Someone Buy WFZX 101.7/WGUY 102.1!!

[benwnn91]

I started this as a plead to someone to PLEASE change the format of one of those stations, what a waste of power to broadcast the same thing (oldies) on adjacent frequencies, it's a waste of air! Suggestion: Change WFZX to anything else, I don't even care if it's CHR or not, just someone do something. How long is this going to go on for before someone says "Oh, we should change one those frequencies" ?

 

[popman]

Check out the radio stock prices... read the paper about the credit freeze....check out the unemployment rate rising.... read about businesses and advertisers cutting back.. AND learn to love oldies on these two frequencies... or better yet, take them off your presets!

 

[Andy Taylor]

benwnn91.Can you even listen to these stations?I was under the impression you were located waaaaay up in the county.There's a time limit on how long these stations can be held.Usually religious broadcasters end up with stations in this situation.Other than religious,I don't think they could make it financially as anything else.I had one though,but you won't like it.Stephen King has real deep pockets.He could buy them and simulcast WZON "SPORTS"on one and WDME on the other.

 

[benwnn91]

benwnn91.Can you even listen to these stations?I was under the impression you were located waaaaay up in the county.There's a time limit on how long these stations can be held.Usually religious broadcasters end up with stations in this situation.Other than religious,I don't think they could make it financially as anything else.I had one though,but you won't like it.Stephen King has real deep pockets.He could buy them and simulcast WZON "SPORTS"on one and WDME on the other.

Yes, it's true, I'm from the middle of nowhere- Aroostook County. I consider the Bangor market a local to me, that's why I care so much about it (plus I hope to move there in about a year but that's another story)
- If Stephen King did have enough money to do this then he probably what have already done it. Are you kidding me, for the love of god, he SHOULD be smart enough NOT to put Sports on FM again, WZON is already found on the market on AM, why would he need an FM? And why would you need to simulcast WDME, that would be JUST like what we have now, simulcasting WGUY from northwest of Bangor. If he was to buy off these frequncies, one would hope he would play something other than a simulcast or Sports. !!!!!

What is it with Bangor and Sports? Don't you have enough choices? WAEI, WZON, WABI, ????????

 

[Maine-i-ac]

Because…..WZON’s reach outside of Bangor/Brewer is not too great especially after dark. Putting WZON on either 101.7 or 102.1 would greatly increase the listening range. I’m only guessing hypothetically, but I’m sure that keeping the Red Sox and Celtics on WZON will not be easy after their current contracts. After all, Leerfield Communications took that into consideration when moving U of M sports to Clear Channel.

And moving WDME to one of those frequencies would improve listening in the whole Bangor area. 103.1 is not realistic to listen to in Bangor with WERU’s 102.9 translator. If I remember my history correctly, the 102.9 translator was approved just after Stephen King bought 103.1.

Running these stations currently as satellite oldies doesn’t require a lot of employee time. Plug in the stop sets and done. Running them as a CHR or modern rock with a local presence would be not profitable. Remember these stations are in a trust.

Look at the history of what these stations sold for when Clear Channel bought them. Blueberry paid far less, but I’m sure they want to at least break even. With these economic times, I’d look for them to remain as they are. As a previous poster stated in another thread, the Bangor market is saturated. Smart investors are not going to make a purchase until the market changes.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Unless I'm missing something, neither BLueberry Broadcasting or Clear Channel owns WFZX and WGUY, they are being held by The Kalil Group till a buyer can be found.

If I am wrong, by all means, correct me... but no sale application has been filed at all..... I could seriously be missing something

Plus, 101.7 and 102.1 don't overlap all that much, so they compliment each other nicely. An oldies format is cheap to run.. but I wouldn't expect the original poster, a 17 year old.... to want to listen to oldies or understand that, so of course he'd think it's a waste since he isn't the target demo for the station.

 

[Mainedude2007]

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WFZX&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

WFZX's signal from Radio Locator

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WGUY&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

WGUY's

Quite a bit of overlap if you ask me, although both have nice signals, each could surive on their own, either as a seperate ownership or maybe Mountain Wireless, Citadel or the owners of 99.3 in Farmington pick up the stations. I doubt Stephen King would buy any more, he's already got enough and radio is just a hobby for him, I'm sure whatever money he looses with WKIT/WZON/WDME he makes up by selling another book. I'd hate to see one/both go to the religious folks, although in the tough financial times, and with the oversaturation of radio in Bangor, maybe one should.

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WFZX&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

WFZX's signal from Radio Locator

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WGUY&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

WGUY's

Quite a bit of overlap if you ask me, although both have nice signals, each could surive on their own, either as a seperate ownership or maybe Mountain Wireless, Citadel or the owners of 99.3 in Farmington pick up the stations. I doubt Stephen King would buy any more, he's already got enough and radio is just a hobby for him, I'm sure whatever money he looses with WKIT/WZON/WDME he makes up by selling another book. I'd hate to see one/both go to the religious folks, although in the tough financial times, and with the oversaturation of radio in Bangor, maybe one should.

When I think of overlap, I look at the red circle and what the average every day listener will be able to hear.

 

[benwnn91]

Unless I'm missing something, neither BLueberry Broadcasting or Clear Channel owns WFZX and WGUY, they are being held by The Kalil Group till a buyer can be found.

If I am wrong, by all means, correct me... but no sale application has been filed at all..... I could seriously be missing something

Plus, 101.7 and 102.1 don't overlap all that much, so they compliment each other nicely. An oldies format is cheap to run.. but I wouldn't expect the original poster, a 17 year old.... to want to listen to oldies or understand that, so of course he'd think it's a waste since he isn't the target demo for the station.

They do overlap, some. The average listener would want to follow the pink line that Radio-Locator has unless you live in a low lying spot or something. There is overlap.

The original poster, and mostly the average listener under 45 wouldn't want to listen to oldies anyway... so it is a waste of a target demo. 15-45 is a LARGE part of that demo, only 45-60 are mostly listening to the oldies anyway. I would think Oldies would be more profitable in Dexter, a "not as bustling" town vs. Bucksport and Brewer where there are more 20-30's there than 60's........

Because…..WZON’s reach outside of Bangor/Brewer is not too great especially after dark. Putting WZON on either 101.7 or 102.1 would greatly increase the listening range. I’m only guessing hypothetically, but I’m sure that keeping the Red Sox and Celtics on WZON will not be easy after their current contracts. After all, Leerfield Communications took that into consideration when moving U of M sports to Clear Channel.

And moving WDME to one of those frequencies would improve listening in the whole Bangor area. 103.1 is not realistic to listen to in Bangor with WERU’s 102.9 translator. If I remember my history correctly, the 102.9 translator was approved just after Stephen King bought 103.1.

Running these stations currently as satellite oldies doesn’t require a lot of employee time. Plug in the stop sets and done. Running them as a CHR or modern rock with a local presence would be not profitable. Remember these stations are in a trust.

Look at the history of what these stations sold for when Clear Channel bought them. Blueberry paid far less, but I’m sure they want to at least break even. With these economic times, I’d look for them to remain as they are. As a previous poster stated in another thread, the Bangor market is saturated. Smart investors are not going to make a purchase until the market changes.

Even if WZON doesn't come in perfect after dark, you still have WABI-AM and WAEI to listen to... really, there shouldn't be any complaining. WDME comes in to Bangor ok, how about just add some power to the facility, it's only producing 4.8 kW???? Why you need to create a simulcast of it.... ??

Wouldn't doing a local format GENERATE revenue? If it's popular and well known in the market then it will gain a tenure and/or getting advertisers to jump in? And the market is only saturated because we have gotten rid of live formats and replaced them with simulcast or sat. sports??? Yeah.....

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

Unless I'm missing something, neither BLueberry Broadcasting or Clear Channel owns WFZX and WGUY, they are being held by The Kalil Group till a buyer can be found.

If I am wrong, by all means, correct me... but no sale application has been filed at all..... I could seriously be missing something

Plus, 101.7 and 102.1 don't overlap all that much, so they compliment each other nicely. An oldies format is cheap to run.. but I wouldn't expect the original poster, a 17 year old.... to want to listen to oldies or understand that, so of course he'd think it's a waste since he isn't the target demo for the station.

They do overlap, some. The average listener would want to follow the pink line that Radio-Locator has unless you live in a low lying spot or something. There is overlap.

The original poster, and mostly the average listener under 45 wouldn't want to listen to oldies anyway... so it is a waste of a target demo. 15-45 is a LARGE part of that demo, only 45-60 are mostly listening to the oldies anyway. I would think Oldies would be more profitable in Dexter, a "not as bustling" town vs. Bucksport and Brewer where there are more 20-30's there than 60's........

Because…..WZON’s reach outside of Bangor/Brewer is not too great especially after dark. Putting WZON on either 101.7 or 102.1 would greatly increase the listening range. I’m only guessing hypothetically, but I’m sure that keeping the Red Sox and Celtics on WZON will not be easy after their current contracts. After all, Leerfield Communications took that into consideration when moving U of M sports to Clear Channel.

And moving WDME to one of those frequencies would improve listening in the whole Bangor area. 103.1 is not realistic to listen to in Bangor with WERU’s 102.9 translator. If I remember my history correctly, the 102.9 translator was approved just after Stephen King bought 103.1.

Running these stations currently as satellite oldies doesn’t require a lot of employee time. Plug in the stop sets and done. Running them as a CHR or modern rock with a local presence would be not profitable. Remember these stations are in a trust.

Look at the history of what these stations sold for when Clear Channel bought them. Blueberry paid far less, but I’m sure they want to at least break even. With these economic times, I’d look for them to remain as they are. As a previous poster stated in another thread, the Bangor market is saturated. Smart investors are not going to make a purchase until the market changes.

Even if WZON doesn't come in perfect after dark, you still have WABI-AM and WAEI to listen to... really, there shouldn't be any complaining. WDME comes in to Bangor ok, how about just add some power to the facility, it's only producing 4.8 kW???? Why you need to create a simulcast of it.... ??

Wouldn't doing a local format GENERATE revenue? If it's popular and well known in the market then it will gain a tenure and/or getting advertisers to jump in? And the market is only saturated because we have gotten rid of live formats and replaced them with simulcast or sat. sports??? Yeah.....

I like how people think stations (like WDME) can just increase their power.. stations don't, often because they can't and they're at the max.

Alot of "live" formats (whatever they are) arent here because revenues are down and it just can't be done because it's too expensive.

Some formats are less listener intensive and more about the music and memories (like oldies) and others require lots of interaction that just can't be done with little staff... and with WFZX/WGUY being for sale, they don't wanna spend too much money on them.

 

[benwnn91]

I like how people think stations (like WDME) can just increase their power.. stations don't, often because they can't and they're at the max.

Alot of "live" formats (whatever they are) arent here because revenues are down and it just can't be done because it's too expensive.

Some formats are less listener intensive and more about the music and memories (like oldies) and others require lots of interaction that just can't be done with little staff... and with WFZX/WGUY being for sale, they don't wanna spend too much money on them.

If it is at max., oh well. WDME is fine how it is as a local Dover Foxcroft station. It gets by through the support of it's localness at shouldnt be tampered with then.

I see how live formats cannot be done, but I see the future only getting brighter. With a new pres. in office and the economy hopefully come back to where it should be, then "live" formats will be returning more and more. Important: Not all of radio is in shambles, nothing has happened to radio in the Presque Isle area even though we are the last stop! Citadel could have very well turned them off! It's these BIG companies that have the resources and money, and I'm waiting for the day some like CC will come in a buy off those 2 stations. That's what we need right now, because a local company like Blueberry just doesn't have the resources that we need.

Actually, CHR can (and is- WCRQ) and or Modern Rock doesn't have to be extensive.... but it would help to hire a few personalities. Weekends are fine to be taped/voice tracked. Mornings could be sat. Mid-morning/afternoon live, and maybe even evenings/overnights sat. Though nothing beats B97's B Mine at 9 or Mix @ 6. Oh, do I miss those days :'(

 

[spins45sallday]

Ben,

You seem to have done your research on coverage maps, formats, station’s power etc... but have you even been inside a really radio station for more then just a tour? You should think about an internship through your high school or whatever. That would give you a chance to see all sides of a radio station. I think it would be very educations for you, that is if you plan on working in radio/broadcasting when you grow up...my only words of advice to you are "Radio is a small world, be careful what you post" ;D This business is hard enough to break into...

 

[benwnn91]

Ben,

You seem to have done your research on coverage maps, formats, station’s power etc... but have you even been inside a really radio station for more then just a tour? You should think about an internship through your high school or whatever. That would give you a chance to see all sides of a radio station. I think it would be very educations for you, that is if you plan on working in radio/broadcasting when you grow up...my only words of advice to you are "Radio is a small world, be careful what you post" ;D This business is hard enough to break into...

yes, u are right, it would be cool to work at a station- a college station. The only problem that I'm going to have with college stations is the music they play- i'm not a big fan of alternative/metal rock, typically what colleges at least in Maine play except for a few. It's true, I may be critical of radio, but I liked alot where radio was a year ago, and what it has become it's really sad. And it's too bad, too.

 

[Mainedude2007]

yes, u are right, it would be cool to work at a station- a college station. The only problem that I'm going to have with college stations is the music they play- i'm not a big fan of alternative/metal rock, typically what colleges at least in Maine play except for a few. It's true, I may be critical of radio, but I liked alot where radio was a year ago, and what it has become it's really sad. And it's too bad, too.

You'll have to deal with college radio, you won't always like every format you work at, it's the experience that counts...I can't stand country but I was a weekender at one once, the best part was I was voicetracked and never listened to myself..

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

yes, u are right, it would be cool to work at a station- a college station. The only problem that I'm going to have with college stations is the music they play- i'm not a big fan of alternative/metal rock, typically what colleges at least in Maine play except for a few. It's true, I may be critical of radio, but I liked alot where radio was a year ago, and what it has become it's really sad. And it's too bad, too.

You'll have to deal with college radio, you won't always like every format you work at, it's the experience that counts...I can't stand country but I was a weekender at one once, the best part was I was voicetracked and never listened to myself..

I never liked country before i worked in radio and hadn't listened to it for an hour total in my entire life, but i've since worked at 3 country stations (all live shifts) and since grown to like a few of the tunes here and there.

 

[benwnn91]

I never liked country before i worked in radio and hadn't listened to it for an hour total in my entire life, but i've since worked at 3 country stations (all live shifts) and since grown to like a few of the tunes here and there.

true, it's just too bad many college stations have to play such a obsure format, I guess that's what the people like I guess.... it's hard to fathom for me but w.e i guess. ......

Back to the original topic, doesn't anyone see a sale of these two stations happening soon? or at all?

 

[radioguybroadcasting]

I never liked country before i worked in radio and hadn't listened to it for an hour total in my entire life, but i've since worked at 3 country stations (all live shifts) and since grown to like a few of the tunes here and there.

true, it's just too bad many college stations have to play such a obsure format, I guess that's what the people like I guess.... it's hard to fathom for me but w.e i guess. ......

Back to the original topic, doesn't anyone see a sale of these two stations happening soon? or at all?

Soon? Not sure.. but at all? Yes.. The Kalil Group is nothing but a holding company for other companies that want to get rid of stations and they WILL be selling them, eventually.

 

[icycool7227]

I have posted here before about WFZX about an aircheck, no one has even bothered with it. This Blueberry has to be thee worst company ever to flip things before they stream and then take away the stream that was there owned by the previous company!

 

[Zeb Norris]

I have posted here before about WFZX about an aircheck, no one has even bothered with it. This Blueberry has to be thee worst company ever to flip things before they stream and then take away the stream that was there owned by the previous company!

Dear Icycool,

Streaming costs money, but unless you run all of your ads on the stream, those reporting listening to the stream don't count in the ratings. If you DO run all your ads on the stream you might have to pay huge fees to AFTRA (the union). That's why so may stations don't stream.

You're on here running down the whole state of Maine for not streaming, which leads me to believe that you're not local. Just from a business perspective, that means you don't matter at all to the stations.

If you want to be a PD/DJ you need to learn a bit more about the business. Try asking some questions and listening. That's always more popular than opening fire with both barrels.

Just a suggestion Mr. itchy butt.

 

[MisterBilge]

Zeb - nice response. Points out some of the often overlooked expenses of ownership/operation other than equipment, staff and paying the light bill. Northern New England faces economic challenges not unlike the rest of the nation but let's face it, other than tourism, there's not much to generate revenues in, "The County," "The Kingdom," and whatever they call the great white north in New Hampshire. It's a struggle for small station owners to keep the doors open let alone stay on the cutting edge of technology. My hat's off to your group for doing a pretty good job at this.

As an aside - you appear to have two aspiring broadcasters involved in this thread. Ben and Icy. (There may be more. Dunno - I'm new here.) These two could represent the future of the industry. Which one would you rather have on your team? Keep the thoughtful questions coming, Ben. Best of luck to you - you're on the right track!