Stephens Media Moving Plus Some Inside Info.

[The Voice of Reason]

Stephens Media will be moving their three FM stations from the HSBC building to the First Federal Bank building on State and Main in the near future. I was told that they will occupy the 8th floor. One has to feel bad for the employees who will be paying a small fortunate to park at one of the numerous inside garages or parking lots.
The same sources who told me about this move also said that they believe that once Tony Infantino’s contact expires, that Entercom will try to reunite Tony and Dee for a morning show on one of their FM stations. That's one reason Entercom decided to keep Dee on the payroll. Stephens Media is also concerned what impact Legends will have on WRMM, especially should Tony leave.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Stephens Media will be moving their three FM stations from the HSBC building to the First Federal Bank building on State and Main in the near future. I was told that they will occupy the 8th floor. One has to feel bad for the employees who will be paying a small fortune to park at one of the numerous inside garages or parking lots.
The same sources who told me about this move also said that they believe that once Tony Infantino’s contact expires, that Entercom will try to reunite Tony and Dee for a morning show on one of their FM stations. That's one reason Entercom decided to keep Dee on the payroll. Stephens Media is also concerned what impact Legends will have on WRMM, especially should Tony leave.

I wasn't certain if it was the 6th or 8th floor. I was notified after posting this that the correct answer is the 8th floor.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Stephens Media will be moving their three FM stations from the HSBC building to the First Federal Bank building on State and Main in the near future. I was told that they will occupy the 8th floor. One has to feel bad for the employees who will be paying a small fortune to park at one of the numerous inside garages or parking lots.

Having had to park downtown let me tell you it ain't cheap brother. Besides that, many outdoor lots already have a waiting list when it comes to monthly parking. So the Stephens people are going to have to pay per day for a while.

The nearest parking garage is between the First Federal Building and the hotel. Their prices I'm sure are expensive.

So the stations are taking up the entire 8th floor? Well best of luck to those folks, but I have to wonder if there is space at the top of the building for satellite dishes and other devices ( see how technical I am) to reach their towers? Is line-of-sight going to be a problem?

Oh well we shall soon find out.

 

[luvcoors]

Stephens Media will be moving their three FM stations from the HSBC building to the First Federal Bank building on State and Main in the near future. I was told that they will occupy the 8th floor. One has to feel bad for the employees who will be paying a small fortunate to park at one of the numerous inside garages or parking lots.
The same sources who told me about this move also said that they believe that once Tony Infantino’s contact expires, that Entercom will try to reunite Tony and Dee for a morning show on one of their FM stations. That's one reason Entercom decided to keep Dee on the payroll. Stephens Media is also concerned what impact Legends will have on WRMM, especially should Tony leave.

Meanwhile Tony will have to pay to find out if his non-compete becomes void because of the new bill being signed. I'm sure Stephens won't want him walking across the street if the above is true.

 

[Mark Giardina]

The same sources who told me about this move also said that they believe that once Tony Infantino’s contact expires, that Entercom will try to reunite Tony and Dee for a morning show on one of their FM stations. That's one reason Entercom decided to keep Dee on the payroll. Stephens Media is also concerned what impact Legends will have on WRMM, especially should Tony leave.

Meanwhile Tony will have to pay to find out if his non-compete becomes void because of the new bill being signed. I'm sure Stephens won't want him walking across the street if the above is true.

You brought up a very good point. With non-compete now law in New York State it will be interesting to see how that will impact Tony should he decide to leave Stephens.
On the other hand maybe Stephens will try to get Dee back from Entercom, especially since WRMM didn't fare that well in the last book.

No matter how this scenario works out, IMHO the odds are very good that Tony and Dee will be teaming up again in the near future. The only question remains on which radio station.

 

[Bob1370]

"The only question remains on which radio station"

It probably won't be Buzz, since Kimberly and Beck are doing well, no reason to change there. It also probably won't be WBEE, because if it ain't broke, and it's leading 25-54, why 'fix' it?

The adult-oriented station in the Entercom portfolio that most needs help in the morning is WCMF. Would a female-friendly Tony and Dee morning show fit a station that's traditionally skewed heavily to 35-54 men? Maybe it would, IF Entercom decides Wease is going to pull that demo over to the Fox come November and deliver a coup de grace to an already fading station. If they think the battle for CMF's traditional male core audience is about to be lost, might they then decide to re-brand WCMF to try to bridge the gender gap, in a way it did once with rock fans in both sexes in the 70s and 80s but hasn't tried to do in at least 15 years? Tweaking the music mix a little and retooling the morning show as well as the marketing push could accomplish that. Dave Kane would fare well within a more even gender distribution, and Brian Robinson did well over at a less heavily male-skewed Buzz up to a year ago, so they wouldn't have to change the starting rotation, just the other programming elements. Trouble is, if they do that, do they overlap the Buzz too much?

The other possibility is to blow up WPXY and try to turn it into an anti-Warm, maybe plugging Tony and Dee into the morning, moving Scott Spezzano to afternoons, and repositioning it as a semi-hot AC rather than keep trying to win a battle for a 12-34 CHR audience that seems to be drifting away to WDKX and Kiss 106.7.

Rochester radio gets more interesting by the week...

 

[scooterodell]

I have to wonder if there is space at the top of the building for satellite dishes and other devices ( see how technical I am) to reach their towers? Is line-of-sight going to be a problem?

I don't know about space on the roof, but line-of-sight to the WRMM stick shouldn't be a problem. It's on the same side of the river. As long as the Kodak building isn't in the way, they should be ok.

I don't know about getting the signal to WFKL and WZNE. If line-of-sight isn't feasible, they can always go with a T1 line.

 

[luvcoors]

"The only question remains on which radio station"

It probably won't be Buzz, since Kimberly and Beck are doing well, no reason to change there. It also probably won't be WBEE, because if it ain't broke, and it's leading 25-54, why 'fix' it?

The adult-oriented station in the Entercom portfolio that most needs help in the morning is WCMF. Would a female-friendly Tony and Dee morning show fit a station that's traditionally skewed heavily to 35-54 men? Maybe it would, IF Entercom decides Wease is going to pull that demo over to the Fox come November and deliver a coup de grace to an already fading station. If they think the battle for CMF's traditional male core audience is about to be lost, might they then decide to re-brand WCMF to try to bridge the gender gap, in a way it did once with rock fans in both sexes in the 70s and 80s but hasn't tried to do in at least 15 years? Tweaking the music mix a little and retooling the morning show as well as the marketing push could accomplish that. Dave Kane would fare well within a more even gender distribution, and Brian Robinson did well over at a less heavily male-skewed Buzz up to a year ago, so they wouldn't have to change the starting rotation, just the other programming elements. Trouble is, if they do that, do they overlap the Buzz too much?

The other possibility is to blow up WPXY and try to turn it into an anti-Warm, maybe plugging Tony and Dee into the morning, moving Scott Spezzano to afternoons, and repositioning it as a semi-hot AC rather than keep trying to win a battle for a 12-34 CHR audience that seems to be drifting away to WDKX and Kiss 106.7.

Rochester radio gets more interesting by the week...

As I said in the Wease thread...your logic is so flawed you really need to stop this nonsense since it hurts the overall information aspect of this board.

Explain how logical Tony & Dee who have no edge to them...would inspire M 35-54 to listen? CMF gets adult women to listen since there's still a decent % of them that will never "grow out" of classic rock. Especially 315'ers. If anything CMF needs to hire a lead AM drive talent if anything. The rest will work itself out. Why would you steer CMF towards the Buzz? Are you kidding me?

Like I said in the other thread...Kiss is chasing PXY...always has except for like 2-3 books in 12 years. DKX's 18-34 health depends on diary return from certain zips and they don't always win either. Why would you change a successful product that is consistent? PXY targets W 25-34 and gets strong younger demos since it's a pop station and a majority of the audience likes pop and is obsessed with pop culture. Spezzano in the afternoon...solo...no way!

Please stop posting this nonsense...you really are hurting this board!

 

[Mark Giardina]

Here is one of those infamous "This is what I would do" posts.

Now if I was in charge of Crawford Broadcasting I would give serious consideration about trying to hire both Tony and Dee for AM drive on Legends.

Yes it would cost money, but you know the old saying; "you have to spend money to make money." Besides those two would be the perfect fit for that station's format.

Do most of you agree it would be a major coup if Crawford could hire Tony and Dee or do you disagree?

 

[ThePickleReport]

Do most of you agree it would be a major coup if Crawford could hire Tony and Dee or do you disagree?

That and a couple of slight tweaks and Legends would become a player, indeed.

 

[Mark Giardina]

That and a couple of slight tweaks and Legends would become a player, indeed.

I totally agree. The station reminds me of WHAM many years ago, before the advent of talk radio.

 

[Bob1370]

"Do most of you agree it would be a major coup if Crawford could hire Tony and Dee or do you disagree?"

Sounds like an interesting strategy and it might work--only question I have, is whether Legends 102.7 will be limited by its own signal in terms of either broad coverage of the market, or putting out a strong enough signal to be pulled in by a walkman or weak table radio in an office on the west side of town. It may take a full-B stick to make the most of any big investment in programming.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Sounds like an interesting strategy and it might work--only question I have, is whether Legends 102.7 will be limited by its own signal in terms of either broad coverage of the market, or putting out a strong enough signal to be pulled in by a walkman or weak table radio in an office on the west side of town. It may take a full-B stick to make the most of any big investment in programming.

Legends signal might pose a minor problem, however I think that would be offset by the audience Tony and Dee could draw to the station.

Remember you don't have be a 50kw monster in order to generate both listeners and revenue. Having good people and programming is still a workable formula.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Make Mine Canadian

Have you guys checked in with luvweakbeer yet to see if you're allowed to have any opinion?

 

[Mark Giardina]

Re: Make Mine Canadian

Have you guys checked in with luvweakbeer yet to see if you're allowed to have any opinion?

Hey that's between Bob 1370 and Luvcoors; I'm not involved in that back-and-forth....and don't wish to be.

 

[fybush]

"Do most of you agree it would be a major coup if Crawford could hire Tony and Dee or do you disagree?"

Sounds like an interesting strategy and it might work--only question I have, is whether Legends 102.7 will be limited by its own signal in terms of either broad coverage of the market, or putting out a strong enough signal to be pulled in by a walkman or weak table radio in an office on the west side of town. It may take a full-B stick to make the most of any big investment in programming.

102.7 is a surprisingly good A. Remember that the transmitter site is already on the west side, on the WRMM tower on Colfax Street. It'll never be much more than a Monroe/western Wayne/northern Livingston signal; Ontario County is tricky thanks to second-adjacent 102.3 in Canandaigua and first-adjacent WMHR from Syracuse, and of course Genesee and Orleans are hopeless because of Star 102.5.

But a similarly limited signal hasn't hurt WDKX any...

 

[scooterodell]

While 102.7 is certainly limited to the west (you need a really good radio to pick it up past Brockport), it does surprisingly well to the east. I regularly get it all the way out to Exit 41 (Waterloo) on the Thruway. I daresay that 102.7 causes 102.3 much more significant difficulty than the other way around.

 

[luvcoors]

Re: Make Mine Canadian

Have you guys checked in with luvweakbeer yet to see if you're allowed to have any opinion?

Look who's calling the kettle black! I'm sure someone could easily say the same about you at one time or another. Here's the bottom line as I see it...everyone has opinions and should share them here. But, there's a difference in between posting an opinion and writing something in a tone that some would take as fact. I was merely setting the record straight in regards to those with incredibly bad logic and making sure that those that come here to catch up weren't going to be confused by a bunch of BS.

Overall, it's amazing to see how some of you "vets" don't think out your points before you type them...spending millions to buy a signal to enhance your cluster's portfolio and then flip it in 9 months...LOL. Putting words in people's mouths when they don't say them LOL.

All too funny....

 

[Savage]

"102.7 is a surprisingly good A." Yep, it is. Until the 10db IBOC digital injection level kicks in (if it does.)

Then it's nighty-night in much of Gates and Chili thanks to Star 102.5. Bye, Scottsville! Churchville, been great to know ya! WRMM, break out the "Hegemony Rocks" t-shirts!

Legends people, once you've arrived at a winning formula and have worked like crazy to implement it and are enjoying your success, be sure to check in with your all-knowing, all-seeing corporate chief Cris Alexander about the wonderfulness of HD-FM. I'm sure he'll have helpful suggestions about living with the interference. Maybe he'll even poke fun at your 1st-adjacent woes in That House Organ Of Onanism, "The Local Oscillator."

It's called "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory." If IBOC proponents get their way you'll taste it soon.

 

[Element9]

This here Legends 102.7 debate-advocacy-lovefest-throwdown intrigues the daylights outta me. I heard the station (as posted) about three weeks ago. It sounded so lame that I couldn't imagine it drawing any competitive ratings 25-54, 35-64, 45-54... y'know, those traditional Oldies-Classic Hits strongholds.

The 102.7 format sounded disjointed, unfocused and truly inexplicable. The jingle(s) were hack. In the WNIA class of greatness. Oh joy. I understand how so many posters here crave an Oldies-Classic Hits format... it's become The Prodigal in Buffalo and Rochester. In Buffalo, WHTT/Mix has at least taken a step back and begun playing more 70s and some 60s on weekends.

A few months back, I posted something to the ffect that the Oldies-Classic Hits format would make a comeback. It was a wild-ass-projection. Low and behold, yesterday Radio & Records ran an interview with Scott Shannon trumpeting the rebound in the Classic Hits format in some major markets such as NYC, Philly, Detroit and Chicago.

We understand the shortcomings associated with Classic Hits. Agencies want to see big 25-54 numbers, usually buying three deep. In some top ten markets, 18-49 is the prefered agency demo. Classic Hits primarily appeals to the upper sector of the 25-54 demo: 45-54 and 45-64. Agencies, despite what we think, ain't impressed with 55-64. We've beaten that one to death here. I can imagine Legends pulling some reasonable numbers by default, but it can't be anywhere near competitive with WBZA, WCMF, the Fox and WBEE in the 45-54 cell.

So when it's all said and done, WLGZ is nothing more than a curiousity for radio fans like you and me to read, write and rag on. IF WLGZ ran up some decent numbers with that Class A signal, how long would it be before another station with an equally competitive Class A or better signal came along and pulled the Classic Hits format rug out from under WLGZ. I'll admit, it would be tough to top "It's Not For Me To Say" seg'd into "Born To Be Wild."