Entercom's main focus is shoring up WAAF--that is, they have the 97.7 to bring the signal better into
Boston. WRKO has been declining in ratings what with PPM and who knows, they could lose Howie in a year
or so. They may limp on with talk radio but I would think Ent.would rather have AAF on 97.7; a second choice would have been to put Mike there (it did get ratings and billing) and maybe WRKO would be a third.
If anything RKO's AM signal--despite all the interference problems--is pretty solid--except to the west
after dark, of course. Maybe if RKO had ANOTHER FM to put RKO on--for example, suppose Greater
sold WBOS to Entercom. Then yes, you could maybe have "WRKO-FM 92.9"...
The late sunrises may make it tough for people out west to pick up the start of their morning show, but then it's better.
The morning show, Ingraham, midday shows, and most of Howie can be received well. They have WCRN
to help them out west after sunset (earlier sunsets coming). Then they just do syndie with the rest of
the lineup--Savage, Doyle, Red Eye. Do they want to put it on FM just to help those shows? Remember a
few yrs ago RKO was considered the flagship of Red Sox baseball (then it was shifted to EEI). But now
there are syndie shows and RKO prob isn't so much concerned with them. True, the miniscule ratings
they get may drag down RKO's overall rating but their main concern is mostly AM and PM drive
where the money is.
And next year what'll they have if Howie leaves..the Col. David Hunt show?
As for the suggestion of a WRKO-FM running America's Radio Network 3-6...
Wrong. Sorry, wrong.
They pay big money for Howie. Howie brings in big money (well, some money). He is a local product.
People want local. Advertisers want local. Having a "WRKO-FM" running a national news/talk show
instead of Howie would make as much sense as WEEI AM/FM choosing to run Kansas City Royals
baseball instead of Boston Red Sox baseball. Please tell me you're joking... :
Further, PM drive is prime time. It would be like NBC running My Mother The Car reruns in prime
time instead of current sitcoms. It doesn't work.