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what willl cumulus do with wwki and wmdh?

  • Thread starter long-time-first-time
  • Start date

L

long-time-first-time

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Anyone willing to speculate what changes Cumulus will make to WMDH and WWKI? Obviously the formats will certainly stay the same but the personnel will change. I realize guessing the fates of current employees is a sick and twisted parlor game; but it's perfect for this message board. I wouldn't want to be a news director making more than 20k a year or an evening personality. Middays will probably be cut too.
 
It is none of our concerns or business. We don't own it so why should we be worried about what they do with it. If I did own it, I wouldn't want your opinons, it is my station and I will do as I please.
 
What ever they do might affect the rest of the market. That is why people want to discuss it.

You are wrong in your view of "It is none of our concerns or business."
 
long-time-first-time said:
Anyone willing to speculate what changes Cumulus will make to WMDH and WWKI? Obviously the formats will certainly stay the same but the personnel will change. I realize guessing the fates of current employees is a sick and twisted parlor game; but it's perfect for this message board. I wouldn't want to be a news director making more than 20k a year or an evening personality. Middays will probably be cut too.
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From a programming standpoint (if they keep the stations) they will get a very rude awakening. Both of those stations (but particularly KI) play everything that comes in the door. Cumulus will cut that playlist down 75%, have Corporate PD's running the show and will cut that staff to the bone.
 
You could make a strong argument either way whether they will keep the stations or sell them. They could realize "economy of scale" by centalizing some functions out of Indy. On the other hand, I'm not so sure these stations fit into the strategic plans of the company because of their small market size. There would be no shortage of interested buyers if Cumulus decides to sell (Federated Media, Schurz, AMP and perhaps dark-horses like Findlay Publishing?). Both of these stations remain very profitable. I hope and pray things work out for everyone. I'm sure it's been a stressful time knowing that lay-offs are almost certain.
 
Kokomo is isolated more so than New Castle. Both are 50 k. Candidates for move-ins?
 
I can't see Federated wanting this market; I don't know about the other owner groups.

The bigger question is: is this an area growing in population worth sinking money into right now? I think WWKI is licensed to Kokomo; but is that close enough to a larger market to make it worthwhile? I don't think it is in my opinion...I have trouble getting it in Columbia City with an elevated and amplified antenna. Another interesting move upcoming???
 
Juan Bodley said:
I can't see Federated wanting this market; I don't know about the other owner groups.

The bigger question is: is this an area growing in population worth sinking money into right now? I think WWKI is licensed to Kokomo; but is that close enough to a larger market to make it worthwhile? I don't think it is in my opinion...I have trouble getting it in Columbia City with an elevated and amplified antenna. Another interesting move upcoming???
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I can see Federated going after both, frankly.

Although with B100's strength in the southern counties in the South Bend market, maybe they don't want KI to compete against themselves.
 
I was just speculating...I don't have any insider info.
Could it be worth buying and changing formats? (WWKI that is...)
 
I,too, think Federated Media would be an interested buyer. Both stations fit into their expansion profile (close proximity to headquarters, etc.). Backyard Broadcasting and the group that owns the other Kokomo stations could be interested as well. I just don't know if Cumulus will sell 'KI after looking at the numbers. The station is incredibly profitable and well-managed. Cumulus will probably think they can make even more money by cutting what they deem to be "fat" (i.e. local news, a popular talk-show on a music station etc.) and stripping the qualites which make 'KI so profitable and unique in the first place.

The WMDH move-in has been looked at by big companies for years now. It's "close" to being a a prime move-in target, but most think it misses the mark by a mere few miles. There are some obstactles that would require a bigger investment (102.3 in Martinsville is one). To their credit, Cumulus is pretty creative when it comes to engineering move-ins.
 
Onesimus said:
I hope and pray things work out for everyone. I'm sure it's been a stressful time knowing that lay-offs are almost certain.
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I do also. Having gone through a layoff during big changes, it was the worst time of my life and I don't wish it on anyone.

If I had to speculate I would say Cumulus sells them. While John and Lew have primarily focused on small market radio, it has to at least be a rated market in my opinion.

They're certainly not gonna sell the Citadel properties in Washington, Detroit or New York.
 
Being from Kokomo, I can tell you that if anything is done with KI, there will be a guaranteed uprising from listeners. Their listeners are VERY loyal, as well as their advertisers, and even the smallest change will be a nightmare for corporate.
 
Many corporate people are blind and deaf to the complaints of listeners or advertisers. They'll blame any drops or losses on the local people running the stations. The usual claim is "you didn't do it they way we told you to".
 
Sure wish the best for the WWKI staff....it has been one heck of a good station for many,many years, the station has had excellent community involvement, good on air personalities, great news department, and they take severe weather reporting seriously...no single EAS broadcast of a warning, then back to the music with no further mentions. I dislike corporate radio.
 
I'm not impressed with Cumulus...they had a golden opportunity here in the Louisville market with the ESPN Radio franchise on AM 1450 (WQKC, now dark) and an excellent FM move-in signal at 93.9 with classic hits (WLCL, now contemporary Christian under new ownership). Just when the stations were gaining traction, Cumulus shutters the AM and fire-sales the FM. They bailed WAAAY too quickly-what gives with them?
 
Not that it has anything to do with the merger finalizing, but I did see last week that they named a new PD. The current guy moved to their station in Grand Rapids (I think) and Chris Chase got tapped for the PD stripes. Congratulations to him and good luck!
 
Indianaairwaves.com is reporting that WMDH-FM PD and morning show co-host Shane Goad is heading to WTNR-FM in Grand Rapids. Don't know if the timing is coincidental, or connected to the FCC approval and likely future layoffs in New Castle.

And the LAST thing this market needs is another BYB station!
 
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