Who IS doing it right?

[radiotony]

I hear good things about those guys too.

I think that WPNH got a long overdue facelift from Jeff Fisher and friends. (Geez, I hope I got the right guy lol.) Not only that but they commenced transmitting from Tenney Mountain which I'm sure really helped their coverage.

The WFTN/WSCY/WPNH cluster is doing pretty well from what I've heard. Or at least holding their own and yeah they have been around for quite a while.

Here's an interesting bit of trivia:
Did you know that WNTK's first transmitter for its New London signal at 99.7FM was originally the transmitter for 100.1 WPNH?

 

[ratingsgeek]

Doing it right? Just from a civilian/listener point of view, I love what 550/WDEV-AM does in Waterbury. Very solid local, community, information-intensive radio. Don't know what they're like personally, but I think they're doing some great radio. But, yeah, I'm old (55+)...

 

[probuttonpusher]

I hear good things about those guys too.

I think that WPNH got a long overdue facelift from Jeff Fisher and friends. (Geez, I hope I got the right guy lol.) Not only that but they commenced transmitting from Tenney Mountain which I'm sure really helped their coverage.

The WFTN/WSCY/WPNH cluster is doing pretty well from what I've heard. Or at least holding their own and yeah they have been around for quite a while.

Here's an interesting bit of trivia:
Did you know that WNTK's first transmitter for its New London signal at 99.7FM was originally the transmitter for 100.1 WPNH?

What is pretty well? I hear they have the same line up for years so you know they must eb doing something right I guess. I hear they finnally had an opening a few months ago, I think it was the first opening that cluster has had in atleast 5 years.

 

[Oldbones]

Just from a civilian/listener point of view, I love what 550/WDEV-AM does in Waterbury. Very solid local, community, information-intensive radio. Don't know what they're like personally, but I think they're doing some great radio. But, yeah, I'm old (55+)...

5 years ago I would have agreed with you, but I happened to be up that way recently and thought that there was waaay too much jabber. Not even particularly entertaining or informative...more just going on & on (apparently) for the sake of talking. Maybe putting a client, charity spokesperson or regular caller on the air and aimlessly chatting for 15 minutes works in rural Vt, but to me it was pretty bad radio. A few years back the station seemed to have more focus. I do have to say the airstaff (that I heard) sounded experienced and had good voices.

How do they do ratings-wise? Do they care?

 

[CrankyYankee]

"...I happened to be up that way recently and thought that there was waaay too much jabber. "
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O.K. Let's explain it this way.

WDEV is todays version of meeting at the general store and jawing around the potbellied stove.

 

[radiotony]

Eh, and that's a bad thing?

"...I happened to be up that way recently and thought that there was waaay too much jabber. "
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O.K. Let's explain it this way.

WDEV is todays version of meeting at the general store and jawing around the potbellied stove.

 

[radiogaga603]

I haven't had a chance to listen to WKBK....I can however listen to WKNE and it sounds pretty good for a CHR. I wonder though....who is the competition. Does WZRT reach Keene? Also, WKNE sounds live throughout the day.....either that or darn good voice tracking!!

 

[NO DAG]

At least recent check you can pick up Z 97 in Keene, as you can hear WKNE in Rutland, in both cases, some parts of the city better than others. I would think WKNE may compete in some crossover with it's AC sibbling "Sunny 97.7" as in the case in older listeners. Not sure if that was a good move since Oldies was popular. WKNE comes on on my "Henry Kloss Model 88" table radios pretty good.

I still Saga does it up right in Keene, as I think Saga as a whole is a larger radio company that get's it. I'm a fan. Overall Saga seems to be able to retain key people without much trouble, and you don't hear the horror shows from the Pamal's (Rutland only), Nassau's, or some of the larger groups that seem to make it onto this board.

Other groups that appear to do it right.. Northeast Broadcasting - Say what you will, they keep rolling along with success with MP 103 in Bulington, "The Point" (WNCS / WDOT/ WRJT stations), 92.5 WXRV in Haverill.
Thier air products are mostly uncluttered, and that does provide a value to advertisers, and they've resisted and supported their AAA franchises that are very well established..

Paul Goldman in Burlington ? 95 Triple X and WVMT soldier on in the face of two huge walls of radio station clusters in Burlington.

Brooks Brown at WEQX in Manchester VT ? I think he's mellowed a bit, now that he's a VAB Hall of Famer.. Ratings, who cares ! They are true to the alternative format and do it well. The on air staff sounds like they are having a good time, (you can't overly fake that !) Revenues, they do sound successful. Not your highly rated,10 dollar a hollar, station by any means..


Radio Vermont Group - Another example of place where people tend not to leave. Very unique and special situation where I suspect the bottom line is quite small compared to the highly leveraged big groups. WDEV-FM , thats the unsung signal in that group that is a revenue stream waiting to happen. What a missed opportunity with WDEV-FM rebroadcasts WDEV on the awesome 550 AM signal.. Could think of lots of formats that would work on that sleeper of a stick. Regardless of that mini-rant, Ken Squier and company thrive quite nicely.

Not sure about the group that owns 98.7 "The Bay" and WTSN 1270 around the NH seascoast..They have two huge walls of station groups to compete against, they appear to thrive as well.

The ultimate place to work where people get hired and leave in a coffin 50 years later.... WCAX-TV in Burlington talk about longevity !!

 

[radiotony]

I've heard good things about people who own The Bay stations too. I've noticed the GM [I think he is the owner too but I'm not sure] at the job fairs over the past few years. The Bay won Station of the Year two years ago and the AM signal won runner-up this year, so they are doing something right.

I don't listen to many radio stations these days. I prefer to play my own CDs - which I rarely get to listen to - or stuff on my mp3 player when I'm working out or doing yard work. I do tune The River in sometimes when I'm in the car and I also got to listen to Bob Lipman and Mike Murphy doing Fishercats baseball the other day on WGIR.

At least recent check you can pick up Z 97 in Keene, as you can hear WKNE in Rutland, in both cases, some parts of the city better than others. I would think WKNE may compete in some crossover with it's AC sibbling "Sunny 97.7" as in the case in older listeners. Not sure if that was a good move since Oldies was popular. WKNE comes on on my "Henry Kloss Model 88" table radios pretty good.

I still Saga does it up right in Keene, as I think Saga as a whole is a larger radio company that get's it. I'm a fan. Overall Saga seems to be able to retain key people without much trouble, and you don't hear the horror shows from the Pamal's (Rutland only), Nassau's, or some of the larger groups that seem to make it onto this board.

Other groups that appear to do it right.. Northeast Broadcasting - Say what you will, they keep rolling along with success with MP 103 in Bulington, "The Point" (WNCS / WDOT/ WRJT stations), 92.5 WXRV in Haverill.
Thier air products are mostly uncluttered, and that does provide a value to advertisers, and they've resisted and supported their AAA franchises that are very well established..

Paul Goldman in Burlington ? 95 Triple X and WVMT soldier on in the face of two huge walls of radio station clusters in Burlington.

Brooks Brown at WEQX in Manchester VT ? I think he's mellowed a bit, now that he's a VAB Hall of Famer.. Ratings, who cares ! They are true to the alternative format and do it well. The on air staff sounds like they are having a good time, (you can't overly fake that !) Revenues, they do sound successful. Not your highly rated,10 dollar a hollar, station by any means..


Radio Vermont Group - Another example of place where people tend not to leave. Very unique and special situation where I suspect the bottom line is quite small compared to the highly leveraged big groups. WDEV-FM , thats the unsung signal in that group that is a revenue stream waiting to happen. What a missed opportunity with WDEV-FM rebroadcasts WDEV on the awesome 550 AM signal.. Could think of lots of formats that would work on that sleeper of a stick. Regardless of that mini-rant, Ken Squier and company thrive quite nicely.

Not sure about the group that owns 98.7 "The Bay" and WTSN 1270 around the NH seascoast..They have two huge walls of station groups to compete against, they appear to thrive as well.

The ultimate place to work where people get hired and leave in a coffin 50 years later.... WCAX-TV in Burlington talk about longevity !!

 

[radiogaga603]

I had a chance to listen to WKBK and I have to say....they sound excellent.....in my humble opinion. Matter of fact all the Saga stations in Keene sound great.....when you go across the river and listen to their sister FM WKVT.....um....yeah.....definitely not the same staff running the ship over there. What a mess! I heard two Beatle songs in one hour.....not back to back and it wasn't a special Beatle hour or anything like that....plus the host mid-day momma or something sounds like Felix Unger! Great job Keene.....now go help your sister in Brattleboro...lol

 

[probuttonpusher]

have you heard any good midday chics that you think they could replace her with?

 

[radiogaga603]

Thats not really the point. I have to be honest....I don't believe it would be hard....just based on her 'sound'. She probably does allot of other 'behind the scene' kind of things....but coming purely from a listeners position....she is hard on the ears.

 

[probuttonpusher]

that would make a great thread question.. When hiring for a position like middays in a small market what is more important on air or behind the scenes? I know in most stations in New England the talent has to be a multi tasker, like also doing traffic, music, or production director..... so what is more important when hiring for a non drive position?

 

[NO DAG]

I guess given the choice between a Jack / Jackie of all trades, and someone who may provide a lot of value to the WKVT operation, or inserting voice tracks from out of the market, what would you do ? I havn't heard WKVT-FM in a while, but I do give them credit for trying to keep it local and live to an extent.

This midday person may be assembling commercial logs, doing the deposit, answering the phones, doing music logs, babysitting WKVT-AM's computer, maybe even helping out the sale staff, chasing down copy, and then trying to sound descent on the air.. That could be quite a full plate !!

 

[radiogaga603]

I dont know. Yes, it is a full plate....but given the things you mention really do not take a lot of 'talent'. For example, chasing down copy and babysitting computers is something even the most novice of broadcasters can handle. Why compromise the sound of the station when I'm sure there are a TON of people willing to give it a try. Nothing against her personally...I am sure she is a great person.....but just doesnt have the right 'voice' for radio.

 

[NO DAG]

It's all about economics my friend, economics..