UNCONFIRMED: Ed Brantley OUT at WIVK

[BRH]

I wonder if maybe this could turn into a huge promotion for Citadel & WNOX. What if they make an announcement on Monday about the eminant move to 98.7 in August. Then their very loyal & politically charged fans start a campaign to keep them on 100.3. All the while, Citadel may already have plans to pony up & sign a new deal with Pirkle. If this happens, then 'NOX would ultimately stay on 100.3, plus get huge free publicity all summer long. Call it a conspiracy theory, but i wouldnt put it past them.

Anyway, i still think Citadel will find a way to keep 100.3. But if they don't, i just hope that country isn't the format choice. Also if Pirkle does go country, surely either 93.1 or 96.7 will bail on the format quickly (classic hits or even a Gen X/90s format would be obvious market holes). Anyway, if 100.3 does go back to Pirkle, I'd prefer to see them go CHR again (but that's a crowded field with Journal's stations covering it). I wonder if a second mainstream AC to battle B97.5 might be a wise choice. B leans heavily toward gold/classic material, so a more current leaning AC might be a smart move.

Anyway, as usual, nothing will probably come from any of this, but the speculating is fun.

 

[boogiecheck]

I would say no doubt about it, it's going back to the Pirkle tribe after reading the linked documents SuperQ posted.

What they do with it is anyone's guess. They've had success with the entire format spectrum from Classic Country to Hot Hits. AOR to MOR.

The biggest question is how bad will they hurt whomever they ultimately target? I mean, they've been socking away all that money from both stations, as well as from the sale of a couple of their other station for a long, long time. I would say they've got millions and millions of dollars in their promotion budget to make their dominance known.

 

[gr8oldies]

It's anybody's guess apparently and Monday may still not tell the story. I have noticed the promos for the "big announcement" omit "FM100" but that can be to mess with the other groups. Why would they need to announce signing a new LMA with Citadel on the air? The general public isn't privy to the business side of things. So this announcement can be anything from a change to 98.7, a new WNOX iPhone app (hinted at in one of the promos) to a car giveaway with Lenoir City Ford. (by the way, twice today I heard a promo for a remote that happenned March 22). New format if the Pirkles take over? My personal choice would be a clone of Rewind 94-9 in Cincinnati. Whatever format, if Pirkle were indeed to run it as a standalone, he would certainly have the biggest signal in Knoxville...but everyone could use their flankers against him and he would have no flankers.
I would still think there'd be more likely a new LMA partner. I'd at least bet a Krystal burger.

 

[boogiecheck]

if Pirkle were indeed to run it as a standalone, he would certainly have the biggest signal in Knoxville...but everyone could use their flankers against him and he would have no flankers.
I would still think there'd be more likely a new LMA partner. I'd at least bet a Krystal burger.

If it is run as a stand alone it would only be for a very short time. They have WNFZ and that LMA is set to expire any month now from what I'm lead to believe.

Flankers? What "flankers?" There are no flankers in this market. WNFZ isn't going to go whatever format is ultimately placed on 100.3. Q93's only hope is that they aren't rousted out of their format only to find religion or hispanic. JackFM isn't a contender for any market share regardless of the format and Sports Animal is too buttoned up with the Vols. What's left? Oh, yeah. WOKI. Not. Going. To. Happen.

I wish some real radio people posted here, other than Beverly.

 

[BRH]

New format if the Pirkles take over? My personal choice would be a clone of Rewind 94-9 in Cincinnati.

Yeah, I kind of like Bonneville's "Rewind" format too (it's kind of a hybrid of the rhythmic AC and adult hits formats). I actually like their Chicago version better than the one in Cincinnati though ("Rewind 100.3" www.wilv.com. They had been simply "Chicago's 100.3", but just last week also picked up the "Rewind" moniker). Anyway, the Chicago station seems to have more rhythmic gold and less rock than the Cincinnati Rewind, and I like the mix a bit better. I'd certainly welcome that format here in Knoxville as well. (I still think it's funny though, that Bonneville is owned by the Morman Church).

 

[gr8oldies]

I haven't heard Chicago's version yet, but Cincy's was local to me.
I totally get the appeal, after consolodation and, thousands of people displaced from radio jobs, of the idea that a local owner may be coming out of retirement to kick everyone's corporate ass., and hire a few people in the process. We don't know that that is what will happen yet. Those who do know aren't talking, at least on the record.

 

[Fiveahead]

I just had lunch with lurker on this board, nice to meet you finally BTW, if what he's telling me is true the market is about to become a very active place with many of the "pros" looking for very high places.

Yessir. And it's going to be wilder than The Jersey Lilly on a Saturday night.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

It's Knoxville's War of the ******bags 2010 with the the only winner being the guy that doesn't care if he loses so long as the other guy loses bigger. Aside from the parties themselves, does anybody have any sympathy for either set of a$$holes?

The real shame of it all is the to-be-determined number of innocent bystanders that will be screwed over. The body count will be different depending on how this all comes down.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Aside from the parties themselves, does anybody have any sympathy for either set of a$$holes?

Plenty of sympathy for employees, BTW. The only positive words about each come from people afraid of losing a pay check.

 

[Big Bopper]

It's Knoxville's War of the ******bags 2010 with the the only winner being the guy that doesn't care if he loses so long as the other guy loses bigger. Aside from the parties themselves, does anybody have any sympathy for either set of a$$holes?

The real shame of it all is the to-be-determined number of innocent bystanders that will be screwed over. The body count will be different depending on how this all comes down.

Cowboy, you usually post some good stuff, but you must be off your meds today. This is not about winning or losing, that is what happens when people play games. This, on the other hand, is real life. In this corner, the Pirkles. They are being deprived of the final 2 years' payments for their high-powered and perenially successful station, WNOX. Citadel filed for bankruptcy protection, allowing them to walk away from the contract, so the Pirkles can either take their multi-million dollar station off the air or launch a new format. WWTCD? Would Tennessee Cowboy sign it off, or put some audio on it and continue supporting his family with the revenues?
Can I get a "DUH?" In the other corner, Citadel. They are apparently willing to kiss off the revenues from WNOX, the revenues from Oldies and even a chunk of WIVK's revenues if the Pirkles do as predicted and take WNOX country. This is the biggest blunder in the history of the radio industry. One small group of self-centered bean counter in NYC and Vegas are putting a bullet through the head of their own cluster just to create a fat golden parachute for themselves. Putting their successful newstalk format on an Anderson County rimshot is nothing short of ridiculous. And, who loses, Cowboy? If you are still with me, read my lips...the radio listeners of Knoxville and the advertisers lose. Citadel strangles their own golden goose, the Pirkles have no choice but to react in order to survive, and the oldies listeners, the newstalk listeners and the WIVK listeners all lose, along with the employees of all 3 Citadel stations...except for the suits in New York and Vegas. Long live local ownership. WNOX, 100.3 is the only "factor" station owned by local people. Think about it.
There are no a$$holes in this drama...only morons.

 

[gr8oldies]

Late breaking..Merle 96.7 reports on their Facebook page that they had offered Ed Brantley the GM job, however Brantley took a job with Johnny Pirkle to run 100.3.

 

[jetfli]

In the other corner, Citadel. They are apparently willing to kiss off the revenues from WNOX, the revenues from Oldies and even a chunk of WIVK's revenues if the Pirkles do as predicted and take WNOX country. This is the biggest blunder in the history of the radio industry. One small group of self-centered bean counter in NYC and Vegas are putting a bullet through the head of their own cluster just to create a fat golden parachute for themselves. Putting their successful newstalk format on an Anderson County rimshot is nothing short of ridiculous.

My thought would be, in doing everything they've done, they're looking to sell the cluster.

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone predict that Citadel might move WNOX back to the 99s and move Sports Animal to 98.7. Or is that just too far-fetched?

 

[boogiecheck]

Poor little Ron. Can't play with the big boys so he has to toss sand from the edge of the sandbox.

I give him about 4 months until he gives up and becomes a florist.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Cowboy, you usually post some good stuff, but you must be off your meds today. This is not about winning or losing, that is what happens when people play games.

There are no a$$holes in this drama...only morons.
[/quote]

There are no a$$holes in this drama...only morons.

A rose by any other name would smell as brown. And it sounds like we're on similar pages, Bopper. Neither main party gives a rat's a$$ about serving the listeners, putting out an exceptional product, or appreciating in any way the people they employ and later toss overboard. All of these moves are for an extra 30 pieces of silver. If the other stuff is true, I hope Ed doesn't get screwed over a second time. He didn't deserve the screwing he got last month. But Ed isn't a one trick pony. Whatever he decides to do will likely be as quality a product as JP is willing to finance.

If JP didn't get his money and is still owed it, any switch will likely happen quickly. If JP did get his money, and since he dropped that suit with Citadel he probably did, it will likely change over at the end of a month. I'm wondering if JP is angling for a higher monthly deal to get a piece of the money Citadel 'saved' when they eliminated a bunch of general managers. I honestly believe it's about the win, at least with Johnny. Possibly with Citadel, too, but I don't think they have the guts Johnny does. Citadel definitely has more to lose.

And, yes, I was off my meds. Cowgirl gave me some kind of damn fruity rum drink instead of two fingers of whiskey. I still love her, though.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Poor little Ron. Can't play with the big boys so he has to toss sand from the edge of the sandbox.

I give him about 4 months until he gives up and becomes a florist.

Likely that guy has almost as much in the bank as JP. And no track record of screwing over his employees. It would be the floral industry's gain.

 

[Fiveahead]

Likely that guy has almost as much in the bank as JP. And no track record of screwing over his employees. It would be the floral industry's gain.

Doubtful or he would have bought a R-E-A-L radio station and not have messed around with WYSH/WGAP/Merle.

 

[spindoctor1]

Ron is a good guy. So he went and looked to someone for help. John Pirkle may have alot of backing but I know he is not the up and up guy he portrays himself to be. Ed may be a good guy as well but he is getting into a business deal with someone who has very little loyalty. Sure hope Ed crosses his t's and dots his i's.

 

[MurvleJumpUp]

So let us have a show of hands of those who will be up at 9 to hear the announcement! I know for a FACT that if they dump the oldies station I will be forced to buy another Sat. radio for the SUV (my old ride has had one for years) cause that is the ONLY station my bride will listen 2!

Good luck to all those who are in the circle tomorrow!

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Likely that guy has almost as much in the bank as JP. And no track record of screwing over his employees. It would be the floral industry's gain.

Doubtful or he would have bought a R-E-A-L radio station and not have messed around with WYSH/WGAP/Merle.

Then he owns three more unreal stations than I do. Just sell him one of yours.

Walker: Present, but not accounted for.

 

[boogiecheck]

Hal just said Mike Hammond was in the building. Do you think he's going to let Hal make the announcement that they're going Top-40, or will he take all the glory for himself?