KSFO To 810

[TheBigA]

I wish more radio stations had a mix of liberal and conservative hosts like the old KGO.

All that went out the window in 2012.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

There was nothing "vague" about the terms of CBS selling its radio stations to Entercom.

The stations with shared radio/TV calls received permanent permission to keep using those calls on radio - except for KCBS and WCBS. Because those contained the CBS trademark, the agreement provided for a 20-year license to keep using them on radio, so long as the format wasn't changed from what it was in 2017.

That's why WCBS 880 became WHSQ - the format change triggered the call change.

If broadcasting as we know it still exists in 2037, it will be up to the successor companies to Audacy and Paramount to decide whether to extend the agreement for KCBS and KCBS-FM.

There are also clauses in the sale that governed the use of other CBS trademarks, which is why WCBS 880 removed the CBS eye from its logo fairly quickly, and why CBS Sports Radio became Infinity Sports Radio.

As for ABC, when it sold its radio stations to Citadel, it gave a permanent license to allow the continued use of the KGO, KABC, WABC and WLS calls as long as they stayed on the same stations.

True it's kind of similar to when Disney bought the former 20th Century Fox and renamed it 20th Century Studios for similar reasons such as Fox Corporation trademark the Fox name.

 

[radiofan2023]

Dr. Michael Krasny , formerly with KGO, was what you would call a "common sense" liberal and fascinating to listen to.

He has his own show now:

Grey Matter with Michael Krasny | Interviews with Opinion-Shapers

www.greymatter.show

 

[fordranger797]

All that went out the window in 2012.

I wouldn’t say that entirely. Almost every locally programmed talk radio station features hosts who are from different backgrounds and have different perspectives. It’s syndicated radio that seems to become an echo chamber. I like talk radio, but I’ve never been interested in the big national shows.

 

[davideduardo]

All that went out the window in 2012.

But the ratings really died with the advent of PPM about 5 years before, and they had been in decline for half-a-decade before that.

 

[Fighting Irish]

There was nothing "vague" about the terms of CBS selling its radio stations to Entercom.

The stations with shared radio/TV calls received permanent permission to keep using those calls on radio - except for KCBS and WCBS. Because those contained the CBS trademark, the agreement provided for a 20-year license to keep using them on radio, so long as the format wasn't changed from what it was in 2017.

That's why WCBS 880 became WHSQ - the format change triggered the call change.

If broadcasting as we know it still exists in 2037, it will be up to the successor companies to Audacy and Paramount to decide whether to extend the agreement for KCBS and KCBS-FM.

There are also clauses in the sale that governed the use of other CBS trademarks, which is why WCBS 880 removed the CBS eye from its logo fairly quickly, and why CBS Sports Radio became Infinity Sports Radio.

As for ABC, when it sold its radio stations to Citadel, it gave a permanent license to allow the continued use of the KGO, KABC, WABC and WLS calls as long as they stayed on the same stations.

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm sure most of us haven't had the opportunity (or the patience) to wade through all the paperwork. I was also worried about whether or not I was actually making any sense.

 

[michael hagerty]

There was nothing "vague" about the terms of CBS selling its radio stations to Entercom.

The stations with shared radio/TV calls received permanent permission to keep using those calls on radio - except for KCBS and WCBS. Because those contained the CBS trademark, the agreement provided for a 20-year license to keep using them on radio, so long as the format wasn't changed from what it was in 2017.

Scott, wouldn't this apply to WBBM and KYW as well?

 

[Rollo-Smokes]

Scott, wouldn't this apply to WBBM and KYW as well?

Same for them, and also for WCCO, KDKA, WJZ, and WBZ (with iHeart and Beasley).

 

[fybush]

Same for them, and also for WCCO, KDKA, WJZ, and WBZ (with iHeart and Beasley).

To clarify: WCBS and KCBS were treated separately from the others, with a license to use the calls until 2037.

The others - WBZ, KYW, KDKA, WBBM, WCCO, WWJ - have permanent use of the calls on radio as long as they stay on the same stations they're on now.

My recollection is that WJZ also has a limited license to keep using those calls on radio, but it may have been extended.

 

[Weiserguy]

Methinks you're forgetting a rather big one: KNX.

 

[michael hagerty]

Methinks you're forgetting a rather big one: KNX.

KNX was a stand-alone AM-only set of calls from 1983 to 1986 and again from 1989 until 97.1 FM began simulcasting in late 2021.

There never was a KNX-TV, though there was KNXT. That became KCBS-TV in 1984.

 

[KilowattKat]

To clarify: WCBS and KCBS were treated separately from the others, with a license to use the calls until 2037.

The others - WBZ, KYW, KDKA, WBBM, WCCO, WWJ - have permanent use of the calls on radio as long as they stay on the same stations they're on now.

My recollection is that WJZ also has a limited license to keep using those calls on radio, but it may have been extended.

KYW and WBBM have different call letters on their FM's. I assume the agreement doesn't allow use of the calls on a simulcasting co owned station?

 

[TomásEstefan]

KNX was a stand-alone AM-only set of calls from 1983 to 1986 and again from 1989 until 97.1 FM began simulcasting in late 2021.

There never was a KNX-TV, though there was KNXT. That became KCBS-TV in 1984.

I remember watching the now late-great Ralph Story of Ch 2 unveiling the new TV calls in Downtown LA in that year and I think it was at 12 Noon...

 

[KilowattKat]

So KCBS-AM, WCBS-FM, and KNX AM/FM will need new calls in 2037. As well as KCBS-FM which wouldn't be that big a deal, since they go by Jack FM, with a buried legal ID.

I wonder if this agreement with CBS can be extended? Those particular calls still have value, even while call letters in general continue to have less value.

 

[michael hagerty]

So KCBS-AM, WCBS-FM, and KNX AM/FM will need new calls in 2037.

No. Not KNX. They’re not tied to anything CBS owns.

. As well as KCBS-FM which wouldn't be that big a deal, since they go by Jack FM, with a buried legal ID.

By 2037, who knows what the format will be?

I wonder if this agreement with CBS can be extended? Those particular calls still have value, even while call letters in general continue to have less value.

Again, this is 12 years and change from now. We have no idea what the value of anything will be.

 

[cc333]

So KCBS-AM ... will need new calls in 2037.

This is an extreme long shot, but what about reverting to their original calls, KQW?

That would be interesting....

c

 

[Weiserguy]

No. Not KNX. They’re not tied to anything CBS owns.



By 2037, who knows what the format will be?



Again, this is 12 years and change from now. We have no idea what the value of anything will be.

Michael, even 12+ years from now you'll still have value to us. 🤣 🤣

 

[fybush]

So KCBS-AM, WCBS-FM, and KNX AM/FM will need new calls in 2037. As well as KCBS-FM which wouldn't be that big a deal, since they go by Jack FM, with a buried legal ID.

I wonder if this agreement with CBS can be extended? Those particular calls still have value, even while call letters in general continue to have less value.

No, the rights to the KNX calls went entirely to Entercom(/Audacy) in 2017, since they were not part of CBS' intellectual property for TV.

And in the case of WCBS-FM and the KCBS stations, the current agreement runs out in 2037 but could be renewed if the parties are interested in reaching a new deal at that point.

 

[KilowattKat]

This is an extreme long shot, but what about reverting to their original calls, KQW?

That would be interesting....

c

or...KFRC Newsradio 106.9/740, to match the legendary calls that are on the FM. I sort of like the sound of that.

The AM could do Oldies shows on the weekend.

 

[fybush]

or...KFRC Newsradio 106.9/740, to match the legendary calls that are on the FM. I sort of like the sound of that.

The AM could do Oldies shows on the weekend.

2037 is a long, long way off.

If mankind is still alive - I mean, if there's still broadcast radio and call letters are still a thing, my expectation is that whatever Audacy has become and whatever Paramount has become will quietly reach a deal to extend the use of the KCBS brand for another 10 or 20 years.