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Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Discussion pertaining to Detroit, Ann Arbor, Port Huron, and SW Ontario
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SolarMax
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by SolarMax » Mon Feb 22, 2021 10:42 am

TC Shuts Up wrote:
Mon Feb 22, 2021 1:12 am
I think that this wind turbine freeze and rolling blackouts in Texas are just the beginning of the disasters the Left will create...
Do you actually understand what you've said here (parroting the brainiacs on Fox)??
This disaster occurred and was enabled by policies enacted under the owned-by-the-energy-lobby regime of the "Don't mess with Texas," Republican regime, not "the Left,"

Wind turbines work quite well in Canada, Scandinavia, Antarctica.



Bobbert
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by Bobbert » Mon Feb 22, 2021 11:28 am

bmw wrote:
Sun Feb 21, 2021 10:51 am
Premiere Radio Network has announced that they will be airing mostly "archival" (basically, a best-of) audio for "weeks" during Rush's time slot. Even his hardcore fans will tire of that in a few days; they really need a fill-in host to discuss current topics immediately, otherwise listeners will abandon in droves and may never come back.
I agree. This arrangement can't be very comfortable for the fill-in hosts the past year (Steyn, Matthews, Herman). They have been used to cutting loose for three hours with their own ways of appealing to Limbaugh's audience.

A Wall Street Journal article talked about Premiere using the archive format as a way for Rush's fans to say goodbye to him. Well, they spent the past year saying goodbye to him. The amazing thing is that the conservative talk show industry that he helped build is so large now that the void of his passing is smaller than many people expected.

Since I started working from home last summer, I've been mostly listening to Dennis Prager from 12-3. If Rush or Steyn was on, I'd listen to that for about the first hour, when they make their main points of the day. But Prager has a relaxed, intelligent style that reminds me of David Newman. Also like Newman, he covers a wider range of topics than your standard conservative talk show host.



innate-in-you
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by innate-in-you » Wed Mar 10, 2021 3:14 pm

WOHO wrote:
Sun Feb 21, 2021 1:22 am
To have a decent on-air news staff, WJR would need a dozen journalists. It would be cheaper to broadcast EZ-listening music on WJR
How about "MeTV AM", then rent an HDx stream to simulcast it, and feed that product to an FM translator?



Bobbert
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by Bobbert » Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:59 pm

This thread made me wonder how WJR found a successor for J.P. McCarthy after he died in August 1995. Here's an article from the Detroit Free Press on 2/22/96 that sums up what happened, just before Paul W. Smith was hired.

The rumors roll about Paul W.

Detroit's broadcast rumor mill was buzzing Wednesday evening with word that a long-rumored deal to bring WKQI-FM (95.5) morning personality Dick Purtan to WJR-AM (760) may have fallen through. Paul W. Smith, the Toledoan who idolized the late J.P. McCarthy and succeeded him as "Focus' show host, may have emerged as the station's top choice to replace McCarthy full-time, as morning man.

Neither Purtan, Smith nor WJR general manager Mike Fezzey were available for comment late Wednesday but according to one scenario, Purtan may be deciding that moving to mostly-talk WJR would require too many alterations to his comedy-and-music based format. Purtan recently won a court decision that frees him from WKQI-FM on May 12.

A possible snag is that Smith recently signed a contract with Philadelphia's WWDB-AM, where he currently hosts a morning program—he does WJR's "Focus" via satellite from Philly. Station GM Dan Sullivan did not return an inquiry about the situation Wednesday. It is possible that the pact might allow him to leave WWDB if offered his long-coveted WJR job.

WJR officials have indicated in recent days that a decision on McCarthy's full-time replacement was near. Jimmy Barrett has subbed most mornings since McCarthy's August 16 death. As the months have passed, various scenarios had Purtan, Barrett, Smith and Tigercaster Frank Beckmann as possible heirs.

******************************************

(Interestingly, WJR also reacted to McCarthy's death with another significant hiring—Mitch Albom. In October 1995, he was hired for the 4-6 p.m. slot, starting in January 1996)



radioandtventhusiast
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by radioandtventhusiast » Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:30 pm

Bobbert wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:59 pm
This thread made me wonder how WJR found a successor for J.P. McCarthy after he died in August 1995. Here's an article from the Detroit Free Press on 2/22/96 that sums up what happened, just before Paul W. Smith was hired.

The rumors roll about Paul W.

Detroit's broadcast rumor mill was buzzing Wednesday evening with word that a long-rumored deal to bring WKQI-FM (95.5) morning personality Dick Purtan to WJR-AM (760) may have fallen through. Paul W. Smith, the Toledoan who idolized the late J.P. McCarthy and succeeded him as "Focus' show host, may have emerged as the station's top choice to replace McCarthy full-time, as morning man.

Neither Purtan, Smith nor WJR general manager Mike Fezzey were available for comment late Wednesday but according to one scenario, Purtan may be deciding that moving to mostly-talk WJR would require too many alterations to his comedy-and-music based format. Purtan recently won a court decision that frees him from WKQI-FM on May 12.

A possible snag is that Smith recently signed a contract with Philadelphia's WWDB-AM, where he currently hosts a morning program—he does WJR's "Focus" via satellite from Philly. Station GM Dan Sullivan did not return an inquiry about the situation Wednesday. It is possible that the pact might allow him to leave WWDB if offered his long-coveted WJR job.

WJR officials have indicated in recent days that a decision on McCarthy's full-time replacement was near. Jimmy Barrett has subbed most mornings since McCarthy's August 16 death. As the months have passed, various scenarios had Purtan, Barrett, Smith and Tigercaster Frank Beckmann as possible heirs.

******************************************

(Interestingly, WJR also reacted to McCarthy's death with another significant hiring—Mitch Albom. In October 1995, he was hired for the 4-6 p.m. slot, starting in January 1996)
Nice find. Did this help open the door for Purtan to join WOMC?



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WOHO
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by WOHO » Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:29 am

IIRC, Paul W was flying from Philly to Detroit to do weekends for a while, and Paul W did have some clause that if JP passed that he could opt of of his Philly contract after a window of time. Funny, he actually went from a major market to a smaller market, but being from Monroe/Toledo, who wouldn't want JP's job on the most listened to station in Michigan in 1995? Didn't remember Purtan working to leave COZY95 though.



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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by GREATLAKESVET » Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:13 pm

Ben Zonia wrote:
Thu Feb 18, 2021 11:21 am
If Cumulus doesn't have the resources and vision, another company may buy it and bring it back to its more rightful respect and place in the Neilsen Ratings. This would mean more competition with WWJ, and may even force simulcasts on FMs like WBBM and WCFS, and closer to home, WOOD (AM) and WOOD-FM, on WWJ and/or WJR. Stay tuned.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Ben. WJR needs to refocus on more news coverage and less on yak, especially neo-con yak! WJR used to be synonymous with news and really needs to go back to the future (to use what's become a very trite and overused phrase, but still accurate in this case) to what was once its greatest strength. Even a six-person news staff would help up 'JR's game, for a start. But, unfortunately, I also agree that as long as the current ownership group is in place, they won't be putting out the help wanted sign soon. Hmmm? Think maybe Entercom might consider making an offer for WJR or a possible swap for some other stations. That could aid them in two possible ways. Convert 760 to a more in-depth style news station, while also keeping 950 for headline coverage. That would give them all but a corner on the local news market with a regional reach. Maybe news with increased sports coverage, you know? Like the old days when they carried most of the pro-teams. Just sayin'.


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radioandtventhusiast
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by radioandtventhusiast » Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:16 pm

GREATLAKESVET wrote:
Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:13 pm
Ben Zonia wrote:
Thu Feb 18, 2021 11:21 am
If Cumulus doesn't have the resources and vision, another company may buy it and bring it back to its more rightful respect and place in the Neilsen Ratings. This would mean more competition with WWJ, and may even force simulcasts on FMs like WBBM and WCFS, and closer to home, WOOD (AM) and WOOD-FM, on WWJ and/or WJR. Stay tuned.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Ben. WJR needs to refocus on more news coverage and less on yak, especially neo-con yak! WJR used to be synonymous with news and really needs to go back to the future (to use what's become a very trite and overused phrase, but still accurate in this case) to what was once its greatest strength. Even a six-person news staff would help up 'JR's game, for a start. But, unfortunately, I also agree that as long as the current ownership group is in place, they won't be putting out the help wanted sign soon. Hmmm? Think maybe Entercom might consider making an offer for WJR or a possible swap for some other stations. That could aid them in two possible ways. Convert 760 to a more in-depth style news station, while also keeping 950 for headline coverage. That would give them all but a corner on the local news market with a regional reach. Maybe news with increased sports coverage, you know? Like the old days when they carried most of the pro-teams. Just sayin'.
That would be nice, but that will never happen.



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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by WOHO » Tue Mar 16, 2021 1:28 pm

I was thinking of using WJR's 50KW blowtorch to simulcast most of a given TV stations telecasts? With the Com Act of 1996, that shouldn't be an issue. Cumulus can use the cash, so outright sell it to Entercom, or better yet, get some of Mike Fezzy's old crew and investors and a displaced SVP to form WJR, LLC?



Bobbert
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by Bobbert » Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:15 pm

radioandtventhusiast wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:30 pm
Bobbert wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:59 pm
This thread made me wonder how WJR found a successor for J.P. McCarthy after he died in August 1995. Here's an article from the Detroit Free Press on 2/22/96 that sums up what happened, just before Paul W. Smith was hired.

The rumors roll about Paul W.

Detroit's broadcast rumor mill was buzzing Wednesday evening with word that a long-rumored deal to bring WKQI-FM (95.5) morning personality Dick Purtan to WJR-AM (760) may have fallen through. Paul W. Smith, the Toledoan who idolized the late J.P. McCarthy and succeeded him as "Focus' show host, may have emerged as the station's top choice to replace McCarthy full-time, as morning man.

Neither Purtan, Smith nor WJR general manager Mike Fezzey were available for comment late Wednesday but according to one scenario, Purtan may be deciding that moving to mostly-talk WJR would require too many alterations to his comedy-and-music based format. Purtan recently won a court decision that frees him from WKQI-FM on May 12.

A possible snag is that Smith recently signed a contract with Philadelphia's WWDB-AM, where he currently hosts a morning program—he does WJR's "Focus" via satellite from Philly. Station GM Dan Sullivan did not return an inquiry about the situation Wednesday. It is possible that the pact might allow him to leave WWDB if offered his long-coveted WJR job.

WJR officials have indicated in recent days that a decision on McCarthy's full-time replacement was near. Jimmy Barrett has subbed most mornings since McCarthy's August 16 death. As the months have passed, various scenarios had Purtan, Barrett, Smith and Tigercaster Frank Beckmann as possible heirs.

******************************************

(Interestingly, WJR also reacted to McCarthy's death with another significant hiring—Mitch Albom. In October 1995, he was hired for the 4-6 p.m. slot, starting in January 1996)
Nice find. Did this help open the door for Purtan to join WOMC?
Yes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Purtan#Work_history



Bobbert
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by Bobbert » Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:23 pm

Here's a couple of stations that are moving local people in to Limbaugh's old spot:

http://www.insideradio.com/free/post-ru ... 7d0f9.html



windsorjoe
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by windsorjoe » Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:59 pm

There is no reason for WJR to gear towards more news. Their format right now works for their ratings. They seem to want to get more sports action on their station, but they always seem to be outbid.



thekman
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by thekman » Wed Mar 17, 2021 12:00 am

Bobbert wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:59 pm

(Interestingly, WJR also reacted to McCarthy's death with another significant hiring—Mitch Albom. In October 1995, he was hired for the 4-6 p.m. slot, starting in January 1996)
Don’t forget about Ken Calvert joining WJR around that same time. Late mornings. I do believe.



Bobbert
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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by Bobbert » Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:56 pm

thekman wrote:
Wed Mar 17, 2021 12:00 am
Bobbert wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:59 pm

(Interestingly, WJR also reacted to McCarthy's death with another significant hiring—Mitch Albom. In October 1995, he was hired for the 4-6 p.m. slot, starting in January 1996)
Don’t forget about Ken Calvert joining WJR around that same time. Late mornings. I do believe.
Thanks. I looked it up and he took over the 1-3 shift on the same day that Albom took over the 4-6 shift (1/2/96). (Dr. Laura was on from 3-4). Then, Calvert was moved to 10-12 in the mornings in the summer of 1996 when WJR fired Jimmy Launce (which made a lot of listeners unhappy). Calvert lasted until the fall of 1998, when he was replaced by David Newman, who'd been working evenings.



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Re: Loss of Limbaugh, Retirement Of Beckman And Others, May Force Changes At WJR

Post by MWmetalhead » Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:26 pm

Sean Hannity confidant, Dan Bongino, might be coming to the 12PM to 3PM timeslot at WJR.

Evidently, Westwood One (owned by Cumulus) is going to begin syndicating him in that time slot.



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