Two possible reasons:
1.Everybody is happy with what they hear
2.No one is listening
You choose
1.Everybody is happy with what they hear
2.No one is listening
You choose
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WHY SO QUIET?
- Thread starter Tee Man 82
- Start date
maybe less people working = less people posting??
motormouth said:
I would think the opposite to be true. Less people working would equal more time for them to post. I believe people are just bored with Providence radio. Seriously... what has been new or exciting? Hardly anything in the past three years. Even the ratings have been embargoed for two! I notice that page views are just as high as ever. Lots of people are still coming here to read what people have to say. But that's it. They read and then they leave.
Just because you're on the beach doesn't mean you spend time posting. In fact it could be the worst thing in the world for you to do if you're in a venting or depressed mood. Same with myspace, twitter, and facebook. People have learned that the hard way in radio. There's really not much to talk about in the market unless you're a total insider/outsider radio freak who comments about every little thing and you'd also have to spend a lot of time listening to everyone to pick up on those little things.
MarcB said:
So far....God doesn't seem to be listening, since those two dogs still keep barking.
But seriously....Sky has hit the nail right on the head. We're all just plain bored with the non-goings-on in the market. So bored....we're just about comatose! The very fact that a thread last year about 990 WALE lasted for over four months is proof positive of that.
I also think that a break-up of one or both of the two big clusters would be the best thing to happen around here in a long long time. But....God doesn't seem to be listening on that front either.
Currently enjoying Guido & The DoWoppers on 1320. Where else might I hear that on terrestrial radio?
Heard Frank Zappa on 990. Last time anyone heard Zappa on terrestrial radio?
1320 originally 1kw/500w DAN serving small market Attleboro and supersized to 5kw DA2 into the original footprint. Surrounded by 1310s, 1320s and 1330s Oh My! Only pathway for the signal is between the bays, just skimming any sizeable markets.
Owner refuses to unload it after 10 years so he must be making coins with the brokered format.
Question: What other viable format can you think of that could financially float 1320?
I be back later with 990, 1590 etc...
_
Heard Frank Zappa on 990. Last time anyone heard Zappa on terrestrial radio?
1320 originally 1kw/500w DAN serving small market Attleboro and supersized to 5kw DA2 into the original footprint. Surrounded by 1310s, 1320s and 1330s Oh My! Only pathway for the signal is between the bays, just skimming any sizeable markets.
Owner refuses to unload it after 10 years so he must be making coins with the brokered format.
Question: What other viable format can you think of that could financially float 1320?
I be back later with 990, 1590 etc...
_
iyiyi said:
It's awfully tough for me to imagine how that place manages to turn a dollar, let alone turn a profit.
Have you heard what passes for "programming" over there?
Bits and pieces of downloaded audio from sources like Deutchse Welle (sp?)....Radio Netherlands....Radio Austrailia....The Canadian CBC....Pacifica....and something called FSN.
That....mixed in with some music at irregular times....usually days-old news capsules from IRN-USA network....along with leftover Catholic religious programs from the now-defunct 1220 WRIB (IN AFTERNOON DRIVE).
Throw in the UNLISTENABLE Attleboro Sun-Chronicle sponsored "Morning Newshour", with Peter Gay (quite possibly one of the world's most boring men)....
What does all that add up to ? ? ?......ONE FREAKING MESS ! ! !
Come to think of it....I haven't even heard the New-Age people on there in quite a while....
And....on top of ALL that....the place signs off at 10 pm.
As for 990 WALE......THAT's another mystery entirely. ;D
How those two sorry excuses for radio stations manage to stay on the air is beyond me.
Dighton Rockhead said:So far....God doesn't seem to be listening, since those two dogs still keep barking.
Yeah. I know. God keeps taking out innocent stations that are worthy of broadcasting from Cali to New Mexico up to The Dakotas. See the front Page of Radio-Info for more on that one.
Dighton Rockhead said:
I agree 100% with your assessments of brokered radio. Possibly, you misunderstand the business model of brokering air time.
My first premise is: ANY radio station costs a great deal of money to operate. This coin may come from public funding (WRNI), listener support (WJIB), commercial advertising (WBRU), religious groups and individuals (WARV), brokered (WARL) and various other sources.
Joe wants to air a polka show from 4-5 PM M-F. Chin wants to air a Cambodian news block 5:15-5:45 PM and
George wants to gloat on how an inclement weather - skewed election gives them the "mandate" to kill the bill the former office holder left his death bed and traveled to Washington to vote for as his crowning achievement of 50 years public service, from 6-7 PM.
Brokered radio is impossible to correlate programming and will always be a virtual complete tune out show to show.
Check 1320 and see how much these shows fork over to them each week.
Ratings? We don't need no stinking ratings!
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R
realtruth
Guest
I know a secret and it is going to shake things up. Someone is coming to the Citadel cluster to shake things up on the air. Stand by for all the dirt.
realtruth said:
Some guy was posting here about a month ago saying that he got a job in the Providence market. He didn't say what station he was hired to work at, but he did want to know about the radio landscape here. I believe he may have even said he was hired to do a talk show. I'm sure the post is buried on this board somewhere. Could this be related to Cianci's possible run at office again? He would be off the air making way for the new guy. That's my best guess.
iyiyi said:
I fully understand the concept of brokering air time. I remember there used to be a station in NYC on 1050. I believe the calls at the time were WEVD, and I thought they did a pretty decent job with the format....or....as I like to call it....the "non-format".
But seriously....what I'm trying to say is that I very much doubt 1320 is actually SELLING enough air time to turn a profit. My guess is that those bits and pieces from Radio Netherlands, the CBC, Deutsche Welle, Pacifica, etc. are simply downloaded audio that serves as FILL for UNSOLD TIME.
Obviously, the "Sun-Chronicle News-Hour" is a time buy. How else could Peter Gay even get NEAR a radio microphone.
The Catholic programs in afternoon drive would also count as a time buy.
But....I'm willing to bet that the MAJORITY of 1320's broadcast day consists of UNSOLD TIME.
Dighton Rockhead said:iyiyi said:
I fully understand the concept of brokering air time. I remember there used to be a station in NYC on 1050. I believe the calls at the time were WEVD, and I thought they did a pretty decent job with the format....or....as I like to call it....the "non-format".
But seriously....what I'm trying to say is that I very much doubt 1320 is actually SELLING enough air time to turn a profit. My guess is that those bits and pieces from Radio Netherlands, the CBC, Deutsche Welle, Pacifica, etc. are simply downloaded audio that serves as FILL for UNSOLD TIME.
Obviously, the "Sun-Chronicle News-Hour" is a time buy. How else could Peter Gay even get NEAR a radio microphone.
The Catholic programs in afternoon drive would also count as a time buy.
But....I'm willing to bet that the MAJORITY of 1320's broadcast day consists of UNSOLD TIME.
I again agree 100% with your assessments.
WEVD originally tried to field an eclectic format anchored by "Maynard in the Morning" followed (among other things) by various progressive talkers like Greenfield and Colmes. The Forward very smartly unloaded 1050 to the Mouse for a bag containing an eye popping number of nickels.
Brokered is the ultimate "non format".
Brokered is "The people's radio" because it provides folks the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. 1320 provides the above mentioned people a voice to share ideas with like minded listeners. This, as you pointed out, allows a chance to speak for those persons otherwise unable to obtain airtime.
Certainly the majority of programming is fill for unsold time. Since everyone provides their own product, a no show or other glitch means you throw a key to thwart dead air with something til the next program. To extrapolate, all programming on unsold time segments of ANY radio station is fill. The time buys on 1320 obviously cover expenses and are profitable or it would have been punted long ago.
Many excellent programmers are currently scouring the beach for coins. Let just one guy tape 1320 today, think of an inexpensive, easily implemented and euphonic method to segue the chaos of brokered. Make a tape of your fix and play it for the Dude of 1320. Go from there. Succeed and the boys at Birach WILL hear! Mr. Liu sure would want to talk to you!
_
iyiyi said:
Maybe....but....maybe not. It's been mentioned here by other posters that Peter Arpin (100 percent owner of 1320-WARL, and 79 percent owner of 990 WALE)...has had any number of offers to sell, but has flatly truned down all interested parties.
While the few time buys on 1320 and 990 may be helping to keep the lights on....those two places can't be doing much better than treading water.
My hunch as to why Peter Arpin holds on to his radio holdings in this market is three-fold. First....the idea of owning a radio station....or.... in this case... 1.79 stations ....must do a nice job of stroking the ego. Second....I think he may have an unrealistic view of just how much his holdings are actually worth. Third...perhaps it's possible that any losses from the station(s)...if any...are being written-off somehow. It's a pretty good bet that his other business ventures do well enough that he doesn't actually NEED the statons to be stellar performers.
Maybe that's why he hasn't "punted".
It's been mentioned here by other posters that Peter Arpin (100 percent owner of 1320-WARL, and 79 percent owner of 990 WALE)...has had any number of offers to sell, but has flatly truned down all interested parties.
While the few time buys on 1320 and 990 may be helping to keep the lights on....those two places can't be doing much better than treading water.
My hunch as to why Peter Arpin holds on to his radio holdings in this market is three-fold. First....the idea of owning a radio station....or.... in this case... 1.79 stations ....must do a nice job of stroking the ego. Second....I think he may have an unrealistic view of just how much his holdings are actually worth. Third...perhaps it's possible that any losses from the station(s)...if any...are being written-off somehow. It's a pretty good bet that his other business ventures do well enough that he doesn't actually NEED the statons to be stellar performers.
Maybe that's why he hasn't "punted".
[/quote]
Haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Arpin or talking radio with him.
The man owns 1.79 radio stations. I own 1.79 radios. Guessing the electric for the 2 stations approaches $2K per week. Certain the gentleman knows operating costs and value of 1320 AND 990. Never met a businessman yet who plays to just break even.
The audio quality (assuming a clean source) of both stations has been greatly improved. Both appear to stay on the air and sound good at this time.
Upgrading 1320 to 5K DA2 did not ruin them. Had they remained focused on their COL and accepted any new listeners as icing, things may have turned out a bit different. Other posters have accurately described the mindset of the programmers causing 1320 to wimp out of the game. Mr. Arpin is not responsible for any of that. He took over a foreign language station and plotted his course from that point. Even changing the day sticks to RI and boosting power can only obfuscate 1320's image more than fixing it.
990 is the sleeper. Blow off the Log road site. Gonna cost a few pennies and maybe an acquisition or two. Intelligent choice of new site and tower selection, coupled with boost to 50KwDAU, makes 990 signal the undisputed AM King of this market. Perfect spot for 1320 day stick diplex too!
Bottom line: I see Mr. Arpin coming, I step out of his way. He's successfully operated signal and market challenged stations in this economy. There is no way to argue success. I'm absolutely certain there is a mountain of resumes and tapes for both stations on his desk. When I am able to tote an rf bridge into the swamp again, my application will join the others on that desk.
_
While the few time buys on 1320 and 990 may be helping to keep the lights on....those two places can't be doing much better than treading water.
My hunch as to why Peter Arpin holds on to his radio holdings in this market is three-fold. First....the idea of owning a radio station....or.... in this case... 1.79 stations ....must do a nice job of stroking the ego. Second....I think he may have an unrealistic view of just how much his holdings are actually worth. Third...perhaps it's possible that any losses from the station(s)...if any...are being written-off somehow. It's a pretty good bet that his other business ventures do well enough that he doesn't actually NEED the statons to be stellar performers.
Maybe that's why he hasn't "punted".
[/quote]
Haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Arpin or talking radio with him.
The man owns 1.79 radio stations. I own 1.79 radios. Guessing the electric for the 2 stations approaches $2K per week. Certain the gentleman knows operating costs and value of 1320 AND 990. Never met a businessman yet who plays to just break even.
The audio quality (assuming a clean source) of both stations has been greatly improved. Both appear to stay on the air and sound good at this time.
Upgrading 1320 to 5K DA2 did not ruin them. Had they remained focused on their COL and accepted any new listeners as icing, things may have turned out a bit different. Other posters have accurately described the mindset of the programmers causing 1320 to wimp out of the game. Mr. Arpin is not responsible for any of that. He took over a foreign language station and plotted his course from that point. Even changing the day sticks to RI and boosting power can only obfuscate 1320's image more than fixing it.
990 is the sleeper. Blow off the Log road site. Gonna cost a few pennies and maybe an acquisition or two. Intelligent choice of new site and tower selection, coupled with boost to 50KwDAU, makes 990 signal the undisputed AM King of this market. Perfect spot for 1320 day stick diplex too!
Bottom line: I see Mr. Arpin coming, I step out of his way. He's successfully operated signal and market challenged stations in this economy. There is no way to argue success. I'm absolutely certain there is a mountain of resumes and tapes for both stations on his desk. When I am able to tote an rf bridge into the swamp again, my application will join the others on that desk.
_
iyiyi said:
Sounds like a very ambitious plan...and a very expensive one! Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the idea! What's not to love about spending someone else's money for him? ;D
You're right about the Log road site. It must have seemed like a good idea at the time (1959-60-ish)....but apparently, the soil conductivity was so much worse than anyone could have imagined, with the result that Log road has turned out a DISASTER!. Computer models for such things would have come in really handy back then.
In this age of rampant NIMBY-ism......the big trick becomes finding just the right parcel(s) of land where you could accomplish all the goals you set forth in your previous post.
I would love to see it happen...but...if you're Mr. Arpin, you might be wondering "Where's the return-on-investment"?
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