Mike Hammond

[borderblaster]

Somehow I don't see Pirkle coming on with this super-polished Country format. If Cumulus drops Rush for Huckabee, he'll pick him up, but otherwise things will go on as usual. Or Cumulus will run Huck 3-6 and eliminate Phil (hope not)

[BRH]

If Pirkle doesn't bite & go after them with 100.3, there's also the possibility that Journal moves Q93 to the stronger 102.1 signal & takes them on. I'd hate to see CHR banished to an inferior signal again, but it could happen. Heck, you might even see South Central move classic rock to 95.7 or 94.3 & go country on 103.5. 

One things for sure, if there ever was a time that the frog was truly vulnerable, it's now.

Also, is Cumulus even dedicated to spending money on the news/talk format on 98.7. They could cut Hal & Phil and go jockless music on that signal (with their "I/Vibe" CHR format or 80s/90s "Journey" format they're doing in other markets).

[BRH]

It should also be interesting this spring when storms roll in & people go flipping to'IVK for weather coverage & get stupid celebrity gossip from Lia!

[jockeyjohn]

Remember that Cumulus just took over the CMT live show with Cody Alan.  Look for that on most all of the Cumulus country outlets.  I wonder of that was the proverbial "straw" that led them to fire Mike...that he did not and would not run that show.... humm....

[trapper12]

If Pirkle doesn't bite & go after them with 100.3, there's also the possibility that Journal moves Q93 to the stronger 102.1 signal & takes them on. I'd hate to see CHR banished to an inferior signal again, but it could happen. Heck, you might even see South Central move classic rock to 95.7 or 94.3 & go country on 103.5. 

One things for sure, if there ever was a time that the frog was truly vulnerable, it's now.

Also, is Cumulus even dedicated to spending money on the news/talk format on 98.7. They could cut Hal & Phil and go jockless music on that signal (with their "I/Vibe" CHR format or 80s/90s "Journey" format they're doing in other markets).

There is no way 103.5 goes country.  As for Pirkle. I think he has a plan and has had one for some time.  There is a formal radio/tv chat and there is the informal radio/tv talk that only those with connections know.  I think Pirkle has known for some time that WIVK was going to have a rough ride and he has been getting ready for it. 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Same here.  No way 103.5 risks what it has to get more.

And while Johnny is in a unique position to do something, he's in an even more unique position to sit and wait until someone who wants to do something comes along and offers him another fat check so they can take that risk.

Would that I were an Engelbrecht I'd be eyeing a lease on my third 100kw signal in the market.

[borderblaster]

I don't see how you justify those numbers on a lease (neither could Citadel once they entered bankruptcy). Something like a million a year and you just paid rent. 5 years=5 million. (Going by the $60000 a month figure with administrative fees added). For whatever reason, JP didn't sell even in those days when the Clear Channels of the world were undoubtedly camped on his doorstep, checkbooks in hand.

[Tennessee Cowboy]

I don't see how you justify those numbers on a lease (neither could Citadel once they entered bankruptcy). Something like a million a year and you just paid rent. 5 years=5 million. (Going by the $60000 a month figure with administrative fees added). For whatever reason, JP didn't sell even in those days when the Clear Channels of the world were undoubtedly camped on his doorstep, checkbooks in hand.

James A. justified it to protect his dominance.  Citadel justified it to keep whatever profit margin it had with those news/talk numbers.  Cumulus doesn't seem to care whether it has a dominant station or not. 

[secondchoice]

I think it all depends if Cumulus keeps Rush.  If they go Huckabee, and Rush goes to 100.3 and JP gets the loyal ditto heads and much improved ratings.  If Storm Cloud keeps Rush* then an attack on 107.7 would be logical.

* Love him or Hate him, Rush will get ratings.

[oldradiogeek]

I think it all depends if Cumulus keeps Rush.  If they go Huckabee, and Rush goes to 100.3 and JP gets the loyal ditto heads and much improved ratings.  If Storm Cloud keeps Rush* then an attack on 107.7 would be logical.

* Love him or Hate him, Rush will get ratings.

I hope they pull Rush completely off the air nationwide!  Shame on any radio station for carrying his program.