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WBAB - Country?

DToTheJ

DToTheJ

Anyone think it would be in Cox's best interest to eventually flip WBAB to country?

While it appears the format's exile in New York City continues, with the right game plan, it could flourish on a good suburban signal like 102.3 (and their 95.3 simulcast on the East End). And Cox could be just the owner to do it, as they operate country stations in markets like Orlando, Birmingham and Richmond quite effectively.

In the long run, they could get more mileage out of clustering a country-CHR combo with 'BLI than with rock. True, WBAB is a "local legend" and is doing okay now, but eventually things change. Even WNEW and, for a few minutes, CBS-FM, didn't last forever. They can appease the dejected rock fans by moving the rock playlist to their HD channel.
 
DToTheJ said:
Anyone think it would be in Cox's best interest to eventually flip 102.3 to country?

While it appears the format's exile in New York City continues, it could flourish on a good signal like 102.3 (and their 95.3 simulcast on the East End). And Cox could be just the owner to do it, as they operate country stations in markets like Orlando, Birmingham and Richmond quite effectively.
Click to expand...

Are You Kidding WBAB was #1 25-54 in the latest Arbitrends for Summer 2007.
I'd say they've hit their target demo.
 
radiosgreatest1 said:
DToTheJ said:
Anyone think it would be in Cox's best interest to eventually flip 102.3 to country?

While it appears the format's exile in New York City continues, it could flourish on a good signal like 102.3 (and their 95.3 simulcast on the East End). And Cox could be just the owner to do it, as they operate country stations in markets like Orlando, Birmingham and Richmond quite effectively.
Click to expand...

Are You Kidding WBAB was #1 25-54 in the latest Arbitrends for Summer 2007.
I'd say they've hit their target demo.
Click to expand...

WBAB isn't going anywhere.
Just because there is no country in the market doesn't mean it's actually viable.
 
radiosgreatest1 said:
Are You Kidding WBAB was #1 25-54 in the latest Arbitrends for Summer 2007.
I'd say they've hit their target demo.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and WBAB is the #2 biller in the imbedded market... ahead of WBLI.

Of course, Nassau is now a PPM market, where rock has shown to perform better than quite a few other formats.

You are right... WBAB has hit its target well!
 
DToTheJ said:
Anyone think it would be in Cox's best interest to eventually flip WBAB to country?

While it appears the format's exile in New York City continues, with the right game plan, it could flourish on a good suburban signal like 102.3 (and their 95.3 simulcast on the East End). And Cox could be just the owner to do it, as they operate country stations in markets like Orlando, Birmingham and Richmond quite effectively.

In the long run, they could get more mileage out of clustering a country-CHR combo with 'BLI than with rock. True, WBAB is a "local legend" and is doing okay now, but eventually things change. Even WNEW and, for a few minutes, CBS-FM, didn't last forever. They can appease the dejected rock fans by moving the rock playlist to their HD channel.
Click to expand...

If any station needs a makeover, you need 94.3, which has never recovered from dropping country (actually, they've never recovered since dropping Magic, but that's another story).
 
Hell, 94.3 could certainly do with a SIGNAL makeover! I actually enjoyed the little I've heard of the 80s pop format (only tolerable station to listen to when at Sunken Meadow beach), but the signal....ehhhhhh...... ::) :-[
 
Having observed the programming changes at 94.3 over the years, and looking at the results of such changes, I believe the following two observations to be true

- Due to the limited reach of the signal, things like programming tweaks or changes, talent changes, imaging changes, etc just don't seem to matter. The ratings will remain pretty much the same.

- The station's revenues (based on what I've heard), are consistent and satisfactory, also regardless of what changes are made.

Don't expect many enhancements to 94.3. Barney seems quite content with the status quo.
 
wgliradio said:
DToTheJ said:
Anyone think it would be in Cox's best interest to eventually flip WBAB to country?

While it appears the format's exile in New York City continues, with the right game plan, it could flourish on a good suburban signal like 102.3 (and their 95.3 simulcast on the East End). And Cox could be just the owner to do it, as they operate country stations in markets like Orlando, Birmingham and Richmond quite effectively.

In the long run, they could get more mileage out of clustering a country-CHR combo with 'BLI than with rock. True, WBAB is a "local legend" and is doing okay now, but eventually things change. Even WNEW and, for a few minutes, CBS-FM, didn't last forever. They can appease the dejected rock fans by moving the rock playlist to their HD channel.
Click to expand...

If any station needs a makeover, you need 94.3, which has never recovered from dropping country (actually, they've never recovered since dropping Magic, but that's another story).
Click to expand...

94.3 is just about to be big with a 1.1 12+ last book anything can happen...lol
 
wgliradio said:
If any station needs a makeover, you need 94.3, which has never recovered from dropping country (actually, they've never recovered since dropping Magic, but that's another story).
Click to expand...

From '02 to '03 they doubled billing, which had been at or below $1 million and are now in the mid 2's in revenue. While they are not much of a ratings factor, they definitely are doing better revenue wise in the last 4 years or so. In a market of nearly 2.5 million, they put a 70 dbu over less than a quarter of it.
 
DavidEduardo said:
From '02 to '03 they doubled billing, which had been at or below $1 million and are now in the mid 2's in revenue. While they are not much of a ratings factor, they definitely are doing better revenue wise in the last 4 years or so. In a market of nearly 2.5 million, they put a 70 dbu over less than a quarter of it.
Click to expand...

This is a station that has to beg for ad placement, which I should know about since I was involved with a group who was placing spots on Barnstable outlets (the quote from the sales associate was, after we left MJC off the list was "94.3 is desperate for some love"). Some well embedded moles would also disagree with you, that the station is a mess internally from both a financial and programming standpoint right now and, like WHLI, lives off the other properties too keep it viable. The only reason it remains is that it is probably too expensive to re-wrap the vehicles knowing this group.

This would have been a good choice for a local Hispanic language based format. Its signal covers Brentwood, Central Islip, Bayshore, Farmingville, Huntington Station... all areas with a high concentration of people. Instead, it continues to play music that at least eight other stations play... and do a better job of it.... and cover more area.
 
wgliradio said:
his would have been a good choice for a local Hispanic language based format. Its signal covers Brentwood, Central Islip, Bayshore, Farmingville, Huntington Station... all areas with a high concentration of people. Instead, it continues to play music that at least eight other stations play... and do a better job of it.... and cover more area.
Click to expand...

WPAT and WSKQ get big numbers in the diaries in that particular area, so there is major competiton for the (only) two principal format options; it would have to depend on local sales, as agencies do not buy Hispanic below Hispanic market 25 very much, anyway. That's a tough one to envision.

I doubt anyone is going to change formats for a bit until we see some PPM data in about a month.

"Hispanic" is not a language.
 
Spanish based language, OK

Anyway, the point got across, 94.3 would have been a better choice than 98.5, all things being equal in a perfect world.
 
DavidEduardo said:
"Hispanic" is not a language.
Click to expand...

Do you seriously think anybody thought it was?
(I know...I saw what he wrote too.....)
I've heard people refer to "black stations" when they seemed to be painted the same color as "white stations".
 
Look...mjc is a disaster. Not only are they a disaster, but they have zero identity. If you want country back on Long Island ( and I don't think it's a bad idea) Barnstable is the company to do it, but they need to go old school and put the country over 94.3 and 103.9. WRCN is already the bastard step child. They have the lunatics running that asylum. They could cut their sales force in half. Their air staff in half, promotions...all while giving themselves an identity in a crowded market place.
 
That's actually a good question, why DOESN'T Barnstable retransmit WRCN on 94.3?

Too similar to B-103 which is pretty much classic hits now?
 
radioray said:
That's actually a good question, why DOESN'T Barnstable retransmit WRCN on 94.3?

Too similar to B-103 which is pretty much classic hits now?
Click to expand...

B-103 and RCN are not at all similar and B-103 is definitely not your prototype "Classic Hits" station. Their playlist is 1964-79. The only "80's" music they play are Billy Joel songs, and that's because he's a "homegrown" talent.
 
radioray said:
That's actually a good question, why DOESN'T Barnstable retransmit WRCN on 94.3?
Click to expand...

I am not positive, but I do believe that was done for a very short time, MANY years ago. It might even have been an in-between formats thing, but I do think it was done. Anyone recall this?
 
WRCN was sent out over 94.3 about ten years ago.
WBAB Going Country??? Geez C'mon isnt there anything else to write about?? Why would COX take their best Heritage
outlet on the island and go with a format that couldnt be sold a few miles away?

WMJC aint going to change, neither is WRCN, both could use it, both are considered sales and marketing items!
 
When WRCN was flown over WMJC, they were playing more harder rock than anyone. AC/DC, Anthrax, Judas Priest, Pantera, and a load of those alt rock bands.
Silverchair, Alice in Chains, Mighty Bosstones, stuff like that.

Ralph Tortora was the pd for a while.
It was good!
 
Not a chance. BAB is doing very well right now, even t.they were to fall apart they would still do better than a 2.0, which is the best a country station woul do on LI (IF that) and country is a tough sell from an advertising standpoint to boot, BAB isn't.
 
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