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Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 30, 2024, 6:09 pm

So, there have been a few mentions of WNDZ's recent decline in programming. I want to add to this: the remaining shows (on the weekends) are gone too. I have not heard one of them. Not even Infotrak or Viewpoints (which are on all Access Radio stations).

Back in October, the Serbian shows that were on Saturdays at 1 and 4, disappeared. I don't listen on Sundays, but I didn't hear them either, upon brief tune-ins. I used to listen to Dukat, which was on for years.

The whole day (and maybe other days), they've had a sad piano song, on a loop. We don't need anymore of this these days. So, the whole point is...programming is zero at 750 AM. Someone did mention leftover Catholic shows.

So, what will happen next? What happens before the year is over? What will happen next year? Any ideas? This is not good, and I think (if 750 doesn't shape up), they are next to go.

1240 is staying afloat, with unsold time on Saturday mornings and Sundays (not the whole day). That was a smart move (albeit a sad one) to simulcast 820. I think it's indefinite. Evenings were hard to sell, after 7 or 8 PM. This actually began over 10 years ago.

So, what are your thoughts on all this? I think 750 is doomed (I didn't expect this at all).

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 30, 2024, 6:27 pm, in reply to "Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

AM Radio Fan

* Every AM Daytimer is done unless they have a translator pair on FM. (Those are toast in Chicago as EMF and all the religious have them locked up). But why even bother, turn off the AM Daytimer and rent an HD3 somewhere, it is cheaper.

* Next to be gone are 14 hour non 50KW or equivalent powered stations w/ no translator FM pairing.

* The 50KW sticks are last. Which ones are most vulnerable in this market? WBBM-AM and WSCR-AM. Audacy NYC recent killing off of WCBS-AM and turning other AM sticks off countrywide is a siren blaring.
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The daytimers are worth nothing, turn off, hand license in, sell the land pay off debt or profit money. The days of the lady raising the family at home listening to local AM Daytimers is long gone. She now works, controls the money and has a 12in wifi/5G screen in her car.

The non-50KW might be worth something in a fire sale. Fractions of what they were 10 or 20 years ago. But those are on limited time too. WSBC never fills their whole schedule for brokering. It will only become less and less until it is AM 750.

The 50KW can always be sold to some niche entry. But it is limited people. people are just NOT consuming on AM anymore and when that is done, FM will be next. I recently spoke to someone that sold his mid market AM & FM, pocketed the money and is on 24/7 online. Said he has not been more profitable and happy in years. He also is fully convinced the new owners will go dark within 5 years. - Even ethnic and religious are online. There is no fidelity in the stations. Low quality audio and nearly no one under 40 knows what AM is.

So, that means goodbye WNDZ. They are playing the sad piano so they do not violate FCC rules going dark, until they decide what to do. I believe they will turn it in and sell the land, like AM 850 happened. The studios will be there until AM 820 is done or Eychaner sells off everyting.

Nostalgic, it is sad. Reality business wise, it has been over for a while and the carnage is starting to pile up.

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 12:05 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Agree with all the above. 1510, 1570, and 1590 remain among the few. Well see what happens with 1240 in the next few years. You might be right about them being the next victim. Online is the way to go now (and has been for some time). I agree with the reasoning for the sad piano on a loop (as well as the reminder of the election's results). I say what happened with 820 could happen with 750 (and maybe 1240 as well). Early predictions for the coming year.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 30, 2024, 6:28 pm, in reply to "Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

They started the sad piano music after the election ended. It was running patriotic music in the weeks leading up to it. Fred is a hardcore Democrat

They'll probably sell the station like they did the rest. That or shut it off.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 30, 2024, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

They didn't renew with WSFI over the summer. That was a large part of their income. Before that, it was El Sembrador who was leasing most of the airtime during the week. They bought 1110. 750 has a much larger footprint than 1110 does, but El Sembrador wanted more airtime.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 12:19 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

I agree with the reasons for the sad piano music. It's like a funeral home/cemetery on 750. I'm aware that Fred Eyechaner is a democrat. I'm sure he wasn't happy with the red wave that finally happened.

Back to this...I am shocked that WNDZ did not renew with WSFI over the summer. Why was that? That was a stupid move, since that was most of their income/air time.

I remember when El Sembrador started in the fall of 2007. That was a huge shock. That lasted a long time. I left the state for a while (11/14/15-8/19/17). When I came back, 750 still had that on, but left the weekends (mostly) alone. Dukat (what I used to listen to) was on, at normal time (4-5 PM).

Prior to that (fall 2007), their schedule was heavily brokered. I remember all the Serbian/other language shows, during the weekdays. Serbian Radio Chicago, Tamo Daleko, and other shows that were later on 1080, were originally on 750. Talk about getting old.

Okay, that makes sense. What's odd is...both signals are daytimers. I guess I would agree to just buy 1110 and make it my own. That was the case of El Sembrador.

So...here are we are now, and what timing it has been. Nothing sounds worse than 750, on one of many shortened days (especially cloudy ones), with the sad piano on a loop.

I remember listening to Dukat, or the other shows (for fun), and experiencing the daily sign off (whenever I chose to check out 750). Sometimes, the Serbian folk music added to the thrill of it. 15-30 minutes of a show, before sign off, at the end of the year.

It was fun while it lasted, but I think it's safe to say...an early prediction (now), for 2025 is...WNDZ is finished and gone. Unless they get another good buyer of airtime (like El Sembrador, or WSFI)...it's another death of a station.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 12:31 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

I need to add to this that a post that I saw on X (Twitter) confirms that WNDZ was indeed sold. It is dated 10/7/24. I had only noticed the sad piano on a loop in mid-November. I didn't pay much attention to 750, because I was working when my shows are normally on. Multiple posts on the internet make mention of WNDZ's current state.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 12:39 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

AM Radio Fan, there is no record on the FCC website that WNDZ was sold. I just checked. Can you link that X post (I do not think the public can view X posts unless they are registered) or relay to us who bought it?

Also, the 820 WCPT sale was for $1 and was just an FCC transfer..... the Heartland Signal, LLC company has ties to Fred Eychaner's digital division. It has not let the parent company.

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 12:53 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Sure, https://x.com/maryfiorito/status/1843278707110162942

I wish the person said who it was sold to. The person who posted it was Mary H. Fiorito, hostess of "Winds of Change," on 750.

Also, I found out from a YouTube video, that November 6th was the first day of that sad piano loop.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 1:27 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Thanks for posting it. I do not have an X account. I had one and used it just to read, I got purged along the way after "Mr no AM radios in my car lineup" purchased Twitter. I wish someone else would have asked her who it was sold to. But, I am also assuming her show was on weekends and curious why Newsweb didn't offer her show to be moved to WSBC????? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 3:01 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

You're welcome =). I don't have an X account either. I really don't like those sites. Yes, I would simply get one, just to read any radio-related articles. I hate mystery and I agree that she should have said who 750 was sold to. I'll say it was one of those shows that was on weekends (most likely, in the morning). WSBC would be a great place for her show to go.

Off topic, but I remember when 1530 was ruined by Matt Dubiel (in September 2011)...many shows went to either WSBC/WCFJ, or to WNDZ. The same was true for when WCEV was gone for worse. A few of those shows were West/South Side preachers. I caught one of these shows, on a Saturday and Sunday morning.

I'm really happy that we can have an online discussion about this. I'll let you know if I learn of anything else, involving 750.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:32 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

AM Radio Fan, I just answered another post from Jeremy. Who knows if the X post is correct? She could be misunderstood especially not being offered to move over on 1240. Or WNDZ might have been finally put under the Heartland name so they can close down the NewsWeb brand. Or who knows?

At this point we just do not know. As interesting at it is, I am not interested to call their Milwaukee Ave studios either. We will find out eventually when they file the paperwork with the FCC.

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

I agree with you. I have called the studios in the past (to ask about program changes on 1240). The last was about 2014-2015. I heard that Mark was not a nice guy. I got along with him over the phone. He's a no-nonsense type, but if you're nice to him, he treats you like a friend. Yes...let's wait and see what happens. I'm sure there's more to this than there is now.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 9:11 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Might have been a misunderstanding. They specifically said to the FCC when they sold WCPY that Newsweb was keeping WNDZ. Unless they meant that by the station and not the land, which would mean it would go off the air like WAIT and WCFJ

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:29 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Jeremy, who knows who bought it at this time. All we have is an X post by someone buying up broker time. Might not even be true. If it was why wasn't she offered to move over to 1240?

Was WNDZ "sold" to Heartland too, part of the $1 sale price? Or was it still under the NewsWeb name? Perhaps the "new buyer" is Heartland, just transferring the property?

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:39 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

WCPT and WSBC were transferred to Heartland Signal

WCPY was sold to Rhythm Enterprises (Polski FM)

Nothing has been filed with the FCC about WNDZ. There is no brokered programming on the air. They let those leases lapse. The station is simply playing a themed block of piano music over and over with the normal TOH ID and Public Affairs. They had been running the usual Gold AC filler music up until a few weeks before the election when they went with patriotic. They have a lot of themed blocks, many of them 99.9 stunted with back in the day.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:46 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

By the way, the music playing is Marche Funèbre (Funeral March) by Chopin

Since it started after the election, I firmly believe it has to do with the results of the election. Might also have to do with the station shutting down.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:53 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Since it started after the election, I firmly believe it has to do with the results of the election.

Strongly doubt it. I have been told by a solid source, Fred has advanced in age and not in great health, hence all the sales and moves of properties. This is just an engineer decision to keep the FCC happy and legal.

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:57 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

They went from Patriotic Music to Funeral March on November 6th. Maybe the engineer has something to do with it.

Might also be to avoid some licensing fees on the normal filler music which would be costly without any brokered shows.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 11:00 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Might also be to avoid some licensing fees on the normal filler music which would be costly without any brokered shows.

Very good point!

For everyone: At least it seems 750 will not go dark. If someone is buying it, it will have life for now. Let's wish the new owners luck and success.

Z

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 1, 2024, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

I still say the sad piano loop is a response to the election and the current state of the station. Another question: When was the last day of regular programming on WNDZ? In other words, what day were the last brokered shows aired on 750? I sure hope somebody good (not just someone else) buys this station.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by JJSPC1372 <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=JJSPC1372' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 2, 2024, 10:39 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

Even with a Christian format, signing on a daytime AM in 1987 wasn't a great business move...I can't imagine why anyone would want it in 2024.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 2, 2024, 11:12 am, in reply to "Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

It has a very good coverage area and has a strong dial position. That helps. But it's really only been used for brokered programming since at least the 90s, aside for the short run with Personal Achievement Radio, which was also on 820 at one point.

When I say good coverage area, I've known it to be heard in Madison. A friend of mine had it in almost to Green Bay. Almost all of Northern Illinois. The dial position right between WGN and WBBM is another thing. The average daytimer doesn't have this.

It will probably continue to be used for brokered or religious programming. If someone wanted airtime, I would guess they would want a good signal.

Re: Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on December 7, 2024, 11:55 pm, in reply to "Not Good For WNDZ 750 AM"

I haven't tuned into 750 over the last week or so. Someone on Radio Discussions said that they ended the loop and are now playing Christmas music. If I remember, I'll tune in tomorrow, before I go to work.

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