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The Demise of Pittsburgh's FM Dial

So I'd just like to make a few comments and get some feedback. Frankly, I can't get over how much the FM dial has plummeted into an unrecognizable state in Pittsburgh over the past year or so.

First...WAMO. Yes, I understand the station was sold and it was not Sheridan's decision to voluntarily alter WAMO. But what in heaven's name is on that frequency now? It's a worthless frequency...just gone in my opinion. I can easily adapt to change, I'm not a "Pittsburgher" who hates change, but c'mon, that was a heritage station that was a part of Pittsburgh...and poof, it's gone, just wiped 55+ years of heritage off the map...

Froggy 98.3 should have never been sold off. 104.3 is NO WHERE near a valid solution to serve the Pittsburgh area. It fades out absolutely everywhere. Maybe the only place it's decent is out in Robinson? I'm not sure, but everywhere I'm at, that frequency is not worth listening to.

And finally, I'm NOT a B94 worshiper, and I'm not going to light myself on fire for the return of B94 like it seems some people would. But I simply don't understand the reason behind the change. I'm asking a legitimate question. Was it a financial move? I believe it's been mentioned before about CBS having to pay the fees to actually play the music. Ratings wise, the station seemed to be on the rise. I understand that The Fan is seeking a different audience and all that jazz, but I know absolutely no one who listens to that station. I really think it's going to be a flop, once again, just my opinion...but let's say it is a flop. Was that an even worse decision on CBS's part than killing off B94?

Basically 96.1 KISS is the only station preventing me from having my radio removed and a fish tank installed instead. Say what you want about KISS, but I really like their air staff...with the exception of Flick. I'm sorry, but his show is nothing but the same old stuff over and over again and he doesn't seem like a fit on the station. "This guy was dating this girl..." and vice versa, c'mon, switch it up a bit. But, it does seem as if KISS has managed to become a pretty solid staple in Pittsburgh radio mainly because of the interaction by the air staff. Seems to be the B94 of this century!

Anyways, that's enough for now...
 
B94 was consistently losing in revenue to another station with a similar format.

"Heritage" is an interesting word. Just because something is around for a long time, does that mean it has some divine right to stay around forever? I was thinking about that today as I enjoyed a bottle of Duquesne beer while scanning the Kelly & Cohen ad in today's Pittsburgh Press.

Times change, market conditions change and "heritage" only means something if you keep up with those changes and remain viable.
 
Boss Radio said:
B94 was consistently losing in revenue to another station with a similar format.

"Heritage" is an interesting word. Just because something is around for a long time, does that mean it has some divine right to stay around forever? I was thinking about that today as I enjoyed a bottle of Duquesne beer while scanning the Kelly & Cohen ad in today's Pittsburgh Press.

Times change, market conditions change and "heritage" only means something if you keep up with those changes and remain viable.

Makes sense about B94. I'm just curious what will happen if The Fan's ratings turn out to be as low as the former Man Station...that can't be good for revenue, but then again, The Fan doesn't have to pay fees to actually play the music.

While I agree with your comment on heritage, I also was aiming in the same direction. Change happens, that's unavoidable, BUT...my whole point is that the latest "changes" in Pittsburgh radio has left nothing but extreme voids. WAMO goes to a station that is damn near crickets 24/7...major void.
 
The "Man Station" wasn't taking anyone away from WDVE or the sports stations. I think The Fan will soon show it's taking listeners away from 1250, which means it can succeed with a saleable demo.

Remember, if it hits its demographic target, it doesn't need a huge 12+ number. WFAN in New York is consistently one of the top billing stations in NY even though it's rarely in the Top 10 in 12+. That's the problem with fixating on the 12+ numbers.

Radio is a tough business today. There used to be enough sales action to go around for just about everyone. Not anymore.
 
The other thing about The Man Station is it really wasn't that good.

I think we've all learned that having John McIntire on your airwaves is the post-M*A*S*H* equivilent of having McLean Stevenson on your sitcom.
 
"You oughta be goin'....to Kelly & Cohen!!" Wow, I haven't thought of that in years.

I think and know I've before said another part of what's killed B94 (twice) and WAMO is just the music itself that's popular now.
 
Did you read today's edition of the Sun-Telegraph too. I hear Gimbles has a sale & on my way back I am stopping at Winky's for something to eat.

Today's music is really not that great to listen to. As a matter of fact, if you can use a *&&%$#@ in every other verse, I guess it is a hit.

I got to a cold, so I will stop at Sun Drugs on the way home tonight.
 
I prefer Thrift Drugs, Boggs and Buhl, Rosenbaums, Kamen Chevrolet, and Weinstein's Deli. I get my music at the National Record Mart at Eastland Mall. Jose Pagan is my favorite Pirate.
 
Two pages and nobody mentions Islays and West View Park? By the way, I built my computer from parts I got at at Olsen's Electronics. :)
 
Hey if I need drugs I'm going to Revco and if I'm hungry I'm going to Manners for a Big Boy and a Big Ghoulardi. (oops these are memories from my teen age days in Cleveland listening to WIXY 1260)
 
I'm so excited that Bobby Vinton is coming to the Holliday House this Saturday and Gus is taking me in his Studebaker Avanti . I'm getting my dress at Horne's and Gus will be all decked out at the Coach House. Afterwards we are going to Bubbles and Shermans. Gus gets his shoes at Father and Son's and I get mine at Bakers. I love to eat the cashews at GC Murphy's by the way whenever I get to Downtown McKeesport. That reminds me of the groovey candy from McKeesport Candy and nights at the Harmerville Lanes and Drive-in. I like Savors when I'm out that way too. Movies can't be better than in East Liberty at the Enright, the Sheridan Sq., The Regent, the Cameraphone, the Liberty with the big flag and don't forget the Triangle. I think jazz is getting really cool with Walt Harper and that cool cat Sterling Yates . Next week I'm going to the Crawford Grill with some friends. That is just so hip to be there. Maybe a Steeler might come in. I think Bill Nesbitt plays all the hits on CAE. How about a drive to the new airport in Coraopolis and a day at White Swan Park ? Next month I'm taking Allegheny Airlines to Atlantic City. When in Squirrel Hill, I like Sodini's on Wilkins Ave. I get my news from Bill Burns and my laughs Knish and Rodney Hackenflash. When I get tired of Pittsburgh radio, there is always Rock'n'Roll on WKBN at 570 from Youngstown.
 
I'll shop at A&P, Kroger, Thorofare, or Loblaws, and hopefully get some trading stamps [Plaid, Top Value, S&H, All-American] along with my groceries [buy the way, does anybody remember when even Giant Eagle issued stamps-PS Blue?].
 
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