WJLB & WMXD moving from the Penobscot Building

[Johnnie_Radio]

This is truly the end of a Legacy for these 2 stations and for the City of Detroit:

Per the Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/article/2009...troit-radio-stations-move-to-Farmington-Hills

URL courtesy of Radio-Info administration




After decades in the historic Penobscot Building in downtown Detroit, urban radio stations WJLB-FM (97.9) and WMXD-FM (92.3) are moving to owner Clear Channel Detroit's corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills in mid-November. Clear Channel Detroit president/market manager Til Levesque told her staff that the move was the last step in a six-year process to consolidate Metro Detroit operations in one central location.

The lease was up on the Penobscot Building studio space, and Levesque said that moving the 20 remaining employees out to Farmington Hills was a "cost-effective solution" at a time when the company was trying to operate more efficiently

Clear Channel is a Billion Dollar Corporation and moving these 2 historic Radio Stations into an already Crowded Building in Farmington hIlls is going to put this company in the poor house This is truly sad for Radio as it once was.....Corporations have ruined the Life of Good radio to Stuff their aleady loaded pockets.........

WJLB & WMXD got started downtown......over 25 years ago.....this is a mistake

 

[Human Numan]

All these radio companies are not doing well financially, because of the recession.

But I think the 2 Urban formated radio stations targeted toward an African American audience studio's being in the suburbs will look strange.

Yep moving these 2 stations is truly the end of the legacey of WJLB and WMXD because these 2 stations have been involved so much in the inner city African American community in Detroit. Im African American myself and I live in Inkster, MI a suburb of Detroit. How will these 2 African American stations be able to continue being involved in the black community in Detroit being located at 12 Mile Road and Halsted Road in Farmington Hills, MI near West Bloomfield and Novi, Michigan.

The east side will be a good way from WMXD and WJLB new studio location.

WMXD and WJLB will be close to the city of Southfield, Michigan which has a large African American population.

Radio One's Urban radio stations studio's will still be located in Detroit which includes AM 1200 WCHB, HOT 102.7 and 105.9 KISS FM.

WGPR 107.5 studio will still be in Detroit.

 

[Mac Daddy]

I know that they have been there for twenty some years, but nothing stays the same way forever. Its actually benifcial for CC now to have all the stations in one building, But now there will be very limited elbow space thats for sure

Besides, does it really matter where there studio is located? Just because there moving to Farmington doesen't mean that they can't connect with the african american community. That makes no sense. WYCD is located in Ferndale, but since there a country station, should they be located in northern macomb county (Armada, Richmond, Yale etc.) where its just farms and dirt roads as far as the eye can see. Who cares where they broadcast from.

 

[kilamanjero]

I know that they have been there for twenty some years, but nothing stays the same way forever. Its actually benifcial for CC now to have all the stations in one building, But now there will be very limited elbow space thats for sure

Besides, does it really matter where there studio is located? Just because there moving to Farmington doesen't mean that they can't connect with the african american community. That makes no sense. WYCD is located in Ferndale, but since there a country station, should they be located in northern macomb county (Armada, Richmond, Yale etc.) where its just farms and dirt roads as far as the eye can see. Who cares where they broadcast from.

Well, unlike the legacy of radio with those who listen to country, radio has historically been the voice of the black community and the place where issues affecting black people would be discussed. The image of this move is more damaging than anything else especially if word gets out that that WMXD/WJLB is no longer in Detroit itself rather the suburbs because it makes CC look as if they are pandering rather than serving the community. The key to winning in urban radio format is more about image along with presentation more than anything else.

 

[Word!]

It doesn't matter where they are located. As a group-owner, I would want all of my stations in one building, it only makes sense. The people and personalities make a station, not necessarily where they are located. The signal serves the market. Look at CC Milwaukee, they have signals across the market, and their building is on top of a hilly side street in the West Burbs. I'm sure commuting is easier than going down town, and anyways the city of D always has higher taxes on property I believe. CC probably has a much better lease (or ownersihp) in the new building.

So now that times past, any new thoughts? Did it really make any impact? Im sure the talent is enjoying the brand new studios~!

 

[jt1120]

Uh, hello? WMXD was not located downtown for 20 years. They were in Southfield until Clear Channel gobbled them up and moved them downtown to the Penobscot. I remember when JLB was on the 20th floor.

(Sorry, I just found this thread and had to correct the misinformation)

Mallory lives!