Re: Boston spring 2002 Arbitrends-- two questions

["Dan Strassberg" <dan.strassberg@att.net>]

Anyone know how WSNR 620 is doing in the New York market? On the one hand, I
don't think Sporting News Radio has shelled out big bucks for the radio
rights to any major New York-market sports franchises (WSNR _does_ carry
live soccer from one of the New York metro area teams, but the broadcasts
are in English, so they probably don't pull any sort of real numbers) and I
haven't heard about anyone equivalent to Andelman or McDonough joining the
WSNR lineup.

However, despite the great low-on-the-dial frequency right next to WFAN,
WSNR has BIG-TIME signal problems--much worse, in my opinion than WWZN's.
And the licensee of both stations (multi-billionaire Paul Allen's Rose City
Radio--Allen also owns Sporting News Radio, the content provider), has
applied for a big $$$ Tx move and daytime power increase for WSNR.

For sure, these parlous economic times can change the mind of the most
affluent owner (which is exactly what Allen is), but my guess is that Allen
never expected these signals (or that of SNR's other O&O, KMPC 1540 in LA)
to pull big numbers. If he can break even or can use the operating losses to
offset other income, I think he's likely to just keep putting one foot in
front of the other. He's indulging his hobby and he can afford to do it.
Most likely, his only profitable radio properties are KXL AM/FM in Portland
OR, where I believe he lives.

--
Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net
617-558-4205, eFax 707-215-6367

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Thomas <Nostatic@earthlink.net>
To: Donna Halper <dlh@donnahalper.com>
Cc: <boston-radio-interest@bostonradio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 2:49 AM
Subject: Re: Boston spring 2002 Arbitrends-- two questions


> Most stations don't use 12+ numbers as a guage anymore to judge
> performance, but I'm guessing the folks at WWZN have some concerns.
>  Considering the money they've just payed out for the Celtics rights and
> to bring in the McDonough's and Andleman, they were probably hoping to
> move the needle a little bit more than they have.  It does take awhile
> to launch a talk station, and it's signal will limit how well WWZN will
> ever do, but my guess is if they haven't made it to a one share by this
> time next year, the winds of change will once again blow through 1510.