Should we start a 96.7 death watch?

[carolinaradio]

Well, in an effort to get the discussions to the PRESENT, I thought we could see how this goes even though it's come up in some other threads..

Should we start an official "Shine 96.7 Death Watch?" It is so obvious the station is faltering and is going nowhere but down with CCM. They got a 0.7 in the last book 12+. Does CC just not care since its other 3 do so well and have such large signals? Entercom tried something like this in The Walk, and it was a disaster, but even did better. The Buzzard always got a steady 1.5-2.0 on 96.7, which wasn't that bad, but not outstanding. So, the question....what do you all think about the future of this station? All formats are pretty much tied-up right now.

I say we'll see a Christmas flip like last year. Personally, I would like to see a talk format (even if all-syndicated) because there are a lot of good talk shows out there that WORD doesn't carry and I really don't care for WORD. Or either Oldies/Classic Hits. They could debut that on the 26th after 102.5 ends all-Christmas, 102.5 emerges with an 'updated' AC format with less 70s to allow breathing room for both stations.

Just some thoughts. What do you think about the future of 96.7? Does it continue to "shine" or does it dim?

 

[Lhsh]

I really see a two-fold problem with the current format. The first is that WLFJ has such a strong following with Christian Contemporary radio and the second is the low power of 96.7, so right now anything would probably sell better than the Shine, and definitely what happened with the Walk is proof here.

 

[carolinaradio]

Bulls-eye, Lhsh. I just don't see their logic. Nobody can knock WLFJ-F (or WMIT even) down, and if they think they can on this signal they are crazy. The 103s couldn't do it, which have pretty good combined coverage and even the same thing on 106.3. They need to drop this format like a hot potato and move on to something else. I'm shocked it has lasted this long.

I gave it a quick listen tonight and they are running some program called Dawson Mcallister, talking about teen pregnancy and sexual abuse. Sounds like a winner, CC. The commercials are nothing but CC's "GreatCarolinaJobs.com", gutter cleaning service, more GreatCarolinaJobs.com and some weight loss thing.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Hmm, I know a certain poster who will come on here and suggest the absolutely most perfect format that will be a perfect fit and grab losts of listeners because everyone wants to hear it.

 

[Lhsh]

I do know that in the early 1990's WLFJ used to run Dawson McAlistair's program on Sunday nights and they were aiming a lot of their Saturday and Sunday evening programming towards teenagers at that time and maybe that is what the Shine is trying to do all of the time and it looks like it is failing miserably.

 

[carolinaradio]

Hmm, I know a certain poster who will come on here and suggest the absolutely most perfect format that will be a perfect fit and grab losts of listeners because everyone wants to hear it.

Well it isn't a heritage station and it isn't in NW SC or the Anderson area. Then signal complaints. I would doubt it...

but it would be a good choice and get a 2 share

 

[Goodtimesandgreatoldies]

Art Sutton has already suggested that this station go to Oldies-but you are right, it doesn`t cover Anderson and alot of areas that are without oldies.

 

[Lhsh]

I really do not think that anyone ever said that their target market was anything outside of the Greenville area. I will say this again, if yopu want oldies so badly in Anderson then go talk to Bary Bryant at WRIX.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

I really do not think that anyone ever said that their target market was anything outside of the Greenville area. I will say this again, if yopu want oldies so badly in Anderson then go talk to Bary Bryant at WRIX.

GoodTImesGreatOldies reminds me of some folks from the Boston Board.. they whined when Progressive Talk disappeared and when they were offered a fair price to buy airtime to put it in the market, they weren't interested because they only wanted the biggest signal and they continued to complain and whine while doing nothing about it.

 

[carolinaradio]

I really do not think that anyone ever said that their target market was anything outside of the Greenville area. I will say this again, if yopu want oldies so badly in Anderson then go talk to Bary Bryant at WRIX.

I agree Lhsh. Oldies is not exactly a format you put on a blowtorch signal these days. They are reaching enough of the area to turn a buck with the right format. I see 96.7 is also carrying some show called Sound of Light (http://xtrlive.com/home.php) now that is some help line or something. That whole station is depressed. WLFJ has a loyal listener base and I doubt they are going to switch over to this station, and remember LFJ is commercial-free with a signal advantage. Their listeners are VERY loyal.

Would anybody happen to know what kind of numbers they had back in 2002-2003 (I was out of the market at the time) as The Buzzard? Clear Channel really needs to stop putting formats on this station that are already filled with better signals. It couldn't compete with Rock 101/New Rock 93.3's huge signals and it is going nowhere against WLFJ's better sound and signal. With the right format like news/talk, sports talk, or oldies, I am sure they could get at least a 2.0-2.5 share. Those are probably the only formats that they could get anywhere with.

Sorry to keep rambling. Will step off the soap-box.

 

[jmtillery]

Hmm, I know a certain poster who will come on here and suggest the absolutely most perfect format that will be a perfect fit and grab losts of listeners because everyone wants to hear it.

Would that "perfect format" consist of adding Marvin Boone spinning the oldies? lol.. Uh, sorry, my bad... I'm thinking of another market

Mark Tillery,
Ocala, Florida
[email protected]

 

[freqdev]

With the right format like news/talk, sports talk, or oldies, I am sure they could get at least a 2.0-2.5 share. Those are probably the only formats that they could get anywhere with.

With 700 watts in a four county market that you don't reach, a 2 share is the best you can expect with any format on that station. IMO CC did a pretty good job with rock. I know it got the attention of WROQ.

I think with USC sports CC has signaled a change and it is where where the money is. WBZT will never compete with the full power stations. I would suggest financial talk to appeal to banks, brokers, etc for advertising dollars, or a narrow playlist of classic hits to appease those carolina fans between talk shows and play by play.

As time moves forward, the 93.3 and 106.3 frequencies have coverage problems. Entercom would be wise to sell them and focus on the properties that are making money.

 

[carolinaradio]

With 700 watts in a four county market that you don't reach, a 2 share is the best you can expect with any format on that station. IMO CC did a pretty good job with rock. I know it got the attention of WROQ.

I think with USC sports CC has signaled a change and it is where where the money is. WBZT will never compete with the full power stations. I would suggest financial talk to appeal to banks, brokers, etc for advertising dollars, or a narrow playlist of classic hits to appease those carolina fans between talk shows and play by play.

As time moves forward, the 93.3 and 106.3 frequencies have coverage problems. Entercom would be wise to sell them and focus on the properties that are making money.

I guess you're right. Guess I should have said 2.5 share tops. I wonder if the USC sports signals changes coming. As I've said before, the rock format didn't do THAT bad. Classic Hits/Oldies with USC sports would be great together, but yeah, I know....it ain't happenin' as long as WMYI is in the stable.

As for 93.3 and 106.3, I agree they should be sold. WROQ, WSPA, WFBC and the 2 AMs would be a solid group for Entercom. No reason to have the same thing on 950, 1330, and 106.3. Their treatment of the 106.3 frequency has been pretty bad. Planet just isn't top 5 material....never has been, maybe it's just the format. Would be nice to see these 2 spun off to local broadcasters again. Loved the local feel 106.3 had to it.

 

[freqdev]

I think Entercom is showing their true colors and people within the building are positioning themselves as team members. TK is gone which follows pretty stable numbers for that stations morning show. now it's more music with monnie which is radios way of saying that we have no content. with budget cuts on WSPA which is a good biller and others let go i would be very afraid if i worked for 93.3 and 106.3.

 

[carolinaradio]

I think Entercom is showing their true colors and people within the building are positioning themselves as team members. TK is gone which follows pretty stable numbers for that stations morning show. now it's more music with monnie which is radios way of saying that we have no content. with budget cuts on WSPA which is a good biller and others let go i would be very afraid if i worked for 93.3 and 106.3.

remember, 106.3 is part of that hideous trimulcast between 1330/950/106.3 so they aren't putting anything in to it, but it's a power bill and I doubt they are benefiting from it much. Talk needs to be relegated to the AMs where it has always done fine, spin the FMs off to somebody who actually cares. Put a decent music format on 106.3 and do what needs to be done with 93.3

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

I think Entercom is showing their true colors and people within the building are positioning themselves as team members. TK is gone which follows pretty stable numbers for that stations morning show. now it's more music with monnie which is radios way of saying that we have no content. with budget cuts on WSPA which is a good biller and others let go i would be very afraid if i worked for 93.3 and 106.3.

remember, 106.3 is part of that hideous trimulcast between 1330/950/106.3 so they aren't putting anything in to it, but it's a power bill and I doubt they are benefiting from it much. Talk needs to be relegated to the AMs where it has always done fine, spin the FMs off to somebody who actually cares. Put a decent music format on 106.3 and do what needs to be done with 93.3

They put the NewsTalk format on 106.3 because it's been proven there are people who won't listen and putting what was an AM only format onto FM will get listeners that didn't tune in before.

It's working in plenty of other markets

 

[carolinaradio]

Maybe you're right about the talk on FM...I don't see it going anywhere right now, because it's something easy for them to put on there since nothing else (besides oldies) seems to have worked there. I guess time will tell if it was a wise decision.

 

[freqdev]

Agreed. Talk on FM and advertisers that agree with that political view. i would hate to be an account executive that voted democrat trying to sell that.

 

[carolinaradio]

IMO, WORD is a pretty weak talker in terms or programming and I don't care for their lineup. Don't care for Gallagher or O'Reilly and can take or leave Rush. I subscribe to podcasts of my favorite talkers and listen to them when I want. I'm sure it works for them, just not my cup of tea.

So...let's get back on topic: will we see a new format at 96.7 by year's end? I say so, but not sure what to.

 

[Lhsh]

I have a feeling that we will see a new format and it makes me wonder if they should just go back to what was really working for them.