K-EARTH 101 has entered the 90's!

[davideduardo]

Yes, but this non-subtle change on KRTH was unnecessary. They dropped their classic jingle package, which, IMO, was one of the best in the country, and they have cut out the old stuff with surgical precision, instead of blending the changes. Wrong, wrong, wrong. They could have handled this with much more moderation. But consultants and corporate programmers don't understand this. My favorite LA radio station no longer exists, and while they are trying for a new audience they are losing an audience as well. You can argue that the new audience is more profitable, but frankly, there is really no new audience. It is done.

As BigA mentions, the "old" audience was aging so that most of it would have been over 55 if they had not started making significant changes when Rick Thomas got there several years ago.

KRTH does not have "consultants". The CBS LA cluster is one of the more autonomous, locally managed and controlled operations in the US. Yes, any station or cluster reports to their corporate office but the fact is that the moves have been enormously successful.

The jingles, the presentation and the music were for folks who were teens in the 70's and who are now out of the sales demos. They needed a clean break with "your parents' radio station" and that meant a refresh of the imaging from top to bottom. They made it reflect the LA that is now 70% ethnic and/or immigrant of today; It's not where yoku can play "Surfer Girl" any more.

And KRTH is not "trying" for a new audience: they got one. The station is now much higher in 25-54 than it had been for the entire decade before the changes, and that is a bankable improvement.

 

[oldies76]

Yes, but this non-subtle change on KRTH was unnecessary. They dropped their classic jingle package, which, IMO, was one of the best in the country, and they have cut out the old stuff with surgical precision, instead of blending the changes. Wrong, wrong, wrong. They could have handled this with much more moderation. But consultants and corporate programmers don't understand this. My favorite LA radio station no longer exists, and while they are trying for a new audience they are losing an audience as well. You can argue that the new audience is more profitable, but frankly, there is really no new audience. It is done.

For me, KRTH ended sometime in the 90's, when playlists shrank and their presentations were mainly Motown and repetitive 60's gold. I truly enjoyed K-Earth over the years, especially back in the 1980's when things were going well and weekends were fun to listen to with their huge holiday specials. It was a great time.

It's interesting to keep track of the 90's music they are adding or (auditioning) of late. In fact, they played four 90's songs during the 6am hour this morning! So if anything, the nineties have expanded beyond their 9pm slot.

It is unfortunate that they lost their famed jingles, legendary on air staff and their roots from the KHJ days. I believe they could have kept all of this, even with the new songs, but it was not meant to be. As Big A says.....time marches on.

But hey, I can gladly play all their former music and their number one songs at home, like it used to be! Labor Day is only 3 1/2 months away! In the meantime, let K-Earth change. We may not really agree with it and it really doesn't benefit us anymore, but their new audiences supposedly like it.

 

[gr8oldies]

Get iHeart on desktop, mobile and in some cars, tune to the Real Oldies Channel, and you can hear both "At The Hop" and "Blue Velvet" on a regular basis.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

For me, KRTH ended sometime in the 90's, when playlists shrank and their presentations were mainly Motown and repetitive 60's gold. I truly enjoyed K-Earth over the years, especially back in the 1980's when things were going well and weekends were fun to listen to with their huge holiday specials. It was a great time.

It's interesting to keep track of the 90's music they are adding or (auditioning) of late. In fact, they played four 90's songs during the 6am hour this morning! So if anything, the nineties have expanded beyond their 9pm slot.

It is unfortunate that they lost their famed jingles, legendary on air staff and their roots from the KHJ days. I believe they could have kept all of this, even with the new songs, but it was not meant to be. As Big A says.....time marches on.

But hey, I can gladly play all their former music and their number one songs at home, like it used to be! Labor Day is only 3 1/2 months away! In the meantime, let K-Earth change. We may not really agree with it and it really doesn't benefit us anymore, but their new audiences supposedly like it.

Ah, Oldies, you have finally completed the final phase, Acceptance. It was a tough road to travel and there have been many bumps along the way, but isn't that true of any journey worth taking? Don't get me wrong, I have been with you all along. Many of the positions you have taken and so eloquently posted over the years are ones in which I have been with you 100%, at least in spirit if not in reality. I have felt for you many times because your passion for good radio and a large library of oldies is extensive and genuine and in fact, in any sane world, you (and I) would be the target audience of our favorite stations, especially oldies stations, which almost by definition, should have large playlists.

In any case, you have moved into acceptance, I am at resignation, but in either case, as has been stated above, it really does matter much less now than it did before what a station like KRTH plays because whatever music I like and want to hear at a given time, between my satellite and on-line subscriptions, I can dial it up right away on almost any device. Unlike others on this board I think most of the new music today is less than desirable or interesting and with the variety of toys and instruments I have at my disposal, I don't have to listen to it anymore. I can punch up my beach music and hear "Surfer Girl" - Not a bad idea, come to think of it.

 

[oldies76]

Ah, Oldies, you have finally completed the final phase, Acceptance. It was a tough road to travel and there have been many bumps along the way, but isn't that true of any journey worth taking? Don't get me wrong, I have been with you all along. Many of the positions you have taken and so eloquently posted over the years are ones in which I have been with you 100%, at least in spirit if not in reality. I have felt for you many times because your passion for good radio and a large library of oldies is extensive and genuine and in fact, in any sane world, you (and I) would be the target audience of our favorite stations, especially oldies stations, which almost by definition, should have large playlists.

In any case, you have moved into acceptance, I am at resignation, but in either case, as has been stated above, it really does matter much less now than it did before what a station like KRTH plays because whatever music I like and want to hear at a given time, between my satellite and on-line subscriptions, I can dial it up right away on almost any device. Unlike others on this board I think most of the new music today is less than desirable or interesting and with the variety of toys and instruments I have at my disposal, I don't have to listen to it anymore. I can punch up my beach music and hear "Surfer Girl" - Not a bad idea, come to think of it.

Thank you for the support Channel Flipper. Yeah...I've accepted the changes KRTH has done of late. After being away for about eight months from RD, I gave it good thought. I still don't agree with the way they handle their 70's and 80's music presentation and selections, but I no longer have a desire to bring that argument up anymore. Besides, I play most of those songs at home with my collection and I enjoy it that way now. Heck, the wife loves it too! It's truly great music! And with Labor Day on the horizon, I can relive the time when KRTH was great. In fact, when I add in some old recorded jingles, it has the authenticity to what I enjoyed, back in the day! 644 number one songs....all played chronologically. I do this every year!

As for the large playlists, I have my sources for that (various classic hits stations I can pull up when needed) as well a nice FM station in Lima, Peru of all places, that presents a great selection of 70's and 80's, many of them seldom played in the USA. I listen to them every week.

Please check them out Flipper: http://www.radiomagica.com.pe/

I discovered this wonderful station when visiting in January.

Now, a new generation can enjoy K-Earth and their 90's music they are introducing. And we can enjoy the Beach Boys, the Stones or the Bee Gees our way!

 

[semoochie]

Thank you for the support Channel Flipper. Yeah...I've accepted the changes KRTH has done of late. After being away for about eight months from RD, I gave it good thought. I still don't agree with the way they handle their 70's and 80's music presentation and selections, but I no longer have a desire to bring that argument up anymore. Besides, I play most of those songs at home with my collection and I enjoy it that way now. Heck, the wife loves it too! It's truly great music! And with Labor Day on the horizon, I can relive the time when KRTH was great. In fact, when I add in some old recorded jingles, it has the authenticity to what I enjoyed, back in the day! 644 number one songs....all played chronologically. I do this every year!

As for the large playlists, I have my sources for that (various classic hits stations I can pull up when needed) as well a nice FM station in Lima, Peru of all places, that presents a great selection of 70's and 80's, many of them seldom played in the USA. I listen to them every week.

Please check them out Flipper: http://www.radiomagica.com.pe/

I discovered this wonderful station when visiting in January.

Now, a new generation can enjoy K-Earth and their 90's music they are introducing. And we can enjoy the Beach Boys, the Stones or the Bee Gees our way!

This is a serious suggestion; I'm not just being cute(although I am cute; I just can't help it? ) :To shake it up this year, you might try all #2 songs. They should be easily available. Let me know how many there are.

 

[Groove1670]

For me, KRTH ended sometime in the 90's, when playlists shrank and their presentations were mainly Motown and repetitive 60's gold. I truly enjoyed K-Earth over the years, especially back in the 1980's when things were going well and weekends were fun to listen to with their huge holiday specials. It was a great time.

It's interesting to keep track of the 90's music they are adding or (auditioning) of late. In fact, they played four 90's songs during the 6am hour this morning! So if anything, the nineties have expanded beyond their 9pm slot.

It is unfortunate that they lost their famed jingles, legendary on air staff and their roots from the KHJ days. I believe they could have kept all of this, even with the new songs, but it was not meant to be. As Big A says.....time marches on.

But hey, I can gladly play all their former music and their number one songs at home, like it used to be! Labor Day is only 3 1/2 months away! In the meantime, let K-Earth change. We may not really agree with it and it really doesn't benefit us anymore, but their new audiences supposedly like it.

It is a fact I am old. I listened to some of the great 80's California airchecks that show up on youtube. I enjoy them, but they sound old. It is great radio for my generation, but it is VERY dated. The generation that now considers the 90's old school would agree too.

I went back further to the 60's, great airchecks for that generation. but they talked and talked...and talked, they sound very old outdated too.

Even further back was the staff announcers of the 50's... great voices, but very stiff!

Radio announcing has evolved. The average 35 year old doesn't want a bunch of chatter, and a tenor voice is more acceptable then a booming voice (which some are still liked on promos and liners).

 

[oldies76]

This is a serious suggestion; I'm not just being cute(although I am cute; I just can't help it? ) :To shake it up this year, you might try all #2 songs. They should be easily available. Let me know how many there are.

KRTH played the #2's (Runner's Up of Classic Rock & Roll Weekend), the weekend before Labor Day and it began with 1956 with "Tutti Frutti". It was a great weekend with tons of great songs that peaked at #2 in L.A., based on several Southern California radio surveys (KFWB. KHJ & KRTH and other unknown surveys) If you'd like the list, just PM me your e-mail address and I'll forward it to you.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

L

KRTH played the #2's (Runner's Up of Classic Rock & Roll Weekend), the weekend before Labor Day and it began with 1956 with "Tutti Frutti". It was a great weekend with tons of great songs that peaked at #2 in L.A., based on several Southern California radio surveys (KFWB. KHJ & KRTH and other unknown surveys) If you'd like the list, just PM me your e-mail address and I'll forward it to you.

I always found the "runner-ups" to be the more interesting list.

 

[John Gallagher]

I could see some Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and even songs like Yeah from Usher and Rock Your Body from Justin Timberlake testing well within the next few years. People's musical tastes evolve, so why not radio.

I'm 57 and hearing some music from the 60's and 70's is painful. Reminds me how old I am and I hate feeling old! Haha.

 

[oldies76]

I always found the "runner-ups" to be the more interesting list.

I sent you a link.

 

[oldies76]

I could see some Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and even songs like Yeah from Usher and Rock Your Body from Justin Timberlake testing well within the next few years. People's musical tastes evolve, so why not radio.

I'm 57 and hearing some music from the 60's and 70's is painful. Reminds me how old I am and I hate feeling old! Haha.

It won't be long til KRTH really mixes up the 90's with its current lineups. Early 2000's music isn't far behind. This type of music will sound foreign to a station accustomed to mainly 70's and 80's for many years.

I think I'll stick with WOGL this week for their massive A to Z countdown they are doing right now.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

It won't be long til KRTH really mixes up the 90's with its current lineups. Early 2000's music isn't far behind. This type of music will sound foreign to a station accustomed to mainly 70's and 80's for many years.

I think I'll stick with WOGL this week for their massive A to Z countdown they are doing right now.

Thanks. I'll check it out when I am back. I am traveling this week.

 

[Aquarius]

Well it wasn't long ago that I remember oldies becoming classic hits, and switching from a 60's based playlist to a 70's core playlist and people were freaking out, until that became the norm. Then the 80's came along, and people got scared again and that's becoming the norm for most classic hits stations now. So it won't be long until the 90's come along, I imagine in 2036 we'll be hearing 90's and early 00's on our classic hits stations. However 10 years from now we'll be hearing 80's and 90's hits instead, with the occasional 70's song every once in a while.

 

[michael hagerty]

Well it wasn't long ago that I remember oldies becoming classic hits, and switching from a 60's based playlist to a 70's core playlist and people were freaking out, until that became the norm. Then the 80's came along, and people got scared again and that's becoming the norm for most classic hits stations now. So it won't be long until the 90's come along, I imagine in 2036 we'll be hearing 90's and early 00's on our classic hits stations. However 10 years from now we'll be hearing 80's and 90's hits instead, with the occasional 70's song every once in a while.

You're off by about 10 years. The format is still in catch-up mode after getting stuck in the 1964-72 tar pit for a couple of decades. Figure 80s/90s soon--like in the next two years (especially if KRTH does well)...90s and early '00s by 2025, if not sooner (a 1990 song will be 35 years old, and you want 35 year old listeners, not 35 year old songs).

 

[LKellerIII]

You're off by about 10 years. The format is still in catch-up mode after getting stuck in the 1964-72 tar pit for a couple of decades. Figure 80s/90s soon--like in the next two years (especially if KRTH does well)...90s and early '00s by 2025, if not sooner (a 1990 song will be 35 years old, and you want 35 year old listeners, not 35 year old songs).

The problem with the last decade is that it will be hard to come up with a smooth-sounding positioner. "K-Earth 101 - the Greatest Hits of the Ohs, and more." ..."Big 103.7 - Classic Hits from the Aughts..."

This decade will be just as bad - "Greatest Hits of the Teens" (?)

Sounds awkward.

 

[oldies76]

The problem with the last decade is that it will be hard to come up with a smooth-sounding positioner. "K-Earth 101 - the Greatest Hits of the Ohs, and more." ..."Big 103.7 - Classic Hits from the Aughts..."

This decade will be just as bad - "Greatest Hits of the Teens" (?)

Sounds awkward.

Except that KRTH will continue to call these songs "The Greatest Hits on Earth"...or "The Greatest Hits of All Time", that would also sound awkward. I can see KRTH playing Bruno Mars, Gotye, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Justin Beiber by 2025 easily. Mr. Hagerty mentioned the 1964-1972 tarpit dilemma for a couple decades. I don't believe KRTH will be stuck in the 1984-2004 phase for two decades, especially with the fragmented 90's....so much that cannot be played on a classic hits station (grunge, rap, heavy hair bands, ...etc..), although K-Earth did play "Jump Around" a couple weeks back at 9pm.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Wait I wanted to say if K-Earth 101 and other oldies/Classic hits format station around the country wants to attract the demos wouldn't they need to lure Ryan Seacrest out of KIIS-FM or any person whose been hosting Hot AC or CHR shows within the past decade to join K-Earth 101 for that purpose.

 

[michael hagerty]

Mr. Hagerty mentioned the 1964-1972 tarpit dilemma for a couple decades. I don't believe KRTH will be stuck in the 1984-2004 phase for two decades...

You're right. There was a lesson learned...they'll never allow themselves (nor should any other station) to calcify like that again.

 

[michael hagerty]

Wait I wanted to say if K-Earth 101 and other oldies/Classic hits format station around the country wants to attract the demos wouldn't they need to lure Ryan Seacrest out of KIIS-FM or any person whose been hosting Hot AC or CHR shows within the past decade to join K-Earth 101 for that purpose.

No. They didn't need Rick Dees to get them into the 80s.