WEPN's Cume Already Higher Than WFAN's

[Barry]

From InsideRadio: "If the trend line holds CBS Radio will be under pressure to find an FM home for its heritage sports talk brand WFAN, New York (660). Arbitron reports ESPN Radio’s rival station amassed a larger cume than WFAN in only its second week on the FM dial."

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

From InsideRadio: "If the trend line holds CBS Radio will be under pressure to find an FM home for its heritage sports talk brand WFAN, New York (660). Arbitron reports ESPN Radio’s rival station amassed a larger cume than WFAN in only its second week on the FM dial."

I find that hard to believe, considering in April WFAN had an almost 2-1 lead in cume, 1,576,400 to 884,200.
If anything, WEMP may have gotten a one month "bump" with the newness of the move to FM plus Rangers and Knicks playoff games. (Could that raised cume include some overlap with the final days of WRKS). Now that the novelty of FM Sports is already fading, both NY teams are out of the playoffs and and WFAN has baseball and Devils playoff hockey, we should see numbers go back to normal. CBS Radio shouldn't make any panic moves after one month. Unlike 1050, 660 is probably one of the most powerful signals in NY, easily heard EVERYWHERE in the market (and well beyond). There is no need for them to move WFAN to FM.

 

[wadio]

Now that the novelty of FM Sports is already fading,

'Ya think? I'll bet after only two weeks plenty of people don't even know WEPN-FM exists.

 

[jhguthlac]

Give this a full quarter before any excitment or panic. I expect WFAN to have trouble, but its too soon to see how deep the trouble will be.

 

[mjb1124]

WFAN definitely shouldn't move from 660 (what would they replace it with, anyway?). But at this point I would seriously consider adding an FM simulcast. Just give it a couple months to see if WEPN maintains its additional cume, and to see if the respective upward and downward trends for Now and Fresh continue.

I think ESPN New York should stay on 1050 as well. If they really want to put Deportes somewhere, there's always 94.7, though of course I'd rather see a music format that's not currently on the NYC dial.

 

[ansky212]

I think we need some clarification here. Did WFAN's cume go down, or was it just that WEPN's went up? My point is, did people leave WFAN and move to WEPN, or is WEPN's higher cume a result of people tuning in who never listened to either station before? I would find it hard to believe that people who already listened to Mike Francesca would suddenly abandon his show and start listening to Michael Kay simply because he is on FM. As others have mentioned, the Knicks and Rangers playoff games likely had a lot to do with the ratings. So we'll need to wait a couple months before we can see a trend.

 

[Danfm]

My prediction new now PD Rick Gillette who programed the Classic Hits format in Phoenix will be named the new PD of CBS FM when Brian Thomas heads to Tampa and 92.3 Now (WXRK) will become WFAN-FM.

 

[TimeIsTight]

My point is, did people leave WFAN and move to WEPN, or is WEPN's higher cume a result of people tuning in who never listened to either station before?

Remember, to be counted in a station's average weekly cume, you only have to have your radio tuned to that station for about 15-continuous minutes anytime during the week. The same people can be represented in both station cume totals.

So, WFAN wouldn't have to lose any cume to have WEPN's cume rise substantially. It wouldn't be surprising for WEPN to pick up a lot of new listeners who never go over to AM for anything, or for regular WFAN listeners to decide to also check out WEPN now that they can hear it on a better signal. It will probably take a couple of months to establish the numbers and run them through the spread sheets before CBS makes any big decisions.

 

[TheBigA]

WFAN definitely shouldn't move from 660 (what would they replace it with, anyway?).

What would they replace it with? Consider that they might start selling their heritage AMs. They haven't yet, but in order for them to buy another FM, something has to go. Clear Channel doesn't own any AMs in NYC, and their NY cluster is very profitable. I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, CBS either sells one of their AMs, or puts it in a trust like KFWB in LA. Then they can buy WFME.

 

[ansky212]

WFAN definitely shouldn't move from 660 (what would they replace it with, anyway?).

What would they replace it with? Consider that they might start selling their heritage AMs. They haven't yet, but in order for them to buy another FM, something has to go. Clear Channel doesn't own any AMs in NYC, and their NY cluster is very profitable. I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, CBS either sells one of their AMs, or puts it in a trust like KFWB in LA. Then they can buy WFME.

I wonder how much they would get for 660, or who would even want to buy it. Music formats seem to be leaving radio altogether, and talk is moving to FM. What's left? My guess would be some type of foreign language broadcasting.

 

[badjef]

Now that the novelty of FM Sports is already fading,

'Ya think? I'll bet after only two weeks plenty of people don't even know WEPN-FM exists.

I'd take that bet.

New York is one market that Sports is BIG. Plus the people listening to KISS, certainly knew it so people would also find out about it by osmosis. WRKS to WEPN was not a secret when it was happening.

There is plenty of curiosity cume occurring in the NYC PPM world.

Besides, WFAN is soo bad, ANY "New" sports station would be perceived as welcome.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[nd2023]

WFAN definitely shouldn't move from 660 (what would they replace it with, anyway?).

What would they replace it with? Consider that they might start selling their heritage AMs. They haven't yet, but in order for them to buy another FM, something has to go. Clear Channel doesn't own any AMs in NYC, and their NY cluster is very profitable. I wouldn't be surprised if, at some point, CBS either sells one of their AMs, or puts it in a trust like KFWB in LA. Then they can buy WFME.

I wonder how much they would get for 660, or who would even want to buy it. Music formats seem to be leaving radio altogether, and talk is moving to FM. What's left? My guess would be some type of foreign language broadcasting.

There would be a lot of buyers if 660 were for sale. It's a 50000 watt clear channel in market 1, not a graveyarder in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

It's hard to swallow that a non-music FM of any sort lapped the field in one month. WEMP has been trying for each of the last four SEASONS to kick CBS's AMers where they don't want to be kicked. That failure began nine books ago. So much for novelty curiosity.

Some of the residual, ex-WRKS folks *have* to account for this. Either way -- you can bet that those same hourly PPM breakdowns already have been undergone a microscope test at CBS.

Question : Isn't the ownership of channel 155, or whatever it is, the obstacle to CBS being allowed another NYC property? Which would be worth more -- WFAN or the TV station?

 

[TheBigA]

Question : Isn't the ownership of channel 155, or whatever it is, the obstacle to CBS being allowed another NYC property? Which would be worth more -- WFAN or the TV station?

Yes, you're correct. Here's what the rule says:

Up to two TV stations and up to six radio stations or one TV station and up to seven radio stations.

If CBS wants an FM, they have to get rid of something. The irony is their weakest AM signal is currently getting the best ratings.

 

[WNTIRadio]

It's hard to swallow that a non-music FM of any sort lapped the field in one month. WEMP has been trying for each of the last four SEASONS to kick CBS's AMers where they don't want to be kicked. That failure began nine books ago. So much for novelty curiosity.

The difference is that WEPN was/is a functioning and established station, with VERY good brand recognition. Most people know what ESPN is, even if they don't follow sports. Add to it, some local NYC personalities such as Kay and Lupica, plus the established syndicated shows, and it's not a stretch that it would compete on FM.

"FM News" stumbled out of the gate like a horse with 3 legs. First it was the "chocolate" fiasco. Then it was Kardashian news 24/7, then something in the middle and now they're finally doing mostly straight up news. Problem is, there are still so many technical issues and things like outdated weather forecasts running for anyone to take it seriously. Especially when there are not one, but TWO all news stations that have been there for 40+ years and do a superb job.

The Fan, on the other hand, can be perceived as stale by a lot of people. 5 1/2 hours of Francessa alone is WAY TOO MUCH of him bloviating. I never understood that aspect of programming on 660. Put Evan and Joe on a normal shift from 10am-2pm and bucketmouth on from 2-6pm.

 

[ansky212]

Question : Isn't the ownership of channel 155, or whatever it is, the obstacle to CBS being allowed another NYC property? Which would be worth more -- WFAN or the TV station?

The TV station is WLNY 55 which broadcasts OTA from Long Island, but has cable/satellite carriage throughout the majority of the NYC metro area. It's not yet clear what CBS plans to do with the TV station (aside from a 9pm newscast starting this summer), but I would have to think a TV station is generally more lucrative than a radio station. But we'll have to wait and see.

 

[radioguy39nj]

It may be too early to tell if WEPN-FMs cume is higher than WFAN, but one thing is certain. WFAN will at some point have to simulcast on FM, either 92.3 or 102.7. There is no way CBS will unload 660 AM and it's 50 kW blaster signal.

IMHO, the simulcast will happen before the start of the NFL season.

 

[TheBigA]

No one ever expected Disney to get rid of its radio stations, but look what happened. At some point, it's cheaper to rent than to own.

 

[DToTheJ]

...The Fan... can be perceived as stale by a lot of people. 5 1/2 hours of Francesa alone is WAY TOO MUCH of him bloviating. I never understood that aspect of programming on 660. Put Evan and Joe on a normal shift from 10am-2pm and bucketmouth on from 2-6pm.

Francesa = name recognition in New York sports radio. He's entitled to continue the same 5+ hour shift he was entitled to since he was co-hosting with Mad Dog up until 2009. By the way, ask Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano in Philadelphia if they're going to question WIP's "aspect of programming" - they've been doing a 5-hour show on WIP for years.

 

[bigtom101]

Francesa = name recognition in New York sports radio. He's entitled to continue the same 5+ hour shift he was entitled to since he was co-hosting with Mad Dog up until 2009. By the way, ask Glen Macnow and Anthony Gargano in Philadelphia if they're going to question WIP's "aspect of programming" - they've been doing a 5-hour show on WIP for years.

For what it's worth, the New York sports fans I know who listen to WFAN can't stand Francessa - and no, they are not radio people who are turned off by his reputation off the air.

Should be interesting to see how 98.7 does after the Stanley Cup when both WFAN and WCBS-AM have baseball play by play.