WEMP...how low can they go?

[wprt949]

they should have went with 101.9 in nyc and tried too see the results of that station before they killed off Q101 in chicago

why launch 2 stations at once ?

 

[Theater of My Mind]

WEMP's problem is that it's trying to fill a hole that isn't really there.

Yup, I'll never understand why they decided to spend so much money to solve a problem that doesn't exist. NYC has two of the best all-news stations in the country, and the resources of one of the best national news networks behind them.

I'll admit I didn't listen to WEMP for long last weekend during the storm, but for the few minutes I did tune in they were doing a long-ass report about how the storm was affecting New Hampshire, right down to minutia about towns I've never heard of, with some NH correspondent on the phone. It was so boring and irrelevant. They just don't get it.

Dial location doesn't trump quality content.

 

[ansky212]

Yup, I'll never understand why they decided to spend so much money to solve a problem that doesn't exist. NYC has two of the best all-news stations in the country, and the resources of one of the best national news networks behind them.

I agree. Rather than filling a huge void that has existed for over a decade (country), they would rather try to compete with 2 large, heritage news stations that have existed for 30+ years. I don't know how they could think that's the better choice. To me that's like the Yankees choosing to play all their games against the Red Sox and Tigers, rather than against the Royals and Padres.

 

[disney fanatic]

According to the latest October PPM's, WEMP's "FM News" is going down the toilet. Yes, down the drain it goes to a 0.4. This is even as bad as "Air America", a liberal talk network run by a guy named Al Franken, that station is terrible before it went out of business. "FM News" is a dumb move since day 1 until the ratings came out. Look what happened to WCBS-AM and 1010 WINS. Both stations did really well, thanks to the CBS crew who made the station a lot better than WEMP's. First WCBS-AM had the Yankees, but according to the source that the Yankees will continue to run on WCBS-AM for the 2012 season, because the contract is extending and John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman are coming back. That's good! But they're not going to WEPN or WABC anytime soon. WCBS-FM is doing a lot better, look what "Fox Oldies" is doing? Is doing a lot better than CBS-FM, but I guess WGNY's "Fox Oldies" sounds a lot better than the old CBS-FM circa 1972 through 2005 back when Joe McCoy was the king of the station. I listened to the station up here, but they still playing the same music with the exception of playing too much 50's music including the pre-Beatles stuff on there. This would sound a lot like the old CBS-FM from the last 30 years when it was an oldies station since it first came on in 1972 until it died in 2005 when "Jack" came along and went back two years later and adding some 80's stuff in there, but what's next, why not add the 90's to the station.

To get back on the WEMP situation. I hope there's going to be some changes. Maybe the return of WRXP? Or maybe the return of Smooth Jazz which is "CD 101.9" is going to return, or maybe another WPIX-FM? We shall see if this station would not keep up as well. Chances are, you haven't been already! Ha! Ha! Ha! (Love that Joker!)

 

[Dick Skinner]

"...Air America", a liberal talk network run by a guy named Al Franken, that station is terrible before it went out of business.

Senator Franken had a show on Air America...your assertion that he ran the network is misinformed, fairy fanatic. Keep your facts straight, please.

 

[Macker]

If it was run by anyone other than Randy Michaels, would you all be so willing to take shots at WEMP, particularly because it's been proven that news-talk formats take at least a year to gain ratings traction?

I'm fairly young and don't know who Randy Michaels is. My criticism is that it's not news. It's "women's lifestyle entertainment". There's really no substance in the reports. It is mostly personal tidbits and advice for mothers instead of news stories. They cover maybe 10 stories and that's it, just run a loop of the same 10 story clips. There are absolutely no science or tech stories, ever. It's just the same basic 10 stories (sometimes for days!). Just the same meaningless headlines, over and over. Not even any talk about them or delving into the articles. Just basically the same top 10 headlines looped over with traffic and weather. Anyone can easily pull up a news website on their and get more information in literally 60 seconds than WEMP's product.

 

[Dick Skinner]

If it was run by anyone other than Randy Michaels, would you all be so willing to take shots at WEMP, particularly because it's been proven that news-talk formats take at least a year to gain ratings traction?

I'm fairly young and don't know who Randy Michaels is. My criticism is that it's not news. It's "women's lifestyle entertainment". There's really no substance in the reports. It is mostly personal tidbits and advice for mothers instead of news stories. They cover maybe 10 stories and that's it, just run a loop of the same 10 story clips. There are absolutely no science or tech stories, ever. It's just the same basic 10 stories (sometimes for days!). Just the same meaningless headlines, over and over. Not even any talk about them or delving into the articles. Just basically the same top 10 headlines looped over with traffic and weather. Anyone can easily pull up a news website on their and get more information in literally 60 seconds than WEMP's product.

Brought to you by The Department of the Redundancy Department.

 

[Macker]

If it was run by anyone other than Randy Michaels, would you all be so willing to take shots at WEMP, particularly because it's been proven that news-talk formats take at least a year to gain ratings traction?

I'm fairly young and don't know who Randy Michaels is. My criticism is that it's not news. It's "women's lifestyle entertainment". There's really no substance in the reports. It is mostly personal tidbits and advice for mothers instead of news stories. They cover maybe 10 stories and that's it, just run a loop of the same 10 story clips. There are absolutely no science or tech stories, ever. It's just the same basic 10 stories (sometimes for days!). Just the same meaningless headlines, over and over. Not even any talk about them or delving into the articles. Just basically the same top 10 headlines looped over with traffic and weather. Anyone can easily pull up a news website on their and get more information in literally 60 seconds than WEMP's product.

Brought to you by The Department of the Redundancy Department.

They must sponsor WEMP.

 

[nd2023]

If it was run by anyone other than Randy Michaels, would you all be so willing to take shots at WEMP, particularly because it's been proven that news-talk formats take at least a year to gain ratings traction?

I'm fairly young and don't know who Randy Michaels is. My criticism is that it's not news. It's "women's lifestyle entertainment". There's really no substance in the reports. It is mostly personal tidbits and advice for mothers instead of news stories. They cover maybe 10 stories and that's it, just run a loop of the same 10 story clips. There are absolutely no science or tech stories, ever. It's just the same basic 10 stories (sometimes for days!). Just the same meaningless headlines, over and over. Not even any talk about them or delving into the articles. Just basically the same top 10 headlines looped over with traffic and weather. Anyone can easily pull up a news website on their and get more information in literally 60 seconds than WEMP's product.

Brought to you by The Department of the Redundancy Department.

They must sponsor WEMP.

Your post is similar to how the news is presented on 101.9

 

[TheBigA]

My criticism is that it's not news. It's "women's lifestyle entertainment". There's really no substance in the reports. It is mostly personal tidbits and advice for mothers instead of news stories.

I think that's kind of what they're aiming for. The problem is that, while there's obviously an audience for it, as evidenced by Oprah and all the related shows of that kind, this particular application is obviously missing the mark. Now if they actually had Oprah or Gayle King on this station, or even someone from the Travel Channel or anyone with credibility, they might have a chance. But these are anchors that no one knows saying things that have no meaning without context and credibility.

 

[major]

Seems no matter where you go, somebody doesn't like old Benjamin.

 

[DToTheJ]

Even traffic cops!

 

[PhilHaircut]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ0UEjiPgQU&feature=related

Check it out!!! I think WEMP is about to get a ratings boost!!!! This is the most
exposure they've got all year!!!!

If you don't want to click the link, it's basically FM News 101.9's logo mic front
and center for Sharon Bialek's press conference.

Completely unrelated... I love how the GOP is all up in arms about the "Democratic
Machine" pushing these allegations. Yeah, the GOP would NEVER do a little poop
diving.

And even more unrelated... Country will never work in NYC.

Good day.

 

[Jersey Maiden]

Let's take a look at the lifespan of some short-lived stations:

Blink 102.7: 1/03-12/03

92.3 Free FM: 1/06-5/07

Not that many examples but if things don't turn around in a year, they probably never will.

At the same thing, when I saw Sharon Bialek's press conference on World News, it had me wondering if WEMP will get some listeners.

 

[Jersey Maiden]

I know I'm desperate to have a rock station back, with T&A-Sports-Humor-Ballbusting Morning and Afternoon shows. Real Guy rock in between. AC/DC to NIN. All the kick ass rock from the 80's, all the grundge from 90's, and just enough of what's out there today. 3-4 currents an hour - none of that RXP 1 current baloney. And definitely NONE of that puke indie garbage.

But that's just me, I'm white, in my late 30's, hate my job, love banging my wife and I watch football with my buddies every Sunday. I'm a dying breed. Can't imagine there are too many guys like me living and working in the NYC area, driving a car!

But I digress... If WEMP doesn't get its butt outta the gutter, it'll go away. All the radio message boards in the world can debate this WEMP situation 24/7... but it doesn't change the fact we all have to sit around to wait and see what happens.

I'll put all my money on the fact that somebody will be playing an A-Z or a 500 song countdown, or a double shot weekend on 101.9 by Memorial Day. OH or 10,000 songs in a row!!!! Memorial Day - BANK ON IT! But on a positive note the station will be at a .9 and 30th in the market when it flips.

Do you listen to WDHA? It seems to fit your description well and the last modern rock station in my area (at least with a decent signal). And believe me, there are more women who'd rather listen to guy rock than the female-aimed but sexist crap on WEMP. Personally, I'd love a station that puts alternative and hard rock together but judging from the fate of G-rock and the constant identity crises of K-rock, it's probably not going to happen.

 

[mrbrightside]

A meathead station like the above will not work in NYC. It was tried with K-Rock, which repeated the same AC/DC songs, KISS, along with RHCP, ad nauseam. Whoo! I listened to K-Rock from sign-on as a new rock station. I then left for college, and came back. They were still playing the same boring songs! I think a station like Radio 104.5 in Philly or Radio 92.9 in Boston would work in New York, it draws from both the male and female demos. It plays mostly alternative gold songs, with some currents. No dinosaur rock, please, Q104 is for that.

Let's face it, the only reason there is not a new rock station (it's still unbelievable that New York does not have a rock station) is because of corporate radio consolidation. From a business stand point, I get it, Power 105 exists to keep Hot 97 down, Fresh exists to keep Lite FM down a notch. But from a listener standpoint, it's a boring, generic, repetitive dial. That is why young people do not listen, there is nothing for them to listen to.

I'm assuming that this post will get ignored (it makes too much sense), and a new exciting topic such as what old, moldy songs are on CBS FM, or one about a radio host's shift being moved on an old timey AM radio station.

 

[uncamark]

A meathead station like the above will not work in NYC. It was tried with K-Rock, which repeated the same AC/DC songs, KISS, along with RHCP, ad nauseam. Whoo! I listened to K-Rock from sign-on as a new rock station. I then left for college, and came back. They were still playing the same boring songs! I think a station like Radio 104.5 in Philly or Radio 92.9 in Boston would work in New York, it draws from both the male and female demos. It plays mostly alternative gold songs, with some currents. No dinosaur rock, please, Q104 is for that.

Let's face it, the only reason there is not a new rock station (it's still unbelievable that New York does not have a rock station) is because of corporate radio consolidation. From a business stand point, I get it, Power 105 exists to keep Hot 97 down, Fresh exists to keep Lite FM down a notch. But from a listener standpoint, it's a boring, generic, repetitive dial. That is why young people do not listen, there is nothing for them to listen to.

No--it's because advertisers aren't interested in shoplifters, dope addicts and rapists.

 

[mrbrightside]

Wow, that is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard. But hey, if it makes you feel better about corporate ownership of the airwaves... I work in advertising by the way, lol. That's laugh out loud, in case you didn't know.

 

[TheBigA]

Let's face it, the only reason there is not a new rock station (it's still unbelievable that New York does not have a rock station) is because of corporate radio consolidation.

This thread is about WEMP. This is the only station Merlin owns in New York. There is absolutely no corporate reason why Merlin didn't keep rock on this frequency. Corporate consolidation has nothing to do with it.

I work in advertising by the way, lol.

And advertising is the reason why its a boring, repetitive dial. If radio was subscription, like satellite, things would be different.

 

[mrbrightside]

You are correct, perhaps I am airing my grievances on the wrong thread. But corporate consolidation is why another station group has not picked up the format, because of their "wedge" concept. See above.

I also agree about the subscription idea.