Re: Portsmouth Radio

["TERRY M WOOD" <TERRY_WOOD@prodigy.net>]

Well, I'm sorry to see the kids lose their jobs, but the Knight Family had
an aversion to the Oldies format, which when WCQL (WXHT) 95.3 was heard in a
lot of stores, restaurants, and especially in truckstops, along with the
contests they ran were a popular programming in the seacoast
area.  I complained and they told me I was wrong, of course if you don't
like the oldies, you would find that to be true.  They have a small area of
signal strength, they did cover from Newburyport to The Saco Area and
as far north as Concord.  That would explain why they would be in the low
ratings.  When you have a signal like that you program to a key audience,
they had it and Young Mr.. Knight blew it.  Norm Knight knew better I'm
sure, but in retirement you let the kids make the decisions, right or wrong.
They effectively killed that signal.  Now WQSO has the programming and if
Capstar is Smart enough they will do what F-J did
with Kittery WXBB and Hampton.....co-broadcast the signals.
- -----Original Message-----
From: Roger Kirk <rkirk@videoserver.com>
To: 'boston-radio-interest' <boston-radio-interest@khavrinen.lcs.mit.edu>
Date: Friday, March 13, 1998 10:37 AM
Subject: FW: Portsmouth Radio


>
>Comments from a colleague who travels from Pelham to Rochester daily:
>
>Regarding WQSO (96.7 Rochester, Imus & oldies) having a poor signal...
>I would disagree.  I get them solidly in Ossipee (30 miles north) and
>going south on 125, they are solid into Kingston, beyond that they get
>a little splatter from 96.9 in Boston, but are receivable into Salem.
>I think they suffer from the "format-du-jour" syndrome.  They have
>been lots of things in the past 10 years and I think people just give
>up on a station after a while.  It takes time to rebuild an audience.
>It's not unlike the situation with WBOS & WEGQ/WCGY.
>
>The old problem of information being obsolete as soon as you put it on
>paper is at work here.  I am listening to WXHT 95.3 York "The Heat"
>(modern hits, not to be confused with WCYY-style modern rock)
>and they are reporting that this is their last show (the whole morning
>team) and they don't know what's next for them or the station.
>Too bad.  They are (were) one of the better stations around here,
>although the comment about their horrible signal is certainly true.
>Latest on-air comments: This is the last day for Heat 95.3 employees"
>and "after today, I won't be employed here."
>
>
>Roger Kirk
>rkirk@videoserver.com
>

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