Over the years Clear Channel has had many weird programming disasters in Atlanta, but they did one thing right back in the '90's. That one thing that CC did right was putting a simulcast of WGST on a smaller station they we LMAing, 105.7. In the years since they dropped the simulcast, FM news/talk has taken off all over the nation... and Clear Channel has their fair share of FM news/talk stations. What in the world has kept Clear Channel from putting WGST back on FM? Wouldn't WGST become Clear Channel's top station in Atlanta if it was on a 100kw FM?
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WGST
- Thread starter Poledo
- Start date
To put the AM programming on the 105.7 frequency was a Jacor decision. When they did this, the station was still under Jacor management. When the two companies merged (1999), CC decided to spin the 105.7 frequency into its own format.
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JohnAllan
Guest
At this point, I don't think the "big" problem with WGST is their signal. Yes, that could be improved, but the "BIG" problem at this point is content! Back in the day, GST had the Kimmer, Snake Davis, and ENTERTAINMENT! Now it is a delivery system for syndicated shows only. I remember listening to Snake Davis WAY into the night (when he had his own show), yelling at my radio, and totally enjoying the conversation. So, they could put the signal on their best FM and I don't think it would make a difference.
JohnAllan said:
I disagree. With 1000 watts night and a lot of skywave chop even during critical hours when WGST is still at 50k, it's going to be hard to do the following, especially in winter:
1) Have a listenable morning news/talk show for exurban, and even some suburban, listeners when WSB or FM is a button push away. The set-it-and-forget-it types (long TSL) won't change the station from what they tune in first thing.
2) Profitably sell a pricey syndicated show in the 3-6p slot.
3) Keep listeners after dark during PM drive, which can stretch to 7p.
4) Do anything meaningful in the 6-9p and 9p-mid slots.
Sure, content is an issue. Kimmer was great. But Kimmer was a pain to listen to after dark, in the winter, after about 5 PM. Most days I don't leave work until 6.
I agree with Jabba on this one. WGST might as well be a daytime-only station because to most Atlantans, that's what it is. Also, I don't feel Dave Ramsey is compelling enough for PM drive. He ought to be moved to 6-9P and replaced with something better.
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Ears On
Guest
Randall Bloomquist's legacy?
First, they came for Snake & Wayne. Then they came for the Kimmer and the King. Then, they came for Spiff. They came back again and Randall was willing to throw the news dept under the bus but it wasn't enough. They came for him (as he knew they would.)
This from a guy who once said "You're either in or you're out."
First, they came for Snake & Wayne. Then they came for the Kimmer and the King. Then, they came for Spiff. They came back again and Randall was willing to throw the news dept under the bus but it wasn't enough. They came for him (as he knew they would.)
This from a guy who once said "You're either in or you're out."
I'm looking at it differently. If they don't have an appropriate signal they aren't going to put in the effort required to program it correctly. Put WGST on Clear Channel's best Atlanta FM signal and then you have a good reason to start feeding the dinosaur. Even with a big bankroll, it would take a couple of years to to rebuild WGST on say 94.9 or 96.1, but eventually they would have a monster that could force Cox to move WSB to an FM signal to stay competitive.
Want to "save FM radio?" Put a "new and improved" WGST and the "old reliable" WSB on full market class C FM's. That's one thing (the only thing?) that iPods and XM/Sirius can't compete with.
Want to "save FM radio?" Put a "new and improved" WGST and the "old reliable" WSB on full market class C FM's. That's one thing (the only thing?) that iPods and XM/Sirius can't compete with.
JohnAllan said:
D
DuckBlue
Guest
I believe that WGST had better day and night coverage in the Atlanta area when they were on 920. I knew someone who said he used to listen to them in the mornings driving from Warner Robins to Atlanta when they were on 920 but couldn't get them after they changed to 640. When they were all news, WGST was the only station I listened to. I haven't listened to them in years now. I have no idea what programs they broadcast.
Its true, their signal on 920 kc was better in some areas at night. If you were a listener when it was all news you'll no doubt remember "Wake up to the world," Newsradio 92! Now the programming is as follows;
12 midnight to 8 a:
Static, Cuba
8 a to 9 a
Randy Cook
9a to Noon:
Something inflammatory
Noon to 3 p:
Rush
3 p to 6 p:
Something else inflammatory
6 p to midnight:
Static, Cuba
Weekends:
Repeats of Rush, something inflammatory, static and Cuba.
During the Spring, Summer and early Fall:
Braves baseball, when there is no static or Cuba.
12 midnight to 8 a:
Static, Cuba
8 a to 9 a
Randy Cook
9a to Noon:
Something inflammatory
Noon to 3 p:
Rush
3 p to 6 p:
Something else inflammatory
6 p to midnight:
Static, Cuba
Weekends:
Repeats of Rush, something inflammatory, static and Cuba.
During the Spring, Summer and early Fall:
Braves baseball, when there is no static or Cuba.
M
mark719
Guest
920 was a good spot...and 640 was a smart move at the time. 'GST had much better programming than WSB. Of course it wasn't until the mid 90s when 'SB became so dominant because they got Clark Howard and Neil Boortz from 'GST.
The 105.7 signal was an LMA deal done after 'GST got the Braves back in the mid 90s. It gave them a night signal outside the perimeter. That was also great leverage to keep GA Tech's PBP.
When 'GST split the AM and FM signals it was the beginning of the end.
The 105.7 signal was an LMA deal done after 'GST got the Braves back in the mid 90s. It gave them a night signal outside the perimeter. That was also great leverage to keep GA Tech's PBP.
When 'GST split the AM and FM signals it was the beginning of the end.
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Ears On
Guest
Jacor was the beginning of the end. John Lauer as GM of Peach WGST knew the Atlanta market; his employees were loyal to him and vice versa. Sure, he'd have been retired by now but once he got whacked by the Cincinnati mob, it was a downward spiral. It took a while but it's been geese in both engines for years, and a long silent glide to earth with nobody as competent as old Sullenberger at the controls. (Bob Houghton? OMG. Bruce Collins? Spit take. Chuck Deskins? Next please.)
Brace for impact.
Brace for impact.
There were some of us who hoped, probably beyond reasonable limits, that WGST might rally and slowly become a somewhat competitive player again. The station has a distinguished history, but the CC business model has ensured that will never happen. Too bad. Try to think of WGST as an old vending machine half filled with cheap snacks. If you get hungry for some crap and you aren't all that concerned about nutrition, you walk over and pop in some change. The snacks don't cost much to produce, but if one or two items stop selling, CC doesn't change the crap... they just put it in a different box and sell it to you all over again.
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