Programming a Cincinnati AM Radio Station

[88.9 Miracle]

Guys, then I look forward to shaking your hands. And ouuc, I happen to have taken a vacation over the holiday. You invited to the great state of Tennessee, one of three states where we have bought, built and made a tremendous living with music on AM radio.

We'll be passing through Cincy tomorrow, and only WDJO will be on my radio.

Lash - You'd better be tuning us in too!

 

[NoWayNoCC]

Remember these? TV will kill radio, MTV will kill radio, the internet will kill radio, Satt. radio will kill radio, I-Pods will kill radio.

Instead, radio has killed radio.

 

[Muddy Buddy]

I agree that radio killed radio. Corporate radio forgot the "show" part of show business when they took it down to it's basic and cheapest operating level. Now, they're going for quantity over quality. How about better choices rather than the more cheaply programmed ipod imitating choices?

 

[quadraphonic]

News/talk weekdays and all-comedy weekends.

 

[lash]

On our trip I did listen to 88.9, and liked it. WDJO has a tremendous daytime signal, 80 miles north and south of the city. The guys are doing a great job with the format. I hope they try some heavy duty marketing soon. But hands down, they are one of the best sounding, and remaining oldies stations in the country.

Except for the forementioned 88.9, B-107.9 in Columbus, and a few other FM's back home in Pittsburgh, AM was where the dial was set for five days.

FM bores me to tears!

 

[major]

I know this is an old thread, but the latest answer to the question is: Smooth Jazz 1480 WCIN.

 

[KevinFodor]

I've read many of Lash's posts and agree with him in my heart.

Lash, you're correct about WDIA, but WSM-AM at #12 in Nashville's not very good.

Nothing wrong with the station. It sounds fine (I listen from time to time on skip). But I don't see how
it can be hugely profitable below the top 10, unless it's combo-sold with another product. And didn't the last "new owner" consider a change to talk before enough public support for the station and it's heritage convince them to keep country on that frequency?

I do think a music (or full service) format can still work in smaller markets. Lash...you are living proof of it.

But nostalgia formats only work in areas heavily saturated with retirees. Oldies formats are being abandoned by ad agencies. I know Dusty and the crew at WDJO are giving it their all. It truly is a good sounding station. But a .7 or .6 12 plus won't put much money in the till. I hope they can attract enough local direct business to survive.

But a full service AM music station in a competitive large market I think these days would just be too expensive in terms of staff, let alone marketing costs for a consolidated company to do it. These days you have to almost prove the return before companies will consider spending the cost.

 

[major]

It has been a bit of fun resurrecting this thread. The latest answer, as of July 2, 2007 is: ESPN 1360. Not my cup of tea, though. I'll keep listening to John Thomas' and Darksoldier's Smooth Jazz 1480.

 

[AmericanRumorBoy]

Bark 1360, All Lost Dog Reports All The Time! Crank the high end up and even the canines will listen! Sell spots to Iams, Purina, etc. Sell DVD's of Lassie episodes. Spin "Hound Dog" and "I'll Be Dog-Gone" now and then! Have Tony "Big Dog" Perez do liners!