KFWB

[musicfan101]

I was just listening to an old Tom Leykis podcast, and he was mentioning how his show alone in L.A. is drawing more than the entire KFWB audience. I was wondering how come KFWB won't consider adding the Tom Leykis Show to their "news" format? Or for that matter how come they won't bring the displaced FM Talk format on the 980 dial? It would seem to make sense to me. In fact, I remember Leykis saying on one of his final shows that an "all-news" format is still more expensive than a "hot talk" format.

 

[ChannelFlipper]

Hot talk will not get ratings on AM. The demo has shown time and time again it will not use the AM dial.

Perhaps what he should compare his format to is the one that replaced hot talk on KLSX. That is more relevant because it incorporates the concept of reality.

 

[musicfan101]

Hot talk will not get ratings on AM. The demo has shown time and time again it will not use the AM dial.

Perhaps what he should compare his format to is the one that replaced hot talk on KLSX. That is more relevant because it incorporates the concept of reality.

do you think that the displaced fm talk fans would welcome the format back on the am dial? i'm pretty sure they would love to have the format back in any shape or form - right?

 

[klutch00]

I was just listening to an old Tom Leykis podcast, and he was mentioning how his show alone in L.A. is drawing more than the entire KFWB audience. I was wondering how come KFWB won't consider adding the Tom Leykis Show to their "news" format? Or for that matter how come they won't bring the displaced FM Talk format on the 980 dial? It would seem to make sense to me. In fact, I remember Leykis saying on one of his final shows that an "all-news" format is still more expensive than a "hot talk" format.

Call it wishful thinking on my behalf, but I think that IF MARKETED PROPERLY, KFWB could be a viable hot talk format. Another option which could be considered would be a new format such as a "Hot Urban Talk". Either way, what I would suggest is do various promotions. This could include having an appearance at a comedy club, bar or special sporting event. Maybe even sponsor a car show. With the lineup they're considering, I think the powers-that-be are shooting themselves a hole in the foot! There are enough information-based talk stations out there that to have another would just be futile! With four other news/talkers in that market (five if you count 1150), can you REALLY come out ahead with such a format? Why not try something innovative that'll get some attention? One thing that a smaller broadcaster must realize is that if you're not the big guy on the block, you have to be innovative to get noticed! You cannot go head to head with stations like KFI, KABC and KRLA! They will hand your head to you on a platter!

What I'd suggest would be for the morning show that while it should be informational but yet still be entertaining. What I mean by this is that it can have certain features that make the show interesting. I was thinking along the lines of a "Spotlight on Hollywood" or other similarity. PM drive and evening hours could feature hosts like Leykis or someone similar.

 

[radiojomo]

In fact, I remember Leykis saying on one of his final shows that an "all-news" format is still more expensive than a "hot talk" format.

He said that the only station more expensive than a Hot Talk station is an All Sports station due to the price of the licensing to carry sports games.

 

[musicfan101]

I was just listening to an old Tom Leykis podcast, and he was mentioning how his show alone in L.A. is drawing more than the entire KFWB audience. I was wondering how come KFWB won't consider adding the Tom Leykis Show to their "news" format? Or for that matter how come they won't bring the displaced FM Talk format on the 980 dial? It would seem to make sense to me. In fact, I remember Leykis saying on one of his final shows that an "all-news" format is still more expensive than a "hot talk" format.

Call it wishful thinking on my behalf, but I think that IF MARKETED PROPERLY, KFWB could be a viable hot talk format. Another option which could be considered would be a new format such as a "Hot Urban Talk". Either way, what I would suggest is do various promotions. This could include having an appearance at a comedy club, bar or special sporting event. Maybe even sponsor a car show. With the lineup they're considering, I think the powers-that-be are shooting themselves a hole in the foot! There are enough information-based talk stations out there that to have another would just be futile! With four other news/talkers in that market (five if you count 1150), can you REALLY come out ahead with such a format? Why not try something innovative that'll get some attention? One thing that a smaller broadcaster must realize is that if you're not the big guy on the block, you have to be innovative to get noticed! You cannot go head to head with stations like KFI, KABC and KRLA! They will hand your head to you on a platter!

What I'd suggest would be for the morning show that while it should be informational but yet still be entertaining. What I mean by this is that it can have certain features that make the show interesting. I was thinking along the lines of a "Spotlight on Hollywood" or other similarity. PM drive and evening hours could feature hosts like Leykis or someone similar.

I mentioned before on this board this one time when I called the AMP hotline. I asked the guy about the possibility of the hot talk format making a comeback soon, and the guy was telling me "If a move like that were to be made, it would be made before summer is over!" I asked him again what he meant, and he repeated the same thing. Was KFWB the answer, or should I look out for something else?

 

[radiojomo]

I mentioned before on this board this one time when I called the AMP hotline. I asked the guy about the possibility of the hot talk format making a comeback soon, and the guy was telling me "If a move like that were to be made, it would be made before summer is over!" I asked him again what he meant, and he repeated the same thing. Was KFWB the answer, or should I look out for something else?

The people who pick up the phones at AMP are part-time employees, they barely even know about the station on the air right now, why would they know about hot talk returning? KFWB ISN'T going "Hot Talk". KFWB is going News/Talk. CBS may have had some intentions on switching up KFWB but Dr. Laura's departure on KFI was one of the main intentions of switching to News/Talk.

 

[davideduardo]

He said that the only station more expensive than a Hot Talk station is an All Sports station due to the price of the licensing to carry sports games.

And that, today, is not quite right. In a growing number of cases, the teams keep the rights, and buy the time on each station. The station benefits from the sale of related spots, but there is no rights cost.

As a general rule, all news is the most expensive format.

 

[musicfan101]

I mentioned before on this board this one time when I called the AMP hotline. I asked the guy about the possibility of the hot talk format making a comeback soon, and the guy was telling me "If a move like that were to be made, it would be made before summer is over!" I asked him again what he meant, and he repeated the same thing. Was KFWB the answer, or should I look out for something else?

The people who pick up the phones at AMP are part-time employees, they barely even know about the station on the air right now, why would they know about hot talk returning? KFWB ISN'T going "Hot Talk". KFWB is going News/Talk. CBS may have had some intentions on switching up KFWB but Dr. Laura's departure on KFI was one of the main intentions of switching to News/Talk.

How would you know they don't? They are employees of CBS! The person I spoke to was employed at 97.1 FM Talk as well, and gave me a lot of useful info.

 

[davideduardo]

How would you know they don't? They are employees of CBS! The person I spoke to was employed at 97.1 FM Talk as well, and gave me a lot of useful info.

Folks at that level are neither consulted nor informed of things like format changes and modifications. In fact, it is likely they would not know until showing up for work the day of the change.

The classic example is the meeting called by the general manager for 3 PM on a Friday... he announces the new format, and everyone is let go. Then the GM calls the new PD and staff who are at the motel down the road, and they bring in a couple of boxes and a hard disk with all the music, and in an hour or so, the new format hits the air.

 

[radiojomo]

How would you know they don't? They are employees of CBS! The person I spoke to was employed at 97.1 FM Talk as well, and gave me a lot of useful info.

Because I've been in that position. I used to work the phones and promotions at the old Cool 94.3. I heard about the sale to Liberman through rumors going around in the station, not the suits. I was scared about my job until one day, we all had a meeting that the station was going to be sold and become a part of the Que Buena network and that everyone would be fired. Luckily, I was still in college so it didn't affect me as much as other people.There was nothing we could do though, we knew nothing about what had happened and if there was a chance Cool would come back.

 

[davideduardo]

Because I've been in that position. I used to work the phones and promotions at the old Cool 94.3. I heard about the sale to Liberman through rumors going around in the station, not the suits.

A station sale tends to generate advance knowledge due to due diligence visits by potential buyers, etc. But in-house, same owner format changes are seldom known about in advance.

Sales, by virtue of the fact that they require FCC approval, of necessity are announced well in advance of the closing.

And small stations that are locally owend tend to be a lot more transparent, as the every action of the owner of the station.

And, if I recall, the owner was one Art Astor...

 

[radiojomo]

Because I've been in that position. I used to work the phones and promotions at the old Cool 94.3. I heard about the sale to Liberman through rumors going around in the station, not the suits.

A station sale tends to generate advance knowledge due to due diligence visits by potential buyers, etc. But in-house, same owner format changes are seldom known about in advance.

Sales, by virtue of the fact that they require FCC approval, of necessity are announced well in advance of the closing.

And small stations that are locally owend tend to be a lot more transparent, as the every action of the owner of the station.

And, if I recall, the owner was one Art Astor...

I worked all the graveyard shifts, it was quite and interesting. I never actually got to meet the famed Art Astor but I was curious why I had never received a notice or something...

 

[BC_714]

It's a no-brainer that Tom Leykis ends up on KFWB. He is still employed by CBS Radio and would bring instant credibility to the station with an established L.A. based afternoon-drive talk show. His show would combine elements of both his KFI and KLSX days. We're not going to get RACK signings on KFWB.

 

[musicfan101]

How would you know they don't? They are employees of CBS! The person I spoke to was employed at 97.1 FM Talk as well, and gave me a lot of useful info.

Because I've been in that position. I used to work the phones and promotions at the old Cool 94.3. I heard about the sale to Liberman through rumors going around in the station, not the suits. I was scared about my job until one day, we all had a meeting that the station was going to be sold and become a part of the Que Buena network and that everyone would be fired. Luckily, I was still in college so it didn't affect me as much as other people.There was nothing we could do though, we knew nothing about what had happened and if there was a chance Cool would come back.

Okay, let's just give that man the credit where it is due. I mean he was dead on about CBS bringing some sort of talk format "back." Yeah. it is not the talk I was hoping for, but, "a move like that" was made, and it is "before summer is over."