Source: Merlin To Flip WRXP To News/Talk

[radioguy39nj]

i"m gonna put down $2 and say cc flips 105.1 before labor day to fm talk

Either that or Fox Sports... but remember if CC flips 105.1, they could risk Lite FM going down too (remember 105.1 is a flanker for Hot 97, like I've previously mentioned)... however, they could add some of Power's stuff to WKTU if they wanted...

As long as Hot 97 still exists, I doubt Power's going anywhere! Power 105.1's purpose has been to fragment Hot's audience enough to keep Lite-FM on top. And if Hot 97 went away, Power would inherit the hip-hop audience. CC can't lose either way.

 

[altexpert]

All I can say to the comment about it being a business and not a hobby is that maybe it should be a hobby. If real music for people that love music can't find a home in major markets, what does that tell us? Music can be viable elsewhere, and if its satellite, HD, or internet streaming, one will eventually dominate. When RXP goes dark, I will really and truly have nothing I will WANT to listen to on local airwaves. And RXP was never great but a lot better than nothing. New York radio really needs another talk station like it needs another yellow cab. I'm numb to it, because the days for being sad or sullen about it happened when the station "where rock lives" died in NY and I NEVER thought I'd see a day when WNEW would bite the dust. Radio sucks, radio is dead across the country and its ALL OUR FAULT. When did we get stupid about content anyway? Where the hell is the diversity that used to be on the dial in the number one market in the country?

 

[Rusty Muck]

IMHO, if WRXP is indeed going news/talk, I doubt it will sound anything like 92.3 FREE-FM or 102.7 FM Talk. The model to follow would be WTOP DC, KTAR-FM Phoenix and KIRO-FM Seattle, news and news/talk stations Bonneville successfully migrated to FM.

I've listened to KTAR-FM Phoenix and KIRO-FM Seattle online and while they don't shy away from politics, they are also very entertaining. Infotainment, anyone? KTAR-FM and KIRO-FM are the go-to stations in Phoenix and Seattle when a major news story breaks in those markets. Both stations have substantial local programming.

The FM Talk tsunami might soon be coming to New York!

BUT... remember that WTOP, KIRO, AND KTAR all were successful AM stations in their own right - with nearly a combined 250 years of heritage - before then-owner Bonneville moved all three to the FM dial. Big difference from a potential upstart in 101.9, which won't have the "heritage" nameplate that WABC and WOR do.

If traditional news/talk is what Randy may be aiming at for 101.9, he'll have to make it almost all local a la his two former haunts - WLW/Cincinnati and WGN/Chicago. He has a shot at competing against 710 and 770, but does he have the money to pull it off?

 

[Rusty Muck]

i"m gonna put down $2 and say cc flips 105.1 before labor day to fm talk

I'd take that bet. Easy $2 for me. ;D

Even with no clearance for Glenn Beck, that is ludicrous. How in the hell would that be possible when Rush and Sean are locked to WABC in perpetuity (Sean's deal specifically ties his show to the "legacy" ABC Radio O&Os), and C2C has a home in WOR? Laughable.

CC may be dumb at times, but they aren't THAT dumb.

Either that or Fox Sports...

If you even think "SuperStation KLAC..." er... Fox Sports Radio's sorry LA-centric lineup could break a 0.1 share in NYC, please see a doctor immediately.

 

[radioguy39nj]

BUT... remember that WTOP, KIRO, AND KTAR all were successful AM stations in their own right - with nearly a combined 250 years of heritage - before then-owner Bonneville moved all three to the FM dial. Big difference from a potential upstart in 101.9, which won't have the "heritage" nameplate that WABC and WOR do.

If traditional news/talk is what Randy may be aiming at for 101.9, he'll have to make it almost all local a la his two former haunts - WLW/Cincinnati and WGN/Chicago. He has a shot at competing against 710 and 770, but does he have the money to pull it off?

If Randy Michaels makes 101.9 two-thirds local he can impact WOR and WABC significantly. If 101.9 becomes another syndie conservatalker it'll be irrelevant. Again, does Randy have the money to do mostly local? There's a definite format hole for it in New York.

I know WTOP, KIRO and KTAR had many years of heritage going for them before they migrated to FM. I pointed out KIRO and KTAR's programming as a model for doing news/talk in New York. It's been a very long time since New Yorkers had a station that actually talked to and entertained them. If Michaels can pull this off on 101.9 the station will set itself apart from WOR and WABC. That's why IMHO, WOR could find themselves the odd man out.

 

[danikayser84]

Also, CBS will probably NOT flip Now or Fresh to sports, sorry to burst everyone's bubble... ESPN missed out on 101.9 and I doubt 710 would want to trade over with 1050... WFME (or WBAI) will probably not get sold for a long time (sorry, but Family Radio will be around even after Harold Camping dies/retires likely)

As for CC flipping a station to sports? Unlikely, even if they planned on it being all live and local (besides, remember that they want to protect Lite FM )

 

[DToTheJ]

can someone post the link for the article at radio-insight.com ?

Well, here's a Daily News article that hints that the WYNY calls could be coming to 101.9 but, oddly enough, does not even cite a source for the rumor, let alone the domain registration of 1019wyny.com... just a vague attribution to "several sources" (does today's TRI count?):
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...-23_in_solo_show_jillian_faces_new_twist.html

 

[DToTheJ]

Check out Merlin's newest hire: 25-year veteran Greg Janoff, who most recently held the title of "VP, Branded Entertainment Sales at My Damn Channel."

Yes... "My Damn Channel." Not exactly a country music website.

This hire just amplifies the attitude that Merlin wants to transmit on their new stations.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...-greg-janoff-as-evp-of-revenue-124421813.html

 

[Barry]

What seems significant is that new hire Greg Janoff, according to Inside Radio, "Worked in sales positions for CBS radio news stations in New York and Boston."

 

[Rusty Muck]

The website radioinsight states that Merlin Media has registered 1019WYNY.com.
But they indicate that they do not think that the WYNY callsign, used by the previous 2 country stations in the New York area, is a harbinger that WRXP will flip to country. They still believe it will go to some sort of talk format.

WYNY was also associated with a soft rock format, too. If they did try to get the WYNY calls for a talk format, it may mean more of trying to get a callsign people might recognize. Especially after WNYM was taken.

Heck, why not try to get WEVD? Or return the WPIX-FM calls?

 

[Rusty Muck]

BUT... remember that WTOP, KIRO, AND KTAR all were successful AM stations in their own right - with nearly a combined 250 years of heritage - before then-owner Bonneville moved all three to the FM dial. Big difference from a potential upstart in 101.9, which won't have the "heritage" nameplate that WABC and WOR do.

If traditional news/talk is what Randy may be aiming at for 101.9, he'll have to make it almost all local a la his two former haunts - WLW/Cincinnati and WGN/Chicago. He has a shot at competing against 710 and 770, but does he have the money to pull it off?

If Randy Michaels makes 101.9 two-thirds local he can impact WOR and WABC significantly. If 101.9 becomes another syndie conservatalker it'll be irrelevant. Again, does Randy have the money to do mostly local? There's a definite format hole for it in New York.

I know WTOP, KIRO and KTAR had many years of heritage going for them before they migrated to FM. I pointed out KIRO and KTAR's programming as a model for doing news/talk in New York. It's been a very long time since New Yorkers had a station that actually talked to and entertained them. If Michaels can pull this off on 101.9 the station will set itself apart from WOR and WABC. That's why IMHO, WOR could find themselves the odd man out.

Bear in mind that when Randy took over WLW in the early 80s, the station had an underperfoming middle-of-the-road format. He did indeed build the current "NewsRadio 700 WLW" almost from scratch. What sunk his chances (along with Kevin Metheny's) in doing the same thing to WGN was that the station only lives off of its' history... and the Cubbies PBP. That and their talent selection wasn't the best by any shot. Oh, and WGN is a standalone AM with 65-dead demos.

Who knows? Maybe Randy can pull off the same magic with a brand new FM signal in New York. Both WABC and WOR are severely ripe for the picking.

 

[radioguy39nj]

Bear in mind that when Randy took over WLW in the early 80s, the station had an underperfoming middle-of-the-road format. He did indeed build the current "NewsRadio 700 WLW" almost from scratch. What sunk his chances (along with Kevin Metheny's) in doing the same thing to WGN was that the station only lives off of its' history... and the Cubbies PBP. That and their talent selection wasn't the best by any shot. Oh, and WGN is a standalone AM with 65-dead demos.

Who knows? Maybe Randy can pull off the same magic with a brand new FM signal in New York. Both WABC and WOR are severely ripe for the picking.

A news/talk outlet that focuses on NY area issues hasn't been heard around here in many years. You could talk about current events, some politics, entertainment (e g Broadway, movies, shows) and lots of other topics. This is New York! Michaels can find lots to talk about! Perhaps the money isn't there to do 24/7 local, but as long as it's local from 6 AM to 10 PM, that'll be fine!

WABC does as well as it does because it essentially has no competition. WOR isn't much different. They've made no real effort to impact WABC. Forget WNYM! If Randy Michaels follows the KIRO-FM model, 101.9 will be a winner. WABC will be impacted, but as long as it has Rush and Sean, they'll be around. WOR could be the one to leave the format.

 

[paganwoof]

Isn't this the last year of the Yankees contract with WCBS? Will a Randy Michaels-Walter Sabo News/Talk FM bid for the Yankees?

 

[scott5]

<< but as long as it has Rush and Sean, they'll be around. >>

Sean has the lowest ratings on WABC in "his" time slot compared to any other 'ABC radio host!! (excluding Jo Crummy) So i wouldn't count him as an asset for WABC , they are probably forced to clear his show in NYC.

 

[DToTheJ]

[Gecko voice] Here's another question from the WYNY rumblings mailbag... [/Gecko voice]

Will a Randy Michaels-Walter Sabo News/Talk FM bid for the Yankees?

Well, let's do the math: Merlin Media's total investment net worth is anywhere between $130 and $150 million, which is a figure I got from a source whose name escapes me. Now, the current Yankees radio deal is about $12 million; the current Red Sox deal, $18 million. I'd put some of my own money on them inquiring about Yankees radio rights on 101.9... just don't bring back John Sterling.

 

[radioguy39nj]

[Gecko voice] Here's another question from the WYNY rumblings mailbag... [/Gecko voice]

Will a Randy Michaels-Walter Sabo News/Talk FM bid for the Yankees?

Well, let's do the math: Merlin Media's total investment net worth is anywhere between $130 and $150 million, which is a figure I got from a source whose name escapes me. Now, the current Yankees radio deal is about $12 million; the current Red Sox deal, $18 million. I'd put some of my own money on them inquiring about Yankees radio rights on 101.9... just don't bring back John Sterling.

101.9 will be building a brand new News/Talk brand in New York. The problem with baseball is that it's played every day from April through October. 101.9 would be better off bidding for the Jets. Football is played only once a week and mostly on weekends. FM news/talkers KIRO Seattle and KTAR Phoenix carry Seahawks and Cardinals games respectively.

 

[Rusty Muck]

[Gecko voice] Here's another question from the WYNY rumblings mailbag... [/Gecko voice]

Will a Randy Michaels-Walter Sabo News/Talk FM bid for the Yankees?

Well, let's do the math: Merlin Media's total investment net worth is anywhere between $130 and $150 million, which is a figure I got from a source whose name escapes me. Now, the current Yankees radio deal is about $12 million; the current Red Sox deal, $18 million. I'd put some of my own money on them inquiring about Yankees radio rights on 101.9... just don't bring back John Sterling.

With George gone, you might (hopefully) get your wish on Daaaaaaaaaaaaa-Yankees-Win Sterling and Oh-My-Goodness-Gracious Waldman. One can only hope.

 

[Rusty Muck]

<< but as long as it has Rush and Sean, they'll be around. >>

Sean has the lowest ratings on WABC in "his" time slot compared to any other 'ABC radio host!! (excluding Jo Crummy) So i wouldn't count him as an asset for WABC , they are probably forced to clear his show in NYC.

His most recent deal with Premiere and Citadel assured must-carry on the legacy ABC talkers. On those stations alone, Citadel still manages distribution and ad content. On all the other stations, Premiere and CC took over those responsibilities.

I would probably suggest that if the show stayed local, he would be in a different ratings position. In a large market like NY, who really wants to listen to a syndicated host in drive-time?

Now, taking Sean's show national served its' purpose, and was in a lot of markets a ratings and financial success. But it destroyed a lot of his home markets' audience in the process. I would call that a wash IMO.

 

[scott5]

well you still got to ask the question why WABC would not air his show on tape delay, if its good for their sister station WLS in the #3 market why not do it in the #1 market ??

WLS runs a local show in afternoon drive while still clearing Hannity in the evenings. Its a win win IMO.

 

[Rusty Muck]

[Gecko voice] Here's another question from the WYNY rumblings mailbag... [/Gecko voice]

Will a Randy Michaels-Walter Sabo News/Talk FM bid for the Yankees?

Well, let's do the math: Merlin Media's total investment net worth is anywhere between $130 and $150 million, which is a figure I got from a source whose name escapes me. Now, the current Yankees radio deal is about $12 million; the current Red Sox deal, $18 million. I'd put some of my own money on them inquiring about Yankees radio rights on 101.9... just don't bring back John Sterling.

101.9 will be building a brand new News/Talk brand in New York. The problem with baseball is that it's played every day from April through October. 101.9 would be better off bidding for the Jets. Football is played only once a week and mostly on weekends. FM news/talkers KIRO Seattle and KTAR Phoenix carry Seahawks and Cardinals games respectively.

Although, to be fair, WABC's capture of the Yankees in the early 80s was what kept them visable in the market after the Top 40 format faded and they flipped to talk. And I'll betcha that after they lost the rights due to Disney's inaction, that's when WABC's slow decline started. Look at what happened to WJR after they lost the Tigers AND Red Wings in 2001 to CBS' upstart WXYT-AM. A shell of their former self.

Randy's past experience at WLW should throw a clue. One of WLW's BIG strengths is carrying the Reds, even if it means that their 9p-12a weeknight talk host is on hiatus for much of the spring and summer. Randy's former PD for WGN, Kevin Metheny, worked for WTAM when they reacquired the Indians and Browns rights, and already had the Cavaliers rights - taking the otherwise talk station to the top 5 in the market and effectively throwing the markets' "all-sports station," WKNR, to permanent minor-league status. And of course Randy and Metheny's former haunt, WGN, has been tied to the Cubbies since the Paleolithic Era.

If there is a talk station named WYNY at 101.9, and they get a chance to bid on the Yankees, they will do it. It is a trademark Randy move.