KZFO KFLC Now Run By LMN

[TheBigA]

The Latino Media Networks has taken over programming of KZFO/KFLC. The stations had been under an operating agreement with previous owner Univision.

Latino Media Network Assumes Management Of KFZO/KFLC Dallas.

The Latino Media Network takes full operational control of KFZO and KFLC in Dallas. No programming or personal changes have been announced. The two stations were part of LMN’s $60

www.insideradio.com

The new company is running about half of the stations it purchased last year (mostly in Texas), with the rest to be added by January.

 

[Mediafrog+]

So whatever happened to the national talk programming LMN supposedly was going to produce? Sounds like more of the same for the stations they now have operational control over. Continuing the TUDN affiliation on 1270? Same music on 99.1?

Here in Houston we have the odd situation that TUDN is on KLAT 1010 (now under LMN control) as well as KQBU 93.3, which remains under Univision. Would seem the AM would have to find different programming unless it also extends the TUDN affiliation...but why would they do that with a (now) competitor running the same thing?

 

[TheBigA]

So whatever happened to the national talk programming LMN supposedly was going to produce?

I'm not aware they ever proposed national talk programming, or any programming.

There has been a lot of speculation, but nothing that I've seen that is official.

This particular release doesn't mention any changes in Dallas.

 

[Mediafrog+]

I'm not aware they ever proposed national talk programming, or any programming.

There has been a lot of speculation, but nothing that I've seen that is official.

This particular release doesn't mention any changes in Dallas.

LMN producing its own unique programming was all the chatter when the deal was announced mid-2022. Did we all misinterpret that? And if so, what is the point of LMN if they aren’t going to change anything?

I would think a change would have to happen at Houston’s KLAT.

 

[TheBigA]

LMN producing its own unique programming was all the chatter when the deal was announced mid-2022.

I think you're right about chatter, but none of it was based on any quotes from the company. What they told a lot of the existing talk show hosts was that their employment would continue. So far, that's been true.

The "point" of this was that Univision wanted to get rid of these stations, and LMN was a willing buyer. That's all that needs to happen. There was a lot of Chicken Little chatter when this was announced, and so far, the sky hasn't fallen.

 

[101.9 La Kalle]

So whatever happened to the national talk programming LMN supposedly was going to produce? Sounds like more of the same for the stations they now have operational control over. Continuing the TUDN affiliation on 1270? Same music on 99.1?

Maybe they're planning to launch the network when all the stations they bought fall under their control?

They already have KXTN, KLAT, KFLC and KFZO at this point, so they should have most, if not all the stations they bought under control by late December 2023.

 

[JackindaBox]

They probably are going to get rid of all of the stations formats and flip it all to Spanish based formats.

 

[101.9 La Kalle]

They probably are going to get rid of all of the stations formats and flip it all to Spanish based formats.

I'm pretty sure they all have Spanish language formats.

Unless you're talking about Spanish language News/Talk?

 

[Robert Douglas]

KXTN has started to run occasional block religious shows in the early AM hours. When I can't sleep, I just scan the AM dial - that's part of my super exciting life these days!

 

[Deleted member 76036]

So whatever happened to the national talk programming LMN supposedly was going to produce? Sounds like more of the same for the stations they now have operational control over. Continuing the TUDN affiliation on 1270? Same music on 99.1?

Here in Houston we have the odd situation that TUDN is on KLAT 1010 (now under LMN control) as well as KQBU 93.3, which remains under Univision. Would seem the AM would have to find different programming unless it also extends the TUDN affiliation...but why would they do that with a (now) competitor running the same thing?

It appears that Univision is allowing LMN to exclusively have TUDN on 1270, as they’ve shut off 107.9 HD3, which was carrying TUDN.

KXTN is still on 107.9 KDXX HD2.

 

[Mediafrog+]

It appears that Univision is allowing LMN to exclusively have TUDN on 1270, as they’ve shut off 107.9 HD3, which was carrying TUDN.

KXTN is still on 107.9 KDXX HD2.

Here in Houston, last I checked LMN’s KLAT 1010 and Univision’s KQBU 93.3 were both still running TUDN, as they’ve done for some time. I would think one of them will flip, but who?

 

[101.9 La Kalle]

Here in Houston, last I checked LMN’s KLAT 1010 and Univision’s KQBU 93.3 were both still running TUDN, as they’ve done for some time. I would think one of them will flip, but who?

95% chance that KLAT will flip and KQBU will remain as TUDN.

 

[radioislife2020]

They now have a PD

 

[charles1234]

They now have a PD

Who??

 

[davideduardo]

I think you're right about chatter, but none of it was based on any quotes from the company. What they told a lot of the existing talk show hosts was that their employment would continue. So far, that's been true.

Most of the stations were either TUDN networked or all music (Fresno, McAllen, the FM in Dallas and Las Vegas). Only one in Miami, a couple of shows on WADO in New York, much of KTNQ in LA and some of the Chicago station had "live" local talent (the octogenarians on WAQI sounded their age). Maybe 12 to 14 people by my count. And half of them... the whole WAQI staff... has left. So we are talking about less than 10 fulltime people.

The "point" of this was that Univision wanted to get rid of these stations, and LMN was a willing buyer. That's all that needs to happen. There was a lot of Chicken Little chatter when this was announced, and so far, the sky hasn't fallen.

LMN was formed to keep Salem, who had a deal at about $18 million less, for the same stations. The Soros interests did not like that due to Salem's "persuasion", and found some activist cohorts who could be sold the idea without any radio knowledge and it happened.

 

[davideduardo]

Who??

No announcement. In fact, no press release in 5 months!

 

[TheBigA]

LMN was formed to keep Salem, who had a deal at about $18 million less, for the same stations. The Soros interests did not like that due to Salem's "persuasion", and found some activist cohorts who could be sold the idea without any radio knowledge and it happened.

One other aspect is that the FCC has been trying to diversify media ownership for over 30 years. Every new FCC chairman comes in and complains about the lack of media ownership diversity. Where are the women? Where are the blacks? Where are the Hispanics? The problem is that none of them could get financing. So this group comes along, run by two Hispanic women, and they get access to funding. Now you have a new Hispanic radio group, run by American women. Not foreign interests. That's all it takes. All radio needs is alternate funding.

 

[davideduardo]

One other aspect is that the FCC has been trying to diversify media ownership for over 30 years. Every new FCC chairman comes in and complains about the lack of media ownership diversity. Where are the women? Where are the blacks? Where are the Hispanics? The problem is that none of them could get financing. So this group comes along, run by two Hispanic women, and they get access to funding.

It was the other way around. At least one of the Soros funded groups heard about Salem buying all the Univision AMs to do a Spanish language conservative talk format. They got funding from "the big guy" and then found some "perfect fit" people to head it, activist Hispanic women.

It did not matter than the women had no media or radio experience. They were females, and they were Hispanic and they were activists with pedigrees.

Now you have a new Hispanic radio group, run by American women. Not foreign interests. That's all it takes. All radio needs is alternate funding.

But Salem is just as "American" and is a shareholder-owned public corporation. So to do the deal, the new group had to severely overpay... by nearly 50%.

 

[TheBigA]

It did not matter than the women had no media or radio experience. They were females, and they were Hispanic and they were activists with pedigrees

Here are two examples of men with lots of radio experience: Bob Pittman and Lew Dickey. Lew is a second generation owner. His father owned stations in NY state. Then add David Field, another second generation radio owner. They all know everything about radio. How are they doing?

As I've said many times before. radio needs people with new ideas, who aren't burdened by the past. After 20 years of endless radio bankruptcies, the investment money has dried up. Only religious broadcasters have any money. Radio needs new funding sources.

But Salem is just as "American" and is a shareholder-owned public corporation. So to do the deal, the new group had to severely overpay... by nearly 50%.

Had Salem bought those stations it would have pushed them into bankruptcy. They're still very touch & go now. They need to sell assets to stay afloat. They couldn't afford to spend money on loser AM stations. Their stock is under $1. They're about to be delisted. Who at Salem thought that was a good idea? That person should have been fired.

 

[davideduardo]

Here are two examples of men with lots of radio experience: Bob Pittman and Lew Dickey. Lew is a second generation owner. His father owned stations in NY state. Then add David Field, another second generation radio owner. They all know everything about radio. How are they doing?

Pittman was a successful programmer and TV project manager. He is doing about the best job in the industry outside of Townsquare in getting iHeart into a viable future position. His burden is a debt that he did not create... a bunch of investment bankers did that.

The Dickeys are unique. Thank God. For every Dickey, there are hundreds of small market or small group owners like the Sorensens in the Dakotas or the Kalmensens in the Southwest running solid, well financed and profitable groups.

As I've said many times before. radio needs people with new ideas, who aren't burdened by the past.

Pittman is one of those. He was the first to think of directly negotiating music fees with the rights holders. He has used strong names in music station talent like Seacreast to strengthen local stations with national quality talent. He has consolidated national sales and developed a profitable set of concerts and events. He is working on a string of podcasts, too.

After 20 years of endless radio bankruptcies, the investment money has dried up. Only religious broadcasters have any money. Radio needs new funding sources.

It's not going to get them. And when possible fund sources see how nearly impossible obtaining profits from ad-supported streams, there will be even less funding.

Had Salem bought those stations it would have pushed them into bankruptcy.

Not really. Salem realized that money from conservative sources comes from national, not local, organizations and they were going to offer more "national" reach via purchases and syndication. In this case, they were going to expand Hispanic reach and combine it with their existing faith-based programming.

They're still very touch & go now. They need to sell assets to stay afloat. They couldn't afford to spend money on loser AM stations. Their stock is under $1. They're about to be delisted. Who at Salem thought that was a good idea? That person should have been fired.

The idea was to take the profit high point in their existing operation and also among stations owned by former executives who had their own groups in the Hispanic area and expand it.