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KGA downgrading night signal

I believe the reason for this is similar to the WOWO/WLIB episode from several years ago. Mapleton (I believe) owns both KGA and a 1510 signal in San Francisco. In order to either add or upgrade the night pattern of the 1510 signal in San Francisco (San Rafael), KGA has to be downgraded. As a long-time DXer, you hate to see stations like KGA and WOWO losing thier 50KW night service.

dlf
 
dlf said:
I believe the reason for this is similar to the WOWO/WLIB episode from several years ago. Mapleton (I believe) owns both KGA and a 1510 signal in San Francisco. In order to either add or upgrade the night pattern of the 1510 signal in San Francisco (San Rafael), KGA has to be downgraded. As a long-time DXer, you hate to see stations like KGA and WOWO losing thier 50KW night service.

dlf
Click to expand...
I think it's downright ludicrous for a downgrading a clear channel just so another co-channel station can enjoy better coverage. With the state that AM is in today, I think it'd be better for the more marginal stations to either downgrade to a daytime or limited time broadcast day or find a way that the station could be moved to the FM band. I feel that the FM band should be expanded to allow another twenty to say forty of fifty channels and accept some of the AMs with graveyard night-time signals. If anything, I think it'd be more advantageous to allow for additional clear channels on AM.
 
Why?

Because KPIG San Francisco gets crushed by KGA A LOT, and KGA is decreasing power so that KPIG dosen't have the CRUSHING interference of KGA in SF.

-crainbebo
 
When they originally built KPIG they knew what they were getting into. It's like building a house at the end of the runway then complaining about the noise. Meanwhile, KGA's new night signal will barely cover Spokane with a weak signal. Like SF needs another AM. It's all about the $$$.
 
The fix is in. Both KGA and KPIG have filed the 302-AM application for license of their "new" night patterns & powers. As soon as it's granted KGA becomes just another class B signal. KGA's night 5mv signal will just clip the northern edge of Spokane city limits.
 
What a waste of a great signal. Considering KGA was purchased so that KPIG could increase it's power----that is a very very sad state of affairs. KGA could be heard all over the west coast....looks like those days are pretty much over and done. What is so odd is KPIG is a music station---playing an eclectic mix of what might be termed "Americana," I can't even fathom people listening to that on an AM signal. Perhaps it's like "people in hell want ice water as well," and probably won't get it....oh well....another great signal down the toilet. Doubt the KGA ratings of just under a share will be increasing anytime soon. Again, what a waste of a signal......gee--am I hearing "taps" in the background.....hmmmmm
 
Want to place bets on who in this 1510 group files for their nighttime upgrade first?

KIRV, Fresno, California
KFFM, Mesa, Arizona
KMSN, Milbank, South Dakota
KLLB, West Jordan, Utah

Most could get substantial nightime power out of this. 1510 will be a jumble.
 
Re: KGA downgrading night signal--and look what Mapleton is now doing......

Saw this in my e-mail from Tom Taylor early this morning.....what a waste...so this is why Mapleton wanted to downgrade 1510/KGA from 50kw to 15kw.....Looks like it's "Screw the Northwest and Spokane for the ability to lease out a frequency for a few more bucks." Talk about sad---here's the story.....KGA has such a poor signal now....you just can't pick them up like you used to, and a heritage station pulling under a 1.0 share.....how sad indeed, and their sister station KJRB-AM/790 is also below a 1.0 share 12+. From an outsider looking into Mapleton's window---sure doesn't look like they know how to program AM stations for sure....and 105.7 Now FM is an example of them also not knowing how to program FM stations either, they are under a 2.0 share....if I were them I'd say one word---"YIKES!!!!"

here's the story from Tom Taylor of radio.info.com


Monterey’s adult alternative/Americana KPIG gives up its AM signal in San Francisco, as Mapleton makes an understandable business decision to lease out KPIG, Piedmont, CA (1510) to Pacific Media International. Simulcasting Monterey-market KPIG (107.5) on a high-dial AM signal was better than nothing, but it’s probably not an ideal use of the frequency. 1510 will begin doing Chinese-language programming sometime next week, and Bay Area fans of the one-and-only KPIG – one of the pioneering terrestrial stations in streaming – can still hear it online at KPIG.com. The other part of the KPIG regional simulcast, on San Luis Obispo-market KPYG (94.9), continues. Final thought about the 1510 AM – KPIG’s finishing a signal upgrade related to Spokane’s co-channel KGA. The Spokane station dropped night power from 50-kw to 15-kw. While KPIG upped night power from 230 watts to 2,400 watts. Its daytime signal continues at 8,000 watts.
 
Re: KGA downgrading night signal--and look what Mapleton is now doing......

JJ is completely correct Mapleton doesn't do themselves any favors in regards to programming the Spokane cluster. There is a historical note though about this cluster that merits discussion - its been underperforming for years. Why do you think Citadel cut it loose? They couldn't get traction cluster wide. The reasonable successes, ala The Cat or 103.9 with Bob were tempered with massive failures of KGA, KJRB and even to some extent KBZD.

Since Mapleton also owns 1510 in the bay area, I see the business decision to toss KGA's class A status under the bus. Feelings aside about the northwest, Spokane and KGA's signal, if KGA is such a dog in billing, why not give your other property that has a better chance to be profitable that opportunity? KPIG with chinese programming will probably have a higher listenership than KGA. Let's be honest, Class A clear channel stations while having a place in history - their mission, to provide coverage across vast sections of the United States in emergencies has been supplanted by newer technologies. We could get into a discussion about the graveyard that some AM frequencies have become is because the FCC has overdone AM licensing.

The points about 1500, 1510 and 1520 now being a noise fest are probably spot on. Mapleton wanted to knock KGA down, this will be the consequence; noise.

I find it disappointing that the Mapleton Cluster is so ineffective here. Citadel was the same before. Who does it hurt? The listener. They are so unstable internally it shows in the flips, flops and whatever they do. Listeners know what to expect on KISC 98.1, KXLY 920 or KZZU. Stability at the Mapleton properties? Not so much. An example of this, KJRB rushed into this simulcast of KHQ's morning news which wreaked havoc on the morning line up. They didn't forsee it irritating their listeners. They just saw KHQ Morning TV ratings and jumped thinking they'd get a piece of that to bolster KJRB.. They've since abandoned KHQ's AM news for prior programming. The point is this cluster has very few heritage properties and well thought out decisions. In this current climate of more and more sources of competition, distractions and other things heritage properties are vital, stability is vital. Creating the new heritage brand with so much static out there becomes damn near impossible.

This is why they flail about so much now. The Cat is all they have. Everything else is just noise.

A program director in Reno once told me, 'it's a waste of a cluster up there.' For the most part, he's right.






radiojjh said:
Saw this in my e-mail from Tom Taylor early this morning.....what a waste...so this is why Mapleton wanted to downgrade 1510/KGA from 50kw to 15kw.....Looks like it's "Screw the Northwest and Spokane for the ability to lease out a frequency for a few more bucks." Talk about sad---here's the story.....KGA has such a poor signal now....you just can't pick them up like you used to, and a heritage station pulling under a 1.0 share.....how sad indeed, and their sister station KJRB-AM/790 is also below a 1.0 share 12+. From an outsider looking into Mapleton's window---sure doesn't look like they know how to program AM stations for sure....and 105.7 Now FM is an example of them also not knowing how to program FM stations either, they are under a 2.0 share....if I were them I'd say one word---"YIKES!!!!"

here's the story from Tom Taylor of radio.info.com


Monterey’s adult alternative/Americana KPIG gives up its AM signal in San Francisco, as Mapleton makes an understandable business decision to lease out KPIG, Piedmont, CA (1510) to Pacific Media International. Simulcasting Monterey-market KPIG (107.5) on a high-dial AM signal was better than nothing, but it’s probably not an ideal use of the frequency. 1510 will begin doing Chinese-language programming sometime next week, and Bay Area fans of the one-and-only KPIG – one of the pioneering terrestrial stations in streaming – can still hear it online at KPIG.com. The other part of the KPIG regional simulcast, on San Luis Obispo-market KPYG (94.9), continues. Final thought about the 1510 AM – KPIG’s finishing a signal upgrade related to Spokane’s co-channel KGA. The Spokane station dropped night power from 50-kw to 15-kw. While KPIG upped night power from 230 watts to 2,400 watts. Its daytime signal continues at 8,000 watts.
Click to expand...
 
If 1510 didn't change to sports and stayed "The Big Talker", what would happen? Would it be even worse...or better?

And no, 1500 aint' a noise fest yet. Most nights I get KSTP St. Paul or KSJX San Jose. 1520 has a lot of noise because of KFBK down in Sac., and it's hard to get KOKC Oklahoma City under KGDD Portland because of this. I'm sure KSJX wouldn't like 1510 hashing onto their frequency nights under KPIG.

Just my .02 cents...
-crainbebo
 
That's a great question.

Back when they had Limbaugh and Furhman - they had some wind in their sales. The big hit came when Premier Networks inked the deal moving their programming to Clear Channel properties. Being Citadel at the time, KGA lost big on that one. KGA continued at least with some local identity having Furhman. When Furhman was axed, that was it. KGA became about as local as Class C KSBN 1230. KGA outside of morning drive was all syndicated all the time.

I interviewed and pushed repeatedly on then KGA PD Dan Mitchenson to bolster the station. I was angling to break back into radio, specifically talk after my stint at KSBN. As history would show, KGA passed on me and any additional live and local programming.

KGA's only hope after losing el Rushbo was to go KIRO-style. That is to say, live morning drive, live midday, live afternoon drive and perhaps live at up to 10pm. That would've given them the edge to survive. Sure, it takes money to make money. Perhaps that is the cruel thing of that cluster. The billing is so down due to poor ratings,to fund an expansion of local programming would take balls and a vision from probably all the way up the chain. With limited bucks available, they just didn't have that in them for that risk.

The 'what if' though; they were doomed when, lets say 50/60% of their profit disappeared when Rush went to KQNT. They had no money to push anything and got sucked in the trap 'syndication is cheaper - let's do that'. No local, no live except for a morning drive. No more Furhman. They were toast.

This is why I appreciate stations like KGO so much. GM Mickey Luckoff has kept it live and local most of the day. They only dabble in syndication with Dean Edell. I used KGO as an example to Mitchenson why live would work. In hindsight, I see selling that takes a GM with vision and balls. It would cost money before it made money. It's too bad really. No one wants that risk with big dollars, especially if it fails.

Sidenote: KGO hasn't escaped unscathed either. When Citadel got them, it was just a matter of time before things started to be done on the cheap. Capital Cities/ABC at least treated KGO well. Now, with Citadel in bankruptcy KGO and KSFO are suffering too.

crainbebo said:
If 1510 didn't change to sports and stayed "The Big Talker", what would happen? Would it be even worse...or better?
Click to expand...
 
Those are some nice catches. I too have recieved KSTP and KOKC.

Best catch I've ever gotten was out by the walmart in Airway Heights. I snagged WWL 870. Flipping through between trying to snag KGO, KOA then up to KXLY. I bump into 'the big 870 WWL'. Surprised me to say the least.

crainbebo said:
And no, 1500 aint' a noise fest yet. Most nights I get KSTP St. Paul or KSJX San Jose. 1520 has a lot of noise because of KFBK down in Sac., and it's hard to get KOKC Oklahoma City under KGDD Portland because of this. I'm sure KSJX wouldn't like 1510 hashing onto their frequency nights under KPIG.
Click to expand...
 
That's great you got WWL! 870 is quiet nights, but it's covered by interference from a local 880, KIXI.

-crainbebo
 
Honestly your points of accusation are misplaced.

Nationwide, AM stations are sliding in popularity and revenue not because of the owners involved, many of whom are looking to position themselves as a business with assets in their portfolios (AM stations) that are losing market share and no new incoming listeners at an alarming rate. Right now, many AM owners are just trying to justify keeping the lights on with whatever paid or block programming they can get.

The days of AM stations being equal or superior to FM stations as we remember are completely over. As someone in another thread pointed out, even David Sarnoff and Edwin Armstrong believed that AM would eventually be supplanted by FM. If Sarnoff and Armstrong were alive today, I think even they would be surprised how long their prediction took, but it is happening, we're seeing it gain momentum in the 21st century.
 
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