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KKGO Ratings
- Thread starter K6JHU
- Start date
They'll probably tell you that the demographics are better playing Country...so that even a wash with Persons 12+ (haven't seen any A25-54 numbers) is better than where they were.
Shoot From Hip said:
In '05 KMZT was in the 0.8 to 0.9 range iin 25-54, while KKGO in the last trend has a 1.5. Significant improvement in sales demos, but still not huge.
It's funny you are talking about the station's numbers. I'm down here in town on business and was checking out KKGO the other day. We have a station back home (Seattle) called the Wolf and I know our morning show is in talks to come down here for the morning position. I think it's down to three other shows but I take that info with a grain of salt. I used to sell radio up there and know several people at the station. Maybe that will help with the ratings some? From what I heard it sounded like KKGO is filling that daypart with some part-timers.
By the way, I can't complain about the sunshine and 60 degree weather. Loving it.
By the way, I can't complain about the sunshine and 60 degree weather. Loving it.
S
shirleyschmidt
Guest
Wasn't Kmzt ratings at 1.5 when Levine flipped the station to Country? With KKGO at 1.4 they are currently lower.
I have also heard talk about the station getting anew morning host. Understand contracts are due and some numbers aren't reaching what they thought. Then again, it could be hear-say.
I have also heard talk about the station getting anew morning host. Understand contracts are due and some numbers aren't reaching what they thought. Then again, it could be hear-say.
H
Hunter
Guest
As noted in OwenW's post.shirleyschmidt said:
S
shirleyschmidt
Guest
Hunter said:
Thus the use of the term "ALSO."
C
commando
Guest
Why would anyone want to work for Saul Levine? There is no job OR format security their...ask one of the dozens of loyal employees who have been blown out for no reason in the past... KKGO will be back to classical in 08 because Saul loves his box at the Hollywood Bowl...
shirleyschmidt said:
It was all 55+, and revenues were down to where, per Levine, they barely covered expenses. They had nearly no 25-54 listeners.
commando said:
Why, you ask? Having had 2 stays at at KKGO-AM/KSUR during its standards incarnation, I can give you one very good reason. This company gave me the opportunity to work in my format of choice! Simply, I LOVE presenting standards - specifically the Great American Songbook - on radio. I've worked a lot of formats, and standards is the one that gives me the greatest on-air rush.
Now guys, I realize the standards format is out of favor and almost always not profitable, so you needn't remind me. Nevertheless, speaking as an on-air "performer" and not a businessman, the format is still my favorite, and I welcomed the rare opportunity to work in it in Los Angeles.
Similarly, many of the people at KMZT had extraordinary longevity with the station, largely because they were absolutely passionate about classical music. Long time morning host Rich Capparella was blessed to find another classical home at KUSC. That's great for him, because he's obsessed with classical music.
Was I disappointed when 1260 dropped standards? Of course! But radio is our craft, and after 3 decades I've learned that disappointments will occur.
I'm grateful to Saul for providing me with two great opportunities to be myself on the air playing the music I love. I had wonderful conversations and formed friendships with equally passionate listeners, chances to interview some of today's and yesterday's stars of the genre, even to introduce acts at the Hollywood Bowl and the Ford Amphitheatre. Might sound like cheap thrills to some, but I loved every minute of it!
As for security, heck, where is security? Rick Dees had the #1 billing morning show in the US (or close to it) and he was squeezed out. And the recent dismissal of high-profile long timers at KOST speaks for itself. With the exception of a very few personalities, for on-air performers, security is an illusion.
Fortunately, in Los Angeles, there are a gazillion opportunities for performers to earn a living. Playing Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Buble, and Diana Krall on radio - even for a little while - was one opportunity I enthusiastically embraced. I'm happy and proud to have it in my personal radio story.
Nick Gerard
www.NickOnTheAir.com
As a fan of good country music with a wider variety and also the standards formerly played on AM1260 I commend Mr. Levine's efforts to bring on as much variety and what the listeners want to hear. Yes I even like Classical but KUSC is doing just fine, thank you. Unfortunately, with only two signals in LA and one in San Diego, Saul can not be all things to all people, but Clear Channel with more signal could. The new KGIL AM-News Talk may be overkill in an already glutted market, but I enjoy Michael Jackson so I am not complaining and the new Drew Pinsky midday show is superior to the other medical / psychological gabfests on the air, in my humble opinion anyway and it would likely not have found another home in LA.
I think Mr. Levine can still afford a box at the bowl and if not I for one would lead the campaign to get him one. While all of us are decrying the bloodbath in Burbank he is struggling to keep his stations viable. How about Classical on KYSR or Country on the Coast, maybe BIG-Country? Remember "The Lounge" on 570, then 690? It is gone now too, so ease up on Mount Wilson for trying to do well with what they have to work with.
By the way, Nick I miss you in the mornings, actually gave up Handel to listen more than once while you were on 1260.
I think Mr. Levine can still afford a box at the bowl and if not I for one would lead the campaign to get him one. While all of us are decrying the bloodbath in Burbank he is struggling to keep his stations viable. How about Classical on KYSR or Country on the Coast, maybe BIG-Country? Remember "The Lounge" on 570, then 690? It is gone now too, so ease up on Mount Wilson for trying to do well with what they have to work with.
By the way, Nick I miss you in the mornings, actually gave up Handel to listen more than once while you were on 1260.
C
commando
Guest
I'm glad you two who seem to speak so highly of Saul are happy...but you are both still not working there anymore, due to Levine's "format f the month" mentality. Most of the people who worked in the building were nearly Saul kiss-asses who couldn't make it in the real, competitive world of radio, with Rich being the exception. Did you all forget about KJAZ...or "All-Traffic?....or "All-Beatles" or when he blew out the classical PD years ago to get his music off satellite? C'mon, as soon as Saul gets bored or the station dips in billing, he'll dump the format like he has all the rest... at least the "Evil-Empire Clear Channel" stays with a format.... or did you forget that each format change means massive layoffs?
Question: Spanish ads on AM540
As this thread is discussing Mount Wilson properties....a question:
I have noticed that the 1260 / 540 simulcast sometimes breaks into separate commercial breaks, with 540 often airing spots in Spanish. Why?
I do not recall the prior formats on 540 airing spots in Spanish (there were, of course, few spots in English too).
And it goes without saying, that Spanish advertising thrust in the midst of an English newstalk station is a misfit, and worse, drives away listeners.
As this thread is discussing Mount Wilson properties....a question:
I have noticed that the 1260 / 540 simulcast sometimes breaks into separate commercial breaks, with 540 often airing spots in Spanish. Why?
I do not recall the prior formats on 540 airing spots in Spanish (there were, of course, few spots in English too).
And it goes without saying, that Spanish advertising thrust in the midst of an English newstalk station is a misfit, and worse, drives away listeners.
Re: Question: Spanish ads on AM540
Those spots may be government mandated public service spots.
David at USC said:
Those spots may be government mandated public service spots.
Re: Question: Spanish ads on AM540
I used to be able to pick up 540 occasionally but for some reason not any longer. However I don't think they run commercials in Spanish. They do run the ID's in Spanish as they are licensed in Mexico. Also they as are all Mexican radio stations required to broadcast some sort of official hour long program in Spanish on Sundays.
KMZT, began as KBCA in 1959, later changed the calls to KKGO and remained a premier nationally recognized commercial Jazz station until 1989, when KFAC (now KHHT) dropped classical. It stayed on as a classical station irrespective of source or program directors until February of this year. So how do you get the idea that the formats change so often. The changes you do cite are the AM signal which even Mr. Levine has acknowledged has seen some vagary since he acquired it. But then under Buckley there were a few format changes as well.
In any event as my departed grandmother often said you can never know another man's path until you are walking in his shoes. It is after all Mr. Levine's business and he is free, so long as we have free enterprise, to do with it as he sees fit.
David at USC said:
I used to be able to pick up 540 occasionally but for some reason not any longer. However I don't think they run commercials in Spanish. They do run the ID's in Spanish as they are licensed in Mexico. Also they as are all Mexican radio stations required to broadcast some sort of official hour long program in Spanish on Sundays.
commando said:
KMZT, began as KBCA in 1959, later changed the calls to KKGO and remained a premier nationally recognized commercial Jazz station until 1989, when KFAC (now KHHT) dropped classical. It stayed on as a classical station irrespective of source or program directors until February of this year. So how do you get the idea that the formats change so often. The changes you do cite are the AM signal which even Mr. Levine has acknowledged has seen some vagary since he acquired it. But then under Buckley there were a few format changes as well.
In any event as my departed grandmother often said you can never know another man's path until you are walking in his shoes. It is after all Mr. Levine's business and he is free, so long as we have free enterprise, to do with it as he sees fit.
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