I Can't Believe WSJS Would Do This

Note: I posted this earlier this morning and afterwards noticed that they referred to the station as WZTR. It is actually WZTK.

They actually sent this out to their e-mail database. Their P1's. Their most loyal listeners. Why would you inform your most loyal listeners that there is now another choice on the radio dial. It just invites them to leave you and sample the new product.

This is an e-mail sent out in the form of a Q&A between WSJS GM Tom Hamilton and Marty Holbrook, who works in their marketing and promotions department.

This was forwarded to me by a friend of mine who works in broadcasting in this market.

From: Holbrook, Marty D
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 1:05 PM
Subject: WZTR - Q & A - July 5, 2004

As the "new" WZTR begins it's 101.1 FM broadcasting in the Greensboro Market tomorrow, here are some comments from Tom Hamilton - SVP/Market Manager - WSJS/WSML/WMFR.

Q: What are some thoughts about the new format change?

A: Their current Manager is a good broadcaster and more attention to News/Talk/Sports can only be good for the format and radio listener popularity.

Q: Why “good for the format?”

A: The News/Talk format is one of the fastest and hottest growing radio formats in the country. Both men and women of all ages are turning to News/Talk/Sports formats. People just want more information…and especially in a Presidential election year, that can mean more political news, as well as more & better local, regional and national news coverage.

Q: Are you surprised? How does WSJS/WMFR feel?

A: This is no surprise. For radio fans in the eight county Greensboro Metro area alone, there are about twenty different format choices. This newest change in radio is changing from Country to News/Talk..leaving only one Greensboro Metro area licensed main Country format to choose from. What does that tell you about the growth of News/Talk? Or, perhaps it’s about giving up with competing year after year against the area’s country music leader.

Q: What else?

A: I’m surprised that it has taken this long for someone to change to News/Talk in order to separate from being “just another music format” in the twenty plus station mix here. With hundreds of programming syndication choices available and more being presented all the time, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another station follow suit and consider a News/Talk/Sports change.

Q: WZTR’s Programming….thoughts here?

A: There will probably be some marketing with Outdoor and some Television to get the word out. Brad & Brit sound pretty good, although they may not stay together if ratings don’t warrant it. They are starting with a line-up of mostly new syndication programming to the market, but some of these programs have made it in other markets, so why not here? The word is that “jazz weekends” will then air. What generally follows is the usual sampling by the public. This happened with WXRA, The Rock Alternative, in the mid-90’s and they were instantly 3rd with Adults 25-54…but the novelty soon wore off and they eventually changed both format and dial position….and they were gone in 5 years. WSJS is about to enter it’s 75th year in broadcasting and having made alterations and programming changes throughout these years…being able to “adapt” to the changing times, is one of those reasons for our success. Heck, Howard managed WSJS for nearly nine years and he WAS behind WXRA’s initial success, so he can give you his thoughts on strengths, change and weaknesses, too Give WZTR’s new change five to six years and then look at what changes in management, personnel and programming may have occurred. Then, let’s talk about what they've managed to accomplish in that period of time.

Q: Will WSJS or WMFR be making any changes?

A: WSJS and WMFR change to improve constantly. Our current lineup between both 600/1200 WSJS and NewsTalk 1230 WMFR includes decades of proven local talent with morning and afternoon hosts Glenn Scott, Max Meeks & Mike Fenley, Traffic with JR Snider, Award Winning News with Bob Costner & Smith Patterson and Sports with Jack LeFaivre, just to name a few…and there are even more “new” personalities that the Triad may soon be hearing more about.

Q: What about programming again…..what really is the difference?

A: I think it’s a combination of stability and innovation: Our lineup is currently among the top lineup’s in the nation with Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Bill O’Reilly (on BOTH stations), Paul Harvey, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Lars Larson and Jim Bohannon.

Q: That is strong! You can’t get much stronger than that, can you?

A: I think so. Just add Charles Osgood & Dan Rather with CBS, Joe Bastardi, with one of the most reliable weather reporting services available in Accu-weather, The Wall Street Journal Report, CBS MarketWatch and CBS News on the hour; nearly every hour…and ready to break in for important News, from anywhere and anytime, as it happens. ABC News rounds out the WMFR News lineup. I think that paints a fairly strong picture of our line-up.

Q: You mention Sports. What comments would you like to make here.

A: I don’t know what others might do, but I will tell you that it hasn’t been easy to contain quality Sports Programming among such a strong line-up, but we’ve managed to provide coverage for the local community, as well as the more intense sports fans. Consider: NASCAR’s Performance Racing Network providing exclusive coverage on nearly 1/3rd of all NEXTEL Cup races, Washington Redskins Football, North Carolina State Wolfpack Football & Basketball coverage, complete NFL “special” edition games all the way to the Super Bowl, different local High School Football programs in Forsyth, Guilford and Alamance County areas, the best of minor league baseball with the Winston Salem Warthogs……..and just on the horizon, the return of NBA Basketball with the Charlotte Bobcats! There’s more….but these are just the highlights.

Q: What about “new” programming? Any news there?

A: Yep. Always looking to improve, you’ll soon here the popular and at times, controversial Drudge Report, CNBC’s “The Ron Insana Show,” Donald Trump’s new daily feature, “Trumped” and on weekends, the ever popular Meet The Press with Tim Russert.

Q: Is that it?

A: Believe it when I say it, there’s even more. The massive North Carolina Wine Festival event along with recent Steeplechase Racing and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation station events that have kept us busy in the past…and will do so in the future. …and there’s always a new, important cause to consider.

This is what has made 600/1200 WSJS and NewsTalk 1230 the community’s radio station’s of choice for so many different reasons….for some many years.

Marty D. Holbrook
Promotions & Marketing Director
WSJS/WSML/WMFR
WMFR- Program Director
Infinity Broadcasting
875 West 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101