So where does Limbaugh go in 2014?

[KeithE4]

If the rumors are true that Clear Channel is taking Limbaugh & Hannity off of the Cumulus stations it contracts with (including WABC and WLS), where does he go in Chicago? WIND? WGN (he'd be preempted a lot for the Cubs)? WNDZ? CC blows up an FM for talk? No way do they switch WGRB from gospel to talk. Or do they?

 

[jrls4444]

Highly doubt they take WGRB to talk, weak signal compared to WLS and WGN.

I could see this going down 3 different ways, in order as most likely:
1) CC takes an FM (probably WNUA) and flips to talk
2) CC buys WGN and Rush goes there
3) Rush goes to WIND.

Some way, somehow, Rush will stay on the air in Chicago. Only WLS will get hurt with this, not CC or Rush.

BTW, from my understanding, Cumulus has first dibs on Hannity's show in major markets. I don't think Sean will go right away with Rush.

 

[Come on]

Only WLS will get hurt by this?

WLS ratings can only go up. Limbaugh's time is up. Nobody wants to hear political hosts scream and yell any more. And, if you don't believe me, check the ratings.

And,once youre done with the ratings take a look at the billing. Limbaugh and his GOP cronies are a tough sell. They've all alienated the advertisers!

So, when you say WLS will be the only one getting hurt, you couldn't be further from the truth.

WLS can't wait to show Limbaugh the door. From a ratings standpoint and a billing standpoint.... And in radio that's all there is!

 

[jrls4444]

Seriously? If Rush was so hard to sell, why has he been on 'LS for all those years? Plus, why haven't affiliates been dropping him left and right, coast to coast? Rush is still the king of talk radio and some people just can't admit it.

@ComeOn, you almost sound like a Cumulus troll. How is Huckabee doing in the ratings? He is supposedly the future of talk radio, no yelling, civil dialogue. His show sucks and the ratings are pathetic, especially when he's up against Rush.

People want to hear the truth, and that's what Rush gives them. Cumulus is going straight into the sewer because Lew Dickey and his lackeys are complete morons. WLS is already suffering from the loss of Don and Roma, losing Rush will cause a ratings avalanche at the big 89 that will take several years to recover from.

Now, that's not what this thread is about... so let's get back to the real discussion.

P. S., Rush doesn't yell

 

[davideduardo]

Highly doubt they take WGRB to talk, weak signal compared to WLS and WGN.

I could see this going down 3 different ways, in order as most likely:
1) CC takes an FM (probably WNUA) and flips to talk

WNUA is top-5 in 18-49, and even higher in 18-34. Not a chance...

 

[audioguy]

Rush would be a perfect fit for WIND, don't you think?

 

[jrls4444]

@audioguy: WIND would be a good fit for Limbaugh, but I'm not so sure Premiere will sell the show to a 5kW station with very low ratings. But, that may be their only choice. I'm sure WIND would welcome the EIB Network to their station with open arms.

I still think CC would rather flip an FM station to talk or buy WGN. Owning their own station would give other Premiere shows a Chicago platform. Coast to Coast would return overnight, Clyde Lewis, Andy Dean, and several weekend shows could be heard in the windy city for the first time. It might make sense for CC to do that.

However this shakes out in the end, Rush will remain in Chicago and Cumulus and WLS will suffer greatly.

 

[audioguy]

Don't discount WIND's signal. A 5 kW signal at the low end of the dial is just as good as, or better than a 50 kW signal at the high end. WIND can be heard fairly well all the way to Winnipeg, as I can attest.

There is one caveat, and that is that it is such a low frequency that they don't penetrate very well at all into steel buildings. But all of the low dial stations have the same problem. Those listeners could hear the station via the Internet, or they could consider getting an FM translator.

I'm not sure WGN is for sale, and I for one would hate to see it bought out buy one of the media conglomerates. WGN is "Chicago's Own" and has a unique format that nobody else has.

 

[KeithE4]

@audioguy: WIND would be a good fit for Limbaugh, but I'm not so sure Premiere will sell the show to a 5kW station with very low ratings. But, that may be their only choice. I'm sure WIND would welcome the EIB Network to their station with open arms.

5 kW on 560 is just as good as the 50 kW on 1160 that sister-station WYLL runs.

I still think CC would rather flip an FM station to talk or buy WGN. Owning their own station would give other Premiere shows a Chicago platform. Coast to Coast would return overnight, Clyde Lewis, Andy Dean, and several weekend shows could be heard in the windy city for the first time. It might make sense for CC to do that.

If what I read is true about the bankruptcy outcome, Tribune doesn't have to sell WGN radio. They are selling the newspapers, possibly including the Chicago Tribune itself, but AM 720 looks like it's safe.

Another possibility that was pointed out to me in another related thread is Merlin. How does 101.1 do nowadays, now that it's rid of that awful news format?

However this shakes out in the end, Rush will remain in Chicago and Cumulus and WLS will suffer greatly.

I can still see Cumulus putting CBS Sports Radio on The Formerly-Big 89. CBS can't be satisfied with it only being run overnights on The Score. I don't think they'd do any worse than they do now, especially if Limbaugh and Hannity are pulled.

 

[davideduardo]

Don't discount WIND's signal. A 5 kW signal at the low end of the dial is just as good as, or better than a 50 kW signal at the high end. WIND can be heard fairly well all the way to Winnipeg, as I can attest.

I'm sure the folks at 5 kw WEBC in Duluth would be annoyed to know that, as would the people at the also-5-kw station at Owens Bay, ON might be.

 

[Come on]

@audioguy: WIND would be a good fit for Limbaugh, but I'm not so sure Premiere will sell the show to a 5kW station with very low ratings. But, that may be their only choice. I'm sure WIND would welcome the EIB Network to their station with open arms.

I still think CC would rather flip an FM station to talk or buy WGN. Owning their own station would give other Premiere shows a Chicago platform. Coast to Coast would return overnight, Clyde Lewis, Andy Dean, and several weekend shows could be heard in the windy city for the first time. It might make sense for CC to do that.

However this shakes out in the end, Rush will remain in Chicago and Cumulus and WLS will suffer greatly.

Rush wasn't even top 5 in middays in his demo in March in Chicago. What else do you need to know?

How do you spell irrelevant? R-U-S-H!

 

[FightingIrish]

Don't discount WIND's signal. A 5 kW signal at the low end of the dial is just as good as, or better than a 50 kW signal at the high end. WIND can be heard fairly well all the way to Winnipeg, as I can attest.

There is one caveat, and that is that it is such a low frequency that they don't penetrate very well at all into steel buildings. But all of the low dial stations have the same problem. Those listeners could hear the station via the Internet, or they could consider getting an FM translator.

I'm not sure WGN is for sale, and I for one would hate to see it bought out buy one of the media conglomerates. WGN is "Chicago's Own" and has a unique format that nobody else has.

In Milwaukee (roughly 90 miles north of Chicago), WIND comes in stronger than WLS and WMVP (both of which have long had crummy signalsfar to the north). WSCR, WGN and WBBM come in excellent. Keep in mind that Limbaugh ran for years in San Francisco on another lower-wattage station in San Francisco on 560, KSFO.

Back on topic, do any Salem talk stations carry Rush, or do they concentrate more on their in-house gasbags?

 

[jh]

5 kW on 560 is just as good as the 50 kW on 1160 that sister-station WYLL runs.

If what I read is true about the bankruptcy outcome, Tribune doesn't have to sell WGN radio. They are selling the newspapers, possibly including the Chicago Tribune itself, but AM 720 looks like it's safe.

Another possibility that was pointed out to me in another related thread is Merlin. How does 101.1 do nowadays, now that it's rid of that awful news format?

I can still see Cumulus putting CBS Sports Radio on The Formerly-Big 89. CBS can't be satisfied with it only being run overnights on The Score. I don't think they'd do any worse than they do now, especially if Limbaugh and Hannity are pulled.

I think CC would prefer Rush on an FM... either WNUA if that's not billing well, or trying to make a deal with Merlin. Of course, if WGN is put up for sale, CC would probably make an offer.

WIND's signal would be fine for Rush, but would Salem pay for the show? Or would CC have to give it to them barter-only just for the clearance?


Somebody mentioned WLS losing Hannity... but probably not. His deal with CC gives Cumulus the rights to Hannity in markets where they own stations. It's possible the CBS/Cumulus deal for CBS Sports Radio contains a similar clause... I can't see CBS allowing Cumulus to have it in markets where it would compete against a CBS-owned sports station. The CBS national feed is getting a 0.1 share in Philadelphia, so I can't see it being viable against a local sports station, anyway.

 

[KeithE4]

I can't see CBS allowing Cumulus to have it in markets where it would compete against a CBS-owned sports station. The CBS national feed is getting a 0.1 share in Philadelphia, so I can't see it being viable against a local sports station, anyway.

Why not? CBS certainly doesn't want or need to blow up The Score or WBBM. It does need to clear CBS Sports Radio in the top 10 markets 24/7, and right now it doesn't have full clearance in either New York or Chicago (not 100% sure about LA, but KFWB is supposedly going to taking it). It'll get full clearance in NY if/when WFAN goes strictly FM and the network is put on 660 next year (another rumor, but I think it's likely). CBS can't do that in Chicago right now. Apparently they don't want to blow up any of their FMs, and they can't buy any more stations.

But the physical network is owned by Cumulus, and WLS certainly will be available if Limbaugh is pulled. It can't do any worse with network sports than it is with a dying talk format. Ratings don't matter; dollars do.

 

[Come on]

I can't see CBS allowing Cumulus to have it in markets where it would compete against a CBS-owned sports station. The CBS national feed is getting a 0.1 share in Philadelphia, so I can't see it being viable against a local sports station, anyway.

Why not? CBS certainly doesn't want or need to blow up The Score or WBBM. It does need to clear CBS Sports Radio in the top 10 markets 24/7, and right now it doesn't have full clearance in either New York or Chicago (not 100% sure about LA, but KFWB is supposedly going to taking it). It'll get full clearance in NY if/when WFAN goes strictly FM and the network is put on 660 next year (another rumor, but I think it's likely). CBS can't do that in Chicago right now. Apparently they don't want to blow up any of their FMs, and they can't buy any more stations.

But the physical network is owned by Cumulus, and WLS certainly will be available if Limbaugh is pulled. It can't do any worse with network sports than it is with a dying talk format. Ratings don't matter; dollars do.

Yes, but with some tweaking of the talk programming on WLS the ratings would certainly improve which would mean more money!

By taking WLS sports they are becoming a "Johnny Come Lately" and would be the third sports talker in the market! There are two that have branded themselves as sports talk for YEARS now! Then, if they do mostly syndicated sports talk then they are worse off than ESPN 1000 in the market. That's why ESPN 1000 isn't taking off, they are only live and local from 9 till noon and 2 till 6. The Score is 95% live and local.

Cumulus needs to tweak the talk format and stay with it! It's the number one station in time spent listening in the market!! There are only two talk stations and they are one of them (no, I'm not including WIND).

Does it cost more to staff a news room and do talk programming when compared to sports? You bet it does, but your net profit can be that much more, too!

Try selling a mostly syndicated sports radio station that isn't carrying the ESPN brand and let me know how it goes. ESPN has trouble selling what it has to offer! Then try selling a talk station that is mostly live from 6a to 6p. Which one is easier to sell is an easy answer!

 

[Come on]

Don't discount WIND's signal. A 5 kW signal at the low end of the dial is just as good as, or better than a 50 kW signal at the high end. WIND can be heard fairly well all the way to Winnipeg, as I can attest.

There is one caveat, and that is that it is such a low frequency that they don't penetrate very well at all into steel buildings. But all of the low dial stations have the same problem. Those listeners could hear the station via the Internet, or they could consider getting an FM translator.

I'm not sure WGN is for sale, and I for one would hate to see it bought out buy one of the media conglomerates. WGN is "Chicago's Own" and has a unique format that nobody else has.

In Milwaukee (roughly 90 miles north of Chicago), WIND comes in stronger than WLS and WMVP (both of which have long had crummy signalsfar to the north). WSCR, WGN and WBBM come in excellent. Keep in mind that Limbaugh ran for years in San Francisco on another lower-wattage station in San Francisco on 560, KSFO.

Back on topic, do any Salem talk stations carry Rush, or do they concentrate more on their in-house gasbags?

Salem generally carries it's own garbage, but it would have an opening for Rush as WIND carries Dennis Miller right now and that isn't a Salem product.

I believe that Rush is heading to WIND. There are no other viable options!

 

[KeithE4]

Salem generally carries it's own garbage, but it would have an opening for Rush as WIND carries Dennis Miller right now and that isn't a Salem product.

Miller's show is not a Salem product, but most Salem stations air it.

 

[howardm]

Don't discount WIND's signal. A 5 kW signal at the low end of the dial is just as good as, or better than a 50 kW signal at the high end. WIND can be heard fairly well all the way to Winnipeg, as I can attest.
I visit Peoria area and WIND is ok in day but not receivable at night after pattern change.
There is one caveat, and that is that it is such a low frequency that they don't penetrate very well at all into steel buildings. But all of the low dial stations have the same problem. Those listeners could hear the station via the Internet, or they could consider getting an FM translator.

I'm not sure WGN is for sale, and I for one would hate to see it bought out buy one of the media conglomerates. WGN is "Chicago's Own" and has a unique format that nobody else has.

In Milwaukee (roughly 90 miles north of Chicago), WIND comes in stronger than WLS and WMVP (both of which have long had crummy signalsfar to the north). WSCR, WGN and WBBM come in excellent. Keep in mind that Limbaugh ran for years in San Francisco on another lower-wattage station in San Francisco on 560, KSFO.

Back on topic, do any Salem talk stations carry Rush, or do they concentrate more on their in-house gasbags?

Salem generally carries it's own garbage, but it would have an opening for Rush as WIND carries Dennis Miller right now and that isn't a Salem product.

I believe that Rush is heading to WIND. There are no other viable options!

 

[radiotower40]

I don't think WGRB's coverage would fit well with Rush. I forgot abouat 1690 does Clear Channel own it now or WVON? The signal at the time Rush is on might be adequate since Rush is on WISN which is not a bad day signal in the north subarbs.

WNUA won't happen, they are holding up well against to WOJO in the money demo's. 1390 was WVON at one time, I could see the station being on 1390 again.

I have wondered if Clear Channel has ever considered putting Gospel on a major FM. I'm surprised that with a strong African-American population like Chicago does not have one. Sure 92.3 and the other Crawford stations have all been Gospel at some, none cover the northern areas, so you can't judge if it would be viable. I think WLIT would be a good spot fo it in between the holiday lite. What they do now is a joke.

WIND would be the most sensible because it is a strong signal being low on the dial. Rush is on stations in smallers markets downstate so they don't need the strength.

 

[jh]

I have wondered if Clear Channel has ever considered putting Gospel on a major FM. I'm surprised that with a strong African-American population like Chicago does not have one. Sure 92.3 and the other Crawford stations have all been Gospel at some, none cover the northern areas, so you can't judge if it would be viable. I think WLIT would be a good spot fo it in between the holiday lite. What they do now is a joke.

WIND would be the most sensible because it is a strong signal being low on the dial. Rush is on stations in smallers markets downstate so they don't need the strength.

CC has a gospel FM in Memphis, and the latest book has them #1 with a 11.8 share.

If WLS dumps Rush, he will probably land on WIND. CC will work out some type of deal with Salem. But I wouldn't be shocked if he stays on WLS, either. Cumulus' talk offerings haven't done too well. An example is in Des Moines, where Citadel had an FM talk station getting shares in the 3s, even into the 4s. Cumulus took over, loaded it up with their shows and its getting shares in the ones. (In Des Moines, Rush is on WHO which I think has been the #1 station since Ronald Reagan worked there.)

I think CC still owns 1690, LMAed to WVON. I doubt if they will consider talk on 1390 or 1690... their "Rush Radio" on the AM in Boston was a complete failure.