Well, San Diego does have 5-6% black population.
The problem with most of these type of stations is they need at least a 10% base to work with and sell to advertisers.
In addition, you need other type of listeners ie latino to listen to such a station. But as has been seen in cases where a UAC exists, the Latin population doesn't embrace it. Why? Well, the music just isn't familar to them, they may hear too much neo soul or too many deep cuts and not enough of the crossover cuts they know from their Low Rider days, that is why XHRM works so well. In addition the younger kids are more likely to be hip hop fans, another reason why you see XHTZ, XHMORE, and KHTS duke it out.
One such example of UAC's issues exists 90 miles up the road in LA/OC. Currently, 4 stations are targeting African Americans, Urban KDAY, Urban ACs KJLH, KHHT, and KRBV. In addition, Smooth Jazz KTWV exists as well as Rhythmic Oldies KMVN. With the exception of KTWV and KHHT, the rest are all under a share or in KRBV's case teetering there. The base has more blacks in LA, but is significantly overshadowed by Latino people, whom account for nearly half of LA's population. Rumors in fact are pointing to KRBV and KMVN being flip or sold and serious questions arise about KDAY's future despite the presence of Steve Harvey, whom once had a successful morning show on the old KKBT(now KRBV). If it fails in LA, you can bet people down here aren't likely to embrace such a format.
Also, African Americans have been abandoning places like LA and San Diego and are moving to the midwest or south, reasons may vary such as work related, being with family, or in some cases, their inability to work with the Latin population. Logic says if you're losing a base, then it may not be wise to sign on a station for a group that might not even be around in significant numbers in the next 15 years.
I know, it does suck, I'm a fan of UAC too, but that's just the reality of it. It just doesn't seem to get much ratings on the west coast/mountain states.
