiss FM is a national format, so no switch there. That leaves...WMMS, where Rover's contract still up in the air...WMJI...where demos are aged, and Lanigan might retire at the end of the year, or as a dark horse, another move in from Akron...WKDD, where ratings are terrible, AND the signal is now skewed much more to the north. Keith could just slide over to 101.7, while running 20 other stations in Ohio.

But, WTAM's ratings are still solid, and CC Cleveland still has 50% of the market share. Who else would do FM news? Not Salem, not Radio One, not Rubber City, and highly doubt CBS....they have enough on their hands with trying to get 92.3 going.
Click to expand...

I could more likely see WKDD being blown up, the "My" format moves to 98.1, and 101.7 becomes WHLO-FM. 98.1 is too much short-spaced to WNCX that it still does have significant coverage area problems in many of the suburban areas... it was a miracle that 98.1 was able to move back to the old WKDD/96.5 site in the first place.

CC already blew up the classic-hits oriented "My 100.1/98.3" in Ashland/Mansfield for a trimulcast of talk WMAN/1400, so doing the same thing to WHLO wouldn't be shocking.

Oddly enough, Radio One launched an all-newser in Houston, Texas this past November. With a solid news department, and very positive early reviews.
 
Tim said:
How about in 2013:

WMJI becomes WTAM-FM....talk....Bill Wills morning show, Triv moves there for pmdrive and other local talent plus Rush noon-3.

WTAM 1100 becomes a 24 hour sports station...OR possibly 1100 becomes WMJI-AM oldies..since most people 50+ grew up with 60's & 70's music on AM any way.

Obviously, Clear Channel would have to cross-promote on their stations to let core listeners know where "their station" has gone.

923The Fan moves to 98.5...gets a 3-year or 5-year Indians contract, and WNCX moves to 92.3 to play out the aging format.

OK...I know those are pretty out-there predictions. But...if you consider Cleveland is an older market, it's not as crazy an idea as it might at-first seem.
Click to expand...

Usually, CC simply uses both the AM and FM stations under a 24/7 simulcast. If WTAM moved to FM, the AM 1100 signal would be effectively serving as a repeater.
 
No predictions, just a correction. KISS/Cleveland isn't a "national format". Their music is done locally (you can compare/contrast with other CHR's who are PC 24/7 to see) and they're live in PM Drive and Nights. (Kasper, Java Joel) There's a handful of "national/PC" CC stations in the area though such as WKDD, WYHT, WRQK, and WAKZ. Many seem to just run Premium Choice in overnights.
 
iFartRadio said:
No predictions, just a correction. KISS/Cleveland isn't a "national format". Their music is done locally (you can compare/contrast with other CHR's who are PC 24/7 to see) and they're live in PM Drive and Nights. (Kasper, Java Joel) There's a handful of "national/PC" CC stations in the area though such as WKDD, WYHT, WRQK, and WAKZ. Many seem to just run Premium Choice in overnights.
Click to expand...
You're right about the music, but the "KISS FM" brand is a national brand for CC stations across the country.
 
AntDog152 said:
iFartRadio said:
No predictions, just a correction. KISS/Cleveland isn't a "national format". Their music is done locally (you can compare/contrast with other CHR's who are PC 24/7 to see) and they're live in PM Drive and Nights. (Kasper, Java Joel) There's a handful of "national/PC" CC stations in the area though such as WKDD, WYHT, WRQK, and WAKZ. Many seem to just run Premium Choice in overnights.
Click to expand...
You're right about the music, but the "KISS FM" brand is a national brand for CC stations across the country.
Click to expand...

You can actually thank Gannett for that.

When Gannett owned KIIS/1150 (KIIS = K-115) and KIIS/102.7, they trademarked the "KIIS FM" name and blue ball logo. Jacor and CC then began to exploit that trademark on the west coast (originally on relays of KIIS-FM), then re-adapted it for "KISS FM" stations around the midwest, and so on. (The trademark for "KISS FM" rests with WXKS-FM in Boston, which CC later acquired anyway.)

And yes, this is the same Gannett that once owned WWWE/1100, and currently owns WKYC-TV.
 
Sorry to end speculation, KDD ain't going anywhere in 2012. Still the biggest biller in the cluster. Sure we have our challenges. We know what they are and how to fix them (at least the self inflicted ones). Much like WDOK recreating themselves after getting hit hard by the arrival of the Lake.

The move of WMAN to FM in Mansfield made sense for the conditions there. (they have more signals than akron-canton combined) It's not always right for every market. An additional news/talk on FM in Akron would be an extremely difficult uphill climb. Not to say it can't/won't be done. I believe you would 1) wait for howie to retire or 2) hire him.

We all see 12+, but I'm a radio geek like you. Call me and I'll let you take a look.
 
kkennedy said:
Sorry to end speculation, KDD ain't going anywhere in 2012. Still the biggest biller in the cluster. Sure we have our challenges. We know what they are and how to fix them (at least the self inflicted ones). Much like WDOK recreating themselves after getting hit hard by the arrival of the Lake.

The move of WMAN to FM in Mansfield made sense for the conditions there. (they have more signals than akron-canton combined) It's not always right for every market. An additional news/talk on FM in Akron would be an extremely difficult uphill climb. Not to say it can't/won't be done. I believe you would 1) wait for howie to retire or 2) hire him.

We all see 12+, but I'm a radio geek like you. Call me and I'll let you take a look.
Click to expand...

Hi Keith, glad to hear WKDD is still a money-maker. I hope it continues to succeed in the new year.

Question, do you think WKDD and WHOF will gain more listeners from the changes at WDOK and the rumored changes over at WQAL? I can picture 'KDD benefiting in both Akron and Cleveland.
 
kkennedy said:
Sorry to end speculation, KDD ain't going anywhere in 2012. Still the biggest biller in the cluster. Sure we have our challenges. We know what they are and how to fix them (at least the self inflicted ones). Much like WDOK recreating themselves after getting hit hard by the arrival of the Lake.

The move of WMAN to FM in Mansfield made sense for the conditions there. (they have more signals than akron-canton combined) It's not always right for every market. An additional news/talk on FM in Akron would be an extremely difficult uphill climb. Not to say it can't/won't be done. I believe you would 1) wait for howie to retire or 2) hire him.

We all see 12+, but I'm a radio geek like you. Call me and I'll let you take a look.
Click to expand...

Heh. No worries, Keith. I was just trying to engage in mental floss. :)

One other major difference between WMAN/1400 and WHLO/640 is, at least WHLO has good coverage with a low dial position and a 5,000 watt day signal. WMAN (along with WNCO/1340) is stuck on a graveyard channel and is limited to just Mansfield and Ashland after sunset, so moving to FM will be a big-time bonus for them.
 
Not often do you kick around stuff on a message board, and have the PD in question weigh in. (Hi, Keith!)

As far as WTAM-FM goes, I will accede that it's a huge option for 105.7 post-Lanigan. Of course, last time I mentioned Lanigan, I got burned, so I'll just say "whenever he steps down, whenever that is". :D

And Keith's right about Howie...remember, Keith himself was Joe Finan's last boss ;)

WNIR will be in a world of hurt if Howie leaves, or if his health does him in. And it's kinda silly to put up a major effort to compete with him on the FM dial while he's still around and kicking.
 
Even if they lose Lanigan WMJI would still be a strong franchise as the station bills well. If it couldn't stay afloat post-Lanigan then a simulcast might be a possibility. I still say, though, that if there is a full-power FM simulcast of the Big One, it will be a real surprise to most.
 
If they thought a full-power WTAM FM simulcast was in the cards, they wouldn't be mucking around with that 99.1 translator.

The ONLY scenario where that full-power simulcast might happen is on WMJI post-Lanigan, but Lanigan is not out the door soon, and it's not a given they'd make that move even when he is gone.
 
WNIR will just bring back the Dating Show with Jim Albright when Howie retires ;D. How did that show last as long as did on the air? Jim Albright is a great talent but he had to have dreaded hosting that show lol.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom