Conflicting reports as to whether or not it's happened yet, but Univision request calls of KVBH for 107.5 a few days ago. Inside Radio reports it will be known as “The Vibe.”
The seems like it was poorly executed. No social media, no announcement about Tejano moving to the 1350, no website, etc.
Vibe 107.5
Univision is describing VIBE as a “Hot Adult Rhythmic Contemporary” station featuring pop, hip-hop and R&B music from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
This means VIBE will be an English-language station in a heavily Hispanic market influenced by rhythmic hits made famous in the market on KTFM, at 102.7 MHz.
But I am biased.
Website is up but incomplete, no stream that I found: https://www.univision.com/radio/san-antonio-kvbh-fm
Has Univision done this specific format elsewhere? Wonder if it might be a possibility in Houston, not necessarily on an Univision station.
What's the difference between this format and the one that was tried on KZEP? This isn't my kind of music but I can stomach this one and actually like some of the titles.
I guess KZEP will the be the next to flip but to what?
I was surprised to hear KXTN-FM had given up Tejano music, until I checked to see its ratings had fallen to #14. It doesn't seem like too long ago KXTN-FM was always in the top 10. But as David had explained, Tejano is now a music format for older listeners.
Univision doesn't have many English-language stations. In fact, the biggest non-Spanish station Univision owns is also in San Antonio, #1 ranked KBBT, running a Rhythmic Contemporary format. So we can view the new KVBH as an older-targeted station for former KBBT and KTFM listeners, like Hot AC is the next stop for young people leaving Top 40.
In most of Univision's markets, it owns no English-language station. But as David tells us, San Antonio has a large population of English-dominant Hispanics, families who've been there for generations. So now Univision has two English-language outlets in SA.
What's the difference between this format and the one that was tried on KZEP? This isn't my kind of music but I can stomach this one and actually like some of the titles.
What does this say about Univision's 24/7 Deportes Network? Univision switched all its biggest AM stations to the format, from NYC (WADO) to LA (KTNQ) to Chicago (WRTO), as a competitor to ESPN Deportes. That left most markets in the U.S. with no Spanish-language Talk station, but with two Spanish-language Sports stations. Now Univision Deportes is missing from one of the largest Latino markets in the country, other than on the HD signal of co-owned 92.9 KROM.
Yeah, I guess Univision's idea a few years ago to have a network of talk shows about general topics, psychology, family and women's issues, law and immigration, just didn't work. Young people don't want to listen to talk shows and there aren't enough older Spanish-dominant people in the U.S. to make a Spanish talk network practical. Some stations in California and the Southwest run Mexican talk networks. In Miami and Puerto Rico, there are numerous Spanish talk stations with local programming, discussing local topics and politics, but not for a national U.S. network. Even the two Deportes networks get poor ratings, but at least they capture young adult men.
And I was incorrect that The Beat is #1. KBBT is only #10. I remember a few years ago it was #1 but I guess it has more competition these days. And Rhythmic Contemporary is not as big a draw as it once was. LA's two Rhythmic Contemporary stations are only getting so-so ratings. A number of big Rhythmic Contemporary stations have gone mainstream over the last few years. KYLD San Francisco, WBBM-FM Chicago and XHITZ San Diego all made the transition, while even WPOW Miami plays an occasional Adele or Justin Timberlake song.
I guess KZEP will the be the next to flip but to what?
But I still can't get over the sloppiness of 107.5. I figured no stunting would occur but the handling of their Tejano listeners was just wrong. Many of the comments from KXTN 107.5 Facebook page have been removed.