Family Stations Will Sell 94.7FM WFME Newark

[radioguy39nj]

WFME, in short, is squished into a crowded allocations situation in a way that earlier move-ins like WVNJ/WHTZ were not, and the rules are not as cooperative as they were back in the days when WVNJ moved. Back then, WFME - if it had been purchased by Citadel - could have accepted mutual interference with WMAS. Now it can't.

I'm all for highly creative solutions to allocations issues (and sometimes work on them for a living, if anyone's looking for help) - but this one's a sticky pickle indeed. If WFME were my client, I don't think I'd be recommending an attempt at a move, at least not to any of the major Manhattan sites. It's not that broken to begin with, and by the time you start spending cubic dollars to move WIGX and WMAS and put a DA on Empire...why not just wait for WBLS to hit the market and get a real, fully-protected Empire B?

If WFME can't move to Manhattan, then what major operator would want to buy it?  Family Radio might have a hard time finding a buyer.

[TheBigA]

If WFME can't move to Manhattan, then what major operator would want to buy it?  Family Radio might have a hard time finding a buyer.

I don't think anyone is saying it can't move to Manhattan.  Just that there are limitations.

And even if it stays in NJ, it has a potential audience of about 8 million people.  I'd say that's pretty good.

But the main point will be the price.  Family wants to get the most possible, and the issues brought up here may lower the price. 

[ai4i]

I think what you are calling "trajectory" is what I call "signal vector".

Flight path

[badjef]

I think what you are calling "trajectory" is what I call "signal vector".

Flight path

Yeah, that would work. You just have to watch because the FAA gets involved and they get touchy when you use their terms for other things.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

[Nathan Obral]

If WFME can't move to Manhattan, then what major operator would want to buy it?  Family Radio might have a hard time finding a buyer.

Townsquare is the fourth-largest radio station operator in the US (behind CC, Cumulus and CBS). Plus their sister company, Dial-Global, is the largest deliverer of syndicated radio programming.

They easily could nab 94.7 as a prime simulcast for WKXW/101.5. After all, CBS got WFSI for a decent price - and with WFME's obvious signal limitations, that will narrow the playing field, and quick.

[badjef]

If WFME can't move to Manhattan, then what major operator would want to buy it?  Family Radio might have a hard time finding a buyer.

Townsquare is the fourth-largest radio station operator in the US (behind CC, Cumulus and CBS). Plus their sister company, Dial-Global, is the largest deliverer of syndicated radio programming.

They easily could nab 94.7 as a prime simulcast for WKXW/101.5. After all, CBS got WFSI for a decent price - and with WFME's obvious signal limitations, that will narrow the playing field, and quick.

I don't see a simulcast with WKXW. There is too much overlap. You would be picking up too much New York which is contrary to their target audience.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

[Barry]

I think WFME being for sale would be a terrific opportunity for a country station, as it reaches well into NJ, where many of the areas country fans are located. Cumulus could be the logical outfit to make this happen, as they operate many country stations, including nearby Kicks 105, and The Wolf. Given its size, Cumulus may want to have more of a presence in the New York metro area.
There would be no need to incur the expense of moving WFME into New York, as it is probably well situated for a NJ/NY country station. Cumulus could easily extend its signal into the northern suburbs/northern LI by simulcasting it on WFAF 106.3. Cumulus already has experience with operating a station in this area that bills well due to its popularity in NJ-WPLJ. Perhaps they would try for a second.

[radioguy39nj]

I agree that a simulcast of WFME and WKXW would give NJ 101.5 too much exposure in New York.  As currently allocated, 94.7 has compromised reach in Nassau-Suffolk on LI, but does well in much of NYC, Westchester, Rockland and Northern NJ.  Whoever buys WFME will have to put lots of $$$$ into it, since the equipment is probably very antiquated.

If it is impossible for 94.7 to become a full class B Manhattan signal, then could a a higher tower be constructed in NJ that can reach Long Island, comparable to other full B's?  Without the full coverage area (basically Jersey Shore to Long Island Sound) the value of WFME will decrease significantly.

ESPN might be better off waiting for 107.5 to become available, since it is a full B and wouldn't require major work to become a full-market signal.

[badjef]

I agree that a simulcast of WFME and WKXW would give NJ 101.5 too much exposure in New York.  As currently allocated, 94.7 has compromised reach in Nassau-Suffolk on LI, but does well in much of NYC, Westchester, Rockland and Northern NJ.  Whoever buys WFME will have to put lots of $$$$ into it, since the equipment is probably very antiquated.

If it is impossible for 94.7 to become a full class B Manhattan signal, then could a a higher tower be constructed in NJ that can reach Long Island, comparable to other full B's?  Without the full coverage area (basically Jersey Shore to Long Island Sound) the value of WFME will decrease significantly.

ESPN might be better off waiting for 107.5 to become available, since it is a full B and wouldn't require major work to become a full-market signal.

That might be an option at their current location. The NIMBY factor might present a problem, other than that, it would be something for a perspective new owner to explore.

The signal covers the Jersey Shore quite well as it is from that location.

I can tell you that management never used to care about "making money" with 94.7. As far as they were concerned it was a retransmission from Oakland. That may have changed over the last several years as donations have waned.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

[radioguy39nj]

I agree that a simulcast of WFME and WKXW would give NJ 101.5 too much exposure in New York.  As currently allocated, 94.7 has compromised reach in Nassau-Suffolk on LI, but does well in much of NYC, Westchester, Rockland and Northern NJ.  Whoever buys WFME will have to put lots of $$$$ into it, since the equipment is probably very antiquated.

If it is impossible for 94.7 to become a full class B Manhattan signal, then could a a higher tower be constructed in NJ that can reach Long Island, comparable to other full B's?  Without the full coverage area (basically Jersey Shore to Long Island Sound) the value of WFME will decrease significantly.

ESPN might be better off waiting for 107.5 to become available, since it is a full B and wouldn't require major work to become a full-market signal.

That might be an option at their current location. The NIMBY factor might present a problem, other than that, it would be something for a perspective new owner to explore.

The signal covers the Jersey Shore quite well as it is from that location.

I can tell you that management never used to care about "making money" with 94.7. As far as they were concerned it was a retransmission from Oakland. That may have changed over the last several years as donations have waned.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

Which means the buyer of 94.7 will have to bring lots of $$$$ to make the station profitable.  It's like buying an old house and having to gut it completely inside and out to make it a home.  A handyman's special, of sorts.