WABB SOLD!

[passtheword]

Sorry to post again but it merits saying: the outpouring of anger and sadness over this news story has been something I've never seen in a market this size before. The single "breaking news" post on WABB's Facebook page alone has nearly 600 comments, nearly all of the expressing sadness at the loss of "their" station. There are hundreds more comments on each local TV's story posts as well. It's pretty amazing. i100 certainly didn't get this sort of activity!

Even though the station wasn't the same after Mr. Dittman's passing, it's obvious people are really attached to it and the number of "but I grew up with WABB" from young and old is startling. I guess we just don't see this sort of attachment with corporate piped-in radio anymore.

It's a given any time a radio station changes format, there is going to be an outpouring of anger and disappointment. Nothing new here. We've all been through it at some point...where our favorite radio station has the "plug" pulled on it. I have seen it time and again online, though, as listeners "grieve" over a radio station that changes format, as though someone they love has died. I'm not saying that people shouldn't express disappointment with it all, but recognize it for what it is...it's a radio station. If people wouldn't put so much emphasis on temporal things, then maybe they would view these kinds of format changes in the proper light.

As far as the area not having a CHR outlet...that won't be the case that long. I'm surprised that another one of the Mobile/Pensacola stations hasn't already stepped forward and made the decision to fill the gap (they might have...the decision might just be under wraps for now). Where there is money to be made, the people (in this case, the broadcasters) will follow.

Well said; quite insightful really. But to answer your question : As I speak, 107.3 has gone pure mainstream CHR . I do wish, they will add more local dj's in the near future. Don't really care to hear dj's feeding all the way from L.A (Los Angeles).

Question is: Will Cumulus respond? And how long can they show they are a true threat?!

ty. Yes, I saw your post about 107.3 as soon as mine posted. I figured it wouldn't take long for somebody to come in and take care of the format "hole".

 

[Kent]

I don't think you'll see 107.3 add much in way of local content. I could be wrong, but Clear Channel has been in contraction mode lately, and I just can't see them adding staff after all the cuts they made after Pittman took over.

I suspect someone, probably Cumulus, will step in and attempt to fill the void left by WABB's departure. If I were Cumulus, I'd actually pick up the phone, call EMF, and offer to trade them 100.7 for WABB. While it's probably not going to happen, it would make sense for both groups as the coverage areas of WJLQ and WABB are nearly identical with towers just a few miles apart, and EMF cares about how many potential listeners it has, not heritage or programming. Cumulus, on the other hand, would get an established CHR, which would mean it wouldn't have to go on a promotions blitz when launching one at 104.1 (or wherever), while offloading a station that's been a complete and total dog.

 

[tomservo]

Cumulus tried and failed with CHR here; is it possible they'll just sit this one out? 107.3 is the fallback station at the moment so it's not like these people are left totally high and dry.

And contrary to my earlier belief it appears that Biloxi/Gulfport does have CHR in Monkey 107.1. Someone earlier on one of these threads said there was no top 40 in that area but looking at Monkey's website they seem pretty contemporary. Moreso than WABB in my opinion.

I'm most eager at this point to see if CC is going to pull a switcharoo with Rocket and Hit Music Now. That application for 100 kW has got my interest piqued.

 

[Mario500]

Unlike the Facebook page for WABB-FM, the Facebook page for WABB-AM has been inactive since the announcement about the sale of WABB-FM.

http://www.facebook.com/1480AMWABB?sk=wall&filter=1

I hope for some activity soon, especially after March 1st (I'm not a registered Facebook user and I have no interest in becoming one).

 

[Poledo]

Stuff like this NEVER happens in Mobile/Pensacola... uh, well.. unless you count Jimmy Swaggart buying 102.1 from Radio Disney.
I had to hear the news on WEAR TV 3!

Sad Sad Sad.

Time for 100.7 to flip back to Q-100 before WABB flips. Many people still think Q-100 is their "backup" Top 40 station. And maybe Pamal should jump into the CHR game with 94.1. Pensacola is already well served by 99.9 and 93.3 for lite AC and I don't think WMEZ has really recovered from the Hurricane Ivan damage yet.

Poor Cumulus. They wanted 97.5 so bad. If Cumulus showed up with an offer to trade WDLT 98.3 plus all of their Mobile and Pensacola AM properties for WABB would EMF sell 97.5 to them?

The Christians already own most all of the Non-com band plus 95.7 K-Love covering Pensacola/Fort Walton and a whole bunch of "potential" translator licenses. I never expected them to get hold of one of the 100kw big sticks.

What else is there to say. I haven't listened to WABB since I was 10 and I guess that will continue for the foreseeable future.

 

[tomservo]

I had to hear the news on WEAR TV 3!

To be fair, it was on WKRG and Local 15's news as well, both online and on TV. I also got a link from a friend in Birmingham who saw it on al.com, so it was probably in today's Press-Register as well.

 

[jo-nathan]

Why? Simply because the programming on K-Love offends your sensibilities?

No. It's because it's a disservice to the public for EMF to turn it into yet another K-Love repeater. The airwaves are public property and have to be used in the public interest.

The FCC needs to deny the sale. It must.

Keep dreaming, pal. Keep dreaming.

 

[Robctas]

I don't understand why EMF would change formats?

It's obvious from the reaction in the community (just look at their facebook page) that it would be a loss.

By flipping formats, EMF would lose WABB entire listener base, wouldn't have anywhere near the same cume which would effect current revenue and above all lose an established brand in the market.

I know if i'd buy it, I'd keep the format but just improve the product.

I think this K-Love move won't work & wont have any listeners either!

 

[Kent]

I don't understand why EMF would change formats?

Because EMF has a specific mission, and running a CHR isn't part of that mission.

By flipping formats, EMF would lose WABB entire listener base, wouldn't have anywhere near the same cume which would effect current revenue and above all lose an established brand in the market.

EMF doesn't care about that. EMF wants to spread the word of God (or its interpretation of it). It couldn't care less about losing the WABB listener base or the brand it's established since the 50's.

I know if i'd buy it, I'd keep the format but just improve the product.

You think of it like a business, not like a mission.

I think this K-Love move won't work & wont have any listeners either!

Your typical K-Love listener isn't likely to be a WABB listener anyway. They don't care.

 

[Kent]

Cumulus tried and failed with CHR here; is it possible they'll just sit this one out? 107.3 is the fallback station at the moment so it's not like these people are left totally high and dry.

Anything's possible. I don't see both Cumulus sitting this one out and Clear Channel leaving CHR on a weaker signal, though. The fact that Cumulus has tried CHR at least twice in Mobile/Pensacola and found WABB to be its biggest obstacle would make me think they'd believe they could do really well now that that obstacle has been removed.

And contrary to my earlier belief it appears that Biloxi/Gulfport does have CHR in Monkey 107.1. Someone earlier on one of these threads said there was no top 40 in that area but looking at Monkey's website they seem pretty contemporary. Moreso than WABB in my opinion.

The Monkey originally referred to itself as "Party Music For Humans," but, yes, it's definitely CHR.

I'm most eager at this point to see if CC is going to pull a switcharoo with Rocket and Hit Music Now. That application for 100 kW has got my interest piqued.

Again, anything is possible, and I doubt there are any options completely off the table.

 

[Dr voicetrack]

Mario- I can appreciate your like for WABB-AM. But with what we know...it not being included in the sale, the lack of attention in fixing it's problems, and the Dittman family getting out of the radio biz, I can't help but see that station go away. Who will operate it? Who wants it? I see it going dark. I just don't see how it survives. Anyone have a different opinion on that?

Let's not totally dismiss Cumulus going CHR with one of their signals. They have to have learned something in the past 10 years in this market. The truth is Hurricane Ivan beat Hot 104. That's what killed that station. That station was on pace to be neck and neck with WABB if that storm never happened. It could be a totally different situation today. The whole "i" thing hasn't really worked, period. Pensacola, Nashville, etc. The difference in the two Cumulus CHR attempts were Hot 104 had a more local grasp. Where i100 fell under the cookie cutter approach.

107.3 has been mainstream for some time now. Don't think it just happened in the past two days. Sure, it might have tweeked a few things. (I haven't had a chance to really listen to be certain) But, it's been in that ballpark.

 

[tomservo]

Who will operate it? Who wants it? I see it going dark. I just don't see how it survives. Anyone have a different opinion on that?

I thought the same thing about WLVV (now WNGL) but the Catholics came along and took it over. And WMOB fell into preaching hands as well. I figure the same could happen to WABB-AM if it were to be donated. In its current decrepit state I doubt it's worth more than the land under the towers and the AM/FM studio in town.

Let's not totally dismiss Cumulus going CHR with one of their signals. They have to have learned something in the past 10 years in this market. The truth is Hurricane Ivan beat Hot 104. That's what killed that station. That station was on pace to be neck and neck with WABB if that storm never happened. It could be a totally different situation today. The whole "i" thing hasn't really worked, period. Pensacola, Nashville, etc. The difference in the two Cumulus CHR attempts were Hot 104 had a more local grasp. Where i100 fell under the cookie cutter approach.

They've learned they can't win.

That about Hot 104 and Ivan is interesting. I heard something similar about WMEZ, that it never fully recovered from Ivan. I remember hearing about the tower that fell, it took out WBLX and some TV stations as well, but everyone else seems to be doing fine.

107.3 has been mainstream for some time now. Don't think it just happened in the past two days. Sure, it might have tweeked a few things. (I haven't had a chance to really listen to be certain) But, it's been in that ballpark.

You're right. I did a poor job of making it clear on my site, but WRGV did move more CHR than urban CHR a while back. I still think they've tweaked even more lately, though. I guess they can't totally ditch the urban since it's a big part of pop music right now but it isn't nearly as urban flavoured as it was a year ago.

 

[Dr voicetrack]

Zach...the funny thing about BLX. Yeah, they had the same issues. BUT, they weren't up against a heritage station that people could easily fall back on. Once Hot 104 lost the momentum because 1) people couldn't hear them, and 2) Cumulus dragged their feet getting the signal back up to full power, it was over. You know what's funny? BLX had a listening range of only a couple miles during that fall book. They still scored above a 10 share. Crazy how diaries and urban stations work. Oh, and did you really bring TV stations into this? C'mon, man!

Oh, and you may be right about WABB-AM. I just think Mario is under the impression that it will remain untouched in all this.

 

[tomservo]

Zach...the funny thing about BLX. Yeah, they had the same issues. BUT, they weren't up against a heritage station that people could easily fall back on. Once Hot 104 lost the momentum because 1) people couldn't hear them, and 2) Cumulus dragged their feet getting the signal back up to full power, it was over. You know what's funny? BLX had a listening range of only a couple miles during that fall book. They still scored above a 10 share. Crazy how diaries and urban stations work. Oh, and did you really bring TV stations into this? C'mon, man!

Oh, and you may be right about WABB-AM. I just think Mario is under the impression that it will remain untouched in all this.

How long did it take for everyone to get their stations back on? I didn't live here when Ivan came through. I'm not surprised BLX was on some sort of aux site, but I am surprised that Hot 104 or anyone else might not have been.

 

[Nate Wesley]

I had to hear the news on WEAR TV 3!

To be fair, it was on WKRG and Local 15's news as well, both online and on TV. I also got a link from a friend in Birmingham who saw it on al.com, so it was probably in today's Press-Register as well.

All the Mobile stations (including WALA Fox 10) did a story on it, and deservedly so. WABB has held some form of mainstream hit/CHR format since 1959.

 

[Nate Wesley]

It's a given any time a radio station changes format, there is going to be an outpouring of anger and disappointment. Nothing new here. We've all been through it at some point...where our favorite radio station has the "plug" pulled on it. I have seen it time and again online, though, as listeners "grieve" over a radio station that changes format, as though someone they love has died. I'm not saying that people shouldn't express disappointment with it all, but recognize it for what it is...it's a radio station. If people wouldn't put so much emphasis on temporal things, then maybe they would view these kinds of format changes in the proper light.

I get what you're saying and where you're coming from, but I think you're brushing aside consideration for what many consider a local institution. (For that matter, this isn't the first such hit Mobilians have taken in the last few months.)

Also, be mindful that we're not talking about a frequency that's had to change formats every few years. At the most, WABB has had tweaks up and down for rock/alternative/pop/rhythmic sound over the years--following whatever the dominating CHR sound was at the moment. So those people on Facebook lamenting? They're not losing a Jammin' Oldies or an All 80's channel--they really are losing a station that matured and evolved with them.

 

[Nate Wesley]

How long did it take for everyone to get their stations back on? I didn't live here when Ivan came through. I'm not surprised BLX was on some sort of aux site, but I am surprised that Hot 104 or anyone else might not have been.

I'm probably/definitely wrong, but I remember 'BLX or Hot 104 returning to full power (i.e., "I can hear them in Monroe County") until later late winter/early spring of 2005.

 

[macab4490]

Mario- I can appreciate your like for WABB-AM. But with what we know...it not being included in the sale, the lack of attention in fixing it's problems, and the Dittman family getting out of the radio biz, I can't help but see that station go away. Who will operate it? Who wants it? I see it going dark. I just don't see how it survives. Anyone have a different opinion on that?

Let's not totally dismiss Cumulus going CHR with one of their signals. They have to have learned something in the past 10 years in this market. The truth is Hurricane Ivan beat Hot 104. That's what killed that station. That station was on pace to be neck and neck with WABB if that storm never happened. It could be a totally different situation today. The whole "i" thing hasn't really worked, period. Pensacola, Nashville, etc. The difference in the two Cumulus CHR attempts were Hot 104 had a more local grasp. Where i100 fell under the cookie cutter approach. 
107.3 has been mainstream for some time now. Don't think it just happened in the past two days. Sure, it might have tweeked a few things. (I haven't had a chance to really listen to be certain) But, it's been in that ballpark.

107.3 went mainstream when they were told about the sale of WABB. It's a proven Fact according to their website. They were in the rhythmatic lean knowing WABB was the primary mainstream CHR station. I applaud the on-going efforts at 107.3 Hit Music Now. All I know is the management at 107.3 is somewhat smiling because they now know they will be the CHR leader on the Gulf Coast but they did, from their FB page recognize the future passing of a True Leader of CHR Radio Station legends (they're not a lot of them out there). Too bad for the late i100, they could not handle the competition.

Wow, I just can't believe this is happening. The death of Whitney Houston and now this?!

107.3 better respond fast before 12.22.12 hehe

 

[Nate Wesley]

Mario- I can appreciate your like for WABB-AM. But with what we know...it not being included in the sale, the lack of attention in fixing it's problems, and the Dittman family getting out of the radio biz, I can't help but see that station go away. Who will operate it? Who wants it? I see it going dark. I just don't see how it survives. Anyone have a different opinion on that?

I had an idea about that once.
http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=172728.msg1695338#msg1695338

Sean Sullivan is taking over ownership of WAVH from his stepfather(?). 'Sports 1480' might make a pretty nice partner for FM Talk, sales wise.

I wonder if WABB/WABB-FM's current studios are part of the sale to EMF?

 

[rfburns]

Mario- I can appreciate your like for WABB-AM. But with what we know...it not being included in the sale, the lack of attention in fixing it's problems, and the Dittman family getting out of the radio biz, I can't help but see that station go away. Who will operate it? Who wants it? I see it going dark. I just don't see how it survives. Anyone have a different opinion on that?

I had an idea about that once.
http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=172728.msg1695338#msg1695338

Sean Sullivan is taking over ownership of WAVH from his stepfather(?). 'Sports 1480' might make a pretty nice partner for FM Talk, sales wise.

I wonder if WABB/WABB-FM's current studios are part of the sale to EMF?

I can answer the last part. EMF will not need a local studio if they follow their usual procedure. They will take the license to non-comm status and get a main studio waiver. Everything will be at the transmitter site.

RFB