Why Does Entercom continue to play with WWKB?

[MediaBoy]

I would have liked to use stronger words but........

Entercom has a 50kw giant with a magic filled history......

1520 is positioned to serve the boomers and others in the Buffalo market.

With proper promotion this station will be a contender. Perhaps not the

monster that it once was but a force in the market.

So what does the brain trust at Entercom do.....

UB basketball, the Bandits......Infomercials up the wazoo on Sunday morning....


With WECK going after Rablin Lou you would think that this is the time for

Entercom to do something intelligent with 1520.....like give it a chance,

not turn it into a dumping ground.

There is so much to like about WWKB...it has so much potential!

I am interested in your comments.

 

[Mark_Giardina]

Having been born in the Town of Williamsville, I grew up listening to (the then) WKBW radio. At that time the station was so professional sounding. Premier radio at its finest.

You’re right! What has happened to WWKB is a damn shame. But then again who is to blame here? Is it the company that owns the station, the FCC for allowing deregulation of the broadcasting industry, or the general listening public for not raising more of an ire to, what was, one of the best radio stations in Buffalo?

When WCBS-FM changed formats recently, there were crowds gathered outside of the radio station to show their disapproval. Did anyone hear the tree fall in the woods when WWKB was transformed, or should I say “deformed” from a top quality radio station to pure schlock?

Unless the listening public makes their voices heard loud and clear you will continue to see more and more radio stations be turned into jukeboxes or repositories for infomercials.
<P ID="signature">______________
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted and I won't be laid a hand on.
I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them".</P>

 

[LexLuthor]

> I would have liked to use stronger words but........
>
> Entercom has a 50kw giant with a magic filled history......
>
> 1520 is positioned to serve the boomers and others in the
> Buffalo market.
>
> With proper promotion this station will be a contender.
> Perhaps not the
>
> monster that it once was but a force in the market.
>
> So what does the brain trust at Entercom do.....
>
> UB basketball, the Bandits......Infomercials up the wazoo on
> Sunday morning....
>
>
> With WECK going after Rablin Lou you would think that this
> is the time for
>
> Entercom to do something intelligent with 1520.....like give
> it a chance,
>
> not turn it into a dumping ground.
>
> There is so much to like about WWKB...it has so much
> potential!
>
> I am interested in your comments.
>
I too am disappointed that Entercom has gone back to a "revenue only"
mentality on KB. But that is symptomatic of corporate radio in 2006.
The pressure to bring in the bucks outweighs any strategic plan to
deliver ratings (and a quality product for the listener). They were
on track after dumping the Bisons, then this return to potpouri radio?
They drop the Sunday morning Sinatra show the same week 1230 flips to
country! What a shame. They could have grabbed that 55+ audience with
all that disposable income. Glad I can still hear Danny, Sandy, Steve
and Jack, but they're surrounded by tune-outs. (LL)

 

[SirRoxalot]

Boys, boys

KB has yet to crack a 2.0 share 12+. They are consistently beaten by their sister stations WWWS, which is a computer in a closet that has had even fewer resources and less promotion.

The current incarnation of KB is a bad radio station playing far to many stiffs and trying to cover too much ground. The jingles are hokey. You can only get so much mileage from nostalgia.

I'd like to see KB succeed as much as anyone, but you have to realize that the 50KW electric bill alone ain't cheap. If the Bisons and Sunday morning infomercials pay the bills, at least you have Danny & Tom, and Sandy & Jack VT'd to bring back a glimmer of the good old days.

It's too bad that Entercom didn't put its eggs into Tom Schuh's basket instead of Hank & other Hank. Neither has proven to be a big-time programmer.

 

[mike704]

Give Entercom (a little) credit

At least Entercom hasn't blown up the format (yet). If they need to put some crap on to pay the bills in fringe time I guess we'll have to live with that.

> KB has yet to crack a 2.0 share 12+. They are consistently
> beaten by their sister stations WWWS, which is a computer in
> a closet that has had even fewer resources and less
> promotion.

Sad but true!

> The current incarnation of KB is a bad radio station playing
> far to many stiffs and trying to cover too much ground. The
> jingles are hokey. You can only get so much mileage from
> nostalgia.

I disagree. The jingles are great, just like the music they bring back memories for those of us who remember WKBW. I don't think the public really gives a crap about the jingles. I always hear songs I know, oldies that haven't been burned to a crisp by other stations. Last night they played "Look In My Eyes" by the Chantels, it was great to hear it again!

> I'd like to see KB succeed as much as anyone, but you have
> to realize that the 50KW electric bill alone ain't cheap. If
> the Bisons and Sunday morning infomercials pay the bills, at
> least you have Danny & Tom, and Sandy & Jack VT'd to bring
> back a glimmer of the good old days.

Agreed, although the electric bill is cheaper than it used to be. The new 50KW transmitters are more efficient than the old ones. That's why so many big stations buy new transmitters. It saves them on the power bill!

> It's too bad that Entercom didn't put its eggs into Tom
> Schuh's basket instead of Hank & other Hank. Neither has
> proven to be a big-time programmer.
>

The station could use an off air stunt to get people talking. I'd make sure that everyone who no longer hear WHTT playing their favorite songs knew they are being played on 1520.

Look at WSAI, they did everything right and still couldn't keep the format going.

Just my opinion....

MikeM

 

[Element9]

Actually, They Prefer Cash

> At least Entercom hasn't blown up the format (yet). If they
> need to put some crap on to pay the bills in fringe time I
> guess we'll have to live with that.
>
>> KB has yet to crack a 2.0 share 12+. They are consistently
>> beaten by their sister stations WWWS, which is a computer
>> in a closet that has had even fewer resources and less
>> promotion. Sad but true!

>> The current incarnation of KB is a bad radio station
>> playin far to many stiffs and trying to cover too much ground.
>> The jingles are hokey. You can only get so much mileage from
>> nostalgia.

There's only one true jingle package that should be on the station; Jeff Kaye's custom package from 1969, which mirrors the hits of the day: Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mountain and others. No Pop-Tops, either. Cool as some of them may have been to radio dorks, average listeners HATED them. Trust me on this, I was one of the high school-college radio dorks who LOVED the Pop-Tops. A few years later, a KB weekender told one opf our classes that while the Pop-Tops were cool to us, listeners complained about them.

> I disagree. The jingles are great, just like the music they
> bring back memories for those of us who remember WKBW. I
> don't think the public really gives a crap about the
> jingles. I always hear songs I know, oldies that haven't
> been burned to a crisp by other stations. Last night they
> played "Look In My Eyes" by the Chantels, it was great to
> hear it again!
>
> I'd like to see KB succeed as much as anyone, but you have
> to realize that the 50KW electric bill alone ain't cheap.
> If the Bisons and Sunday morning infomercials pay the bills,
> at least you have Danny & Tom, and Sandy & Jack VT'd to bring
> back a glimmer of the good old days.

The Bisons would LOVE to be on KB again, promoting their minor league baseball team to 17 states and two countries. KB would probably like to have the revenue too, especially as it's been demonstrated that KB didn't make any gains without the Bisons last summer. Wouldn't surprise me if the Rich clan tries to bail on WECK/CBS and the Entercom suits welcomed them and their money back to KB with open arms.

> Agreed, although the electric bill is cheaper than it used
> to be. The new 50KW transmitters are more efficient than
> the old ones. That's why so many big stations buy new
> transmitters. It saves them on the power bill!

You wouldn't want to know what the tab is, even for a solid state 50k. Guys like Tesla Coil (who's missed, here) could give us a first-hand account of how much it takes to run the Hamburg plant. Last I heard, there are three transmitters for KB (Harris, Continental & RCA) and two for WGR (Continental & Harris) in the transmitter building. Only one, KB's Harris, is solid state. The other four heat the building quite well. A former engineer tells me KB's tuning networks and ground system have been in need of maintenance for a long time. Rememember, those aren't your average tuning networks; they're built to accomodate and reject both 1520 and 550. Coils and caps, brother. No simple feat!

> > It's too bad that Entercom didn't put its eggs into Tom
> > Schuh's basket instead of Hank & other Hank. Neither has
> > proven to be a big-time programmer.
> >

Y'know, I think Mr. Schuh may be relieved that he didn't get saddled with this mess from the get go.

> The station could use an off air stunt to get people
> talking. I'd make sure that everyone who no longer hear WHTT
> playing their favorite songs knew they are being played on
> 1520. Look at WSAI, they did everything right and still couldn't
> keep the format going.
>

Yes, and if Clear Channel couldn't get it right with 1530 WSAI, what is there to make any of us believe Entercom will get it right given KB's dismal track record to date.

> Just my opinion....

Well stated.

> MikeM

-9-

 

[TVJunkie10]

Re: Actually, They Prefer Cash

You wouldn't want to know what the tab is, even for a solid
> state 50k. Guys like Tesla Coil (who's missed, here) could
> give us a first-hand account of how much it takes to run the
> Hamburg plant. Last I heard, there are three transmitters
> for KB (Harris, Continental & RCA)

Actually KB has a Harris DX50 Solid State and a tube Harris MW50 as alternate mains. The Continental was replaced by the DX50 in 1994 since the MW50 was more reliable when sitting for long periods of time in a backup role than the Continental was-even though the Continental was a few years newer (it was also a little easier to get the Continental out of the building than the MW50). I believe that the DX50 paid for itself within about 5 years. The old RCA from 1962 is 10kw although it's footprint in the building is as much as the DX50. The RCA is a classic-no matter what, it always works.

 

[mike704]

Re: Actually, They Prefer Cash

In my experience very few stations leave the filaments turned on in the aux transmitters although it could be argued that it's better for the transmitter in the long run and it gets it on the air faster in an emergency.

I have done a little research on the WWKB/WGR site and to my surprise they only have one tower in common and that's while WGR is running night pattern. This is not to say that the other towers while not acutally in the circuit don't have an effect on the tuning network.

I can't imagine how complicted this could get. At least KB is the same pattern all hours. They use the three towers in a row behind the building while WGR uses the front guyed tower on the right during the day and a tower in each corner at night.

I miss Tesla's input here. He's got some great stories about the site. The very first site I ever saw (at least the outside of it anyway).

MikeM

> You wouldn't want to know what the tab is, even for a solid
> > state 50k. Guys like Tesla Coil (who's missed, here) could
>
> > give us a first-hand account of how much it takes to run
> the
> > Hamburg plant. Last I heard, there are three transmitters
> > for KB (Harris, Continental & RCA)
>
> Actually KB has a Harris DX50 Solid State and a tube Harris
> MW50 as alternate mains. The Continental was replaced by the
> DX50 in 1994 since the MW50 was more reliable when sitting
> for long periods of time in a backup role than the
> Continental was-even though the Continental was a few years
> newer (it was also a little easier to get the Continental
> out of the building than the MW50). I believe that the DX50
> paid for itself within about 5 years. The old RCA from 1962
> is 10kw although it's footprint in the building is as much
> as the DX50. The RCA is a classic-no matter what, it always
> works.
>

 

[mike704]

Re: Actually, They Prefer Cash

> There's only one true jingle package that should be on the
> station; Jeff Kaye's custom package from 1969, which mirrors
> the hits of the day: Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mountain
> and others. No Pop-Tops, either. Cool as some of them may
> have been to radio dorks, average listeners HATED them.
> Trust me on this, I was one of the high school-college radio
> dorks who LOVED the Pop-Tops. A few years later, a KB
> weekender told one opf our classes that while the Pop-Tops
> were cool to us, listeners complained about them.


I would guess this is because these are the jingles from the KB that you remember. I lived in Florida by then so what I remember is from an earlier time. I will gladly listen to any KB jingle as long as it fits the record it's going into!

As for the Pop-Tops. I can understand that people wouldn't like them if they were used at all I'd make it sparingly.

What many forget was KB reputation as a news station. I don't know they could ever get that back and not compete with WBEN. There are other factors too, the Internet,CNN, and MSNBC.

> The Bisons would LOVE to be on KB again, promoting their
> minor league baseball team to 17 states and two countries.
> KB would probably like to have the revenue too, especially
> as it's been demonstrated that KB didn't make any gains
> without the Bisons last summer. Wouldn't surprise me if the
> Rich clan tries to bail on WECK/CBS and the Entercom suits
> welcomed them and their money back to KB with open arms.

IF the Bisons go back to KB. The station should only do it if they are committed to the team. As Jeff Kaye did with the Bills make the team sound big league larger than life. Have the jocks out at the games with the KB cruser, have them do goofy things before the game. Find someone on the Bisons who can drop in and talk to Danny on the show....make some noise, make it interesting! I have zero interest in sports but if I heard some of the guys on the tream cutting up with Danny and got to know them it just might get me interested in listening to the game.

I only say this because I was part of a truly amazing adult AM radio station in Fort Lauderdale. It was small in power 1KW/250w night on 1400 with heavy competition from bigger stations in Miami but the station was amazing! The P.D. promoted the heck out of everything and the promotions were topical in nature.

Contest idea...Bring your radio to the Bisons game tuned to KB and win a prize if you are seen by a KB spotter!


>> Y'know, I think Mr. Schuh may be relieved that he didn't get
> saddled with this mess from the get go.

I would have to agree with that. Boy what a challenge though, some might say a fools errand.

> > Look at WSAI, they did everything right and still
> couldn't
> > keep the format going.

True but I never heard the amazing love and support for WSAI that the old KB seems to have. The MOR format on WSAI had bigger numbers than what they had with "Real Oldies" that had to hurt! KB is still not doing any worse than Business Talk Radio, of course they aren't doing any better either. If having Danny there can sell some extra spots in morning drive it might be worth it. The trouble is some people will never go back to AM radio for any reason.

> Yes, and if Clear Channel couldn't get it right with 1530
> WSAI, what is there to make any of us believe Entercom will
> get it right given KB's dismal track record to date.

There really isn't a whole lot left to do. About the only thing I could think of would be a second sports station and I hope they don't do that! Liberal talk doesn't seem to be brining any big numbers.

Thanks for your comments. Whatever they do I wish the folks at KB well.

MikeM

 

[Radknowski]

Re: Actually, They Prefer Cash

> In my experience very few stations leave the filaments
> turned on in the aux transmitters although it could be
> argued that it's better for the transmitter in the long run
> and it gets it on the air faster in an emergency.
>
> I have done a little research on the WWKB/WGR site and to my
> surprise they only have one tower in common and that's while
> WGR is running night pattern. This is not to say that the
> other towers while not acutally in the circuit don't have an
> effect on the tuning network.
>
> I can't imagine how complicted this could get. At least KB
> is the same pattern all hours. They use the three towers in
> a row behind the building while WGR uses the front guyed
> tower on the right during the day and a tower in each corner
> at night.
>
> I miss Tesla's input here. He's got some great stories
> about the site. The very first site I ever saw (at least the
> outside of it anyway).
>
> MikeM
>
> > You wouldn't want to know what the tab is, even for a
> solid
> > > state 50k. Guys like Tesla Coil (who's missed, here)
> could
> >
> > > give us a first-hand account of how much it takes to run
>
> > the
> > > Hamburg plant. Last I heard, there are three
> transmitters
> > > for KB (Harris, Continental & RCA)
> >
> > Actually KB has a Harris DX50 Solid State and a tube
> Harris
> > MW50 as alternate mains. The Continental was replaced by
> the
> > DX50 in 1994 since the MW50 was more reliable when sitting
>
> > for long periods of time in a backup role than the
> > Continental was-even though the Continental was a few
> years
> > newer (it was also a little easier to get the Continental
> > out of the building than the MW50). I believe that the
> DX50
> > paid for itself within about 5 years. The old RCA from
> 1962
> > is 10kw although it's footprint in the building is as much
>
> > as the DX50. The RCA is a classic-no matter what, it
> always
> > works.
> >
>

KB, "one of America's two once great radio stations," now reduced to being the Entercom backyard shed. What's next? NASCAR? Hey, don't snicker. If they can sell it, it's more than likely.

 

[Philip_Airtime]

Re: Actually, They Prefer Cash

You know, I can't understand all the criticism of Entercom regarding its operation of KB. Now, I'm not an apologist for Entercom. I've criticized them often in the past. But what would you rather have them do with KB? Business Talk Radio? Air America? Yeah, that would be great. No local presence. Granted, Entercom hasn't aggressively marketed KB. But it is investing in salaries for Danny Neaverth, Tom Donahue, Sandy Beach, Steve Mitchell and Jack Armstrong. These are great personalities. Every time I tune in, I'm entertained by these guys. The music, while holding little appeal for me personally, is something that is not heard elsewhere in Buffalo radio. So, give 'em a break. If they gotta sell sports and info-mercials to help pay the bills, so be it. Again, what I hear today on KB is 100 percent better than the sorry days of Business Talk Radio.

 

[pqgeorge]

A recommendation!

Like Phillip said, GIVE Entercom Buffalo a break. I totally enjoy listening to 'KB/1520 every evening and during both drivetimes (morning and afternoon) and at night at home ("after the sun goes down"). The jocks and the newspeople are fantastic. Jack Armstrong is funny as all hell. Sure, the sports and infomercials are a turn-off for me. But I know that these games and infomercials pay the bills so we "old fa**s" (according to some posters) can get our 50's and 60's oldies (in style, with some of Buffalo's greatest personalities). I am 46 and I LOVE listening to 'KB, and I live 450 miles away in the Boston area. So, for those of you who complain about the "peripheral" programming on 'KB, STOP THE SQUAWKING and let the folks at Entercom Buffalo do their jobs, so that the rest of us out there in radio-land can continue to enjoy 'KB/1520! Buffalo, you don't know how lucky you are.

73,

Peter Q. George (K1XRB)


> You know, I can't understand all the criticism of Entercom
> regarding its operation of KB. Now, I'm not an apologist
> for Entercom. I've criticized them often in the past. But
> what would you rather have them do with KB? Business Talk
> Radio? Air America? Yeah, that would be great. No local
> presence. Granted, Entercom hasn't aggressively marketed
> KB. But it is investing in salaries for Danny Neaverth, Tom
> Donahue, Sandy Beach, Steve Mitchell and Jack Armstrong.
> These are great personalities. Every time I tune in, I'm
> entertained by these guys. The music, while holding little
> appeal for me personally, is something that is not heard
> elsewhere in Buffalo radio. So, give 'em a break. If they
> gotta sell sports and info-mercials to help pay the bills,
> so be it. Again, what I hear today on KB is 100 percent
> better than the sorry days of Business Talk Radio.
> <P ID="signature">______________
Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Whitman, Massachusetts</P>