WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05 Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right the ship?<P ID="signature">______________
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- Thread starter William_Yeager
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GaryThompson
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Read "Raving Fans" by Ken Blanchard.
> WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
>
> WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
>
> WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
>
It seems that all four Salem stations in Louisville are in need of improvement. I enjoy Salem's conservative talk lineup on WGTK-AM, mainly because it is based on a Judeo-Christian foundation. Their weekend lineup needs help since repeats of Dennis Prager and Mike Gallagher basically dominates the weekend lineup. I noticed that some of the other Salem Talk stations are adding local talk shows on the weekend like WMCA-AM in New York, WIND-AM in Chicago, WDTK-AM in Detroit and WGKA-AM in Atlanta.
I don't understand why Salem decided to air their "Word in Praise" satellite music network on WFIA-AM during most of the weekends. Before Salem took over WFIA-AM, that station offered some additional Christian Talk and Teaching programs on the weekends like Beverly Lahaye, Master Control with John Rivers, Josh McDowell, Tony Evans, Issues in Education and some local ministries. The weekend programming expounded WFIA-AM's Christian Talk format, unlike the satellite music feed. Plus, some of the music aired during the weekends on WFIA-AM is, at times, similar to that of WRVI-FM.
WRVI-FM has many problems. It is trapped with 690 watts of power. They don't have much personality. It sounds like mostly voice-tracking after the satellite morning show. Natalie Gilbert, the midday announcer for WRVI, was a strong prayer warrior on WJIE during the late 90s. Now, we only have the opportunity to hear her say a few lines maybe once or twice an hour on WRVI. Plus, the music is everywhere. A WRVI air check can consist of a classic from Rich Mullin, followed by the latest from Superchick, followed by a praise song by Don Moen. WRVI definitely has a difficult time pulling loyal listeners away from Louisville's CCM legendary station WJIE. WRVI has to rise their personality and programming level to that of Mainstream AC WVEZ and Hot AC WXMA so they can pull listeners from those stations. <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by The RadioFan on 01/29/06 02:06 PM.</FONT></P>
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
>
It seems that all four Salem stations in Louisville are in need of improvement. I enjoy Salem's conservative talk lineup on WGTK-AM, mainly because it is based on a Judeo-Christian foundation. Their weekend lineup needs help since repeats of Dennis Prager and Mike Gallagher basically dominates the weekend lineup. I noticed that some of the other Salem Talk stations are adding local talk shows on the weekend like WMCA-AM in New York, WIND-AM in Chicago, WDTK-AM in Detroit and WGKA-AM in Atlanta.
I don't understand why Salem decided to air their "Word in Praise" satellite music network on WFIA-AM during most of the weekends. Before Salem took over WFIA-AM, that station offered some additional Christian Talk and Teaching programs on the weekends like Beverly Lahaye, Master Control with John Rivers, Josh McDowell, Tony Evans, Issues in Education and some local ministries. The weekend programming expounded WFIA-AM's Christian Talk format, unlike the satellite music feed. Plus, some of the music aired during the weekends on WFIA-AM is, at times, similar to that of WRVI-FM.
WRVI-FM has many problems. It is trapped with 690 watts of power. They don't have much personality. It sounds like mostly voice-tracking after the satellite morning show. Natalie Gilbert, the midday announcer for WRVI, was a strong prayer warrior on WJIE during the late 90s. Now, we only have the opportunity to hear her say a few lines maybe once or twice an hour on WRVI. Plus, the music is everywhere. A WRVI air check can consist of a classic from Rich Mullin, followed by the latest from Superchick, followed by a praise song by Don Moen. WRVI definitely has a difficult time pulling loyal listeners away from Louisville's CCM legendary station WJIE. WRVI has to rise their personality and programming level to that of Mainstream AC WVEZ and Hot AC WXMA so they can pull listeners from those stations. <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by The RadioFan on 01/29/06 02:06 PM.</FONT></P>
> WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
>
Salem can let WJIE have the AC CCM department and use some of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a good Christian CHR/Rock station.
Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why can't they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember they used to be southern gospel at one point under different calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal could better compete with WJIE.
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
>
Salem can let WJIE have the AC CCM department and use some of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a good Christian CHR/Rock station.
Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why can't they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember they used to be southern gospel at one point under different calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal could better compete with WJIE.
> Salem can let WJIE have the AC CCM department and use some
> of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a good
> Christian CHR/Rock station.
>
> Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why can't
> they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember they
> used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> could better compete with WJIE.
Salem is running Southern Gospel at night on 94.7, with Inspo at night on AM 900; so the stations are not a total simulcast.
Air1, last time I checked, had well under 0.5 share with the distant signal of WSOH and a few translators with a combined wattage of a light bulb. It probably would do better on a better signal, but I doubt Salem would try it.
If I were going to flip formats, I'd put SG full-time on 105.9, and put either and Urban-friendly Christian CHR or Urban Gospel on 94.7; Clear Channel won't be putting Hallelujah on in Louisville antyime soon (unless if The Fox dies very suddenly), but it would effectively prevent them from doing so at a later date.
Alterntatively, put WGTK on at 105.9 FM, let 900 go Inspo full-time as WRVI-AM, and move the WFIA talk programs to WGTK's old dial position. This would then open up 94.7 for a new format.
WJIE's and WRVI's competition may be about to increase, as I've been getting K-Love materials in the mail. It looks like the translator on 97.9 might be on the air sooner rather than later.
Interesting typo on WGTK's station page on Radio-Locator.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
> of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a good
> Christian CHR/Rock station.
>
> Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why can't
> they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember they
> used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> could better compete with WJIE.
Salem is running Southern Gospel at night on 94.7, with Inspo at night on AM 900; so the stations are not a total simulcast.
Air1, last time I checked, had well under 0.5 share with the distant signal of WSOH and a few translators with a combined wattage of a light bulb. It probably would do better on a better signal, but I doubt Salem would try it.
If I were going to flip formats, I'd put SG full-time on 105.9, and put either and Urban-friendly Christian CHR or Urban Gospel on 94.7; Clear Channel won't be putting Hallelujah on in Louisville antyime soon (unless if The Fox dies very suddenly), but it would effectively prevent them from doing so at a later date.
Alterntatively, put WGTK on at 105.9 FM, let 900 go Inspo full-time as WRVI-AM, and move the WFIA talk programs to WGTK's old dial position. This would then open up 94.7 for a new format.
WJIE's and WRVI's competition may be about to increase, as I've been getting K-Love materials in the mail. It looks like the translator on 97.9 might be on the air sooner rather than later.
Interesting typo on WGTK's station page on Radio-Locator.<P ID="signature">______________
I'm not familiar with the Salem station but I wonder if the reason why WJIE does well is because it openly states that WJIE stands for "Where Jesus Is Exalted"? The audience that likes contemporary CHRISTian music won't be offended by that.
> WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
> WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
> the ship?
> > WJIE passed WRVI in terms of 12+ share in the Fall '05
> > Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> > they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
>
> > the ship?
> >
>
> Salem can let WJIE have the AC CCM department and use some
> of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a good
> Christian CHR/Rock station.
>
It sounds like a good idea for Salem to leave the Christian AC to WJIE and try another format on WRVI. In the late 90s, Christian AC WJIE and the former Inspirational/Soft Christian AC WXLN-FM 105.1 were the only Christian music FM stations in the market. WXLN-FM received better numbers than WRVI has ever received with it's current Christian AC format. It sounds like WRVI is trying to revive a little of the old WXLN format and, at the same time, compete with WJIE's CCM AC format. It would be nice if they do a Christian CHR/Rock approach on WRVI. However, that is highly unlikely.
> Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why can't
> they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember they
> used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> could better compete with WJIE.
>
WFIA-FM 94.7 and WFIA-AM 900 simulcast weekdays 5am-3pm and with the "Bible Answer Man" weeknights 6pm-7pm. Weeknights from 7pm-9pm, WFIA-FM carries the last two hours of the Hugh Hewitt Show, mainly for backup during the summer months when WGTK-AM pre-empts the show often for Louisville Bats minor league baseball. Weekends and weeknights are filled with Southern Gospel from the Salem's Solid Gospel Network on WFIA-FM. During the weeknights, WFIA-AM airs repeats of their Christian Talk and Teaching programs and they carry Salem's inspo and praise network "The Word in Praise" on the weekends.
I remember they used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> could better compete with WJIE.
When was 94.7 a southern gospel station? I have heard someone else mentioning that once before as well, but I never remember them being a southern gospel station. As I recall, Cox first purchsed the 94.7 frequency. They signed it on in late 1995 with a Rock AC format, identified as WRVI-FM (94.7 the River). When Cox purchased the 105.9 frequency in the summer of 1997, they switched the 94.7 frequency to Urban Oldies as "Soul 94.7 WLSY." At that time, Cox moved the Rock AC format from 94.7 to 105.9 and it was identified as WRVI-FM "105.9 the River." Then, Salem purchased the two frequencies in the summer of 1999. Now, I do believe that WJIE-FM first signed on as a southern gospel outlet in 1987.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by The RadioFan on 01/31/06 02:52 AM.</FONT></P>
> > Louisville arbitrons, and WRVI roughly has half the share
> > they did in Fall '04. Any thoughts on how Salem can right
>
> > the ship?
> >
>
> Salem can let WJIE have the AC CCM department and use some
> of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a good
> Christian CHR/Rock station.
>
It sounds like a good idea for Salem to leave the Christian AC to WJIE and try another format on WRVI. In the late 90s, Christian AC WJIE and the former Inspirational/Soft Christian AC WXLN-FM 105.1 were the only Christian music FM stations in the market. WXLN-FM received better numbers than WRVI has ever received with it's current Christian AC format. It sounds like WRVI is trying to revive a little of the old WXLN format and, at the same time, compete with WJIE's CCM AC format. It would be nice if they do a Christian CHR/Rock approach on WRVI. However, that is highly unlikely.
> Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why can't
> they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember they
> used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> could better compete with WJIE.
>
WFIA-FM 94.7 and WFIA-AM 900 simulcast weekdays 5am-3pm and with the "Bible Answer Man" weeknights 6pm-7pm. Weeknights from 7pm-9pm, WFIA-FM carries the last two hours of the Hugh Hewitt Show, mainly for backup during the summer months when WGTK-AM pre-empts the show often for Louisville Bats minor league baseball. Weekends and weeknights are filled with Southern Gospel from the Salem's Solid Gospel Network on WFIA-FM. During the weeknights, WFIA-AM airs repeats of their Christian Talk and Teaching programs and they carry Salem's inspo and praise network "The Word in Praise" on the weekends.
I remember they used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> could better compete with WJIE.
When was 94.7 a southern gospel station? I have heard someone else mentioning that once before as well, but I never remember them being a southern gospel station. As I recall, Cox first purchsed the 94.7 frequency. They signed it on in late 1995 with a Rock AC format, identified as WRVI-FM (94.7 the River). When Cox purchased the 105.9 frequency in the summer of 1997, they switched the 94.7 frequency to Urban Oldies as "Soul 94.7 WLSY." At that time, Cox moved the Rock AC format from 94.7 to 105.9 and it was identified as WRVI-FM "105.9 the River." Then, Salem purchased the two frequencies in the summer of 1999. Now, I do believe that WJIE-FM first signed on as a southern gospel outlet in 1987.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by The RadioFan on 01/31/06 02:52 AM.</FONT></P>
> > Salem can let WJIE have the AC CCM department and use some
>
> > of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a
> good
> > Christian CHR/Rock station.
> >
> > Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why
> can't
> > they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember
> they
> > used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> > calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> > could better compete with WJIE.
>
> Salem is running Southern Gospel at night on 94.7, with
> Inspo at night on AM 900; so the stations are not a total
> simulcast.
>
> Air1, last time I checked, had well under 0.5 share with the
> distant signal of WSOH and a few translators with a combined
> wattage of a light bulb. It probably would do better on a
> better signal, but I doubt Salem would try it.
>
> If I were going to flip formats, I'd put SG full-time on
> 105.9, and put either and Urban-friendly Christian CHR or
> Urban Gospel on 94.7; Clear Channel won't be putting
> Hallelujah on in Louisville antyime soon (unless if The Fox
> dies very suddenly), but it would effectively prevent them
> from doing so at a later date. Alterntatively, put WGTK on at 105.9 FM, let
> 900 go Inspo full-time as WRVI-AM, and move the WFIA talk programs to
> WGTK's old dial position. This would then open up 94.7 for
> a new format.
>
> Alterntatively, put WGTK on at 105.9 FM, let 900 go Inspo
> full-time as WRVI-AM, and move the WFIA talk programs to
> WGTK's old dial position. This would then open up 94.7 for
> a new format.
Due to the lack of response and support of the Christian Teaching Ministries on 94.7 and AM 900 a few years ago, an idea was raised by a local representative at Salem to play musical chairs with their four outlets. The idea was to place the Christian Talk/Teaching programs on the more powerful signal at AM 970, move the Conservative Talk to AM 900, place WRVI-FM 105.9's CCM format on the stronger signal at 94.7 and air southern gospel on 105.9. However, the owners of Salem preferred to keep the Conservative News/Talk format on the stronger signal at AM 970. Instead of moving the Christian Talk/Teaching format to AM 970, Salem decided to simulcast 94.7 FM and AM 900 to help boost the Christian Talk/Teaching format.
So, due to Salem's strong committment to the Conservative format, I don't think WGTK's current format will ever go to the low signal at 105.9 FM. Also, since AM 900 Christian Talk format is the oldest format in the market and is well known and established in that format, I don't see WFIA-AM 900 departing completely from the Christian Talk format.
>
> > of their music from their Torch XM channel and create a
> good
> > Christian CHR/Rock station.
> >
> > Is WFIA-FM 94.7 still simulcasting AM 900? If so, why
> can't
> > they switch 94.7 to a soft AC CCM station? I remember
> they
> > used to be southern gospel at one point under different
> > calls. Maybe 94.7 with its slightly more powerful signal
> > could better compete with WJIE.
>
> Salem is running Southern Gospel at night on 94.7, with
> Inspo at night on AM 900; so the stations are not a total
> simulcast.
>
> Air1, last time I checked, had well under 0.5 share with the
> distant signal of WSOH and a few translators with a combined
> wattage of a light bulb. It probably would do better on a
> better signal, but I doubt Salem would try it.
>
> If I were going to flip formats, I'd put SG full-time on
> 105.9, and put either and Urban-friendly Christian CHR or
> Urban Gospel on 94.7; Clear Channel won't be putting
> Hallelujah on in Louisville antyime soon (unless if The Fox
> dies very suddenly), but it would effectively prevent them
> from doing so at a later date. Alterntatively, put WGTK on at 105.9 FM, let
> 900 go Inspo full-time as WRVI-AM, and move the WFIA talk programs to
> WGTK's old dial position. This would then open up 94.7 for
> a new format.
>
> Alterntatively, put WGTK on at 105.9 FM, let 900 go Inspo
> full-time as WRVI-AM, and move the WFIA talk programs to
> WGTK's old dial position. This would then open up 94.7 for
> a new format.
Due to the lack of response and support of the Christian Teaching Ministries on 94.7 and AM 900 a few years ago, an idea was raised by a local representative at Salem to play musical chairs with their four outlets. The idea was to place the Christian Talk/Teaching programs on the more powerful signal at AM 970, move the Conservative Talk to AM 900, place WRVI-FM 105.9's CCM format on the stronger signal at 94.7 and air southern gospel on 105.9. However, the owners of Salem preferred to keep the Conservative News/Talk format on the stronger signal at AM 970. Instead of moving the Christian Talk/Teaching format to AM 970, Salem decided to simulcast 94.7 FM and AM 900 to help boost the Christian Talk/Teaching format.
So, due to Salem's strong committment to the Conservative format, I don't think WGTK's current format will ever go to the low signal at 105.9 FM. Also, since AM 900 Christian Talk format is the oldest format in the market and is well known and established in that format, I don't see WFIA-AM 900 departing completely from the Christian Talk format.
I actually prefer the River over WJIE.
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