WAKW-FM Cincinnati is Now All Music During the Day

[The RadioFan]

Cincinnati's WAKW-FM 93.3 began to alter their format on Monday by airing Christian AC music from 5:30am-8pm and moving all of the teaching programs from 8pm-11pm. The biggest shocker to some people was that the Christian counseling program "New Life Live," which aired live for many years from 1-2pm, was deleted from the WAKW-FM lineup. New Life has actually posted an announcement concerning this situation on their website: http://www.newlife.com/nlm/news.asp?CalID=3873
This change is not surprising since EMF's K-Love and Air 1 are both located on full-power signals in Cincinnati, not to mention the competion from mainstream AC WRRM-FM and Hot AC WVMX-FM.

Louisville's WJIE-FM 88.5 is another station that has recently adjusted their programming to an all Christian AC music format during the day and the teaching programs have all moved to the late evening slot after 10pm. WJIE-FM is faced with competition from Salem's full-time Christian AC outlet WRVI-FM, low-power signals of EMF's K-Love and Air 1, plus mainstream AC WVEZ-FM and Hot AC WXMA-FM.

 

[radioelizabeth]

From The New Life Link
"this is a smokescreen for their deciding to go with a music format and not carry our program any more. The manner the station conducted themselves in our trying to negotiate a rate to stay on at 11:00 told me that they were not interested in New Life’s audience of listeners in Cincinnati. It is unfortunate to say the least."


It is always discouraging to me when the party that is not receiving what they want out of a situation is negative towards the other.

WAKW's position was that the program is not considered family friendly...which is pretty accurate considering the subject matter the program deals with on a regular basis...

But regardless of any decision why programming is ever pulled....

using the words "smokescreen", "conducted themselves" "not interested"....it seems a bit like not going without a fight...which is most unfortunate of all.

Elizabeth

 

[GaryTheThompson]

Agreed, Elizabeth.

Terry Dismore is now managing that station.

When he hired me to program WCVO in Columbus, one of the first things he did was to move a bunch of teaching to the evening and bring more music to daytime. In both instances, this move was better for the station and really better for the listener...period.

I wish only the best for Terry and what's going on at WAKW.

 

[radioelizabeth]

Terry is great. I'm sure WAKW will thrive under his leadership.

It is especially discouraging to think that this organization would want to pit listeners against the station that built their audience in that market.

I'm not doubting WAKW has received hundreds of calls and complaints and for everyone who voices an opinion against the switch, there are likely dozens more that will be grateful.

I'm also for advocating contacting a station and encouraging an audience to do so...I think it's effective in some regards, but it obviously will not be in this situation and not in this manner. If a program is pulled after careful consideration after a lengthy run on air...spiteful words on a website will not alter that decision...at least, I hope not.

 

[neutralobserver]

"RadioLover" sounds strangely like the person who is using the station's personalities' blog sites to attack the station's move. It's sad that people are using and hiding behind the internet to engage in conduct they would be afraid to engage in in real life or know would be recognized as trying to make the supposed backlash look bigger than it really is.

It is always discouraging to me when the party that is not receiving what they want out of a situation is negative towards the other....

...using the words "smokescreen", "conducted themselves" "not interested"....it seems a bit like not going without a fight...which is most unfortunate of all.

I agree. While what you say is right strictly in and of itself simply as a matter of principle, I'd like to expand on it by looking specifically at what New Life wrote:

We have received a lot of correspondence...

I'd love to know how they define "a lot."

...from you telling us that when you contacted WAKW about New Life Live no longer being on the air on their station, that part of their response was to the effect that our program was not family friendly, and that’s why they were choosing to move us to 11:00 p.m.

We are dumbfounded that we were on the air for so many years there and never once was the issue of our program not being family friendly every communicated to us by them.

Okay, well, I'm dumbfounded, too. I'm dumbfounded that New Life would claim to honestly expect such communication when such communication would inevitably be pointless. Why? It would be like the station saying, "what you do and are at your very core, the very nature of your business/ministry, is troublesome to us and what we want to put on the air," as if the station would have some reasonable expectation of the business/ministry changing what it does and is at its very core...or its calling, if you will.

In my opinion, this is a smokescreen for their deciding to go with a music format and not carry our program any more.

"Smokescreen" is such a loaded word, and it gives us an idea of where we're about to go.

The manner the station conducted themselves in our trying to negotiate a rate to stay on at 11:00 told me that they were not interested in New Life’s audience of listeners in Cincinnati. It is unfortunate to say the least.

"Unfortunate?" It appears to me that New Life had the option of remaining, so what's "unfortunate?" The station appears to have been willing to continue airing the program with its content unchanged, just at a time more appropriate for it.

We are leaning on the Genesis 50:20 principal. Genesis 50:20 is where Joseph is talking to his brothers and says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Wowwwww...talk about "unfortunate!" New Life sees this as "intending harm!"

Now, why would that be? How would that be?

Easy: New Life has built a massive business -- er, "ministry" -- consisting of book sales, professional speaking, seminars, workshops, individual counseling, group counseling, individual coaching, group coaching, and referrals for all of the above, all of which depend on the promotion and lead generation that come with and from the radio program! New Life needs the radio program to really push every aspect of what it does, and it just lost one of its good-sized markets, of which it doesn't have that many.

That's why New Life sees this as "intending harm" -- losing the promotion and lead generation that come from the radio program pulls the rug out from under everything the business...er, ministry...does.

In addition, WAKW was one of the few that aired the program live. I believe it safe to say New Life faces challenges in doing a program that wants and depends on phone calls when few stations air the program live! I imagine they're a little unhappy about losing another....

We are praying, looking and working for ways to keep as many people listening as possible....

Ah, proof!

It's best if people don't need counseling in the first place, but, when they do, success occurs when they no longer need it. Yet, New Life is "praying, looking and working for ways to keep as many people listening as possible;" why would that be???

Interestingly, New Life offers incentives for people to keep attending the same workshops over and over....

Until this thing is finally resolved,...

It sounds to me like it is! The station decided to make a change, New Life was given an option, and New Life declined. On top of that, New Life has taken this to callers and the internet in a surprisingly hostile and immature manner (absolutely stunning considering these are people who supposedly teach other people how to communicate better!). New Life has poisoned the well. This "thing" is resolved.

Also, for our friends in the Dayton area, we have asked WFCJ, 93.7FM if they would make an hour available to us....

Okay, I found this very interesting.

For those who don't have their handy-dandy, full-color Arbitron metro/ADI maps nearby, Cincinnati and Dayton have no gap in between them...where the northern side of the Cincinnati metro ends, the Dayton metro immediately begins. Heck, the metros are so close that I would even bet Dayton would love to split one or two counties with Cincinnati and could make a very good argument if such a thing were possible.

Anyway, WFCJ's tower is just a few miles north of the northern edge of the Cincinnati metro; as a result, it puts a full city-grade signal over a very large part, including virtually all of the better suburbs, of Cincinnati. Why would that work for New Life almost just as well as WAKW? Another easy question -- sure, they'd get another market, but it's those northern suburbs of Cincinnati where New Life books and conducts their seminars and workshops! Take a look...

http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WFCJ&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

The blob where you see the "n" in the word "Hamilton" is one of New Life's regular venues and not much more than a convenient 15-minute drive from most of Cincinnati's high-income areas.

Man, I really despise questionable motives and lack of full honesty in Christian broadcasting.....

 

[radioelizabeth]

The manner the station conducted themselves in our trying to negotiate a rate to stay on at 11:00 told me that they were not interested in New Life’s audience of listeners in Cincinnati. It is unfortunate to say the least.

"Unfortunate?" It appears to me that New Life had the option of remaining, so what's "unfortunate?" The station appears to have been willing to continue airing the program with its content unchanged, just at a time more appropriate for it.

It appeared to me when I read the story, that New Life was not given the option, but that they attempted to negotiate a rate to not be pulled, and that rate was still not accepted. At least that is what I read from it...

And if that is the case, MAJOR KUDOS TO WAKW...because money was not behind their decision, but what would benefit the market and the station's listeners, not what would benefit New Life and the audience this station built for them.

I'm for New Life using their resources to find another slot to reach their audience, but I'm against the spite dished out in an attempt to slur the station.

Elizabeth

 

[neutralobserver]

It appeared to me when I read the story, that New Life was not given the option, but that they attempted to negotiate a rate to not be pulled, and that rate was still not accepted. At least that is what I read from it...

I understand. Seeing your reply and reading it again, I started to think that might be the case until I noted "11:00" -- I don't know how New Life would have known that time was available on a then-unnanounced schedule unless the station had offered it to them.

I'm for New Life using their resources to find another slot to reach their audience, but I'm against the spite dished out in an attempt to slur the station.

Exactly. It makes it appear that New Life is of a strong belief that the only reason stations exist is to provide them a vehicle for promoting their business.

 

[radioelizabeth]

It appeared to me when I read the story, that New Life was not given the option, but that they attempted to negotiate a rate to not be pulled, and that rate was still not accepted. At least that is what I read from it...

I understand. Seeing your reply and reading it again, I started to think that might be the case until I noted "11:00" -- I don't know how New Life would have known that time was available on a then-unnanounced schedule unless the station had offered it to them.

Got it... it appears that is what NLL is stating listeners told them the station told them...which is kind of like "telephone"...

Either way, in my opinion, the content of the program does not fit the midday slot, where it dominated for years...and in other opinion, I'm with the station to pull it completely, as the content felt a little like radio voyerism infomercial at times...but then again, some would say the same for Delilah...

Not everyone likes everything...that is obvious.

 

[ToddStach]

From what I can understand WAKW is owned by Pillar of Fire. That's the same company that WAWZ (Star 99) is owned by - so to me - it looks like they're trying to immulate in Cincy what they're doing in NY/NJ.

Good for them. I've always thought WAKW was an underachiever for 50,000 watts in a pretty good-sized market.

 

[smashedcd]

always glad to hear dollar a hollers being removed. smart move. not many moms are riding during the day wanting to hear that stuff. they want to hear music..just like i want to hear heavier music ;D

 

[The RadioFan]

"RadioLover" sounds strangely like the person who is using the station's personalities' blog sites to attack the station's move. It's sad that people are using and hiding behind the internet to engage in conduct they would be afraid to engage in in real life or know would be recognized as trying to make the supposed backlash look bigger than it really is.

Neutralobsrever, What kind of absurd response is this? No one else on this board had that interpretation. I SIMPLY posted this topic to reveal the direction of several MOR Christian stations are taken these days. I also expressed my understanding of such moves due to the increasing level of competition placed on stations like WAKW-FM and WJIE-FM. It only makes sense to me. I was hoping the responses would be based on the station's switch to an all-music format during the day. The function of the "New Life Live" part was to simply to show how remarkable this switch was to WAKW since they carried the program for many years. Maybe, I should have left the New Life Live part out completely. However, you need to make sure you have the facts before you falsely accuse a person. Otherwise, you will have a tremendous chance of telling a blatant lie which is a sin, in case you have a concern about your soul.

 

[gr8oldies]

Does seem like promotion of a business; maybe WFCJ is a plan, NLL might be an improvement over "Point of View" (you must believe right-conspiracy theories to be saved..). Though WFCJ has also moved several talk/teaching programs to nights.

 

[neutralobserver]

Neutralobsrever, What kind of absurd response is this?

It's impossible to answer that question because it isn't an absurd response. It appears to have turned out to be an incorrect response, but it's not an absurd one.

No one else on this board had that interpretation.

My response cited comments on the blogs of the station's personalities, not anything on this board.

I SIMPLY posted this topic to reveal the direction of several MOR Christian stations are taken these days.

I'm sorry; I misunderstood the tone of the post. The program you cited...

The biggest shocker to some people was that the Christian counseling program "New Life Live," which aired live for many years from 1-2pm, was deleted from the WAKW-FM lineup.

...was only one of a fair number that were moved, but you didn't mention any of the others. That matched the pattern of the posts on the aforementioned blogs ("It is a shame WAKW is shooting themselves in the foot. Their decision to cut New Life Live will hurt their fund raising....it had to do with you all going music only.... The only time I ever recommend a radio station it was 93.3 because of your 1 o'clock hour....most people will opt for other stations....) and is surprising in that it mentions that lesser-known program while not mentioning the much better-known programs. See why I might come to the conclusion - observation, really - that I did?

And I believe WAKW left anything resembling MOR a long time ago.

I also expressed my understanding of such moves due to the increasing level of competition placed on stations like WAKW-FM and WJIE-FM. It only makes sense to me.

Okay, good. Again, I'm sorry, but, given the other things I had seen, I almost had to believe this post was of the same nature. (In this business, if one hears of changes being made, one heads to any and all websites related to that station. In this case, there were publicly-visible ways to see what people were saying, and I availed myself of them, of course!)

I was hoping the responses would be based on the station's switch to an all-music format during the day....Maybe, I should have left the New Life Live part out completely.

Yes, I believe that would have made your desired discussion topic more clear.

The function of the "New Life Live" part was to simply to show how remarkable this switch was to WAKW since they carried the program for many years.

But, although it does feature a bevy of big names in the Christian community, the show is definitely a lesser-known one with relatively few outlets. I believe it strange for the online response to the station's changes to focus solely on that show.

However, you need to make sure you have the facts before you falsely accuse a person.

Well, what I said was, "'RadioLover' sounds strangely like the person who is using the station's personalities' blog sites to attack the station's move." In my world, that may look a lot like an implication, but it certainly does not look like an accusation.

Otherwise, you will have a tremendous chance of telling a blatant lie which is a sin, in case you have a concern about your soul.

My soul is a settled concern. Thank you, though.

And, again, I apologize for seeing similarities where they might not have existed and misreading the tone and point of your post. The risk of misinterpreting mere text goes with the internet territory.

 

[The RadioFan]

And, again, I apologize for seeing similarities where they might not have existed and misreading the tone and point of your post. The risk of misinterpreting mere text goes with the internet territory.

I understand. Apology accepted!

 

[radio4Him]

Cincinnati's WAKW-FM 93.3 began to alter their format on Monday by airing Christian AC music from 5:30am-8pm and moving all of the teaching programs from 8pm-11pm.

Almost smart programming - either be all teaching or music. Its hard to mingle the two together and keep the audience. It might work some for inspo where people expect that schedule.