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Rock 92.9 To Bloomberg

This switch definitely wasn't as noteworthy of a format change for rock in Boston as WBCN, WFNX, or WAAF, but still another loss for Boston. WBOS, in its 35 years as some sort of rock format, has almost always underperformed, especially after 2008 when they adjusted from AAA to alternative as "Radio 92.9."

It arguably underperformed as a country station, too, though it had better numbers as "New England's Country" than it did most of its time doing some derivative of rock. Seemed like WBOS abandoned country right as it was taking off, and I never understood why it didn't quickly flip back when the format was hot. Boston was without a country station for almost three years, and the station that flipped to country (WVBF 105.7) was doing better than WBOS. I've never bought the notion that some stations are just cursed, but 92.9 would be a good case against my argument.
 
The former-BOS-rock signals and stream may probably just keep saying Rock929 because in a way they're out of WBOS 92.9 HD2. It may be on 106.1 or 1330, but that and that rock929rocks stream keep up that identity.

The FM translators in Merrimack Valley and North Shore may help if 92.9 has weak spots and really, they are tied to a Bloomberg property: WNBP 1450
 
The former-BOS-rock signals and stream may probably just keep saying Rock929 because in a way they're out of WBOS 92.9 HD2. It may be on 106.1 or 1330, but that and that rock929rocks stream keep up that identity.

The FM translators in Merrimack Valley and North Shore may help if 92.9 has weak spots and really, they are tied to a Bloomberg property: WNBP 1450
The 18.5kw that 92.9 runs versus the 22.5kw that, say 96.9 runs (a 50kw equivalent at 224m HAAT), should be very minimal in terms of signal strength difference, so 92.9 should be fine in the Merrimack Valley area. Maybe that area is already dominated by Rock 101 WGIR or 100.3 WHEB?

I still find it pretty silly/bizarre/infuriating that, while Rock 92.9 may have been underperforming, they replaced it with a business news simulcast that was barely pulling a 0.2.
 
I still find it pretty silly/bizarre/infuriating that, while Rock 92.9 may have been underperforming, they replaced it with a business news simulcast that was barely pulling a 0.2.
A business radio service is not going to get much in the way of ratings, as the prime listeners, business executives, are not going to be carrying around a PPM device for two years everywhere they go!
 
Ok thanks. I know some stations have weak spots--I was having a bit of trouble with Sports Hub 98.5 on Cape Ann.
Going from Beverly to N Reading today, WCOD was not floating in like yesterday so it was a mix of 106.1 from Boston area ("Rock 929 on 106.1 and 1330" display read) and the Bloomberg on 106.1 from Merrimack Valley.
The former soon dominated it but as I went up Rt 28 the latter started to mix In.

92.1 and 106.1 up there have limited signals but if 92.9 does well, they should be OK.
Bloomberg's own AM up there in Nbpt.

On a car stereo's display it may say something like "WRCA FM" and "WJIB FM" on display; of course these are not the actual translator call letters...
 
It arguably underperformed as a country station, too, though it had better numbers as "New England's Country" than it did most of its time doing some derivative of rock. Seemed like WBOS abandoned country right as it was taking off, and I never understood why it didn't quickly flip back when the format was hot. Boston was without a country station for almost three years,
Didn't 1510 pick up the slack as satellite-fed WKKU for a while? There was also WDLW at 1330, but I'm pretty sure that had flipped to some other format and call by the time WBOS kissed off country music. I remember going to a rodeo at either Fraser Field or the Manning Bowl in Lynn that was sponsored by the country WBOS. It was a pretty sorry display compared to the rodeos from Texas that used to air regularly on cable channels, and there wasn't much of a crowd for it in Lynn. I bet a rodeo could at least half-fill the TD Garden today.
 
Hardly anyone will go out of their way to hear 92.9's old programming on an HD2 signal, a scratchy AM station, or a flimsy signaled translator.

I give this arrangement one year tops until the plug is pulled.
 
Hardly anyone will go out of their way to hear 92.9's old programming on an HD2 signal, a scratchy AM station, or a flimsy signaled translator.

I give this arrangement one year tops until the plug is pulled.
They are only keeping it alive for the dork morning show. I don't know why.
 
Hardly anyone will go out of their way to hear 92.9's old programming on an HD2 signal, a scratchy AM station, or a flimsy signaled translator.

I give this arrangement one year tops until the plug is pulled.
Yup AM is garbage 106.1 was still business rhetoric last night. WBOS is done just. Like every other radio station that's under bankrupt corporate control.
 
How can WBGB benefit from WBOS' format change to Business Radio? Could they bring in the former WZLX morning show of Pete McKenzie and Heather Ford to bolster numbers on 103.3? Is this their chance to get a bigger piece of the classic rock audience now that WZLX is more of a sports station in the morning without the added competition from WBOS?
 
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