KXXT to Switch Formats

[pdxmitch]

The new owners of KXXT, religious broadcasters Communicom, are dumping liberal talk from KXXT by the end of January according to what's been said on air. There are already online petitions to Communicom, but it seems to me they'd be better off trying to convince another station to carry the format. I'm not in Phoenix, but doing some online research, it looks like maybe AM 580 KSAZ would be a possibility? 5KW at a very low frequency running a nostalgia format with no ratings, does it have a good signal in Phoenix? It looks like it might be stronger in Tucson. Do you think Owl Communications (who is that?) would be open to such a business proposition, or maybe would have an ideological opposition to liberal talk? Is there another struggling station with a good signal out there?

 

[multiplex]

They've referred to the format change for at least a week now. KSAZ-580 has no Phoenix signal at night.
We could speculate all day on who would carry Air America.
A couple of weeks ago, someone posted it could be KPHX-1480.
In some markets, Clear Channel has switched Nostalgia stations to Air America: KCTC-1320, Sacramento in late October; KABL, San Francisco and KPOP, San Diego are other examples. Could KOY make the switch?
And even though religion brings in bucks, don't forget that James Crystal Enterprises still owns KXEG-1280.
The point is someone will likely pick it up. KXXT has done well picking up local ads; probably much better than the naysayers expected.
This may sound idiotic, and I'm not expecting it, but there's been another recent change on the Phoenix dial.
KMIA-710 isn't simulcasting, but they're now running Tricolor, the same satellite service their 103.5 carries.
I suppose this is because the Orange County talk flagship (830) is being sold.
Could that raise prospects of 710 carrying Air America instead of another Spanish format? I doubt it, I'm just speculating and have no proof. Still, with the saturation of Spanish AMs, could 710 be looking for a format that might bring in more bucks?

 

[caveman97]

. I'm not in Phoenix, but doing some online research,
> it looks like maybe AM 580 KSAZ would be a possibility? Do you think Owl
> Communications (who is that?) would be open to such a
> business proposition, or maybe would have an ideological
> opposition to liberal talk? Is there another struggling
> station with a good signal out there?
>
Actually, KSAZ has better ratings in Tucson than KXXT has in Phoenix. KSAZ has an awesome signal in the daytime but at night they barely cover Tucson. Very likely KSAZ is pleased with their programming and unlikely to want to switch to something questionable. Air America would be much better off wooing an AM station in the Phoenix area that presently has lousy ratings. There are quite a few possiblities. Maybe the new affiliate will do the format properly and skip the home improvement programs on the weekend and other similar junk. Some local political talk might also be welcomed.

 

[ajhenderson]

KSAZ has good ratings for the format, although they have decreased as of late. There are three stations (two at night) doing the format though. Their expenses there are as close to 0 as you'll find, and the couple there have owned the place forever and are happy with the format, waiting to sell it for a large sum one of these days. Night signal doesn't get past Eloy anyway... maybe a complicated Part 15 transmitter setup around the valley for night coverage No way they're changing anything.

As to the weekend, brokered talk is a reality. KXXT should have had more of it, but Bob Christy has a stated attitude that he'd rather put local political bumblers with no radio experience on than something that would pay $750/hour. If you want a compromise, pick up the NAU or U of A games on the weekend and get money from them. Fact is, though, that many owners, and almost no independents, can afford to pass up paid blabfests on the weekend.

> In some markets, Clear Channel has switched Nostalgia
> stations to Air America: KCTC-1320, Sacramento in late

KCTC is owned by Entercom. They also flipped WSMB/New Orleans to libtalk.

> October; KABL, San Francisco and KPOP, San Diego are other
> examples. Could KOY make the switch?
> And even though religion brings in bucks, don't forget that
> James Crystal Enterprises still owns KXEG-1280.

Until Communicom closes.

> The point is someone will likely pick it up. KXXT has done
> well picking up local ads; probably much better than the
> naysayers expected.

Only possibilities:
710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated east valley
740 - if someone has the cash to broker the whole thing and flip to libtalk
1060 - not likely; mgmt at Sandusky have been whining about the format forever, but it still brings in money
1230 - not likely; format works better in Phx market and CC has stopped flipping stations to libtalk
1400 - I'm sure if you could pony up more than the tiny number they're billing now, they'd listen
1480 - if you outbid ACR

So basically, somebody's got to write a check. Don't see it happening. There are plenty of formats that would make some money but the limited spectrum limits it, and it will limit libtalk from coming back as well.

 

[legend_city]

Too bad, Air America sucked, and Charles Goyette lost any credibility he had by jumping to 3 other radio stations in a short period of time. Liberal talk radio doesn't work, who wants to hear whining 24 hours a day? Hell, Conservative talk radio is annoying enough, but listening to humour impaired, pissed off crybabies all day is hardly compelling radio. Air America is a joke, and trying to sell it in Phoenix is a hilarious joke

 

[pdxmitch]

> Actually, KSAZ has better ratings in Tucson than KXXT has in
> Phoenix.

Oh, I didn't think to check Tucson ratings, I just saw that they didon't show up in the Phoenix book. Thanks.

 

[pdxmitch]

> KSAZ has good ratings for the format, although they have
> decreased as of late. There are three stations (two at
> night) doing the format though. Their expenses there are as
> close to 0 as you'll find, and the couple there have owned
> the place forever and are happy with the format, waiting to
> sell it for a large sum one of these days. Night signal
> doesn't get past Eloy anyway... maybe a complicated Part 15
> transmitter setup around the valley for night coverage No
> way they're changing anything.

KSAZ doesn't show up in the Phoenix ratings, which is what I looked at, but I was corrected by another poster that it actually gets respectable ratings in Tucson. And if they're definitely set in their ways, I can accept that.

> Only possibilities:
> 710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated east
> valley

Regardless of nights, this looks like the best signal on the list. But Entravision only does Spanish, so wouldn't it have to be purchased first?

> 740 - if someone has the cash to broker the whole thing and
> flip to libtalk

AAR doesn't broker anymore. It doesn't seem like a viable business plan, anyway.

> 1060 - not likely; mgmt at Sandusky have been whining about
> the format forever, but it still brings in money

1060 (KDUS) doesn't show up in the topline ratings. If it brings in money, I guess they must only get ratings/ad sales during games? Do others agree KDUS is unlikely to flip?

> 1230 - not likely; format works better in Phx market and CC
> has stopped flipping stations to libtalk

KOY and KXXT are tied in the ratings, but KOY's demos probably aren't as good. I don't know what the last CC station to flip to libtalk was.

> 1400 - I'm sure if you could pony up more than the tiny
> number they're billing now, they'd listen

Again, doubt the brokering.

> 1480 - if you outbid ACR

ACR is paying KPHX for carriage?

> So basically, somebody's got to write a check. Don't see it
> happening. There are plenty of formats that would make some
> money but the limited spectrum limits it, and it will limit
> libtalk from coming back as well.

 

[davideduardo]

> > Only possibilities:
> > 710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated east
> > valley
>
> Regardless of nights, this looks like the best signal on the
> list. But Entravision only does Spanish, so wouldn't it
> have to be purchased first?

Entrvision has a bunch of English stations, and even one, I believe, which is brokered ethnic and religion (1320 in Mimi/Hollywood, FL). The issue is that the signal is pretty awful.

 

[pdxmitch]

> > > Only possibilities:
> > > 710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated east
> > > valley
> >
> > Regardless of nights, this looks like the best signal on the
> > list. But Entravision only does Spanish, so wouldn't it
> > have to be purchased first?
>
> Entrvision has a bunch of English stations, and even one, I
> believe, which is brokered ethnic and religion (1320 in
> Mimi/Hollywood, FL). The issue is that the signal is pretty

I stand corrected. I just saw that they bill themselves simply as a Spanish broadcaster. What are the best of these fairly poor options, then?

 

[KeithE]

> In some markets, Clear Channel has switched Nostalgia
> stations to Air America: KCTC-1320, Sacramento in late
> October; KABL, San Francisco and KPOP, San Diego are other
> examples. Could KOY make the switch?

Not a chance. CC isn't fool enough to get many thousands of seniors that upset. Phoenix is still a good market for Adult Standards. I'll be very surprised if KOY switches to anything else.

> And even though religion brings in bucks, don't forget that
> James Crystal Enterprises still owns KXEG-1280.

Nope. JCE also sold KXEG to Communicom.

<a target="_blank" href=http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101092020&formid=314&fac_num=10975> Link: KXEG Assignment-of-license Application </a>

 

[KeithE]

> Only possibilities:
> 710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated east valley
I know Entravision does have some English-language stations but would they go that route here? Besides, the audience for AAR is mainly in Tempe and Scottsdale. KMIA has awful coverage in this part of town.

> 740 - if someone has the cash to broker the whole thing and flip to libtalk.
If Arthur Liu still owns KIDR, forget AAR ever being on this frequency.

> 1060 - not likely; mgmt at Sandusky have been whining about the format forever, but it still brings in money.
KDUS is dumping their awful morning-drive show in favor of Tony Bruno on Sporting News Radio this week. No word on the fate of Bill Lewis/Dale Hellestrae & Bob Kemp, but if they're gone soon, expect a format change on 1060.

I mentioned in another thread that Gumpdusky could put AAR on 1060 and move Sporting News Radio to 1440. It could also be the other way around, with AAR on 1440 and keeping sports on 1060. They'd have to run KAZG full-time though. Even 52 watts would cover most of Tempe, Scottsdale, and east Phoenix, where most of AAR's audience would likely come from anyway.

> 1230 - not likely; format works better in Phx market and CC has stopped flipping stations to libtalk.
File a KOY format change under "Not until this generation of seniors passes on."

> 1400 - I'm sure if you could pony up more than the tiny number they're billing now, they'd listen.
Like KMIA, would they want to flip to any English-language format?

> 1480 - if you outbid ACR
ACR will probably be dead and buried by midyear.

> So basically, somebody's got to write a check. Don't see it
> happening. There are plenty of formats that would make some
> money but the limited spectrum limits it, and it will limit
> libtalk from coming back as well.

1100? 1310?

 

[EricStein]

> > 1060 - not likely; mgmt at Sandusky have been whining
> about the format forever, but it still brings in money.
> KDUS is dumping their awful morning-drive show in favor of
> Tony Bruno on Sporting News Radio this week. No word on the
> fate of Bill Lewis/Dale Hellestrae & Bob Kemp, but if
> they're gone soon, expect a format change on 1060.
>
> I mentioned in another thread that Gumpdusky could put AAR
> on 1060 and move Sporting News Radio to 1440. It could also
> be the other way around, with AAR on 1440 and keeping sports
> on 1060. They'd have to run KAZG full-time though. Even 52
> watts would cover most of Tempe, Scottsdale, and east
> Phoenix, where most of AAR's audience would likely come from
> anyway.

An Air America affiliate with studios in the Londen Center? I don't think the Londens would go for that!


> > 1400 - I'm sure if you could pony up more than the tiny
> number they're billing now, they'd listen.
> Like KMIA, would they want to flip to any English-language
> format?

This is always a possibility, given the lack of ratings 1400 has, and it may be possible to buy the station on the cheap side.

> 1100? 1310?

It's unlikely that 1100 would drop the infomercials for Air America. As for 1310, as long as its Operations Manager swings the other way politically, it won't happen.

 

[JustinT]

> > In some markets, Clear Channel has switched Nostalgia
> > stations to Air America: KCTC-1320, Sacramento in late
>
> KCTC is owned by Entercom. They also flipped WSMB/New
> Orleans to libtalk.

Entercom also flipped a standards station in Memphis to AAR.

> > October; KABL, San Francisco and KPOP, San Diego are other
> > examples. Could KOY make the switch?

Another CC station was WXKS in Boston, which usually was around the low 1's 12+ in the ratings. The ratings have actually plummeted lower with Air America, but the demos have clearly improved.

Although Phoenix likely has more demand for the adult standards format, the success so far with Air America would appear to interest Clear Channel. Then again, most expected Clear Channel to launch the Chicago affiliate on a low-rated "Real Oldies" outlet, though the format instead ended up on a locally-owned daytimer.

 

[pdxmitch]

> > > 1060 - not likely; mgmt at Sandusky have been whining
> > > about the format forever, but it still brings in money.

> > KDUS is dumping their awful morning-drive show in favor of
> > Tony Bruno on Sporting News Radio this week. No word on the
> > fate of Bill Lewis/Dale Hellestrae & Bob Kemp, but if
> > they're gone soon, expect a format change on 1060.
> > I mentioned in another thread that Gumpdusky could put AAR
> > on 1060 and move Sporting News Radio to 1440. It could also
> > be the other way around, with AAR on 1440 and keeping sports
> > on 1060. They'd have to run KAZG full-time though. Even 52
> > watts would cover most of Tempe, Scottsdale, and east
> > Phoenix, where most of AAR's audience would likely come from
> > anyway.

Do others agree Sandusky may be the best bet?

 

[caveman97]

> > > > Only possibilities:
> > > > 710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated east
>

While we're making wild speculations about AM stations with terrible signals, what about 1510 or 1540? Going still higher on the dial, is there a shred of evidence that any children listen to 1580? It appears to be a total waste of 50,000 watts. It would be a lovely choice for Air America.
>

 

[ajhenderson]

> > 740 - if someone has the cash to broker the whole thing
> and flip to libtalk.
> If Arthur Liu still owns KIDR, forget AAR ever being on this
> frequency.

When I said broker, it was meant that some generous benefactor would come in, see these marginally useful 12+ numbers and throw down cash "for the cause". AAR isn't brokered and really couldn't care much about Phoenix, but the word was that the braintrust at JCE had some kind of financing in place to keep themselves employed.

> KDUS is dumping their awful morning-drive show in favor of
> Tony Bruno on Sporting News Radio this week.

Good move.

> I mentioned in another thread that Gumpdusky could put AAR
> on 1060 and move Sporting News Radio to 1440.

No one would pay to be on that stick, though.

> > 1400 - I'm sure if you could pony up more than the tiny
> number they're billing now, they'd listen.
> Like KMIA, would they want to flip to any English-language
> format?

If you LMA'ed/staffed it and the owner took a long vacation...

> > 1480 - if you outbid ACR
> ACR will probably be dead and buried by midyear.

But until then...

> 1100? 1310?

Savage is doing quite well for 1100.

> While we're making wild speculations about AM stations with
> terrible signals, what about 1510 or 1540? Going still
> higher on the dial, is there a shred of evidence that any
> children listen to 1580? It appears to be a total waste of
> 50,000 watts. It would be a lovely choice for Air America.

1510 bills a lot more than you might expect, although the KFNN/KNUU "cluster" would probably be available for bidding. 1540 can be heard in about three square miles in south Phoenix. 1580 is accruing a nice gain on paper; what did the pay for that thing in the late '90s, $4 million? They only 50kW D/N signal in the second fastest growing state in the country. How much do you have to spend?

 

[madlib]

> > > > > Only possibilities:
> > > > > 710 - horrible night coverage in highly populated
> east
> >
>
> While we're making wild speculations about AM stations with
> terrible signals, what about 1510 or 1540? Going still
> higher on the dial, is there a shred of evidence that any
> children listen to 1580? It appears to be a total waste of
> 50,000 watts. It would be a lovely choice for Air America.
> >
>
KXXT station manager Bob Christy will be on Charles Goyette's show tomorrow morning (7-9am) to "clear up some of the misinformation being floated" about the future of Air America Phoenix.

 

[madlib]

Bob Christy on Charles Goyette

KXXT station manager Bob Christy was on Charles Goyette's show today from 8-9am. In short here's what he had to say:

1. The Air America format will terminate as of the end of this month.
2. Air America Phoenix management is still trying to purchase another station and time is running short. Christy refused to divulge what stations are targets for acquisition.
3. Lining up financing is a problem, they need $125 mil, if I heard correctly.
4. There is no conspiracy to silence Air America, this was strictly a business decision.

That is all.

 

[ajhenderson]

Re: Bob Christy on Charles Goyette

> KXXT station manager Bob Christy was on Charles Goyette's
> show today from 8-9am. In short here's what he had to say:

Shame what's happened to Goyette, although much of it his own doing. Having owned stations though, he should be running one rather than doing an out-of-character talk show.

> 2. Air America Phoenix management is still trying to
> purchase another station and time is running short. Christy
> refused to divulge what stations are targets for
> acquisition.
> 3. Lining up financing is a problem, they need $125 mil, if
> I heard correctly.

Yes, that is a problem. On two fronts. Who's going to raise that kind of cash? And what station are they trying to buy - KUPD? That couldn't have been what he really said?

 

[KeithE]

Re: Bob Christy on Charles Goyette

> > KXXT station manager Bob Christy was on Charles Goyette's
> > show today from 8-9am. In short here's what he had to say:
>
> Shame what's happened to Goyette, although much of it his
> own doing. Having owned stations though, he should be
> running one rather than doing an out-of-character talk show.

I think Goyette's been on every talk station in town save for KXAM and KXXT. Where does he go next?

> > 2. Air America Phoenix management is still trying to
> > purchase another station and time is running short. Christy
> > refused to divulge what stations are targets for acquisition.
> > 3. Lining up financing is a problem, they need $125 mil, if
> > I heard correctly.
>
> Yes, that is a problem. On two fronts. Who's going to raise
> that kind of cash? And what station are they trying to buy -
> KUPD? That couldn't have been what he really said?

I didn't hear the show, but if Christy said "KUPD" he might have meant KDUS or KAZG. But would Gumpdusky part with a 5 kW station with a good dial position for only $1.25 million? KAZG, maybe, but not KDUS.

Communicom bought KXXT, KXEG, and WJNA (not WLVJ as reported - that was changed in 2003) West Palm Beach FL for $20 million, although I think at half of that was for WJNA, a 25 kW station.