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WGN -- Why all of changes?

Nothing ever remains the same. I'm a fan of WGN but I am so excited that Johnny "B" is going to do mornings at 'GN that it's like Christmas...wait a second, it is almost Christmas! I just hope Pirhana Man will do traffic.
 
OldChicago said:
WGN is one of the top rated stations in Chicago. Usually in the top 3.
Why are they blowing it up?


Old Chicago
Click to expand...

They're top 3 6+. In the money demo (P25-54), they are far lower.
 
Element9 said:
Blowing it up?
Click to expand...

Survival.

Their non-sports audience is too old, and has been for decades. I don't think Brandmeier is the long-term answer since he's a relic of the '80s, but he will bring down the average audience age from 70 to 50. But his core audience has aged past the Sacred Sales DemosTM - not good. I don't think WGN has a long-term answer since AM can't be marketed to folks younger than 50. Without the Cubs, WGN would have been toast years ago.

Without an FM, they can't survive much longer. AM becomes more irrelevant by the month, and the fact they've been on the air since your grandma was in diapers doesn't mean squat. But the only way WGN can go on FM is if Tribune sells it - I believe that 1970 court order is still in effect.
 
KeithE4 said:
Element9 said:
Blowing it up?
Click to expand...

But the only way WGN can go on FM is if Tribune sells it - I believe that 1970 court order is still in effect.
Click to expand...

Since WGN/Tribune can't BUY an FM in Chicago outright, can they enter into an LMA agreement with someone for an FM?

Old Chicago
 
"I believe that 1970 court order is still in effect."
I believe the FCC is currently asking for comments on cross ownership.
 
OldChicago said:
KeithE4 said:
Element9 said:
Blowing it up?
Click to expand...

But the only way WGN can go on FM is if Tribune sells it - I believe that 1970 court order is still in effect.
Click to expand...

Since WGN/Tribune can't BUY an FM in Chicago outright, can they enter into an LMA agreement with someone for an FM?

Old Chicago
Click to expand...

They need the Cox Lawyers. In Atlanta Cox owns the only daily paper with total market distrubution, Channel 2 and a cluster of radio stations.

If they do not want to go the legal route, then "spin off" the Newspaper or sell WGN.* I know it is an AM, but Merlin is buying stations. I am sure a certain employee of Merlin would love to have WGN just to mess with WBBM!

*This might be easier than most people think if Tribune is still in Chapter 11. The judge can order the trustee of a bankrupt company, to "make a deal".
 
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