Yes there are. The law says a commercial station can only fundraise for an outside charity. So they can raise money for the American Cancer Society or things like that. But perhaps they could run the station non-commercially. There are a few non-com AMs around the country. There are lots of other ideas that might apply.
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K-Surf 1260 growing playlist
- Thread starter oldies76
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Yes there are. The law says a commercial station can only fundraise for an outside charity. So they can raise money for the American Cancer Society or things like that. But perhaps they could run the station non-commercially. There are a few non-com AMs around the country. There are lots of other ideas that might apply.
This is still a great post. I have enjoyed reading up on this gentleman. I sure would love to meet him. (Has anyone in this board had that pleasure?) Saul started with nothing. He is indeed one of the most interesting owners that I have ever seen. He can squeeze money like few people. Saul is also willing to do what few would or could, at this point in his life. Not make any profit from this station. I believe he may well be losing several thousand dollars a month. But, my guess is there IS a point where he will swim no deeper into losses. Might be interesting to see this station be donated soon. Wonder what it might be actually worth?
Mid-six figures? Or is that too much for a very-limited-coverage AM these days, even one with an FM translator, even in the No. 2 market?
Given LA prices of recent, I'd say somewhere in the $4 to $5 million range, not including the transmitter site land.
The translator is nearly valueless... it is highly directional out in the Calabasas hills. But the AM, which does not cover the whole market, does cover about 5 million people well in the daytime (10 mV/m signal).
KTYM, 1460, in Inglewood with 5 kw day and 0.5 kw night, went for just under $6 million three years ago. KFWB went for $11 two years ago.
Given that AM prices are falling rapidly, I'd stand by this guess.
If they own the land, that land... even in less desirable Arleta... is likely worth as much as the station. At some point, this one disappears so that the land can be developed.
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So does that mean Levine can look forward to getting $8-10 million for KSUR and the land (if he owns it), or just the $4-5 million for the land, seeing as how the buyer would have no use for a radio station and will take it dark as soon as the ink dries on the deal?
Ideally, he'd want to sell to a broadcaster and get cash for both the license and the land. If that doesn't happen before there's no market (ethnic or whatever) for the signal (it can be heard by 5 million people, so there's probably somebody), then it becomes a purely real estate deal---and Saul's still not getting hurt by any means.
I'm not sure the law says what you think it does. Bob Bittner's stations in New England are licensed commercially and operated by for-profit entities. But he raises most of the operating expenses by fundraising from listeners. There's no tax deduction for donors in this case, but it's completely legal.
In its 1970s incarnation as WCAS, it also asked listeners to contribute to cover operating expenses. This was when the station, with its unique folk-rock-and-almost-everything-else format, had been spun off by Kaiser Broadcasting and was having a tough time making a go of it as a mom-and-pop, despite its loyal cult of listeners and advertisers. I remember going down to the studios in Central Square, Cambridge, and dropping a few bucks in the jar myself one day. Despite our best efforts, WCAS was eventually sold to a church-based group that took it to a black gospel music format. I believe that was the group that Bittner wound up buying the station from.
True. $5 million or $10 million, at 93, Saul's never going to spend -- or need -- all of it.
The 80's have since been removed, just 60's and 70's classics now. Still sounds great though. Now if they can re-incarnate the Firecracker 300 for the 4th of July, that would be sweet! The soundtrack for Southern California!
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The direction KSurf is going is very appealing in nature. Mainly 60's and 70's with a hint of 50's and a couple early 1980 songs, like "I Can't Tell You Why" by the Eagles.
Some more unique oldies popping up in their playlist listings, just from today:
Itchycoo Park - Small Faces (A local #1 song on KHJ Surveys)
All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Up Up & Away - Fifth Dimension
Little Green Apples - OC Green
Time is Tight - Booker T & the MG's
Party Lights - Claudine Clark
Lipstick On Your Collar - Connie Francis
Beth - Kiss
Cowboys to Girls - Intruders
Dim All the Lights - Donna Summer
Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
With all the 80's songs gone, the gaps are being filled in by more 60's and 70's gems.
Some more unique oldies popping up in their playlist listings, just from today:
Itchycoo Park - Small Faces (A local #1 song on KHJ Surveys)
All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Up Up & Away - Fifth Dimension
Little Green Apples - OC Green
Time is Tight - Booker T & the MG's
Party Lights - Claudine Clark
Lipstick On Your Collar - Connie Francis
Beth - Kiss
Cowboys to Girls - Intruders
Dim All the Lights - Donna Summer
Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
With all the 80's songs gone, the gaps are being filled in by more 60's and 70's gems.
Yet in the June book, while they were playing more 80's, they had the highest 12+ numbers they have had all year.
Even with that, their 25-54 numbers were dead last, in a tie for 44th in the market and a 0.1 share and a rating of 0.0.
I don't believe their goal is to have high ratings. Their goal is to attract older listeners that were dropped by other local classic hits stations during the last 15-25 years. The people sounded off, KSUR dropped the 80's and are now playing today what KRTH did about 20-30 years ago. The listeners seemed pleased as the negative feedback has subsided.
No commercial station operator wants to have no listeners.
O. C. Smith
That is 180 degrees out of phase with Saul trying 80s music and his explanation of why he did. The audience he has now isn't even allowing him to pay the power bill without dipping into KKGO's money. He needs to do something, but found out that his first idea would cost him the audience he does have.
There'll be a plan "C"...and it could very well involve a format change, leasing the station's airtime out or a sale of the station. The current situation can't continue.
Meantime, I’m in Monterey for a few days, where Saul is now literally simulcasting KSUR on KNRY (1240). With previous formats, he’s had custom imaging that covers the L.A. references. Not with this. I assume there’s a legal ID that includes “KNRY, Monterey”, but it’s all “L.A. oldies” and “AM 1260”.
Caught a legal ID this morning. It's a local "KNRY, Monterey (and translator)" and a line about "Monterey Oldies from Cannery Row", and it covers up KSUR's legal. However, it's only half the length of the KSUR legal, so it runs twice, back to back.
Wow. There was at least some effort to customize "Unforgettables" so you couldn't tell it was a simulcast of an L.A. station. And I know there's no money in making that effort, but this is so painfully bush league.
Wow. There was at least some effort to customize "Unforgettables" so you couldn't tell it was a simulcast of an L.A. station. And I know there's no money in making that effort, but this is so painfully bush league.
So yes, and only a matter of time on their 70's Sunday Night, the number one song of the entire 70's decade was finally played tonight at 8:16pm. You know, that ten week smash in late 1977.
Good job Saul.......at least one station has the courage to do so, whether or not you love it or hate it. Keep up the classics, KSUR 1260, the best classic hits station L.A. has seen in the last 25 years.
Good job Saul.......at least one station has the courage to do so, whether or not you love it or hate it. Keep up the classics, KSUR 1260, the best classic hits station L.A. has seen in the last 25 years.
I'm reminded that Saul Levine stated that the station does not bill "enough to pay the electric bill".
It may seem like a party... but it is still a wake.
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