What u think be first format flip and r format hole is
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New Format flip in 2015
- Thread starter jasonharper2013
- Start date
K
K.M. Richards
Guest
Jason, do you think you could please try to better describe the threads you start? The title makes one think there is a flip pending somewhere. A better topic line would be "Who will flip first in 2015?" or "Is there a open format hole in 2015?" You've become infamous for ambiguous subject lines and I think that's unfortunate given your interest in Los Angeles radio.
Okay, constructive criticism over.
First, despite some people who don't get the economics thinking otherwise, none of the sports AMs in the market are going to flip. 980 will do just fine for at least a few years building on Jim Rome's national reputation and Fred Roggin's local history. I also don't see 2015 as the year anyone tries sports on FM here, simply because the revenue numbers work fine for AM but would be less than the current billings for any FM that has the market coverage to even attempt a conversion.
Second, CBS will fix The Wave no matter what it takes. But it won't be by returning to Smooth Jazz ... that format ship has sailed in all but a handful of markets where it can be supported by a strong local sales force or very small communities where the music appeals to the population in an overwhelmingly high number. I think CBS will continue to tinker with it and then do a marketing relaunch once they think it's right.
Third, KDAY will continue to have flat, mediocre ratings but will stay in its present format as long as Alex Meruelo can funnel cash from channel 22's operation to keep it afloat. It's never going to be the market force everyone hoped it would be when it launched more than ten years ago, but it's still doing marginally better than its predecessor (bonus points for anyone who remembers what that format was). Looking at the market as a whole, if I had my hands on the 93.5s I would split the simulcast and program for the South Bay/Westside and the Inland Empire separately. Maybe a good A/C with local presence for the L.A. County signal.
Fourth, Entravision needs to pull the plug on Estrella 107.1, which has been limping along ever since its networked version failed and has the lowest ratings in its history other than when it was the 103.1/97.5 trimulcast. In my not-so-humble opinion, this is the frequency they should have tried Indie on, because of the coverage. But given the corporate mindset at Entravision (Spanish is the only language that matters ... never mind that Estrella targets second- and third-generation Latinos who would rather listen to KIIS, Amp or Power) they'll keep this thing running until it's nicely buried. I think they should get out of radio and stick with their television operations. They're very, very good at running those TV stations.
Fifth, while I'm on the subject of Spanish-language media companies, Liberman needs to get out of radio as well. Sure, the "Que Buena" format is still viable although wobbling a little in the ratings, but they've never known what to do with the former KWIZ-FM down in OC in all the years they've owned it. Look at the latest move: They blew up whatever that format was they were running to move the "La Ranchera" format over from KHJ when they sold it. When you have an FM that performs so badly moving a failing format to it from AM is an improvement, you're done. Again, they should concentrate on running channel 62 and the Estrella TV network they've built around it nationally. They're much better at TV than radio.
I think five points is enough to spark some discussion. Have at it.
Okay, constructive criticism over.
First, despite some people who don't get the economics thinking otherwise, none of the sports AMs in the market are going to flip. 980 will do just fine for at least a few years building on Jim Rome's national reputation and Fred Roggin's local history. I also don't see 2015 as the year anyone tries sports on FM here, simply because the revenue numbers work fine for AM but would be less than the current billings for any FM that has the market coverage to even attempt a conversion.
Second, CBS will fix The Wave no matter what it takes. But it won't be by returning to Smooth Jazz ... that format ship has sailed in all but a handful of markets where it can be supported by a strong local sales force or very small communities where the music appeals to the population in an overwhelmingly high number. I think CBS will continue to tinker with it and then do a marketing relaunch once they think it's right.
Third, KDAY will continue to have flat, mediocre ratings but will stay in its present format as long as Alex Meruelo can funnel cash from channel 22's operation to keep it afloat. It's never going to be the market force everyone hoped it would be when it launched more than ten years ago, but it's still doing marginally better than its predecessor (bonus points for anyone who remembers what that format was). Looking at the market as a whole, if I had my hands on the 93.5s I would split the simulcast and program for the South Bay/Westside and the Inland Empire separately. Maybe a good A/C with local presence for the L.A. County signal.
Fourth, Entravision needs to pull the plug on Estrella 107.1, which has been limping along ever since its networked version failed and has the lowest ratings in its history other than when it was the 103.1/97.5 trimulcast. In my not-so-humble opinion, this is the frequency they should have tried Indie on, because of the coverage. But given the corporate mindset at Entravision (Spanish is the only language that matters ... never mind that Estrella targets second- and third-generation Latinos who would rather listen to KIIS, Amp or Power) they'll keep this thing running until it's nicely buried. I think they should get out of radio and stick with their television operations. They're very, very good at running those TV stations.
Fifth, while I'm on the subject of Spanish-language media companies, Liberman needs to get out of radio as well. Sure, the "Que Buena" format is still viable although wobbling a little in the ratings, but they've never known what to do with the former KWIZ-FM down in OC in all the years they've owned it. Look at the latest move: They blew up whatever that format was they were running to move the "La Ranchera" format over from KHJ when they sold it. When you have an FM that performs so badly moving a failing format to it from AM is an improvement, you're done. Again, they should concentrate on running channel 62 and the Estrella TV network they've built around it nationally. They're much better at TV than radio.
I think five points is enough to spark some discussion. Have at it.
Today Piolín began on KSSE, and there is talk that the station will become all regional Mexican in the future. The new morning show ought to give enough traction to KSSE to make it a powerful addition to the now #2 Spanish language format on the 103.1 and 97.5 trimulcast.
In other words, they bought themselves more time.
Here's my prediction. Polka music is way overdue for a comeback. By spring, Power 106 will drop that outdated urban format, and become KPKA - Polka 106. Dick Sinclair will come out of retirement to do morning drive,
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K
K.M. Richards
Guest
He's already not completely retired:
http://crntalk.com/hosts/788-polka-party
Hope the hip-hop listeners like accordions.
T
Thomps2525
Guest
Uhhh.....K.M.? Before you wax sarcastic---and I know you're not the sarcastic-waxer you used to be---maybe you should check out this beautiful accordion hip-hop instrumental from Doble B Productions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtVuE2RWev8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtVuE2RWev8
K
K.M. Richards
Guest
Liberman is pumping the cash into its Houston and DFW rimshots..which do not do well because of their location in reference to the audience.....The TV station seems to be doing well...but Liberman has already sold two of its radio properties in the Houston market (700 KSEV and 96.9 which was a dumb buy in the 1st place due to it being a no coverage rimshot; why they kept 101.7 is anyone's guess) and may be selling another (1230) soon...their 103.3 will never be upgraded and the 880 in Conroe is one they should get rid off...
Their DFW radio stations are pretty much all rimshots...but the TV there is doing ok...
So yeah, Liberman should get out of radio (did I see they bought a TV in CO???)
In both Houston and Dallas, Liberman generally has the #2 Spanish language station, and the other stations, sold in combo, are very competitive with the market leader in each location. The clusters in each market are quite profitable.
He sold non-core stations. Just as he sold KHJ in LA for more than double what he paid for it... at a time when Spanish language AMs are increasingly hard to make money on.
But they are profitable and pretty highly rated rimshots. Since the Hispanic population is moving northward, those "rimshots" are suddenly closer to the center of population than the Cedar Hill sticks are.
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