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?
