The application was filed with the FCC tonight to sell WNAZ 89.1 in Nashville, TN and WNRZ 91.5 and their translators to Bott Broadcasting for 2 million dollars.
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WNAZ-FM 89.1 sold to Bott Broadcasting
- Thread starter brian.marchand
- Start date
The call letters WNAZ are not included in the sale. Why not unless they plan to buy another station?
brian.marchand said:
Maybe WNAZ will go to another Nazarene institution. So does this mean NAZ becomes WCRT-FM?
Didn't we all hear it was Bott from the beginning? I assume all the other rumors since then were smoke and mirrors?
I don't know of any format variation among Bott stations (although local programming may differ), soo, question is, will NAZ, NRZ, CRT-AM, and the three translators all carry the same programming?
With all of these FM signals from which to choose, will they keep the AM?
The rumors that the buyer is Bott turned out to be true. What happened to the promises that the buyer would keep a CCM format? This is something that Bott will definitely NOT do. WNAZ has betrayed their listeners.
I've said before that for the type format that they do that Bott is one of the best. But the truth is they have no regard for the past audience, whether it's CCM or some other format. They'll change it to the same format as all their other stations. I don't know what their real attitude toward CCM is, but I do know that they think that their programs are more important than reaching young people for Christ, and that someone else should play CCM. I know from the sale of WMSO in Memphis in 1986 that listener protests will do no good. All they'll do is to claim "That's not what God is leading us to."
However I believe the biggest part of the blame goes on WNAZ, for selling to a group THEY KNEW had no intention of keeping a CCM format, even though they were claiming otherwise. Anyone who has made donations to WNAZ should demand a refund.
I've said before that for the type format that they do that Bott is one of the best. But the truth is they have no regard for the past audience, whether it's CCM or some other format. They'll change it to the same format as all their other stations. I don't know what their real attitude toward CCM is, but I do know that they think that their programs are more important than reaching young people for Christ, and that someone else should play CCM. I know from the sale of WMSO in Memphis in 1986 that listener protests will do no good. All they'll do is to claim "That's not what God is leading us to."
However I believe the biggest part of the blame goes on WNAZ, for selling to a group THEY KNEW had no intention of keeping a CCM format, even though they were claiming otherwise. Anyone who has made donations to WNAZ should demand a refund.
anotherguy said
What does any station OWE it's listeners. WNAZ was not in it for the money...but they need money to survive. It appears it can no longer do that. I believe MTSU's campus station is having financial problems...not sure, but heard that from a good source. Commercial stations are cutting staff and programs. Most just trying to survive. There are others who are doing well. One cluster in Nashville has gone from about 40 sales folks to about 11...from 5 or 6 production people to a couple.
again --- I think most stations are just trying to survive. Don't know if I'm right and hope there are some of you to prove me wrong. The landscape is not pretty.
What does any station OWE it's listeners. WNAZ was not in it for the money...but they need money to survive. It appears it can no longer do that. I believe MTSU's campus station is having financial problems...not sure, but heard that from a good source. Commercial stations are cutting staff and programs. Most just trying to survive. There are others who are doing well. One cluster in Nashville has gone from about 40 sales folks to about 11...from 5 or 6 production people to a couple.
again --- I think most stations are just trying to survive. Don't know if I'm right and hope there are some of you to prove me wrong. The landscape is not pretty.
anotherguy said:
Did I miss an article somewhere? Was there really a promise the buyer would keep a CCM format? Can someone post a link?
Looking at coverage maps, it's silly to keep all the frequencies they'll now have. With WNAZ, WNRZ in Dickson at 91.5, and translators in Gallatin (93.9), Clarksville (99.5) and Lebanon (101.9), who needs 1160 AM and nighttime-only 103.9 FM? Since 103.9 is halfway between 103.3 and 104.5, the two Citadel stations, I'd go knocking on their door first. Citadel could run ESPN all day long on 1160 and nights on 103.9 and carry overflow games from now #3 GFX (or just keep ESPN on 1160 and use 103.9 at night to broadcast "Carl 103.9, all P., all the time"). Or maybe WNSR wants the pair, so they can rebroadcast 560 at night on a freq right next to the Zone. There'd be lots of great possibilities, if we still lived in a day where stations could afford to do stuff like this...
jetfli said:
- FWIW 99.5 Clarksville is off the air and has been for quite some time.
- FWIW 103.9 can only be used to simulcast 1160.
- Dunno, 560 does pretty darned well, would 1160's night signal be an improvement? Even with the FM?
- Maybe now they'll fix the link to the Dickson transmitter? It's actually working right now but that's a rarity...
jetfli said:
It was in an article in the Tennessean from August. Unfortunately it's already in their archives and you have to pay for a copy.
B
bub
Guest
anotherguy said:jetfli said:
It was in an article in the Tennessean from August. Unfortunately it's already in their archives and you have to pay for a copy.
It might be more work than an internet search but there's always the back issues at the public library. Not being facetious.
According to ratings WNAZ didn't betray all that many listeners. If CCM were a growing format in ratings and record sales I'm sure somebody would have jumped on the opportunity. This could be a hot button since most Christian labels are based in Nashville, but it's a format that is very small. As far as music, Fish & Way offer enough. In Atlanta black gospel has higher ratings than all the CCM artists. That void is in Nashville.
Here's the catch. Bott is a first class outfit. They survive off selling program time. But with Moody covering the market pretty well at 91.7, some who might listen to Bott don't give it a chance. And they have credibility than the 760,980, 1300 attempts. This puts Bott on FM with a better signal than 91.7 in a city with many churches. I'm sure WNAZ would have preferred to sell to a music operator but even Klove, with all it's expansion the past 2 years, saw Nashville, for it's size, is well represented with the format. The format needs some stronger product vs more stations carrying the product.
Here's the catch. Bott is a first class outfit. They survive off selling program time. But with Moody covering the market pretty well at 91.7, some who might listen to Bott don't give it a chance. And they have credibility than the 760,980, 1300 attempts. This puts Bott on FM with a better signal than 91.7 in a city with many churches. I'm sure WNAZ would have preferred to sell to a music operator but even Klove, with all it's expansion the past 2 years, saw Nashville, for it's size, is well represented with the format. The format needs some stronger product vs more stations carrying the product.
CCM music is very popular and gets good ratings in many markets that have good signals so I would not call the format small. No ccm does not usually compete for #1 but still can have good ratings, Having 3 ccm type stations in Nashville -Fish, Way and WNAZ was more than most markets so there really was not a need for 3 of them at least for all 3 to have decent ratings. WNAZ had the smallest ratings and had the smallest signal plus were a college station. The Fish gearing to adults has the best ratings. If the Fish had 1 stronger signal in Nashville rather than 2 smaller ones I am sure they would get even higher ratings.
onetake said:
"If the Fish had 1 stronger signal in Nashville rather than 2 smaller ones I am sure they would get even higher ratings."
I sound like a broken record here, but I couldn't agree more! Many don't realize there's another frequency for the East/West sides of town (Not everyone is into radio like us). And areas like Gallatin have little coverage at all. Also, CCM is not dying - it's growing and based out of Nashville, which is more reason for Salem to have a stronger "home" signal. That doesn't so much include past artists like Amy Grant, it's artists like Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, and even "safe" mainstream artists like LifeHouse and Daughtry. I try to listen to 94FM as much as possible, but trying to pull it in in a Nashville building is tough, even with a Boston HD Receptor. I think it's doing pretty good given it's pathetic signal - on the heels of a 100kW Wolf. When driving through Nebraska I listened to their version of the Fish (http://radio-locator.com/info/KGBI-FM) and was impressed to listen for over 150 miles! I can see WNAZ's tower from my office so it's the only Christian signal I can receive, yet despite loving Christian music, am not a fan of their playlist at all. Similar can be said for WAY, as I'm not 14.
I sound like a broken record here, but I couldn't agree more! Many don't realize there's another frequency for the East/West sides of town (Not everyone is into radio like us). And areas like Gallatin have little coverage at all. Also, CCM is not dying - it's growing and based out of Nashville, which is more reason for Salem to have a stronger "home" signal. That doesn't so much include past artists like Amy Grant, it's artists like Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, and even "safe" mainstream artists like LifeHouse and Daughtry. I try to listen to 94FM as much as possible, but trying to pull it in in a Nashville building is tough, even with a Boston HD Receptor. I think it's doing pretty good given it's pathetic signal - on the heels of a 100kW Wolf. When driving through Nebraska I listened to their version of the Fish (http://radio-locator.com/info/KGBI-FM) and was impressed to listen for over 150 miles! I can see WNAZ's tower from my office so it's the only Christian signal I can receive, yet despite loving Christian music, am not a fan of their playlist at all. Similar can be said for WAY, as I'm not 14.
NashvilleNative said:
Funny, I can listen to sports talk (usually the Zone) for long periods of time, but the incessant chatter of WAY's afternoon guy between songs makes me bonkers. I mean, why does he have to say the same thing four different ways in as many minutes? Why can't he just say it once and move on to the next song? We got it the first time!
That has already been tried here in Nashville. See "The One" about a decade or so ago. FISH has billboards all over town, so everyone should know that they are on two frequencies. FISH's problem comes in that they are apparently marketing themselves as though everyone still has analog radio dials. "94 FM" would have been specific enough two or three decades ago, but now we are all digital.NashvilleNative said:
I meant to address "The one" in my previous rant, but got distracted. I remember the one and while I love the Fish, I couldn't stand the one. It was slow and boring. The fish is more of a blend between Way and the one. An analogy would be like Mix 92.9 to Star 97 or Q108 (except I like 92.9). Plus, there was a void for hip/hop then. I was thinking more along the lines of WRQQ's signal size for the Fish. I will admit, WUBT is a bit overkill.
The One was, to me, similar to the WNAZ of the '90s. 'NAZ later skewed a bit young for my taste. I preferred Point of Grace and the like.NashvilleNative said:
I believe that having a CCM format on a Clear Channel station was probably, in retrospect, a mistake. Salem is more committed to keeping a CCM format.
Were you suggesting that the 101.1 signal was a little strong for a CCM format? You might have something there. Their COL was, at least at one time, in Russellville, KY.
Would be great if we could combine the ratings of all the "little" FISH stations (I call them "minnows") to get a better idea of how the FISH and the CCM format is doing in Nashville.
J
JimmyJames
Guest
Most CCMs aim 25-44 female. I think if you want to really reach youth, it's important to have more CHR stations like WNAZ. But I doubt most operators are going to do something that might cut their funding or contribs.
firepoint525 said:
still is...tower in Cross Plains, TN...studios on Music Row...killer signal
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