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WGST

Remember this quote from Rusty: “Clear Channel is gearing up to re-tool and rebuild WGST and I am thrilled to be a a part of it.”

I guarantee in 18 months he will be fired and say something along the lines of this, "Clear Channel wasn't committed to building an audience for WGST."
 
We uncovered the Ramsey/Salem breakup story thanks to an OMW reader E-mailing the Ramsey folks.

They said, basically, that Salem was asking the show to pay for its clearances on stations like WHKW/1220 here (and WGKA in Atlanta), and that they refused to do so.

i'd have to agree that 'GST is gearing up to do battle with WSB on an FM stick.
 
Our first report on Ramsey's tiff with Salem, dating back to 2006:

http://ohiomediawatch.wordpress.com/2006/07/17/late-day-wrapup/

OMW reported earlier this week that Salem was rumored to be dropping syndicated money advice guy Dave Ramsey, who airs on the company’s Christian talk/teaching outlets WHKW/1220 Cleveland and WRFD/880 Columbus (both named “The Word”).

We have confirmation direct from the show itself, courtesy of a helpful OMW reader who asked them about the rumblings. Dave Ramsey is parting ways with Salem, and the host’s staff appears to be none too happy about it.

A show staffer tells our reader that what he saw here is correct. “Salem did ask The Dave Ramsey Show, a mainstream, bartered, nationally syndicated talk show, to pay to be on their stations. This does include Cleveland and Columbus. We did reject their request as paying to air our show is not what we do.”

The Ramsey staff member goes on to say that they are indeed looking for new affiliates in both Ohio markets, and elsewhere where Salem will be dropping the show. From what we’ve heard, Ramsey’s deal with Salem runs out in mid-August, which gives WHKW and WRFD roughly a month to slot a replacement. We’re wondering if Dr. Laura’s new owners pay for time…
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No need to trim this quote, moderators...I wrote it. :D
 
If WGST goes to FM, where? 105.3 (who I seem to recallreading isn't doing great), 96.1?

I can't see them messing with 105.7/96.7 this soon in to the new "Groove."
 
caller10 said:
I remember when Dave launched on WGST, he talked about how 640 WGST was a powerhouse Atlanta talker...
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No, you're confusing him with Smerconish, who once (falsely) dubbed WGST a "blowtorch" on his show.

By the way... So much for that 20% audience increase for Smerconish on WGST. Probably a rise from 5 to 6 listeners, as I expected.
 
carolinaradio said:
If WGST goes to FM, where? 105.3 (who I seem to recallreading isn't doing great), 96.1?

I can't see them messing with 105.7/96.7 this soon in to the new "Groove."
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I'll believe it when I see it, as this has been a topic since, what, 2000 when they dumped the FM simul on 105.7?

My guesses would be, in order:
1. 105.3 (Patron isn't doing as well lately, and they could pick up listeners that 95.5 doesn't reach well)
2. Move Groove to 96.1 and use 105.7/96.7. Opens the door for a new active rocker elsewhere on the dial for someone else.
3. 96.1 (very doubtful).
 
3. 96.1 (very doubtful).
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I disagree.

96.1 is right next door to WSBB-FM and would benefit from sampling. If you hit the "seek" button from 95.5, the next station you land on is...96.1. This would make it easier for WSB's FM listeners to find WGST-FM, even if only by accident.

96.1 also has a phenomenal signal across the entire metro, which would be a source of competitive advantage.

Let's also keep in mind that Clear Channel has blown up Active Rock stations in Birmingham and, most recently, Albany, NY to make room for FM News/Talk simulcasts. Granted, circumstances were different in those two cases because, unlike Atlanta, their heritage news/talk AMs in those two markets were highly successful stations.

This is not to say a 96.1 simulcast is the most likely scenario, but I believe it's a definite possibility. (Also not sure if CC would ditch the "Project" brand completely, even though its ratings are less than impressive, and are downright terrible in the money demo.)
 
MarkW said:
This is not to say a 96.1 simulcast is the most likely scenario, but I believe it's a definite possibility. (Also not sure if CC would ditch the "Project" brand completely, even though its ratings are less than impressive, and are downright terrible in the money demo.)
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If Project's goal was to improve ratings and revenue over 96 Rock, then Project has been an absolute failure. Has Project ever beaten 96 Rock's last year's average ratings (and billings) in more than one or two books? Not saying they have but from what little I see, they clearly haven't.

Blowing up Project would affect the former Q100 by boosting Rock 100.5. But I am not sure that one station can handle both active and classic rock. Then again, Cumulus could put more active rock on [email protected]. And Cumulus has two other translators they are sitting on (one of which I believe is earmarked for simuling 680 The Fan at some point).

The question then becomes, could Groove benefit more from a metrowide signal more than the hit from the frequency musical chairs? Or do you put WGST on 96.1 and then keep a Groove move to 96.1 as a Plan B?
 
Abdicate the talk lifegroup and sell it in block time to preachers. They pay by the watt, and they're always money up front. Total cost is the power bill and the occasional tube for the transmitter.
Cox will bury them regardless, to protect the franchise - and they (Cox) haver the money and talent to do it. Never fight a war you can't win.
 
jabba17 said:
MarkW said:
This is not to say a 96.1 simulcast is the most likely scenario, but I believe it's a definite possibility. (Also not sure if CC would ditch the "Project" brand completely, even though its ratings are less than impressive, and are downright terrible in the money demo.)
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If Project's goal was to improve ratings and revenue over 96 Rock, then Project has been an absolute failure.
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Have you noticed that every stream about Clear Channel includes the phrase "absolute failure"?
 
CC has done OK with The "Bull". I do not know Peach / Lite's last year billings so I am not sure about the $$. But by CC / Atlanta's recent history the Bull has been the best thing they have done. I still can not believe killing the Christmas music on 94.9 to start the Bull. I would have waited till Dec.26th.
 
Again, courtesy Al Peterson:

WGST’s PM Drive Change “On Hold”
<snip>Talk Radio Network syndicated host Rusty Humphries was slated to begin a new local afternoon drive show on ‘GST beginning today, however NTS MediaOnline Today has learned that the syndicated Dave Ramsey Show will apparently be remaining in the Clear Channel News/Talker’s 3-6pm time slot for at least the next 90 days. Meanwhile, Humphries is already in Atlanta where he’ll remain on standby to begin his new local show, while continuing to host his nightly TRN show that currently airs on WGST from 9pm-midnight.<snip>

Link: http://www.ntsmediaonline.com/?p=23815
 
ROTFLMAO! You would think the management in a top ten market would know that their syndicated afternoon host has a 90 day out in his contract. Somebody needs to get fired over this one.
 
radioworld said:
ROTFLMAO! You would think the management in a top ten market would know that their syndicated afternoon host has a 90 day out in his contract. Somebody needs to get fired over this one.
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No kidding...that is crazy. So the way it looks...Ramsey is on for 90 days and Rusty is just collecting a check.
 
Signal_Faded said:
radioworld said:
ROTFLMAO! You would think the management in a top ten market would know that their syndicated afternoon host has a 90 day out in his contract. Somebody needs to get fired over this one.
Click to expand...

No kidding...that is crazy. So the way it looks...Ramsey is on for 90 days and Rusty is just collecting a check.
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As Dave Ramsey would say ... WGST is now paying "stupid tax" for it's mistake.
 
Benji_Kurtz said:
Again, courtesy Al Peterson:

WGST’s PM Drive Change “On Hold”
<snip>Talk Radio Network syndicated host Rusty Humphries was slated to begin a new local afternoon drive show on ‘GST beginning today, however NTS MediaOnline Today has learned that the syndicated Dave Ramsey Show will apparently be remaining in the Clear Channel News/Talker’s 3-6pm time slot for at least the next 90 days. Meanwhile, Humphries is already in Atlanta where he’ll remain on standby to begin his new local show, while continuing to host his nightly TRN show that currently airs on WGST from 9pm-midnight.<snip>

Link: http://www.ntsmediaonline.com/?p=23815
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Ok keep Ramsey 3-6 on 640, simulcast the FM the rest of the time
 
I find it rather fascinating that Ramsey would be placed at 3-6PM.

Is it just me, or does this show seem more like a night time or weekend show?
Anyway, that's just my opinion. Not really my cup of day time tea.

Hopefully WGST will do more local talk shows, and hopefully some hosts will deliver the variety talk style rather than just multiple hosts doing constant, overplayed political and controversial news stories all day.
 
Signal_Faded said:
So the way it looks... Ramsey is on for 90 days and Rusty is just collecting a check.
Click to expand...

Meanwhile, Rusty is shouting, "IIIIII'M DEEEEEEBT FREEEEEEE!!!!!!" ;D
 
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