Interesting times ahead at KABC

[wangchung]

All these scenerios are fine, but you're all forgetting the possibility of KABC getting the Dodgers Broadcasts. That will throw a wrench in the current shows, not to mention anything that might happen.

AGREED. KABC will NOT throw the Dodgers under the bus for Imus.

Besides, Imus has lost his edge. Before going to work in the morning I would catch a bit of his show on MSNBC...just horrible...it seemed like he was just killing time. Even my friends on the East coast think he sucks. Don't get me wrong, I used to love Imus...when he was funny(WNBC), now he's just old and tired.

 

[nmoore6676]

All these scenerios are fine, but you're all forgetting the possibility of KABC getting the Dodgers Broadcasts. That will throw a wrench in the current shows, not to mention anything that might happen.

I think the issue here is morning drive (else why bring up Imus) and the Dodgers won't touch that. McIntyre is good and would compare more to John Ziegler than anyone else local but he is not blockbuster morning material. Probably he would be in Des Moines where he would kill on WHO or Cincinnati on WLW. When you have Handel to beat, the only thing close is Stephanie Miller and she probably won't move unless KTLK flips. But if you have her, what about the rest of the line up? She won't fit well with O'Reilly, Hannity et al. With the Dodgers. afternoons and evenings pretty much take care of themselves. You simply preempt the existing line up for baseball.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

Putting Don Imus in morning drive isn't exactly "risky" for a number 15 ranked station.

If they want to sink lower than KMZT, classical music on AM1260. If they want to try and knock off Bill Handel, there is no chance for Imus. Actually I doubt that any known talent from any market could do that.

That's the spirit!! Everyone should give up!! In fact, why isnt Handel on in NYC beating everyone as well??

And are you seriously comparing the signal, marketing ability, and competitive nature of KABC with Saul's 1260?

 

[BACKnUSSR]

Stern had no track record in Philly or L.A. or in many of the markets he absolutely dominated in.

However, Imus DOES have a track record in Los Angeles from his previous time here in syndication. It didn't work. And please don't say it's because he was on a second-tier radio station. That's not the reason. His content is east-coast in focus and it simply never caught on in a market where there's too much other compelling content.

Well, if you'd rather ignore a major factor, lets do so. The fact of the matter is that Imus is a MAJOR MORNING TALENT and that's really about the only thing that will ever have a shot against KFI. So chatter about Tilden, McIntyre, etc etc. None of them can do it. Imus might fail too...but he's a better bet.
And above all, this is probably NOT a KABC decision to make. Citadel now owns the station, and they have been less than satisfied with the results of the station....so its going to get a shot. Like it or not.

As for the Dodgers......I don't think those 6am games will be broadcast!

 

[airpab]

IMUS is a complete moron. ABC is so screwed up to hire a buffoon like this guy. He has nothing to say, is totally boring and thinks he's all that. He's a radio sleezeball like so many others, i.e. Tom Leykis. The only reason anyone ever would listen to a word these guys have to say is because they are on the radio and somehow that gives them some kind of credibility. Shows how thin the talent pool really is out there.

 

[Shoot From Hip]

From BACKnUSSR:
Well, if you'd rather ignore a major factor, lets do so. The fact of the matter is that Imus is a MAJOR MORNING TALENT and that's really about the only thing that will ever have a shot against KFI.

I'm not ignoring it. I just happen to disagree with you, based strictly on his performance anywhere west of Philadelphia. You calling him a MAJOR MORNING TALENT doesn't make him one in Los Angeles. And that's the simple truth. If anyone thought he could make a dent, he'd have been picked up by a "top tier station" (your words) years ago. I know how hard Westwood One was shopping him. His content does not work in the LA market.

 

[Hunter]

The fact of the matter is that Imus is a MAJOR MORNING TALENT and that's really about the only thing that will ever have a shot against KFI.

You say that he's a "MAJOR MORNING TALENT", but please, USSR, enlighten us as to which markets comparable to LA, that he's drawing dominant numbers to be considered "MAJOR"?

Granted, he's syndicated nationally, but he gets a TON more credit than he deserves as having a huge audience in individual markets. It's just not there. Talkers had him at about 3.25 million across the whole country with about 60 stations....and a lot of them are in major or large markets, like NY, Philly & DC. Handel pulls in over 1 million in LA alone.

 

[chacha]

The fact of the matter is that Imus is a MAJOR MORNING TALENT and that's really about the only thing that will ever have a shot against KFI.

You say that he's a "MAJOR MORNING TALENT", but please, USSR, enlighten us as to which markets comparable to LA, that he's drawing dominant numbers to be considered "MAJOR"?

Granted, he's syndicated nationally, but he gets a TON more credit than he deserves as having a huge audience in individual markets. It's just not there. Talkers had him at about 3.25 million across the whole country with about 60 stations....and a lot of them are in major or large markets, like NY, Philly & DC. Handel pulls in over 1 million in LA alone.

Forgive me for asking, but are you suggesting is that Don Imus is not a MAJOR MORNING TALENT?

 

[BACKnUSSR]

The fact of the matter is that Imus is a MAJOR MORNING TALENT and that's really about the only thing that will ever have a shot against KFI.

You say that he's a "MAJOR MORNING TALENT", but please, USSR, enlighten us as to which markets comparable to LA, that he's drawing dominant numbers to be considered "MAJOR"?

Granted, he's syndicated nationally, but he gets a TON more credit than he deserves as having a huge audience in individual markets. It's just not there. Talkers had him at about 3.25 million across the whole country with about 60 stations....and a lot of them are in major or large markets, like NY, Philly & DC. Handel pulls in over 1 million in LA alone.

Well, Imus isn't on in ANY market...so he's not drawing any numbers. Guess you're right. He'll have to work many years to get to where Bill Handel is in his career. How could a guy like Imus ever get an audience in a great big city like LA? Handel should rest easy.....what chance does Imus have? lol. By the way did Handel ever bill what Imus did at WFAN? Just curious.

 

[nmoore6676]

Note to BacknUSSR, Look up "hyperbole" in your Funk and Wagnalls":
And are you seriously comparing the signal, marketing ability, and competitive nature of KABC with Saul's 1260?
I meant to imply that Imus, rather than raising KABC ratings by replacing McIntyre would have the opposite effect. As to giving up, until someone comes along that is better than Handel, and in my opinion only Stephanie Miller comes close, then any other morning show is doomed. KFI would be further boosted simply because putting Imus on would kill off the last remaining solely live and local news talk show in morning drive. I don't consider Adam Carolla an even match because he as was Howard Stern more entertainment than news talk. In any event it looks like Imus will be starting in December on WABC and in syndication. I hope he does well, and he will in New York and the Northeast.

By the way: Just as Imus has east coast appeal, Handel has west coast appeal so Bill would probably not perform as well in NYC, although he wouldn't likely totally tank either. KFI would lose because the local tone of Handel's show would be lost in syndication.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

Note to BacknUSSR, Look up "hyperbole" in your Funk and Wagnalls":
And are you seriously comparing the signal, marketing ability, and competitive nature of KABC with Saul's 1260?
I meant to imply that Imus, rather than raising KABC ratings by replacing McIntyre would have the opposite effect. As to giving up, until someone comes along that is better than Handel, and in my opinion only Stephanie Miller comes close, then any other morning show is doomed. KFI would be further boosted simply because putting Imus on would kill off the last remaining solely live and local news talk show in morning drive. I don't consider Adam Carolla an even match because he as was Howard Stern more entertainment than news talk. In any event it looks like Imus will be starting in December on WABC and in syndication. I hope he does well, and he will in New York and the Northeast.

By the way: Just as Imus has east coast appeal, Handel has west coast appeal so Bill would probably not perform as well in NYC, although he wouldn't likely totally tank either. KFI would lose because the local tone of Handel's show would be lost in syndication.

I do understand the definition of hyperbole. However, I disagree with you.
I don't think that LA and NYC are different planets, and quite honestly although Handel is good,
he seems a little better than he is due to (in my humble opinion) the lack of decent competition.
I think Imus on KABC would indeed bring that competition.
And to all of the Imus listeners who reference his east coast topicality, he also spends a fair
amount of time talking about his ranch and the Southwest....and was much less a local
show than Curtis & Kuby who he consistently outbilled. But only time will tell if he can handle Handel.
Although I admire Stephanie Miller greatly, and agree with your assessment of Carolla. Neither would
be much of a threat to Handel, and quite honestly, neither is a radio host on par with Imus.
Face it...he's coming. We'll see if he's standing in the end.

 

[laitpapi]

A nearly 70 year old boring former dj who can't even stand up to Al Sharpton and who has no ties to any issues in Los Angeles will never be a threat to anyone on-air in Los Angeles. Who cares about listening to any 3 hour delayed show (except Howard Stern) that won't be topical or local vs. Handel. If Imus starts in December he'll even lose the curiosity factor as everyone will be preoccupied with Christmas shopping and he'll be lost in the real ho-ho-ho's. Lose-lose situation for Kabc. Nothing could be greater news for Clear Channel than Imus on Kabc. Kfi would surely end up as the top station in the market with the ppm coming in just a few months.

 

[ajhenderson]

He outbilled C&K because he attracted a (much smaller) audience of NY's, and to a lesser extent Boston and Washington's, power and cultural elite, which commands a rate premium. I don't think LA society is set up the same way as east coast society.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

He outbilled C&K because he attracted a (much smaller) audience of NY's, and to a lesser extent Boston and Washington's, power and cultural elite, which commands a rate premium. I don't think LA society is set up the same way as east coast society.

Okay. We shall see.

And.....the PPM will be no friend of KFI...in fact, it hasn't been good to Talk Radio thus far.

 

[davideduardo]

He outbilled C&K because he attracted a (much smaller) audience of NY's, and to a lesser extent Boston and Washington's, power and cultural elite, which commands a rate premium. I don't think LA society is set up the same way as east coast society.

Okay. We shall see.

And.....the PPM will be no friend of KFI...in fact, it hasn't been good to Talk Radio thus far.

PPM has not been generally kind to AM in general... but the news stations tend to outperform the talkers compared to the diary, while talk does less well.

 

[paulsecic]

It looks more and more as if Don Imus will have a new home, not only at WABC in New York, but the other ABC/Citadel O&O radio stations as well, come early December. So for KABC, it most likely means Peter Tilden will lose two hours of his show, Doug McIntyre will be offered another time slot or gone altogether. And if the deal with the Dodgers gets finalized, you're going to be hearing a LOT less of Larry Elder and Al Rantel come 08. Looks like KFI's numbers will only get bigger next year.

Emus will never be on KGO in San Francisco, because it's hosts are liberal, except Dr. Bill..

 

[laitpapi]

Certainly more reason for Kabc to make changes with the ratings they got today plus picking up the Dodgers.

Phily and especially Houston do not have a talkradio powerhouse like Kfi. I, as well as those in Burbank, expect Kfi to gain with the ppm not lose. It's underrated currently. Two markets don't show all the lessons to be learned from the ppm and neither mqrkets are like Los Angeles.

Kfi had some incredible summer numbers when you consider there really wasn't a major issue or election and during a time when all of Kfi's hosts took some vacation time.

 

[davideduardo]

Phily and especially Houston do not have a talkradio powerhouse like Kfi. I, as well as those in Burbank, expect Kfi to gain with the ppm not lose. It's underrated currently. Two markets don't show all the lessons to be learned from the ppm and neither mqrkets are like Los Angeles.

The PPM hurts all formats that depend on long TSL. The experience in Houston and Philly demonstrate that.

KFI's biggest issue is that it is 12th 25-54, and getting older.

 

[accessdlp]

This is what I have heard from a person-in-the-know who has the ear of what is happening and knows full well the Imus Story in Riverside.

Imus will be on KABC, but from 3-6am. Everyone else more-or-less stays put.

 

[nmoore6676]

Imus will be on KABC, but from 3-6am. Everyone else more-or-less stays put.

Do you mean that KCAA could get him back too? I have had to stay in the area at times and I never could get KABC too well there and in the early morning hours they are directional and Riverside is at the edge of their pattern.

Actually better for KGIL-1260, what a line up: Imus, Larry King, and Michael Jackson. All brought to you by Liberty Medical Supplies, Viagra and "The Hoveround". :