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It's Official: Entercom Buys KBLX

Smart move by Entercom to maintain the format. I'm happy for the loyal KBLX fans. Does anyone know if the pending sale was ever mentioned in the Bay Area media prior to today?
 
They say that NOW, that they're going to keep the format. Just wait until they get the keys to the place. The new owners will want to put their mark on this station. Then when it doesn't work, they'll tweak and tweak and finally fip it.
 
The past is prologue. Failed formats and lots of dismissals at Wolf and KDFC. Tweaks and nothIng positive by adding 102.1 to KUFX. The Game is getting gamey with a 0.8 share which doesn't even beat KTCT-AM. KOIT has seen everybody but Jack Kulp fired as ratings and revenue plunge. KBLX staffers should start preparing for similar management moves
 
I don't see them changing the format because, last I heard, it was making money. However, I do agree it's possible, maybe even likely, that there will be other changes with the intention of lowering costs.
 
For the record KDFC was not a failed format. It made money, just not enough for the suits back in Philly. In fact KDFC had very little downside, the demo was older but the client base was loyal and not going anywhere. Ironically KDFC could have benefited from the fall of KGO, many of the in common clients would have moved budget to KDFC and others would have given it a try. As for KOIT it has the same issue, not making enough money, upper management demanded that KOIT bill at the top of the SF market and reflect its ratings, didn't happen and heads rolled.
I do believe that KBLX will change formats, they have a plan, they always do, and it means change. FYI I don't have any inside info on KBLX, but as you said past is prologue
 
Regardless of how they manage it going forward, you gotta admit, it's now an interesting cluster.
More changes could be on the way.
Just look at their recent hiring for a KFOX PD.
They brought in the web site guy from Clear Channel Denver for that job.
That was kind of a puzzler.
 
Kent said:
I don't see them changing the format because, last I heard, it was making money. However, I do agree it's possible, maybe even likely, that there will be other changes with the intention of lowering costs.
Click to expand...

Never say Never. today said no, but tomorrow will say yes.
 
Its possible it could be tweak to compete with KISQ. KBLX playlist does feature alot of blue-eyed soul and new wave hits. Songs that most Urban AC's in other markets wont touch. Last summer they played Wham Everything She Wants. I know some will play Careless Wishpers. Im just worried about the staff seeing that some will be cut when KBLX moves into the Entercom building.
 
Kent said:
I don't see them changing the format because, last I heard, it was making money. However, I do agree it's possible, maybe even likely, that there will be other changes with the intention of lowering costs.
Click to expand...
I'm still skeptical about Entercom respecting the heritage KBLX was built on at all (which I hope it INDEED does), but on the same token, the big time radio corps put money making over heritage status anyway in the last days of terrestrial radio. Also, Entercom does own urban radio properties in Buffalo, Greensboro and Norfolk, although they did do away with the format in Boston when Radio One sold that FM station.
 
Basically, Entercom will have two AC stations with their own direction under its belt (KOIT and KBLX). But that's nothing because there are markets where different variations of the AC format can be co-owned without disturbing the competition (ex: Atlanta: WALR and WSB-FM under Cox).
 
By the way, if Entercom does a 180 on the longtime format, I wonder how long it will be before the Bay Area gets approved by the FCC for any low-power translators for the urban AC format on one of KMEL's HD subchannels. Not sure if they still run it since the link on KMEL's page isn't there since iHeartRadio took over the link for the main station.
 
bringbackradio said:
Entercom does own urban radio properties in Buffalo, Greensboro and Norfolk, although they did do away with the format in Boston when Radio One sold that FM station.
Click to expand...

I believe the deal between Entercom and Radio One for WILD-FM in Boston was just for the physical property - WILD-FM made money and pulled impressive ratings for a Class A, but Entercom needed the in-town signal to simulcast its active rocker (plagued with a tower site 40 miles west of Boston) and purchased the station solely for that purpose.
 
My guess is that the current Entercom cluster is being packaged to be sold. Entercom is in way over their heads...running in the red due to the bloated 957 and KOIT's ratings and revenue way down. The KDFC deal is still a mess, but flourishing under Bill Lueth and a non-com format. Yeah, Entercom is moving in a new direction - DOWN!
And it only took them 5 years to figure it out. Nice work David Field.
 
How in the world do the "Suits" who have driven these stations keep their jobs? You can only fire/blame so many employees before you have to look in the mirror
 
No company being "packaged to be sold" would buy a station in the process...you want to be clean on the balance sheet.

Entercom is a player in the market, and bolstered its cause with acquiring KBLX.
 
Interloper said:
Entercom is a player in the market, and bolstered its cause with acquiring KBLX.
Click to expand...
Yeah just like the San Diego Padres are "players" in the National League West. Nice uniforms (suits). Nice stadium (studios). Bad win/loss record.
 
Geek:

Don't confuse "player" with being "competitive".

Having said that though...their stations I bet are solid in their target demos...may not be winning, but I bet they are making money, and the bottom line IS the bottom line.

My point is Entercom is not looking to sell or bail in SF.

BTW...if we are going to use the Padres analogy...the whole NL West is am suckhole worst division in baseball...so if that transfers to radio... SF radio sucking...then Entercom "sucks less".)
 
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