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What should KIXI do next?
- Thread starter Cobra14
- Start date
Because I have a soft spot in my heart for KIXI, my “ideal world” answer would be dump all of the current talk shows and music, and then program an older skewing classic hits format. Nothing too old, and just new enough to cross over with 95.7. The format would probably be concentrated on big 70’s hits that don’t get significant airplay anymore.
Because I’m pretending that I just invested my own money in this station, I would probably try to lease out the airtime (or find some sort of network programming that would pay for airtime). One of the biggest hurdles here is that the signal is arguably a daytime signal, since the night reception is so bad. In terms of AM stations I’d want to own in the market, 880 is not high on the list.
Because I’m pretending that I just invested my own money in this station, I would probably try to lease out the airtime (or find some sort of network programming that would pay for airtime). One of the biggest hurdles here is that the signal is arguably a daytime signal, since the night reception is so bad. In terms of AM stations I’d want to own in the market, 880 is not high on the list.
The time to make this station an absolute powerhouse already passed. If only KIXI would have jumped on the opportunity to get an FM translator (like the 95.3 that KRKO runs). Buffalo's Oldies WECK-AM and multiple translators beats multiple full-powered FMs in the PPMs.
I like Fordranger's idea. A nice mix of safe '60s staples (Beatles, Rolling Stones) and 1970s hits. An Elvis hit here and there. Kind of like KRUZN' KTCR here in Yakima, or the old KBSG-97.3.
I like Fordranger's idea. A nice mix of safe '60s staples (Beatles, Rolling Stones) and 1970s hits. An Elvis hit here and there. Kind of like KRUZN' KTCR here in Yakima, or the old KBSG-97.3.
A lot of people would scoff at the idea, but an older skewing classic hits format would have probably been more beneficial to this station than doing nothing at all. They virtually did nothing to rethink or retool the format as time passed, which makes no sense at all to me. There are probably some KIXI listeners out there who would like to hear The Beatles, James Taylor, Blood Sweat and Tears, and other artists that don’t make the cut on a big FM signal like 95.7. KRKO seems be doing okay following this strategy. Is it going to pull amazing ratings? No. But it’s one thing that they could have done that wasn’t nothing. CISL 650 in Vancouver wasn’t doing THAT badly when they were bought out by Rogers a number of years ago. At that point, the station was a decent sounding classic hits format and even had local morning and drive shows.
For the record, if you’re playing perry como or Connie Francis in 2023, it’s game over.
Historical trivia time:
1) Does anyone remember why the call sign of the AM was KIXI? Hint - frequency
2) Who remembers the person who upgraded the small suburban signal to become KIXI?
3) What was the call sign before it was KIXI?
4) What was the frequency of the FM that was associated with KIXI?
1) Does anyone remember why the call sign of the AM was KIXI? Hint - frequency
2) Who remembers the person who upgraded the small suburban signal to become KIXI?
3) What was the call sign before it was KIXI?
4) What was the frequency of the FM that was associated with KIXI?
SO trying to do this from memory:
1) IXI is "kind of" the Roman numeral for 91
2) Wally Nelskog
3) KUDY?
4) 95.7
1) IXI is "kind of" the Roman numeral for 91
2) Wally Nelskog
3) KUDY?
4) 95.7
Resurrect the original KMCQ (all songs of the 60's and 70's) format. Maybe Lou and Greg are still in the market.
I know what my radio geek friend would do with it, hyper-local AAA similar to Coffee House Radio on SXM. That's her dream format. Either that or that goes on 1150 and her other obsessive format, a '90s heavy dance format appears on 880. As for what I'd do with it, I'm not sure. With older-leaning Classic Hits, KRKO has the right idea. Possibly I'd do a better presented version of what 1460 was doing a few years ago. The only other thing I could think of doing is bringing the 90s and 2K format that has popped up in a few places to Seattle, but 880 would be the completely wrong signal for that. Actually, here's a wild scenario, swap the formats of 770 and 880, then launch the 90s and 2K format on 770, which has a translator attached.
Can any music format on AM get respectable ratings and billing theses days, let alone be a powerhouse? As suggested above, they could probably easily transition to an softer oldies station, playing late 50s, 60s and 70s. There would some overlap between their current playlist and a softer or AC oldies format. If music no longer works in AM, that basically leaves spoken word (news, talk, info) formats.
I think you should make Hubbard an offer, buy the station, and play lots of Pat Benetar.
The person programming the music on the mystery station on 92.9 should consult with the owners of KIXI. Then they can get it back on track. The mystery person can direct people to KIXI who like 92.9 before that Chehalis station takes over the frequency. Win win deal. Perfect music mix for KIXI. Like what FordRanger said music wise.
The perfect music mix for KIXI would not be music. Unless perhaps programmed for an underserved ethnic group. In homogeneous Seattle, that is in itself a tough nut to crack.
Every time you hear an ambulance, that's one fewer KIXI listener.
Every time you hear an ambulance, that's one fewer KIXI listener.
I could potentially see Chinese programming on 880, given that the signal is best received on the east side, but I doubt there are enough listeners to make it work.
Only if some rich Chinese business was willing to essentially rent the station. There is zero ad revenue potential for foreign language programming, let alone enough that would even pay the power bill of a 50kW AM station at Puget Power rates.
The last time a Seattle AM had any significant audience playing Oldies was KJR-AM and KVI back in the 80's. The last attempt was KVI that tried it briefly again about 12 years ago. And we know what a failure that was. They even had live, local hosts, but never did better than a 0.3 rating. Then they flipped back to Conservative talk.
I think with KIXI right now, it's not about the audience size, but still bringing in enough revenue with the brokered talk during AM and PM drive to keep the station afloat, and still provide the Retro music to those tuning in for it.
Listening during the 10am hour, they've played Seals and Croft and Todd Rundgren, as well as Ray Charles So, it's not true that they don't play music from the 70's.
I think with KIXI right now, it's not about the audience size, but still bringing in enough revenue with the brokered talk during AM and PM drive to keep the station afloat, and still provide the Retro music to those tuning in for it.
Listening during the 10am hour, they've played Seals and Croft and Todd Rundgren, as well as Ray Charles So, it's not true that they don't play music from the 70's.
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Don't they go up to at least the '90s, say Bette Midler?
Yep, good ole' Wind Beneath My Wings. Heck, I heard the Eagles in the noon hour, as well as Al Martino, so it's an Oldies / Standards mix. I even remember them playing Bob Seger "Hollywood Nights". I think the point of the retro format is equal time to all past genres and decades that get no to very little airplay. Personally, I like it, you never know what they'll play next. It's fun to listen to. Sort of a Seattle version of Toronto's Zoomer 740.
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