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RUMOR: WBCN WANTS TO RETURN TO THE AIRWAVES!
- Thread starter blackgold
- Start date
I don't see CBS blowing up the Sports Hub anytime soon... maybe a translator seems more likely? It's been done in some cities (putting HD2 formats on translators) 
WBCN "wants" to return to the airwaves? So, WBCN is some entity, some guy, who felt like taking a break and now - being well rested - wants to return?
That's funny. ;D ;D
I agree. And, Boston basically has NO band space for a translator like that - so even that idea would be tough. I don't see any of it happening. The "WBCN" entity is banished to HD2 and should be happy to exist there. Whether it wants to come back to analog, drive a car or go and have a pizza - the answer is no.
You know, I spent some time in Boston last week and was taken aback by how poor the variety of formats is in that market. And, armed with an HD radio, I also saw an opportunity lost as very few of the HD2 or HD3 channels really brought anything new to the table. This is almost certainly why there are so many pirates in Boston.
That's funny.
;D ;Ddanikayser84 said:I don't see CBS blowing up the Sports Hub anytime soon... maybe a translator seems more likely? It's been done in some cities (putting HD2 formats on translators)
I agree. And, Boston basically has NO band space for a translator like that - so even that idea would be tough. I don't see any of it happening. The "WBCN" entity is banished to HD2 and should be happy to exist there. Whether it wants to come back to analog, drive a car or go and have a pizza - the answer is no.
You know, I spent some time in Boston last week and was taken aback by how poor the variety of formats is in that market. And, armed with an HD radio, I also saw an opportunity lost as very few of the HD2 or HD3 channels really brought anything new to the table. This is almost certainly why there are so many pirates in Boston.
Some would love this to happen but I don't think it will, not with the current CBS properties on FM
(98.5, 100.7, 104.1, 103.3). Can't see any of it happening, but maybe if we take a little toke, we can imagine...
--
(Photofunnies, National Lampoon, 1978)
A well dressed man is seen encountering a hippie who asks him for a light. The well dressed man
berates the hippie: "Clean yourself up, man! You look dreadful! Get with the program, this is 1978!"
Hippie: (to himself) "19-SEVENTY-eight?"
(looks at the joint in his hand)
Hippie: "Wow...dynamite weed!"
(98.5, 100.7, 104.1, 103.3). Can't see any of it happening, but maybe if we take a little toke, we can imagine...
--
(Photofunnies, National Lampoon, 1978)
A well dressed man is seen encountering a hippie who asks him for a light. The well dressed man
berates the hippie: "Clean yourself up, man! You look dreadful! Get with the program, this is 1978!"
Hippie: (to himself) "19-SEVENTY-eight?"
(looks at the joint in his hand)
Hippie: "Wow...dynamite weed!"
BRNout said:WBCN "wants" to return to the airwaves? So, WBCN is some entity, some guy, who felt like taking a break and now - being well rested - wants to return?
That's funny.
danikayser84 said:I don't see CBS blowing up the Sports Hub anytime soon... maybe a translator seems more likely? It's been done in some cities (putting HD2 formats on translators)
I agree. And, Boston basically has NO band space for a translator like that - so even that idea would be tough. I don't see any of it happening. The "WBCN" entity is banished to HD2 and should be happy to exist there. Whether it wants to come back to analog, drive a car or go and have a pizza - the answer is no.
You know, I spent some time in Boston last week and was taken aback by how poor the variety of formats is in that market. And, armed with an HD radio, I also saw an opportunity lost as very few of the HD2 or HD3 channels really brought anything new to the table. This is almost certainly why there are so many pirates in Boston.
It sounds like a case of "wishful thinking". The WBCN we all knew and loved is gone. In fact, the WBCN call-letters have been moved (by CBS Inc.) to Charlotte, North Carolina on some satellite-fed talk station on the AM expanded-band. If you wish to listen to some of the music that made 'BCN so great, there is an HD-2/3 in the market (which one escapes me right now...) that plays it and streams it as well. It's a nice idea to possibly bring WBCN back to the Boston airwaves, but I'm not holding my breath.
The BCN call letters could easily be moved back.
why?
BCN was a under performing 16th place station that could not survive with the heritage format and heritage calls in a changing environment.
Just because they have been away almost 2 years isn't going to magically change things.
Nobody at CBS could be that stupid to even consider it.
WMEX isn't returning either, nor is WHDH
BCN was a under performing 16th place station that could not survive with the heritage format and heritage calls in a changing environment.
Just because they have been away almost 2 years isn't going to magically change things.
Nobody at CBS could be that stupid to even consider it.
WMEX isn't returning either, nor is WHDH
raccoonradio said:Some would love this to happen but I don't think it will, not with the current CBS properties on FM (98.5, 100.7, 104.1, 103.3). Can't see any of it happening, but maybe if we take a little toke, we can imagine...
Hmmm... WBCN would be most likely to resurface at 101.7. Mindich has now finally sold a station. He might like doing it so much that he'd do it again! But he wouldn't have to sell anything to flip the format of the "Boston" station he already owns. And since CBS has warehoused the WBCN calls on a station where they have no meaning and no economic value, it might be possible to work out a deal for the calls that wouldn't break the bank. And failing that, some creative soul could probably find an unused group of three letters that sound like BCN---PCN... BCM (might be in use)... PZM... PZN... (probably not--spells poison)... BZM (naah!).
DanStrassberg said:
I missed all of those letter combos that begin with V. How about WVZM (if available)? Sounds like WBCN but shares only the FCC-required W. Or they need not change the official calls at all and they could still use WBCN at all times except in the (whispered) legals.
I dont see WBCN coming back except Internet and HD Radio. And as long long as CBS has "Rock of Boston" on 98.5 HD2 and Freeform BCN on 100.7HD3 dont see them selling calls to FNX. One thing that would might work is change ZLX calls to WBCN and have " Rock of Boston and Freeform BCN on 100.7 HD2 and HD3 and move Mojo Blues to 98.5 HD2.
I also agree with "MGPT6" change WZLX call letters to WBCN.
Or
Keep WZLX, maybe play some new Music,maybe one-five songs an hour. With some Weekend Syndicated shows and weekend Syndicated Countdowns.
Or
Keep WZLX, maybe play some new Music,maybe one-five songs an hour. With some Weekend Syndicated shows and weekend Syndicated Countdowns.
Wouldn't any move to re-introduce WBCN depend on ratings of the stations that they currently have? How are the overall ratings of their properties? CBS could consider consider combining the formats of both WODS and WBMX into one really good music format, with good personalities, that covers the 70s, 80s, 90s, Y2K, and today's Top-40 (Hot-AC) music without rap. This could be done on 103.3MHz freeing up 104.1. With their new or signal coming from the top of the Pru (is that operational yet?) to get into office radios in the city might make such a format work even better and compete again WMJX more effectively. However, putting 'BCN back on will mean that they will have to compete with WAAF, WFNX and WBOS in addition to WZLX. Why Greater Media has not done anything more in almost two years with WBOS (GM could introduce a really good AOL rock station with great personalities "Rock N' Roll in Boston begins with B-O-S" really shows that the return of WBCN is probably not going to happen anytime soon, but one never knows.
I'm pretty sure CBS has trademarked (or at the very least servicemarked) "WBCN" in connection with a rock radio station in the Boston market, and since they're still actively using the mark (via HD2/3/streaming), they'd have a very good case, IMHO, against anyone trying to start a "WZCN" or "WECM" and trading on the WBCN heritage.
Which brand is stronger, and enjoys better recall: WZLX ? or WBCN ?
If WZLX were adjusted to include some of the rock that's now giving WBOS their best numbers in years, with a rebranding back to 'BCN - CBS might coax a ratings surge at 100.7. And no one's in a better position to make it work than Carter Alan.
If WZLX were adjusted to include some of the rock that's now giving WBOS their best numbers in years, with a rebranding back to 'BCN - CBS might coax a ratings surge at 100.7. And no one's in a better position to make it work than Carter Alan.
BRNout said:
Well, at least there's somewhat more variety than here in Philadelphia area. I mean, where's the HD-2 subchannel that play Broadway showtunes 24/7? That'd be a great format pickup for WRTI or WHYY, and certainly a lot better on the listening palate than the umpteenth sports/talk or Urban format that's been littering the airwaves here. The only thing I can bear listening to these days is WRTI's classical broadcasting or WMGK HD-2/Deep Tracks format, but even the latter has such a limited playlist anyway... :-/
This is really comical.
One specious post and 13 replies about a non-existent "rumor," which wasn't a "rumor" at all until it was posted here.
WBCN "wants" to return to the air? WBCN is a talk station on 1660 kHz in Charlotte NC. They ARE on the air.
And how does a set of four letters denoting a non-existent station with a non-existent staff and a non-existent transmitting site "want" to return to the air?
Best laugh I've had all week...
One specious post and 13 replies about a non-existent "rumor," which wasn't a "rumor" at all until it was posted here.
WBCN "wants" to return to the air? WBCN is a talk station on 1660 kHz in Charlotte NC. They ARE on the air.
And how does a set of four letters denoting a non-existent station with a non-existent staff and a non-existent transmitting site "want" to return to the air?
Best laugh I've had all week...
dumber than a box of hair said:
Well, original WBCN rock PD Sam Kopper, who is programming the "WBCN Freeform Rock" channel on WZLX HD3 transmitting from the Pru and online, and hosting live mid-days along with "staff" including former longtime WBCN overnight jock Albert O. and original late '60s WBCN DJ "Mississippi Fats", certainly wants it to "return to the air" on an analog/HD1 FM frequency. However, though there is an enthusiastic small local following, broadcasting on the internet and an HD3 signal is not attracting enough of an audience to give CBS an indication of potential viability compared to any of their current analog/HD1 signals.
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