KSSN 96 and the Wolf, 105.1

[interested bystander]

I read earlier today that Clear Channel announced that Bob Robbins & Jennifer Trafford would be moving over to The Wolf, 105.1 as of January 2 and that the Bobby Bones show would be taking their old slot in the mornings on KSSN 96.

 

[rgseark2009]

Clear Channel completes it's transition of KSSN from a legendary Little Rock radio station to a generic, expendable Clear Channel country FM. This wasn't the beginning: that was back in 1997 when CC aided by the 1996 Telecommunications act (thanks GOP Congress and President Clinton!) purchased KSSN, its then sister station on 106.7 and three other stations (including KMJX/Magic 105).

I've not been a listener of the station for many years, partly due to my distaste for this new generation of "corporate radio". That said, its remarkable that KSSN has maintained the same basic format for 35+ years, something that will never happen again in commercial radio in Little Rock. (By comparison KAAY went 23 years with Top 40/AC/oldies, and Magic 105/KMJX went 28 years with its rock format)

I expected Robbins to retire eventually and be replaced by some bird-fed show but not for CC to move him off to a sister station (albeit a station that is essentially Classic KSSN but without the KSSN callsign or imaging) that has no heritage.

 

[MichaelHibblen]

It's surprising that Clear Channel would do anything to mess with the number one station in the market, especially adding a generic syndicated morning show. But CC doesn't appreciate heritage and I'm sure this is just so that it can add another station to the roster of those running this morning show. I haven't heard him in years, but I'd doubt that at his age Bob Robbins relates well to today's pop country. Still, after 34 years on KSSN and being so connected to the brand, I'm surprised CC would move him off to a sister station that is pretty much automated. Arkansas Business had an interesting article on it: http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/95727/bob-robbins-leaves-kssn-after-34-years

KSSN is yet another once powerful market leader that is being made more generic thanks to the practices of corporate radio. While it is still number one, its ratings are about half of what it was at its peak.

 

[rgseark2009]

Syndicated morning shows are no fix either, Clear Channel tried "Bob And Tom" on the old Magic 105 for about a year, and "Free Beer And Hot Wings" on Rock 103 Memphis. The fate of Magic was sealed years ago, and Rock 103 reverted back to a local morning show with music.