WFME - FishbowlNY

Cumulus’ 94.7 Conducts Weekend Stunt Ahead of Tomorrow’s New Format

Jerry Barmash — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:05:13 +0000

Cumulus ended its WPLJ simulcast with new acquisition 94.7. The station with call letters WRXP began the final push before it debuts the new format.

The station will unveil its format of choice tomorrow morning, fittingly at 9:47 a.m.

Until that time, Cumulus is having some fun with listeners. In an entertaining stunt called “Wheel of Formats,” it is spending the weekend spinning the wheel of possible genres. Some are serious contenders, while others are completely throwing everyone off.

For example, the short previews take listeners from a Michael Jackson station to all Disco music. There was the comedy format, and separately “Weird” Al Yankovic and his pop parodies, along with a Beatles “Fab Format.” Those are in the extremely unlikely category, as are the 24/7 polka tunes.

But, a stronger contender is a country format. The “wheel” landed on a pair of country possibilities–one featuring Nashville “legends,” with the other highlighting current artists.

Related: Cumulus Begins 94.7 Ownership with Simulcast of WPLJ

Also, on the station during this weekend was the whimisical all-New Jersey music, with songs from Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and Whitney Houston. Her signature, I’ll Always Love You segued into a Love Songs format.

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Cumulus’ Price Tag for WFME: $40 Million

Jerry Barmash — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:36:55 +0000

We’re getting more details about Cumulus’ recent acquistion of Newark, New Jersey-based WFME. The broadcasting company is paying Family Stations $40 million, All Access reports.

Cumulus is using Radio License Holding X, LLC for the purchase that includes Country WDVY in Mount Kisco, a simulcast of WDBY/Kicks 105.5.

There’s an added wrinkle that could ultimately bring Cumulus a larger payout. Cumulus will receive an extra $8.5 million if WFME is moved into the five boroughs as a Class A or B1 within five years. It jumps to $10 million if WFME finds a home within the city limits at a classification higher than B1.

The deal also includes a provision for Family Stations to keep the WFME call letters, while Cumulus will retain the WDVY calls.

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Cumulus Acquires WFME

Jerry Barmash — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:06:53 +0000

Cumulus has added a third station to its New York stable. WFME, the Religion station part of evangelist Harold Camping‘s Family Stations, covers much of the New York area from a West Orange, New Jersey tower.

WFME, a Newark based station, joins WPLJ and WABC under the Cumulus ownership.

All Access reports the deal is for an undisclosed price.

“This strategic acquisition of our second FM in the nation’s largest market will enable us to provide compelling new programming for our listeners and a powerful marketing vehicle for our advertising partners,” said Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey said in a statement.

The acquistion is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with format plans to be released at that time.

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