KFI - What is holding back the (inevitable?) move to FM?

[OC Radio Geek]

Also, I think it can be safely said that anyone in the LA Metro who wants to hear KFI can pick it up OK. The areas (like in some buildings) where KFI reception may be impaired are probably less significant than the areas of the market where Mount Wilson FMs have problems.

To their credit CC did not downgrade KFI to a Class B station to escape the ordeal of replicating the original tower.

Agree 100% with Greg. KFI is already a brick in the LA Metro and in San Diego, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. I've picked it up in the daytime as far north as Daly City and as far east as Summerlin. And having a Class A clear-channel blowtorch is still a medal of pride for any radio company.

-- Doc

I have said the same thing before. KFI's signal is far too strong on AM to even think about going to FM. I seriously doubt that KFI would simulcast on both AM and FM. I believe that they are firmly rooted in AM forever.

It ain't the signal, it's the band, and the band is dying. It is only a matter of time KFI moves to FM when their demographics continue to gray.

Hmmm........we shall see.

 

[davideduardo]

I have said the same thing before. KFI's signal is far too strong on AM to even think about going to FM. I seriously doubt that KFI would simulcast on both AM and FM. I believe that they are firmly rooted in AM forever.

Again, it's not about the signal, it's about who listens to AM. KFI is now 15th in the last book in 25-54, meaning that 57% of the KFI audience is over 55, and the average of the last 6 books shows 22% is over 75.

They had better be planning something soon.

 

[socalguy]

DE, great point about KFI. What are the audience comp percentages for KNX, KFWB and KABC?

In other words, when comparing age cells, who is in the most dire need of getting younger (going to FM) before their entire audience resides at Forest Lawn? My hunch is, and it probably isn't saying much, KFI is younger than the other three AM newstalkers.

 

[OCradiodude]

DE, great point about KFI. What are the audience comp percentages for KNX, KFWB and KABC?

In other words, when comparing age cells, who is in the most dire need of getting younger (going to FM) before their entire audience resides at Forest Lawn? My hunch is, and it probably isn't saying much, KFI is younger than the other three AM newstalkers.

Average age of KABC listeners is 65+. I think that answers your question.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

I have said the same thing before. KFI's signal is far too strong on AM to even think about going to FM. I seriously doubt that KFI would simulcast on both AM and FM. I believe that they are firmly rooted in AM forever.

Again, it's not about the signal, it's about who listens to AM. KFI is now 15th in the last book in 25-54, meaning that 57% of the KFI audience is over 55, and the average of the last 6 books shows 22% is over 75.

They had better be planning something soon.

No. Nothing. Haven't you eaten your crow yet? Your May 2009 KFI on FM prediction has come and passed. Here's some tips on how to cook crow http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081005013207AAeO6TV We wouldn't want you to get trichinosis...well...

 

[davideduardo]

No. Nothing. Haven't you eaten your crow yet? Your May 2009 KFI on FM prediction has come and passed. Here's some tips on how to cook crow http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081005013207AAeO6TV We wouldn't want you to get trichinosis...well...

I made a prediction, based on logic and the market and the introduction of PPM. It did not happen. So we have KFI in a down economy with a format that is looking much worse in PPM than it did in the diary, and going lower almost by the month in 25-54.

They are making a mistake, probably to avoid taking an impaired asset charge. The cost, in the long run will be higher.

 

[AM FM listener]

No. Nothing. Haven't you eaten your crow yet? Your May 2009 KFI on FM prediction has come and passed. Here's some tips on how to cook crow http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081005013207AAeO6TV We wouldn't want you to get trichinosis...well...

I made a prediction, based on logic and the market and the introduction of PPM. It did not happen. So we have KFI in a down economy with a format that is looking much worse in PPM than it did in the diary, and going lower almost by the month in 25-54.

They are making a mistake, probably to avoid taking an impaired asset charge. The cost, in the long run will be higher.

David, in my opinion, your point (KFI ought to get on the FM band) is well-founded. However, it may have gotten buried inside your prediction (It will happen by the end of May). The impaired asset charge is an intriguing roadblock and may be real, from a corporate perspective, even though it's really just accounting.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

No. Nothing. Haven't you eaten your crow yet? Your May 2009 KFI on FM prediction has come and passed. Here's some tips on how to cook crow http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081005013207AAeO6TV We wouldn't want you to get trichinosis...well...

I made a prediction, based on logic and the market and the introduction of PPM. It did not happen. So we have KFI in a down economy with a format that is looking much worse in PPM than it did in the diary, and going lower almost by the month in 25-54.

They are making a mistake, probably to avoid taking an impaired asset charge. The cost, in the long run will be higher.

But by taking the asset write-down, they may be in danger of violating covenants, although the one-time nature of the write-down would generally be given as a "add-back" by most lenders and somewhat disregarded on a go-forward basis. However, in this day and age, covenant forgiveness is not in the banker's vocabulary.

I think Scott Fybush's mathematical equation best summed up the situation as it stands now, the problem is the future, and that is where the now is always slipping to. Which is why I think long-term the move to FM is inevitable.

David, in my opinion, your point (KFI ought to get on the FM band) is well-founded. However, it may have gotten buried inside your prediction (It will happen by the end of May). The impaired asset charge is an intriguing roadblock and may be real, from a corporate perspective, even though it's really just accounting.