Re: WLLH Sold

["Mark" <markwats@netway.com>]

Roger Kirk and Mark Watson said:

> The Lowell Sun today reported that Tuesday, principals Arnold 
> Lerner, Don Fitzgibbons and Don (Ron?) Frizell agreed to sell 
> WLLH to Mega Communications (WNFT & WBPS) for $936,000.  
> The format is expected to change to Spanish/Latin Dance Music 
> in 6 to 8 weeks.  At this point in time, no new home for the 
> Lowell Spinners broadcasts has been announced.
    First,to clarify,it is Ron Frizell,not Don as the Lowell Sun reported
in it's early editions today.
    If I were Maurice Cohen,WCAP owner,I would start making plans to scrap
the mostly bird feed talk and switch to Standards to fill the void that
WLLH will create on April 1 when they flip to Spanish.With good local news
coverage,plus the music,I think it will fly.And if they can snag the rights
to the Lowell Spinners baseball games,another plus.Since they don't have
any sports programming in the Summer conflicts shouldn't be a
problem.However,U Mass Lowell Hockey might find themselves without a radio
home,as WCAP carries the Lowell Lock Monsters games.There are several
nights that both  U Mass Lowell and  the Lock Monsters are playing at the
same time,thus several conflicts.WJUL doesn't seem to broadcast the games
anymore,or if they do,very few.And local High School sports on both WLLH
and WCAP have fallen by the wayside.Neither station carried any
H.S.Football this past season,except for WCAP carrying Lowell vs.Haverhill
on Thanksgiving,while WLLH stuck to music all day that day.Neither has
carried any H.S.Basketball or Hockey for as long as I can remember,I'm sure
the U Mass/Lock Monsters and as of this season,WCAP picking up U Mass hoop
would create too many conflicts.
    As far as WLLH staff goes,Frank Sunday(Messina) who's been there for
30+ years,he's been in sales,production,air talent,you name it!! WCAP
should snag him as well as Bob Ellis,who was the Spinners PBP voice as well
as UMass Hockey voice.If CAP snags the Spinners,Ellis has been with the
team the last couple of years and would be the natural selection to
continue with it.The remaining staff at LLH can also make the move out of
the Doubletree Hotel and down the street to 243 Central and make WCAP the
new home of American Popular Standards on April 1 just as WLLH in it's 65th
year on the air enters a new era when Mega Broadcasting kicks off the
Spanish format.                                                            
                        
    Just my .10 
    Mark Watson

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