8.30.2006
Snap! Goes 107.3 In Rochester
Your humble radio detective Diamond Joe, once indirectly dubbed an "Internet Gnome" by Radio & Records - and darn proud of it - has done it again, with little "crackle" uncovering the new format on recently blown up 107.3 FM in Rochester. It usually takes grueling research to sniff out the tracks, but this one didn't take much "pop".
So I read that "The Nerve" flipped to "Huge 107.3" as of today. With product placement by the good ol' folks at Fuccillo Hyundai. Neat - sponsored stunting. Who knew, right?
So I consult my source which disclosed that the domain huge1073.com was registered back on August 22. So you know this was in the works for well over a week.
Eventually, I discovered another website registered on the same day by Clear Channel - snap1073.com. Whose website, by the way, is partly functioning right now:
http://www.snap1073.com/main.html
They're already promoting "Wake Up With Whoopi". And don't forget to read about the "Wacky Rochester Weather"!
As far as their format, I'm guessing a rhythmic AC, kinda like the one in Philly that also houses the Whoopi morning show.
I'm sure the geniuses in CC's tech department will change the page to a "Forbidden" message, so here's a screenprint to prove I'm not making the above up:
Another case in the books for Diamond Joe, Internet Gnome.
So I read that "The Nerve" flipped to "Huge 107.3" as of today. With product placement by the good ol' folks at Fuccillo Hyundai. Neat - sponsored stunting. Who knew, right?
So I consult my source which disclosed that the domain huge1073.com was registered back on August 22. So you know this was in the works for well over a week.
Eventually, I discovered another website registered on the same day by Clear Channel - snap1073.com. Whose website, by the way, is partly functioning right now:
http://www.snap1073.com/main.html
They're already promoting "Wake Up With Whoopi". And don't forget to read about the "Wacky Rochester Weather"!
As far as their format, I'm guessing a rhythmic AC, kinda like the one in Philly that also houses the Whoopi morning show.
I'm sure the geniuses in CC's tech department will change the page to a "Forbidden" message, so here's a screenprint to prove I'm not making the above up:
Another case in the books for Diamond Joe, Internet Gnome.
8.25.2006
Ed Walsh Out... Glenn Beck In?
Word is that longtime WOR morning host - and first-removed Gambling replacement Ed Walsh has exited the station. Sources say it was over contract negotiations gone bad.
At any rate, here's what I hope they establish in time for the fall: Take either one or both of the talent from the allegedly syndicated Ellis Henican and Lynne White morning show, put one or both of them in the morning show mix alongside Donna HAnover and Joe Bartlett, and... since they clearly wouldn't bump their hot commodity Joan Hamburg... place Glenn Beck in afternoon drive from 4-6 pm. I know, a three-hour show broken down into a two-hour tape-delay show, but you know what, it's time. Beck's entire operations have moved to New York with the genesis of his CNN Headline News TV show. Heck, why doesn't Premiere or CNN or both simply BUY the 4-6 pm slot from WOR: they can clear his radio show, and promote his TV show, which airs later on at 7 PM (rebroadcast at 9 PM).
In other words, just so Opie & Anthony couldn't just swoop in to replace Howard Stern, I'm sure it couldn't be easy for Glenn Beck to walk right in and claim the time slot that once belonged to area radio legend Bob Grant - whom Beck often gives homage to by telling his own erratic callers to "get off my phone" - he has once acknowledged that. Therefore, it is in WOR's best interest for Henican & White to make like David Lee Roth and split. Then again, Roth didn't do too well in mornings - but he was syndicated.
At any rate, here's what I hope they establish in time for the fall: Take either one or both of the talent from the allegedly syndicated Ellis Henican and Lynne White morning show, put one or both of them in the morning show mix alongside Donna HAnover and Joe Bartlett, and... since they clearly wouldn't bump their hot commodity Joan Hamburg... place Glenn Beck in afternoon drive from 4-6 pm. I know, a three-hour show broken down into a two-hour tape-delay show, but you know what, it's time. Beck's entire operations have moved to New York with the genesis of his CNN Headline News TV show. Heck, why doesn't Premiere or CNN or both simply BUY the 4-6 pm slot from WOR: they can clear his radio show, and promote his TV show, which airs later on at 7 PM (rebroadcast at 9 PM).
In other words, just so Opie & Anthony couldn't just swoop in to replace Howard Stern, I'm sure it couldn't be easy for Glenn Beck to walk right in and claim the time slot that once belonged to area radio legend Bob Grant - whom Beck often gives homage to by telling his own erratic callers to "get off my phone" - he has once acknowledged that. Therefore, it is in WOR's best interest for Henican & White to make like David Lee Roth and split. Then again, Roth didn't do too well in mornings - but he was syndicated.
8.21.2006
Hate To Be In Boston Right Now...
Lose a five-game series in sweeping fashion to your division rivals...
Then lose your "Wild" station on top of it.
8.12.2006
Haven't Forgotten About You...
I feel as if I've been neglecting my blog as of late - I've actually been active as of late but not in regards to New York radio. There's been a double-nuking in Philadelphia, and I'm currently trying to draw an argument that 104.5 - despite rumors of flipping to Spanish, to rock, to talk - will eventually flip to a country station to compete with longtime local leader WXTU.
But I know you New Yorkers - save the hardcore radio geeks - might not care about that. At any rate, you can read my argument over on RadioInsight.com: http://radioinsight.com/boards/index.php?t=msg&th=3928&start=0
You're free to read, and sign up for free to dispute my argument.
That said, I can see the "Philly has their second country station, and we don't even have one" posts on Mr. Sniffen's message board now...
But I know you New Yorkers - save the hardcore radio geeks - might not care about that. At any rate, you can read my argument over on RadioInsight.com: http://radioinsight.com/boards/index.php?t=msg&th=3928&start=0
You're free to read, and sign up for free to dispute my argument.
That said, I can see the "Philly has their second country station, and we don't even have one" posts on Mr. Sniffen's message board now...
8.04.2006
Far Left Moves To The Far Right (Of The Dial).
News Flash: Air America Radio moves its New York flagship to WWRL 1600 AM, effective September 1.
Of course, everyone is speculating what will become of WLIB 1190 AM. Many predict it will reinstate the Caribbean-based talk and music full-time, which is good for the community, but I have a better idea.
After all, 1190 owner Inner City is committed to a strong signal, hence why they purchased the mighty WOWO in Fort Wayne, not to control program content - but to adjust their signal. Their nighttime signal is stronger than their daytime signal, from what I hear.
You know where this is going... That's right, a third sports station. I know what you're thinking: We don't need a third sports station. Well, AM 620 doesn't count. If Inner City can get an LMA with Clear Channel, it would be a boon for both sides. I'm not saying Inner City is incapable of doing it by themselves, but CC has that "pull" to nail down rights to shows and sports packages. You know why 1050 flipped to ESPN Radio? So they can say they're cleared in Market #1 and sell at higher ad rates. So why not CC copy that model with their underperforming Fox Sports Radio?
And if not a sports station, they could go in the direction of another talk station. Premiere's Glenn Beck - the "third most listened-to talk show in America" - is still not cleared in New York; meanwhile the show will start airing in L.A. effective next week - on Angels owner Arte Moreno's Mexican talk station. Yet despite my pleas to WOR to get the show, they're stuck in their bubble syndicating their execrable programming. So they're off the radar. CC could and should launch a new talker on 1190 AM - either through an LMA with Inner City, or even if they buy it outright (remember, CC doesn't even own an AM station in Market #1 at all) - and come out swinging.
Hey, how ironic would it be to hear Rush on 1190 about a year from now?
8.01.2006
Two Silver Anniversaries
MTV hit the cable-waves on this day in 1981. Clearly, today's MTV is in many ways different. Nonetheless, VH1 Classic is running "the first 24 hours" of the network's operations. As expected, from what I hear, it's the exact playlist with lotsa Lynn Hoffman drop-ins. Still, an interesting look to see what one of cable's most popular networks evolved from. And one of the many days to be grateful to have digital cable and DVR with 100 hours of space. (Let's just hope a heatwave-induced blackout holds off so the recordings don't go the way of Madonna's "Justify My Love" video...) Still, I'm surprised Jack-FM isn't doing all-out promotions for the anniversary - after all, it's their core audience that grew up with MTV, is it not?
Not to be outdone, New York's own Kiss-FM also turns 25. WRKS is one of the radio stations that broke ground in the realm of urban radio and can be partly credited with the resurgence of urban radio across the country over the last several years. Here's to 25 more.
