L.A. Radio in the Last Decade

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Friday marks the end of of the first decade of the 21st Century.

As we predict what 2011 may bring to our airwaves I cannot help but ask, what has been some of the most important stories and changes in Southern California radio within the last decade?

 

[Captain Klutz]

Well, I can name two...

1. Clear Channel chooses not to renew Rick Dees KIIS contract and replaces him with Ryan Seacrest.

2. Emmis flips long-time Country KZLA to Dance as Movin' 93-9 with Rick Dees in mornings only to witness the greatest format flop in LA radio history.

 

[michael hagerty]

In addition to the two big ones Captain Klutz chose:

JACK replaces Arrow93.

The Wave dumps Don Burns.

KLSX loses Howard Stern to Sirius, tries Adam Carolla and ends up AMP.

Jhani Kaye re-imagines and saves KRTH.

KOST breaks up Mark and Kim.

KFWB's fall from news radio dominance to near-oblivion.

I suppose you could say the same thing for KABC, except they were already pretty weak in 2001.

And probably the biggest....

PPM methodology shows us what people are actually hearing (if not actively choosing)...and it ends up being a fairly stable list of well-established stations.

 

[justthenumbers]

2. Emmis flips long-time Country KZLA to Dance as Movin' 93-9 with Rick Dees in mornings only to witness the greatest format flop in LA radio history.

Wasn't Movin' 93.9 a Rhythmic AC, much like the short-lived KIBB "B100" from the late 90's?

 

[ChannelFlipper]

In addition to the two big ones Captain Klutz chose:

JACK replaces Arrow93.

The Wave dumps Don Burns.

KLSX loses Howard Stern to Sirius, tries Adam Carolla and ends up AMP.

Jhani Kaye re-imagines and saves KRTH.

KOST breaks up Mark and Kim.

KFWB's fall from news radio dominance to near-oblivion.

I suppose you could say the same thing for KABC, except they were already pretty weak in 2001.

And probably the biggest....

PPM methodology shows us what people are actually hearing (if not actively choosing)...and it ends up being a fairly stable list of well-established stations.

A huge one is how KFI has been able to consistently show just how a well-programmed local talk station can have so much influence on both statewide and national issues.

 

[sfradio]

What about CC forces Charlie Tuna to leave to make KBIG into 104.3 My FM

 

[radio124]

KIIS moving in a rhythmic direction and beating Power106. Many CHR's across the country did the same. Thus, today's CHR is overwhelmingly rhythmic, very little rock.

 

[musicman3355]

KIIS moving in a rhythmic direction and beating Power106. Many CHR's across the country did the same. Thus, today's CHR is overwhelmingly rhythmic, very little rock.

IMO I actually see them taking a mainstream direction now these days. Back then they were strictly rhythmic, now these days they play pop material (Neon Trees, Ke$ha, Katy Perry).

 

[AM FM listener]

Although mentioned by previous posters, the biggest stories of the last decade for me would be:

1. CC replaces Rick Dees with Ryan Seacrest.
2. CC breaks up Mark and Kim.
3. CC brings back John & Ken.
4. AMP Radio debuts.
5. 93.1 goes "jockless" as Jack FM.

 

[justpassingthough]

KIIS moving in a rhythmic direction and beating Power106. Many CHR's across the country did the same. Thus, today's CHR is overwhelmingly rhythmic, very little rock.

IMO I actually see them taking a mainstream direction now these days. Back then they were strictly rhythmic, now these days they play pop material (Neon Trees, Ke$ha, Katy Perry).

Power has also moved to center to counter KIIS' move towards rhythmic, though. Five or six years ago, artists like Lady Gaga would have never been played on KPWR, where as today, she gets decent airplay with many of her hits. I guess the real story then is the conformity of CHR- as KIIS, KAMP, KPWR, and to a lesser extent, KXOL, all day virtually the same music.

 

[RadiologyTeacher]

I agree with one of the first people!

1. Clear Channel chooses not to renew Rick Dees KIIS contract and replaces him with Ryan Seacrest.

 

[BJordan]

KKBT dumps hip hop to be a KJLH clone because of low ratings.