This is probably irrelevant information (or downright wild speculation), but I noticed that KOMO-FM has been broadcasting in stereo for a few days now. 97.7 hasn't been in stereo since KFMY left the air years and years ago. Perhaps a test to see how well that signal would perform with a new format. I can't think of any other reason to start broadcasting news radio in stereo all of a sudden.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Sinclair selling KOMO, KVI & KPLZ
- Thread starter DN14224
- Start date
Running stereo doesn't reduce usable range. What you're confusing range with, is when in stereo, a receiver is more susceptible to the effects of multipath, where that receiver sees signal reflections arriving at different times to the receiver. That happens when the stereo pilot signal from the station is on, and the receiver tries to demodulate stereo.
The other difference you might notice, is by adding the stereo pilot and subsequent subcarrier(s), the overall total modulation (volume) must be reduced to stay under the 75kHz deviation limit.
Yeah, quite a big move for KOMO, from 4.3 to 6.5! I also think it is interesting that Seattle's top 5 stations (6+) are all either Rock or News/Talk.
Will be interesting to see what Lotus does with KOMO am/fm. I have heard “no changes”, but already there are changes. Such as not being able to use the KOMO calls. That said, KOMO’s recent strong ratings were during a pandemic. Just sayin’.
Mono makes a difference if you're a rimshot news/talker competing against KIRO's full market signal. But if there's music in your future, you gotta be in stereo.
When does the deal close?
I think late Fall.
There are no impediments on this one, so the FCC will likely approve in 90 days or under, and then 30 days to close. So this could be done by late September or early October.
Bigger question : will KOMO retain the all news format? My bet is no due to no Lotus connection with Sinclair. Then, what becomes of komo am? Not crossing my fingers here. komo is likely another great am doomed.
Before 9/30.
I think it's safe to assume the call letters will be relegated to only KOMO TV. Calling it News-Radio 1000, (assuming that's what they do) won't matter what the call letters ultimately becomes.
But the calls are what started the brand nearly 20 years ago. Losing those will hurt.
No it won't. Vast majority of modern listeners just know when they push a certain preset on their car radio, they hear Newsradio 1000. Nobody will stop listening because they don't call themselves KOMO.
That reminds me, KOMO AM marketed themselves as Newsradio 1000 when airing ads on KOMO-TV competitors. Like in this ad:
What was the purpose for this marketing strategy? Was 1000 owned by a different company at the time? I remember these commercials but never thought much about the reasoning.
Don’t know when this ad came out but it looks like they were getting negative feedback from other stations that would make the ad harder to sell. Would expect to see more of this komo-less imaging very soon.
Apparently, KOMO (AM) (which is indeed co-owned with KOMO-TV) wanted to advertise on TV stations like KING, KIRO, etc.
The ad seems to air around 2006-2007. Guessing based off the logo on the ad.
No you have that backwards. Other stations didn’t want KOMO mentioned on their channels.
- Status