KRTH

[KMRichards]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> As for another ethnic
> format... As a monolingual native Californian, it's just
> another frequency that I wouldn't listen to. More polka
> music from south of the border? No thanks...

Ethnic slur aside (watch it, I'm rather intolerant of such things), you know nothing about the "Latino 96.3" format, based on that description. While it isn't a format I would listen to for long stretches of time, also being a white SoCal native who primarily speaks English, I find the music enjoyable in small doses.

I suggest that the next time you want to reference a station's format, you actually have a clue as to what you are talking about.
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[davideduardo]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

>
> In addition, K-Earth might be a good place to place Latino
> 96.3 once Emmis prevails in court. Infinity (Viacom) has an
> equity stake in SBS.
>

Infinity has placed on hold its sale of stations, per Inside Radio today. Additionally, when they "give up" a station as in the now-KRZZ in SF, they take equity. If KRZZ got them 10%, KRTH would be worth about 30% of SBS... and put Infinity over the ownership cap limits, and reduce the critical element of control than the Alarcon's have at SBS.

 

[davideduardo]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> As for another ethnic
> format... As a monolingual native Californian, it's just
> another frequency that I wouldn't listen to. More polka
> music from south of the border? No thanks...

DO you see something wrong with that statement? I do.

First, Latino is a reggaeton and hip hop stations, and plays no music from "South of the border" as all of its music is produced in the US of A.

Second, there is no "polka music" but some Mexican music... some... has accordeon in it. So does cajun music and German muisc and... well, you get the point.

And only 3 of the LA Spanish FMs play "polka music" while the rest have a variety of formats, including pop/CHR, AC, oldies, etc.

If you are going to criticise, please be sensitive to the terms you use and be aware of what you are talking about before you post.
>

 

[calguy]

Re: KRTH-What would you do? Mea Culpa

KMRichards wrote:
Ethnic slur aside (watch it, I'm rather intolerant of such things), you know nothing about the "Latino 96.3" format, based on that description. While it isn't a format I would listen to for long stretches of time, also being a white SoCal native who primarily speaks English, I find the music enjoyable in small doses.

I suggest that the next time you want to reference a station's format, you actually have a clue as to what you are talking about.

calguy writes:
My apologies if you felt it was an ethnic slur. I simply don't care for accordians and horn sections combined. Didn't care for Lawrence Welk music either. It was not meant as an ethnic slur. My best friend in the whole world since the 1st grade is a Mexican, born in Mexico & raised in California.
Same for my high school girlfriend and many others that followed. I do have a clue, and I was not actually referring to the 96.3 format either. I guess I should have made that clear. Obviously the Spanish audience is a large one and one that needs to be addressed. No argument there. I've never considered myself a racist, and was raised as a liberal in a very Hispanic region.


imnabwon wrote:
Jack and Jack-like stations (such as The Peak in Phoenix) nationwide attract a healthy 25-54 female audience. Jack in Los Angeles shows promise of being one of the top female stations in this market. The Peak in Phoenix and Jack in Dallas already are. I think you need to do better research before posting.

If you'd been following my posts, you'd also know that Jack Los Angeles is currently interviewing jocks, mostly CHR veterans, and by the end of the summer will be personality-driven (along with the "You" jingle package once used at 93/KHJ).

I'm a born-and-raised Angeleno so I know this market inside out.

calguy writes:
Well then if JACK like formats attract a healthy female audience, who needs another one? You said you'd do a female JACK.

I can't follow all of your posts as I have a full-time radio job and family that only allows for short periods on line. I'd like to think that I know the LA market as well having lived and worked here for 23 years. I also spent summers here as a child so I know something of the market's history too. Most of my posts have been about the who, what, where and when of radio in California and I've tried to remain positive with my comments. I have been frusterated by some of the comments of others posting that are so negative of late, and I suppose that I've started to let that bother me enough to come down to a level that I don't ordinarly operate at.

I wasn't really so much interested in the JACK format in this thread as I thought it was more about KRTH. I think that K-Earth can be saved with some savvy programming and marketing. I would go more ethnic especially at night with a good Hispanic personality and a better, more creative morning show. I would expand the playlist and concentrate on newer oldies and market the daylights out of it. But I wouldn't do ANOTHER JACK format. But like a lot of the posts on these boards, that's just an opinion, and it will be followed shortly by someone else who will basically make me out to be an idiot. As for doing research before posting, I know about the performance of the JACK format in those other markets including Denver and those north of the border, and was concerned only with the LA market.

For the sake of Radio in general and those who try to make a living doing it, I hope that you're correct with your information regarding a future airstaff for KCBS-FM. Lets hope all the JACK stations do the same.

Again, to those of you who felt that I made an ethnic slur, I'm sorry. I don't really think that saying you don't like a type of music (never liked accordians) is an ethnic slur, but I must defer to those who shepherd this site. One that we are fortunate to have...

 

[heywhatsupglenn]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> >
> > In addition, K-Earth might be a good place to place Latino
>
> > 96.3 once Emmis prevails in court. Infinity (Viacom) has
> an
> > equity stake in SBS.
> >
>
> Infinity has placed on hold its sale of stations, per Inside
> Radio today. Additionally, when they "give up" a station as
> in the now-KRZZ in SF, they take equity. If KRZZ got them
> 10%, KRTH would be worth about 30% of SBS... and put
> Infinity over the ownership cap limits, and reduce the
> critical element of control than the Alarcon's have at SBS.
>

I wasn't suggesting that Infinity sell or trade K-Earth. Just take on the format once Emmis prevails in court.

On the subject of Infinity trading stations for equity shares in other companies, Radio One just yesterday disclosed a recent rumor as true that Infinity was interested in doing the same with them as they did with SBS.

 

[heywhatsupglenn]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> > Again, I've already posted that
> http:>
> //www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=453160&Board=losangeles
>
> >
> > In addition, K-Earth might be a good place to place Latino
>
> > 96.3 once Emmis prevails in court. Infinity (Viacom) has
> an
> > equity stake in SBS.
> >
> Okay, you'd do a female version of JACK. Gee that's real
> exciting...
> Another arrogant, jock-less, smarmy jukebox... Yeah that's
> what women want, to be talked down to by a station that only
> plays what "it wants". If I'm to believe what women say,
> they already get ignored enough. They don't want a station
> that does what the boyfriend and husband do all the time,
> sitting on the couch with a remote, totally tuned out to
> there desires, and that's exactly what you've got with JACK
> or JILL or whatever you'd call it... As for another ethnic
> format... As a monolingual native Californian, it's just
> another frequency that I wouldn't listen to. More polka
> music from south of the border? No thanks...
>

I hope you got a chance to listen to the "Totally Whatever Weekend" that Star 98.7 had each weekend except Memorial Day weekend (it was "Totally Whatever 80's Weekend") during May. QUITE different from Jack. Playing oldies from the Beatles to current product such as Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl". There was about 1/3 overlap with what Jack plays. But it is much more female friendly. And it tested well. It's not the same as Jack but would complement it well (demos/sales).

Stations like Jack are starting off jockless but are not going to remain that way. You seem to have "tunnelvision" when it comes to this format. Wake up to what the new oldies format is.

 

[heywhatsupglenn]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> > If you'd been folllowing my posts, you'd also know that
> Jack
> > Los Angeles is currently interviewing jocks, mostly CHR
> > veterans, and by the end of the summer will be
> > personality-driven (along with the "You" jingle package
> once
> > used at 93/KHJ).
>
> JACK with an airstaff of market veterans? Excellent!

Mostly CHR Veterans but not all that have been thru Los Angeles previously. Some KIIS veterans might end up there, though.

> Still leaves KRTH up that famous creek...and I don't
> pretend to have a
> clue as to what would work on the 101.1 frequency. Maybe
> keep
> KFWB and spin off KRTH for big bucks. Did that issue
> ever get settled?

They don't have to spin off KFWB or any station in this market. We'll see now if splitting Viacom up - as they are planning on doing this month - causes any problems.

What I'd really like to know is which station(s) Infinity was planning to give to Radio One for an equity stake (nixed but confirmed by Radio One yesterday). Maybe that is why Infinity was planning on purchasing 92.7 JILL (former Lite 92.7).

 

[KMRichards]

Re: KRTH-What would you do? Mea Culpa

> KMRichards wrote:
> Ethnic slur aside (watch it, I'm rather intolerant of such
> things), you know nothing about the "Latino 96.3" format,
> based on that description. While it isn't a format I would
> listen to for long stretches of time, also being a white
> SoCal native who primarily speaks English, I find the music
> enjoyable in small doses.
>
> I suggest that the next time you want to reference a
> station's format, you actually have a clue as to what you
> are talking about.
>
> calguy writes:
> My apologies if you felt it was an ethnic slur. I simply
> don't care for accordians and horn sections combined.
> Didn't care for Lawrence Welk music either. It was not
> meant as an ethnic slur. My best friend in the whole world
> since the 1st grade is a Mexican, born in Mexico & raised in
> California.
> Same for my high school girlfriend and many others that
> followed. I do have a clue, and I was not actually
> referring to the 96.3 format either. I guess I should have
> made that clear. Obviously the Spanish audience is a large
> one and one that needs to be addressed. No argument there.
> I've never considered myself a racist, and was raised as a
> liberal in a very Hispanic region.

Apologies accepted. Perhaps you could more carefully choose your words in the future -- such as the care you obviously took in wording the above -- to prevent my (and others) misunderstanding your intent.
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[radiolover78]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> > > If David is willing to chime in as well, KRTH does not
> > skew
> > > any older than KOST - and is actually a few years
> younger
> > > than KZLA and KTWV...
> > >
> >
> > KOST is sold as part of the "Wall of Women" CCU stations.
> A
> > much easier sale than the stand-alone K-Earth aging demos.
>
> >
> Okay, I can agree with a lot of the points you've made in
> previous posts in this thread. I'm not impressed with the
> Infinity decision makers in the LA market either. I also
> can see that in the other cities that Infinity has flipped
> stations to JACK that it may have been a good decision to ax
> the oldies format. But you still didn't answer a question
> that was asked of you.
> What would you replace the oldies format with at KRTH? I
> still feel that at this time that KRTH can recover and even
> flourish. It just needs the right people to run it. But
> they don't work in LA. So there has to be a format that
> could be implemented that would work. But you didn't offer
> an example.
>

To answer your question, I would play mainly late 60s, concentrate on 70s, and sprinkle in a few 80s. The format could be done right. In fact, I think millions of people still love oldies radio, even people above 55 or possibly below 25! The only thing keeping corporate radio companies from keeping oldies is the whole target demo thing, ratings (which mean almost nothing), and the money. It is obviously all about the money. That is the thing keeping oldies away from the radio. Target demos, advertising, and other things. Of course, lots of the things I said were said in this thread.
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[davideduardo]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

>
> To answer your question, I would play mainly late 60s,
> concentrate on 70s, and sprinkle in a few 80s. The format
> could be done right. In fact, I think millions of people
> still love oldies radio, even people above 55 or possibly
> below 25!

Most are over 55, however.

> The only thing keeping corporate radio companies

Nearly all stations are woned by corporations. What is so despicable about this?

> from keeping oldies is the whole target demo thing, ratings
> (which mean almost nothing)

Ratings mean everything if you run, program or own a radio station. Arbitron is the currency that determines rates, whether stations get on buys and whether, in most cases, you will make a profit.

>, and the money.

After all, it _is_ a business.

> It is obviously
> all about the money.

As above. It's a business. You don't expect WalMart to sell snow shovels in Miami, right?

> That is the thing keeping oldies away
> from the radio. Target demos, advertising, and other things.
> Of course, lots of the things I said were said in this
> thread.
>

 

[KMRichards]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

First you say ...

> The only thing keeping corporate radio companies
> from keeping oldies is the whole target demo thing, ratings
> (which mean almost nothing), and the money.

Then you go on to say ...

> It is obviously
> all about the money. That is the thing keeping oldies away
> from the radio. Target demos, advertising, and other things.

Dude, target demos <u>are</u> ratings.
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[radioresearcher]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> To answer your question, I would play mainly late 60s,
> concentrate on 70s, and sprinkle in a few 80s. The format
> could be done right. In fact, I think millions of people
> still love oldies radio, even people above 55 or possibly
> below 25! The only thing keeping corporate radio companies
> from keeping oldies is the whole target demo thing, ratings
> (which mean almost nothing), and the money. It is obviously
> all about the money. That is the thing keeping oldies away
> from the radio. Target demos, advertising, and other things.
> Of course, lots of the things I said were said in this
> thread.
>
I think this is a very intelligent post - and kind of where my head is also - maybe a little differently. I will say again, KRTH can be saved - and there's no need to start another station heavy in 80's music. There's too much already with Jack, Star, and KBIG.

 

[radio124]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> > > If David is willing to chime in as well, KRTH does not
> > skew
> > > any older than KOST - and is actually a few years
> younger
> > > than KZLA and KTWV...
> > >
> >
> > KOST is sold as part of the "Wall of Women" CCU stations.
> A
> > much easier sale than the stand-alone K-Earth aging demos.
>
> >
> Okay, I can agree with a lot of the points you've made in
> previous posts in this thread. I'm not impressed with the
> Infinity decision makers in the LA market either. I also
> can see that in the other cities that Infinity has flipped
> stations to JACK that it may have been a good decision to ax
> the oldies format. But you still didn't answer a question
> that was asked of you.
> What would you replace the oldies format with at KRTH?

I would play songs that were hits in LA 1966-1976. I would have the station evoke memories of KHJ in the mid 70's, whereas the KRTH of Morgan and Steele was centered in the mid to late 60's. I would hire Charlie Van Dyke for morning drive (if he would) and M.G. Kelly for afternoons. I would play 600-700 titles during the week and do theme weekends like the old KRTH used to do and I'd really expand the playlist during the weekend.



> still feel that at this time that KRTH can recover and even
> flourish. It just needs the right people to run it. But
> they don't work in LA. So there has to be a format that
> could be implemented that would work. But you didn't offer
> an example.
>

 

[heywhatsupglenn]

Re: KRTH-What would you do?

> > To answer your question, I would play mainly late 60s,
> > concentrate on 70s, and sprinkle in a few 80s. The format
> > could be done right. In fact, I think millions of people
> > still love oldies radio, even people above 55 or possibly
> > below 25! The only thing keeping corporate radio companies
>
> > from keeping oldies is the whole target demo thing,
> ratings
> > (which mean almost nothing), and the money. It is
> obviously
> > all about the money. That is the thing keeping oldies away
>
> > from the radio. Target demos, advertising, and other
> things.
> > Of course, lots of the things I said were said in this
> > thread.
> >
> I think this is a very intelligent post - and kind of where
> my head is also - maybe a little differently. I will say
> again, KRTH can be saved - and there's no need to start
> another station heavy in 80's music. There's too much
> already with Jack, Star, and KBIG.
>

70's stations don't work. And what would its shelf life be? You'd have to kill it off in 5 years as the demos get to the high end of 25-54.

Star, KBIG, KOST and Hot are vulnerable because they are so narrowcast. Come on with a station that plays most they are and more and you've got the money demos. And stay more rhythmic and pop than Jack...

K-Earth is hammered in musically by Jack and Clear Channel's stations - not to mention its own poor programming decisions. It can't be saved. Face it, it has got to go.