What Happens to 950AM If/When Family Radio Goes Under

[FredLeonard]

A thread on the San Francisco board talks about newspaper stories (originally from the Contra Costa Times and picked up by the AP) that the "end may be near" for Family Radio.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/breaking-news/ci_23224368/end-world-oaklands-family-radio

What happens to the former "station of the stars" 950 WPEN if the lights go out at Family Radio? Another religious broadcaster? Brokered? Ethnic? Return the license to the FCC?

It's not a bad signal. There's a lot of good public radio programming not getting cleared in this market. My preference: I'd like to see 950 become WHYY-AM. FM91 and AM95?

 

[MarcB]

It will most likely get sold. Along with WDVY in Westchester County NY and 1170 AM in Vernon CT. Although 1170 in Vernon should go dark because What can you do with a 1KW daytimer?

 

[FLjack2]

I'd like to see 950 become WHYY-AM. FM91 and AM95?

No one in 2013 should ever use 2 digits for an AM station.

 

[PhillyWatch]

Ah, that crucial final number, what could it be? A zero? Perhaps a zero? Maybe even... a zero.

It would be cool if WHYY got it for an alternate program feed, it would allow for even more live programming during the day what with all public radio has to offer around the country.

It would also be cool for it to revert back to a "station of the stars" with classic oldies programming, but that would all be up to whoever gets their hands on the station. Chances are it could be 24/7 Chinese language programming.

 

[deepstblu]

Philly is down to 2 AMs that are relevant to more than a niche audience, and one of those might be debatable. Trenton doesn't even have a secular English-language AM in the market anymore. So what's going to be on 950? Probably something that will appeal to a small, devoted audience that doesn't include many radio geeks.

 

[rtetro]

Here's an idea....
How about WRTI-AM? They could still do their classical-jazz flip flop, but flop when the other flips. This would largely be a simulcast of their HD2 channel. And -- gosh I can't believe I'm saying this -- turn the IBOC back on 950 to improve the fidelity on AM. Please forgive me for that last sentence :.

 

[FredLeonard]

Here's an idea....
How about WRTI-AM? They could still do their classical-jazz flip flop, but flop when the other flips. This would largely be a simulcast of their HD2 channel. And -- gosh I can't believe I'm saying this -- turn the IBOC back on 950 to improve the fidelity on AM. Please forgive me for that last sentence :.

WHYY-FM had a chance to acquire 560AM from Jerry Lee when he was trying desperately to unload it (for a time simulcasting 101.1). They didn't move on it but went ahead and dropped classical music any way. With AM and FM, the could have done both news and information AND fine arts. Maybe they figured no need, classical music loves still have WFLN. Then WFLN flipped. WRTI's split-personality format was one of the dumber ideas around - even for the public sector - but somehow people have gone along with it.

But no IBOC. WRTI-HD2 plays whichever format is NOT on the main channel at the time. You need an HD receiver to hear HD AM. The same programming is on HD2 at any time. So, no point in putting that same programming on HD AM. Jazz or classical on analog AM is not likely to be acceptable to today's audiences. But AM would still be adequate for public radio spoken word programming.

 

[doowopvault]

More than likely one of the two...political talk or sports talk. The people that are buying up stations have no imagination or creativity, same old crap.

 

[radiophiler]

I wonder if Merlin is satisfied with their 2.5-2.6 on IQ, which they've had for a few months now, in ratings?

Reason: If the company isn't happy with the talk format's performance on FM, you could see a format flip or sale of the station.

In that case, Rush, Hannity et al would need some place to go in Philly.

Just as CC bought WOR in New York, it could buy 950 in Philly for the conservative talk shows.

 

[MarcB]

Here's a wildcard idea. What if Davidson Media Group bought 950 and simulcast MEGA 1310 from Camden on it?

 

[FredLeonard]

I wonder if Merlin is satisfied with their 2.5-2.6 on IQ, which they've had for a few months now, in ratings?

Reason: If the company isn't happy with the talk format's performance on FM, you could see a format flip or sale of the station.

In that case, Rush, Hannity et al would need some place to go in Philly.

Just as CC bought WOR in New York, it could buy 950 in Philly for the conservative talk shows.

Interesting idea: Clear Channel has five FMs and one AM in the market, so adding 950 would be possible - if CBS grabs 106.9. Or, they could make a deal with CBS to get their shows back on 1210.

 

[klutch00]

Here's an idea....
How about WRTI-AM? They could still do their classical-jazz flip flop, but flop when the other flips. This would largely be a simulcast of their HD2 channel. And -- gosh I can't believe I'm saying this -- turn the IBOC back on 950 to improve the fidelity on AM. Please forgive me for that last sentence :.

WHYY-FM had a chance to acquire 560AM from Jerry Lee when he was trying desperately to unload it (for a time simulcasting 101.1). They didn't move on it but went ahead and dropped classical music any way. With AM and FM, the could have done both news and information AND fine arts. Maybe they figured no need, classical music loves still have WFLN. Then WFLN flipped. WRTI's split-personality format was one of the dumber ideas around - even for the public sector - but somehow people have gone along with it.

But no IBOC. WRTI-HD2 plays whichever format is NOT on the main channel at the time. You need an HD receiver to hear HD AM. The same programming is on HD2 at any time. So, no point in putting that same programming on HD AM. Jazz or classical on analog AM is not likely to be acceptable to today's audiences. But AM would still be adequate for public radio spoken word programming.

If 950 is to have a future (and I hope it does), I think a non-commercial operation is an option strongly worth considering! It does not necessarily be news/public affairs or another spoken word format. I think an option worth considering is to offer a format atypical of non-comm operations. Standards could be an option; so could oldies. Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan operates two AM stations (WGVU @1480 Kentwood, Grand Rapids MI and WGVS @850 Muskegon MI). The format on both stations has been oldies since August of 2009.

http://www.wgvu.org/realoldies/

More than likely one of the two...political talk or sports talk. The people that are buying up stations have no imagination or creativity, same old crap.

I couldn't agree more! Hence, my suggestion above!

 

[FredLeonard]

Bringing standards back to 950AM would be terrific. And we do have WRDV/WLBS operating on low power, non-commercial FM stations in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Coverage areas are limited, even with four frequencies. It would be great if they could find a way to expand their reach with 950AM. There's also non-commercial WDVR/WPNJ in Hunterdon County, NJ and Lehigh County, PA with a similar format. Not sure if either qualifies for CPB funding or what other underwriting support either gets. I don't get to hear either one much but from what I've heard, I'd like to be able to listen more regularly.

 

[klutch00]

Bringing standards back to 950AM would be terrific. And we do have WRDV/WLBS operating on low power, non-commercial FM stations in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Coverage areas are limited, even with four frequencies. It would be great if they could find a way to expand their reach with 950AM. There's also non-commercial WDVR/WPNJ in Hunterdon County, NJ and Lehigh County, PA with a similar format. Not sure if either qualifies for CPB funding or what other underwriting support either gets. I don't get to hear either one much but from what I've heard, I'd like to be able to listen more regularly.

Another set of stations which have standards formats and are for all intents and purposes non-commercial are WJIB 740 Brookline MA and WJTO 730 Bath ME.

 

[Bill981]

Here's a wildcard idea. What if Davidson Media Group bought 950 and simulcast MEGA 1310 from Camden on it?

Can't do it. Primary coverage areas overlap. If they bought 950, then they should sell 1310. Maybe Pat Delsi would buy it back.

 

[DToTheJ]

How about Greater Media gets the signal back and restores the old standards format. Naw, that would get fewer advertisers than HD radio has listeners; scratch that idea.