WRKO axes news division

Boston Herald ^ | 11/17/06 | Jessica Heslam

[andy58-in-nh]

One of WRKO's main problems is that their signal - it sucks. I live 55 miles north of Boston and the signal strength is laughable for a 50kW station, especially in the morning and evening hours. Entercom's other AM station in Boston, 680 WEEI, is even worse. I often wind up listening to Howie Carr on a (very weak) FM station here in Southern NH (WPTL) when the AM signal fades out.

[trisham]

It also might explain why WODS (went all-Christmas the other day) was so eager to go all-Yule. I'd think women more than men would find all-Christmas fun to listen to...and they'd be exposed to all those ads. Sure, guys like me have already taken WODS off our pre-sets (IT'S TOO EARLY!) but women, especially 25-54 year old, are a prime target for advertisers.

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

I'm not going to say where I am in that age group, but I mostly listen to talk radio. However, when I'm at the gym, I sometimes switch to music to inspire myself. Yesterday, I tuned in to WODS and immediately tuned out. Too soon for me as well.

[betty boop]

I loved Rod Fritz -- he filled in a couple of times (for Howie Carr, I think), and he was great!

Rod's a high school classmate of mine; we did school plays together 'way back when. Our high school class reunion is a week from tomorrow night, and he's scheduled to emcee a musical review we're putting on. This is very sad news....

Rod's a great guy, and a highly experienced news professional. I'm sure he'll land on his feet, and be back soon in a new incarnation. I just hope he'll be staying in Boston.

[maryz]

Give him my best -- tell him I wish him luck! -- A loyal listener.

[betty boop]

I'll give him your message maryz!

[raccoonradio]

850 WEEI, you mean...
In the case of both Howie and the Red Sox, WCRN AM 830
is around to help when it comes to west of Boston

Actually WRKO is supposed to push to the north and south--
especially after sunset

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WRKO&service=AM&status=L&hours=N

(Day signal:

http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WRKO&service=AM&status=L&hours=D

[andy58-in-nh]

850AM is WEEI, that's what I meant. Their signal is very weak in the nighttime hours. The radio locator charts for WRKO are in my experience a bit generous as to actual coverage - I've had trouble with the signal out on the Cape as well as in NH.

[martin_fierro]

Howie oughtta get syndicated nationwide.

I've never even lived in MA but still find his a great listen.

Oh, and Howie: The point behind podcasts is that PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THEM EASILY TO THEIR iPODS, YOU CHUMP.

< |:)~

[raccoonradio]

He tried but it didn't work out. At one time he was on
in places like Salt Lake City, Seattle, Hagerstown MD,
Newark OH (near Cincy), and down in Florida.

Also briefly Howie did shows via phone line for KFI in
LA (could hear them on Web) on Saturdays. KFI only...
right after Afghan war started I think.

From Wikipedia:
In September 1996 the show experimented with local syndication, sending the show out via ISDN connections to a group of stations around New England. The local experiment was such a success that - in January 1998 - ABC Radio Today started syndicating the show nationally. The show did not sustain a large nationwide following and syndication was handed over to SupeRadio. In 2005, Carr's show was syndicated to New England-only stations by Entercom, the corporate owner of WRKO.