WPEN 950

[John1]

Is 950 still mainly simulcasting 97.5's programming except for some live sports? It seems a waste of a major AM signal, even though they had trouble establishing a format after the 'Station of the Stars' era. The website doesn't mention the AM except a few small programming notes, not even a logo or mention of the NASCAR coverage. Very few people have car radios with only AM in their car anymore, and I'ms ure most people who listened to 950 have migrated to 97.5 by now, so I'm not sure what the reason to simulcast is.
They could adapt ANY format on AM and still keep the play-by-play coverage (like WFIL, WNTP & WHAT do).

Personally, I'd like a 'progressive talk' format - it could be done 'cheaply' with all syndicated shows - Bill Press, Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, Randi Rhodes - and even run ESPN feed nights & weekends (like WNPV used to do). But I'd think even brokered shows would make more money than a simulcast.

 

[aindik]

I'd like to see them run it as ESPN Radio 24/7, and have them run 97.5 as local 24/7. But that's not going to happen.

 

[Seltzer]

God----Progressive Talk? PLEASE!!

Put it to rest. When will people finally realize "Liberal" Talk will not succeed? It hasn't anywhere it's been on. It would draw fewer listeners than the second coming of oldies on that frequency,

24/7 ESPN is the way to go.

 

[DanStrassberg]

Personally, I'd like a 'progressive talk' format - it could be done 'cheaply' with all syndicated shows - Bill Press, Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz, Randi Rhodes - and even run ESPN feed nights & weekends (like WNPV used to do). But I'd think even brokered shows would make more money than a simulcast.

The closest GM will come to Progressive talk is maybe having someone that you might not describe as a flaming right-wingnut in the Conservative mix on their talk stations. That's as far as they've gone (and will ever go, IMO) on WTKK Boston. That's a shame, because there are some good Progressive talkers and they don't all toe the Democratic line these days. They have often been highly critical of President Obama, not to mention the White House staff and the Senate and House leadership.

 

[John1]

The January ratings show WHYY (which some conservatives call 'liberal talk') in 13th place, WPHT in 15th, and WNTP in 26th. The success of the NPR news/talk stations is one reason that 'liberal talk' on generally small AM partial-market signals hasn't done well in many markets, but the newer, more entertaining than preachy syndicated shows are doing ok in some cities. Air America tended to be more preachy, same as the Salem conservative talk stations, both trying to put a full 24/7 lineup on stations - neither generated any substancial ratings, but the difference is salem owns their stations & has money from their religious stations like WFIL to keep the talk stations like WNTP going.

 

[aindik]

Comparing TSL for a station airing content 60 minutes an hour to a station airing content 42 minutes an hour is not exactly apples to apples.

 

[HarveyBrowning]

Keeping ESPN on 950 gives them the ability to keep their ESPN affiliate. ESPN wants them to carry at least 5 hours of ESPN programming per day, so if you notice, they carry Mike and Mike and then one hour of Colin Cowherd on 950 to appease the ESPN people, that they have ESPN in Philly market. It gives them access to the ESPN personalities and guests on 97.5 while not having to carry the actual programming on the FM side of things...plus it allows them to sell events, games and more on 950, I think its a very good move.

 

[jhguthlac]

The flexability of having AM & FM for ESPN and local sports is exactly what WPEN needs as it tries to build this brand against WIP. It also may give them a shot at getting the Phillies again.