KFI fired up IBOC (HD) today.

[radioman148]

I said it once and I'll say it again. When and where will we see KFI-FM?

Do they currently own an FM?

5 of 'em. The vulnerable one appears to be 92.3.

That may be the one.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

I said it once and I'll say it again. When and where will we see KFI-FM?

Do they currently own an FM?

5 of 'em. The vulnerable one appears to be 92.3.

That may be the one.

And the time is now due more than ever. KFI is among the elite brands in the entire CC cluster. Going to the FM band and growing their audience would enhance the KFI brand to a near national presence. Why they would hold onto perenially struggling KHHT is a mystery. With the changes they have made at KYSR, are they still selling the "wall of women" thing anyway? Even if they are, isn't KHHT the weakest link in that chain?

This seems like such a no-brainer to me so I assume I must be missing something. Why doesn't CC pull the trigger on this?

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

I said it once and I'll say it again. When and where will we see KFI-FM?

Do they currently own an FM?

5 of 'em. The vulnerable one appears to be 92.3.

Hot had a great February PPM, tying their best 25-54 numbers since currency. You are not going to make up for the revenues lost from Hot with KFI on FM.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

I said it once and I'll say it again. When and where will we see KFI-FM?

Do they currently own an FM?

5 of 'em. The vulnerable one appears to be 92.3.

That may be the one.

And the time is now due more than ever. KFI is among the elite brands in the entire CC cluster. Going to the FM band and growing their audience would enhance the KFI brand to a near national presence. Why they would hold onto perenially struggling KHHT is a mystery. With the changes they have made at KYSR, are they still selling the "wall of women" thing anyway? Even if they are, isn't KHHT the weakest link in that chain?

This seems like such a no-brainer to me so I assume I must be missing something. Why doesn't CC pull the trigger on this?

Hot is not struggling. It moved up to 13th 25-54. The only station that is struggling in the cluster is KTLK and KLAC will be after the Lakers split for KSPN. Moving KFI to FM would be the final kill for all of the CCLA AM's.

 

[davideduardo]

Hot is not struggling. It moved up to 13th 25-54. The only station that is struggling in the cluster is KTLK and KLAC will be after the Lakers split for KSPN. Moving KFI to FM would be the final kill for all of the CCLA AM's.

That dichotomy is the issue. Save the AMs today, despite what we see in the future, or reinforce KFI's franchise by adding FM? Of course, the KHHT revenue is sacrificed, with no prospect of immediately recovering it by adding to KFI's billing, which is already near the top of the market.

But at the end of the day, one protects the most strategic assets, not the insignificant ones.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

Hot is not struggling. It moved up to 13th 25-54. The only station that is struggling in the cluster is KTLK and KLAC will be after the Lakers split for KSPN. Moving KFI to FM would be the final kill for all of the CCLA AM's.

That dichotomy is the issue. Save the AMs today, despite what we see in the future, or reinforce KFI's franchise by adding FM? Of course, the KHHT revenue is sacrificed, with no prospect of immediately recovering it by adding to KFI's billing, which is already near the top of the market.

But at the end of the day, one protects the most strategic assets, not the insignificant ones.

How many Clear Channel talk or news stations HAVE MOVED to FM? The key words are have moved so we don't mention like Minneapolis. Although I pose this as a question, I already know the answer.

 

[K6JHU]

I am surpised that KFI has not made the move (like KNX) to an HD-2 signal. Easy enough to do.

 

[davideduardo]

I am surpised that KFI has not made the move (like KNX) to an HD-2 signal. Easy enough to do.

How many people would tune to that?

 

[davideduardo]

How many Clear Channel talk or news stations HAVE MOVED to FM? The key words are have moved so we don't mention like Minneapolis. Although I pose this as a question, I already know the answer.

Nobody would suggest moving KFI; it's one of very few stations in the US that outcovers a full power FM in the same market. The first step is to establish the FM franchise in cases where the AM might not continue in the format. Otherwise, it is an addition, not a change.

However, Clear has talk on FM in markets like Pittsburgh, Mppls, Charleston, NO, Tallahassee (that one is a move...WNLS became WFLA-FM), El Paso (you could say that one was a move, since the 1380 covers nothing), Biloxi, Panama City, Orlando, Madison and West Palm.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

How many Clear Channel talk or news stations HAVE MOVED to FM? The key words are have moved so we don't mention like Minneapolis. Although I pose this as a question, I already know the answer.

Nobody would suggest moving KFI; it's one of very few stations in the US that outcovers a full power FM in the same market. The first step is to establish the FM franchise in cases where the AM might not continue in the format. Otherwise, it is an addition, not a change.

However, Clear has talk on FM in markets like Pittsburgh, Mppls, Charleston, NO, Tallahassee (that one is a move...WNLS became WFLA-FM), El Paso (you could say that one was a move, since the 1380 covers nothing), Biloxi, Panama City, Orlando, Madison and West Palm.

Again, most of the FM's you list are start-ups.

If you are going to use the talk format at WTKS in Orlando as an example, then Clear Channel actually dropped a similar FM talk station in Atlanta to go Spanish.

In Tucson, long-time news/talk market leader KNST is being challenged by Journal's start-up news/talk (104.1 KQTH) The Truth (which they put on after they purchased ABC affiliate KGUN 9 from Emmis) but Clear Channel hasn't made a move.

Clear Channel has a lot of talk stations on AM with big or huge signals that haven't added an FM...KFI, KOGO, KFYI, KFBK, WLW, WIOD, KTRH, WOAI, WTAM, KEX, WFLA to name just most of the big ones and in many of those markets a "ratings challenged" FM Clear Channel station rates well below the AM talk station. Clear Channel just has not been adding FM's to established AM talk or moving an AM talk to an FM and I do not see it happeing in the near future

 

[K6JHU]

Try listening to the differnce in sound quality between KNX-AM and KNX-HD2. Like night and day. Gives you an idea of what is missing in frequecny response on AM.

But KFI should be on an HD-2 channel to establish a presence if nothing else.

And I haven't heard anything in this thread about KBCS in SF and KTAR in Phoenix on FM

 

[lalf]

Great discussion on 640/92.3. Why not now? Anyway here is another interesting note since the start of this thread. The AM IBOC on 640 lasted just a few hours until about the four-o-clock hour on Friday last. Since then nothing. The HD2 spot ... well in fact all IBOC is gone from 92.3 for days that I know of.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

Great discussion on 640/92.3. Why not now? Anyway here is another interesting note since the start of this thread. The AM IBOC on 640 lasted just a few hours until about the four-o-clock hour on Friday last. Since then nothing. The HD2 spot ... well in fact all IBOC is gone from 92.3 for days that I know of.

Here's four reason why not now:
1. KIIS is being challenged by CBS. Possible revenue hit.
2. KLAC is losing the Lakers. Revenue hit.
3. Obama is going to try and stop conservative talk radio. It won't be a recreation of the Fairness Doctrine but will either be under another name or another agenda, such as localization initiatives.
4. The economy.

HD2 is a joke. There is no need to be on it for any reason. Streaming is much more important.

 

[radioman148]

HD2 is a joke. That isn't going to help KFI or any AM.

 

[rwagoner]

Interference aside, I like AM HD.

 

[davideduardo]

However, Clear has talk on FM in markets like Pittsburgh, Mppls, Charleston, NO, Tallahassee (that one is a move...WNLS became WFLA-FM), El Paso (you could say that one was a move, since the 1380 covers nothing), Biloxi, Panama City, Orlando, Madison and West Palm.

Again, most of the FM's you list are start-ups.

Not really. Tallahasse, El Paso, Biloxi, and several others are conversions or simulcasts. In any case, I specified moves, simulcasts and startups. Whatever the reason, the format gets 35-54 on FM and does not on AM.

If you are going to use the talk format at WTKS in Orlando as an example, then Clear Channel actually dropped a similar FM talk station in Atlanta to go Spanish.

It's an ultra rimshot, put in a simulcast origninally to help 640... one of Randy's engineering ideas whereby KFI would directionalize so Atlanta could go fulltime with a good signal.

In Tucson, long-time news/talk market leader KNST is being challenged by Journal's start-up news/talk (104.1 KQTH) The Truth (which they put on after they purchased ABC affiliate KGUN 9 from Emmis) but Clear Channel hasn't made a move.

So? The economics may not make sense.

Clear Channel has a lot of talk stations on AM with big or huge signals that haven't added an FM...KFI, KOGO, KFYI, KFBK, WLW, WIOD, KTRH, WOAI, WTAM, KEX, WFLA to name just most of the big ones and in many of those markets a "ratings challenged" FM Clear Channel station rates well below the AM talk station. Clear Channel just has not been adding FM's to established AM talk or moving an AM talk to an FM and I do not see it happeing in the near future

There are obviously reasons in each case, probably ones related to not yet losing billings in many cases. Or, in the case of WIOD, not having any billings or ratings to preserve. Over time, we will see the format move to FM as the AMs decline in revenue and 25-54 share. This is a process that has been going on for a number of years and will continue slowly into the future.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

However, Clear has talk on FM in markets like Pittsburgh, Mppls, Charleston, NO, Tallahassee (that one is a move...WNLS became WFLA-FM), El Paso (you could say that one was a move, since the 1380 covers nothing), Biloxi, Panama City, Orlando, Madison and West Palm.

Again, most of the FM's you list are start-ups.

Not really. Tallahasse, El Paso, Biloxi, and several others are conversions or simulcasts. In any case, I specified moves, simulcasts and startups. Whatever the reason, the format gets 35-54 on FM and does not on AM.

If you are going to use the talk format at WTKS in Orlando as an example, then Clear Channel actually dropped a similar FM talk station in Atlanta to go Spanish.

It's an ultra rimshot, put in a simulcast origninally to help 640... one of Randy's engineering ideas whereby KFI would directionalize so Atlanta could go fulltime with a good signal.

In Tucson, long-time news/talk market leader KNST is being challenged by Journal's start-up news/talk (104.1 KQTH) The Truth (which they put on after they purchased ABC affiliate KGUN 9 from Emmis) but Clear Channel hasn't made a move.

So? The economics may not make sense.

Clear Channel has a lot of talk stations on AM with big or huge signals that haven't added an FM...KFI, KOGO, KFYI, KFBK, WLW, WIOD, KTRH, WOAI, WTAM, KEX, WFLA to name just most of the big ones and in many of those markets a "ratings challenged" FM Clear Channel station rates well below the AM talk station. Clear Channel just has not been adding FM's to established AM talk or moving an AM talk to an FM and I do not see it happeing in the near future

There are obviously reasons in each case, probably ones related to not yet losing billings in many cases. Or, in the case of WIOD, not having any billings or ratings to preserve. Over time, we will see the format move to FM as the AMs decline in revenue and 25-54 share. This is a process that has been going on for a number of years and will continue slowly into the future.

David, not at Clear Channel. Clear Channel, unlike Bonneville and a few smaller companies, has no pattern yet of adding or moving talk to FM. I am not saying it isn't a good idea but I'm just stating the facts for one company. Not in the near future for Clear Channel which is all I am going to predict. You predicted KFI would be on FM by May. I don't see it.

As for your response to the economics in Tucson, the same goes for Los Angeles. Of course the fact that the former Tucson market manager who is now in San Diego and the OM in Tucson are screaming liberals and hate conservative talkradio, well, that likely has to be considered as well.

 

[OCradiodude]

Let me clarify my comments regarding KFI going to FM. I would rather see them simulcast to an FM than moving to FM. KFI has a killer signal. They need to keep it that way but add FM to prepare for the future to ensure that KFI stays on top.

 

[Robnoxious]

HD-AM is a disaster per what I've read on the HD boards on this site. Is HD-FM still a viable and marketable product? I've yet to shake hands with the a person that owns a hybrid receiver. I love radio but I'm not chomping at the bit to search out and find a receiver (unlike a DTV to analog converter). Every radio HD subchannel I've ever heard has been primarily thought the internet and even then I'm not listening much. If one of the HD streams disappeared tomorrow, I wouldn't miss a beat to find an alternative that does.

 

[radioman148]

Let me clarify my comments regarding KFI going to FM. I would rather see them simulcast to an FM than moving to FM. KFI has a killer signal. They need to keep it that way but add FM to prepare for the future to ensure that KFI stays on top.

I couldn't agree more. They need to be on FM, but keep the AM for people listening in the fringe areas.