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Radio stations that need a boost to stay alive

Since there are stations that have high ratings, and some that are low, the stations with the low ratings are in danger of changing their branding and format. Which stations need a boost to prevent that from happening, and what kind of boost do they need?
 
Honestly, I can't think of any stations that are really in danger of flipping in the market. Now, to play along, and give reasons why the current formats won't be dying too soon:

1. 106.7 If Dave and Chuck come here, they MIGHT tweak somewhat to better fit the younger morning show. But that show could work with the Classic Rock crowd, as well. If they don't get them, then I could see 106.7 flipping. (I think the fact CC hasn't touched it might be a sign about the morning show). ;)
2. 93.1 It's ratings bounce around, granted the range has been lower than in previous years, but considering it appeals to a good demo and likely doesn't cost much to run, I don't see Nash or WJR-FM anytime soon. Maybe a more pop-oriented direction, such as The Lake in Cleveland, rather than the heavy classic rock lean could give it a boost.
3. 98.7 I don't see it going WWJ-FM anytime too soon. CBS seems too committed to it's CHR initiatives. For better or for worse, Amp is here to stay.
4. 89x How much of a difference does a morning show make for one station? Well, here's Exhibit A. Near top 10 6+, top 5 in 18-34 and 25-54 with 'em. 2.0 share and badly damaged demos without 'em. If Cal can't turn things around quick, I could see some personality/music tweaks, but the brand and Alternative format should stay. Plus, if they've been keeping 93.9 around as long as they have, why wouldn't they afford X the same opportunity?
5. 93.9 They haven't flipped it after all these years of ratings in the 1 share range, so I see no reason why they will anytime soon.
 
The station that needs to get its act turned around quickly(or as my grandma would say, quick, fast and in a hurry) without a doubt is Doug FM. Yes, it's a station that is profitable and cheap to run, but their parent company Cumulus has a format in the chamber that they are willing to flip to, so that's the station that needs a lift quickly. 89X's issue is listeners aren't digging the morning show. Personality wise, it's not that bad, and the music hasn't changed a lot. 106.7's issue is the music direction to me. I think if they conceded the 60's-70's and early 80's to 'CSX, and went with 80's and later, that could change their direction a little. Amp and 93.9 aren't going anywhere in my opinion.
 
I think 93.9's music could definitely use some adjustments. The ratings won't get any worse, and if they're patient with it for this long, what could it hurt to make it a bit more of a true AAA.
 
Matt8650 said:
89X's issue is listeners aren't digging the morning show.
Is it that they're not digging it or is it that they're not even giving it a chance? I know a lot of people who won't even listen to the station without Dave and Chuck. It wouldn't even matter to them if Verlander and Cabrera were the morning show co-hosts, they're that mad about it.
The personalities are fine and the music hasn't changed too much, it's still the Alternative/Active hybrid it's been for years, maybe a little more Alternative as of the past year or so. Speaking of personalities, since when did they start automating weekday overnights?
 
With AMP radio bouncing back and forth between a 2 and 2.2 rating, there is definitely room for improvement. With sister stations WOMC and WYCD consistently in the top 5, its only a matter of time until higher ups demand more from the mediocre station. The morning show filled with unoriginal topics and mimiced bits seems to be the anchor to the ratings boost they need. It's never a good sign when one of your morning shows co-host leaves for a job in marketing. With the uncertainty of where Dave and Chuck the Freak will end up and the ever growing popularity of internet programming, such as The Fat B and Bro Show, AMP radio may have interest in making a switch with their morning programming rather than flipping.
 
chrocket87 said:
Matt8650 said:
89X's issue is listeners aren't digging the morning show.
Is it that they're not digging it or is it that they're not even giving it a chance? I know a lot of people who won't even listen to the station without Dave and Chuck. It wouldn't even matter to them if Verlander and Cabrera were the morning show co-hosts, they're that mad about it.
The personalities are fine and the music hasn't changed too much, it's still the Alternative/Active hybrid it's been for years, maybe a little more Alternative as of the past year or so. Speaking of personalities, since when did they start automating weekday overnights?
Honestly, I think it's a little of both.
stevensonair said:
I think 93.9's music could definitely use some adjustments. The ratings won't get any worse, and if they're patient with it for this long, what could it hurt to make it a bit more of a true AAA.
Exactly! They tried pretty much every format so far, The previous incarnation of 93.9 The River seemed to do well, and they went back to it for a reason, so they probably aren't going to flip formats soon.
 
106.7 need's to flip to something else!
Now why didn't Clear Channel try something like "103.7 The Beat" in Fresno or "98.1 Kiss Fm" in SF for 106.7 in Detroit before flipping to THE D?
93.1 should do 80s and 90s hits like there sister station in Huntsville,Al "Journey 93.3".
It would be really nice if CBS could turn around 98.7 and make it a great station!
93.9 I'm not sure what to do with that one!?!
WOW why is Detroit radio so poorly program'ed????
 
Clear Channel Detroit just bring back "100.3 WNIC" and drop the fresh100 "premium choice" crap!
 
You can't take ratings to the bank. Sales revenue matters, not ratings.

And the published numbers don't matter to advertising media buyers. Demos matter and we don't see those. A station with a small share of people in prime demographics is going to bill more that a station with a big cume filled with geezers.
 
Gee. I didn't see one AM mentioned here.

The owners of 1440 have filed for debtor in possession. All of the sudden, there are too many Black Gospel stations in The D.
Salem cannot be doing that well with 1400. That the station should still be WQBH.
Will Birach ever get 1160 moved in and if they do, will ESPN survive on it. Then, what happens with WCAR.
And 1130..... Yikes.
!310 is never coming back, either.
 
Yeah, but an AM was the top rated station in the market for the last book.

A lot of marginal operations set up on AM, so it's no surprise that some are failing.
 
jry said:
Gee. I didn't see one AM mentioned here.

The owners of 1440 have filed for debtor in possession. All of the sudden, there are too many Black Gospel stations in The D.
Salem cannot be doing that well with 1400. That the station should still be WQBH.
Will Birach ever get 1160 moved in and if they do, will ESPN survive on it. Then, what happens with WCAR.
And 1130..... Yikes.
!310 is never coming back, either.
I'm starting to think that the move to 1160 for ESPN 1090 is never going to happen, and thus, any potential that they have will be snuffed out due to the fact that there are parts of town where you can't hear them, and I had trouble connecting to their stream a few times this week. WDFN, forget it. And I never knew 1440 was actually on the air.
 
It's taken awhile to get the approval for the towers in Milford Twp, but I think it will proceed.

If they do make the change, it will be a welcome addition to Detroit radio. They won't threaten the Ticket's ratings, but will outdraw 1270. Plus there's a lot of stuff exclusive to ESPN that would be nice to be able to hear more than a quarter mile out of Garden City.
 
umfan said:
It's taken awhile to get the approval for the towers in Milford Twp, but I think it will proceed.

If they do make the change, it will be a welcome addition to Detroit radio. They won't threaten the Ticket's ratings, but will outdraw 1270. Plus there's a lot of stuff exclusive to ESPN that would be nice to be able to hear more than a quarter mile out of Garden City.

Fridays Daily Digest from the FCC showed one WCXI app being dismissed by request of the licensee and another one being filed.
 
umfan said:
It's taken awhile to get the approval for the towers in Milford Twp, but I think it will proceed.

If they do make the change, it will be a welcome addition to Detroit radio. They won't threaten the Ticket's ratings, but will outdraw 1270. Plus there's a lot of stuff exclusive to ESPN that would be nice to be able to hear more than a quarter mile out of Garden City.
97.1 The Ticket is local pretty much around the clock except for the weekends overnight. Unless you're willing to add local programming, I don't really know who could challenge 97.1.
 
Considering The Ticket carries the sports games, no other sports outlet would challenge them in the overall ratings, but some games (national) are exclusive to ESPN and with Mike & Mike and the other content on a decent signal, I think they's draw a respectable, and profitable, rating.

They already have some local content with former Wings goalie Eddie Mio on in late afternoon drive.
 
Note about about WDRJ 1440 (a little-known station that inherited the 1440 frequency and transmitter plant from WCHB when it moved to 1200).

It's status of due to the financial health of the company that owns a chain of station, not necessarily a reflection of the viability of WDRJ itself (not to suggest that WDRJ itself is doing well).

I think that with its coverage area, WDRJ could be useful as a Spanish-language station.
 
1L6E6VHF said:
Note about about WDRJ 1440 (a little-known station that inherited the 1440 frequency and transmitter plant from WCHB when it moved to 1200).

It's status of due to the financial health of the company that owns a chain of station, not necessarily a reflection of the viability of WDRJ itself (not to suggest that WDRJ itself is doing well).

I think that with its coverage area, WDRJ could be useful as a Spanish-language station.

Except that 1480 IS in that format and covers the hispanic area well. Back in the day, when Gallagher asked me to sell it, i suggested Hispanic broadcasters as it hits those areas well. However, for the money he wanted, it would have never had covered its debt. Not long after that, Sima brought in his Hispanic client to LMA the station. Then our genius at WMKM killed off 6 of the towers without FCC approval. Did Davidson get screwed on that deal.
I think Kyleburgs problems are debt related. I think i mentioned that elsewhere.
 
Matt8650 said:
umfan said:
It's taken awhile to get the approval for the towers in Milford Twp, but I think it will proceed.

If they do make the change, it will be a welcome addition to Detroit radio. They won't threaten the Ticket's ratings, but will outdraw 1270. Plus there's a lot of stuff exclusive to ESPN that would be nice to be able to hear more than a quarter mile out of Garden City.
97.1 The Ticket is local pretty much around the clock except for the weekends overnight. Unless you're willing to add local programming, I don't really know who could challenge 97.1.
And it's not just 97.1 having the games, 97.1 has teams renewed for multiple years. The Tigers and Wings deals don't come up for a few years. The Pistons may still be on their first 97.1 deal, and I think the Lions have another year or so there as well. Also an issue is where would the sports team leaving 97.1 go?
 
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