Every big ``Full Service'' facility (WGN, KDKA, WBZ, WRVA...) that I can think of has long gone to a News/Talk direction. So, what was the last one to stick it out with ``Full Service''? My guess is that WHAS/Louisville, KY gets this distinction. Right or wrong?
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The last great Full Service facility
- Thread starter Bob E. Nelson
- Start date
How about a small one?KAZM in Sedona, Arizona is a classic Full Service station. It's on AM (780), carries local and national news, sports play-by-play, community events, and music (mostly AC from the 70s - current).It's owned by the brother of the late Vic Tayback (Mel, on TV's "Alice") and apparently makes good money. The on-air talent - all local, not satellite - sounds every bit as good as a large market station, the production is solid and they have a fine news department.I don't know how long KAZM can hold out as a Fulll Service (especially the music) since there are FMs in the market, but they're a great example of a small market station done right.
Agreed. There aren't many radio stations like that anymore. Most have either been gobbled up by conglomerates like Clear Channel, or are hooked up to a computer and/or satellite dish. The stations that stick around in the years to come will and must have the local commitment, and it'll be much more than showing up at the occasional remote.buster2 said:How about a small one?KAZM in Sedona, Arizona is a classic Full Service station. It's on AM (780), carries local and national news, sports play-by-play, community events, and music (mostly AC from the 70s - current).It's owned by the brother of the late Vic Tayback (Mel, on TV's "Alice") and apparently makes good money. The on-air talent - all local, not satellite - sounds every bit as good as a large market station, the production is solid and they have a fine news department.I don't know how long KAZM can hold out as a Fulll Service (especially the music) since there are FMs in the market, but they're a great example of a small market station done right.
Even if there had not been consolodation, more than likely a full service mix of music and talk elements would still be long gone. The last ones I can think of were WVLK in Lexington, KY and possibly WRVA in Richmond, VA. WIBC, Indianapolis tried bringing back the occasional tune about 1996 but it didn't last.
Responding to a thread I started, although not a big market or signal (but with big shares), I think WJBC/Bloomington, IL maintained a full-service stance well into the 90's.gr8oldies said:The last ones I can think of were WVLK in Lexington, KY and possibly WRVA in Richmond, VA. WIBC, Indianapolis tried bringing back the occasional tune about 1996 but it didn't last.
Bob E. Nelson said:Responding to a thread I started, although not a big market or signal (but with big shares), I think WJBC/Bloomington, IL maintained a full-service stance well into the 90's.gr8oldies said:The last ones I can think of were WVLK in Lexington, KY and possibly WRVA in Richmond, VA. WIBC, Indianapolis tried bringing back the occasional tune about 1996 but it didn't last.
IMHO it's alive & well to varying degrees in smaller markets.
WDBL 1590/94.3 in Springfield, Tenn. was a good example until about two years ago.
There's still a number of stations in the small towns around here that run a mix of country music with plenty of local information. Not quite the same as the traditional big stations like WTMJ but really in the same spirit.
buster2 said:How about a small one?
WDEV AM/FM in Waterbury VT is another example of a thriving Full Service station. Hyper-local, while at the same time not ignoring national events. Lots of local news and talk; local, regional and national sporting events (Boston Red Sox, some ESPN fare); couple syndicated talk shows (including Dr. Dean Edell and Pacifica's "Democracy Now"); local swap programs; and the world famous long running Saturday morning institution "Music to Go to the Dump By", hosted by station owner Ken Squier.
O
OldiesCat
Guest
Full Service facility
KMOX? WJR? I agree with the original poster that WHAS is still at the top of their game. Best thing about them is they haven't fallen into the trap of local morning and PM drive but syndication the rest of the time and all weekend. Really, really rare these days.
KMOX? WJR? I agree with the original poster that WHAS is still at the top of their game. Best thing about them is they haven't fallen into the trap of local morning and PM drive but syndication the rest of the time and all weekend. Really, really rare these days.
F
fred flintstone
Guest
It depends on how you define "full service."
Traditional "full service" stations played music. It's been a while since I heard of one of those. They also did talk programming (often things like swap shops, household hints and recipies, advice and non-confrontational interview shows), play by play sports, strong news departments and lots of community involvement.
Arbitron no longer includes "full service" in its list of format. So, technically, there are no more "full service" stations. The closest today are news-talk stations which maintain news departments (which often serve multiple stations), do all (or almost all) local talk and continue to run ballgames. WGN, WTMJ, KDKA and WLW are probably the best examples of stations closest to the old "full service" concept (without music).
Traditional "full service" stations played music. It's been a while since I heard of one of those. They also did talk programming (often things like swap shops, household hints and recipies, advice and non-confrontational interview shows), play by play sports, strong news departments and lots of community involvement.
Arbitron no longer includes "full service" in its list of format. So, technically, there are no more "full service" stations. The closest today are news-talk stations which maintain news departments (which often serve multiple stations), do all (or almost all) local talk and continue to run ballgames. WGN, WTMJ, KDKA and WLW are probably the best examples of stations closest to the old "full service" concept (without music).
J
JasonW
Guest
buster2 said:How about a small one?KAZM in Sedona, Arizona is a classic Full Service station. It's on AM (780), carries local and national news, sports play-by-play, community events, and music (mostly AC from the 70s - current).It's owned by the brother of the late Vic Tayback (Mel, on TV's "Alice") and apparently makes good money. The on-air talent - all local, not satellite - sounds every bit as good as a large market station, the production is solid and they have a fine news department.I don't know how long KAZM can hold out as a Fulll Service (especially the music) since there are FMs in the market, but they're a great example of a small market station done right.
Do they broadcast in C-QUAM AM Stereo? Music sounds very good on it, and it is 100% compatible with existing mono audio AM receivers. Lately there has been a small-scale resurgence of AM Stereo broadcasting, and AM Stereo receivers are readily available (they are still standard equipment in many new vehicles). AM Stereo Walkmans and boomboxes are available from sources such as Audio Cubes www.audiocubes.com . -- Jason
If you want small market examples, we've got plenty around here... WCSR Hillsdale, WLEN Adrian, WHMI Howell, WTVB Coldwater... Michigan's full of full service!
dont forget some of the northeastern full service stations like WARE, WSBS, WIRY...
Well, 1490 WGCH Greenwich in the 1980's before it even went 24/7, never mind Business Talk Radio
WICC 600 Bridgeport still sounds full service, though they are listed as News/Talk. The station has music on weekend mornings and even when there are rain delays for Yankee games.
WILI 1400 Willimantic has scaled back their music a bit, but still offer local programming like Wayne Norman--who has been "Mr. WILI" since 1970.
WINY 1350 Putnam--though most of its AC music is bird-fed (Jones), still has a local presence like some local DJ's a talk show weekdays, a sportstalk program Saturdays and a commitment to local news.
And someone mentioned 860 WSBS in Great Barrington, don't forget 1230 WNAW North Adams.
There's also 1490 WBCB in Bucks County, PA--no satellite programming whatsoever (save USA Radio Network News), but these guys are uber-local 24/7--tons of sports including Phillies baseball. Merrill Reese, the voice of the Eagles is one of the owners. Even more impressive, you can hear them online
And on the FM side, same for 95.9 WATD Marshfield--Ed Perry's award-winning station on the South Shore of Mass. I have listened to them online--FANTASTIC!
So at least in New England and the northeast, Full Service still has a heartbeat.
WICC 600 Bridgeport still sounds full service, though they are listed as News/Talk. The station has music on weekend mornings and even when there are rain delays for Yankee games.
WILI 1400 Willimantic has scaled back their music a bit, but still offer local programming like Wayne Norman--who has been "Mr. WILI" since 1970.
WINY 1350 Putnam--though most of its AC music is bird-fed (Jones), still has a local presence like some local DJ's a talk show weekdays, a sportstalk program Saturdays and a commitment to local news.
And someone mentioned 860 WSBS in Great Barrington, don't forget 1230 WNAW North Adams.
There's also 1490 WBCB in Bucks County, PA--no satellite programming whatsoever (save USA Radio Network News), but these guys are uber-local 24/7--tons of sports including Phillies baseball. Merrill Reese, the voice of the Eagles is one of the owners. Even more impressive, you can hear them online
And on the FM side, same for 95.9 WATD Marshfield--Ed Perry's award-winning station on the South Shore of Mass. I have listened to them online--FANTASTIC!
So at least in New England and the northeast, Full Service still has a heartbeat.
RobertAnthony said:Well, 1490 WGCH Greenwich in the 1980's before it even went 24/7, never mind Business Talk Radio
WICC 600 Bridgeport still sounds full service, though they are listed as News/Talk. The station has music on weekend mornings and even when there are rain delays for Yankee games.
WILI 1400 Willimantic has scaled back their music a bit, but still offer local programming like Wayne Norman--who has been "Mr. WILI" since 1970.
WINY 1350 Putnam--though most of its AC music is bird-fed (Jones), still has a local presence like some local DJ's a talk show weekdays, a sportstalk program Saturdays and a commitment to local news.
And someone mentioned 860 WSBS in Great Barrington, don't forget 1230 WNAW North Adams.
There's also 1490 WBCB in Bucks County, PA--no satellite programming whatsoever (save USA Radio Network News), but these guys are uber-local 24/7--tons of sports including Phillies baseball. Merrill Reese, the voice of the Eagles is one of the owners. Even more impressive, you can hear them online
And on the FM side, same for 95.9 WATD Marshfield--Ed Perry's award-winning station on the South Shore of Mass. I have listened to them online--FANTASTIC!
So at least in New England and the northeast, Full Service still has a heartbeat.
How about some southern stations? Such as WNNG-1350 Warner Robins, Ga. for instance.
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