The rumor mill says that it is in process of being sold to allow 97X to return to Cincinnati.
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WOXY, 97X - Coming Back to 97.7?
- Thread starter 88.9 Miracle
- Start date
Highly doubtful.
The current investors of woxy.com have no interest in terrestrial radio at all, and Doug & Linda Balogh are retired in New Mexico.
The current investors of woxy.com have no interest in terrestrial radio at all, and Doug & Linda Balogh are retired in New Mexico.
mattsledge said:
I guess I didn't make myself real clear. The rumor is that First Broadcasting is selling 97.7, WOXY to (?lala.com? - not sure) who plans to return 97X back to the airwaves on their original terrestrial signal and station, WOXY, 97.7.
This would NOT be hard to understand, since First’s “MAX” turned out to be a “minimum” in the ratings. Sorry, a move of the current facilities to Mason is NOT going to make that much difference – neither would a new format! Could your market (which lost seven-percent of its metro population in the last few years) be maxed out? How many FMs do you need? How many new 2.0 stations could be cool and worth killing brain cells over? I realize (for many here) this is your “home town” (Cincy IS the city I grew up listening to radio from – and LOVE) – BUT, aside from the CC Talk AM “cartel” – your market is not that healthy. A Class-B “rimshot-plus” owned by a major player is headed for third-tier talk while others in town are "lingering", so what else should you expect from the future of a demure 97.7? Maybe its “future” is its past – back in Oxford and the near north side - college students orgasmic over a station that introduces the modern-day version of U2 or Jesus Jones? Was it REALLY any different for “us” with Q102 or WEBN back then? Maybe some of you folks should stop thinking like the “corporates” (in their little box) that you often criticize and accept a tad bit of "reality" in this "marketplace" you so often speak of.
A fellow (and successful) owner told me way back in 1990 – “Company D just moved in... So who’s gonna move out?” Only the corporate “stable” codified by a morose interpretation of the Telcom Act seems to mitigate this wisdom, but the hour is fast approaching when “Peter demands to be paid by Paul”. Could Paul, who paid nearly 20-mil for 97.7, cough up cash for Peter with a .4 share?
We are fast approaching a point where all this “status quo” is going to HAVE TO “wash–or else”... The “lenders” in this biz are becoming frustrated – as are the listeners (who are “down” according to the accepted rating utility). Aside from some “adhesive” to Cunningham, Rush, or NPR - the middle-age and older demo has taken your corporate queue and moved on... Radio simply ISN’T serving (us) anymore... But we are getting smart – and learning how to operate an iPod and an XM receiver. Sorry, but Skyline Chili or Joseph Chevy WON’T be in a position to benefit from that consumer transition!
“Radio” as the post-Telcom “gold-diggers” defined it – is about to change – back to the “better”... Maybe???
A fellow (and successful) owner told me way back in 1990 – “Company D just moved in... So who’s gonna move out?” Only the corporate “stable” codified by a morose interpretation of the Telcom Act seems to mitigate this wisdom, but the hour is fast approaching when “Peter demands to be paid by Paul”. Could Paul, who paid nearly 20-mil for 97.7, cough up cash for Peter with a .4 share?
We are fast approaching a point where all this “status quo” is going to HAVE TO “wash–or else”... The “lenders” in this biz are becoming frustrated – as are the listeners (who are “down” according to the accepted rating utility). Aside from some “adhesive” to Cunningham, Rush, or NPR - the middle-age and older demo has taken your corporate queue and moved on... Radio simply ISN’T serving (us) anymore... But we are getting smart – and learning how to operate an iPod and an XM receiver. Sorry, but Skyline Chili or Joseph Chevy WON’T be in a position to benefit from that consumer transition!
“Radio” as the post-Telcom “gold-diggers” defined it – is about to change – back to the “better”... Maybe???
hipporadio said:
I tend to agree with your assessment of the 97.7 signal. The only thing you could really do with it would be something radically different....not unlike what they were doing as 97X. That's why this rumor almost makes sense. The signal upgrade seems like a bust to me. Putting the tower on the Middletown/Monroe corp line hardly gets it any closer to Cincinnati, although one could argue that it does help in the fast-growing corridor between Cincy and Dayton. This is hardly a Cincinnati move-in though as was originally speculated. Who would want to buy this signal from First? I don't know what you'd do with it. One thing's for sure.....the MAX format is going nowhere. A boring, cookie-cutter format on a less than desirable signal. Why would anyone listen?
J
Jeff_Davis
Guest
Hippo, where do you get your statistics? The Cincinnati market gained about 16,000 people since the last realignment of the markets. The city of Cincinnati lost people, but the overall market gained. That's the story in just about any large market with an older city core and lots of 'burbs. The Fall book came in with a 12+ population of 1,705,200 while Arbitron's new figures recently released show a 12+ population of 1,721,200. How is that a 7% decrease?
Jeff_Davis said:
Jeff... You are correct... In the interest of intellectual honesty - I will give you credit for your correct spin on Cincy PLUS its "burbs"... 'Thought I'd try to get away with something that you rightfully caught me on. DARN :-[ You're right - and a good man! My comment was related to the "city"... Devil's Advo time here: bear in mind - MOST "cities" HAVE NOT lost the pop that Cincy has (E.G. Indianapolis, Columbus, and Louisville) - and that's just in this portion of the planet! Burbs are expanding EVERYWHERE; and yes - they become a part of radio "metros"... But what of the Class A FMs that can't "reach out" with their 3/6kw signals from "downtown" - and vice versa in the case of the many "sub-politan" Class As that can't get into inter-city buildings? So a definition of "the market" bears some level of scrutiny.
My reference to Cincy's "pop" was but a "sidebar" to a greater point. Low-power Cincy "sub-pols" such as 97.7 are (in general) NOT as successful as similars in other markets (E.G. WKLU - Indy and several Columbus and Louisville Class A "rim-shots"). If I'm wrong, please give me an example, and I'll happily give you credit for making me a better-informed man!
J
Jeff_Davis
Guest
As for the population, I don't think Indy, Columbus, or Louisville compare to Cincinnati because those are city/county governments, and therefore the statistics are apples-oranges. The "suburbs" of Louisville are in Jefferson County, but the old Louisville proper was losing population until the merger. Columbus continues to annex land in return for water rights. I tend to compare Cincinnati to cities like St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland which are very similar and have generally LOST population. But, that's a discussion for another board.
You'll also note, in the case of WKLU, that they are in "flat" Indianapolis. Rimshot signals have a better chance when there aren't "seven hills" blocking them. I would consider WYGY to be fairly successful with a fairly consistent 3.0-4.0 share 12+. WOXY is just too small to crack the market, I agree with that.
You'll also note, in the case of WKLU, that they are in "flat" Indianapolis. Rimshot signals have a better chance when there aren't "seven hills" blocking them. I would consider WYGY to be fairly successful with a fairly consistent 3.0-4.0 share 12+. WOXY is just too small to crack the market, I agree with that.
Jeff_Davis said:
Jeff, I will again give you credit for an accuate and good point. 6kw "rim-shots" in "flat" Columbus and Indy DO have a "coverage kick" when compared to the very difficult terrain of Cincy. Heck--a Class B there may as well be a Class A on the Great Plains.
This all goes back to 97.7. I knew (well) the VERY FINE MAN (Rick Sellers) who ran that station right out of MU back in 1974. BTW... Sellers now owns 1450 KMRY in Cedar Rapids, Iowa... MAN that great guy loved Class 4 AMs ???. WOXR was a fine local station in Oxford (in the Burger King) that "paid its bills" and had an interested and loyal group of listeners in the mid/late 70s. Things changed... They became 97X - which I admired, but felt was more "successful" within the music biz than on the street. NEVERTHELESS, it was a very good radio station - and an internet pioneer.
I see no reason why it could not "return to its roots" EXCEPT (as "greatoldies" brought forward) - who would support it to the tune of servicing the current debt? On that point, I guess I would ask the simple question Jeff... How DID that "debt" on a 3kw "short-spaced" Oxford mini-FM; restricted by the "laws of nature" that you described with respect to it becoming a Cincy FM, become a factor that would forever render it a "corporate second-string" in CINCY - opposed to "back home" where it may very well belong - and may have some respectable level of prosperity... Not to mention - value to the local public!
J
Jeff_Davis
Guest
A very good question that you might also ask Mike McMurray after he made millions on 97.3 FM. You can trace it all back to money, of course. The Baloghs wanted it, First gave it to them, and they believed they could create a better signal that would be attractive to one of the Cincy corporate giants. First does this all the time. Is there a LOCAL entity that would be willing to shoulder that debt and try to make a go of something local on 97.7? Who has the money to compete? I think if Marty Pieratt can be successful in Aurora, and WNKR can do it in Dry RIdge, why not in Oxford? Any takers?
Jeff_Davis said:
Again... Good point Jeff... I guess we can only "hope" that someone will accept that challenge... But I don't think a "sane" BUSINESSMAN would at that @20-mil price... again, greatoldies make a good point "Where's the beef?" First there was "the Bs (Baloghs)" then there was the "the F (First)"... B-F... Oh stop it Hippo - you're being inmature now - but you folks know where I'm "driving to"!
Oh, you made yourself crystal clear.88.9 Miracle said:
It's just that Bill Nguyen, who heads up Lala.com and bought woxy.com, said in a gathering that terrestrial radio was of no interest to him. But then, who knows? Rumors are so fun.
hipporadio said:
Hey Hippo, I was one of those loyal listeners of WOXR from the early 70s through about 1977 or so when they flipped to Top 40/Disco WOXY as Y97. WOXR was a great little station that never took itself too seriously. They played lots of great music that none of the other FMs would touch.
So how did you know Rick Sellers? I remember him and several others from the old WOXR. Gerald Wayne Anderson, Dave Michaels, Bob Nave, Mark Fullerton..... Any of those ring a bell?
keys2 said:
Keys, you’re bringing back fond memories from my late-teenage past! Remember the “remote” WOXR did New Year’s Eve (1973) when “the balls fell from the Water Tower” in Uptown Oxford... the “highest quality” broadcast of Fantasia from a Sony reel-to-reel directly plugged into the transmitter several miles out of town... Remember the fall-1973 “conversion to FM stereo” that involved the construction of a “homemade” audio console in the WOXR studios on High Street?
Yes... They PROULDLY failed to take themselves “seriously” as they wandered thru their loose playlist of “Baba O” by the Who followed by a salute to Dusty Springfield’s birthday and a presentation of “I Only Wanna Be With You” to celebrate. One day while on air, Rick Sellers was discussing the “phasing effect” often used in contemporary recording – then reminded his listeners of its original use – Miss Toni Fisher’s “The Big Hurt” from 1960 – then he happily played the well-worn 45-rpm single on the air – and yes it skipped! Then how about “The Dawg-Gone Bulletin Board” (a lost pet report) certainly followed by a Led Zep tune! They “got away” with these “transgressions” for only one valid reason – THEY WERE REAL – and respected their listeners as such – and those listeners knew it – and respected them!
I was at Rick’s marriage to his first (and very beautiful) wife Wendy... And after many years of “disconnect”, I reunited with him by phone on the evening he learned of her prognosis of terminal cancer. He was working in Cedar Rapids as the PD of 600 WMT AM. I was an owner who was building an FM upgrade, and called to “talk processing” with him. My, how the conversation became solemn. There’s NO finer person – and no finer radio guy than “Rick”.
I recognize many of the names you mentioned - GWA and Mark Fullerton (weird-beard in the afternoon). Mark informed me that Steely Dan was NOT a person – rather a group – embarrising but true! Another guy from memory was a MU part-timer named Ellis (Saturday and Sunday afternoons). He and I were in college at the same time and compared our Fraternity pledge stories. Yes, post-Viet Nam WOXR had an often-paddled “Frat Pledge” on-the-air!
Today, Rick owns a 1kw Class-D on 1450 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I could place a well-engineered bet that he IS SUCCESSFUL in that endeavor. HORREY for these small stories, and thank goodness for the wonderful memories. Now can L.M. at CC recant a story like this from radio’s romantic past?
hipporadio said:
Wow. You recounted the essence of WOXR very well. Wacky, a little nerdy, and very hip. Remember the homemade jingle "Down on the farm......down on the farm.....dubbya OXR....down on the farm." As a young teenager I remember calling Bob Nave one night and requesting the 25-minute live version of "Whipping Post" by the Allman Brothers....and he played it! All the craziness and fun of a little station in a college town still remains one of the biggest influences on me musically. They went through a phase in the mid-70s of playing lots of progressive rock and fusion, European import stuff and early electronic. I loved it. It is that excitement about music that I miss in today's radio and why I enjoy XM sat radio so much.
But back to Rick Sellers. One day I called and won some tickets and when talking to Rick mentioned that I was very interested in radio. He invited me to the station, showed me around, let me hang out and meet some of the staff, and was just a genuinely nice guy. I'll never forget it. Mark Fullerton was the same way.
In many ways, 97X was kind of an evolution of the original WOXR. Although very different musically and somewhat more polished, it was that independent spirit that I liked even if a lot of the music was not to my taste. And I still maintain that offering something a little offbeat is the only answer for the 97.7 signal even today. So this little rumor, even if completely unfounded, seems to stir a temporary glimmer in the dreary, cookie-cutter world of FM radio 2006-style.
C
Clemwriter
Guest
88.9 Miracle said:
Not a chance. I hear that after the tower moves to Monroe Braden sells 105.9 and buys 97.7 for The Rebel.
keys2 said:
Oh my goodness, Keys... You’ve just provided me with my weekend “project” – head to the basement to search thru those Mayflower moving boxes (undisturbed for over a decade), and find my reel-to-reel dub of that delightful “Down on the farm” jingle. After reading your post – I just HAVE to hear it again! Maybe I can also locate those old “Buba and ChuckFred bad small-town morning show” drops and National Lampoon “Radio Dinner” excerpts that “Wonder WOXeR” was so fond of in the early/mid 70s. Like you said... “They never took themselves TOO seriously” - and that was defiantly part of the charm!
My experience with Rick Sellers was identical to yours. Stop by the station for a tour; talk radio; and eventually end up becoming an adjunct member of their little broadcast family. I was barely beyond high school when Mr. Sellers took an interest in some personal circumstances that would later affect my college and career path. Great for me, because his concern and counsel paid off very well – in ways he will probably never know. Remember when he and Mark Fullerton secured the evening use of an MU classroom to conduct a free-of-charge “radio class” for interested WOXR devotes in the summer of ’73? Those guys NEVER appeared to be overly “high on themselves”, yet seemed to find the energy to share their love of the medium with others who had yet to cash a paycheck from it! How many like them could our younger contemporaries find in this industry today?
You may find the following link to Rick’s radio station interesting. The page is a “station tour” - a modern day “net version” of the ones he so looked forward to offering. Bear in mind that what you will view is a STANDALONE 1kw AM on a “graveyard” channel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Scroll fully down and become amazed at the attention this guy pays to even his station’s remote transmitter building. FRESH white paint - and better landscaped than most studio/office facilities! But then again, I remember when he first guided me to the 97.7 site in 1974. He wouldn’t leave before grabbing a broom to sweep. He reminded me that it makes no sense to spend 20-grand on a transmitter and fail to sweep the floor it sits on!
http://www.kmryradio.com/tour.html
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