Of all the years to make the switch, this would be it.
Lancaster's sports radio station,
WLPA-AM 1490, had been talking with Phillies officials and gave serious consideration to broadcasting
Philadelphia Phillies games this year — something the station had done for more than 45 years prior to 2005.
But in the end, it made more sense, or cents, to continue covering the
Lancaster Barnstormers, a minor league baseball team that plays in the independent Atlantic League.
Fresh off a World Series title, the Phillies are a big hit in Lancaster County, maybe more than Phillies officials realize. Fans here make the drive to Philly on a regular basis, and many are still upset at 1490 for halting coverage of the Phillies.
With a little more wooing by the Phillies brass — and maybe a bit of a compromise on their rights fee — fans would again be listening to Harry Kalas' famed home run call: "Outta Heeere!"
If you're mad or frustrated by this, don't blame WLPA or the Barnstormers. The Phillies struck out on this one.
Phillies officials said they thought the talks were going well, but in the end it came down to economics. The Phillies weren't budging on their price, while the Barnstormers sweetened their deal with 1490.
Local stations make the switch to minor league coverage because the broadcasting rights for Major League Baseball games are expensive. WLPA paid nearly $10,000 to air Phillies games, while the Barnstormers pay the station to carry their games. Moreover, the Barnstormers generate advertising for WLPA.
The minor league model works: The station gets money from the team and some advertising. What they don't necessarily get is help in the ratings.
The Phillies charge for their broadcasts, but team officials say their games improve ratings. WLPA officials said they didn't see a significant difference in ratings between the Phillies and Barnstormers, so it boiled down to financial concerns. Unfortunately, local radio — especially AM radio — is feeling the economic pinch. Businesses are not advertising.
"Black is a lonely color," said Sue Sensenig, program coordinator at 1490. "We'd like to stay there and not see red."
Who can blame them? If ad revenue is a concern already, how smart is handing out $10,000 for rights fees? That's not smart business. Neither is refusing to compromise with a station that had been in the Phillies fold for 45 years.
In the end, Barnstormers officials negotiated and compromised; the Phillies brass didn't.
Which makes more cents?
Higher bill: Wondering why your electric bill is higher? It might be your TV. An LCD TV takes twice the power of a 27-inch tube TV. My LCD draws 120 watts. Ouch.
Staff writer Eric Stark discusses trends and tidbits in broadcast media each week in the Sunday News. E-mail him at estark@lnpnews.com. 