Which will be the next FM music format to leave airwaves in Boston

[mgpt6]

and FCC rule put in 1967 that major market AM and FM could only slimucast 50% of the time. Anyone know when this was dropped ? was it the 96 Commucation Act?

 

[shel777]

On May 3, 1962, the FCC conceived of an FM non-duplication rule to force FM stations to cease mere transmission of AM sister stations.The FCC mandated it in 1964, and repealed the act in 1985, deeming that the desired results had been achieved, with the natural, market-driven rise of popularity of the FM band.

 

[reelyreal]

So I believe WBOS is certainly ripe for buying, by a standalone AM station, in order to move its format and shut down its antiquated, muffled, static-y AM technology. I have no idea why anyone would put an AM station on the air today, much less not want to sell it and replace it with an FM.

Greater Media isn't in the station selling business and they're not loaded with debt service obligations like CC and Cumulus. WBOS won't be going anywhere. A format change is more likely at some point.

As a side note, I happen to love WBOS but realize it doesn't appeal to everyone.

As for someone buying or signing on a new AM, it should be noted that many AM's still make some serious cash. They're still really viable in non-rated markets, too. There are still some great AM stations out there, large and small.

 

[shel777]

"Greater Media isn't in the station selling business and they're not loaded with debt service obligations like CC and Cumulus. WBOS won't be going anywhere. A format change is more likely at some point."

Possibly they could offer an LMA fpr another station?

"As for someone buying or signing on a new AM, it should be noted that many AM's still make some serious cash. They're still really viable in non-rated markets, too. There are still some great AM stations out there, large and small."

Yes, but I doubt that's the case in Metro Boston. Regardless, AM is definitely going the way of Windows 3.1 I grew up on AM radio, for the most part, and have nothing but wonderful memories, and as a kid, I listened to NBC Monitor, and even WEZE's Easy Listening format, when I was 12. I loved Radio.. format wasn't always the primary reason. But I digress.

 

[DG02816]

I, too, listened to AM as a kid. NBC's Monitor on WJAR in Providence, later finding WNEW with its Standards format, and WLKW's Beautiful Music. Suc h a shame the entertaining/informative factor has gone out of a lot of the big groups.

 

[fybush]

"Greater Media isn't in the station selling business and they're not loaded with debt service obligations like CC and Cumulus. WBOS won't be going anywhere. A format change is more likely at some point."

Possibly they could offer an LMA fpr another station?

Nope - Greater is maxed out in Boston. A single company can own no more than 5 FMs, and LMAs count as "ownership" under the current FCC market caps, so there's no room for Greater to grow on FM. They could add an AM, but I don't see that happening.

 

[mistermicrophone]

A format change is more likely at some point.

As a side note, I happen to love WBOS but realize it doesn't appeal to everyone.

WBOS is doing well for itself 25-54. Add to that it's run very lean with minimal overhead, I don't see them flipping anytime soon.

 

[Jacko]

I think between WZLX, WROR, and WODS, one of them is going to abandon its format sometime in the next year or two. I put my money on WODS going to a "Now" type format and WROR tweaking to move closer to WODS's format.

Jacko

 

[beantownradio25]

I think between WZLX, WROR, and WODS, one of them is going to abandon its format sometime in the next year or two.

I could see CBS blowing up WZLX for a simulcast of WBZ AM 1030 in the next few years, but I doubt WODS or WROR would abandon their formats.

 

[Retro]

I think between WZLX, WROR, and WODS, one of them is going to abandon its format sometime in the next year or two.

I could see CBS blowing up WZLX for a simulcast of WBZ AM 1030 in the next few years, but I doubt WODS or WROR would abandon their formats.

Now, I thought that all 3 stations were doing well in the ratings. Why mess with it now?

Also, if I had to pick an FM station that is prime for a format change, it would be WTKK and not WBOS. The later fills a niche, and the earlier has gotten quite boring.

However, with that said, the next format change will likely be an AM station instead.

 

[whdh1920]

I think between WZLX, WROR, and WODS, one of them is going to abandon its format sometime in the next year or two.

I could see CBS blowing up WZLX for a simulcast of WBZ AM 1030 in the next few years, but I doubt WODS or WROR would abandon their formats.

Now, I thought that all 3 stations were doing well in the ratings. Why mess with it now?

Also, if I had to pick an FM station that is prime for a format change, it would be WTKK and not WBOS. The later fills a niche, and the earlier has gotten quite boring.

However, with that said, the next format change will likely be an AM station instead.

if wtkk changes formats what would it be?? greater media doesn't do top 40 ,classic hits are already covered by wror,wmjx covers ac well,and sports is covered by weei,wbz fm respectively!!,jazz??? go back to its roots?? guess we shall see!!

 

[raccoonradio]

LAUROJRM has some ideas on that! Maybe something involving R&B/soul, CHUrban, "Touch" etc. (he may say)
What if they promoted their Irish HD 2 to 96.9's main signal...? They could try variety hits a la Mike. (Braude, Egan,
and Graham are under contract for the next couple yrs...)

 

[aaronread]

Greater Media isn't in the station selling business and they're not loaded with debt service obligations like CC and Cumulus. WBOS won't be going anywhere. A format change is more likely at some point.

That was my impression as well. While WBOS was (is?) notorious for changing formats with the seasons...especially back in the 90's and early 2000's...I don't see Greater Media selling any of their properties. Why should they? They've got most of the really valuable FM signals in town; there's no commercial signal...AM or FM...that would be screamingly better for them to acquire save perhaps WBZ(AM) and I don't see CBS selling nor Greater Media really wanting to buy. (shrugs)

By the same token, with GM already running WTKK, and both WEEI and SportsHub already dominating the sports scene...what non-music format could GM possibly take WBOS to that would be a huge money maker? Even for other music formats, nothing really jumps out as a massively under-served demographic that would also be a moneymaker. I suppose they could pick up the "Mike" format that Entercom abandoned for 93.7...supposedly that was a good earner for Entercom thanks to it's low cost to operate...? (again, shrugs)

One wild card (pun intended) is the Sox/Entercom contract and what happens after 2016 when it ends? There was some talk of the Sox attempting to buy WBOS and run it themselves like NESN. I see that as possible but unlikely; no radio station would be the cash cow NESN is...not enough to be worth the hassle of running a successful station. More likely would be that GM outbids Entercom and puts Sox games on WBOS while making WBOS all-sports. And suddenly making WEEI a distant #3 in the sports radio world. Entercom paid $20mil/yr for 10 years to keep the Sox away from Greater Media back in 2006. I don't see Entercom having that kind of cash in 2016...but I wouldn't assume that GM will automatically have more money than Entercom to throw at the Sox, either. I don't think we'll see $20mil/yr again but I'm sure Entercom will do whatever they can to keep the games; they absolutely need them.

 

[mistermicrophone]

I suppose they could pick up the "Mike" format that Entercom abandoned for 93.7...supposedly that was a good earner for Entercom thanks to it's low cost to operate...? (again, shrugs)

Uhhh...and what about WBOS's operating costs NOW??

 

[RedWingCJS278]

Well, I don't know which current music format would leave the airwaves in Boston anytime soon. Most of them seem to be pretty stable, for better or worse. But, I have to wonder if a hybrid of rock (mostly of the classic variety) and modern country (with some classics thrown in for good measure) would work? There are a lot of people between their 30s and 50s who grew up on rock music and still love what they came of age with (and maybe have adopted current or relatively current bands like Nickelback and Creed), but now also listen to country. Really, do the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd, or even a band like Poison ('Every Rose Has Its Throne'), sound that out of place alongside most modern country music? And modern country music itself is very obviously influenced by '70s and '80s rock. There's huge crossover between the genres, and I would think somebody out there would be able to make a viable radio format out of it.

 

[AHLPOR]

I think it will be WFNX. As the ony locally owned station in Boston I think it's just a matter of time before the 101.7 signal is sold to a larger company (clear channel, greater media, cbs, ect.). The signal is fine in Boston and near by areas, but it has trouble getting out into the suburbs that are a little farther away. I don't think that will matter, it will be sold at some point.

 

[raccoonradio]

Even if so, Greater is at their limit of 5.
WBOS/WTKK/WKLB/WROR/WMJX

They would have to sell one of those to buy WFNX. I can't see it. "Hey! We sold WBOS so we could buy
a 1.7 kW ERP station in Lynn!" (OK, so it's at 627 feet, and the xmtr is in Boston...)
http://www.bostonradio.org/stations/40824

Maybe I could see CC buying it to put their 1200 signal on, or Entercom to put WRKO on (there was that rumor put out by Weekly Dig--a Phoenix competitor--that "Mike" would move to 101.7 so WEEI could go on 93.7. OK, at least the second part happened!)

WFNX coverage map, again don't assume it's totally correct
http://radio-locator.com/pats/WFNX_FM_LU.gif

 

[Retro]

I think it will be WFNX. As the ony locally owned station in Boston I think it's just a matter of time before the 101.7 signal is sold to a larger company (clear channel, greater media, cbs, ect.). The signal is fine in Boston and near by areas, but it has trouble getting out into the suburbs that are a little farther away. I don't think that will matter, it will be sold at some point.

All 3 cannot buy anymore stations in the Boston market, per arbitration definitions. As far as the station being sold, I really do not think that is gonna happen anytime soon.

 

[JustinT]

All 3 cannot buy anymore stations in the Boston market, per arbitration definitions. As far as the station being sold, I really do not think that is gonna happen anytime soon.

I understand how CBS and Greater Media are maxed-out with their FMs (and CBS' TV properties). But why couldn't Clear Channel add another FM? I remember them being a bidder for the 102.5 license back in '05. Or do 96.1 WSRS, 101.1 WGIR-FM, and 93.3 WSNE count as Boston stations?

 

[beantownradio25]

do 96.1 WSRS, 101.1 WGIR-FM, and 93.3 WSNE count as Boston stations?

All three stations are suburban rimshots at best, serving completely seperate markets, very unlikely. I could see a case being made for WSRS but still unlikely.