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Bye bye locally owned WPFB...

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swohio75 View Drop Down
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    Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 3:22pm
As usual, the "local" paper failed to report on this....
 

WNKU buys two stations to broaden its reach

By John Kiesewetter • jkiesewetter@enquirer.com • January 19, 2011

WNKU-FM's blend of blues, rock and folk music will soon reach from Dayton, Ohio to Huntington, W.Va., with the purchase of two FM stations Wednesday.

The Northern Kentucky University public radio station paid $6.75 million for Middletown's WPFB-FM (105.9) and WPFB-AM (910), and Portsmouth's WPAY-FM (104.1), from Paul F. Braden, whose family started the Middletown radio station in 1947.

WNKU-FM will start operating them Feb. 1.

The FM signals will triple WNKU-FM's reach to 3.1 million potential listeners in four states, in a strategy to make the Highland Heights station self-sufficient in four years, said Chuck Miller, general manager of WNKU-FM (89.7, wnku.org).

The university will issue 20-year tax-exempt bonds to fund the purchase and debt service, under the plan approved by the university's Board of Regents, Miller said.

"Not one dime of NKU money is going into this project," Miller said.

NKU President James C. Votruba said the commitment to the new WNKU-FM Radio Network "reflects the value we, as an institution, place in this community treasure."

Buying Middletown's country "Rebel" FM also resolves reception problems that have nagged WNKU-FM since its debut 25 years ago. The 34,000-watt Middletown station reaches most Cincinnati neighborhoods and downtown offices better than the 12,000-watt signal from the NKU campus.

"Year after year, the No. 1 complaint we hear is in regards to signal strength and reach," Miller said. "In our last pledge drive, a woman in Clifton who donated $1,000 told us, 'I just wish I could get you in my home.' "

At noon Wednesday, Braden told employees in Middletown and Portsmouth that WNKU-FM will take over the stations under a "management operating agreement" in two weeks. The Federal Communications Commission must approve the sale, which could take until April or May, Miller said.

WPFB-AM and WNKU-FM's low-power repeater (FM 94.5) in West Chester Township will be sold together to offset the purchase price, Miller said.

Currently about $300,000 of WNKU-FM's $1.1 million operating budget is provided by the university. The university subsidy ends in four years with this investment in a radio network, said Aaron Sharpe, assistant general manager for development and marketing.

WNKU-FM's expansion will be similar to the old WVXU-FM regional network operated by Xavier University from 1993 until Xavier sold its public radio stations in 2006 to Cincinnati Public Radio.

Both new FMs will simulcast WNKU-FM's adult album alternative ("AAA") format, a mix of alternative, folk-rock, classic rock and bluegrass. The play list ranges from Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Cake and Gomez to Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, U2, John Prine and much more.

Local sports broadcasts in Middletown will end after Jan. 31, Miller said.

Although the new FMs are on the commercial band, they will be operated as non-commercial stations under the WNKU-FM branding. Programming will be fed by satellite, Miller said.

"We believe that this business will sustain itself in about one year with the acquisition of new members, and new underwriting, and new corporate sponsors," Miller said.

Middletown's FM signal reaches more than 2.16 million people from Urbana and Piqua north of Dayton to Richmond, Ind., and throughout Northern Kentucky.

The 100,000-watt Portsmouth FM signal serves 442,000 people from Clermont County to Charleston and Huntington, W.Va.

WNKU-FM's 12,000-watt signal reaches most of the I-275 loop - but reception can be spotty in the areas of Hyde Park, Mount Adams and Colerain Township.

Expanding the university's public radio station runs counter to the trend here.

Miami University last year gave up operating WMUB-FM (88.5) in a budget cut after 58 years. Cincinnati Public Radio, which operates classical music WGUC-FM (90.9), now simulcasts WVXU-FM's programming in Oxford.

Miller said listeners for now will hear no change in WNKU-FM programming. But if fundraising meets goals, the station could add stringers or staff for news coverage in the Portsmouth and Middletown areas.

"Our commitment to public service is solid. We have all the intentions of serving the community the best we can," Miller said.

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gemneye70 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gemneye70 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 9:50pm
i like the music they are going to play...sucks that they won't do local sports anymore.
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swohio75 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swohio75 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 19 2011 at 10:19pm
The genre will be a good change. The loss of a local connection is a disappointment.
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VietVet View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 7:04am
Slowly but surely, with the destruction of our city landmarks by outsiders on council and in the city building, and now, longtime icons like WPFB selling out to outsiders, who will take all the local sports off the air, this town is losing it's identity and the new changes aren't necessarily in the best interest of the city IMO. Might be acceptable to some to change the music format from country to blues and other forms, but when you come in and take over and tell the people here who enjoy listening on a Friday night, that they will no longer be able to hear local sports, gotta draw the line in the sand so to speak. There are some things that you don't screw with when you're the new kid on the block. High school sports is one of them IMO. What's next, another outsider buys the Jug, eliminates the unique tasting burgers and converts it into a "mom and pop" Taco Bell ripoff?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Not so Fast Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 8:14am

VietVet, you should file a complaint with the Historic Commission.

This radio station, and the format that it carries--including high school sporting events--are HISTORIC in nature, exemplifies the cultural, economic, social and political heritage of the City; and are “necessary to promote the economic, cultural, educational and general welfare of the public.”

Therefore, it cannot be changed or altered in any way without a “certificate of appropriateness”, which shall not be issued solely because it represents the most profitable return on investment.

How dare these scofflaws try to transact business without checking with Marty and the busybodies at the S Main st.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 10:13am
Mercy! The Journal story coverage on this states that Jack Gordon, longtime announcer of Middie football and basketball games is upset at the move.......

Jack Gordon, the “Voice of the Middies,” announced Middletown High School basketball and football games from 1980 to 2009. When told Middie games no longer will be broadcast on WPFB, Gordon said “that’s a damn shame. ...

After hearing about the sale, Gordon called downtown “a morgue” and said they should “wrap up Middletown and just dump it someplace.”


That disturbs me, it really does.”



Now Gordon believes and goes along with anything and everything that occurs in this town. He usually has very little to say in a negative way, no matter what the subject. Now, even old Jack is not a happy camper with what's going on in town nowadays. How about the comments made by Gordon about the downtown area and the "wrap up Middletown and dump it somewhere". Totally uncharacteristic of Gordon to publicly criticize any aspect of decisions made in town. Some fractures starting in the inner circle realm?

As to filing a complaint with the Histerical Commission....good one!
I thought this was an invalid commission due to the lack of number participating. The old windows episode described on this forum (couldn't decide what kind of windows were needed?) kidda took any semblance of credibility away from this group. This is good comedy coming from Kohler's attempt at creating some "self-righteous historical awareness" within the community in the South Main and Highlands areas. Their self-importance is laughable as well as pompous.    How unimportant they really are. They just don't know it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Middies Coverage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 9:16am

Is there anyway that the coverage can be done by another radio station?

It was welcoming relief to follow the Middies Football when they traveled and we weren't able to follow. Also, what about the disabled?
 
Another sad day for the Middies. Why can't change be good for Middletown??
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spiderjohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 10:39am
Really depressed about losing local sports radio coverage.
WPFB hasn't really served the area much for decades.
And a handful of long-term locals out of work.
On the up side, I really like the music format at WNKU, and will probably play it in my vehicle and possibly in my businesses.
 
Coach Gordon is obviously frustrated, though his opinion speaks for many.
He has been around here for a LONG time, many years in the trenches.
He is absolutely entitled to his opinion--surprised to see it printed by the MJ.
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middletownscouter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote middletownscouter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 12:00pm
The article said that they planned on selling off WPFB-AM, maybe whoever buys it will stay local and do the sports broadcasts again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 12:03pm
Could we get our coverage from TV Middletown as they tape the games. Surely TV Middletown can set up to do real time broadcasting and find a signal source if WPFB refused to sell air time. Wonder what air time would cost to do a football/basketball game? Any other options for signal strength beside WPFB? How about Time Warner through the computer? Could TV Middletown team up with Time Warner? Come on smart electronics folks, come up with something to bypass WPFB. Randy- got any ideas from your business on broadcasting the Middie games? Are there any other towers to bounce a radio signal off of? Anyone?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote middletownscouter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 1:49pm
There's always streaming audio live over the internet which can be done with not much more than an iphone nowdays. Given the high speed internet connections in most schools something to do basically a live podcast of the games (probably just audio) wouldn't be terribly hard to set up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 409 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 2:11pm
Scouter....I agree. The question is how many people that currently listen have internet access or internet capable wireless devices? I would imagine a fair amount fall into this catagory. Don't really know, but this may be the only viable alternative. I wonder who has the ability & time to keep up with this?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 2:47pm
Whatta ya think John and Randy? Is this a service you could provide the community and make some money from advertising perhaps, or not??? Gotta be a way to provide folks like me a way to listen to the Middies and other local teams on a Friday night. I would imagine there is a sizable following around the area that would take advantage of a service like this. Most people nowadays have at least one home computer. I watch college and pro football/basketball games on either channelsurfing.com or firstrow.com Could you do something like this for the area? Watch the Middies on TV Middletown on a delay basis.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spiderjohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 2:52pm
At this time I do not have a radio in my home.
A month or so back, I listened to a Middies game via the net on www.wpfb.com.
Maybe this could become a pay feature?
Affiliated with TVM or the school system?
Audio probably would require very little in the way of equipment and personel today.
hmmm.......
 
I don't see anyone local buying the radio station other than those deep pockets at CSN.
Wow--can you imagine MUSA as talk radio?
Picture going in to most local businesses and hearing this discussion live.
What a thought
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 5:12pm
MUSA as talk radio?
Who will play the part of Rush Limbaugh, the guy who is right 96.2953% of the time?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 25 2011 at 7:09am
Todays' Journal...

WPFB’s new owners won’t air area sports teams. Last broadcast is tonight at the Midd./Princeton basketball game.

C'mon Randy......everyone with communication connections.....how can we keep broadcasting the games. Alot of people, including me, that like to listen on a Friday/Sat. night because we can't attend for various reasons. Can we contact Stidham? TV Middletown? and work with them?

Anyone?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote middletownscouter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 25 2011 at 9:09am
It would be nice to see one of the local organizations buy the AM station, like TV Middletown, MUM or Butler Tech (the latter could use it as an opportunity to enhance/expand course offerings).

Sadly, what is more likely to happen is a larger group will buy it up to use as a repeater (just like WNKU has done) or it will just go inactive and die.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VietVet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 02 2011 at 8:14pm
Perhaps Ty Thomas and John Ridge read this site. Looks like they followed some of the suggestions here.

Middies games to be streamed live over the Internet


MIDDLETOWN — Ty Thomas, executive director of TV Middletown, understands the importance of high school sports in the Middletown area.
So when WPFB (910-AM), the station that carried the Middies for more than 60 years, was sold recently, Thomas stepped into action.
“The Middies are important to our community,” Thomas said. “We do not want to see that die.”
Thomas called John Ridge, owner of Java Johnny’s, and contacted Lenny Robinson and Marty Flesher — who broadcast the Middies on TV Middletown — and they decided to stream live over the Internet the audio portion of TV Middletown’s coverage of the games.
The debut will be Friday when the Middies host the Sycamore Aviators at the Wade E. Miller Gymnasium.
“We’re tickled to death,” Thomas said. “It’s a nice partnership to keep the Middies alive on the air.”
Thomas said on Wednesday a test was conducted with “relatively little trouble.”
Thomas hopes to broadcast the other three regular-season home Middie games and all the tournament games.
Ridge volunteered his expertise and knowledge to allow Middie fans to continue to get live coverage of the basketball games, Thomas said. He called Ridge “a great example of Middletown people and Middletown business supporting this city.”
According to Ridge and Brett Dennis, producer/director, the quality of the audio should be as good as listening to the game on TV.
For the time being, fans will be able to listen to the games called over the Internet live, but still watch the games on a tape-delayed basis on TV Middletown-Ch. 24.
Middies fans can listen to the game by visiting www.javajohnnys.com and clicking on the Middies link. The site supports streaming audio to Windows Media Player, iTunes (iPod), Winamp, and Real Player.

Thank you gentlemen.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rem 1187 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 03 2011 at 6:08am

Have been able to work with Mr.Ridge in the past. Big supporter of Middletown and LOCAL business. Took a few hits on this site for the Jug, todays labor for selling hamburgers isn't always easy. His commitment to the small business man is a valuable asset and should be looked at as a model that this city needs to be reminded of. Lenny&Marty do a great job glad to see the modern day Warren Johnson stay with it.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote middletownscouter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 03 2011 at 1:56pm
That is great news! Hopefully it will be successful for the rest of this season and continue on for other MHS sporting events!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ex-WPFB-Employee Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 03 2011 at 5:14pm
This station had a wonderful legacy during the years that Paul Braden Sr. owned and operated the stations, but I've never been happy with things there since the "Junior" Braden took over. Keeping some of the original staff doing local sports coverage was one of the few wise things that the station has done over the past 2 decades. Over the years I have met some of the staff at WNKU, and I am convinced that the stations professionalism will rise significantly.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike_Presta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 03 2011 at 9:37pm
While I do not follow sports as closely as I used to, I do applaud thse local boosters for coming forward to support our school sports teams!!!
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“Mulligan said he ... doesn’t believe they necessarily make the return on investment necessary to keep funding them.” …The Middletown Journal, January 30, 2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote spiderjohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 05 2011 at 8:01am
went to tne bball game last night
b4 going, I set up an ipad so that an ice-bound couple could listen via www.javajohnnys.com.
go to the site--go to the page--select the media player option that works 4 u
called the couple after 1st q--they said that they were listening
beauty of this is that you should be able to do this from anywhere in the country providing internet access
 
credit to tvm for providing the quality voices/commentary
credit to Mr.Ridge for making it so simple
 
so--stop by for a few cups of coffee, sandwiches and dessert
had a delicious provolone/pesto/bacon sandwich panini style yesterday
a true local treasure
 
stopped in Stefanos after the game for a bottle of mineral water and a piece of Avi cheesecake
wonderful updates and new eco-friendly lighting
another local gem, as is the little grocery market a few doors down.
maybe a few more people should walk/visit these neighborhoods and support these born/bred locals who have done it on their own from day 1
 
Keb Mo 2night people
It doesn't get better than this around here
so go to mum--beg borrow or steal your way in
you will be glad that you did
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote PattiGal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 05 2011 at 8:27am
Thank you, Spider! I also had a very enjoyable night in the city last night. Went to the Art Hop and was pleasantly surprised by the number of people willing to walk the streets in the cold to visit and support the downtown business people. I would also like to say I have been ignorant in the past about the quality of the businesses that have hung on downtown...now that I have more experience, I would like to commend those businesses (to name a few)...Java Johnny's, Stephano's, and most especially Dillman's - a clean wonderful grocery with an outstanding deli/hot food bar! And if you haven't had the chance to visit the Middletown Art Center and see the current exhibit, it's worth the trip!
Good News:
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/-2-3m-upgrade-planned-for-mum-auditorium-1073331.html
"Because nice matters..."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MackOldroyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 16 2011 at 9:32pm
Originally posted by ex-WPFB-Employee ex-WPFB-Employee wrote:

This station had a wonderful legacy during the years that Paul Braden Sr. owned and operated the stations, but I've never been happy with things there since the "Junior" Braden took over. Keeping some of the original staff doing local sports coverage was one of the few wise things that the station has done over the past 2 decades. Over the years I have met some of the staff at WNKU, and I am convinced that the stations professionalism will rise significantly.



That is great news! Hopefully it will be successful for the rest of this season and continue on for other MHS sporting events!
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