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Station IDEAS - Time for a change!

Hey Tibbs--when you were lolling around sipping Margaritas on the beach down there, did you happen to have occasion to flip the radio on?

Anything worth hearing on the ol' Emerald Coast radio dial?

RNR
 
Was in Ocala the other morning. Heard a station on 101.7 called "Chuck FM". Where is it coming from? Anyone?
 
Tell whoever owns 104.7 to make the switch to news talk. I think that would be ideal since their signal goes and we are bombed with this crappy format.

Who is still listening to their station anyway? How are the ratings? I know Country 105.5 is probably still #1 I don't know how "the new" highway 98 country is doing, would be interesting to find out who's on top with all of these changes.

A station with a crappy signal (105.5) is doing well because it's got personality and 98.1 seems to be half stereo/half mono in their mix. (kinda annoying) I honestly think if 104.7 dropped their home grown format to a news talk (carrying C2C am, rush and that PC girl, (I forgot her name) and others) it would more then likely take them up a few points in the ratings. I'm sorry but I couldn't correct as the "modify" was gone after the site was down for a while.

I'm trying to get PD's to start thinking more of what WE want, not what they think is going to be a winner based on other markets. I know this is a tough crowd but, you all know what your doing.

-Rob
 
robfwb said:
I'm trying to get PD's to start thinking more of what WE want, not what they think is going to be a winner based on other markets. I know this is a tough crowd but, you all know what your doing.
Click to expand...

With CC’s recent revenue announcement, two things came to mind. Regardless of how you may feel about the overall radio product or large corporations, there is no denying that radio is a lucrative and thriving business. Billing rates show an increase according to CC. That tells me advertisers are happy with the current state of things. That’s major. Change coming anytime soon – not easy to accomplish when answering the question - why change?

The other thought that came to mind is what works, what is highly profitable- becomes the business model. As long as various goals are met and owners/investors/Wall Street are all happy campers, attempts to change the status quo – even from those who have influence and may be seeing a bigger picture – proves to be a tough challenge.

The question that does beg to be answered is why certain formats are allowed to grow stale over time. In line with that, one would think increasing time spent listening to go along with a PPM meter picking up 5, 6, 7 stations during a week would be more apparent. But that takes innovative and creative programming and few seem to want to be bothered. It’s probably the biggest frustration expressed on these boards because many would like to hear a better product to go along with all radio rules that apparently do work.

I’ve given that question a lot of thought and I have come to some of my own conclusions. But, in the meantime no one should be intimidated by the status quo because remaining silent is not in the best interest of radio and everything else for that matter. The one thing about change - it's constant.
 
I can't wait for the Arbitron ratings to come out. (if they haven't already)

Well, the best of luck to you all. Why I'm an XM subscriber but there's nothing like hearing beautiful analog coming out of the car speakers. If just about the rest of FLORIDA can have an FM TALKER, (I don't know about Miami with their 50KW stations and Orlando with 540 AM)
Then, what's preventing US from doing the same thing? Isn't Pensacola and Panama about the same size?

I still think if whoever owns 104.7 should decide to sell to Cumulus, that would be their edge for Country 105.5 to move to 104's 100KW signal dominating 98.1. Despite I do like 98.1's sound.

105.5 WFTW has a nice ring to it. and their signal does reach Pensacola. Especially, with a new, taller tower.

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

I know, won't happen (SIGH)

-Rob
 
Ok, thanks. I thought that 101.7 signal was coming from Carolina.
 
Rob -

The owner and manager 104.7 WAAZ has been offered MILLIONS to sell that 100kw big stick! Just for fun, I called the sales manager (a friend of mine) and proposed the changes you would like. He told me the station is making money as it is, so why change it? As far as the ratings are concerned, they are the top station in their desired demo (45+). Ratings are unimportant to the station. Those are good folks over there that are happy serving their community as they have for over 50 years. Most of the employees have worked there for more than 25 years and are like family to the owner. Change? Ain't gonna happen my friend.

BTW, a man that owned and ran the station for a few years in the 60s did pass away. Current owner is alive and well.

Tom
 
That's awesome. We still need an FM talk station though. I'm gonna guess that it will either be 100.7, 99.9 or 98.7 that will make the switch to talk.

Maybe even 102.7 since were flooded with country now. We will see. I don't get the "YOUR COUNTRY" branding though. and their signal DOES reach FWB quite well.

-Rob
 
Oh, Rob, if only commercial radio was just a hobby and not a business!

99.9 and 102.7 are goldmines. Both spin off millions (yes, millions) in pure, unadulterated profits to their respective companies. And--as Tom so eloquently spelled it out--that's the goal, so they'll continue to do what they're doing for as long as they possibly can.

And as the #2 Country station in a very strong Country market, 98.7 is probably doing just fine, too. Having been in that exact same spot 15-16 years ago, I'll attest that giving up that position requires an extraordinary opportunity. When the rent's getting paid and all the kids are being fed, there's a lot to be said for keeping things as-is.

As for 100.7 and 107.3, they're still very early in new formats right now, and they'll most likely want to see whether those stations can achieve what they set out to do before bailing. The Fall book will give them some clues, but I'll bet $10 on a three-book trial period... so you'll probably have to sit back and wait another 9 or 10 months...
 
DAMN..

Any other ideas? I'd say let's create 97.1 "the gulf coast talk station" I'll win the lottery, apply for a 100KW permit and see about buying some land off of hollywood. I'll have to buy a starguide receiver and get gorge and the PC chick on. (I heard everything is going MPEG 4)

I looked at the ratings and 99.5 dominated the charts.

-Rob
 
RNR ~ Sorry, been way busy as of late and not on here much commenting or checking in. I did the usual scan and shake (my head.) I think the quality has really suffered in the last five years on the coast. (0r probably I am just getting old.) I could not help but notice that most stations
have really not changed in a few years, except there's just less spark. I mainly locked it in on PCB's Beach 95.1 because at least it's a decent mix of classic hits that have not been beat into the ground and it's a bit old school. I also thought that Sunny 98.5 had upgraded the music a bit. I did not listen to the V station, CCENG. All of the Destin/FWB stations were just there, I thought. Seemed like Mix and Fly's signals were weak. 98.1's signal carries well, but didn't seem to overpower like I would have expected. I did hear a jazz-like sound on 107.1 (I think, and meant to check what that was, don't remember it or where it's located. Maybe be a tropo from Navarre rob?) Agree rob, there really should be a talk FM, but it makes sense to ride AM a few more years (maybe?) Jimmy Whitaker's station sounded good because it's his, as did Mark's Seabreeze, because the little guys always get my props. I just parked it and relaxed for a few days without anything electronic except a blender and ESPN for Monday Night Football and a few great college games I snuck bits and pieces of. Sorry, I have little radio info. My bad. RNR - how are you?

Charlie, agree on the comments about both Charlie Lahan and Charlie Modica. That being my first priority (wine and gin consumption) they have the lock in people skills and selection at Lahans is always strong and unique. I hope it does not change. Charlie Lahan went to Vanderbilt, so oddly I actually met him in Nashville. Charlie Modica will not be replaced. A true gentleman with a kind heart. His son will do a great job. CW -Will catch up asap with you, but hope you are well.

Rob - it's CHRISTMAS light time. Call 234-0000 and ask for the engineering dept (I know CCENG:))
and tell them Charlie Wooten volunteered you to take the white strobey's down and replace with red and green strobey's. If you don't, it will look boring for the boater's bringing drugs up. Hope you are alive and well, rob.
 
I mainly locked it in on PCB's Beach 95.1 because at least it's a decent mix of classic hits that have not been beat into the ground and it's a bit old school.
Click to expand...

Right, tibbs2... it's a bit old school, programmed and hosted by a bunch of old school radio old farts (sometimes affectionately known as dinosaurs)!

But thanks for the comments... I think.

David
 
Yo, Tibbs. Oh, we're still Up North playing radio way out in the woods. Our motto: #1 With Deer And Trees! Glad to hear 95.1 is churning out some decent radio on the South Coast--I've admired their technical creativity in getting that signal to stretch all the way from the dog track clear down to the City By The Bay.

FWIW, I've noticed the same sort of thing--generally dull radio--over the past few years in most markets up this way, too. My guess is that it has something to do with cutting-out all those humans during the Great Recession. And maybe the few humans who survived were the hard-working types... but not necessarily the most talented types.

Those talented ones are such a pain in the ass. Machines don't give you no shit!
 
Mr. Nolan --- being a dinosaur myself --- I meant it all in the best terms. You guys are running a tight ship. Clean, to the point, live (I guess at least many dayparts?) and REAL! Plus, yeah, RNR -
that signal is pretty impressive for what it should be. Loud and clear at Seaside. I remember all the naysayers saying it would be bankrupt. Hope that is no where near the case. (By the way,
to me, there's old skool (which I don't get) and old school (which is a tribute to what was and what should still be, because it reflects the best and most important part of radio - connecting and literally reaching out.) It was a pleasure to hear you all working as a team and doing your own thing regardless of what everyone else was doing. Funny how the payroll can't be dirt cheap with your team (I am sure you've all made huge sacrifices) and yet somehow, with all the signal limitations, you outshine the 100k-ers with a shoestring budget and no soul. Better to be a
dinosaur and be with it than a whipper snapper and not have a clue of what it could be if it
wasn't for the minimal mindset of radio 2010. Thank you!
 
Hey, Tibbs2, we're just having fun here at The Beach... something that it seems the big monster mega-clusters have forgotten how to do. And as someone who sold his soul for 6 1/2 years to the corporate yawn, it's good to NOT have to call Atlanta for permission to go pee.
 
David,

I'll probably be coming through PC again soon - I'll have to check out The Beach!

Last time I was there, listened to WPAP and a little station called Troprock 1290.
 
Amazing I can hear that all the way out here. They have a webfeed as well. I kinda like that station. Didn't know what it was. We get a lot of tampa/panama city/new orleans here in the daytime

-Rob
 
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