The Evansville Press and Courier has a article on the matter
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/dec/30/espn-radio-changes-dials-on-monday/?ebj=1
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/dec/30/espn-radio-changes-dials-on-monday/?ebj=1
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WYNG to drop ESPN Radio Monday, ESPN moves to WYFX
- Thread starter Radiogeek500
- Start date
Interesting. I always thought WYFX was happy doing country in Posey County. I guess, though, that the extra money in Evansville and the added spot load were too strong for them to walk away from. I wonder what happens to WYFX's sister station WRCY 1590?
Also, I have to wonder how long ESPN will be satisfied with the arrangement. I have to think Withers forced the switch by deciding to take 94.9 in a different direction, not the other way around. WYNG has a far better signal in and around Evansville than WYFX. Not to mention that, the last time I was in Evansville (Fourth of July weekend 2004), WYFX was broadcasting dead air probably all weekend long. It was dead carrier everytime I tuned it in.
Also, I have to wonder how long ESPN will be satisfied with the arrangement. I have to think Withers forced the switch by deciding to take 94.9 in a different direction, not the other way around. WYNG has a far better signal in and around Evansville than WYFX. Not to mention that, the last time I was in Evansville (Fourth of July weekend 2004), WYFX was broadcasting dead air probably all weekend long. It was dead carrier everytime I tuned it in.
Well, Skipper Thomas does say on our board that 106.7 could be upgraded to serve the Evansville region better(106.5 would pressumably be moved to accomodate such a move)
What I wonder is what 94.9 will have come Monday. I'm betting on AC or Classic Rock.
What I wonder is what 94.9 will have come Monday. I'm betting on AC or Classic Rock.
This is the same Egierski who was let go from 94.9 late last year?
If so, would one not believe that he is likely to begin local sportstalk once again?
I don't think ESPN would become unhappy with this deal because I don't think any of the B FMs licensed to Evansville are interested in ESPN.
If so, would one not believe that he is likely to begin local sportstalk once again?
I don't think ESPN would become unhappy with this deal because I don't think any of the B FMs licensed to Evansville are interested in ESPN.
PTBoardOp94 said:
Well, if it could be upgraded, which may be a possibility since 106.5 out of Vincinnes is co-owned, it would be a better deal than it looks on paper. However, I have to think they'll have to watch the station more than they appear to have in the past. When a station runs dead carrier for hours on end, it's not a good thing for anyone.
I have kept my mouth quiet on this for obvious reasons.. Dan E. really got the screw at Regent when they were selling 94.9 by cutting him early, one one hand...But, he landed with his friend (and mine) Gary Josa at Media Mix marketing and communications selling and working on finding a replacement for USI basketball on Regent's WGBF-AM and when I told him that Way-Fm had first dibs on buying 94.9 due to Justice Department regulations on ownership (as well as FCC guidelines)...Well, Way backed out and Withers came in with no intention of keeping it Evansville based (at this time)... As of 7:08pm this 12/31 Sunday evening, it's light A/C with just a localized ID (WYNG-Mt.Carmel) at the top of the hour.... Gary, Dan and I sat with my Athletic Director at Oakland City University a couple of months back and I let them know that it was great to work with Mark Lange of The Original Company on getting 106.7 for Dan to do USI games and 102.3 (Petersburg/Jasper/Vincennes) to do our Oakland City games on the radio... Media Mix doing the billing and resale of these college games... Well, Gary asked me (with my thrity years in this) what would I do with 106.7... I said it was a sleeping giant for a class "A"... It had the same potiential as 107.1's upgrade did in Boonville on the other side the metro.... I would go sports, if Wither's dropped it and add local shows and promote it like heck (something outside of Regent sales, they did not do well with 94.9, once it was for sale)....With TOC owning it and plans to move the xmitter site for 106.5 north of Washington, 106.7 could relocate their xmitter three miles closer to E'ville without overlap to 106.1, 107.1 and IF against 96.1....They could go 215 meters and lower the wattage to between 1kw and 1.5kw and have a great signal.. The current antenna is two miles west of Mount Vernon (away from Evansville) and on a short AM stick and bumps up against a ridge on the west side of Evansville (just 90 meters above average terrain and 3kw).... Height would push it over and fill in the holes on the west side, downtown and near north side of Evansville, while the east side, south side and Henderson get a good signal, now.... Continue to sell a 1.7 size share that is very loyal with the reduced rates that Regent had (one good thing they did) and prove it's an active niche audience.... Well, 106.7 is now mono and all drops are only mentioning "Real Country-1590/WRCY"... They are ready to switch between now and in the morning.....These are close friends of mine and I think with Dan at the helm, it will be more apt to secure a place in the market than it did at 94.9 with the class "B" signal and no to little local programming.... I might just have to see if I could do a call in local show??? Ha-Ha... "Skipper T." Assistant Athletic Director and voice of the NCAA Division II / NCCAA Division I Oakland City University "Mighty Oaks" on 102.3/WBTO.....An Original Company Station! (Proud to work with people who believe in niche and local radio)....
This is interesting.
We have a MOR station coming on at 95.3 and now a AC at 94.9.
WIKY has never had so much competition
We have a MOR station coming on at 95.3 and now a AC at 94.9.
WIKY has never had so much competition
"WIKY has never had so much competition"?
Perhaps you haven't listened in the last decade. WIKY hasn't been MOR since the days of Lehman, Rob George, Mark Miller, etc.
Did you forget how well "Lite 103.5" worked? MORonic format. Those two FMs in Morganfield and Mt. Carmel would be competition for WIKY? In what way?
Give them six months...Morganfield will be the other Union County country station with a grid rate card, fifty cents in town and 75 cents in Henderson, and Mt. Carmel will be the first FM programmed for the ten mobile homes in East Mt. Carmel, "94.9 Trailer Country, A service of Withers Broadcasting, where it's an after Christmas sale everyday".
Yeah, Mr. Englebrecht is shaking in his size 14 boots. If you listen real close, the "shaking" you might hear is the ice in John's martini.
Perhaps you haven't listened in the last decade. WIKY hasn't been MOR since the days of Lehman, Rob George, Mark Miller, etc.
Did you forget how well "Lite 103.5" worked? MORonic format. Those two FMs in Morganfield and Mt. Carmel would be competition for WIKY? In what way?
Give them six months...Morganfield will be the other Union County country station with a grid rate card, fifty cents in town and 75 cents in Henderson, and Mt. Carmel will be the first FM programmed for the ten mobile homes in East Mt. Carmel, "94.9 Trailer Country, A service of Withers Broadcasting, where it's an after Christmas sale everyday".
Yeah, Mr. Englebrecht is shaking in his size 14 boots. If you listen real close, the "shaking" you might hear is the ice in John's martini.
It was a joke dude.
Of course, I don't expect 95.3 to last and Withers is cheap as evident by WRUL-FM.
Besides, I want other formats anyways, everybody knows what I want to see(but WON'T happen)
Of course, I don't expect 95.3 to last and Withers is cheap as evident by WRUL-FM.
Besides, I want other formats anyways, everybody knows what I want to see(but WON'T happen
)It was a joke dude.
That was obvious. As was my response. Joshua, I believe that we can both agree that the real jokes are 95.3 and 94.9. I've said this before, with respect to Skipper's comments, I continue to be amazed by people who throw cash at Evansville, and its suburbs (Mt. Vernon/Carmel, Morganfield/Sturgis, etc) like the people who used to invest in oil well drilling in the same farm fields 25 years ago, hoping to hit a cusher. Most of them hit a crusher. Radio in the town has been on the same road for about the same time. WGBF has had how many owners since their hey days of top 40? Ditto WKDQ, WYNG (the 94.9 version), etc.
Let's assume that Skip's WYFX signal scenario works. Spend 50k to 100k on moving the tower so you can hear it at Gary Jossa's office on Green River Road? What's the return on the investment? 15% for his agency? The tower certainly doesn't increase the so-called stick value. Of course, anyone in Mt. Vernon notice that they "lost" their "local" FM? I doubt it.
Sadly, the suburbs can't support their respective radio stations (seen the business district in a Morganfield or Mt. Vernon recently?) and the owners are forced to try to sell what they can in an attempt to be in the big(?) city of Evansville.
The economics speak volumes. There are just too many small, non-signals that are trying to play in Evansville. It just can't happen.
Take for example, the WGBF, Kiss, etc cluster. In spite of all their cash, Clear Channel couldn't justify staying in Evansville. Clear Channel fell into the trap set by Cumulus (who lost their corporate shirt in Evansville) and, to their credit, Clear Channel found Regent to "trade" the stations to. Eventually, Regent will unload the stations on someone else.
The 1.5 million for WYNG was hardly a fire sale. No transmitter site, no studio, no staff, no listeners, no billing. Under the scam of "market share", Stakelin found a way to collect a cool mil and a half on a signal that can't be fixed. As Skip said, WAY-FM had a first right of refusal. WAY-FM took the smart way out. WYNG was listed with a broker and you didn't see a bunch of prospective buyers standing in line for it. In short: The winners were Bill Stakelin and the Regent shareholders. First runner-up honors go to the folks at WAY-FM for passing...and the multitude of previous winners were, in order, the Hurlbut family, the Fenneman family, Mark Lange and the Original Company, Cumulus, Clear Channel (did I forget anyone?) and any prospective buyer who ran in the other direction when the station's prospectus landed on their desk. The loser(s): the current and future (and there will another one day) owner/operator of 94.9
I don't pretend to have a solution; Just a thought or two based on Skip's and Joshua's respective comments. Skip, perhaps you've got the answer.
That was obvious. As was my response. Joshua, I believe that we can both agree that the real jokes are 95.3 and 94.9. I've said this before, with respect to Skipper's comments, I continue to be amazed by people who throw cash at Evansville, and its suburbs (Mt. Vernon/Carmel, Morganfield/Sturgis, etc) like the people who used to invest in oil well drilling in the same farm fields 25 years ago, hoping to hit a cusher. Most of them hit a crusher. Radio in the town has been on the same road for about the same time. WGBF has had how many owners since their hey days of top 40? Ditto WKDQ, WYNG (the 94.9 version), etc.
Let's assume that Skip's WYFX signal scenario works. Spend 50k to 100k on moving the tower so you can hear it at Gary Jossa's office on Green River Road? What's the return on the investment? 15% for his agency? The tower certainly doesn't increase the so-called stick value. Of course, anyone in Mt. Vernon notice that they "lost" their "local" FM? I doubt it.
Sadly, the suburbs can't support their respective radio stations (seen the business district in a Morganfield or Mt. Vernon recently?) and the owners are forced to try to sell what they can in an attempt to be in the big(?) city of Evansville.
The economics speak volumes. There are just too many small, non-signals that are trying to play in Evansville. It just can't happen.
Take for example, the WGBF, Kiss, etc cluster. In spite of all their cash, Clear Channel couldn't justify staying in Evansville. Clear Channel fell into the trap set by Cumulus (who lost their corporate shirt in Evansville) and, to their credit, Clear Channel found Regent to "trade" the stations to. Eventually, Regent will unload the stations on someone else.
The 1.5 million for WYNG was hardly a fire sale. No transmitter site, no studio, no staff, no listeners, no billing. Under the scam of "market share", Stakelin found a way to collect a cool mil and a half on a signal that can't be fixed. As Skip said, WAY-FM had a first right of refusal. WAY-FM took the smart way out. WYNG was listed with a broker and you didn't see a bunch of prospective buyers standing in line for it. In short: The winners were Bill Stakelin and the Regent shareholders. First runner-up honors go to the folks at WAY-FM for passing...and the multitude of previous winners were, in order, the Hurlbut family, the Fenneman family, Mark Lange and the Original Company, Cumulus, Clear Channel (did I forget anyone?) and any prospective buyer who ran in the other direction when the station's prospectus landed on their desk. The loser(s): the current and future (and there will another one day) owner/operator of 94.9
I don't pretend to have a solution; Just a thought or two based on Skip's and Joshua's respective comments. Skip, perhaps you've got the answer.
Big Time Engineer preaches the same thing I’ve said for a long time; there are too many signals in Evansville. As long as we’re armchair quarterbacking, let me add my two cents.
The Mt. Carmel signal at 94.9 is a monster but little use in the Evansville metro for a mainstream format. It did well back in 1990 as WRBT nearly driving WGBF-FM into oblivion with plans to move the tower along the Vandenberg-Gibson County line until the CP for 94.7 Philpot (Owensboro), KY reared its ugly head. As it stands, 94.9 is only partially competitive in the metro but only if it’s a niche format. Its focus has to be all points north of the Lloyd since south and east the signal has issues.
Since Urban is able to pull ratings on a graveyard AM signal it’s amazing neither the boys high atop Mt. Engelbrecht or the corporate wonders cramped in the sardine can located at 41 and Lincoln haven’t placed Urban on FM. My vote is either 107.1 or 106.1. Both are class A’s with nice coverage that even includes Owensboro. (Though 106.1 has issues now in Owensboro due to a translator a few clicks down the dial, but I’m not one to gossip).
Here is what should’ve happened when Regent purchased the Clear Channel properties:
WGBF-FM should’ve moved to 105.3 for no other reason than the Hoosier loyalty to Bob and Tom and 103.1 should’ve spun off to Urban, I liked the name 103 Jamz myself. The illegitimate child known as 94.9 would’ve been a niche format to be named later. They had legendary programmer Johnny Randolph on staff at the time; he would’ve found something that would work. Instead the ego that is Regent thought the magic of Mike McVay could hamstring WIKY with “Lite Talk with Less Rock and ‘Too Much Heaven’ in quick rotation 105.3”. It didn’t work. WIKY is the closest thing to a full service station Evansville ever had so playing lighter rock didn’t make much of a dent against the heritage and information. However, in lieu of a fruitcake, South Central did give Regent the belated 2004 Christmas gift of an oldies format and the rest is Superhits of the sixties and seventies 105.3.
(On a side note: it was humorous during the syndicated Saturday night 80’s show to hear “Lite Rock Less Talk 105.3” liners going into lite rock favorites like “Jump” and “You Shook Me All Night Long”.)
As far as 106.7 and 95.3, your guess is a good as mine. Urban is the obvious but chances are it won’t happen. Hispanic would have a chance with the growing population but again I wouldn’t hold my breath. My long shot is to bring back the spirit of Jim Wood, Buddy Scott, Charlie Quinn and many other so the River City can lose its radio virginity once again
P.S: You forgot Connoisseur at one time owned that cluster along with Clear Channel and Cumulus.
The Mt. Carmel signal at 94.9 is a monster but little use in the Evansville metro for a mainstream format. It did well back in 1990 as WRBT nearly driving WGBF-FM into oblivion with plans to move the tower along the Vandenberg-Gibson County line until the CP for 94.7 Philpot (Owensboro), KY reared its ugly head. As it stands, 94.9 is only partially competitive in the metro but only if it’s a niche format. Its focus has to be all points north of the Lloyd since south and east the signal has issues.
Since Urban is able to pull ratings on a graveyard AM signal it’s amazing neither the boys high atop Mt. Engelbrecht or the corporate wonders cramped in the sardine can located at 41 and Lincoln haven’t placed Urban on FM. My vote is either 107.1 or 106.1. Both are class A’s with nice coverage that even includes Owensboro. (Though 106.1 has issues now in Owensboro due to a translator a few clicks down the dial, but I’m not one to gossip).
Here is what should’ve happened when Regent purchased the Clear Channel properties:
WGBF-FM should’ve moved to 105.3 for no other reason than the Hoosier loyalty to Bob and Tom and 103.1 should’ve spun off to Urban, I liked the name 103 Jamz myself. The illegitimate child known as 94.9 would’ve been a niche format to be named later. They had legendary programmer Johnny Randolph on staff at the time; he would’ve found something that would work. Instead the ego that is Regent thought the magic of Mike McVay could hamstring WIKY with “Lite Talk with Less Rock and ‘Too Much Heaven’ in quick rotation 105.3”. It didn’t work. WIKY is the closest thing to a full service station Evansville ever had so playing lighter rock didn’t make much of a dent against the heritage and information. However, in lieu of a fruitcake, South Central did give Regent the belated 2004 Christmas gift of an oldies format and the rest is Superhits of the sixties and seventies 105.3.
(On a side note: it was humorous during the syndicated Saturday night 80’s show to hear “Lite Rock Less Talk 105.3” liners going into lite rock favorites like “Jump” and “You Shook Me All Night Long”.)
As far as 106.7 and 95.3, your guess is a good as mine. Urban is the obvious but chances are it won’t happen. Hispanic would have a chance with the growing population but again I wouldn’t hold my breath. My long shot is to bring back the spirit of Jim Wood, Buddy Scott, Charlie Quinn and many other so the River City can lose its radio virginity once again
P.S: You forgot Connoisseur at one time owned that cluster along with Clear Channel and Cumulus.
Why doesn't someone move this thread to Ill-i-noise? They hardly ever have posts? Mt Carmel and WYNG is in Illinois. Would move WYNG to obscurity and we could make fun of Indiana stations.
Is "Withers" Dick Withers?
Heard the FCC showed up in town looking for the WYNG Main Studio last month and it didn't exist. True? Where was it?
Is "Withers" Dick Withers?
Heard the FCC showed up in town looking for the WYNG Main Studio last month and it didn't exist. True? Where was it?
Okay - so last night the news guy at WSJD who owns 1 percent of WSJD attends a city council meeting in Mt Carmel. Read it in the Princeton Clarion.
He is still working for WSJD but announces he is helping to launch WYNG back to Mt Carmel. After 15 years out of town we're coming back he says.
Apparently Withers came into WSJD before the transfer was approved and approached all the WSJD staff. Made a big ruckus in the lobby and told all the staff he would hire them to help blow up their current employer.
So he hires a "fella" who has no vehicle because his credit is so bad he can't get one. Is this Withers normal mode of operation to be so inept to hire someone with no management experience to run his station?
This guy is trying to hire the rest of the staff from WSJD to work at WYNG while still working for them. Contacting clients to get them to transfer while still on the air at WSJD.
Did he do a background check? Call the high school school and ask about interviews in the locker room last year.
He is still working for WSJD but announces he is helping to launch WYNG back to Mt Carmel. After 15 years out of town we're coming back he says.
Apparently Withers came into WSJD before the transfer was approved and approached all the WSJD staff. Made a big ruckus in the lobby and told all the staff he would hire them to help blow up their current employer.
So he hires a "fella" who has no vehicle because his credit is so bad he can't get one. Is this Withers normal mode of operation to be so inept to hire someone with no management experience to run his station?
This guy is trying to hire the rest of the staff from WSJD to work at WYNG while still working for them. Contacting clients to get them to transfer while still on the air at WSJD.
Did he do a background check? Call the high school school and ask about interviews in the locker room last year.
Business District in Morganfield and Mt Vernon? Well, there's probably that guy that owns a small Electronic repair shop with a really old RCA sign out front. Does that count?
I pressume Posey is now trying to sell the benefits of it's downtown Of course, that's just a old Courthouse, but really, why get tehcnical about such things ;D
PS: I know about Mt Vernon because we lived in a trailer park for 6 months on the outskirt. By the way, what's in the former K-Mart space nowadays?
Back to radio: The problem is the fact the FCC approved a bunch of sticks before cities were defined, and now we have a mess of it. That and the fact Owensboro has a few sticks it shouldn't have really(ie 97.1 and 94.7)
I pressume Posey is now trying to sell the benefits of it's downtown
Of course, that's just a old Courthouse, but really, why get tehcnical about such things ;DPS: I know about Mt Vernon because we lived in a trailer park for 6 months on the outskirt. By the way, what's in the former K-Mart space nowadays?
Back to radio: The problem is the fact the FCC approved a bunch of sticks before cities were defined, and now we have a mess of it. That and the fact Owensboro has a few sticks it shouldn't have really(ie 97.1 and 94.7)
...really old RCA sign out front...
Very good. Of course, as an antique, the sign is probably worth more than the rest of the building.
...Owensboro has a few sticks it shouldn't have really(ie 97.1 and 94.7)...
Not to mention the multitude of silly (ego based) translators that are supposed to directional, and aren't, are just adding to the confusion and the clutter.
Very good. Of course, as an antique, the sign is probably worth more than the rest of the building.
...Owensboro has a few sticks it shouldn't have really(ie 97.1 and 94.7)...
Not to mention the multitude of silly (ego based) translators that are supposed to directional, and aren't, are just adding to the confusion and the clutter.
I argue for WEOA-FM myself, and a full market WGBF-FM, but people in this market say "shut up and give us more WKDQ".
Okie Dokie.
Okie Dokie.
Yep....Just an ENG note: The new exciter that replaced the 30 year old one, and the new transmitter placed at the south Illinois 1 site has made a MAJOR difference in the reception for 94.9 in Evansville's east and Henderson areas... The ENG at Way-Fm was right, that a new X-mitter and Exciter would make a 7 mile difference (with the exception of east of Henderson and east of Yankeetown).... Get this...95.3 is STILL running and stunting Xmas music on this 8th day of January.... "Skip"
Skipper says: MAJOR difference in the reception for 94.9
Hey, Skip, did your science teacher at Reitz High School ever explain the theory regarding sound waves? "...When a tree falls in the forest and there's no one to hear it..." I believe the same can be said for 94.9 in Mt. Carmel.
Don't we have something more interesting to discuss than Withers peeing in the wind?
How's WYFX sounding?
Hey, Skip, did your science teacher at Reitz High School ever explain the theory regarding sound waves? "...When a tree falls in the forest and there's no one to hear it..." I believe the same can be said for 94.9 in Mt. Carmel.
Don't we have something more interesting to discuss than Withers peeing in the wind?
How's WYFX sounding?
Not to contradict Skipper....but there is (as of this moment) NO new transmitter and NO new exciter for 94.9. It might be somewhat foolish for the Withers braintrust to invest in such given their avowed goal is to conquer the Almighty Mt. Carmel radio market and focus all of their programming and sales energies there. :
IF there is no new equipment, then tell me how the ENG's at Wither's pulled it off... Multipath is down greatly on all my tuners and the reduction of LOUDNESS has smoothed it out greatly at my location and the folks location on the southeast side of Evansville... It could be the weather? But, something has improved.. (I always thought they sounded too hot in mono and such)... You ENG's in charge can tell us, can't you???
I am happy for Scott to be heading this up.. Go get them, as best you can.... "Skippy"
I am happy for Scott to be heading this up.. Go get them, as best you can.... "Skippy"
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