710 KIRO

[WKomm]

So what's the deal? They're not even bothering to include 710 in on-air mentions any longer. Will they eventually put something else on KIRO AM?

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

The speculation is that 710AM will flip to all-sports sometime after the election now that KIRO re-acquired the Mariners broadcast rights. See these previous threads for more information:
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=110525.0
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic=109921.0
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic=103257.0

 

[WKomm]

SRP - Thanks for the info. I don't get it. As a long time radio dude I understand change and all that but I would think you would just do it all in one move and get it over with. But that's why I don't sit in the big chair and wear a suit.

 

[Bongwater]

SRP - Thanks for the info. I don't get it. As a long time radio dude I understand change and all that but I would think you would just do it all in one move and get it over with. But that's why I don't sit in the big chair and wear a suit.

That's why I say just dump the AM simulcast COMPLETELY...NOW....If Bonneville is dead serious in getting people to move to FM, shock therapy is the way to go. Otherwise, they'll still be getting phone calls about where's Dave on 710 in January....

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

SRP - Thanks for the info. I don't get it. As a long time radio dude I understand change and all that but I would think you would just do it all in one move and get it over with. But that's why I don't sit in the big chair and wear a suit.

There's a combination of things that's likely delaying the simulcast split:
-Allow enough time to get listeners switched to the FM band before pulling the plug
-Ad buys (especially political onesl)
-Seahawks games (they're supposed to be on FM and AM this year)
-Getting a radio sports network affiliation deal (rumored to be ESPN)

I totally agree that ideally, the switch should be done in one fell swoop - but Bonneville has a lot of experience in moving AM formats to FM and they've been successful with this "delayed" approach.

 

[WKomm]

SRP - You have good points and I'm sure my posts show why I'm in the conrol room and not the board room. Still - I just find it strange. BTW - I find the sound of talk on FM strange as well. And not just because it's new. I've heard talk on FM in different markets for many years. As I just stated, I'm a behind-the-mic guy and no engineering expert but i would think it best to process the FM feed completely differently than that from the AM. My guess is they don't do that at KIRO. It sounds flat and thin, IMO.

 

[FatRadioGuy]

There is a huge push to get FM radio on cell phones and other portable devices but AM will never be included. If you want your content on such devices, then put it on FM.....

 

[Bongwater]

There is a huge push to get FM radio on cell phones and other portable devices but AM will never be included. If you want your content on such devices, then put it on FM.....

But WHY?? Everybody already listens to wi-fi radio off their cell phones anyway!

 

[CleverUsernameHere]

Seattle Radio Pro points to one of the biggest factors -- ad revenue during the political season. Guess is that we see things move a little quicker after November 4.

 

[mightymoose]

There is a huge push to get FM radio on cell phones and other portable devices but AM will never be included. If you want your content on such devices, then put it on FM.....

If you want your content on a cell phone podcast it (or start your own internet radio station....yuck). Teens & 20-somethings don't give a rats butt about radio. They want their content free, they don't want any damn commercials and they're the up and coming generation.

 

[KCRadionut]

My eighteen year old and his clan couldn't care less about radio and probably don't know how to turn one on. They 're wondering why I listen to commercial radio and the commercials.

K

 

[WKomm]

I wouldn't be so fast to write off younger listeners. The battle for listeners is far from over and radio - although changed and wounded - is still a huge media force. IMO, the real key is compelling content. Last Saturday, I think SNL had one of its best shows in a long time. A ton of surprise guests, great skits w energy, Palin - and the #'s reflected it. Plenty of young demos watched.

Content.

"12in a row" or "Your chance to win $500" is hardly compelling radio.

 

[mightymoose]

The battle for listeners is far from over and radio - although changed and wounded - is still a huge media force. IMO, the real key is compelling content.

And after 17 years of radio consolidation and 17 years of the internet the winner is: Internet 1, Radio 0

 

[talkerdjdude]

I'd like to see KIRO expand all its talk shows and blow out more of its news. 6 hour is a rehash, morning drive is dull -- although I do like the Gregg and Linda combo -- and the news throughout the day interrupts more than it adds. I like news on FM and have been listening to KUOW for years, but KIROs strength is its talk with Dave and Dori.

 

[WKomm]

mightymoose - 1 to 0? Not much of an impressive victory after 17 years. I think I'll wait a bit before raising the white flag.