KMZT Going Talk/Adult Standards

[ajhenderson]

To nmoore: Yes, KLAA is difficult to get on the west side, in the valley, and along parts of the 210. But, there are plenty of syndicated shows on plenty of bad signals in markets across the country. If a show is market exclusive, as basically all of them are, it can only air on one station in the market. I've been turned down by most of the better syndicators trying to air shows in the IE, which, while part of the LA TSA, is a different market. Beverly Hills is obviously in LA County, so no case there. If KLAA wanted a simulcast, they'd buy 1260. Until then, you'll just have to accept Arte Moreno's apologies for the bad signal.

To Shoot from the Hip: This is why stations go brokered. Which is probably what 1260 should do one of these days. The talk format could eventually slide into a hybrid of syndicated talk and paid crap. Considering it covers some pretty nice areas, Saul could certainly do over $2 million once the thing got rolling. This addresses your well-meaning but somewhat incorrect point about ratings. Prostate formulas, mortgage guys, and people hawking gold are less fickle and easier to sell than agencies who require actual numbers.

 

[Shoot From Hip]

Brokering's not a bad idea...KLAA was doing a ton of it until they realized it's not compatible with Angels baseball. But even brokering the time at $250 per hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you're only going to generate $2.1m in gross revenue. You can add a network or two that generates another few hundred thousand, but that's about where it will cap. And that's if you've got a decent signal, with 1260 doesn't have.

 

[ajhenderson]

I've been at stations in top-10 and top-15 markets that do $1.3 to 1.7 million a year. $250 an hour is way low - yes, you can get time on 1230 or 1460 for not much more than that, but those stations have even worse signals and are basically satellite repeaters. If you sold time to the financial and medical professionals that populate the areas KMZT covers, you could get many times that. AM 830's weekday rack rates are $1500-1700/hr.

WWRL, with a horrible signal on 1600 in New York, was always sold out by charging $1,000/hr for its 10a-3p block before Air America leased it. Look up that signal sometime - it's a real dog. I've gotten almost half of your $250, while working from 2,000 miles away, on a sub-1000 watt station in Sarasota. It takes a little creativity, yes, but it's better than losing money.

 

[Hunter]

To Shoot from the Hip: This is why stations go brokered.

KJCB, you have hit the nail on the head. Either sell it out with mostly paid programming or LMA it to an ethnic broadcaster who wants to serve their Armenian, Russian, Asian, or whatever community is important to them and collect the rent checks.

 

[nmoore6676]

Looks to me like you do understand the reason for the frequent flips-- everything you list below is a negative that prevents him from making enough revenue to keep a format in place.

Yes I got all of that, what I meant was that it you have all of those limitations and you get something on, like Adult Standards, that gets you on the charts then stick with that and accept what you got. If you are going to keep searching for the magic bullet to get you to the top you're beating your head against the wall. He had a good adult standards and oldies music mix when he did those, the country did almost the same before it moved to FM, the classical was a bomb and the news talk looks like the same.

To KJCB: I get your point, but a syndicator who ties himself to a rock is going to sink. If you can get a life preserver then take it and float. Glenn Beck would do good on KFI , but they don't have the room and KNX is all news, so if you can get placed on another signal for better penetration then why not grab it. I like Glenn when I can hear it so I just want a better shot at it and KGIL booms in here (from Mission Hills) in NoHo. Then there are the people who want Angels' games. Maybe Arte Moreno is the buyer to get Mr. Levine out of the dungeon.

Armenian would be a possible choice for ethnic programming except that the KGIL signal starts fading just past Burbank so it wouldn't get into Glendale all that well.

 

[ajhenderson]

Nmoore: I understand; if KLAA wanted to let KGIL have the show, I'm sure Premiere would probably be receptive. But what would they?

 

[kilohertz]

KCJB let's talk about demos and Mr. Jackson. Did you ever look at what he had when he was on KABC? He did pretty good 12 plus. Why? Because his demos were top heavy old. Total adults 25-54 he was dead in the water the last time he was on KABC. In fact if you put a research project out in the field I bet he either would no show up with anyone under 54, and those over 54 would see him as old line and lame. That's one of KABC's problems. They have bad talent on the air and many people still see them as being the old line talk station of Jackson, Briem, and Marv Gray. Now let's talk about billing. The only way to make money on a station like that is to get it from pay for play or direct sales because anyone who buys of the book won't touch them. I remember when KGIL was a great station. That was years ago and things have changed. By the way I'm also in radio and have worked in major markets for 18 years. All of it has been in talk.

 

[ajhenderson]

Kilohertz: I also have spent my career in the talk end, but I don't see where we disagree. I have called for 1260 to be brokered for some time, most recently in this post. Close to two years ago, I made a similar plea. It's the only way it will make money... you'll never get anything but direct biz with it. And yes, Michael Jackson will have no shares outside of 65+. Talk about moving backward rather than forward.

 

[accessdlp]

Just so you know, the new KGIL website just went live. www.1260.am

 

[jonbruce]

We get $250 an hour in Palm Springs !

 

[ajhenderson]

Jon: Where in PS? KPSI can be had on the weekend for $100 an hour, KGAM for less. Maybe the local yokels aren't negotiating so it's higher. Are you referring to KGAM? No offense, but that signal is pretty bad. And how about you update your website? Schultz moved over to 1340 (an even worse signal... maron!) some time ago. I don't think the RR cluster in PS really knows what they're doing when it comes to talk.

 

[jonbruce]

Yes, KPSI. They jacked up the rates a few years ago. Actually they get even more than that for the "colon cleansing" typo info-mercials. KPSI does have Rush and O'Reilly mid-days that push the total 12+ over KNWZ with it's 3 signals, and Hendrie is now on at night. At least KPSI has a live/local morning show, while KNWZ runs a similcast of KESQ-TV. Management is slow to update the web sites. The only thing on KGAM that registers a blip in the book is Savage. The ballance of the schedule is a zero but the Sat. brokered shows are a cash cow. KPTR 1340 doesn't sell brokered shows and carries Miller, Shultz, Hartman, Rhodes and Colmes. Sadly, the signal is weak, but none of the AM's in the market cover the whole valley.

 

[ajhenderson]

Jon: Not to be argumentative, but I helped a client get on KPSI a few months ago. You are right, they air Rush and O'Reilly, but last time I checked, the KNWZ/KNWQ simulcast beat it. You can't count KNWH since it covers about 4 people in Yucca Valley (is the CP in effect?).

You're right about KGAM; I've heard Savage on KLAA, whose site is in Corona (?), better in PS and vicinity than on KGAM. The AM market in the market is pretty weak in terms of signals. Which is unfortunate for a market that might actually use the band.

 

[jonbruce]

Wow, you are a great negotiator ! You got a great deal. Yes, KLAA's transmitter is in Corona. As I recall looking at Tascam hourlies KNWZ beat KPSI afternoon drive and nights, but as far as I remember KPSI dominated during Rush, and overall 12 plus got KNWZ by a tenth of a point.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

Yes, KLAA's transmitter is in Corona.

I don't want to pick nits but since I was corrected recently when I stated that KLAA's transmitter was in Norco (not Corona), turns out it's within the city limits of Chino (just barely) a few blocks from the Norco line. How's the night reception of KLAA in Palm Springs? Next year they'll be the flagship station of the Angels.. hmmmm I guess that KSPA 1510 will no longer be (needed) an affiliate and wasn't there a PS affiliate too (KGAM?)

 

[ajhenderson]

You're right, SuperRadioFan; I said Corona but had always thought that the tower was in Norco.

KGAM does air the Angels; KPSI has the Dodgers. As to 1510, I'm not sure it was ever needed. Having lived in downtown Phoenix for several years, I struggled to get 0.1kW KFNN. But in San Bernardino and vicinity, it steps all over co-channel KSPA. KLAA nulls towards Palm Springs and, I think, toward the AV, but does fairly well in the IE at night. Particularly in the only areas KSPA covers at night... Norco, Corona, etc., near their tower. Probably not as much so in homes, though, although one would suspect you'd be watching on TV at home.

IIRC, KMET in Banning, as well as KPRO in Riverside (after 6 or so PM) also had/have the Dodgers. There is a a little bit of overlap and more than a little bit for day games for both teams. BTW, looks like KMET is for sale. If anyone on this board wants to help pool the $880k, let me know.