• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Cal State Northridge Seeking Operator For KCSN/KSBR

Y2kTheNewOldies

Y2kTheNewOldies

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181732/cal-state-northridge-seeking-operator-for-kcsn-ksbr/

California State University – Northridge and Saddleback College have put out a Request for Qualification to find operators interested in running Los Angeles market AAA “88.5 FM” KCSN Northridge/KSBR Mission Viejo.

As first reported by Spark News, the two stations seek to lease their programming to another public media operator in order to grow “to the next level”. The two stations began simulcasting in September 2017 in order to remove the interference the two stations created are increase their coverage range of the Los Angeles market.

The RFQ seeks organizations to file Requests For Information by Wednesday, November 20 and responses by December 11. Full proposals will be due on January 10, 2020 with the plan to notify finalists by February 7 and intent to have the new operator take over by March 15. Interested organizations should email [email protected].
Click to expand...


Note PBS SoCal, KPCC's parent company American Public Media, KCRW are named as candidates to get KCSN.
 
I may be misreading the language in this article but it sounds like they're seeking to get out of the radio business. It might explain the sudden retirement of Sky Daniels. That likely means the new operator will replace the current format with something more traditionally public radio. At least that's what would happen if American Public Media got their hands on it.

On the other hand, Mount Wilson Broadcasting (owner of KSRF and KKGO) are the operators of Long Beach State's jazz radio station KKJZ. They kept the format as it was when it was run by Long Beach. So fans of the oldies format on 88.5 should probably root for Mount Wilson.
 
TheBigA said:
So fans of the oldies format on 88.5 should probably root for Mount Wilson.
Click to expand...

You mean the eclectic AAA format on 88.5 and the alt rock en español on the HD.
 
The fact that this station has been able to do so much with the little they have is incredible. Staff is about 8 people or less I believe? With a very weak signal.
 
88.5 is a quality station with a great team, and it's been growing. I hope the operator will be interested in keeping the format as is.

I appreciate KCRW, but musically their entire approach is distinctly different from 88.5 and I don't see them operating it as a separate format. More likely it would become KCRW Music/Eclectic 24.

Not sure American Public Media would be the worst option, though they would likely replace the format. They registered domains for "88.5 The Current" and "The Current LA" last year. So APM might rebrand and create an LA version of that brand. Which is an excellent music service too.

PBS SoCal, who knows. Not sure that they have any interest or passion for the format as it is.
 
TheBigA said:
I may be misreading the language in this article but it sounds like they're seeking to get out of the radio business. It might explain the sudden retirement of Sky Daniels. That likely means the new operator will replace the current format with something more traditionally public radio. At least that's what would happen if American Public Media got their hands on it.

On the other hand, Mount Wilson Broadcasting (owner of KSUR and KKGO) are the operators of Long Beach State's jazz radio station KKJZ. They kept the format as it was when it was run by Long Beach. So fans of the oldies format on 88.5 should probably root for Mount Wilson.
Click to expand...

Fixed.
 
I don't think any of those speculated operators wouldn't change the format of the station from AAA or an eclectic music format. There would just be some programming shifts.

The most drastic would probably be if KCRW took over. KCRW would probably move MBE and their other DJs to 88.5, for a full-time music station, so they can focus on news and talk on 89.9 full-time. I heard their listenership drops off considerably when they shift to music. I wonder if Nic Harcourt would still be on the air?

I know some consider KCRW to be "AAA," but it plays very few of the artists that are on 88.5. 88.5 definitely leans heavier toward rock and Americana, versus KCRW that leans more on electronic music and hip-hop.

American Public Media/KPCC would probably launch "The Current" brand in LA, although I wouldn't imagine them changing any of the programming on the station, since it's very similar to what's found on KCMP.

I don't know why PBS SoCal would be interested in breaking into the radio space. But I can't imagine them launching a third NPR news/talk station in the market.

I'm assuming this would be an LMA deal, where Saddleback College and CSUN keep ownership of the stations, but lease out the signal?

My best guess was that if the stations had not merged operations a few years back this wouldn't have been a possibility for any of those groups...
 
SuperRadioFan said:
Totally agree Joe, this station is so unique it's probably too unique. I won't be happy if it becomes a clone of KCRW.
Click to expand...

Just like KMPC-FM/KEDG, KSCA (the original format), KACD/KBCD "World Class Rock", Indie 103.1, MARS-FM, the original AAA format of the Sound, and even the Americana format that aired on KCSN before the AAA format replaced it (which was very good!), this version of KCSN has had its days numbered from the very beginning. Nothing good ever lasts. I am frankly surprised they made it this long.

Like Super, the only reason I have ever listened is the (usually) good quality of music and the lack of (or at least not nearly as much of) the self-indulgent intelligentsia attitude that permeates KCRW. I find KCRW unlistenable.

Fortunately it doesn't make sense to clone KCRW since the combined coverage area is similar and a clone would only dilute the KCRW product. I think KCSN has functioned well as a competitor to them, and they have differentiated themselves quite nicely. I think having Saul pick up the AAA format would be interesting (I always thought it was one of the few formats he has never tried), but he is not getting any younger and one wonders how many more challenging projects he is wiling to take on.
 
ChannelFlipper said:
Fortunately it doesn't make sense to clone KCRW since the combined coverage area is similar and a clone would only dilute the KCRW product. I think KCSN has functioned well as a competitor to them, and they have differentiated themselves quite nicely. I think having Saul pick up the AAA format would be interesting (I always thought it was one of the few formats he has never tried), but he is not getting any younger and one wonders how many more challenging projects he is wiling to take on.
Click to expand...

While the Northridge 88.5 significantly duplicates the KCRW coverage on paper, the Orange County one is 100% additive to it. KCRW does not have a 65 dbu signal in 99% of Orange County.

In addition the KCRW signal does have some shadow and weak areas in the San Fernando Valley, since KCRW is not on top of Mt Wilson and suffers from terrain blockage in quite a few areas as it is co-located with KYSR and the iHeart auxiliary site.
 
radiojomo said:
I'm assuming this would be an LMA deal, where Saddleback College and CSUN keep ownership of the stations, but lease out the signal?
Click to expand...

That's how I read the request. The operator would lease out the signal, and the staff would work for the operator, not the universities.
 
TheBigA said:
Me too...he's done a good job with KKJZ.
Click to expand...

My question is whether Saul is getting ready to cash in his chips. Of course, there have always been rumors... and the current one involves a growing local operator.

Adding new responsibilities would be a major step for him at this stage in life.
 
Can someone help me understand the structure of how a relationship between a for-profit radio station operator and a college station? How is this allowed?

From what I've understood from KKJZ's website, Global Jazz Inc. (Saul Levine) runs the station as a for-profit entity, but another entity (KKJZ Fundraising Inc.) raises money for the CSULB Foundation, which is used to operate KKJZ?

So does CSULB essentially pay Saul Levine to operate KKJZ, using money donated by listeners to the foundation?
 
DavidEduardo said:
My question is whether Saul is getting ready to cash in his chips. Of course, there have always been rumors... and the current one involves a growing local operator.
Click to expand...

Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters just this week got rid of their Monterrey properties, KIDD and KNRY.

https://www.rbr.com/saul-levine-donates-his-monterey-radio-properties/

Can someone help me understand the structure of how a relationship between a for-profit radio station operator and a college station? How is this allowed?
Click to expand...

To hear Saul tell it, Global Jazz operates a programming consultancy, which KKJZ pays for its services. I think your understanding of the legal structure is correct.

It's not all that different than of KKJZ paid Seattle-based Jazz24 for programming, except that KKJZ's programming is not syndicated off a satellite.
 
Just heard Mookie (program director) say on air that they are sending members an important email today about the "future of the station." Anyone have any idea on what this could be?
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom