The River returns to Knoxville

[BRH]

I work in west Knoxville (Weisgarber at Middlebrook) which is right in the middle of the 37909 zip and I don't have any problems picking up 106.1 The River on either of my 2 vehicles radios.  I commute about 35 miles from Sweetwater and 106.1 comes in the whole way.   Also, I've never lost it on Kingston Pike either.  Sure there may be a few pops and momentary static here and there,  but that's no big deal to me.  This is East TN. and with all the hills and valleys, heck even the 100kw sticks have bad spots. 

  I listen to WAEZ ""Electric 94.9" around Knoxville all the time too.  It has some bad spots, but I would consider it totally listenable too.  But then again,  Im not an average listener and I don't mind dx'ing and some static so it may bother some.

[engineernick]

I've been following this thread since all the Hoopla about 106.1 The River started on this site.  It's nice to see that so many people are interested in local radio and appear to have some knowledge.  I don't know what Boogiecheck is talking about in terms of crackling of the signal on Campbell Station Road.  The signal is crystal clear all throughout West Knoxville and beyond.  The signal is excellent for a class A.  Now that 105.9 is gone, the station will probably get some real legs.  BC, you sound a little jaded. Perhaps you work for the competition.  Perhaps you are like a lot of radio professionals and out of work.  Whatever the case, your posts are just not accurate, and frankly, you sound a bit angry.   The Arbitrends came out yesterday and 106.1 the River showed up.  Good for them.  Say what you want, but I'm rooting for the local guy. 

[Mid West Clubber]

Well I always tune in, and probably will even more in the near future.  Knox radio is so boring, not much choices,,, we really needed a station that leans between star and b...  I hope the river is streaming online soon, so I can listen here in Indiana,, and over in Hillsville va....

[intouch6000]

This River is streaming on-line now.  I also saw the Arbitrends.  Trends don't really mean much to me, but they are a blip on the radar now. Maybe they will get some decent numbers in thier demo when the book comes out in October.  With the signal they have, they may have a shot.  What happened to WFIV?  They didn't show up at all.  too bad, I kind of like that station, except for the football.  Why do they have to sell out like that? 

[knoxbob]

WFIV does it for the money. They are in the process of selling off the AM's that they own with the exception of the Sweetwater stations because they are the only stations showing a profit.

[engineernick]

I heard from a radio salesperson in the market that WFIV was selling spots for $5 6a - 7p and free on weekends.  Is that for real?  How can they operate with those rates?

[knoxbob]

Very Low overhead...and the Sweetwater stations are making money so that gives them cushion.

[engineernick]

The ratings came out on 10/19.  I saw that WFIV went away completely.  I expected that since thier format changed.  Nice to see the River showed up, officially.  I hope they make it.  By the sound of their stopsets, looks like they have a lot of support from the advertisers. 

[boogiecheck]

The ratings came out on 10/19.  I saw that WFIV went away completely.  I expected that since thier format changed.  Nice to see the River showed up, officially.  I hope they make it.  By the sound of their stopsets, looks like they have a lot of support from the advertisers. 

They showed up with a 0.6, which is a nice bonus considering they haven't done any real promotion (billboards, TV).

As far as WFIV goes, it could be beating "Jack" without question if only Horne would hire someone who understood the Knoxville market.

[engineernick]

Yeah, that's a good point.  It's like the River came out of no where with no marketing. It's pretty unusual to get numbers that quick.  Just saw their ad on Fox 43 right after the World Series and every little local paper seems to be doing an article on them (except Farragut Press). Seems like they've just started doing some marketing. I bet it's a bit of a piss off to Star 102.1 to have another competitor.