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A Real Switch: Major New York City Station Abandoning FM For AM Only
Now there's something you don't see every day: a major New York City radio station giving up its FM simulcast to go AM only. It involves ESPN 1050, which currently leases 98.7 FM to duplicate its AM counterpart. But it has now announced it's not renewing that lease and intends to let 1050 be its only over-the-air broadcast voice in the Big Apple.
But there's method to this madness. Execs. believe most people are used to hearing them on their longtime AM perch, and an increasing number of listeners are accessing them online and through their apps. So spending big bucks (now estimated at $12 million a year) to essentially rent the extra FM no longer makes financial sense.
"...data shows that 60 percent of ESPN New York’s listenership is outside of radio and, of the 40 percent who rely on the radio, eight out of 10 are expected to find the station on AM."
In an era where everyone wants to be on FM (and if anything, New York's dial is even more crowded than ours) this is certainly an anomaly. Or is it really just a glimpse into the future?
ESPN New York ditching 98.7 FM signal in $12.5 million decision
- RadioAaron
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Re: A Real Switch: Major New York City Station Abandoning FM For AM Only
Somewhat of a unique situation.
They're essentially abandoning the traditional ratings to revenue model for the New York market, moving completely to syndication clearance. In this setup, ratings don't matter.
1050 is a pretty bad signal in NY, and spent 7 of its ESPN years providing a Spanish language version of the format. I think the idea that 8/10 FM listeners will find the AM to be quite optimistic.
- Tomas Barlow
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Re: A Real Switch: Major New York City Station Abandoning FM For AM Only
This is interesting. In recent years other than some overflow play by play the AM has basically been a network feed of ESPN Radio while the FM has offered some local programming. One would assume the local shows will move to AM.
Last edited by Tomas Barlow (September 19, 2023 4:39 pm)
- RadioAaron
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Re: A Real Switch: Major New York City Station Abandoning FM For AM Only
Tomas Barlow wrote:
This is interesting. In recent years other than some overflow play by play the AM has basically been a network feed of ESPN Radio while the FM has offered some local programming. One would assume the local shows will move to AM.
I wouldn't bet on it. Ratings will be in the 0-1 range. Most ESPN radio stations are syndication clearing-houses not in it for ratings.
- mace
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Re: A Real Switch: Major New York City Station Abandoning FM For AM Only
This is interesting. In recent years other than some overflow play by play the AM has basically been a network feed of ESPN Radio while the FM has offered some local programming. One would assume the local shows will move to AM.
I wouldn't bet on it. Ratings will be in the 0-1 range. Most ESPN radio stations are syndication clearing-houses not in it for ratings.
That 0-1 range is pretty close. WEPN sits 23rd with a 1.1 share. WFAN ranks 12th with a 2.9. What is interesting is that WFAN's stream sits right behind ESPN1050 with a 1.0 share.
- RadioAaron
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Re: A Real Switch: Major New York City Station Abandoning FM For AM Only
This is interesting. In recent years other than some overflow play by play the AM has basically been a network feed of ESPN Radio while the FM has offered some local programming. One would assume the local shows will move to AM.
I wouldn't bet on it. Ratings will be in the 0-1 range. Most ESPN radio stations are syndication clearing-houses not in it for ratings.
That 0-1 range is pretty close. WEPN sits 23rd with a 1.1 share. WFAN ranks 12th with a 2.9. What is interesting is that WFAN's stream sits right behind ESPN1050 with a 1.0 share.
It’s worse than that. The 1.1 belongs to the FM; the AM is un-rated.