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1. 

   Joseph_Gallant
   

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   With news (as discussed on another thread in the Boston board) that ESPN Radio will leave WAMG-890 as of Monday (September 14th), there's talk that Entercom may run ESPN on 850 and move WEEI to FM.

   I think that will happen, and I think the most likely homes will be 97.7 and 107.3.

   This means WAAF (and simulcaster WKAF) will be banished to an HD-2 channel (WAAF has been a rock station since early 1970).

   Why WAAF and not WMKK-93.7 (a/k/a "Mike FM")??

   Simple, WMKK is automated and costs little to run. By making the move outlined above, Entercom will eliminate WAAF's on-air staff, save big money, and only spend a minimal amount to run ESPN radio 24/7 on 850. And when two sports teams to which Entercom has local; rights go head-to-head, one would be on 97.7/107.3; the other on 850, meaning talk WRKO-680 would never again have to pre-empt a talk show for a sporting event.

   My guess is that you'll see a three-week simulcast (September 14th through October 4th, through the end of the Red Sox regular season) of WEEI at 850 and 107.3/97.7 before 850 goes ESPN (and WEEI is FM-exclusive in Boston) in early October......in time for Red Sox playoff games.

   Assuming this occurs, you may see champagne corks popping at the Lynn studios of little WFNX-101.7. As soon as Monday, they could fine themselves the only commercial station in town with a contemporary/modern/active rock format.

   If you had told me a year ago that of WAAF, WBCN, and WFNX, that only one of them would still be a rock station a year later, I would never have guessed WFNX (I might've guessed WBCN).

   Posted 12 months ago #
2. 

   raccoonradio
   

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   Why not WEEI on 93.7 and poss. 97.7 too? Check out the construction permit they have for WMKK 93.7 via radio-locator.com--covers a pretty big area. There should be no need for WAAF to leave 107.3. Maybe WEEI could also take over the simulcast of 97.7 but again would WAAF go to HD only?
   Though you're right about the low overhead & good ratings of Mike 93.7 and yes that scenario (Mike to 107.3) could happen. They could also LMA or buy 99.5 and put Mike there

   A simulcast for a short period could happen or maybe just a blanket info campaign for a couple weeks to let listeners know of the new freq. This happened when WCRB
   and WKLB switched. I also remember when WEEI 590 was telling people they'd go up to 850.

   >>the only commercial station in town with a contemporary/modern/active rock format.

   Isn't WBOS considered modern rock? If it isn't it could change music mix slightly...

   Posted 12 months ago #
3. 

   Joseph_Gallant
   

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   I thought WBOS-92.9's format was "Classic Alternative", with a few new songs mixed-in.

   I wouldn't really call them "contemporary", but that's my opinion.

   Posted 12 months ago #
4. 

   bostonradio
   

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   Why would they ever split the most profitable format in the market between a Worcester signal and downtown FM signal. 93.7 is a much better option for much of the Boston metro. Plus 107.3's signal would overlap with their satellite stations in Providence and Springfield.

   Entercom is more likely to put WRKO's talk format on 107.3/97.7. Keep Greg Hill in the AM and add Howie to PM.

   Posted 12 months ago #
5. 

   raccoonradio
   

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   I agree with bostonradio and someone on BostonRadioWatch had an interesting comment though: what about Rush? If WRKO were to go to what is basically a Worc. station, well,. Clear Channel's WTAG has the Worc rights to him (also Premiere does Coast to Coast). We'll have to see.

   Posted 12 months ago #
6. 

   TPM
   

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   The Boston Globe has some answers to what is happening -- "ESPN Radio's Boston affiliate set to sign off." WAMG on 890 AM may go dark. This report includes plans to move WEEI to FM, then make 850 AM a new ESPN station.

   Boston Globe report

   Posted 12 months ago #
7. 

   lrm1213
   

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   I have several points to make, so bare with me. 1.) The alternative/active/progressive rock formats are still very popular. In fact rock stations are doing well. WAAF's ratings are good, plus they just got a bunch of new and returning listeners when WBCN went belly up. 2.) Not every guy who is in their 20s and 30s want to spend their days listening to other guys talk about sports. Other companies seem to have made to asumption that more guys want to haer sports talk all day over rock. That's not the case. 3.) WAAF and WFNX have different rock formats. WAAF is more hard rock (and now classic), where WFNX is more alternative. Basically, WAAF still serves a group of rock fans that other rock stations in the area don't. 4.) Entercom owns 3 station slots in the area. It runs 2 stations on 3 different frequencies. Thus, WAAF will loose the 97.7 frequency and keep the 107.3 frequency. I believe that, because of the improvement of the signal at 97.7. When it was WILD I got the signal about 3 times a year, and I live about 30 miles out of Boston. Now I get it clear when I go into New Hampshire. So why dump WAAF or WMKK when both stations are doing fairly well, and there's a third frequency that will allow them to not dump either station. 5.) WAAF serves a particular audience that I feel Entercom currently monopolizes. I understand that in the north there are stations like WGIR that could be competition; however, in its particular market WAAF stands alone (now that WBCN is gone). Listeners in Boston are very loyal. I believe that CBS was quick to dump WBCN because they think that in a few years, if they want to, they will simply change WZLX from classic rock to a clone of what WBCN was. This won't keep WAAF from being shut down, but if WZLX was to become the next rock of boston or even be given the WBCN call leters, most listeners will stay with WAAF. Why? Look at K-Rock. CBS got rid of it, then realized how stupid they were, and brought it back. But, the fans knew that it was just a watered down version of what it was, and CBS would order the same 10 songs to be put in the rotation. I haven't heard Lazy Eye by Silver Sun Pick Ups being played 30 times a day since WBCN signed off. 6.) I know pleanty of people who won't listen to the 98.5 becuase they took WBCN away to put it on the air. If WEEI was to come to FM and keep WAAF in tact, pleanty of people will choose it over The Sports Hub, because of WEEI's history and the fact that they didn't slaughter another legend to put it on FM. 7.) bostonradio mentioned that possibly dumping WMKK and WAAF for WEEI on 93.7 and WRKO on 107.3/97.7. Funny idea, but I don't think Entercom is ready to drop two stations to bring to AM stations to FM and get stuck in a ratings war to get them established. That would be suicide. Finally, I understand that it's all about money; however, there is more money to be made, running A Jack station at 93.7, sports station at 97.7, and rock station at 107.3. They would be servicing all 3 fan bases, keeping everyone involved happy, and would monopolize at least the Jack and Rock formated stations, and I beleieve they would kill the Sports hub in the ratings as well. Think about it, 2 #1 stations (in their formats) and a one of its kind station. That's money.

   Posted 11 months ago #

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