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- Revolving Museum Contemporary, local, public art space with a plethora of children's programs and art by and for the community.
- The Fine Print - Socially aware, themed, arts and issues periodic publication available throughout Lowell.
- The Image Theater - Theatre company which puts on all original works by local playwrights.
- Whistler House Museum - A great collection of contemporaries of Whistler at his historic birthplace.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:10 am
my guess would be that the Sun employees can not go on because of the Sunrise program on WUML. Since the Sun is producing it, they would likely require some exclusitivity.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
FYI James -
The SUN does not produce the SUNRISE program on WUML. There are UML staff members who do that - namely Christine Dunlap the Executive Producer(also one of the co-hosts)with an assist from Henri Marchand as Producer.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Inthemiddle is correct, the Sun’s contract with WUML was terminated after a year. Apparently doing radio is harder than they thought.
My guess is that even with the new good relationship between the paper and the radio station, they are still competing for the same advertising dollar so, unless something is in the best interest of the Sun, why would they make reporters available on a regular basis and why would WCAP want them on a regular basis?
As for developing an independent news source in Lowell I couldn’t agree more, but, and it’s a big but…news is the most expensive format a radio station can undertake. It’s very labor intensive.
I expect the new owners are looking to get a reliable cash flow going with their current format. I don’t hold out much hope that they are going to reinvest and develop an independent news source for Lowell.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Dear Mimi and Listeners…
Thanks for thinking of us at 980 WCAP. Pleased to discuss all of the finer points of broadcasting with you, at any time. In six months, much has been done. And, much more needs to and will be done. Should you have any hands on experience wit radio radio, you’d have a good idea what’s involved. No excuses for web site needing updates, getting local information, etc. But, we’re getting it done and kindly don’t sumise what we will and won’t do in our quest to establish great service. Yes, all news is expensive but there are other ways to get the information across. Hope you’ve found some positives, so far. We’re getting good feedback, good advertisers and know we’re producing a better radio station. Please keep those cards and letters coming. Just make sure they’re signed.
Best regards and Thank You. Clark Smidt, Managing Partner, 980 WCAP, Merrimack Valley Radio, LLC.
May 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Mimi, I have to disgree somewhat w/ your post.
Personally, I enjoy the lightheartedness of the broadcasts on the weekdays. My weekdays are serious enough, than be poured on by the “Wailing wall of City Mgrs’s Gone By”.
Warren’s shows may push the local pol buttons on weekends, but has demonstrated, in my estimation that he can manage it well.
Compared to what the morning and after shows of days gone by, the new WCAP is greatly improved.
Also, take Clark up on his offer for idea input!
Lynne has always talked about what type of programming she might do, were she given an hour….
May 27th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
That sounded a little defensive, Clark…instead of attacking the critique (which is the mistake of most traditional media these days it seems) why don’t we use this time to discuss the merits of her arguments in true conversational fashion?
“Should you have any hands on experience wit radio radio, you’d have a good idea what’s involved. … But, we’re getting it done and kindly don’t sumise what we will and won’t do in our quest to establish great service.”
Sounds to me like Mimi’s actually making real critiques as to what you are NOT doing NOW that would be nice to have. No need to jump on her for it. If she’s frustrated, chances are so are many listeners. She’s trying to start a dialog here, and it’s one worth having. I think her tone was pretty fair, given that she’s right - if we wanted to merely hear from another cheerleader for the city, we’d read Campy’s Lowell Sun. What we’re missing is more true journalism in this town (apart what the diligent journalists at the Sun can actually accomplish under less-than-perfect circumstances).
“Hope you’ve found some positives, so far. ”
I think Mimi did a nice job of outlining what she’s found that’s positive. But in the true spirit of “not cheerleading” - she’s not here to sell your advertising after all - she pointed out a few things. It’s nice that you came on the blog and commented and I hope you come back, but in truth the real reason for blog comments is for conversation, not chastising your legitimate critics.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Hi Clark, I’m just interested in finding out more about your comment agreeing that news is expensive
“…but there are other ways to get the information across”.
How are you planning to get information across?
May 27th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
The early morning has improved over the past 6 months in my estimation. The simulcast with channel 5 adds a little regional flavor, to complement the local session. The local part has settled down a bit after a too-glib start, and the person doing the news report is a big improvement over the pre-sale habit of editorializing the news.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
As executive producer of Sunrise on UMass Lowell’s station, WUML 91.5 FM, let me explain who/what we are! While the Lowell Sun newspaper did produce a morning program they called Sunrise for about a year four years ago, they left the business all together. At that point, Chancellor William Hogan asked me to produce a morning drive-time interview public affairs program with an emphasis on local issues and features. We kept the Sunrise name because we liked it, but it does occasionally cause confusion.
We launched on Jan. 2, 2005 and now broadcast Mon-Fri. from 7 to 10 a.m. Part of the cost is bourne by the university as a community outreach activity and increasingly, we are also funded by Underwriters. WUML is public radio and while we are not an NPR affiliatie, Sunrise aspires (a work in progress!) to NPR-like coverage of Merrimack Valley people, events, and issues. We have interviewed everyone from Doris Kearns Goodwin to Senator Kerry, from local artists and political figures, to scientists and business people.
For a full line-up of all features and schedule, go to uml.edu/sunrise. Feel free to email me with any questions or ideas.
Thanks! Christine Dunlap
May 27th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I do like lighthearted shows during my 1 1/2 commute, but I do somethimes feel that they are rather soft on their guests.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Clark, this feedback is legitimate and does not negate the progress the station has made under yours and Sam’s ownership.
If it were me as a station owner, I would view this discussion as an
opportunity to glean thoughtful, honest feedback.
Myself, I am of the generation that went from MTV to WCAP.
Myself and many others are the generation you would want to attract, just as WCAP of old had done for many of the lifelong listeners (pardon me..folks of an older genration and this is not a negative).
As I understand it Clark, prior to your ownership, there were many businesses that outright refused to advertise, because of the level of content, in days gone by.
Now, that is not the case and your “advertisership” ( I pulled a Byrne, making up new words!) has increased exponentially, as evidenced by the number of hard working folks you have working at the station.
As a frame of referance, prior to Clark and Sam’s ownership, the station was a ghost town.
So Clark, WCAP is a work in progress and we shall continue to start our day with the morning show (and do listen to George at Night , when I have the opportunity).
***Good God, Kpem, an 1 1/2 commute! Where in Hades do you work?***
May 27th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
It feels like I am going to Hades some days, but it is just the Lowell Bridges. My relatives are in Dracut so it takes a half hour from S. Lowell to Dracut to drop off the girls, half hour back from Dracut to 495, and a half hour to fourty five minutes to Rt 9 in Southboro. All worth it to have the kids in a safe place, but I am starting to feel the gas prices (About $65 every two-three days).
May 28th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Ouch. Mr. Lynne has a nasty 1.5 hour commute (each way) but at least it’s on the train where he can sleep, read, or work on the laptop…
Not that I’m certain he wouldn’t trade it for a job closer to home that he could drive to in 20 minutes…
May 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Of course I made a little lemonade out of it. Normally it’d be 1:10 to 1:20 minute commute, but I walk instead of take the T. The result is that within the 3 hours there is just under an hour of exercise.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
The people I ‘ve talked to do not listen to the morning show. I do not have WCAP program in my car ant more. It is irrelevent. I’ve been told that the Sun reportes are band from going on ‘CAP.
May 29th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Just under an hour? Quit slacking off, Mr. Lynne — there’s plenty of room in the aisles to get in a good 45-50 min. of walking on the commuter rail itself! ‘Course you might make the crew and other passengers a bit antsy….
;)
May 29th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
…might make the crew and other passengers a bit antsy….
Especially if you mumble to yourself something like “I know it’s gotta be around here somewhere?!”
May 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
In all fairness I only do that 1 1/2 hours 2days and 1 hour the other three days to cart my kids to Dracut and back to my home office. I think that telecommuting will be the future trend if gas prices keep rising. Everyone now a days can connect into their work servers and there are so many jobs that just do not need you in an office. Back to Cap-
LC Nunn was on todays show and I missed it. (do not know mush about her) It is a good show for people that are not too familiar with the happenings in Lowell. It is how I learned about the Whitsler house, the winterfest, and that there was whitewater rafting in Lowell of all places.
May 30th, 2008 at 9:53 am
On behalf of the morning team, I’d like to take a minute (or two, or three) to address a couple of comments I’ve read about what we now do on 980 WCAP:
First of all, thank you to our loyal listeners and thank you to all those who’ve passed along so many kind words over the past six months. We like to say that “everybody gets it” and I think Kristin certainly does. A morning drive time show on a commercial radio station needs to be about more than one-city political gossip. It must be informative and entertaining to the entire listening area, and I believe that’s something we’ve been able to accomplish. I understand there are those who enjoy discussion on hot-button topics, but a drive-time show really isn’t the place for that. Even WBZ, one of the best radio stations in the country and the top rated AM station in New England avoids talk and heavy duty discussion during the days. We leave that for nights and NPR.
That said, I think we also provide a great balance of topics and talk guests. We have weekly features with Niki Tsongas (Thursday 8-8:30), a Lawmaker Lowdown featuring elected officials from throughout the Merrimack Valley (Tuesday 8-8:30), Chiefs of Police from the MV (Tuesday 7-7:30), Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch (Wednesday 7:30-8:00) and a Monday segement (8:30-9:00) where we speak with government officials from the surrounding towns. Each and every one of these people, no matter how national or how local their position, is ALWAYS willing to take calls from the public. It is an opportunity for the everyday person to speak with someone they might not normally get to speak with and to address their concerns.
In addition, we provide regular features focusing on the arts, local sports and anything else important to the Merrimack Valley. Kpem, we have an LZ Nunn COOL/CASE segment every Thursday (8:30). We speak to Deb Belanger or someone from the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB every Tuesday (8:30). We offer exercise tips, golf tips, movie and television reviews, looks at the music scene and even cooking segments. Groups raising money for charity come to us and we get them on air to promote their event. If there’s a show coming to town, we get the stars or entertainers on our air to talk about it. We’ve had Tony Orlando, the casts of the MRT productions, Boston TV personalities like Liz Walker when they’re in Lowell for an event, Dropkick Murphys band member, etc.
If all this sounds like a commercial, well, that’s because it is. LOL. Seriously, I just want to point out what we’re all about and what we do. It’s what a local radio station should be about, and I believe we are. Are there things we can do better? Sure. But then again, it’s only been six months. I’d say we’ve come a long way since that first broadcast back in November of 2007.
Now then, Mimi, about our interviewing techniques. We have guests on our air and we believe in treating them as guests. Do we ask “softball” questions? Depends on what you consider a softball question. Next time you run into Bernie Lynch, ask him what he thinks of my questions. He’ll tell you about more than a few brushback pitches I’ve hurled in his direction. However, one thing we will never do is become confrontational and rude. It’s not our style, nor should it be. We’re here to help the community, become a part of it, promote it, listen to ideas, share them and provide a forum for YOUR voice to be heard. We encourage questions and comments from our callers, no matter who the guest is. And if you want to ask a tough question or complain about an issue to one of our elected officials on air, we encourage that, too, as long as the discussion is civil.
Again, thank you for letting me post this novel. We appreciate your comments and suggestions. We may not always give you everything you want, but we’ll do our best to serve your community, and ours, in a positive manner.
Thank you for your time. Please keep listening!
May 30th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Post a comment novel any time you need. Just adhere to a modicum of civility and, given that this is a blog, expect some (possibly fast and furious) feedback.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Ted:
I just want to be clear about one thing, I am not advocating rudeness. I totally agree with you, they are your guests and they should be treated that way.
Yes, I have heard you (Teddy) ask Bernie some insightful questions but my comments were more general. I am not suggesting the “gotcha” technique but given the extremely limited media in Greater Lowell, you and your co-hosts have a unique opportunity and in my opinion, a responsibility.
I will continue to listen but will also continue to give my opinion. I think it is vital that ‘CAP succeed, that is why I blogged about it.
May 31st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Hi Teddy, I just want to pick on one point you made.
“… I understand there are those who enjoy discussion on hot-button topics, but a drive-time show really isn’t the place for that. Even WBZ, one of the best radio stations in the country and the top rated AM station in New England avoids talk and heavy duty discussion during the days. We leave that for nights and NPR.”
Unfortunately we aren’t going to hear much in the way of local (Greater Lowell) news or discussion on WBZ or NPR any time of the day or night, that is what local radio is (or was) for.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
They cannot pronoun Tewksbury on there ad they have on ‘CAP.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:42 am
The good: The signal is a LOT better than it used to be. Councilor Anthes and his long-winded discussions of procedural minutiae. Coverage is broaded. Some of the news readers, interns perhaps, are actually pretty good, not as good as early 80s WCAP but pretty good. Sports coverage seems to be improving.
The bad. The morning show fawns over everything and everyone. The attempt to broaden the coverage area has lead to the morning show sounding like a wall-to-wall PSA. Coverage outside of Lowell is minimal when it comes to news (did they pull out the phone lines to the newsroom or something? Small station news was always about working the phones.)
The outlook: Rumor has it that they had 80 percent bank financing. Northeast took back 20 percent of the reported purchase price, which means the buyers are in it for zip and can spend money on improvements. Unfortunately, they paid too much for a local radio station; the stick price was more appropriate for what it is, a 5KW full timer on a decent frequency which is attractive to foreign language and religious broadcasters, the price was too much for the ongoing local radio business.
Suggestions: Go deeper on high school sports. Forget about minor league baseball and hockey; the only time people care about hte Spinners or the hockey team are when they actually go to a game. There’s no pennant fight, no stars to follow, no tradition. Football is often automatic, but H.S. basketball is an especially fertile and underserved potential audience. Both girls and boys Merrimack Valley leagues had some huge games and tight races this past year, in additional to natural rivalries. The Commonwealth Conference and the Cape Ann League have some big games too. Gyms in places like Andover, Lowell and Central are typically packed. Running a few boys and girls games each week would be huge, especially if you do a late night scoreboard with game scores and a quick mention of the stars (the coaches are already making pre-arranged calls to newspapers with scores and hilights; a call or email to CAP wouldn’t be much extra for them to handle. Its gotta be an easier sell than compressed old music.
Also, a talk show with something of a point of view might help, but the trouble there is a discussion of, say, Lawrence turns off Lowell listeners, as WLLH’s attempts at dual-city talk proved years ago.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Oh, c’mon guys. Doesn’t everybody get it? In fact, they’re on right now live from Sal’s Riverwalk with the all new 980 WCAPizza. The cost? $9.80. Meat, and more meat on the pizza.