BAY AREA RADIO FORMATS - WHO's PUSHING THE ENVELOPE?

[NoMoreLurking]

KQED? Are they pushing the envelope by airing network NPR programming and asserting that they're local?

KCBS? Are they thinking outside the box with traffic and weather together on the 8's? And Mitch Thompson (sorry to name a specific person, but it's necessary in this case) is absolutely unlistenable. Jeffrey Schaub is your treasure and I rarely hear him.

KGO? Are they thinking about anything more than SweetJack?

KMVQ? They have a gay-identifying morning show which might reflect a visible element of the market. But after 10am? Are Great America family four paks a draw?

KMEL? What the hell are they talking about?

KBLX? This "new" R&B sounds like 1995. Next?

KISQ? See KBLX, but even older

KOIT? Christmas was kinda fun. Since then not so much. You have some fine personalities who are minimized by your incessant liner cards.

Star 101.3? Is that really a format? Can I actually interact with Ryan Seacrest or will I be put on terminal hold? Would I be better off listening to KBIG, et al via I Hork Radio?

KFOG? Have you deleted all the negative Facebook posts? Have you erased the memory of Dave Morey? Better yet, have you really replaced Dave Morey? This station has the potential to be a third of what it once was. Don't screw it up.

103.7? Wasn't that The Band? Did Yoko break you up too? And seriously, King Harvest hasn't burned yet?

KKSF? Are you proud to be basically even with KSFO?

95.7 The Game? Why are you shouting at me about ...wait, exactly why are you shouting? Who cares?

Alice at 97.3. Give us a reason to like you or - pow, to the moon, Alice.

102.1 and 98.5 KFOX - Daylight savings time starts on Sunday but you're even farther behind. Big Rick is your link to reality. Make use of him. Your new PD may take months to realize that he has some talent treasures on staff.

KYLD - I have not listened. The other stations have kept me more interested. What does that say about Wild 94.9?

And finally, the Spanish language stations - this is your time to strike...the English language stations are clueless and the demos are moving in your direction. Pounce or forever wish you had. This could be the dawning of the age of Estereo Sol...

 

[stewie]

KQED? Are they pushing the envelope by airing network NPR programming and asserting that they're local?

KCBS? Are they thinking outside the box with traffic and weather together on the 8's? And Mitch Thompson (sorry to name a specific person, but it's necessary in this case) is absolutely unlistenable. Jeffrey Schaub is your treasure and I rarely hear him.

KGO? Are they thinking about anything more than SweetJack?

KMVQ? They have a gay-identifying morning show which might reflect a visible element of the market. But after 10am? Are Great America family four paks a draw?

KMEL? What the hell are they talking about?

KBLX? This "new" R&B sounds like 1995. Next?

KISQ? See KBLX, but even older

KOIT? Christmas was kinda fun. Since then not so much. You have some fine personalities who are minimized by your incessant liner cards.

Star 101.3? Is that really a format? Can I actually interact with Ryan Seacrest or will I be put on terminal hold? Would I be better off listening to KBIG, et al via I Hork Radio?

KFOG? Have you deleted all the negative Facebook posts? Have you erased the memory of Dave Morey? Better yet, have you really replaced Dave Morey? This station has the potential to be a third of what it once was. Don't screw it up.

103.7? Wasn't that The Band? Did Yoko break you up too? And seriously, King Harvest hasn't burned yet?

KKSF? Are you proud to be basically even with KSFO?

95.7 The Game? Why are you shouting at me about ...wait, exactly why are you shouting? Who cares?

Alice at 97.3. Give us a reason to like you or - pow, to the moon, Alice.

102.1 and 98.5 KFOX - Daylight savings time starts on Sunday but you're even farther behind. Big Rick is your link to reality. Make use of him. Your new PD may take months to realize that he has some talent treasures on staff.

KYLD - I have not listened. The other stations have kept me more interested. What does that say about Wild 94.9?

And finally, the Spanish language stations - this is your time to strike...the English language stations are clueless and the demos are moving in your direction. Pounce or forever wish you had. This could be the dawning of the age of Estereo Sol...

IMHO, no one.

EDIT: For the record, I thought your summary was pretty funny.

 

[chrocket87]

Why no mention of KITS?

 

[e-dawg]

And finally, the Spanish language stations - this is your time to strike...the English language stations are clueless and the demos are moving in your direction. Pounce or forever wish you had. This could be the dawning of the age of Estereo Sol...

As for the Spanish Speaking stations........
Latino MIX 100.7/105.7......What the hell switch different music genre every month. They can't decide if they want to play more English music or Spanish music. Also.....their music is all mashed up with Spanish Pop, Rock en Espanol, Bachata, Reggaton,Tropical, and English Pop, Rock, and Dance music. One month is mostly Spanish Pop, and another month is mostly Bachata, Tropical, or Reggaton.

Estereo Sol 98.9/99.1 Can't decide what specific genre of Regional Mexican, similar to Latino Mix......playing heavy rotation of Cumbia one month, then heavy rotation of Banada/Norteno music. Also, throwing in some Spanish Pop music which doesn't seem to fit the format.

La Raza 93.3 Playing mostly corridos music.....can't stand this kind of stuff.

 

[DavidKaye]

KQED? Are they pushing the envelope by airing network NPR programming and asserting that they're local?

No mention of 91.7 KALW, the OTHER NPR station in town? They are truly local, and in fact call themselves "your local public radio station". Between the LOCAL newscasts and the LOCAL interview shows and the LOCAL live in-studio concerts and LOCAL remote broadcasts, and the LOCAL DJs it's clear that you aren't listening much to the radio, are you?

Did you know that KALW does regular broadcasts of the Berkeley Symphony, often live? Did you know that KALW regularly has live, local in-studio concerts by bluegrass, folk, and Balkan bands? Did you know any of that?

No, of course you didn't because you chose instead to be a snark rather than contribute real content here.

KALW, established in 1941, was the first FM station in the West, and is also the only truly "public" radio station in San Francisco because it is actually owned by the public, the San Francisco Unified School District. Though running only 1,900 watts with no translators, KALW's signal from Twin Peaks, provides clear reception north to Santa Rosa, east to the Eastbay hills, and south to about San Mateo. Also, since they broadcast in mono during their news blocks, they don't have the annoying multipath distortion KQED does.

KALW is a very low-budget operation, squeezing every dime of money into operations. Just the BANK INTEREST KQED pays on its mortgage for its studio would be able to cover the salaries of the entire KALW operating staff. KQED is the Rolls Royce, while KALW is the Chevy.

How could you NOT know about KALW? And you think of yourself as a radio guy...sheesh....

 

[bringbackradio]

KBLX? This "new" R&B sounds like 1995. Next?

Based on that 1990's reference, KBLX had to evolve its urban ac sound to play more 90s and the station isn't alone. R&B outlets elsewhere like WALR and KMJQ began to incorporate more 90s R&B songs into their sound in the past two years. It's about format evolution given the aging demos that include people that grew up on their hip hop competitor at the time.

 

[1069_KIFR]

What? No mention of 1310 Radio Disney? KMKY!

 

[stewie]

What? No mention of 1310 Radio Disney? KMKY!

They pulled Miley Cyrus! Her image isn't "Disney Friendly" anymore!

 

[1069_KIFR]

All in all, quite possibly, every market, no one is pushing the envelope. Corporate suits are pushing pencils for their bottom line.

 

[LKellerIII]

Gotta ask: when was the last time a Bay Area radio commercial station "pushed the envelope" in any significant way?

I'm thinking the 80s...maybe. 98.9 "The City" (KKCY). But perhaps I'm forgetting something.

David Kaye is right - KALW does a lot of excellent local programming. But they're non-comm, so I wouldn't count them any more than KPFA, KPOO, etc.

And the AM simulcast of KPIG doesn't count either. That was just filling an otherwise unused frequency.

 

[stewie]

Gotta ask: when was the last time a Bay Area radio commercial station "pushed the envelope" in any significant way?

I'm thinking the 80s...maybe. 98.9 "The City" (KKCY). But perhaps I'm forgetting something.

David Kaye is right - KALW does a lot of excellent local programming. But they're non-comm, so I wouldn't count them any more than KPFA, KPOO, etc.

And the AM simulcast of KPIG doesn't count either. That was just filling an otherwise unused frequency.

Easily 20-30 years has passed since someone pushed the envelope format wise.

 

[sfradio]

Gotta ask: when was the last time a Bay Area radio commercial station "pushed the envelope" in any significant way?

I'm thinking the 80s...maybe. 98.9 "The City" (KKCY). But perhaps I'm forgetting something.

David Kaye is right - KALW does a lot of excellent local programming. But they're non-comm, so I wouldn't count them any more than KPFA, KPOO, etc.

And the AM simulcast of KPIG doesn't count either. That was just filling an otherwise unused frequency.

What about 93.3 the wave? they sort of pushed the envelope, R&B, reggae, world music and rock.

 

[1069_KIFR]

PushED the envelope is past tense.

PushING the envelope is present tense.

 

[DavidKaye]

David Kaye is right - KALW does a lot of excellent local programming. But they're non-comm, so I wouldn't count them any more than KPFA, KPOO, etc.

Why not consider them? While their source of funding is different, not only are they legitimate radio stations, but KQED is eating everyone else's lunch!

 

[SFStatic]

I'll weigh in on that...because none of the non-coms are bought by ad agencies. Of course KQED has great ratings (and according to the ARB rep I talked to yesterday, they're the only pubcaster in the country that's even in the top 10), but they don't count for agency or direct ad business...and that's how the whole rest of the business keeps score.

 

[chrocket87]

I'll weigh in on that...because none of the non-coms are bought by ad agencies. Of course KQED has great ratings (and according to the ARB rep I talked to yesterday, they're the only pubcaster in the country that's even in the top 10), but they don't count for agency or direct ad business...and that's how the whole rest of the business keeps score.

What about WAMU? Or KUOW? Aren't they also in the top 10 in their markets? Or are you talking about top 10 in something other than 6+ which is what I took it as.

 

[LKellerIII]

Gotta ask: when was the last time a Bay Area radio commercial station "pushed the envelope" in any significant way?

I'm thinking the 80s...maybe. 98.9 "The City" (KKCY). But perhaps I'm forgetting something.

David Kaye is right - KALW does a lot of excellent local programming. But they're non-comm, so I wouldn't count them any more than KPFA, KPOO, etc.

And the AM simulcast of KPIG doesn't count either. That was just filling an otherwise unused frequency.

What about 93.3 the wave? they sort of pushed the envelope, R&B, reggae, world music and rock.

My memory is that they pushed the envelope for about a minute and a half, then became just another 70s Old School (Classic Soul) station, with perhaps an occasional reggae or world music song thrown in to justify the format.

 

[hammerpants]

KREV? Essentially commercial free for a couple of years... That's pretty much blowing the doors off of conformity.

 

[1069_KIFR]

I'll weigh in on that...because none of the non-coms are bought by ad agencies. Of course KQED has great ratings (and according to the ARB rep I talked to yesterday, they're the only pubcaster in the country that's even in the top 10), but they don't count for agency or direct ad business...and that's how the whole rest of the business keeps score.

What about WAMU? Or KUOW? Aren't they also in the top 10 in their markets? Or are you talking about top 10 in something other than 6+ which is what I took it as.

Bay Area Radio Formats

 

[DavidKaye]

I'll weigh in on that...because none of the non-coms are bought by ad agencies. Of course KQED has great ratings (and according to the ARB rep I talked to yesterday, they're the only pubcaster in the country that's even in the top 10), but they don't count for agency or direct ad business...and that's how the whole rest of the business keeps score.

Uh, no. You don't notice that the same sponsors who advertise on the Total Traffic traffic reports on the commercial stations also do underwriting announcements on the pubcasters such as KQED?

And you don't notice that for-profit companies such as European Sleep Works in Berkeley, a commercial enterprise (not a foundation), carries as high a spot load (underwriting load) on KQED Radio as they do with ads on KGO or KKSF? KQED is not even afraid to call the underwriting messages "sponsorship".

From the KQED Radio website:

"KQED News
KQED News Sponsorship opportunity: Weekly sponsorship package of :08 radio integrated messages supporting the local news effort of KQED News which includes 16 daily radio newscasts as well as a vibrant online presence at KQEDnews.org.

"The California Report
Annual Sponsorship Opportunity: The California Report is a State-wide annual radio sponsorship opportunity airing in drive time, produced by KQED and carried by 64 California public radio stations."

KQED Radio and other pubcasters are competing for ad dollars against the commercial stations. Make no mistake about it.