UNCONFIRMED: Ed Brantley OUT at WIVK

[Fiveahead]

If I was Pirkle, even if he doesn't want to run the station himself, I'd sure shop it around for the best deal. In other words, instead of simply settling for a smaller payment from Citadel, I'd see if Journal or South Central was interested in an LMA or buying the station and then pit them against each other for whoever comes up with the best deal. Heck, who knows, even Clear Channel might consider entering the market if they think they could pick up two prime money making 100kw signals like 107.7 and 100.3? Anyway, I'd certainly shop it around.

That's about the silliest thing I've heard today. The company still has one station under an LMA with South Central, who is full-up, so what would they gain by jumping in bed with Journal? And why would they? Journal is the Gerald Ford of this market. [cue Chevy Chase]

They will regain programming and cruise to second place in the ratings and in five years nobody will remember that it was ever being LMA'ed by Citadel.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Lots of prognosticating going on! If I may weigh in:

Ed will open a psychic hotline. The name "Mr. Ed" is already taken, and he doesn't want that name to brand himself anyway. Radio people will call asking him to see the future. He will make $3.99 a minute doing this.

Johnny will consider hiring additional security guards to protect his mail box and the nice check it receives. He will have lots of turnover because even a security guard won't work for less than minimum wage.

The Frog will continue to defend itself against the BP leak-sized money pipeline headed to Nevada. It will continue to sound as good as it can until a random suit decides to make it unique, just like the hundred other stations in Citadel.

I will buy more popcorn. And continue to watch the entertainment.

 

[boogiecheck]

Pirkle will get the station back in the next month and direct the programming to be more localized with less syndication and more local
hosts, a few dayparts will be filled with personalities from his daily hang out, Cherokee C.C.

Dave Foulk will make the jump to spearhead the Morning Drive slot leaving HHH to seek employment from one of his many fans, who will give him a position in Corporate Sales which he will leave after three long weeks to partner up with Mike Hammond in a new venture, opening a men's hat store in Homberg Place.

Phil Williams, Catherine Howell and Shelly Ferrel will move over to 98.7 where they'll tackle the newly formed afternoon drive slot "Three Howling Maniacs" which will draw no less than a .4 share and soldier on for many years despite only being heard in the monkey cages of the Knoxville Zoological Gardens.

 

[Fiveahead]

Johnny will consider hiring additional security guards to protect his mail box and the nice check it receives. He will have lots of turnover because even a security guard won't work for less than minimum wage.

Ain't that the truth. He should just retire before he embarrasses himself any further.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Pretty sure he's retired already. Does anybody know if he does anything more than leasing out what he owns? It's tough to have to go back to work when you're already making great money doing nothing.

 

[BRH]

That's about the silliest thing I've heard today. The company still has one station under an LMA with South Central, who is full-up, so what would they gain by jumping in bed with Journal? And why would they? Journal is the Gerald Ford of this market. [cue Chevy Chase]

They will regain programming and cruise to second place in the ratings and in five years nobody will remember that it was ever being LMA'ed by Citadel.

Exactly why is that the silliest thing you've heard? I mentioned shopping it around to both Journal AND South Central? Also, why would it be silly to shop it around to whoever offers the most money? Seems logical to me if they don't plan on running it themselves. Why wouldn't they go with whoever pays the most?

As far as them regaining programming and cruising to second place; I really don't think that will happen. Pirkle is older and I couldn't imagine that he'd really want to jump back into the day to day operations of hiring a staff to run a station when he could just sit back and collect an easier guaranteed check by LMA'ing it. Moneywise, in the current recession, it isn't worth the trouble and the cost of building studios, hiring air talent, sales, etc. etc.

But even if they did decide to take it back over, why would you assume they will "cruise to second place"? Sure, it's a great signal, but don't forget, they've programmed it themselves back in the day for years, and they never "cruised to second place" even back then (in a much less crowded market). They did have success as a CHR and some moderate success with country, but they certainly didn't cruise to second place or come anywhere near it (especially with the country format). It was respectable and got to around a 6 share or so, but 'IVK was still posting 20 shares or better. Also, they were still being beaten at the time by B97.5, WIMZ, and WMYU so they certainly weren't second back then. So, while they might have a great signal, I sure wouldn't bank on them automatically shooting to 2nd place or being a real challenge to 'IVK if they do go country. (if they wanted to go head to head with someone, they'd have a better chance at toppling Star or B than 'IVK. But either way, it would take some real money and effort, and they never really seemed to put much money into WOKI back in the day when they did run it themselves.)

 

[Fiveahead]

It's the silliest thing because Pikle I and Pikle II think that Journal is an "also ran" cluster. The only way they would jump in bed with them is if they offered some serious money and management oversight. South Central is unattractive to them as well since it would require the return of another LMA property (WNFZ) which would mean more income lost. They ain't going to do that. See, this is business and not a game.

If for some reason they do get the station back they will undoubtedly be able to keep it in the top 3 and even increase the current ratings. They did it with I100 when it cranked along with 10+ shares all through the 80s and in to the 90s.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

JP I is in his 70's and his health isn't consistent. He'll go back to work if he has to, but he'll try to get someone to take 100.3 first. This might be attractive to Ed and Johnny, but they would have to make serious concessions that would be tough for either of them. They would have to see themselves happy with each other five years down the road. Pretty sure Ed can see the future on this one.

This stuff ought to be resolved pretty soon anyway. Interesting to watch. Looks like we've all got our popcorn and front row seats for this one.

 

[gr8oldies]

There is such a thing as "negotiating" even in bankruptcy. Pirkle says "I want my back rent or I'm going to hold up the bankruptcy deal. Citadel says " Fine. You can have your radio station back". Pirkle gets his money, Citadel's bankruptcy is approved, Citadel keeps paying the rent and everyone's happy. Nothing to see here, folks...unless Citadel sells out of Knoxville completely.

 

[boogiecheck]

There is such a thing as "negotiating" even in bankruptcy. Pirkle says "I want my back rent or I'm going to hold up the bankruptcy deal. Citadel says " Fine. You can have your radio station back". Pirkle gets his money, Citadel's bankruptcy is approved, Citadel keeps paying the rent and everyone's happy. Nothing to see here, folks...unless Citadel sells out of Knoxville completely.

Under that scenario Pirkle would say "as you wish", take the station back, field a sales team to hit the streets and get on with running the thing on a daily basis.

 

[gr8oldies]

No, Pirkle wouldn't have gotten his money, the objection would have been dismissed, and the bankruptcy still would have moved on. You guys are all dreaming.

Add to that absolutely not word one in the Knoxville business or general press, Radio-Info.com's news section, or Taylor on Radio-Info about an impending change...and if they thought there was anything to it, they would be all over it.

 

[boogiecheck]

Add to that absolutely not word one in the Knoxville business or general press, Radio-Info.com's news section, or Taylor on Radio-Info about an impending change...and if they thought there was anything to it, they would be all over it.

That's just par for the course. This market is famous for stealth.

 

[Fiveahead]

No, Pirkle wouldn't have gotten his money, the objection would have been dismissed, and the bankruptcy still would have moved on. You guys are all dreaming.

Add to that absolutely not word one in the Knoxville business or general press, Radio-Info.com's news section, or Taylor on Radio-Info about an impending change...and if they thought there was anything to it, they would be all over it.

This whole thing is driving you bonkers isn't it? You hate that everyone but you knows what is going on and when it's going to happen but won't tell you.

It already happened. You missed it. Sorry.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

No, Pirkle wouldn't have gotten his money, the objection would have been dismissed, and the bankruptcy still would have moved on. You guys are all dreaming.

Add to that absolutely not word one in the Knoxville business or general press, Radio-Info.com's news section, or Taylor on Radio-Info about an impending change...and if they thought there was anything to it, they would be all over it.

This whole thing is driving you bonkers isn't it? You hate that everyone but you knows what is going on and when it's going to happen but won't tell you.

It already happened. You missed it. Sorry.

Missed it? But I still have a whole tub of popcorn. And a good seat!

 

[gr8oldies]

Heard the announcement about the "special announcement" Monday at 9, bro.

 

[Fiveahead]

Well I guess it's all out in the open now so we might as well talk about it.

There is a new LMA in place. Pirkle was adamant about having some more control over what was being broadcast so
after weeks and weeks of discussion Citadel has finally given in.

Starting Monday the new sound of WNOX will be:

Walker Johnson - 5:30am - 9am or whenever he decides it's time to knock off for the day and play his guitar. Or get a biscuit.
Dr. Laura - (taped) 9am - 12n
Phil Hendre - (live but who could tell?) 12n - 3p
Mike Beverly - 3p - 6p or until it's time to sign-off in Madisonville
Rush Limbaugh - 6p - 9p Why not? It's not like people eat at this time anymore
Then they're going to repeat the entire thing.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

There's a very real chance Johnny's choice is D) None of the Above. It wouldn't be the first time something came from left field with this guy.

 

[insidetrack]

ZZ Top said it best
"I'll be where the big wheels keep on turnin'
and the diesel drivers keep them engines burnin'."
I tell you, boy, every time
the feelin' sure is fine.
Just move me on down the line,
just move me on down the line."

 

[Fiveahead]

I guess we need to have this thread's title changed.

I was just told Brantley was seen in a meeting with both Pirkles and they looked "happy."

I guess this means that Brantley is out at WIVK but in at WNOX?

 

[BRH]

Does anyone know if there is actually any validity to any of this speculation about 100.3? Other than here on the radio info boards, there is zero talk about anything happening. Surely, if a change was actually going to occur, someone would get a scoop and be talking about it (News Sentinel, TV stations, etc. )

Anyway, if it does actually happen, it'll be funny to watch the right wingers go bonkers. You know they'll claim it's a liberal conspiracy to get WNOX's conservative talkers on a less powerful signal

But I still am not convinced that anything will actually take place since there is no coverage or investigating being done by anyone else. Does anyone actually have any concrete evidence that a change will occur? I still think Citadel would be smart to pony up any money Pirkle asks for to keep 'NOX as is.