Simulcasting on the same band

[Dib9@aol.com]

Many of the comments on the situation with WSTG have been negative and I have
noticed several comments in recent posts putting down these types of
simulcasts.  Though I am not familiar with the coverage area and markets
involved with WSTG & The Arrow, I know a number of these situations have
improved the business prospects of the stations involved and improved the
service to the listeners.  Let me give some examples.

One of the first examples of simulcating on the same band that I became aware
of was in Aroostook County in northern Maine.  This is a rural area, with a
poor economy and dropping population.  A few years ago, WCXU Caribou and WCXX
Madawaska came to be owned by the same company and began simulcating.  Both
stations are Class A stations with relatively small signals.  The competition
in the market includes two 50,000 watt stations that blanket the county.
 With this simulcating arrangement, WCXU has been able to remain competive
with their Full Service AC format.  I think if they had not been put
together, one or both stations would have gone dark.  This arrangement has
made both stations economically viable and retains the stations for the
community.

WQDY Calais has recently begun simulcatsing on WHOU Houlton.  There is a new
100,000 watt station in the market.  By hooking up these tow stations, WQDY
will be able to more effectively compete.

Another good example is Fuller-Jefferies WCYYI Lewiston and WCYY Biddeford.
 I worked at both stations under prior owners and both stations have always
stuggled because they were on the fringe of the Portland market, with
marginal signals in parts of Portland.  By putting these stations together,
they cover all of southern and central Maine and make the properties
economically viable.  Listeners also get an alternative station, which I
can't stand, but is a plus because it is the only station of it's kind in the
market.  This situation is also better than most because the stations are on
nearly adjacent frequencies at 93.9 and 94.3.

I also think the WOKQ/WPKQ situation is great.  By putting the stations
together, they cover all of New Hampshire, a great deal of Vermont, and all
of southern & central Maine.  With WOKQ/WPKQ and WHOM, if you are buying
radio in New Hampshire, you have to buy from Fuller-Jefferies.  It is a great
business move.  It is also good for listeners because WOKQ is a great country
station and now many more people can hear it.  I like country and think they
do a much better job with the format than they other country stations in
Maine that I can listen to (WPOR, WTHT, WKCG, WEBB).  Now that WOKQ is on
103.7, I can listen to them.

I think these type of combination can help save many marginal stations.  I
think it could particularly save many AM stations that are not economically
viable as stand alone operations.  By putting two or three together, you can
cover a larger area and have more options for sales.  Which of course, is
what pays the bills.

JIBGUY says if you do something different, it will work.  I agree, but people
have to be able to hear you and you need to be able to cover a large enough
area to be able to sell enough ads to pay the bills.  Simulcasting on the
same bad can make this happen.

Dan Billings
Bowdoinham, Maine

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End of boston-radio-interest-digest V1 #58
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