WBAI/Pacifica Death Throes

[DOB]

Those stations are programmed better for residents of Australia than any CHR in the US is. That's why those stations are in Australia and Z-100 isn't.

I don't know what your problem is, but... continuing with Z-100 as an example... it is programmed for New York City. It reflects the tastes of the majority of the CHR kind of listeners and together with its sisters WKTU and WWPR they cover the three main currents in hit based young adult music formats in English.

lol, that first sentence is priceless, but rather than resort to that... People can get music anywhere, the stations in Australia use strong personalities not just in morning but in the evening drive time as well, they offer exclusive content in that aspect and would be wise for the chrs hear to bookend their morning shows in the same way. It goes without saying that there are differences between the two countries but down under they do radio better, they give their listeners a superior product than what our listeners are getting here. Take the guy who is running kbig, he has international programming experience and it is highly doubtful that that station would enjoy the success it has now with someone who only knows US programming. It must be a different mentality, from what I hear it is programming by fear too much over here, forgetting that you are entertaining people.

As for the NYC stations, Power 105-1 is just about perfect, the morning show is excellent, Charlamagne(sp?) is very funny and a great entertainer, the music is dead on, and Angie in afternoons is a New York staple. Ktu has been modified to be a flanker against 92-3, the best for ktu would be a hybrid of what they were and what they are now, too much older music before 92-3, but now they don't play enough of the rhythmic gold that made ktu special. As for z100 Elvis has a phenomenal morning show, z is a great station for sure, in my opinion they sounded better about a year ago than they do now, but for an American chr they are about the best you are going to get. They were playing their powers on a 60 minute rotation the last time I listened, I don't think the heritage chr needs to do that. I get the secondary chr running a rotation like that, but I don't think it's right for Z100, 75-90 minutes I believe would be best for them. I'm sure they just do that at certain times and have their reasons. I also have heard them play some questionable songs in middays that weren't and never became hits, it's nitpicking on some level for sure, but isn't that the purpose of a board like this? I don't see it as a problem as you seem to, sorry that some opinions like saying we need a heavy metal station in New York are not easy pins for you to knock down and dismiss.

 

[b-turner]

Some nice constructive comments here. This is a discussion board, so discussions are a good thing.

Please don't think that just because a program director is in a position they always do it their way. Typically the GM says you target this group and you prove every step along the way so I can justify our actions. Try to do something a bit out of the ordinary and you might get called down for it.

One thing I would encourage as well, if you feel a format is needed and ignored, if you can develop the right connections, try to build an investment group to buy a station (or lease one) to try the format (naturally you will need the research to back it up). I'm being serious. In today's radio, most stations are run by public owned companies that tend to go for the tried and true. It is the stand alone or smaller radio group that can take a chance the public owned company won't take.

I wonder how Aussie radio compares to US radio. Are markets over-radioed? How are TSLs and how much time do Aussies spend with radio weekly? What is the media competition compared to US markets? All of this can determine the profitability of radio. In addition, the price to acquire a station says much about what a station can afford to spend on programming.

 

[DavidEduardo]

lol, that first sentence is priceless, but rather than resort to that... People can get music anywhere, the stations in Australia use strong personalities not just in morning but in the evening drive time as well, they offer exclusive content in that aspect and would be wise for the chrs hear to bookend their morning shows in the same way.

Australia has several factors that make it a poor choice for comparison with the US for radio.

First, it is a much more monolithic society, without the significant ethnic population groups and regional differences prevalent in the US. Second, they have a fraction of the number of stations in their larger markets than the US does.

New York City is 50% Hispanic and African American, and then there is about 15% first generation immigrants from other ethnic and national groups, ranging from Asians to Persians. Not only do those groups have often-different music and radio tastes, the larger groups tend to influence music and entertainment for the whole city.

It goes without saying that there are differences between the two countries but down under they do radio better, they give their listeners a superior product than what our listeners are getting here.

You are jumping to conclusions based on what you think radio stations should be. Keep in mind that music radio in Australia is based on what was observed in the US. Top 40 in the late 50's and 60's... rock on FM with consultants like Pollack and Burns in the 70's. They took the concepts and built variants based on local preferences and local tastes. As they should.

But there is no proof that their radio is any better than ours or that in Spain or Canada or Argentina.

Take the guy who is running kbig, he has international programming experience and it is highly doubtful that that station would enjoy the success it has now with someone who only knows US programming.

I can't really say that having programming internationally gives a person an advantage, with the possible exception of teaching the lesson that there is no "one size fits all" approach and each market has idiosyncrasies and subtleties that have to be understood.

In fact, being from a significantly different environment often means that important socio-cultural aspects of programming are not picked up on.

In any case, KBIG is the product, principally, of iHeart's corporate research and programming directives as nothing in a company like that is one person's decision.

It must be a different mentality, from what I hear it is programming by fear too much over here, forgetting that you are entertaining people.

If you think "entertainment" is the only reason people listen to radio... or music... you need to start over.

They were playing their powers on a 60 minute rotation the last time I listened, I don't think the heritage chr needs to do that. I get the secondary chr running a rotation like that, but I don't think it's right for Z100, 75-90 minutes I believe would be best for them.

Then they are right on your target. Their powers are running at an average of 90-100 minute rotation (this last week, since they have two Beiber songs in Power, the rotation is somewhat adjusted), and the other currents are in 2:45 to 3:30 patterns, probably with variations based on not playing the super-new stuff in AMD.

I also have heard them play some questionable songs in middays that weren't and never became hits, it's nitpicking on some level for sure, but isn't that the purpose of a board like this?

You don't think that Z-100 doesn't have call out, do you? And they certainly use MScores (iHeart owns the company, of course) and they monitor new media downloads and other data that can be geozoned. What may not seem to be a hit to / for you likely does very well among the 5,000,000 people who on average cume the station and who make up 30% of the total reach of all NYC radio stations.

sorry that some opinions like saying we need a heavy metal station in New York are not easy pins for you to knock down and dismiss.

I know folks who have tried rock, and I know of others who have done format search research and both history and the data shows that any kind of additional rock station in NYC is not a good business proposition.

 

[FreddyE1977]

The only way I see any stations being sold is if they're forced to do so. By force, I mean by the police or military means.

You may be right about that. Given their history this could end in the Mother of All Sit-Ins.

 

[johndavis]

You don't think that Z-100 doesn't have call out, do you? And they certainly use MScores (iHeart owns the company, of course) and they monitor new media downloads and other data that can be geozoned. What may not seem to be a hit to / for you likely does very well among the 5,000,000 people who on average cume the station and who make up 30% of the total reach of all NYC radio stations.

When I hear a station like Z-100 play a song that I don't know, it usually means they know something that I don't and not the other way around.

The gold example that comes to mind is Modern English/I Melt With You. Mid-chart stiff back in the day, beloved by listeners today. The audience tells you what to play and what not to; our job is to listen to the people that listen to us.

If radio had the power to cram whatever they pleased down an audience's throat, any number of stiffs added for the sake of securing a Jingle Ball headliner would have actually sold records.

 

[k Stacy]

Who do you contact about WBAI? The station is at odds with Foundation, owner of license. Neither station or foundation answer their phones. Anyone have a contact person's name and phone number or email address? LCG or anyone - any ideas?

FM

 

[k Stacy]

Who do you contact at WBAI? The station is at odds with Foundation owner of license. Neither station or foundation answer their phones. Does anyone have a contact person's name and phone number or email address? LCG or anyone = any ideas?

 

[k Stacy]

Oops- posted twice. Sorry about that.

 

[k Stacy]

LCG can you.put me in touch with someone at WBAi?

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

A letter in the FCC files shows WBAI's location as of early October at 388 Atlantic Avenue, 3d floor, in Brooklyn. General manager is Berthold Reimers.

 

[k Stacy]

A letter in the FCC files shows WBAI's location as of early October at 388 Atlantic Avenue, 3d floor, in Brooklyn. General manager is Berthold Reimers.[/QUOTE

Yes write to Wbai & Pacifica ar that address but no reply. Also sent an email via the station's Web site but no reply. About the on way you can reach someone is if you call the phone # to make a donation, but they can't help you reach anyone else..i hoped someone on the discussion board might know someone at the station and put me in touch with them. If more convenient me email [email protected]

 

[Radio-X]

A letter in the FCC files shows WBAI's location as of early October at 388 Atlantic Avenue, 3d floor, in Brooklyn. General manager is Berthold Reimers.[/QUOTE

Yes write to Wbai & Pacifica ar that address but no reply. Also sent an email via the station's Web site but no reply. About the on way you can reach someone is if you call the phone # to make a donation, but they can't help you reach anyone else..i hoped someone on the discussion board might know someone at the station and put me in touch with them. If more convenient me email [email protected]

Call during pledge time (or show up at their studios) and ask to see their public file. They must provide reasonable access during business hours...95% chance it (the public file) is at their studios.

If they do not allow access to it, they would be idiotic to do so. At that point, they would open themselves up to a whole bunch of fines and legal headaches they cannot afford from the FCC.

Once you are in their offices viewing the file, THEN ask to meet with somebody or schedule an appointment. It's much harder to brush someone off in person than it is if you're talking to a volunteer working the phones during a pledge drive. Chances are, BAI isn't even paying their volunteers with the traditional public broadcasting staple: coffee and donuts! They will not give you the time of day...even if you donate $35!

Radio-X

 

[k Stacy]

Thanks Radio-X. Good idea. I'm 3 hours away from NYC. I was hoping to find a person and see if they would consider an offer. I read the post that KPFT in Texas was appraised for $6 mil. What do you think WBAI is worth?

 

[k Stacy]

The article by Moyes Research in Radio Ink within last 2 weeks said commercial radio sales revenue goes down 5% per year. Factor that into price. Thank you.

 

[TheBigA]

I was hoping to find a person and see if they would consider an offer.

Don't waste your time. People have offered them tons of money, and they don't care. They're not in it for the money.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Call during pledge time (or show up at their studios) and ask to see their public file. They must provide reasonable access during business hours...95% chance it (the public file) is at their studios.

If they do not allow access to it, they would be idiotic to do so. At that point, they would open themselves up to a whole bunch of fines and legal headaches they cannot afford from the FCC.

Once you are in their offices viewing the file, THEN ask to meet with somebody or schedule an appointment. It's much harder to brush someone off in person than it is if you're talking to a volunteer working the phones during a pledge drive. Chances are, BAI isn't even paying their volunteers with the traditional public broadcasting staple: coffee and donuts! They will not give you the time of day...even if you donate $35!

Radio-X

Even more troubling may be the fact that they apparently don't answer their phones. Besides providing access to the public file during regular business hours (and it's not "reasonable" access; FCC rules say access must be provided, period), there is a requirement for a "meaningful management presence" during regular business hours. The inability to reach anyone during the business day could raise all kinds of red flags with the FCC.

 

[k Stacy]

Then considering what you said, the only thing to convince them would be if their debt forced them. I had a plan to let them stay on the air via an HD Radio channel and I get the rest. That way we both win. But I can't find anyone to talk to to present my plan. If they don't currently have an HD channel. That is easily fixed by adding an antenna combiner and HD transmitter. What do you guys think of that idea?

 

[DavidEduardo]

Thanks Radio-X. Good idea. I'm 3 hours away from NYC. I was hoping to find a person and see if they would consider an offer. I read the post that KPFT in Texas was appraised for $6 mil. What do you think WBAI is worth?

KPFT is non-commercial. WBAI, which is on a commercial channel, is worth whatever the market driven price is for a NYC commercial FM. Based on the more recent sales, that could be in the $80 to $100 million range with no billing.

 

[TheBigA]

What do you guys think of that idea?

Any idea you can think of has been offered and rejected. They're simply not interested in selling.

 

[k Stacy]

David, you are right about KPFT Houston 90.9 being a non commercial. I think your 80 to 100 m range with no billing is very high. With no billing that means there is no income to get a mortgage for the station and the buyer would need 80-100 M cash. That's unlikely given the business is flat (no sales growth) to slow 5%/year sales decline . I believe the last NY FM sold a few years ago in the 40 to 45 M range. Are you a radio station broker?