WFAN to 101.9

[RBRadioWaves]

It could be just me, but I thing the RXP website is now gone too.

Nope. But, and color me wrong, as I'm not an alt-rock listener, but there seems to be songs this hour that seem to indicate the end ("Soul to Squeeze", "Not Your Fault"). Then again, maybe I'm looking to deep into the songs. I really doubt that they would pull the plug now, however.

 

[davideduardo]

I don't know why WFAN needs to be on an FM simulcast to the entire market. Like someone else said, put a WFAN xlator on in the Hudson Valley or Poughkeepsie. 660 has a fantastic 50kw signal reaching all over the East Coast. All the plasma TVs, computers and office interference should be of no problem to get WFAN. Next stop for 660-brokered Ethnic? Who knows in five years...

WFAN, WCBS and WINS are three of the top billing stations in New York.

The new WRXP rock format is not. Not even near.

CBS's issue is preserving and growing the revenue and listenership of the two news format variants and the sports format. That means improving the under-55 demos as the AM core listener ages and fewer people are likely to listen; that means eventually moving to FM and alternate delivery systems.

The coverage of WFAN or WCBS (AM) outside of the New York metro Arbitron survey area can't be monetized. Advertising on a New York City station can not be priced based on coverage or even listeners outside the metro as the metric is ratings point delivery in the metro. Since most agency buys are 6 AM to 7 PM, night skywave coverage is irrelevant, anyway.

What makes the most sense now is keeping the 660 and 880 non-directional clear channel stations and getting rid of 1010 to comply with the ownership cap.

Those three stations together bill about $130 million a year. That's more revenue for just three stations than the total revenue of market #17, Tampa / St Petersburgh.

 

[recto101]

http://news.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n25658

All-Sports WFAn TO FM article by Radio Online.

Correction Maybe WINS would Stay with CBS maybe the LMA will Be like San Francisco where
1550AM was rumored to be sold to someone else after the 2011 flip of 1550 AM KFRC Oldies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KZDG

http://www.radiozindagi.com/

 

[Kent]

CBS can't put WINS in a trust and still share staff and resources with WCBS. A trust is required to be completely independent. CBS found paying a trustee to run an independent all news format was too expensive in LA. I don't see them doing it in New York.

I suspect you'll see CBS apply for a waiver of the crossownership rules. They'll probably at least get a temporary one that will give them a few months to decide what they'll do. Whatever happens, we'll find out more once the application to transfer 101.9 to CBS is filed.

 

[RBRadioWaves]

Now WRXP is hoping we had the time of our lives..... yeah, maybe WRXP will die tonight.

 

[JoeyBagODonuts]

It could be just me, but I thing the RXP website is now gone too.

Nope. But, and color me wrong, as I'm not an alt-rock listener, but there seems to be songs this hour that seem to indicate the end ("Soul to Squeeze", "Not Your Fault"). Then again, maybe I'm looking to deep into the songs. I really doubt that they would pull the plug now, however.

Maybe they'll go back to the FM New (aka Chocolate) format for the next month! ??? :

 

[radioguy39nj]

Advertisers on NY stations aren't buying Ocean County, NJ but I can receive a fairly good signal on 101.9 in my car. Home reception is nearly impossible.

One of WFAN's biggest advertisers is Lester Glenn Auto Group, which is based in Toms River.

 

[stationless listener]

WFAN, WCBS and WINS are three of the top billing stations in New York.

The new WRXP rock format is not. Not even near.

CBS's issue is preserving and growing the revenue and listenership of the two news format variants and the sports format. That means improving the under-55 demos as the AM core listener ages and fewer people are likely to listen; that means eventually moving to FM and alternate delivery systems.

The coverage of WFAN or WCBS (AM) outside of the New York metro Arbitron survey area can't be monetized. Advertising on a New York City station can not be priced based on coverage or even listeners outside the metro as the metric is ratings point delivery in the metro. Since most agency buys are 6 AM to 7 PM, night skywave coverage is irrelevant, anyway.

What makes the most sense now is keeping the 660 and 880 non-directional clear channel stations and getting rid of 1010 to comply with the ownership cap.

Those three stations together bill about $130 million a year. That's more revenue for just three stations than the total revenue of market #17, Tampa / St Petersburgh.

What scenario do you see as the most likely way for WINS to FM? My first thought was that "1010 WINS" becomes "1019 WINS" but CBS decided to simulcast The Fan. Now I think they might shift CBS FM to 92.3 and shift WINS to 101.1, thus rebranding it "1011 WINS" or even find a way of convincing people it's still "1010 WINS" without thinking too much about that last digit.

I like the idea of someone putting the BBC on 1010 but not necessarily BBC News, as there are already news stations that are very tough to beat. Five Live would be very nice and something that fans of the EPL would dig.

 

[RBRadioWaves]

What scenario do you see as the most likely way for WINS to FM? My first thought was that "1010 WINS" becomes "1019 WINS" but CBS decided to simulcast The Fan. Now I think they might shift CBS FM to 92.3 and shift WINS to 101.1, thus rebranding it "1011 WINS" or even find a way of convincing people it's still "1010 WINS" without thinking too much about that last digit.

CBS-FM will never go to 92.3. 101.1 is CBS-FM, always has been (except when you-know-who came into the picture for a couple years), and will be for a long time.

 

[crainbebo]

Yes, but an AM station is one of the top billing stations in New York. Look at 660's signal. Fine anywhere in the area. Even though WRXP is not as good in the ratings as 880, 660 etc. it's still music!

Or maybe it shall be "WRXP 94.7"! Who knows...

-crainbebo

 

[Ozman]

this sucks. No rock. FM on FAN will suck 40 miles VS 400 Miles on the AM. I hope they know what they are doing. maybe 103.9 will move to yonkers yet and be rock.

 

[recto101]

WFAN, WCBS and WINS are three of the top billing stations in New York.

The new WRXP rock format is not. Not even near.

CBS's issue is preserving and growing the revenue and listenership of the two news format variants and the sports format. That means improving the under-55 demos as the AM core listener ages and fewer people are likely to listen; that means eventually moving to FM and alternate delivery systems.

The coverage of WFAN or WCBS (AM) outside of the New York metro Arbitron survey area can't be monetized. Advertising on a New York City station can not be priced based on coverage or even listeners outside the metro as the metric is ratings point delivery in the metro. Since most agency buys are 6 AM to 7 PM, night skywave coverage is irrelevant, anyway.

What makes the most sense now is keeping the 660 and 880 non-directional clear channel stations and getting rid of 1010 to comply with the ownership cap.

Those three stations together bill about $130 million a year. That's more revenue for just three stations than the total revenue of market #17, Tampa / St Petersburgh.

What scenario do you see as the most likely way for WINS to FM? My first thought was that "1010 WINS" becomes "1019 WINS" but CBS decided to simulcast The Fan. Now I think they might shift CBS FM to 92.3 and shift WINS to 101.1, thus rebranding it "1011 WINS" or even find a way of convincing people it's still "1010 WINS" without thinking too much about that last digit.

I like the idea of someone putting the BBC on 1010 but not necessarily BBC News, as there are already news stations that are very tough to beat. Five Live would be very nice and something that fans of the EPL would dig.

How about an LMA or ownership With Cumulus since WINS already uses the ABC-E affiliation. But then Cumulus runs with Liabilities Since KGO-AM is hanging in with 2.X in the ratings and WYAY-FM is hanging on with a 1.x.

 

[stationless listener]

What scenario do you see as the most likely way for WINS to FM? My first thought was that "1010 WINS" becomes "1019 WINS" but CBS decided to simulcast The Fan. Now I think they might shift CBS FM to 92.3 and shift WINS to 101.1, thus rebranding it "1011 WINS" or even find a way of convincing people it's still "1010 WINS" without thinking too much about that last digit.

CBS-FM will never go to 92.3. 101.1 is CBS-FM, always has been (except when you-know-who came into the picture for a couple years), and will be for a long time.

Is the CBS-FM brand that dependent on the position in the dial? I always know them as "CBS-FM" whereas WINS has been branded as "1010 WINS" for a long time. In any case, WXRK hasn't had a winning format since the Stern show left. So they might as well blow up the format again. CBS isn't going to give up that revenue from WINS any time soon so it might as well be 92.3. Too bad another music station would be lost in the process.

I really do feel sorry for the new rock fans, as well as true dance, country and adult r&b fans. The corporate suits think those demos aren't bringing in the money or they would not be left out.

Meanwhile, 94.7 is still unsold. Now that blows!

 

[Giacomo Siffredi]

Or maybe it shall be "WRXP 94.7"! Who knows...

-crainbebo

Today's announcement regarding 101.9FM confirms what others were speculating a few months ago when suddenly rock music was once again emanating over this frequency: The return of the alternative rock format was merely a hastened stop-gap measure due to the imminent evaporation of funds for the "FM News" operation from GTCR, Merlin Media's financial backers. It wasn't intended to be a serious attempt at making the format work in New York, though certain actions, such as returning the WRXP call-sign, indicated it was.

History has just repeated itself. Once again, alternative rock in New York City DID NOT FAIL. Its untimely demise in spite of positive trending ratings is due to financial mismanagement, a continued poor economy, and the need for positive cash infusions in order to keep the licensee afloat.

Unfortunately, despite all these facts, I seriously doubt the format will return anytime soon to a full-power class B NYC signal, or even the full-power class B signal ten miles west in West Orange, NJ. At this point, the only way I could see it returning would be if an independent company not yet established in the market acquired an FM signal.

One more thing: Randy Michaels has proven himself to be a turd. His press release regarding this matter reveals him to be the spineless twit many people know him to be. The fact his company has to sell this major signal in order to stay afloat proves he knows next to nothing about running a successful corporation. In fact, Harold Camping has proven to be a better CEO (or "COE" as he once mistakenly identified himself) considering Family Stations Inc has retained their New York market signal in spite of their recent financial mismanagement during the rapture campaign.

 

[Bob1370]

Forget a waiver, which no one, not even CBS, will get.

You could make a good argument that CBS should have kept its $75 million and continued to enjoy the Cash cow that WFAN had become, especially since it continued to do fine on AM while an FM presence didn't do wonders for ESPN.

But CBS seems to think FM is the place for the sports format, and maybe the feedback they're getting in other markets like Boston, Philly and Pittsburgh has given them good reason to think so. So if we give Dan Mason the benefit of the doubt on this move, how should the other pieces of the cluster be arranged? The most logical route is for WFAN to move exclusively to 101.9, after a short simulcast; WINS to move to 660; WCBS to stay on 880; and all the other existing CBS cluster FMs to stay put (retaining their revenue streams) while the 1010 signal gets put up for sale. They're allowed a couple AMs and five FMs in addition to Channel 2 (and maybe Channel 55 on Long Island can slip in under the limit too).

Keeps CBS at but not over the limit, improves WINS' potential for the future with the better 660 signal, moves the sports to the FM band (for whatever that's worth) and keeps all the music stations in place. Who gets 1010? Who knows? It'll all depend on who ponies up with the cash (at least $30 million based on the recent WOR precedent of $30 million-plus stick value for a 50 kW directional AM with substantial market reach).

Now we have a good idea what NYC stick value is...$30 million for a 50 kW directional AM like WOR (or probably WINS on 1010), $75 million for a class B FM like WRXP. You're in a still pricier neighborhood for a 50 kW non-directional AM with substantial ratings and revenue, or a class B FM near the top of the PPMs, bit none of those is going to come up for sale anytime soon.

The interesting question going forward? Who gets 1010, and what will they do with it, assuming CBS makes the logical move of maintaining or improving everything else they now have?

 

[davideduardo]

They're allowed a couple AMs and five FMs in addition to Channel 2 (and maybe Channel 55 on Long Island can slip in under the limit too).

8 facilities are allowed in total. 5 may be FM, 5 may be AM, 2 may be TV.

Since Long Island is totally part of the New York Arbitron market, and that is the definition used by the FCC now, CBS will have 4 FMs, 3 AMs and 2 TVs with this deal. One has to go, or, perhaps, be put in a trust like the over-the-cap AM, KFWB, is under in LA.

Or closer by, the Aloha Trust stations on Long Island, forced into such a structure when their grandfathered status was "reset" when Clear Channel went private.

 

[Bob1370]

That math re-inforces the idea that the FMs stay, while the weakest AM, 1010, gets put on the block and its "intellectual property" moves to 660, while WFAN moves completely to 101.9 after a short simulcast period. (I think CBS can argue that channel 55 is in a separate television ADI since its OTA signal doesn't really cover NYC proper but just puts a grade A signal over Suffolk and Nassau counties....so it may not enter the equation at all.)

 

[XCountry285]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! NO! WE HAVE NO OTHER STATION PLAYING ROCK IN NEW YORK CITY! CBS AGAIN KILLS ROCK FOR A SECOND TIME! NOW FM is useless! Don't they get that talk and sports DO NOT BELONG ON FM IT FAILED BEFORE! Someone better bring rock back to NY! This is the worst news in history!

 

[stationless listener]

WFAN, WCBS and WINS are three of the top billing stations in New York.

The new WRXP rock format is not. Not even near.

CBS's issue is preserving and growing the revenue and listenership of the two news format variants and the sports format. That means improving the under-55 demos as the AM core listener ages and fewer people are likely to listen; that means eventually moving to FM and alternate delivery systems.

The coverage of WFAN or WCBS (AM) outside of the New York metro Arbitron survey area can't be monetized. Advertising on a New York City station can not be priced based on coverage or even listeners outside the metro as the metric is ratings point delivery in the metro. Since most agency buys are 6 AM to 7 PM, night skywave coverage is irrelevant, anyway.

What makes the most sense now is keeping the 660 and 880 non-directional clear channel stations and getting rid of 1010 to comply with the ownership cap.

Those three stations together bill about $130 million a year. That's more revenue for just three stations than the total revenue of market #17, Tampa / St Petersburgh.

What scenario do you see as the most likely way for WINS to FM? My first thought was that "1010 WINS" becomes "1019 WINS" but CBS decided to simulcast The Fan. Now I think they might shift CBS FM to 92.3 and shift WINS to 101.1, thus rebranding it "1011 WINS" or even find a way of convincing people it's still "1010 WINS" without thinking too much about that last digit.

I like the idea of someone putting the BBC on 1010 but not necessarily BBC News, as there are already news stations that are very tough to beat. Five Live would be very nice and something that fans of the EPL would dig.

How about an LMA or ownership With Cumulus since WINS already uses the ABC-E affiliation. But then Cumulus runs with Liabilities Since KGO-AM is hanging in with 2.X in the ratings and WYAY-FM is hanging on with a 1.x.

Who knows? If the numbers work out then it makes sense to add another station in New York.

An off-beat idea but Hubbard Broadcasting is another possibility. Having WINS to pair up with WTOP would be a nice get for them.

 

[Giacomo Siffredi]

I think CBS can argue that channel 55 is in a separate television ADI since its OTA signal doesn't really cover NYC proper but just puts a grade A signal over Suffolk and Nassau counties....so it may not enter the equation at all.

How does the carriage of WLNY-TV Riverhead by MVPDs (Cable/FiOS/Satellite) to areas of the New York market not presently served reliably by the channel 47 OTA signal figure into this?

No way does CBS even consider the sale of a TV station in the New York market in favor a radio signal, regardless of it being a prime FM property, as 101.9FM obviously is. Not to mention they closed on it within the past year.

The way I see it, CBS has three options:
1. Outright sell one of their AM signals
2. Place one of their radio signals (likely an AM) into a shill trust managed by an "unaffiliated" third-party craftily drafted by skilled high-priced communications-law attorneys
3. "Work" with the FCC to "forget" about the "outdated" ownership cap "law"