A River Runs Through The ABQ!

[davideduardo]

I would likely see these two changes taking place:

La Jefa and Radio Lobo would merge their formats, with 97.7 becoming La Jefa and the KJFA calls being transferred to 97.7, and then EMF would be free to use the KLVO calls to launch a future K-Love station.

I could see 106.7 The River move over to 105.1 replacing classic hip hop Yo! 105.1, since American General Media launched The River nearly a year ago.

The KJFA calls were sold with the frequency to Don Davis' group for $250,000. It's up to Mr Davis to decide what calls to put on the 101.3 frequency if he decides to use them.

As Kent suggested, the survivor name will be Lobo. It might incorporate elements of the Jefa programming,

 

[crainbebo]

How are the KJFA ratings? Could there be a format flip or switch? Don Davis/Martha Whitman own 103.7 The Oasis (Smooth Jazz) in ABQ.

 

[miketheradioguy]

I suspect Radio Lobo will be the surviving brand. It has performed better than La Jefa for quite some time, though AGM doesn't sell the numbers.

Not sure about the River and Yo. Yo was up pretty big after moving to 105.1. Urban-based formats are typically harder to sell, but Yo might be a better fit with AGM adding Kiss to the mix.

I thought I read somewhere that the La Jefa branding would move to 97.7, and I thought Univision had the exclusive rights to the Yo branding.

As for The River, I consider Modern AC a redundant format to the more popular Hot AC format. Another good question would be where American General Media would park the KAGM calls once VCY acquires 106.7.

 

[Kent]

I thought I read somewhere that the La Jefa branding would move to 97.7, and I thought Univision had the exclusive rights to the Yo branding.

I don't know the specifics of this deal, but station sales often include a license to continue the existing branding if the format is included. If AGM wants to continue using "Yo," it probably will be able to do so for at least a few years.

 

[Kent]

How are the KJFA ratings? Could there be a format flip or switch? Don Davis/Martha Whitman own 103.7 The Oasis (Smooth Jazz) in ABQ.

KJFA has been declining for awhile now. Pretty sure it was in the 1-1.5 range in the last book. Albuquerque is notorious for wobble due to the large number of stations and relatively small sample size, but KJFA has been trailing KLVO for awhile now.

Don Davis also owned 101.3 when it signed on. So, in terms of ownership, that station has gone full circle. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the new home for The 80's Channel, but we'll be finding out in the near future.

 

[crainbebo]

Or the other way around (but I don't expect it). '101.3 the Oasis' and 'The 80's Channel at 103.7'? I know 101.3's transmitter is west of ABQ but unlike 103.7, they have at least a fair signal into Edgewood and Moriarty. In fact, KOAZ runs a 96.7 translator in Tijeras to serve residents and retirees in the mountains just southeast of Sandia Crest where reception is difficult.

 

[davideduardo]

How are the KJFA ratings? Could there be a format flip or switch? Don Davis/Martha Whitman own 103.7 The Oasis (Smooth Jazz) in ABQ.

The Davis / Whitman stations were split when they divorced well over a year ago. They are no longer co-owned.

 

[davideduardo]

KJFA has been declining for awhile now. Pretty sure it was in the 1-1.5 range in the last book. Albuquerque is notorious for wobble due to the large number of stations and relatively small sample size, but KJFA has been trailing KLVO for awhile now.

The problem with Spanish language radio in ABQ is that less than 20% of area Hispanics are Spanish dominant, so there are very limited shares available for stations in Spanish.

 

[Kent]

The Davis / Whitman stations were split when they divorced well over a year ago. They are no longer co-owned.

According to FCC records, Whitman sold KOAZ and 103.7 to Davis roughly two years ago. I think that was right around the time of their divorce. Davis sold 1550 around the same time. I'd guess that was part of the divorce, too, though that information may not be public record.

So, when Davis takes over 101.3, it will indeed be co-owned with KOAZ. As mentioned earlier in this thread, Davis will also be programming 106.3.

 

[crainbebo]

106.3 could also flip. KDLW is way down at the bottom of the ratings, 1.1 in Spring 2017 book.

 

[Kent]

I can't imagine 101.3 and 106.3 keeping their current formats. Only question is what they'll be.

 

[Kent]

Looks like changes are either happening or about to happen. Z-106.3's website is redirecting to Kiss 97.3's, and The River is redirecting to KIOT. KJFA and Yo are saying they're under construction.

 

[AbqAnonymous]

106.7 is now airing religious music. 106.3, 101.3 and 105.1 are still the same for now. All of the former Univision stations websites have a splash screen stating that a new site is coming soon.

 

[miketheradioguy]

Looks like changes are either happening or about to happen. Z-106.3's website is redirecting to Kiss 97.3's, and The River is redirecting to KIOT. KJFA and Yo are saying they're under construction.

Now that the sale has been completed, American General Media has began shaking up their Albuquerque cluster. The question is where would American General Media transfer the KAGM call letters since they sold 106.7 The River to VCY America.

 

[miketheradioguy]

If Univision's strategy is not to divest stations because of iHeartMedia, then their strategy is to divest stations in non-PPM markets. I could see Univision selling radio stations in Fresno, McAllen-Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley, and Puerto Rico, which are their remaining non-PPM markets.

 

[davideduardo]

If Univision's strategy is not to divest stations because of iHeartMedia, then their strategy is to divest stations in non-PPM markets. I could see Univision selling radio stations in Fresno, McAllen-Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley, and Puerto Rico, which are their remaining non-PPM markets.

This has nothing to do with iHeart.

The recent sales by Univision have been in smaller markets where the do not own TV stations. In fact, both markets are well known as over-radioed, low rate slow growth markets.

Further, in El Paso they only had one FM and in ABQ there were fewer than 10 Spanish shares available.

In Puerto Rico, on the other hand, they have Two TV networks and, generally, two of the top two radio stations. .

 

[miketheradioguy]

This has nothing to do with iHeart.

The recent sales by Univision have been in smaller markets where the do not own TV stations. In fact, both markets are well known as over-radioed, low rate slow growth markets.

Further, in El Paso they only had one FM and in ABQ there were fewer than 10 Spanish shares available.

In Puerto Rico, on the other hand, they have Two TV networks and, generally, two of the top two radio stations. .

I predict that Univision could divest their McAllen-Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley radio stations because like Albuquerque and El Paso, it's one of Univision's non-O&O TV markets as their affiliate is owned by Entravision.

Univision's other non-O&O TV markets are San Diego and Las Vegas, both of which are also owned by Entravision.

 

[AbqAnonymous]

Z 106.3 has a new web site up with a new studio address listed at 1213 San Pedro NE which is the same as 103.7. I wonder if they're just going to keep this going?

Nothing new at 101.3 or 105.1. Maybe nothing will change?!

 

[AbqAnonymous]

It looks like a change has happened. Area 102.9 has shifted from active rock back to the modern rock format it had in 2015. Although the playlist sounds more like album adult alternative. They probably needed it to differentiate from KIOT. Guess we'll see what happens next!

 

[Kent]

Thanks for the updates. The FCC is now listing KAGM as available. If AGM wants to keep those calls, it probably should act soon. If Martin Shkreli owned a radio station, he'd pick up those calls and sell them for a ton!