Could Greater Media swap WKLB for WEEI?

How about this scenario: GM can't own a sixth FM in Boston, but it could own an AM. Would a swap of WKLB to Entercom for WEEI make sense to either company?

> How about this scenario: GM can't own a sixth FM in Boston,
> but it could own an AM. Would a swap of WKLB to Entercom for
> WEEI make sense to either company?
>

First you gotta ask...what would Greater Media do with the new AM signal?

I think it would also depend on WKLB's signal. There's always been a philosophy that Sports talk on the FM band is somehow "better", and I know for a fact that the NFL wants their games on FM, and I think I heard that the Red Sox would like to be on FM as well. Which could bolster Entercom's chances of extending that deal seeing as they already have FM coverage south. Aquiring another FM could open up this potential scenario:

Move WAAF to 99.5.
Move WEEI's programming to 107.3 and combo it with 103.7 in Providence. You'd get North, West, and South coverage nicely. Of course this does hurt the actual in-Boston signal for WEEI, so upon further review, maybe not. Although if demand for the product is high enough, an audience is willing to deal with some temporary static. Given the strength of listenership that WEEI has right now, that 107.3 signal deficiency might not be as big an issue as it currently is. Especially with non-music programming.

Unless they simulcast on 680 AM in the city proper and call it the WEEI Network, or Boston Sports Network. Something like that.

Then again. CBS radio does have the Pats on BCN, and the Bruins on WBZ. And the rumors of a WBCN flip to sports talk were big last year. If the Sox did want to be on FM, then CBS might have a good outlet for them at 104.1. And it would certainly provide a pretty strong local foundation for a sports competitor to WEEI.

I'd hate to see that happen. But, it is a scenario.

Just taking time out from packing...babbling nonsense as usual.

> > How about this scenario: GM can't own a sixth FM in
> Boston,
> > but it could own an AM. Would a swap of WKLB to Entercom
> for
> > WEEI make sense to either company?
> >
>
> First you gotta ask...what would Greater Media do with the
> new AM signal?

They could create "850 AM Talk" and put a music format on 96.9. I'd highly doubt that this would happen, but if the ratings slide on WTKK, and GM wants to add a station to their portfolio, there's always a possiblity.

Though if the original poster was considering whether Entercom would trade the WEEI enterprise for the physical property of 99.5 (and whatever is left of the intellectual property, either a failing classical station or a country simulcast), I would highly doubt that would occur. WEEI is very likely the most profitable Entercom station, and I don't see that going in exchange for a Boston rimshot with no format.

> I think it would also depend on WKLB's signal. There's
> always been a philosophy that Sports talk on the FM band is
> somehow "better", and I know for a fact that the NFL wants
> their games on FM, and I think I heard that the Red Sox
> would like to be on FM as well. Which could bolster
> Entercom's chances of extending that deal seeing as they
> already have FM coverage south. Aquiring another FM could
> open up this potential scenario:
>
> Move WAAF to 99.5.
> Move WEEI's programming to 107.3 and combo it with 103.7 in
> Providence. You'd get North, West, and South coverage
> nicely. Of course this does hurt the actual in-Boston signal
> for WEEI, so upon further review, maybe not. Although if
> demand for the product is high enough, an audience is
> willing to deal with some temporary static. Given the
> strength of listenership that WEEI has right now, that 107.3
> signal deficiency might not be as big an issue as it
> currently is. Especially with non-music programming.

99.5 has a better city signal than 107.3. So having the successful WEEI on 99.5, 103.7, and 1440 would seem more profitable than moving WAAF to 99.5.

> Then again. CBS radio does have the Pats on BCN, and the
> Bruins on WBZ. And the rumors of a WBCN flip to sports talk
> were big last year. If the Sox did want to be on FM, then
> CBS might have a good outlet for them at 104.1. And it would
> certainly provide a pretty strong local foundation for a
> sports competitor to WEEI.
>
> I'd hate to see that happen. But, it is a scenario.

If Entercom got 99.5 in that case, then placing WAAF on 99.5 would very likely be a good decision to get the rock audience.

> Just taking time out from packing...babbling nonsense as
> usual.

Speaking of 102.5 in general, any ideas as to when is Greater Media or Charles River will issue a press release regarding the sale price and the "official" futures of WCRB and WKLB? The initial press release hinted another announcement on February 1st, but we're far beyond that now.

Anyone else hearing this?

I heard WBZ was making a play for the Sox. What do you think of that scnario?

> > > How about this scenario: GM can't own a sixth FM in
> > Boston,
> > > but it could own an AM. Would a swap of WKLB to Entercom
>
> > for
> > > WEEI make sense to either company?
> > >
> >
> > First you gotta ask...what would Greater Media do with the
>
> > new AM signal?
>
> They could create "850 AM Talk" and put a music format on
> 96.9. I'd highly doubt that this would happen, but if the
> ratings slide on WTKK, and GM wants to add a station to
> their portfolio, there's always a possiblity.
>
> Though if the original poster was considering whether
> Entercom would trade the WEEI enterprise for the physical
> property of 99.5 (and whatever is left of the intellectual
> property, either a failing classical station or a country
> simulcast), I would highly doubt that would occur. WEEI is
> very likely the most profitable Entercom station, and I
> don't see that going in exchange for a Boston rimshot with
> no format.
>
> > I think it would also depend on WKLB's signal. There's
> > always been a philosophy that Sports talk on the FM band
> is
> > somehow "better", and I know for a fact that the NFL wants
>
> > their games on FM, and I think I heard that the Red Sox
> > would like to be on FM as well. Which could bolster
> > Entercom's chances of extending that deal seeing as they
> > already have FM coverage south. Aquiring another FM could
> > open up this potential scenario:
> >
> > Move WAAF to 99.5.
> > Move WEEI's programming to 107.3 and combo it with 103.7
> in
> > Providence. You'd get North, West, and South coverage
> > nicely. Of course this does hurt the actual in-Boston
> signal
> > for WEEI, so upon further review, maybe not. Although if
> > demand for the product is high enough, an audience is
> > willing to deal with some temporary static. Given the
> > strength of listenership that WEEI has right now, that
> 107.3
> > signal deficiency might not be as big an issue as it
> > currently is. Especially with non-music programming.
>
> 99.5 has a better city signal than 107.3. So having the
> successful WEEI on 99.5, 103.7, and 1440 would seem more
> profitable than moving WAAF to 99.5.
>
> > Then again. CBS radio does have the Pats on BCN, and the
> > Bruins on WBZ. And the rumors of a WBCN flip to sports
> talk
> > were big last year. If the Sox did want to be on FM, then
> > CBS might have a good outlet for them at 104.1. And it
> would
> > certainly provide a pretty strong local foundation for a
> > sports competitor to WEEI.
> >
> > I'd hate to see that happen. But, it is a scenario.
>
> If Entercom got 99.5 in that case, then placing WAAF on 99.5
> would very likely be a good decision to get the rock
> audience.
>
> > Just taking time out from packing...babbling nonsense as
> > usual.
>
> Speaking of 102.5 in general, any ideas as to when is
> Greater Media or Charles River will issue a press release
> regarding the sale price and the "official" futures of WCRB
> and WKLB? The initial press release hinted another
> announcement on February 1st, but we're far beyond that now.
>