Then what with 1450 KHZ?

[b344077]

Well, when WVON moves to 1690, what will happen to their segment of hours on 1450?

Will it revert to WCEV?

Is it possible they might donate it to a non-profit like WFMT (Network Chicago) or WBEZ?

Or would some group who brokers radio time simply buy the property to expand their holdings in Chicago.

 

[cyberdad]

I was wondering about that one myself.

WFMT simulcasted on 1450 for a few years back in the 70s. Given that 1450 is a "graveyard" channel prone to loads of interference, its definitely a poor place to air classical music.

 

[johuxm]

If it were me, I'd call up a couple stations on 1450 (like WASK) and get em to pay me to take it dark....

 

[MacOConnor]

Eighteen stations within 300 miles of Cicero IL, all with nightime operation of 1K or so. A bunch more within 500 miles. It's not practical to buy out enough stations to reduce the nightime clutter on 1450.

 

[dave73]

Onthe mainland, 1450 is only allocated for 1kw day/night operations on 1 tower. So the FCC wouldn't likely allow multiple stations to be bought to take them dark. As for WASK-AM Lafayette, they have removed their FM simulcast of oldies for a new sports station. So they're trying to market their AM station for their market. But as far as 1450 Cicero, I don't know how the owners of the WCEV would go about buying the other license from WVON, and having it consolidated, and have a full-time license. But if I were the owners of WCEV, I'd try to acquire the other license, and file an application with the FCC to make WCEV full-time.

 

[vforest76]

I want them to format the blues.

 

[dougw9wi]

But as far as 1450 Cicero, I don't know how the owners of the WCEV would go about buying the other license from WVON, and having it consolidated, and have a full-time license. But if I were the owners of WCEV, I'd try to acquire the other license, and file an application with the FCC to make WCEV full-time.

I strongly suspect this is what will happen.

WVON's 1450 hours are a separate station from WCEV - the hours do not *automatically* revert to WCEV. They *could* (and well might) sell those hours to someone else. But the hours are far more valuable to WCEV than to anyone else. Presumably, they would:

- Buy the WVON-1450 license
- Return it to the FCC for cancellation
- File for a modification of license to unlimited time

As you said, there is no point to buying out any other station as the existing 1,000-watt non-directional limited-time facilities are the largest facilities that will be authorized on the 1450 frequency.

 

[jh]

It is mostly likely WCEV will want to buy out the 1450-WVON license. However, it wouldn't be surprising if the Spanns decide to hold on to it at least until they actually own 1690, which would be in five years.

If they decide to hold on to their hours on 1450, there are a couple of possibilities...

The Spanns could program those hours themselves... or they could time broker those hours to foreign language broadcasts like WCEV does the rest of the time on 1450. Or... they could LMA those hours to WCEV... putting WCEV in the position of operating two stations with seperate call letters on the same frequency.

 

[b344077]

I brought up WFMT simply because for "Network Chicago" to work, they would need an additional radio facility that would focus more on talk and non-classical works such as folk music beyond the 4 hour block on Saturday nights. It would provide them with an opportunity to broadcast the audio portion of Chicago Tonight the next morning or to run additional old Studs Terkel tapes. It would permit them to do more "spoken word" material and even touch on some aspects of Jazz without ruffling the feathers of the WFMT "purists".

Maybe I'm one of the few who see the true potential of the Network Chicago concept but an additional radio facility is required for it to be a success.

Frankly for WVON to afford to "donate" their portion of the 1450 facility, it could only happen if it were involved as part of the 1690 acquisition with CCC donating their part of "1450" to WTTW and taking a tax write off (plus the tons of good will).

 

[FightingIrish]

I want them to format the blues.

You bring up a good point. Supposedly, the new WVON will drop blues programming and go all-talk. Perhaps Spann could just do it on 1450.

 

[GrampaSquirrel]

I want them to format the blues.

You bring up a good point. Supposedly, the new WVON will drop blues programming and go all-talk. Perhaps Spann could just do it on 1450.

Now wait a COTTON PICKIN MINUTE!!! Why talk? Don't we have enough of talk radio already in Chicago? WVON Should have a variety format for their Black Culture Station.
We already have 10 Talk radio stations including the two sports channels Which are:

1) WIND 560 AM
2) WSCR 670 AM
3) WGN 720 AM
4) WAIT 820 AM
5) WCPT 850 AM
6) WLS 890 AM
7) WMVP 1000 AM
8) WYLL 1160 AM
9) WJJG 1530 AM
10) WCKG 105.9 FM

Why do we need more Talk?
Im tired of listening to talk talk talk!
Aren't you tired of it aleady???...

 

[tjthedj]

Music would not be as profitable on am any more. ASCRAP (intentional spelling) and BMI take a large percentage of GROSS revenue. NO MANAGER wants to have tio pay that to those dummies.

"A blanket license for Chicago would be a killer monthly bill. You'd be surprised what WGN pays PER SONG (not a blanket license put PER SELECTION, granted only a few a day).

 

[FightingIrish]

Music would not be as profitable on am any more. ASCRAP (intentional spelling) and BMI take a large percentage of GROSS revenue. NO MANAGER wants to have tio pay that to those dummies.

"A blanket license for Chicago would be a killer monthly bill. You'd be surprised what WGN pays PER SONG (not a blanket license put PER SELECTION, granted only a few a day).

ASCAP, BMI and the RIAA don't realize how much they're killing themselves with this whole royalty thing.

 

[davideduardo]

Music would not be as profitable on am any more. ASCRAP (intentional spelling) and BMI take a large percentage of GROSS revenue. NO MANAGER wants to have tio pay that to those dummies.

"A blanket license for Chicago would be a killer monthly bill. You'd be surprised what WGN pays PER SONG (not a blanket license put PER SELECTION, granted only a few a day).

A blanket licence is around 3% of gross revenues in total to the two performing rights societies. The amount is no more in Chicago than it is in Keokuk. It is only that most Chicago stations bill more than the Keokuk ones do. And there is no difference between AM and FM.

 

[davideduardo]

Music would not be as profitable on am any more. ASCRAP (intentional spelling) and BMI take a large percentage of GROSS revenue. NO MANAGER wants to have tio pay that to those dummies.

"A blanket license for Chicago would be a killer monthly bill. You'd be surprised what WGN pays PER SONG (not a blanket license put PER SELECTION, granted only a few a day).

ASCAP, BMI and the RIAA don't realize how much they're killing themselves with this whole royalty thing.

AM and FM stations do not pay RIAA anything for the analog broadcasts. They pay ASCAP, SESAC and BMI.

 

[FightingIrish]

Music would not be as profitable on am any more. ASCRAP (intentional spelling) and BMI take a large percentage of GROSS revenue. NO MANAGER wants to have tio pay that to those dummies.

"A blanket license for Chicago would be a killer monthly bill. You'd be surprised what WGN pays PER SONG (not a blanket license put PER SELECTION, granted only a few a day).

ASCAP, BMI and the RIAA don't realize how much they're killing themselves with this whole royalty thing.

AM and FM stations do not pay RIAA anything for the analog broadcasts. They pay ASCAP, SESAC and BMI.

I know that they just owe the publishers, but the RIAA sticks it to webcasters. But that's a different rant for a different time.

 

[wtrw]

Re: ASCAP-BMI-SESAC comments

You guys should know that the ASCAP and BMI computation, also
allows you to 'deduct' the cost of your 'talent'. So, staff costs
help keep the numbers down, if you itemize.

I'm betting WVON at 33rd and Kedzie will either automate Blues, or
simulcast 1690 for the near future.

The people who really 'blew it' on this deal, were Air America and
Relevant Radio, who do not have nighttime service in Chicago right now...

 

[cyberdad]

Re: ASCAP-BMI-SESAC comments

The people who really 'blew it' on this deal, were Air America and
Relevant Radio, who do not have nighttime service in Chicago right now...

You're calling that noise that comes out of my radio at night on 1690 at night a signal? ;D

 

[TheFonz]

Why do we need more Talk?
Im tired of listening to talk talk talk!
Aren't you tired of it aleady???...

Welcome to the future of commercial radio. Current music radio listeners will "age out of the demo", and radio won't be able to attract enough new music listeners to replace them. So it's either Talk, or turn the station into a Wendys.