WBUK-106.3 Ottawa - Sold

[FredRichards]

Sold to the Findlay Publishing Company. (WFIN-1330/WKXA-100.5)

Purchase price undisclosed.

 

[kentuckymedia]

something tells me they wont keep it classic rock, and the other thought is we could be seeing another country outlet quicker than one might think.

with CKY moving into Toledo and not even caring about Findlay, it would be smart if Findlay Publishing jumped on the Country Bandwagon as BUCKEYE 106.3 - Todays Best and Most Continuous Country.

 

[pbf1]

it would be smart if Findlay Publishing jumped on the Country Bandwagon as BUCKEYE 106.3 - Todays Best and Most Continuous Country.

It would be smart to use a slogan Clear Channel already burned out? Never mind the C&D for using their service mark...

Bring back the WHMQ call letters (which once beat WKXA in middays, despite a considerable signal and financial disadvantage). Its former morning guy is already in the building!

 

[Limp73]

WFIN, Findlay is local...Hopefully the former Big Buck will return...but they will also compete with an oldies format on WTTF if that is the case...it was originally WPNM which aired jazz for many years.

 

[FredRichards]

If they do oldies, I'll help them with the music automation, library, and format. They supply the voicetrack, etc.

After The Buck was creamed on the highway, I got XM to find an oldies outlet. But now I'm finding that a little tiresome with "Motormouth" always on.

I do hope that whatever they do, they do ... local, local, local. Putnam County and Ottawa need a local station.

 

[kentuckymedia]

Reason they wont get a C&D is that you dont say BUCKEYE COUNTRY. You say BUCKEYE 106.3 Todays Best and Most Country. Or call it 106.3 The Big Buck- Todays best and most country.

 

[sdm12]

Reason they wont get a C&D is that you dont say BUCKEYE COUNTRY. You say BUCKEYE 106.3 Todays Best and Most Country. Or call it 106.3 The Big Buck- Todays best and most country.

"The Big Buck" name is too associated with the Oldies format around the area. I think the oldies route would be good, since there really isn't a strong oldies outlet in the area. With the signal's coverage, I don't think country would be a great idea. It has trouble getting into Lima strongly and in Findlay it is weak in places, at least the last I listened to it. Even if (when) CKY moves to Toledo, you would still have it's 50k to deal with, plus T-102's 50k stick and Froggy 93 getting into Putnam County pretty good. Now, a HANK-FM might not be a terrible idea for the older audience who likes the classic country.

With all that said, it's not my investment, so it is easy for me to spend somebody else's money on ideas.

 

[gr8oldies]

When was WPNM's jazz era? I know they signed on in the late 70s as part of the Triplett group (WTOO AM-FM, WYAN) with a hot A/C CHR presentation, later they stayed A/C with CHR at night and I believe at one point they were co-owned with the Morris IL version of WCFL. Not sure of the history since then. have my doubts Putnam County could support a radio station with only Putnam County revenue in thi day and age.

 

[kirkiefan]

WPNM aired jazz in the late 70s/early 80s.....right around the time (you know who) departed Triplett and bought WERM making it WAXC

Used to listen to it when I was on I -75 between Bowling Green and Lima .

When did Triplett start up WYAN and WPNM? I remember Triplett owning WTOO before he went bankrupt.

 

[gr8oldies]

Not sure about WYAN except for it pre-dating WPNM, which I believe signed on in 1977. WTOO was a full-service AC/MOR with a BM FM (WOGM), which went into a simulcast as a screaming top 40 for awhile (which must have rattled some dentures), eventually separating the AM and FM again as the FM became Stereo TOO-98 and the AM went back to it's roots.

 

[kirkiefan]

yeah......remember Stereo Too 98....sort of a campy nickname but it caught on. Gordy Price was there before (and after) WMVR in the 80s before moving on to T-102... WTOO even breifly tried its original calls WOHP as a gospel format before becoming WPKO-AM(now WBLL).

So when did WPNM first hit the air? I know this is wishful thinking but I wish the new owners would move the studios back to Ottawa and let it be Putman County's radio station once again.

 

[kentuckymedia]

I love the idea of bringing Oldies back, but the only problem with that is the selling factor. They have classic hits on one FM and then they throw oldies on another you have competing formats to an extent.

What about 106.3 BOB FM?

 

[VODood]

WFIN, Findlay is local...Hopefully the former Big Buck will return...but they will also compete with an oldies format on WTTF if that is the case...it was originally WPNM which aired jazz for many years.

Standards/oldies on AM versus FM.....I'd listen to the FM.

 

[VODood]

I love the idea of bringing Oldies back, but the only problem with that is the selling factor. They have classic hits on one FM and then they throw oldies on another you have competing formats to an extent.

What about 106.3 BOB FM?

Is WFIN a POP classic hits? OR is it classic rock lite?

WBUK could be a traditional oldies (without using "oldies" in positioners) 1963-1979. Still viable and sellable in a small market. All about local/direct sales in a market that size. Not too many agency buys. Maybe 10 percent of all sales.

 

[pbf1]

WFIN?

News/Talk 1330...

WKXA leans more Classic Rock, IIRC....

 

[kentuckymedia]

What about just throw Scott Shannons True Oldies channel on there and call it a day!

 

[AugC]

Where the heck did Gordy price end up?

 

[VODood]

What about just throw Scott Shannons True Oldies channel on there and call it a day!

Cost wise I understand the move. And perhaps a local PM driver or AM drive so you can put someone on the street. Would only have to schedule music for those dayparts.

Then again...go all local. Oldies isn't overtly expensive to do. Jingles and a library. If using Google Radio (formerly Scott Studios) or Prophet then voicetracking is very easy.

Prophet NexGen is the best automation system out there, hands down.

 

[FredRichards]

Prophet NexGen is the best automation system out there, hands down.

Perhaps, and maybe it has more whistles and bells. Technology is wonderful, but sometimes you have to ask if you need a Porsche to drive down the street for a gallon of milk.

I think WBUK could do darn good programming wise with something like WR, a decent music service with/without voicetracking, and then a format which allows them to sell more than just "spots". Their only big commitment would be to get back into the H.S. sports on Friday nights, and cover local news. They have to do local. If they try to be an extension of Findlay in Ottawa, I don't see too much success.

There is money in Putnam County. To get it you need three things. Trust from the public that you're not there just to weasel money out of the county. Commitment to the public need. And a product that people feel is "their" own station.

Unfortunately, years of being in the county, and not doing anything for the area has taken its toll. So the first thing that needs to be addressed is the trust. News, weather, & sports takes care of the public need. And once people feel it's their station, and not just an extension of Lima or Findlay into their county, there will be more than enough business to satisfy the investment.

 

[VODood]

Prophet NexGen is the best automation system out there, hands down.

Perhaps, and maybe it has more whistles and bells. Technology is wonderful, but sometimes you have to ask if you need a Porsche to drive down the street for a gallon of milk.

I think WBUK could do darn good programming wise with something like WR, a decent music service with/without voicetracking, and then a format which allows them to sell more than just "spots". Their only big commitment would be to get back into the H.S. sports on Friday nights, and cover local news. They have to do local. If they try to be an extension of Findlay in Ottawa, I don't see too much success.

There is money in Putnam County. To get it you need three things. Trust from the public that you're not there just to weasel money out of the county. Commitment to the public need. And a product that people feel is "their" own station.

Unfortunately, years of being in the county, and not doing anything for the area has taken its toll. So the first thing that needs to be addressed is the trust. News, weather, & sports takes care of the public need. And once people feel it's their station, and not just an extension of Lima or Findlay into their county, there will be more than enough business to satisfy the investment.

Agreed. Full service oldies like WMJI/Cleveland USED to be. ABC Radio's FM news feed is great. Add a local cast to that at the top of the hour in AM drive, 12noon and maybe 5 & 6pm.

Oldies (pop classic hits) is still sellable in smaller markets.. hell, even in larger markets with the right sales staff. Lifestyle not numbers.

It's family-friendly, and is heard everywhere from TV spots, to in-store music to elevators, etc. Why? Because its non-offensive, fun and timeless.

WMJI still does 12noon newscasts. The 5pm and 530pm casts went away back about 2001 or so, after then PD Denny Sanders was unceremoniously canned. WMJI has been going downhill ever since.