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Is Bonneville's hard-right turn done?

Please don't make this something it's not. I'm simply pointing out that for a city this size (we've got the Superb Owl coming here again, for pete's sake), it's hard not to be embarrassed by what 92.3 has become. The former home of Pat McMahon, Preston Westmoreland, Ted Simons - all heavyweights - is now anchored by a guy who's apparently tone deaf to what people are talking about? There's no crusade, no smear. Once MAGA finally leaves Arizona, Bonneville is going to look awfully silly peddling their "conservative circus" to a blue state that doesn't even listen to radio anymore.
Points for Superb Owl reference. Nandor approves.
 
37M (moderate democrat) listener here. I'm frankly surprised KTAR is as as red as you claim it to be. I remember listening on the eve of the 2020 election when KFYI had gone full insanity. And KTAR seemed reasonable by comparison.

My two cents: KTAR shouldn't go "blue." It should go "Arizona."

Bonneville really backed off from KSL's "red" content when they dropped Sean Hannity in 2010. The content is still fairly conservative, but it focuses more on Utah -- looking at issues topic by topic and really trying to play both sides, while admitting to leaning conservative. (For instance: You would never hear an advocation of election "rigging" theories on KSL. Hosts talk about the broader topic of why some would believe in these theories.)

Another example is KFI. Dumped Rush Limbaugh in 2013. The station doesn't come across as being "red" nor "blue." The station really has leaned into what's important to California and Los Angeles. And those issues don't fit neatly into a "red" vs. "blue" box. And it's kept me listening -- when stations like KFYI (and most Premiere political programming) have (has) loooong chased me away.
 
Ankarlo was part of the right-wing conspiracy!!!!! His anti-immigration stance in 2007 started it!!!!! He is one of the willing participants in ruining KTAR!!!
BINGO! Couldn't agree more base12. (y)

Furthermore, KTAR has never really recovered (in my opinion) from the black eye that AnKKKarlo gave the station. In short order, I consider him to be the most despicable P.O.S. in Arizona radio of the last 15 years. :mad:
 
BINGO! Couldn't agree more base12. (y)

Furthermore, KTAR has never really recovered (in my opinion) from the black eye that AnKKKarlo gave the station. In short order, I consider him to be the most despicable P.O.S. in Arizona radio of the last 15 years. :mad:
Darrell Ankarlo lol….that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. I was in a couple western markets at the time I remember he had a very trashy, tawdry show in Dallas that become racist before he left Dallas for Phoenix, where i recall the same thing happened. Then Mr. Ankarlo had that car accident and never regained what he lost. (Karma?)

Of course Mr. Ankarlo served as a mentor to current KFYI afternoon co-host Rob Hunter.
 
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Billing minus expenses is what matters.

Which, of course, explains why there's a sizable portion of the local economy that will never, ever advertise with Bonneville. None of the stores and restaurants that were patronized by myself or/and girlfriend the past several months - including some pricey places in North Scottsdale (north of Westworld) - are business that paid Bonneville anything.

Reputation matters, too. I'm proud of all the local businesses here - including attorneys, physicians, a/c & appliance etc. - who there's a snowball's chance of ever hearing on 92.3.

If it weren't for Detour Dan, I don't think anyone would even listen to 92.3 anymore. I'm still floored that New Times - New Times! - found a place for 92.3 in their Best of Phoenix a few months ago.
 
As David Eduardo posted on page 1, KTAR is "a top biller in the market".

Making money is what it is all about and to be a top biller, you have to have listeners that buy the client's product or service in quantities that justify future ad buys. Love or hate the station, these are facts and the reality of running a radio station. I was a GM in a top 10 market 25+ years before deciding make life less stressful.
 
Which, of course, explains why there's a sizable portion of the local economy that will never, ever advertise with Bonneville. None of the stores and restaurants that were patronized by myself or/and girlfriend the past several months - including some pricey places in North Scottsdale (north of Westworld) - are business that paid Bonneville anything.
Yet that is the #1 billing station in the market.

Oh, and unless they are franchise / chain restaurants, most stations shy away from restaurant accounts. They are world famous no-pay or slow pay.

And small, single location retail generally can't afford major market radio, either, as there is too much signal wasted over the areas which are too far for people to drive.
 
I'm still floored that New Times - New Times! - found a place for 92.3 in their Best of Phoenix a few months ago.
I do not trust those "best of.." rankings. I think they are money driven. I remember one year when the Republic awarded the "Best Italian Restaurant" to ... Olive Garden.
 
I do not trust those "best of.." rankings. I think they are money driven. I remember one year when the Republic awarded the "Best Italian Restaurant" to ... Olive Garden.
For certain segments of the Maricopa County - errr, um - Arizona state population, Olive Garden *is* a good Eyetalian restaurant. :LOL:
 
I do not trust those "best of.." rankings. I think they are money driven. I remember one year when the Republic awarded the "Best Italian Restaurant" to ... Olive Garden.
If I recall correctly, that was the Readers’ poll winner. The paper chose a local—most likely Tomaso’s or Avanti.
 
For certain segments of the Maricopa County - errr, um - Arizona state population, Olive Garden *is* a good Eyetalian restaurant. :LOL:
My favorite “30 Rock” line is in an episode where the winner of a soft drink contest 20 years earlier was supposed to win Jenna—and shows up to collect.

Jack points out that the rules say “or cash equivalent” and then, in front of Jenna, calculates her depreciation, finally offering the guy $2,000.

The “winner” says:

“Sold. In Arizona, that’ll get me a castle and a pillowcase full of meth.”
 
If I recall correctly, that was the Readers’ poll winner. The paper chose a local—most likely Tomaso’s or Avanti.
Still speaks miles for Republic readers then... LOL..
 
For certain segments of the Maricopa County - errr, um - Arizona state population, Olive Garden *is* a good Eyetalian restaurant. :LOL:
And in all seriousness—-we spent the summer up in Prescott in 2005. And there were a handful of good, local, Italian restaurants in town—-one of them was exceptional.

The locals were ecstatic over the rumor that they were “finally” getting an Olive Garden.
 
I've been gone for just a little longer than that. But, back in 2016, I was going from LAX to CLT on my way back home and we had to divert to Phoenix. My first thought, MACAYO's! This was back when Depot Cantina was still around. The airline put me up in a hotel at 44th/Washington.. so a quick trip on the light rail and a great dinner! :p
 
I do not trust those "best of.." rankings. I think they are money driven. I remember one year when the Republic awarded the "Best Italian Restaurant" to ... Olive Garden.

You'll never get a bad meal there, but you'll also never hear the Sopranos say, "Don't worry about dinner tonight, Mom. We'll just go to the Olive Garden!"
 
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