KFWB up for sale

[boiseengineer]

Someone doesn't like the sale...

REPORT NO. 27199 B R O A D C A S T A P P L I C A T I O N S 03/24/2010
STATE FILE NUMBER E/P CALL LETTERS APPLICANT AND LOCATION NATURE OF APPLICATION
AM STATION APPLICATIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSE PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA BAL-20021115AAH KFWB 25457 CBS RADIO EAST INC. Voluntary Assignment of License,
E 980 KHZ LOS ANGELES, CA as amended
From: CBS RADIO EAST INC.
To: KFWB LICENSE TRUST
Form 314

Petition for Reconsideration
Filed 03/08/2010 by Mt. Wilson
FM Broadcasters, Inc.

 

[badjef]

Even if the petition does go through, with so many layers on that onion, Saul would be spitting into the wind to expect any results. He is going to be spending more money than it’s worth.

CBS could put the station in a Palm Beach Corporation and lease it out to yet another shell.

It is more than obvious CBS was dragging their feet in selling. Since ’02, CBS/Infinity/Viacom/whatever has gone through all kinds of morphing, sounds as though they were hoping the rules would be 8 radio stations and 2 TV. Thereby keeping it within the limits.

There was a limit on percentage of radio revenue as opposed to number of stations served in a market.
Does that still exist?

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[ercjncpr]

The LA Business Journal reports that will be sold.

"CBS Radio is preparing to put local talker KFWB-AM (980) on the sales block under orders by the Federal Communications Commission.

The move comes eight years after the FCC first told the network to get rid of one of its L.A. properties to comply with limits on the number of stations one owner can hold in each market."

The full story is at http://www.labusinessjournal.com/article.asp?aID=145962

With all due respect to you, your employer and your demographics, please---NO MORE SPANISH RADIO IN LA!!!

 

[ercjncpr]

So out of all the CBS stations, they're giving up KFWB? I think CBS knew that 980 was becoming an embrassment! The news/talk format they have is terrible.
Who will buy them?

They have known for 6 years that, unless FCC rules changed, they would have to sell it. Nothing new except that they are being required to move on this.

As to potential buyers, my guess, like the article also says, is for a buyer who will do Korean or another Asian language programming of some kind.

No asian radio either

 

[ercjncpr]

What about a 24 hr/ day home for KBRT?

Oh Yecch! no way....

 

[musicfan101]

What does Saul want?! Does he expect CBS to sell an FM rather than an AM???

 

[AM FM listener]

The problem seems to be that News, Talk and Sports are the only viable secular, English language formats on the AM band but those formats are saturated in LA right now. So, unless someone features compelling programming to go head-to-head against KFI or KNX, I gotta figure it will become religious or non-English after it is sold.

 

[TheBigA]

There was a limit on percentage of radio revenue as opposed to number of stations served in a market.
Does that still exist?

Yes, and its for that reason that CC was forced to divest some stations a few years ago. But companies tend to keep a close watch on that.

 

[musicman3355]

What if Salem picked up 980 and moved over the KKLA block-program business to AM, freeing up 99.5 for The Fish?

Now that makes sense!

That would be great for Salem, then The Fish will finally get ratings.
Suprisingly, 95.9 is listenable from where I am, but excessive static is heard though.

 

[davideduardo]

With all due respect to you, your employer and your demographics, please---NO MORE SPANISH RADIO IN LA!!!

Didn't I just rule out Spanish? The fact is, Hispanic use of AM is much less than that by other segments of the population. Because no single Asian language could justify, even today, the cost of a full signal FM, AM is an alternative for a number of population segments within the very broad Asian origin communities.

The only way we might see Spanish in a rational world would be if a faith based ministry purchased it.

 

[radiocph]

The problem seems to be that News, Talk and Sports are the only viable secular, English language formats on the AM band

No no no no no. We need to bring back "Color Radio"
http://www.colorradio.com/color_radio_history.htm

 

[Rusty Muck]

I'll just throw this out there: Bonneville could buy KFWB and simulcast a revived all-news format on 980 and 100.3 as KFWB-FM. They have had unprecedented success with sister station WTOP in Washington, DC - especially after moving it to the FM dial. Why not try it and go after KNX that way? It could be crazy enough to work...

 

[davideduardo]

I'll just throw this out there: Bonneville could buy KFWB and simulcast a revived all-news format on 980 and 100.3 as KFWB-FM. They have had unprecedented success with sister station WTOP in Washington, DC - especially after moving it to the FM dial. Why not try it and go after KNX that way? It could be crazy enough to work...

First, KSWD is doing quite well of late, and is on a growth trend.

Second, Bonneville would not need an AM to do a news format... in fact, in DC they moved the news format to an FM with no AM simulcast.

Third, DC is a news town. WTOP has near double-digit shares. LA is not a news town, and there are only 3 to 4 news shares here, mostly in older demos than in DC.

This is not going to happen.

 

[RadioFanBoy]

Dealing with the reality that its AM radio, I would still try and program 980 for the 18-25 Asian youth market, and a bit younger (the tween set). KMRB 1430 more or less does that now, but this is a more far-reaching signal, and the is A LOT of K-POP and J-POP (Korean Pop and Japanese Pop) they don't play. Lots of potential there. If I were to program an english format, it would be picking up Scott Shannon's True Oldies, and using the station jingles of the 60's and 70's from KHJ, KRLA and the like as imaging. "True Oldies" is a really well put-together station, and makes for good niche programming. And The Clippers can stay too.

 

[badjef]

With all due respect to you, your employer and your demographics, please---NO MORE SPANISH RADIO IN LA!!!

Didn't I just rule out Spanish? The fact is, Hispanic use of AM is much less than that by other segments of the population. Because no single Asian language could justify, even today, the cost of a full signal FM, AM is an alternative for a number of population segments within the very broad Asian origin communities.

The only way we might see Spanish in a rational world would be if a faith based ministry purchased it.

I wouldn't rule that out depending on what happens with 87.7. That is, a migration away from 87.7.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta! - the REAL West Coast.

 

[bobperry]

@David, KFWB fits Salem's usual plan of attack. They seem to purchase former Top 40s with the calls intact (NYC= WMCA, Philly=WFIL).

 

[michael hagerty]

@David, KFWB fits Salem's usual plan of attack. They seem to purchase former Top 40s with the calls intact (NYC= WMCA, Philly=WFIL).

And, of course LA=KRLA.

 

[DrAkbar]

@David, KFWB fits Salem's usual plan of attack. They seem to purchase former Top 40s with the calls intact (NYC= WMCA, Philly=WFIL).

And, of course LA=KRLA.

And, of course KCBQ San Diego & WHK Cleveland.

Salem also owns a bunch of former Top 40s, now with different calls:

WWDJ NYC
KEZY LA/Anaheim
WIBG Philly
KOL Seattle
KRUX PHX

But the question remains: why would they want 9~Eighty?

 

[TheBigA]

But the question remains: why would they want 9~Eighty?

Wanting something and being able to afford it are two different things. Salem has been hit by the same financial crisis that has hurt the rest of radio. Their top people have taken pay cuts, they've laid off staff, and so I doubt they're in any position to buy an LA station, regardless of how it might fit into their plan.

 

[amisdead]

@David, KFWB fits Salem's usual plan of attack. They seem to purchase former Top 40s with the calls intact (NYC= WMCA, Philly=WFIL).

That's a good observation, but, if Salem were to acquire 980 and move over the block-programming from 99.5, they would move the KKLA call sign over too. The block-programming model needs listeners to fund the time buyers (and hopefully on a consistent, on-going basis). There is far too much equity built up in the KKLA brand over the past 25 years to flush it and start over, even if the new call sign is the legendary KFWB.

In the case of WFIL and WMCA, Salem entered those markets and used the storied call signs from the beginning. If 980 was their entrance into LA, they would very likely keep KFWB.