Monmouth/Ocean Townsquare Silences 2 translators in NJ

[luperm]

This right here is the problem. Along the road of our careers, someone forgot that the listening public is who consumed the ads in order to patronize the advertiser's business. It takes two to tango, and when the industry kept stepping on one half of the equation's toes, a large percentage of them ran off for a better polished and waxed dance floor

It's more nuanced than that.

In larger markets, you can't have quirky formats that attract few listeners and/or listeners that advertisers (the customers) want to reach. In large markets you also usually have owners with multiple stations, and they are often programmed with an overall cluster strategy looking to get in on agency buys.

In smaller markets, you don't have many local businesses who have the budget to effectively advertise on radio (or their advertising dollars are better spent elsewhere).

On top of that, you have less dollars being allocated to radio overall due to the economy and a wide variety of alternative marketing options. You also have inflation continuously increasing costs for station owners.

It's not a good situation. "Oh wow" programming ("oh wow" to you, but annoying to most other people) on a 99 watt translator/1000 watt directional, high on the dial AM station is not the answer.

I know it's fashionable around here to bash "corporate" radio, but if it wasn't for consolidation, many of these signals would have been gone long ago.

 

[Ronnie Milsoup]

wow... an era comes to an end. not a fan of townsquare media.

I live in Midwood, Brooklyn and loved listening to 1310 in the car for the short time it was Cat country Jersey Shore.

 

[KyleSmith1988]

I like how Townsquare's Competitor, Press Communications, kept the "Breeze" Brand, by kinda migrating it from 99.7/107.1 over to 1410/100.7 in Monmouth, but Townsquare doesn't wanna maintain the AM (or FM translators) in Monmouth/Ocean, covering much of the same audience, even after the former format was also briefly moved over to HD sub of 101.5. Even as an online only option it's nice as well (Beach Radio vs Breeze Radio).

I know HD isnt quite a widespread viable option., but then similar WOLD-LP in 103.3-HD is doing great as being available, covering more from HD on the Same Tower as NJ 101.5.

Even Beasley still has 1250 WMTR in Morris County. I guess its not actually promoted as much, such as only streaming on their Website, but can't find them on TuneIn. Maybe they won't get an FM translator, but that could be helpful as well, or on HD of one their area sister stations.

 

[fybush]

. Maybe they won't get an FM translator, but that could be helpful as well, or on HD of one their area sister stations.

You can't just "get an FM translator" in 2025. The windows for applying for FM translators for AM stations started opening a decade ago and closed in 2018.

Stations that didn't get translators back then are mostly out of luck now. Unless there's a translator available for sale in the immediate area, there's no applying for a new one from scratch.

 

[lanceventa]

I like how Townsquare's Competitor, Press Communications, kept the "Breeze" Brand, by kinda migrating it from 99.7/107.1 over to 1410/100.7 in Monmouth, but Townsquare doesn't wanna maintain the AM (or FM translators) in Monmouth/Ocean, covering much of the same audience, even after the former format was also briefly moved over to HD sub of 101.5. Even as an online only option it's nice as well (Beach Radio vs Breeze Radio).

The Breeze currently exists as a toy for Press Communications owner Bob McAllen to hear his favorite music on. Beach Radio is filler to have on 101.5 HD around Trenton Thunder baseball games. Neither are viable business operations in 2025.

I know HD isnt quite a widespread viable option., but then similar WOLD-LP in 103.3-HD is doing great as being available, covering more from HD on the Same Tower as NJ 101.5.

WOLD-LP and WPRB-HD3 are two separate entities. WPBR-HD3 exists simply to legally feed 95.1 W236CT Woodbridge as a commercial operation that brands as "WOLD". WOLD-LP is a non-commercial LPFM with a different format and branding. And without listeners supporting the advertisers, it is unlikely "WOLD" will be viable in the long-term.

 

[kevtronics]

I like how Townsquare's Competitor, Press Communications, kept the "Breeze" Brand, by kinda migrating it from 99.7/107.1 over to 1410/100.7 in Monmouth,

There's no continuity between the two. "The Breeze" on 107.1 WWZY/99.7 WBHX was an AC/Classic Hits format that ended in 2013. "The Breeze" launched in 2022 on 1410 WHTG/100.7 W264DH as a rebranding of an existing Oldies format, with little to no change in playlist.

 

[Xale57]

I like how Townsquare's Competitor, Press Communications, kept the "Breeze" Brand, by kinda migrating it from 99.7/107.1 over to 1410/100.7 in Monmouth, but Townsquare doesn't wanna maintain the AM (or FM translators) in Monmouth/Ocean, covering much of the same audience, even after the former format was also briefly moved over to HD sub of 101.5. Even as an online only option it's nice as well (Beach Radio vs Breeze Radio).

I know HD isnt quite a widespread viable option., but then similar WOLD-LP in 103.3-HD is doing great as being available, covering more from HD on the Same Tower as NJ 101.5.

Even Beasley still has 1250 WMTR in Morris County. I guess its not actually promoted as much, such as only streaming on their Website, but can't find them on TuneIn. Maybe they won't get an FM translator, but that could be helpful as well, or on HD of one their area sister stations.

WMTR is good where it is on 1250. The terrain would make it difficult for an FM translator to go anywhere without interfering with another station/translator

 

[KyleSmith1988]

WMTR is good where it is on 1250. The terrain would make it difficult for an FM translator to go anywhere without interfering with another station/translator

Yea, speaking of which, for example... How good is signal in the area, on LPFM - 107.9 (WCFT) - probably doesn't go too far with only 4 watts, but it's from the same tower as WDHA which is 1000w ... Better signal SE towards Morristown/Parsippany vs NW towards Sussex/Netong.

 

[secondchoice]

many of these signals would have been gone long ago.

There is a "myth" that the goal of deregulation was to make radio stations "like the corner has gas station" were if one shuts down you simply drive to the next one down the street a block or to". The corner gass station is pretty much gone. Now the same town will have only a couple have 8 + pump convince stores.

I still contend that with PC based automation, voice tracking, automated bookkeeping and scheduling programs etc. there is no big cost advantage for corporate broacasters with legacy debt. I know this will tank station values for investors but I still feel any broadcast facility (not counting land required for an AM station) is only worth a low multiple of the billings. If a station goes in receivership, it should be sold to another indendty that excludes the current management or the current debters within 400 days. This should get rid of the investors who only worry about stock price and bring back the operators, programers, and sales folks who actually work in the business.

Yes a lot of weak operators will go away but the remaining operators will be stronger assuming they bring value to the sponcers.

 

[Xale57]

Yea, speaking of which, for example... How good is signal in the area, on LPFM - 107.9 (WCFT) - probably doesn't go too far with only 4 watts, but it's from the same tower as WDHA which is 1000w ... Better signal SE towards Morristown/Parsippany vs NW towards Sussex/Netong.

I want to say it's not receivable East of the Watchung Mountains with W300EI blanketing Montclair and Eastward. Even WDHA's signal struggles and mixes with WDBY in spots. In Nutley, I used to faintly receive WCFT under WEBE before W300EI. It did put their strongest signal towards the East. As for the NW and SE, I haven't really traveled through those areas.

 

[pmgrnvl]

Low-powered FMs are one of the many reasons I keep tuning in, especially while traveling. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I like the idea of hearing local hosts and learning about what's happening in the community around me, and taking that much-needed break from commercial 30-300 song libraries.

I will say this much... that 'over-radioed' part of NJ does make for a fascinating drive. Ten miles can make a world of difference.

I would argue the opposite. Where I live, there are so many LPFMs and translators that the FM band is basically just trashed from one end to the other. With the exception of a couple of translators that seem to have remarkably useful range, the rest are barely receivable, and the LPFMs, in my opinion, simply clutter up the dial. I doubt hardly anyone is listening.

The pie is only so big, and it is shrinking. Yet more signals compete for audiences than ever before, and most of what is on there is the same old thing. People might argue this all works, but it doesn't. The state of Cumulus, Audacy and so forth are proof.

 

[KyleSmith1988]

I would argue the opposite. Where I live, there are so many LPFMs and translators that the FM band is basically just trashed from one end to the other. With the exception of a couple of translators that seem to have remarkably useful range, the rest are barely receivable, and the LPFMs, in my opinion, simply clutter up the dial. I doubt hardly anyone is listening.

Before there was this many LPFM stations, there is Low Power Educational FM Broadcasting "Class D stations" up to 10 watts maximum. Even though FM Translators have a 250w maximum, are also Class D signals, not as popular, but many around with limited success or former examples, like WCNM on 103.9 in Matawan. Also nearby 107.7 near Trenton, WRRC for Rider College (with 20w) ... and WKNJ on 90.3 For Kean University in Union County ... Perhaps it's less than LPFM since that has 10x more potential maximum power allocation of 100 watts (with 30 meters Height HAAT). Not to say that 10x power has that much more maximum range / reach, but wouldn't the few remaining Class D (10w) stations be able to upgrade their status to LPFM, if perhaps its a higher priority service / more protections ... vs an Educational FM on Class D / Low(er) Power. Found some History on this classification via FCC (says Discontinued outside of Alaska since 1978) ...

Article:

New Decision Secures Continuation of 10-Watt Stations.

They’re the rare bird of the FM dial: 10-watt FM stations. While they have one-tenth the power of what’s considered a low-power FM, this legacy subspecies of Class D FMs

www.insideradio.com

"According to the Inside Radio database, the number of 10-watt Class D FMs in the U.S. now totals 26 — of which nine are located in Alaska." - (As of 2017)

 

[Xale57]

I would argue the opposite. Where I live, there are so many LPFMs and translators that the FM band is basically just trashed from one end to the other. With the exception of a couple of translators that seem to have remarkably useful range, the rest are barely receivable, and the LPFMs, in my opinion, simply clutter up the dial. I doubt hardly anyone is listening.

The pie is only so big, and it is shrinking. Yet more signals compete for audiences than ever before, and most of what is on there is the same old thing. People might argue this all works, but it doesn't. The state of Cumulus, Audacy and so forth are proof.

I agree, 2 translators popped up on 94.3 and 98.3 in Fort Lee. 94.3 broadcasts K Love but who is going to listen to K Love on 94.3 when it exists on 95.5? The signal is ok 9 miles away from the location. At least the other 94.3's are 40+ miles away. 98.3 is a mess. Before the translator, it used to be a mix of WMGQ and WKJY (25 miles from WKJY). There is also a 98.3 in Wayne but that even mixes with WKJY/WMGQ not far from the tower.

 

[lanceventa]

I agree, 2 translators popped up on 94.3 and 98.3 in Fort Lee. 94.3 broadcasts K Love but who is going to listen to K Love on 94.3 when it exists on 95.5? The signal is ok 9 miles away from the location. At least the other 94.3's are 40+ miles away. 98.3 is a mess. Before the translator, it used to be a mix of WMGQ and WKJY (25 miles from WKJY). There is also a 98.3 in Wayne but that even mixes with WKJY/WMGQ not far from the tower.

94.3 W232AL won't be K-Love... It's going to be carrying EMF's Radio Nueva Vida network once the FCC grants its license to cover.

 

[Identnut]

94.3 W232AL won't be K-Love... It's going to be carrying EMF's Radio Nueva Vida network once the FCC grants its license to cover.

It will be interesting to see how it does, since it's aimed at Mexicans. Vida Unida is based in Texas but it tries its best to focus on all Latinos, with the well-known Myrka Dellanos as morning host.

 

[Radi0411]

As of this morning, 1160 was back on featuring "Beach Radio" while 1310 remained silent. There must be issues to work out because it sounded horrific like the STL was hemorrhaging packet loss with stuttering and dropouts for several seconds at a time. Rough listen to say the least... but bringing back what seems to be Townsquare NJ's go to filler programming, Beach Radio, which also remains on 101.5's HD2, keeps the "oldies" alive at the Jersey Shore until a better plans comes along if at all down the road.

 

[kevtronics]

April Fool's Day stunt? Both stations have an STA allowing them to remain silent "due to economic conditions in the market".

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

As of this morning, 1160 was back on featuring "Beach Radio" while 1310 remained silent. There must be issues to work out because it sounded horrific like the STL was hemorrhaging packet loss with stuttering and dropouts for several seconds at a time. Rough listen to say the least... but bringing back what seems to be Townsquare NJ's go to filler programming, Beach Radio, which also remains on 101.5's HD2, keeps the "oldies" alive at the Jersey Shore until a better plans comes along if at all down the road.

Bet they're using a Barix box on a shifty internet connection