I would like to see Citadel use 95.7 for a new station as opposed to another simulcast. The metro signal is simply too darn good to use as another useless simulcast. Some simulcasts are OK. Like KRZ's 107.9, ROCK 107's 105.9, & Froggy's 95.9. Because these stations are not really metro frequencies, and can be used for secondary purposes. I think it is a darn shame to simulcast 95.7. Sure any format put on that frequency will not be #1, but if The Mountain can be a very respectable 6th, then a GOOD FORMAT on 95.7 could potentially pull in just as good and maybe slightly better ratings, given the better coverage area. With that being said, here are some of my own observations:
SHAMROCK: Get rid of Oldies 92 & 100 while you still can. With WNAK and WICK, it's just not worth taking two decent FM signal's and putting them together only to get ratings so low, you almost wonder how they keep the station running. SHAMROCK could go to JACK. Regardless of 104.9's new format (whatever you want to call it) it may confuse people because they cannot identify what format the station will play. It's my belief that NEPA may tune out in favor of a station they know the format of. If SHAMROCK stepped in and went JACK, just the brand name itself will explain the format and it could be successful. The question begs: What do you do with a simulcast of 2 pretty good FM frequencies when your getting nothing back a low return?
SHAMROCK could split 92.1 and 100.1. Make (1) frequency JACK and the other something else. Or even keep Oldies 92.1 and (lets not forget 100.5) and use the 100.1 tower for something else that could be more diversified. Yes, the often forgotten 100.1 tower is based in Forest City, BUT it can be clearly heard and will penetrate farther south then Pittston. There is 1/2 the market in itself right there. Smooth Jazz anyone? If you have ever seen the brochures that are in the SHAMROCK offices, it tells you about SHAMROCK's other stations. Oddly enough SHAMROCK does have a Smooth Jazz station in another market. WHY not here in NEPA? They should keep everything else "AS IS" other then 92/100
ENTERCOM: Keep FROGGY, KRZ & WILK "AS IS". These stations always perform pretty well. Yes, WILK can use improvments, however being the only semi news station, they hold their own. PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE THE MOUNTAIN more and more. Sitting in the Entercom parking lot theres a beautiful 102.3 The Mountain SUV. Has anyone ever seen this thing on the road? They're so low-key on 102.3 and maybe that's how they like it, but more promotion and a little more care, and this station can get even better.
Which brings us to EZ-103. Regardless of whether you like their music or not, being a nuisance frequency is not a good thing. This station was moved up to the metro area, for what i thought at least to: bring a new format or make a big splash in the core of the market. Who would have figured a year ago this process happened for the sole purpose of trying to chip away at MAGIC 93's ratings? It's just sad, that all that work was put in for what? Clearly this station has BUST written all over it and i doubt it can be making Entercom much money. Smooth Jazz would work great on this station. Or an all talk format like Z-Talk would be a refreshing change. You know what? Who even cares. As long as something new, different, and exciting were put on this station i'd listen - wouldn't you? If Entercom cannot figure out what to do with it, then sell it off to someone who can do a better job. For Entercom it may be addition by subtraction here.
CITADEL: PLEASE sell 95.7 or make it a new format. Would anyone argue if the station were even made into Polish Polka? My goodness, even Chet Radio would be better then what is currently happening in the simulcast capital of the world, at Citadel.
JR 93.7 has some potential, although it has been around long enough in ratings where it looks like a dud. Fanbase and overall promotion is really starting to sputter like your parents' 1971 family Station Wagon. Citadel could give JR another book or two just so they can say they did not pull the plug too soon.
A format flip here has the potential do wonders. 93.7X when they first signed on did pretty well on this frequency. Like the already mentioned 95.7, 93.7 has the same potential - even greater then 95.7's to become a market player, provided the format and programming were up to par.
