WVON

[sirmusic]

Anybody know anything about this station? How's it doing in the ratings, the airstaff and management. The types of shows they do....

 

[BobMSmith1959]

Sorry, but I have to hate say that I do NOT practically care for this station, ever since they've wiped out the old WRLL Real Oldies Station; due to the very low ratings with Tommy Edwards & Larry Lujack.

Again, I'm sorry that I can't really tell you about WVON's ratings nor how it' doing, since I don't listen to it.

Maybe perhaps someone else on this board can help you out with your needs


Thank you very much

 

[cyberdad]

My understanding is that WVON is not doing quite as well as expected following their move from 1450 to the supposedly superior signal at 1690. The daytime signal may be a little better, but there's not much of an advantage at night.

However, they do have strong management and a strong brand. "At the end of the day", I would expect them to succeed.

 

[sirmusic]

Wow, just saw the numbers for this one...yikes. .7 12+....not good. Apparently though, there's a long history with this station. If anybody's listened to it, can you tell me objectively what should be done to improve it?

 

[radiotower40]

Wow, just saw the numbers for this one...yikes. .7 12+....not good. Apparently though, there's a long history with this station. If anybody's listened to it, can you tell me objectively what should be done to improve it?

I will try to be as objective as can in trying to give you an answer. Now I do flip through all the AM talkers in Chicago,and from
time to time I do listen to WVON and first off I would say their signal is a big problem for them, I live only a couple of miles southwest
of their transmitter so at home it's clear day and night. However it is choppy day and night downtown and north of the city because of
their high dial position at 1690. That is a major reason the real oldies format did not survive(there were many other factors also). I find
another reason they are not doing so well is the fact that they are in a way trying to serve a very small niche. They are a liberal leaning
urban talk format. Now as hard as I try to be objective that is really hard when it comes to talkradio. I think that they make an assumption
that all African- Americans are liberal Democrats that march in lock step with Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton and they have built a station
based on that theory. I think that if they would broaden their scope a little to include African-Americans that are a little more conservative
leaning and give them more of a voice on WVON they would probably increase their numbers a little. It was like when WLS had Jay Marvin
on, even though I tend to be more conservative I really enjoyed having a different opinion on the air because I found after I listened to Jay
for a while there were some issues that he helped me to see the other side of, which I probably would not have ,had I not listened to him.
Having said that I have found that I do enjoy the Matt and Perri show on WVON (7-10PM) when I am able to listen at that time. Perri has
an ability to connect with her listeners whether you agree with her or not, and she plays it straight and will tell you exactly how she feels
whether or not it is the popular opinion of the day. I feel she is a great asset to the station. The station does have a great history
in Chicago under the ownership of Pervis Spann(the Father of the Ms. Cooper-Spann who currently runs the station). He used to run an all-night
Blues program overnight when WVON was still at 1450, which was a great show. I think that if the station would become more positive sounding
rather than the negative tone they seem to have I think they would attract a lot more listeners. sirmusic, I hoped that helped you to get
somewhat of a feel for why the ratings are where they are at. Like I said I tried to be as objective as I could but, when discussing radio
it is hard to totally impartial.

 

[BobMSmith1959]

I think that if the station would become more positive sounding rather than the negative tone they seem to have I think they would attract a lot more listeners. sirmusic, I hoped that helped you to get somewhat of a feel for why the ratings are where they are at. Like I said I tried to be as objective as I could but, when discussing radio it is hard to totally impartial.
[/quote]
I totally agree with 100% on that one! That's why I do not listen to WVON, because of their negitive tone.
everyone should have peace amoung with each other, we should love thy neighbor, not to hate one another.
It is like living in a divided line by being in a communist world.
I hope one day WVON would go back to the good old days, by playing rythem and blues music like they used to....