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WJIB 740 Major Announcement??

P

PaulBWalkerJr

Guest
I saw this on another board....

Although I have yet to hear it, someone told me this morning (March 12th) that WJIB-740 broadcast a spot saying that owner Bob Bittner would be making a "major announcement" about the programming" of the station tomorrow (March 13th) or Wednesday.

Has anyone heard what that anmnouncement might be, and could it be related to published reports some weeks back about WJIB's assessments for ASCAP and BMI fees rising so much that they could cause major financial problems for the station??


What's this all about??
 
That could be part of it, but:
The folks who've been trying to get Air America/prog talk back on the air in Boston have asked him to consider it. It's only 250 watts but low enough on the dial that it covers a half decent amount of the Boston area by day
at least, and it's just down the street from Harvard Sq., folks!

Bob has resisted anything involving advertising but he'd have to carry the ads on the AAR or Jones prog talk
shows. He could run PSAs on his local avails if need be (can't afford to hire a sales manager).

One possibility would be that he would carry some of the shows and revert to the current format otherwise
 
JIBGUY SAYS: The announcement aired at 12 Noon today, and it will repeat Wednesday at 5 PM, and again at 8 AM on Thursday, then 5 PM on Friday. - The 13-minute announcement explains the pickle I'm in, with increased rent, no Radio-France income, and horrendous music licensing fees. So now, WJIB is "listener-supported". Need to raise $88k for this year (no salary for me in there). WJIB will keep playing its music, with no changes, 24/7. (24/7 except Sunday morning churches). If its true that WJIB has 100,000 weekly listeners, then this should not be a problem. If the goal is not met, or if it appears that it won't come close to being met, then I will make a decision of the direction of the station on June 30, 2007. - First hour of indications: looks good. Someone from Andover drove to the station and dropped off a $100. check. - If, on June 30th, I decide that it won't work, all people who made contributions will promptly get their full money back in the mail. - The 13-minute announcement explained the 5 options I have, one of which is accpeting big-income infomercials for diet pills and stomach-magnets. ("Yes, folks: just place this magnet over your stomach, and it'll pull the pain right out")...but anyone who knows me, knows I would never air that crap. - Anyway, this should be a very interesting concept...listener-supported. It may pave the way for other remaining adult-standards stations who are in it for the love of music. Altho I'm not the first..... we all remember Simon Geller.
 
During a station ID I heard a short time ago, Bob Bittner gave the call letters, city, and then the description "listener-supported radio".
 
Bob:

Thanks for filling us all in on the information!

Paul
 
JIBGUY said:
"Yes, folks: just place this magnet over your stomach, and it'll pull the pain right out"

I thought it was supposed to melt the fat. No wonder it's not working. ;D

(Best of luck with the fundraiser, Bob!)
 
JIBGUY said:
JIBGUY SAYS: The announcement aired at 12 Noon today, and it will repeat Wednesday at 5 PM, and again at 8 AM on Thursday, then 5 PM on Friday. - The 13-minute announcement explains the pickle I'm in, with increased rent, no Radio-France income, and horrendous music licensing fees. So now, WJIB is "listener-supported". Need to raise $88k for this year (no salary for me in there). WJIB will keep playing its music, with no changes, 24/7. (24/7 except Sunday morning churches). If its true that WJIB has 100,000 weekly listeners, then this should not be a problem. If the goal is not met, or if it appears that it won't come close to being met, then I will make a decision of the direction of the station on June 30, 2007. - First hour of indications: looks good. Someone from Andover drove to the station and dropped off a $100. check. - If, on June 30th, I decide that it won't work, all people who made contributions will promptly get their full money back in the mail. - The 13-minute announcement explained the 5 options I have, one of which is accpeting big-income infomercials for diet pills and stomach-magnets. ("Yes, folks: just place this magnet over your stomach, and it'll pull the pain right out")...but anyone who knows me, knows I would never air that crap. - Anyway, this should be a very interesting concept...listener-supported. It may pave the way for other remaining adult-standards stations who are in it for the love of music. Altho I'm not the first..... we all remember Simon Geller.

The check is in the mail...
 
BTW, WJTO-730 is not in any danger. Royalty fees are still low (by comparing) there. And there's no rent; but there ARE property taxes.
 
My best wishes to you JIBGUY. I hope this works out for you. I have never heard your station, but from what I have read and heard about your approach to broadcasting, I hope you can continue to have fun and give the listeners what they want. 8)
 
Thanks bob:

I'm downloading this and will post it on my server as well...
 
You've got to give Bob Bittner props for sticking with what he believes in. Making this kind of format work in this day and age is no small feat. It's magnified even more with the knowledge that WJIB is only 250 watts. When I was Chief there back in the dark days of 1984,who knew that the station again would carve out a place for itself much like it did as WCAS?

Now if we could only export Bob's model to WNYH and my current weekday station, WVCH, we'd have a 740 network of stations carrying good music to quite a few people.

Dave Gardiner

WVCH 740/WNWR 1540

Philadelphia
 
DG02816 said:
... who knew that the station again would carve out a place for itself much like it did as WCAS?

And in stereo, and at night! The two things I was wishing for when it was WCAS, which I loved. But, I also very much appreciate what Bob's done with WJIB, and I will be scraping together some spare change to send to help his cause.
 
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