Citadel/ABC sale approved by FCC

[argytunes]

Isn't there a Red Sox affiliation with WJAB and WLOB in Portland, Maine? 

argytunes

[encarta95]

Isn't there a Red Sox affiliation with WJAB and WLOB in Portland, Maine? 

argytunes

Yes. And because Atlantic Coast's WJJB/WJJB-FM/WJAE/WLOB/WLOB-FM together don't hit the southern areas of the market, they are also heard on 1400 WVAE in Biddeford, half of "the Bay"... although that deal dates to when the station was WIDE.

But we've seen how Entercom has dealt with the existing Red Sox rights deals in Worcester with WTAG, Springfield with WHYN (AM), and Providence with WPRO (AM). While the Sox may be on a competing station at first and the WEEI "affiliate" will be forced to air Fox Sports for the interim, you know where the rights are going when the contract is up.

For the heck of it, does anyone know when the Sox rights in Portland expire for Portland?

You're correct that there could be some problems with the Red Sox if 93.9 were to simulcast WEEI.  There are sometimes ways to work around that, though.  I don't know how the Red Sox handle their rights as I've never dealt with them, but I am somewhat familiar with how the St. Louis Cardinals do, or at least did, things as I've worked for several stations that have carried their games in the past.  The Cardinals actually had problems with too many affiliates well before the move to 550 KTRS last year.  The games were allowed to air on overlapping signals so long as no station infringed upon another's sales territory.  So, when I worked for KFRU in Columbia, MO, we could air the games despite some significant overlapping with KKCA 100.5 (Fulton, MO), KWOS 950 (Jefferson City, MO) and KRES 104.7 (Moberly, MO).  The overlap was just fine so long as we only sold the games in Boone County.  In cases of game conflict with the University of Missouri, we also could only bump the Cardinals to a Columbia licensed station if I'm remembering the contact correctly.  KKCA, KWOS and KRES had to follow similar rules as none of them could sell the Cards in Boone County.  There's also a similar situation in Springfield, where KTXR 101.3 carries the Cardinals and KJEL, a 100,000 flamethrower just 40 miles away, also airs them.  So long as they don't infringe on each other's territories, it's fine.  I believe it was KTJJ that lost the Cardinals for a few years in the 80's for infringing on KMOX's territory by selling the games in Jefferson County.  If the Sox had deals like this, it would be a lot easier for Entercom to work around the overlap.  The New Hampshire stations, for example, would be a non-factor as their territory would almost certainly be limited to a county or two in New Hampshire.

Interesting stuff. I can't imagine that the New Hampshire stations really play into advertising, but they are necessary for fans in southern York County to hear the games when they aren't near a TV.

[JakeLongwell]

I just read about this story in Northeast Radio Watch, so I thought I'd come on this board to see what the "locals" were saying.
Sad to say, it seems to me that whatever happens, it will ultimately mean the end of WCLZ and its eclectic AAA format. I'm sure it is too much of a "niche format" and most radio groups will see it as too much of a challenge to be able to sell.
Here in upstate NY, Entercom does have something similar in Buffalo with "The Lake" (WLKK 107.7), though it isn't nearly as diverse as the music on WCLZ (there's no jazz or world music on WLKK).
Needless to say, I"m very disappointed with their decision to part with this station. But, I guess it only makes sense to get rid of the lower rated and/or under-performing signals, right?
Enjoy 98.9 while you can, folks. My guess is, it won't be around much longer.

Jake/upstate NY

[radiothis!]

Sadly, I agree with you Jake.

I actually think, knowing the Portland market, the decision to drop CLZ's eclectic programming (already not as good as it was in the JJ days, I might add) would be a mistake. I've never understood why so many of its stopsets are littered with barter commercials. It seems like a good sales pro should be able to sell the CLZ listener as one that is heavily under served by commercial radio. Yeah, the numbers aren't great--but this is a demo with money and needs that otherwise don't have an interest in listening to commercial radio-thus, this is the only radio, at-work/in-car option advertisers have to reach these folks.

My theory is Citadel never really knew what to do with the station, so decided to just let it go, focusing their sales staff on the more profitable stations. But I don't know this for fact...and I've been known for being totally wrong.

Thrilled by speculation,
RadioThis!

[Andy Taylor]

Maybe the 'CLZ format can stay alive. If Entercom gets these stations,they'll probobly really only want one of them.Probobly 98.9 because it has a better signal in the southern part of the market,especially in MONO.93.9 could be sold.Possibilities J.J. who would probobly take the 'CLZ format and move it to 93.9, though the signal isn't great in the Portland area.Maybe Dick Gleason could add 93.9 to his stations.Then there's always K-Love. Another possibility for 93.9.Whoever owns 93.5 in Fairfield could buy it and simulcast their classic hits format and cover the Lewiston/Augusta market.Signalwise 93.9 would make a better Lewiston/Augusta station.

[argytunes]

Word on the street about WVAE (the wave in Biddeford) is that AM 1400 isn't carrying The Boston Red Sox this season!

I guess this puts an end to a long 40 year plus RS connection to the radio station that used to be known as WIDE Radio?

argytunes

[Chuck_igo]

Word on the street about WVAE (the wave in Biddeford) is that AM 1400 isn't carrying The Boston Red Sox this season!

I guess this puts an end to a long 40 year plus RS connection to the radio station that used to be known as WIDE Radio?

argytunes

no Sox on AM1400.  not a word on the street - it's the real deal.  AM1400 will simul the Seadogs with AM1490.