Upstate: 94.5 format change 12-3-12

[passtheword]

What's on 660 and where is the online broadcast? I need to remember to try it out next time I have a computer with sound.

Also, is there any place where people are yelling about this? Was there any news coverage? I succeeded in getting Mark Washburn of The Charlotte Observer to mention it but he called the talk format "nonsecular". What does that even mean? I've seen no evidence here that their format is "nonsecular".

Unfortunately, Chimp, there isn't much outrage when EZ and beautiful music stations change formats anymore...not like there was years ago. There were only a few posts on WMUU's facebook page expressing displeasure with the station's change to talk, even given WMUU's longevity on the market.

The WMUU stream is still active on wmuu.com...or at least it was a few days ago. It's only available via a browser...I tried listening to their listen link on my ipod touch via both their website and TuneIn, and neither would play. I hope Salem would eventually have "WMUU" available on a mobile platform as well...I'm not holding my breath, though...

Someone mentioned a while back that the EZ/BM format is being aired on an HD channel. Can anone confirm it that's true? Just curious since I am not in Greenville area.

 

[rbjones]

The only thing that has changed on 660 is from 6-9 am and 12am-3am is now the Steve Gill Show, and from 3-6 am is now the Jason Lewis Show. All other shows are still on 660/92.9.

I agree that 94.5 needs a local morning show- that is the only thing that is really compete against WORD. I like to hear local news and topics about stuff happening here in our area.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I was listening to WMUU earlier but it went out when they had the weather forecast and the Christian message. I don't have sound at home or most libraries.

 

[vchimpanzee]

They're back.

The playlist also reflects that they were off.

 

[vchimpanzee]

No commercials. A brief Christian message and the weather are the only breaks.

 

[vchimpanzee]

And SRN news.

Stocks are higher! I try to avoid financial news because if stocks don't go up and keep going up my income this year will be ... the same as if I put my money in a mattress.

 

[Preacherdude]

Here is my unsolicited opinion of the new Conservative Talk 94.5:

I have always liked Gallagher. Prager is interesting, a nice break from Rush. Medved does nothing for me, I find him a bit weak for afternoon drive. Hewitt is great, but I'm a big Dave Ramsey fan. And I think Mark Levin is entertaining. Now Bill Bennett in the morning, to me, is an effective alternative to Ambien!

I've never had occasion to listen to Salem regularly, and I must admit they are better than I thought they were. I am hoping they will add more local flavor. A good local morning and afternoon drive could go a long way to making them successful.

Finally, I can imagine BJU supporters are about to have a cow listening to the occasional curse word and the rocking bumpers! Bet they never thought they'd hear what they're hearing on that frequency!

 

[tylerSC]

I am surprised WYFF4 did not have Jane Robelot anchor the 5pm news hour with Nigel Robertson. They have gone through several female coanchors over the past few years in the early evening news hour. And she is an appealing anchor with a pleasant personality, as well as a good reporter with a local following. And I believe after she left WSPA she may have anchored at a NYC or Philly local station as well as the CBS Morning News. But unfortunately that CBS morning show has never been a permanent position for anyone, as the Today Show and Good Morning America dominate that segment. But perhaps she is no longer seeking a full time position in the broadcasting business.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

In a nutshell history, Multimedia sold Channel 4 to Pulitzer, and I worked there for a while, when they owned it. I honestly Loved/Love those people, but hated the "Suits", and their upper office politics. It is to my understanding, that when Hearst Argyle purchased it, they began with an across the board pay cut. That was the very reason we lost Stephanie Fisher. Today, they announce ownership as "Hearst" only, with the understanding the "Argyle"...ain't there anymore! As for where the pay level is now, it's anyone's guess. Still, using simply math, Jane would be good for the station, but it just ain't in the budget, and for a full-time gig, she has both a commitment number, and condition; +Plus, in TV, egos get bruzed easier than they do in Radio. Oddly enough, I met Jane once at a flea market;...a Lovely woman!
Scooter Lesley,
Monty's Rascals Alum '65.

 

[carolinaradio]

The only thing that has changed on 660 is from 6-9 am and 12am-3am is now the Steve Gill Show, and from 3-6 am is now the Jason Lewis Show. All other shows are still on 660/92.9.

I agree that 94.5 needs a local morning show- that is the only thing that is really compete against WORD. I like to hear local news and topics about stuff happening here in our area.

I don't see how 660 will stay around much longer. Very few were listening before 94.5 and I'm sure it's only hurting them worse now. It's pretty much the same stuff.

I highly doubt Salem will put anything local on 94.5. That's just not their strategy.

When Mike Gallagher was on with Kimberly Kelly the other night, he said the calls will be changing soon.

 

[carolinaradio]

Unfortunately, Chimp, there isn't much outrage when EZ and beautiful music stations change formats anymore...not like there was years ago. There were only a few posts on WMUU's facebook page expressing displeasure with the station's change to talk, even given WMUU's longevity on the market.

The WMUU stream is still active on wmuu.com...or at least it was a few days ago. It's only available via a browser...I tried listening to their listen link on my ipod touch via both their website and TuneIn, and neither would play. I hope Salem would eventually have "WMUU" available on a mobile platform as well...I'm not holding my breath, though...

Someone mentioned a while back that the EZ/BM format is being aired on an HD channel. Can anone confirm it that's true? Just curious since I am not in Greenville area.

WMUU isn't on HD Radio to my knowledge.

They certainly went out with a whimper. I thought there would be more outrage over the change, even from their loyal base in the area, but there wasn't. Very surprising.

 

[double-d-sharp]

When Mike Gallagher was on with Kimberly Kelly the other night, he said the calls will be changing soon.

The title bar on the live stream window says WGTK-FM.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Unfortunately, Chimp, there isn't much outrage when EZ and beautiful music stations change formats anymore...not like there was years ago. There were only a few posts on WMUU's facebook page expressing displeasure with the station's change to talk, even given WMUU's longevity on the market.

The WMUU stream is still active on wmuu.com...or at least it was a few days ago. It's only available via a browser...I tried listening to their listen link on my ipod touch via both their website and TuneIn, and neither would play. I hope Salem would eventually have "WMUU" available on a mobile platform as well...I'm not holding my breath, though...

Someone mentioned a while back that the EZ/BM format is being aired on an HD channel. Can anone confirm it that's true? Just curious since I am not in Greenville area.

WMUU isn't on HD Radio to my knowledge.

They certainly went out with a whimper. I thought there would be more outrage over the change, even from their loyal base in the area, but there wasn't. Very surprising.

Any word on how people are responding to WHLC?

I wonder what the chances are that 660 AM would do a WHLC simulcast?

 

[carolinaradio]

Well, it sounds like WORD is giving Russ Cassell his own show after New Years from 8am-12pm as part of their stress of localism. I wish they would have re-signed Laura Ingraham after she starts with her new syndicator at the first of next year. She was barely on before her contract dispute last month.

I'm kind of surprised, because I've read a lot of negative comments about Cassell on Facebook and don't know anyone who really likes listening to him. IMO, he comes off as preachy, condescending, and just a big time grouch. I don't know who could stand to listen to him. Lisa Rollins will be doing a morning show with one of the news people.

I guess they think being more local will help them have an edge vs. 94.5 with local advertisers. WORD may devote a lot of time to local hosts, but they aren't very good at all.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I'm actually enjoying WMUU more. Instead of a few minutes at a time in the car if I'm driving toward Charlotte in the morning, I get one whole hour (almost) at a library when I go to one with sound. I turned off the webcast during the news. There's actually more music because there are few commercials. The first day there was one. Yesterday they just had one of those announcements like on NPR where the music is supported by the sponsor. There was a weather forecast and a Bible verse. Other than that, no interruptions between newscasts.

 

[SaltyDog]

I don't know how good the news show is going to be with Lisa and Lee but I can't listen to Cassell shout over Lisa any more anyway. I just can't stand it. Better he has his own show where he can rant by himself. It's not hard to imagine the thought process behind the show. Cassell will get a one hour head start on Gallagher who will then try to peel off his listeners because they are probably the same people. Cassell has been out the door at 10:01am for years if not decades so this change may not be going down well.

I found myself listening to 94.4FM yesterday not because Michael Medved is so good but because Bob McClain is so not good.

 

[awp69]

I don't know how good the news show is going to be with Lisa and Lee but I can't listen to Cassell shout over Lisa any more anyway. I just can't stand it. Better he has his own show where he can rant by himself. It's not hard to imagine the thought process behind the show. Cassell will get a one hour head start on Gallagher who will then try to peel off his listeners because they are probably the same people. Cassell has been out the door at 10:01am for years if not decades so this change may not be going down well.

I found myself listening to 94.4FM yesterday not because Michael Medved is so good but because Bob McClain is so not good.

Yes, whatever your political views are, Cassell comes across as so arrogant that his show is doomed to run its listeners off to the at least more personable Gallagher.

And McLain is the biggest joke in Greenville radio (well, maybe the Rise Guys could compete for that title). The decision to award himself the afternoon drive after Ralph Bristol left tells you how much he must think of himself. But I certainly think he's not cut out for talk radio.

Honestly don't know how WORD has done so well (at least in the morning and afternoon drives). But I hope 94.5 gives it a run for the money.

 

[rbjones]

I don't know how good the news show is going to be with Lisa and Lee but I can't listen to Cassell shout over Lisa any more anyway. I just can't stand it. Better he has his own show where he can rant by himself. It's not hard to imagine the thought process behind the show. Cassell will get a one hour head start on Gallagher who will then try to peel off his listeners because they are probably the same people. Cassell has been out the door at 10:01am for years if not decades so this change may not be going down well.

I found myself listening to 94.4FM yesterday not because Michael Medved is so good but because Bob McClain is so not good.

Years ago (back when WORD was 1330 am WFBC), I believe in the early 90's, when Mike Gallagher was the morning host, Russ Cassell used to have his talk show right after his.

He even has subbed for Mike Gallagher's national show in the past. I wonder how much of a toll this will have on their personal friendship (they have both said they were friends on their respective shows).

 

[carolinaradio]

From what I read on 94.5 and 106.3's Facebook pages when 94.5 launched, there are a LOT of people who liked Mike Gallagher but did not like Russ Cassell at all. With Gallagher now on 94.5, I would imagine he will convert a lot of those listeners, and sponsors, over to CT 94.5. I've listened to a little of his show on there - he has locally-recorded segments just for Greenville with attacks obviously on 106.3 and aggressively promoting his sponsors. He always had a close relationship with 106.3, and I too have wondered where that stands these days.

Bob McLain is far from a good talk show host - but, at least he doesn't come off so rude and condescending like Russ Cassell. I'm just really disappointed that they didn't keep Laura Ingraham. I think she could attract a better audience than Cassell. I think he will lose against Gallagher. Who really wants to sit and listen to him for 4 straight hours?

 

[SaltyDog]

Bob McLain is far from a good talk show host - but, at least he doesn't come off so rude and condescending like Russ Cassell. I'm just really disappointed that they didn't keep Laura Ingraham. I think she could attract a better audience than Cassell. I think he will lose against Gallagher. Who really wants to sit and listen to him for 4 straight hours?

I agree with all of that. The promos are positioning WORD as the local station which may be the reason they moved away from Ingraham. Or maybe they just didn't like Ingraham's contract terms.