100.3 not going News/Talk!

[wprt949]

r1 left the stream open to 100.3 right now they are playing some kick ass funk music

george clinton is playing right now that guys music rules

 

[TimmyWA]

Was listening to the stream and they said they would be back Monday "for one last show"....

EDIT: They being the morning show

 

[Kent]

They changed the last line under Name and Call Letter changes which stated they were changing format today at 9AM to News and Talk.
I could have quoted what it said at the time of my posting BUT did not want to do anything having to do with breaking the rules of posting quotes from other sources here using their content.
Anyone can edit a wikipedia page as well, so although not completely a solid resource, I found it interesting that the page clearly stated as of 9PM that the station was flipping to news/talk.
MOST of the time, I have learned that stations do not provide information as to what they are doing or changes in format as to not "tip off" the competitors.

What it seems to me is that, ever since Bonneville announced the "FM News Initiative" a couple years ago and moved a few successful news/talkers to FM, everyone has been assuming they would be doing FM news/talk everywhere. However, what they forget is that Bonneville had said its purpose was to make existing successful news/talk stations more appealing to a younger audience. They specifically mentioned "existing" news/talk stations and indicated they did not expect to launch any such FM news stations from scratch. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they would if they felt the opportunity were there, but launching a brand new news/talk station isn't cheap. I remember Infinity raiding newsrooms in Dallas/Ft. Worth in '96 to launch KEWS "All News 94.9," which failed to catch on, had incredible expenses, and lasted six months. A lot of really good newspeople got shafted by leaving the established news stations and having nowhere to return after KEWS went away. That would be on my mind if I were working at a station like KNX and were suddenly asked if I wanted to go to a startup.

I've also heard the architect behind the "FM News Initiative" is no longer with the company, and they haven't launched any additional FM news/talkers since his departure. So, although the initiative was moderately successful, it doesn't seem like the "FM News Initiative" worked as Bonneville had been hoping.

 

[davideduardo]

I've also heard the architect behind the "FM News Initiative" is no longer with the company, and they haven't launched any additional FM news/talkers since his departure. So, although the initiative was moderately successful, it doesn't seem like the "FM News Initiative" worked as Bonneville had been hoping.

Actually, it has gone better than expected. WTOP, which is all news and not news/talk, is now #1 in DC and has much better 25-54 numbers than when it was on a 50 kw AM. That one was a full swap... no AM simulcast.

In SLC, KSL is having its best books in years, and the 35-54 is way up.

Phonenix dropped the AM to go 100% FM, and has improved 25-54, but not as well as the DC and SLC shifts... but they were considerably behind KFYI when they did the move last year.

So, two markets were instant successes and huge ones, and one is still not the top n/t but is making gains.

 

[jasonharper2013]

i guess we Will find out Monday at 10am After the Morning show

 

[radiosanchez]

I doubt that posting a music director job means you actually have to hire one. A great way to take an inventory of ambitious candidates for the whole cluster. You think?

What format experience are they asking for in this MD opening?? Nobody has said...Methinks they don't say it either in the opening...Probably a big clue that said opening is a 'smokescreen'.

 

[henry]

I think I agree with you.

I could see Bonneville flipping 100.3 to an odd, but believable music format with a lackluster name (e.g an AC format called "Misty 100.3"), with sweepers and maybe even jingles. The station would run jockless for a couple of weeks when all of a sudden one morning a six AM, and full-blown news bumper rolls into a polished news station - catching everyone (especially CBS, Emmis, and Clear Channel) off guard.

 

[ercjncpr]

I think I agree with you.

I could see Bonneville flipping 100.3 to an odd, but believable music format with a lackluster name (e.g an AC format called "Misty 100.3"), with sweepers and maybe even jingles. The station would run jockless for a couple of weeks when all of a sudden one morning a six AM, and full-blown news bumper rolls into a polished news station - catching everyone (especially CBS, Emmis, and Clear Channel) off guard.

You mean like a two week stunting thing? I kinda doubt it. But Bonneville sure must be enjoying all the "buzz" that their new stick is generating!

 

[Kent]

You mean like a two week stunting thing? I kinda doubt it. But Bonneville sure must be enjoying all the "buzz" that their new stick is generating!

I wouldn't expect Bonneville to have lied to the trades when saying they were taking 100.3 to a music format. Yes, some companies do it, but it's really a bad idea as it only takes one lie to ruin your credibility, especially when there are so many other options you have to just avoid the question. Most operators know this.

 

[davideduardo]

I wouldn't expect Bonneville to have lied to the trades when saying they were taking 100.3 to a music format.

Bonneville has not said anything to the trades. All the on-line news sites are referencing the Bonneville employment opportunities page, not a press release.

 

[RadioStarOne]

Does it really matter what format they do on this cursed signal? Just because Bonneville bought it this station is all of a sudden going to make mountains of money? I rather doubt it, but they can try!

 

[Kent]

Bonneville has not said anything to the trades. All the on-line news sites are referencing the Bonneville employment opportunities page, not a press release.

Untrue. Both Radio and Records and Radio-Online specifically mentioned Craig Haslem, corporate Director of Public Affairs, telling them the station would adopt a music format. AllAccess said pretty much the same thing, though they were a little more cryptic about it.

 

[davideduardo]

Does it really matter what format they do on this cursed signal?

You mean where KJOI, for a long time a top 5 station, was some decades ago? There is no curse, just incompetent programming.

 

[davideduardo]

Bonneville has not said anything to the trades. All the on-line news sites are referencing the Bonneville employment opportunities page, not a press release.

Untrue. Both Radio and Records and Radio-Online specifically mentioned Craig Haslem, corporate Director of Public Affairs, telling them the station would adopt a music format. AllAccess said pretty much the same thing, though they were a little more cryptic about it.

To me, the response from a person who does not do press releases or determine formats, seemed to be "deer in headlights" at best and "taken off guard" at worst. Again, it is all based on a "want ad" and not any official declaration. Of course, by Monday we will know anyway...

 

[RadioStarOne]

You mean where KJOI, for a long time a top 5 station, was some decades ago? There is no curse, just incompetent programming. David.

That was then David. This is now. The audience that made KJOI numbers look so good then is 55 years old and older or dead, and is now undesirable to the ad agencies like you have said many many many many times! Bonneville will not have some easy sleigh ride with this station. But they can try! lol...

 

[hotpatrick2004]

It will be music no ifs ands or butts two weeks stunting with misty 100 or two weeks stunting hardly. My coin is on kost to have competition ;D

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Does it really matter what format they do on this cursed signal?

You mean where KJOI, for a long time a top 5 station, was some decades ago? There is no curse, just incompetent programming.

KJOI was at 98.7

 

[davideduardo]

Yep. I messed that one up. Thanks for spotting it.

One point, though... if a more limited signal like 98.7 could make it to the top, 100.3, on Wilson, certainly can. If KSCA can be #1 or #2 consistently with less power, writing off 100.3 to signal is not correct.

Even more signal challenged KROQ is pretty consitently the market's top biller... so the 100.3 signal is not the main issue.

 

[radioresearcher]

Yep. I messed that one up. Thanks for spotting it.

One point, though... if a more limited signal like 98.7 could make it to the top, 100.3, on Wilson, certainly can. If KSCA can be #1 or #2 consistently with less power, writing off 100.3 to signal is not correct.

Even more signal challenged KROQ is pretty consitently the market's top biller... so the 100.3 signal is not the main issue.

Why is this a cursed signal? K-LITE was just fine as an AC for many years running "Format 41" and had some pretty decent years. Pirate Radio lasted a couple of years and was blown up with a 2.7 - yes a 2.7.

"Mega 100" also delivered some decent numbers on 100.3 until KKBT moved there in 2000 - and that did pretty good until 2005. The signal has had some good years.

It's not the signal.

 

[airpab]

Like DE and others have said, the dial position is relatively inconsequential if the signal is half-way decent. And the 100.3 signal is more than decent.

Good programming and a commitment to the format is the only way to succeed in radio...especially today. People have more choices then ever, so you better be good, you better be committed and you better be able to sell your product.

Bonneville has the $$ and the know-how, so it will be interesting.

My bet is a KOST competitor. KIIS is strong and a direct assault on it by a conservative company like Bonneville would be very costly and dicey in L.A.