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WIQI News Fails, Here are alternate suggestions

First, I think we can all agree that WIQI FM News is a colossal failure that is going nowhere. Here are some suggestions on 101.1 FM programming alternatives for Randy to save face before he gets fired:

1. Bring back Q101. Buy the branding back and launch alternative with the playlist on 87.7 FM. Add in some personalities and get rid of the lame voice tracking. Even though it is on a frequency only a fraction of cars can get and it is on a LP station, and it has had NO advertising except for some kiddie-Facebook stuff, it pulled in a 1.0 on the first month. Nice. Alternative music has shown to be viable and profitable in most top 10 markets, NYC being one of the exceptions. The original Q101 failed in the later days because of a CRAP, old, dusty playlist (red hot chili peppers and beastie boys over and over and over again, then sprinkled with some rage screaming no talent hack artists). The new 87.7 is quite good.
2. Make WIQI a Chicagoland talker like WLUP-AM once was when they had Brandmier, Kevin Matthews, Danny Bonaduce, Howard Stern and whoever else. I'm not saying these guys can be brought back but the concept then was compelling and ahead of its time. It might actually be entertaining if they had some interesting personalities that made me laugh. Chicago corporate managers of stations are WAY to conservative and stiff these days. I want something cutting edge and funny to listen to. I don't want safe radio aimed at narrow demographics or yet another MIX, AC, or Lite Rock station.

... any other suggestions?
 
It will never be Q101 again. Emmis sold the intellectual property to that prior to Merlin even taking ownership of the stations.
 
Roger That said:
It will never be Q101 again. Emmis sold the intellectual property to that prior to Merlin even taking ownership of the stations.

OK, well in that case let them stay in the ratings gutter.
 
If Q101 can't make a comeback, how about a 70's, 80's and 90's Classic Hits format, done in high energy, Top 40 style. That type of programming would spend considerable time tuned in on my radio!
 
I think an FM talk station that has a Chicago focus could be a good idea. Perhaps an FM sports talk station. It could affiliate with the new NBC Sports network whenever it rolls out. Maybe even a talk/sports merger where it's regular talk in the day and sports at night and weekends.
 
radioman148 said:
Roger That said:
It will never be Q101 again. Emmis sold the intellectual property to that prior to Merlin even taking ownership of the stations.

OK, well in that case let them stay in the ratings gutter.

Because those are the only two options? ::)

They could easily move alternative back to the 101.1 stick, but it just couldn't be Q101, that's all I was saying. They would have to change the name. Given the change in music (for the better, IMO), that isn't a bad thing.
 
Roger That said:
They could easily move alternative back to the 101.1 stick, but it just couldn't be Q101, that's all I was saying. They would have to change the name. Given the change in music (for the better, IMO), that isn't a bad thing.

Given the sale of the intellectual property....that might be a breach of the contract.
 
Roger That said:
radioman148 said:
Roger That said:
It will never be Q101 again. Emmis sold the intellectual property to that prior to Merlin even taking ownership of the stations.

OK, well in that case let them stay in the ratings gutter.

Because those are the only two options? ::)

They could easily move alternative back to the 101.1 stick, but it just couldn't be Q101, that's all I was saying. They would have to change the name. Given the change in music (for the better, IMO), that isn't a bad thing.

I never suggested those were the only options, just that anything else would IMO garner more ratings than they have now.
 
Merlin will most likely evolve 101.1 toward News/Talk in the months ahead. Then again, if either ESPN or K-Love are interested in a full market Class B FM signal, I think a future sale cannot be ruled out. Hell, perhaps even Cumulus would find a way to pony up the cash to purchase it.
 
High energy classic hits format delivered in top 40 style...sounds like K-Hits. Already on the air in the market. My bet, Merlin moves 101.1 towards a news talk format, with talk in all dayparts outside of drive. Similar to what they have going in Philly. IQ 101.1 anyone? (They already have the calls set aside).
 
MarkW said:
Merlin will most likely evolve 101.1 toward News/Talk in the months ahead. Then again, if either ESPN or K-Love are interested in a full market Class B FM signal, I think a future sale cannot be ruled out. Hell, perhaps even Cumulus would find a way to pony up the cash to purchase it.

Why would ESPN need a full market FM? ESPN 1000 covers the market very well.
 
radioman148 said:
MarkW said:
Merlin will most likely evolve 101.1 toward News/Talk in the months ahead. Then again, if either ESPN or K-Love are interested in a full market Class B FM signal, I think a future sale cannot be ruled out. Hell, perhaps even Cumulus would find a way to pony up the cash to purchase it.

Why would ESPN need a full market FM? ESPN 1000 covers the market very well.

Really? Somebody asked this question in 2012?
 
radioman148 said:
MarkW said:
Merlin will most likely evolve 101.1 toward News/Talk in the months ahead. Then again, if either ESPN or K-Love are interested in a full market Class B FM signal, I think a future sale cannot be ruled out. Hell, perhaps even Cumulus would find a way to pony up the cash to purchase it.

Why would ESPN need a full market FM? ESPN 1000 covers the market very well.

If ABC wanted ESPN radio on FM, they wouldn't have sold off WLS-FM. I know ABC doesn't have many FM stations left in their profile. They only kept the radio stations that had ESPN Radio & Radio Disney on them, & sold the rest.
 
scanman1 said:
If Q101 can't make a comeback, how about a 70's, 80's and 90's Classic Hits format, done in high energy, Top 40 style. That type of programming would spend considerable time tuned in on my radio!

Isn't that called K-Hits? or 100.3? or the Drive?
 
the golden boy said:
I think an FM talk station that has a Chicago focus could be a good idea. Perhaps an FM sports talk station. It could affiliate with the new NBC Sports network whenever it rolls out. Maybe even a talk/sports merger where it's regular talk in the day and sports at night and weekends.

Yeah, the Score sucks. It's just all Bears or all Sox ALL THE TIME. Cover the Hawks, Cubs, and college football for crying out loud. The Score also should change its callsign WCSR and call themselves Commercial Sox Radio. They have more commercials than actual sports talk on there. I really hate that station. WMVP has a huge opportunity to take a piece of their ratings but they are actually a bad carbon copy of a bad sports station, WSCR.

If done right a REAL sports station like you suggest might do OK.
 
Roger That said:
It will never be Q101 again. Emmis sold the intellectual property to that prior to Merlin even taking ownership of the stations.

Well, heck, call them 101X then if they can't buy the branding back (which they could for the right price). The callsign could still be WKQX.
 
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