Phillies on HD3

[jhguthlac]

In past years, when the Phillies were on the air, WDEL would air the game and air other content on wdel.com and WSTW HD3.  This was particularly helpful during M-F day games, so Rick Jensen and the afternnon news could be on as normal.  But I notice this year WDEL is promoting the fact the games are on 93.7 HD3.  Have the rules changed?

[MikefromDelaware]

jhguthlac:  I know the games are not airing online as I listen to WDEL.com at work (1150 just doesn't come in well at my work place in New Castle - oddly enough 1290, 1380, and 1450 come in quite well.  When WDEL radio airs the Phillies during the work day, WDEL.com does not.  I called the station and was told that WDEL isn't allowed to air the games online ( I didn't ask about HD-3 WSTW so I can't offer an answer for that part of the discussion).  So then I tune in to 94.1 WIP-FM which I also get real well at work and listen to the Phillies on FM.

[jhguthlac]

It is very annoying for those of us who cannot hear the radio coverage at work to be denied the on-line coverage.  Instead, we are expected to pay the MLB for the right to listen on-line.  I did that, and guess what?  My employer's firewall blocks it!  Okay, I take the hint.  I'm not supposed to be listening to the games while at work!

[MikefromDelaware]

You're employers view is probably that you're not supposed to be using THEIR computer to listen to the games at work as that uses a big pile of their broadband.  Can't you get 94.1 WIP on your radio at work?  They probably don't care about you listening to the game on the radio any more than they care about others listening to music on the radio.

[DX]

Under the current rules, I believe, an affiliate station can carry the game on its HD frequency.  But it cannot carry the game via live audio streaming over the Internet.  So WDEL does the former but not the latter.  Most times (except for major holidays, for example), WDEL continues to offer alternative local programming at wdel.com while games air on 1150 A.M. and 93.7 FM HD 3.  Rick Jensen typically offers "Best of Jensen" shows; on occasion, station interns have gotten the chance to do a show on the internet.  The Noon news and P.M. drive news blocks continue, per usual, on the live stream, with live interviews and all the rest. 

[Chris Carl]

DX,

Your understanding is correct.  We started offering Phillies on HD3 at the start of last season.

[MikefromDelaware]

Chris,

Speaking in general terms, I know you won't give out actual numbers, do you guys have data that shows roughly how many folks listen to WDEL online on a normal weekday (no baseball).  Has that number grown over the past year, by what %.  I'd assume it has been growing as the station sounds so much better online (like FM) and as almost every one at work has a computer these days, it would make sense for the online listening to grow. 

I notice that you do have different ads, granted not as many as the radio, but still I do hear local ads plus PSA's online vs what is aired on 1150.  So apparently there is a market, from an advertiser point of view, for the online listener.  That's great.  That way WDEL online helps the bottomline of the station rather than being an expense.

Is there a way to track how many folks listen to WDEL on their smart phones?  That would be interesting to know if the WDEL apps, you guys mention, is being used in some significant number again speaking in general terms, I don't expect you to give actual numbers, etc.

It's a shame that HD radio's are not portable or in expensive like a table radio is.  It's a shame that the FCC didn't mandate all manufactures of radios NOW include AM/FM/HD, as they did back in the day which finally gave FM a real life.  Then the HD part of WDEL/WSTW probably would be growing assuming the HD signal gets out as well as 93.7, because that signal covers  Delaware and has a city grade signal into Philly, etc.

I give you guys a lot of credit as you've been quite creative in finding ways to re-brand 1150 AM onto FM via HD, Online, and now apparently even as an App for smartphones, also the video coverage of many of the local stories, sort of a "WDEL online NewsTV".

[Chris Carl]

Yes, DBC Interactive (our web division) tracks the number of streams, mobile app downloads, webpage visits and page views (which are, of course, proprietary numbers). 

I can tell you that WDEL.com has seen a dramatic increase in users since The News Journal put up their pay wall.

[jhguthlac]

Working in the modern day cube environment, radio listening is almost non-existant. Difficult to even receive FM. Younger workers are listening to who knows what on their I-Pods or I-Phones, but normal radio listening no longer exists at my place, except in the factory.  And factory listening is mostly the night shifts.

[MikefromDelaware]

Carl: sounds great for WDEL.  I wonder how well that pay site is working for the News Journal.  Since WDEL's website has grown dramatically since the Journal switched to a pay site, I think we have the answer to that question.  I think you guys are sitting in a good spot and are apparently making the most of it. 

jhguthlac:  As I work in a lab by myself with walls and a door that is closed, so I can listen to whatever I like.  I have forgotten that so many folks are in cubes so the only way to have a radio there is to have one for the entire giant room, probably some bland vanilla FM chick station like WJBR or B-101.  I'd rather have silence.  You're correct, though that the world of cubes does cut down on folks listening to the radio or online.  Of course, the younger set, probably are listening with headsets hooked up to I-pods or MP3's.  However, some employers don't allow the headset, due to safety issues of hearing what's going on around you, and for fire alarms, etc.  So it is possible that the "workday" audience has shrunk due to cubicles in the workplace thus outlawing folks from listening to their favorite radio station at work. 

I can't imagine not having the radio and the internet online stuff to listen to each day as I toil at my work.  It would be like working in a morgue.  The radio and internet radio makes the day go far faster.