WPOR - Reeling

[adbuyer1]

I'm sure WPOR woke up this morning with a collective WTF!

I am surprised that Nassau does not plan to make the Wolf a full simulcast on 99.3. As I understand it, the York Remainder can become a apart of the Portland Metro pending a majority vote of the subscribers. So, lets see:

Atlantic Coast - 95.9 WRED licensed to Saco - now WEEI- IN FAVOR

Citadel - 94.3 WCYY - licensed to Biddeford, WHOM - licensed to everywhere in Northern New England, WBLM - blasts into York County - IN FAVOR

Nassau - 99.3 & 99.9 The Wolf, 107.5 Frank and 106.3/106.7 The Bone -IN FAVOR

Votes tallied - And the winner is a New Market.

Loser - Who ever buys Saga Portland between now and ONE year from now. It's so gone it's not funny.
And it makes total financial sense for them to do so.

You sell off of your trailing cash flow, not your future cash flow.

 

[benwnn91]

Im sorry but I'm not in favor of the WRED to WEEI. Who really needs another country or metal rock station blasting into Portland by way of a simulcast transmitter? Please!!!!!! give me a break!!!!

 

[oldrover]

Getting WEEI is getting proven local sports talk. WEEI is one of the most profitable stations in Boston, and Mainers root for the same teams. It was only a matter of time before SOMEbody flipped to WEEI.

 

[benwnn91]

doesn't WEEI maybe come in in area in the daytime anyways with 50 kw? No, i really don't see why you want to replace a station on the FM for them, there ARE alot of Rap supporters in Portland that will be affected, sorry

 

[KML0224]

It was nice to have what was on 95.9 FM as a choice. I'm personally against that move. As for WPOR-FM, hasn't this station always done well in the ratings? (I once lived in Old Orchard Beach, but only get to southern Maine 3 or 4 times a year now.)

 

[granitestate]

the same could be said for some of the nh stations, especially some of the AMs.

Getting WEEI is getting proven local sports talk. WEEI is one of the most profitable stations in Boston, and Mainers root for the same teams. It was only a matter of time before SOMEbody flipped to WEEI.

 

[JustinT]

As for WPOR-FM, hasn't this station always done well in the ratings?

Historically speaking, WPOR 101.9 has always been Portland's leading country station and has been in the format forever. Since going country in the early 1990s, WTHT (which over time branded as Superstar Country 107.5, then 107.5 The Wolf, and eventually 99.9 The Wolf) has always been the second-place country station. The battle has never been a laughable one like that of WOKQ and the late B-95.3, but WPOR has always been on top in the past. WTHT really started gaining after being purchased by Nassau and moving to 99.9.

 

[radiothis!]

I think the more incendiary comment is the suggestion that Saga will sell. Any thoughts on that?

Personally, I see that as a strange and unlikely move. GAN and Coast are top of the game, POR might be hurting but it ain't dead. CLZ is a new purchase. The Bay has seen some renewed listenership. The GM is one of NE radio's biggest notables. Seems very, very unlikely to me.

 

[adbuyer1]

Radiothis:

You need to put the statement it in the correct context and that being a redfined "metro" market to include York County remainder and the recent format changes specifically impacting York County. WGAN, which is flat off a bad book, would get whalloped as would WCLZ. The point is that this would be a competely different geography and would adversely effect Saga far, far more than any other group. Jesus could be the GM and he's not going to be able to make a signal go where it can't go. Well, maybe Jesus could, but there's no runner up.

 

[Jack Blades]

Did I miss a post? How bad did the Saga Stations do?

 

[pocket-radio]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

The WEEI move, is the current trend with local content going away in favor of national programs. WEEI works well in a major market like Boston. Boston can support WEEI.

But WEEI on peanut popper stations strung together like tin cans?

 

[NHRadio]

Absolutely. Look at the Red Sox radio network, or Rush, Delilah, even American Top 40. Granted, they're not 24 hour formats, but listeners will seek out (what they feel is) quality programming. It's not hard to set a preset or 2 on a car radio to get what they want.

But WEEI on peanut popper stations strung together like tin cans?

 

[Channel Surf]

I realize that this is a bit off topic, but some of you may be surprised to learn that at one time WPOR-FM was apparently an AOR station, or Progressive Rock as it was known at the time. This was around 1970-1971. At least this is what I was told by the Sales Manager of long defunct AOR station 100.9-WLOB-FM, Portland, back in 1980. I do recall DXing an AOR station on 101.9 in central Mass from time to time during that era...Does anybody remember WPOR doing a Rock format in those days???

 

[JustinT]

I do recall DXing an AOR station on 101.9 in central Mass from time to time during that era...Does anybody remember WPOR doing a Rock format in those days???

'POR has always been country as far as I know. You were probably getting the 101.9 from Cape Cod that continues to put a signal during the summer into areas west of Boston.

 

[Channel Surf]

I do recall DXing an AOR station on 101.9 in central Mass from time to time during that era...Does anybody remember WPOR doing a Rock format in those days???

'POR has always been country as far as I know. You were probably getting the 101.9 from Cape Cod that continues to put a signal during the summer into areas west of Boston.

At the time, I assumed that it was Cape Cod. Again though...the Sales Manager at one of Portland's AOR/Rock stations told me of this alleged Rock format on WPOR in the early 70s, and he was very specific about it too. Perhaps there was a period way back when 1490 was country and 101.9 was rock???

 

[ray ting]

Channel Surf, your information is correct. WPOR-FM did air "progressive rock", maybe full-time but at least on a part-time basis, circa 1969 or early 1970. By fall of 1970, they had adopted a country format.

 

[Channel Surf]

Channel Surf, your information is correct. WPOR-FM did air "progressive rock", maybe full-time but at least on a part-time basis, circa 1969 or early 1970. By fall of 1970, they had adopted a country format.

Thanks for confirming this. So...for those keeping track of Portland's early FM Rock years, apparently WPOR was Portland's first AOR/Progressive Rock station. WBLM signed on at 107.5 airing Progressive Rock in March, 1973, followed by 100.9-WLOB-FM during the fall of 1978. WLOB-FM became WYNZ-FM in late 1980, which remained AOR until late 1981....

 

[Chuckigo]

... 100.9-WLOB-FM during the fall of 1978. WLOB-FM became WYNZ-FM in late 1980, which remained AOR until late 1981....

FM 101 until 1980 when it became Z-101. (i have some Z101 bumper stickers if anyone wants one... let me know? $10 each, or 2 for $30. 3 for $75. for 4 for $150! i have a kid in college... buy a bunch!)

and GV Rapp did some time there, iirc. he might have some bumper stickers, too. and he still works in radio, so he's probably pretty comfortable with the above price guide. let us know.

in late 1981, the Z101 became Y101 (a/c with Bob Rose, Dean Rogers, Ted Talbot and Andy Kozinsky)

 

[Channel Surf]

... 100.9-WLOB-FM during the fall of 1978. WLOB-FM became WYNZ-FM in late 1980, which remained AOR until late 1981....

in late 1981, the Z101 became Y101 (a/c with Bob Rose, Dean Rogers, Ted Talbot and Andy Kozinsky)

Please don't remind me!!!! Want to buy an FM 101 bumper sticker Chuck???