WWCS is back on the air....in Espanol!

[FreddyE1977]

For Pittsburgh-Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

and the music programmed on 540 is clearly of a specific regional Mexican variety,
which will appeal to a small subset of that 1.32%.

 

[kenhawk1160]

That's why I asked when kenhawk1160 brought up the possibility of a local version of La Explosiva...I figured the Spanish-speaking population in Pittsburgh was rather low.

But Birach has done some crazy stuff before, and he owns the programming. Maybe he'll rotate 540 as a sample of some of his other stations until he gets an LMA suck...er...client.

I meant more of a regional, rather than a format that's more Pittsburgh-exclusive. Sorry if I didn't point that out earlier. This signal gets into Ohio and West Virginia, and the concentration of Hispanics is higher west of the border. It's a good signal, and it could serve a demographic that's not being served now. No it won't make you rich, but Birach has been doing this kind of radio for years. His company has thrived the way it has because a) he keeps operating costs very low, and b) I am told that his operation has a zero debt. That's how real privately owned companies are supposed to grow. Capitalism 101.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I think you've hit on something there, Ken...low overhead.

If he does mount a local or regional "La Explosiva" on WWCS, he'll likely just run the same music he does on WSDS via computer automation.

Whatever format he puts on 540 in the non-LMA period, it won't be expensive.

 

[kenhawk1160]

I think you've hit on something there, Ken...low overhead.

If he does mount a local or regional "La Explosiva" on WWCS, he'll likely just run the same music he does on WSDS via computer automation.

Whatever format he puts on 540 in the non-LMA period, it won't be expensive.

Precisely. He'll have a local "Operations Manager", but that's about it.

 

[KeyTimes950]

La Explosiva on WWCS is an interesting mix. The morning show sounded like Spanish polka, at least for the brief period I was tuned to AM 540, while early this evening it sounded like the Italian songs one may hear on "Radio Italia" on WEDO. The morning disc jockeys sounded like two Spanish Machine Gun Kellys rat-tat-tatting back and forth, while the evening deejay sounded just a bit too hyper for the music being played. The only English is a heavily accented — eastern European, I'd guess, not Mexican — "WWCS AM 540 Canonsburg" on the hour. I heard the word "mas" ("more") a lot this morning ... I'm reminded of what Ray Leonard made Roberto Duran say during their 2007 boxing match: "No mas!" But what do I know?

 

[kenhawk1160]

La Explosiva on WWCS is an interesting mix. The morning show sounded like Spanish polka, at least for the brief period I was tuned to AM 540, while early this evening it sounded like the Italian songs one may hear on "Radio Italia" on WEDO. The morning disc jockeys sounded like two Spanish Machine Gun Kellys rat-tat-tatting back and forth, while the evening deejay sounded just a bit too hyper for the music being played. The only English is a heavily accented — eastern European, I'd guess, not Mexican — "WWCS AM 540 Canonsburg" on the hour. I heard the word "mas" ("more") a lot this morning ... I'm reminded of what Ray Leonard made Roberto Duran say during their 2007 boxing match: "No mas!" But what do I know?

Sima's from what used to be Yugoslavia. It might have been him on the ID.

 

[Boss Radio]

Esta emisora no tiene importancia.

 

[KeyTimes950]

Sima's from what used to be Yugoslavia. It might have been him on the ID.

Now that you mentioned it, that would make sense.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Capitalism 101.

Wasn't that an all-commercials format that was tried on an FM rimshotter near D.C.?

 

[joepa4ever]

Arbitron has the Pittsburgh metro Hispanic population at 0.8% of the total. That's about 20,000 out of 2.4 million. Then slice that by the number who actually speak Spanish... then by the percentage who actually want to hear Mexican Regional programming. (Cubans and Puerto Ricans, as an example, could give a shit about hearing the top tunes from Juarez). That Part 15 rig should be enough to superserve those 5 people.

Sure as hell don't need a station that covers half of PA with its daytime signal. FWIW, if Birach had the inclination and the ching to move the night DA sticks a few miles to the north, he'd actually have an extremely competitive AM signal--probably The Burgh's second best.

Of course, then he'd have to put something on the signal that more than 5 people would want to hear.

 

[hypwr]

Arbitron has the Pittsburgh metro Hispanic population at 0.8% of the total. That's about 20,000 out of 2.4 million. Then slice that by the number who actually speak Spanish... then by the percentage who actually want to hear Mexican Regional programming. (Cubans and Puerto Ricans, as an example, could give a shit about hearing the top tunes from Juarez). That Part 15 rig should be enough to superserve those 5 people.

Sure as hell don't need a station that covers half of PA with its daytime signal. FWIW, if Birach had the inclination and the ching to move the night DA sticks a few miles to the north, he'd actually have an extremely competitive AM signal--probably The Burgh's second best.

Of course, then he'd have to put something on the signal that more than 5 people would want to hear.

Why not sell the station license to Mr. Scaife. Tear down KQV's #2, 3 and 4 towers and tune 540 up on #'s 1 and 2. Then sell the 540 land to Southpointe. KQV, 540 on your AM dial will have a much better signal, even to the North.

Donate 1410 to Point Park Univ. for use by the radio journalism school. They could diplex on towers 1 and 2 with 1KW day and 500 W night just as they had when they were in Green Tree. I'd call it a win, win, win for all 3 parties.

 

[joepa4ever]

Great idea. Perfect location.

On the other hand, with that 5-tower night rig, 540 might very well be able to run 5-kw or better, and with 2-3-4-or-5 might be able to run the daytime power up, as well.

IIRC there's only one U.S. AM running 50-kw U @ 540 kHz at the moment, Clear Channel's WFLF, down in Orlando. Helluva signal...

 

[cingram]

IIRC there's only one U.S. AM running 50-kw U @ 540 kHz at the moment, Clear Channel's WFLF, down in Orlando. Helluva signal...

If you go back far enough, that was the old WGTO/Cypress Gardens. Was Top 40 for a while but is best known
for being a very successful Country station.

BTW, I don't believe the Spanish format on 540 Canonsburg is anything but a stopgap until they figure our what
comes next. Why they picked this format to simulcast, I don't know.

C.

 

[Boss Radio]

Arbitron has the Pittsburgh metro Hispanic population at 0.8% of the total. That's about 20,000 out of 2.4 million. Then slice that by the number who actually speak Spanish... then by the percentage who actually want to hear Mexican Regional programming. (Cubans and Puerto Ricans, as an example, could give a shit about hearing the top tunes from Juarez). That Part 15 rig should be enough to superserve those 5 people.

Sure as hell don't need a station that covers half of PA with its daytime signal. FWIW, if Birach had the inclination and the ching to move the night DA sticks a few miles to the north, he'd actually have an extremely competitive AM signal--probably The Burgh's second best.

Of course, then he'd have to put something on the signal that more than 5 people would want to hear.

Why not sell the station license to Mr. Scaife. Tear down KQV's #2, 3 and 4 towers and tune 540 up on #'s 1 and 2. Then sell the 540 land to Southpointe. KQV, 540 on your AM dial will have a much better signal, even to the North.

Donate 1410 to Point Park Univ. for use by the radio journalism school. They could diplex on towers 1 and 2 with 1KW day and 500 W night just as they had when they were in Green Tree. I'd call it a win, win, win for all 3 parties.

Mr. Scaife has just launched an Internet station for sports talk. I think perhaps even he recognizes that AM is not the future.

 

[gimmus]

What I heard today was 30 minutes of commercials then a 3 minute song then 30 minutes of commercials. My Spanish is good enough to pick that out. Detroit ads.

si.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Capitalism 101.

Wasn't that an all-commercials format that was tried on an FM rimshotter near D.C.?

Sounds like basically the same format as Capitalism 101 ;D

 

[Parttimer]

IIRC there's only one U.S. AM running 50-kw U @ 540 kHz at the moment, Clear Channel's WFLF, down in Orlando. Helluva signal...

But not as good as it used to be... Cheap Channel combined sites with 740 and it hurt both signals.

And they also reduce power at night and are very directional,protecting 550 in Jacksonville.

 

[PHIL Z]

Donate 1410 to Point Park Univ. for use by the radio journalism school. They could diplex on towers 1 and 2 with 1KW day and 500 W night just as they had when they were in Green Tree. I'd call it a win, win, win for all 3 parties.

Point Park should Buy 105.5 from EMF, Great signal in allegheny County, Very strong in Downtown Buildings. WPPJ 105.5 FM/670 AM

 

[Parttimer]

Donate 1410 to Point Park Univ. for use by the radio journalism school. They could diplex on towers 1 and 2 with 1KW day and 500 W night just as they had when they were in Green Tree. I'd call it a win, win, win for all 3 parties.

Point Park should Buy 105.5 from EMF, Great signal in allegheny County, Very strong in Downtown Buildings. WPPJ 105.5 FM/670 AM

Universities are getting OUT of the business of owning radio stations, in case you hadn't noticed.

EMF does not own the translators, Keymarket does. EMF did not buy 98.3, it's an LMA.

WPKV PA DUQUESNE USA

Licensee: KEYMARKET LICENSES, LLC
Service Designation: FM 'Full Service' FM station or application

Channel/Class: 252A Frequency: 98.3 MHz Licensed
File No.: BLH-20020311AAE Facility ID number: 21214
CDBS Application ID No.: 596951

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

EMF does actually own the translators that Bob Stevens is using for 620 and 770. They're not attached to WPKV, they were attached (IIRC) to WKEL.

I don't know if Bob is buying 94.1 and 97.5, or LMAing them (can you LMA a translator? ).