"Real Country" Stations in FL.

[WBGR FM 93.1]

Are there any stations in Florida that carry ABC's "Real Country?" The only station I know of that still does is WJAQ 100.9 in Marianna.

Travis

 

[jmtillery]

WCFI-AM 1290 Ocala briefly carried Real Country before the station went dark in late 2004... I'm not aware of any other Florida stations currently programming Real Country...

Mark Tillery
General Manager
WELE-AM 1380
Ormond Beach - Daytona
[email protected]

 

[WBGR FM 93.1]

Thanks for the other 1290 I knew of that carried Real Country in FL was WPCF in Panama City. On Majic Broadcasting's webiste, it list them as "Real Country 1290," and it showed the logo, which is like the one off the "Real Country" website, but there is no record of the station actually carrying Real Country.

Travis

 

[ngriffin]

I believe WJAQ 100.9 in Marianna (in the Panhandle near the border of GA and AL) is/was a Real Country affiliate.

 

[WBGR FM 93.1]

WJAQ still is. They were last week, and for some reason, their signal seemed weaker towards Dothan and Tallahassee.

Travis

 

[Nostalgia]

WCFI-AM 1290 Ocala briefly carried Real Country before the station went dark in late 2004... I'm not aware of any other Florida stations currently programming Real Country...

Mark, what ever happened to WCFI? They are showing as deleted in the FCC database. I cant believe the owners allowed the license to lapse, even when the station was dark. At least they could have sold the station and transferred the license if it were kept alive, but now anyone wanting to buy any remnants (real estate, towers, transmitter, ect) would have to file from scratch when (and whenever) the next filing window opens. Bad move on Vectors part.

For the many of you out there who seem interested in station ownership, and I count myself among you, there are stations for sale all over FL and elsewhere. I know of a dark 50kw AM just purchased for $250,000. He was in the right place and the right time. I have talked to brokers and have lists of stations, many of which I have looked at. But to get the great deal it is going to take someone like Mark who knows of an owner looking to unload before he lists with a broker. As has been pointed out, many of these small stations were part of a group that unfortunately some biggie paid too much for initially, and now would want more than its worth to try and offset his losses. I too would like to know which stations he is referring to.

And more on topic, for the stations that were running "Real Country" how did the format work in their respective markets?

 

[WBGR FM 93.1]

It all depends on the demographics of the market. In general, Real Country works best in the more rural markets. In a market like Gainesville/Ocala, where the top station is Country (93.7 WOGK), the Real Country format would likely work, given that it was on a decent signal. Lakeland, would have some success with the format, and Sebring would, where there are more listeners in their 30's - mid 50's that enjoy country but also want more legendary hits from 60's through the 90's with the established traditional artists of today. Panhandle markets may work, since they are rural.

On the other hand, It would be a very tough sell in markets like Miami/Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, and the more urban parts of the state.

My guess is try the format, and see how the ship sails



Btw.... WCFI went dark because of the 2004 hurricanes that caused extensive damage.

Travis

 

[Nostalgia]

Travis,
Thanks for the information. It pretty much backs up what ABC/Citadel is saying about the product. Appreciate your time.

 

[MN Maniac]

The problem with Ocala, though, is that it is a combined market with Gainesville. None of the AMs in either Gainesville or Ocala have a blanketing signal throughout the other half of the market.