Should Springfield & Urbana have local radio?

[Flying-Dutchman]

I think both of these communities are worthy. But, the BIG BOYS don't
seem to think so.

WCOM in Urbana was my first job. Springfield is where I grew up.

Looks like we need some new radio stations in these towns!

 

[nmoore6676]

I also grew up and lived for many years in Springfield but there is not much hope, except maybe for LPFM. WIZE is a repeater for WCKY/WONE. WULM, formerly WBLY is owned now by Radio Maria and I've heard that the studio equipment has moved out of the Miracle Mile building. WDHT, formerly WAZU and WBLY-FM is now slated to change COL to Urbana but the transmitter stays on Miller Road and they will continue to broadcast from Dayton. Along with the WDHT "move" the WKSW transmitter moves to Crystal Lakes with the COL to Enon.

If someone had stepped in before all of the sales and trades then maybe local radio could have survived. Maybe someone like Joe Mullins could have extended the reach of his three station network but that wouldn't technically be local as they originate from Xenia. Actually Classic Country does cover events and news in Springfield and with a stronger signal would have come more advertisers from Clark and Champaign Counties. But maybe a LPFM would be the best option but it would take some doing and support to get off the ground.

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Right now, I am in a city half the size of Springfield. We have 10 radio
stations. We have 3 more on the way.

I think Springfield and Urbana could support radio stations.

The FCC told me just today, it may be quite awhile before they can
open a filing window for new stations. They have to grant a backlog
of pending applications first.

But, I will see what can be done. This is a real shame. Springfield was
once a media center.

 

[kirkiefan]

I don't see that happening. WIZE was destroyed in the 80s when it was oversold by its early 1980s general manager. Jerry Staggs later saved it from its past mistakes but then sold it to Jacor and subsequently CC....and they don't plan on giving it back to Springfield....if Springfield ever wanted it back...I might add that this has been discussed before on these boards.

WULM(when owned by Urban Light) gave it its best shot but it was operated on a shoestring...and that wasn't enough to pay tower rent to Radio One and studio rent to CC...talk about your double whammy. At least it now has a niche filling a need for Catholic radio in the Springfield and Dayton area.

Radio Maria did indeed move WULM's studio out of Mircale Mile to save on money....now they only have to pay rent for the Miller Rd tower. I understand the studio rent wasn't cheap at Miracle Mile. They are moving to the offices of St. Bernard Parish near downtown Springfield which donated some studio space to them. They also have a new dish installed at the Miller Rd. tower since the dish at Miracle Mile was realigned with RM's sattellite but reception was blocked by the trees in the direction of their sattellite feed. Local live programs from Springfield will be fed to Alexandria,LA with a POTS/Codec unit then broadcast over the sattellite feed to all the stations and the audiostream...which is already being done at a small makeshift studio at the Marian Library at U.D...and at the WHJM studio in Minster.

I also understand RM needs an area enginneer to help volunteer with the move to St. Bernie's in Springfield. They also have a serious need for someone to donate an outdoor stairway made from pressurized lumber (to withstand the elements) heading upstairs to the new studio site so people (and equipment) moving around won't interfere with parish buisiness. WULM remains on the air via sattellite with local programs coming from U.D. and Minster for now until the studio move in Springfield is complete.

Sister station WHJM also needs equipment donations for its Minster studio (audio console,reel to reel deck,equipment rack,rack mount POTS/Codec unit,cart machines,CD player etc.) as well as local monetary donations. All local donations and inquiries will be credited locally and thus used locally by sending them to the address below.

Radio Maria (WULM and WHJM)
P.O. Box 3339
Dayton,OH 45401
(937)425-8773

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

I have just done a frequency search of this area. At least 4 new LPFM
channels are open. Two in Urbana and two in Springfield.

I'd guess the FCC will open a filing window within one year.

 

[Limp73]

I have just done a frequency search of this area. At least 4 new LPFM
channels are open. Two in Urbana and two in Springfield.

I'd guess the FCC will open a filing window within one year.

Really?

How'd 'ya find out?

 

[gr8oldies]

As one who helped try to rally local support behind local radio in Springfield, it just didn't happen. A bare bones staff working 15 plus hours a day on promotions, programming and sales couldn't make it happen. Springfield doesn't want local radio, they are just fine with the Dayton stations (as well as doing their shopping and dining out at Fairfield Commons. Every electronic media source that Springfield ever had bailed out, from Channel 26 to WBLY/WAXU (FM), to WIZE to WBLY/WULM (by the way the crew that instituted to 70s and more format gets no credit when it is very well deserved). I'm not at all hopeful that Springfield would care how many LPFMs you put in there.

 

[alans613]

Springfield is finished as a radio town. Sad considering the very first station I ever listened to as a young lad was 1340 WIZE when it was CHR, and WAZU when it was AC(1984-89). :'(

 

[nmoore6676]

Springfield is finished as a radio town. Sad considering the very first station I ever listened to as a young lad was 1340 WIZE when it was CHR, and WAZU when it was AC(1984-89). :'(

I still have my WAZU sweatshirt that they gave out sometime in the 80's. It is in good condition though a bit tight across the belly now (must've shrunk). :

Gr8oldies probably has it right though. I remember when ch26 first went on and they had a local show with Donnie Bowshier, I think on Saturday but the old bean is a little foggier these days. They went off as I recall due to some kind of financial brouhaha and were dark for a few years. I could see the tower at night from our home in Lawrenceville. Also I think that Smilin' Bob wanted to take it over but the FCC gave a thumbs down because of too many media outlets in one market. He must be revolving in his grave now, CC has 8 stations just here in LA and many others in nearby markets. Back there almost everything is CC, with WIZE as an AM repeater of Dayton's WONE which itself is a repeater for WCKY.

If his WBLY stations had ended up with Clear Channel Ole Smiley would come right up out of his grave.

 

[One Who Knows]

Springfield is finished as a radio town. Sad considering the very first station I ever listened to as a young lad was 1340 WIZE when it was CHR, and WAZU when it was AC(1984-89). :'(

The LP-FM idea is a good one. If the location of the transmitter is right, most of the city would receive good coverage. And, not being allowed to air commercials (only enhanced underwriting is permitted), the price for underwriting could be low enough that your potential underwriters of any size could afford it.

You'd just have to research the city in some way to find out what Springfield area adults want to listen to that is not presently there, and talk to the business people to find out what they would support.

 

[techie2]

Springfield is finished as a radio town. Sad considering the very first station I ever listened to as a young lad was 1340 WIZE when it was CHR, and WAZU when it was AC(1984-89). :'(

The LP-FM idea is a good one. If the location of the transmitter is right, most of the city would receive good coverage. And, not being allowed to air commercials (only enhanced underwriting is permitted), the price for underwriting could be low enough that your potential underwriters of any size could afford it.

You'd just have to research the city in some way to find out what Springfield area adults want to listen to that is not presently there, and talk to the business people to find out what they would support.

Wittenberg U's WUSO could serve as this sort of station. They already use it as an outlet for their sports, but the rest of the time I think it's either automation or typical student station fare.

 

[One Who Knows]

Springfield is finished as a radio town. Sad considering the very first station I ever listened to as a young lad was 1340 WIZE when it was CHR, and WAZU when it was AC(1984-89). :'(

The LP-FM idea is a good one. If the location of the transmitter is right, most of the city would receive good coverage. And, not being allowed to air commercials (only enhanced underwriting is permitted), the price for underwriting could be low enough that your potential underwriters of any size could afford it.

You'd just have to research the city in some way to find out what Springfield area adults want to listen to that is not presently there, and talk to the business people to find out what they would support.

Wittenberg U's WUSO could serve as this sort of station. They already use it as an outlet for their sports, but the rest of the time I think it's either automation or typical student station fare.

Yes, but "typical student fare" won't get major listeners in that county. Hence, an LP could (potentially) serve the 25-54 adults in that town. It could even stretch it's demos to 35-64...since it would not have to play the ratings game with the commercial stations.