UCLA signs with KABC (!)

[K.M. Richards]

Cumulus finally gets something that might get an audience on 790:

Bruins Sign On With KABC Radio For Audio Coverage | Radio & Television Business Report

In the distant past, it was Southern California's top-rated spoken word station. Today, KABC-790 is seeking to rekindle some of the magic it enjoyed when Michael Jackson — the talk host, not the singer — brought listeners by teaming up with the University of California, Los Angeles.

rbr.com

The Bruins move from KLAC. I have to wonder why.

 

[TheBigA]

I have to wonder why.

When there's a conflict with the Dodgers, college football goes to KEIB.

No conflicts at KABC.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

When there's a conflict with the Dodgers, college football goes to KEIB.

No conflicts at KABC.

No listeners there either.

 

[Rusty Muck]

Is UCLA, or some affiliate of the university, paying KABC for the airtime?

 

[K.M. Richards]

When there's a conflict with the Dodgers, college football goes to KEIB.

No conflicts at KABC.

No programming worth preserving, either.

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

Is UCLA, or some affiliate of the university, paying KABC for the airtime?

I believe UCLA is a client of Learfield. If that's the case, then Learfield will be paying for the airtime.
I stand corrected. See the below post...

 

[PTBoardOp93]

Is UCLA, or some affiliate of the university, paying KABC for the airtime?

Unconfirmed, but very likely.

The Bruins move from KLAC. I have to wonder why.

UCLA announced a switch from Learfield to JMI Sports as radio rights grantor during football season last year. It seems like JMI valued being the premier property on KABC instead of being second/third fiddle on KLAC.

UCLA Signs New 11-Year Multimedia Rights Partnership With JMI Sports

As UCLA transitions to the Big Ten, the school has also inked a new 11-year multimedia right partnership with JMI Sports that's set to begin in the 2024-25 season.s

www.athleticbusiness.com

JMI is much smaller than Learfield, but it has signed some schools with big athletics brands ... Notre Dame, Georgia, Kentucky and now UCLA.

 

[K.M. Richards]

Nice job finding that piece of the puzzle.

 

[Karl]

"KABC’s powerhouse signal"

 

[ted chittenden]

No programming worth preserving, either.

...and KABC does not get out as far as KLAC does!

 

[TheBigA]

...and KABC does not get out as far as KLAC does!

However, their streaming signal is receivable everywhere.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

However, their streaming signal is receivable everywhere.

So in order for us to hear the hapless Bruins who were not bowl eligible last time we checked, all we need to do is tune in the ever-popular KABC app since their OTA signal is of (very) limited use.

Got it.

 

[KilowattKat]

Does KABC no longer subscribe to Nielsen?

 

[TheBigA]

Does KABC no longer subscribe to Nielsen?

Richard Wagoner did an article about that two years ago:

Who’s rising in the LA radio ratings, and who’s gone missing

Richard Wagoner writes about what’s happening on the radio.

www.dailynews.com

 

[ted chittenden]

However, their streaming signal is receivable everywhere.

I know that Learfield placed restrictions on the streaming of college games affiliated with it. I wonder (or, more likely, suspect) that this new service will do the same.

 

[TheBigA]

I know that Learfield placed restrictions on the streaming of college games affiliated with it. I wonder (or, more likely, suspect) that this new service will do the same.

According to the linked article in the OP:

Broadcasts will also be available on SiriusXM and the KABC Radio app.

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

I know that Learfield placed restrictions on the streaming of college games affiliated with it. I wonder (or, more likely, suspect) that this new service will do the same.

Learfield has the Varsity Network app, which covers all of its partner schools. There aren't any restrictions that I know of.

 

[K.M. Richards]

According to the linked article in the OP:

Broadcasts will also be available on SiriusXM and the KABC Radio app.

That doesn't necessarily mean Learfield won't require geofencing, though.

 

[KeithE4]

Learfield has the Varsity Network app, which covers all of its partner schools. There aren't any restrictions that I know of.

Never had any issues with Big Ten games airing on Learfield affiliates, notably Indiana University, in Arizona on TuneIn. But that was last year. We'll see if that continues next week.

 

[El Zilcho]

"KABC’s powerhouse signal"

Another press release touts the station’s local news coverage and awards won. KABC doesn’t have a real local news department anymore or even much of a formal news-gathering operation. It’s contracted-out local news readers.