So, let's say if Rational Radio did leave the airwaves or move elsewhere

[MikeShannon914]

Just testing the opinion mill...

HYPOTHETICALLY...Let's say that it was contract time anyway for Rational Radio's lease on KMNY, and there was no guarantee in the contract that MRBI or Rational HAD to re-sign with each other at that time, and suddenly a new, well-financed bidder comes along who wants the airtime. Let's say this bidder is a person sitting out a non-compete and can't really be on the air just yet, but he knows a few people who might could do talk shows in the 'hot-talk' or 'alternative' vein, and this erstwhile non-compete person could act as moneyman and PD. This bidder could also be irritated that the only time his name is brought up on the air these days, it's by Pugs and Kelly or Richard Hunter, and it's usually something negative.

Would such a bidder horn his way in on KMNY and push all the naysayers out of a job just to say he did? Is there anything compelling enough out there to build a full day's worth of talk shows with? Would all the shows do a constant countdown of when said moneyman/PD could go back on the air legally? Would anyone really give a [EDIT*]damn?

Just food for thought. I'd like to think that there are bigger fish to fry for such a person and MUCH safer investments to throw away money on. Years ago, BizRadio was paying in the neighborhood of $65K a month to lease JUST the daytime hours on KMNY.

[EDIT*=profanity]

 

[DFW_Radio_2000]

It's fun to think about that, but the person in question is a stingy dude when it comes to anything not police/fire related.

Remember the "last supper" they had? Not cool.

Still love the guy and wish him well, but I don't think in that scenario he would pony up the cash.

 

[Nik]

Remember the "last supper" they had? Not cool.

IIRC, that information came third person - Richie Witt was told by someone who wasn't even there.

 

[dfwrunner]

Just testing the opinion mill...

HYPOTHETICALLY...Let's say that it was contract time anyway for Rational Radio's lease on KMNY, and there was no guarantee in the contract that MRBI or Rational HAD to re-sign with each other at that time, and suddenly a new, well-financed bidder comes along who wants the airtime. Let's say this bidder is a person sitting out a non-compete and can't really be on the air just yet, but he knows a few people who might could do talk shows in the 'hot-talk' or 'alternative' vein, and this erstwhile non-compete person could act as moneyman and PD. This bidder could also be irritated that the only time his name is brought up on the air these days, it's by Pugs and Kelly or Richard Hunter, and it's usually something negative.

Would such a bidder horn his way in on KMNY and push all the naysayers out of a job just to say he did? Is there anything compelling enough out there to build a full day's worth of talk shows with? Would all the shows do a constant countdown of when said moneyman/PD could go back on the air legally? Would anyone really give a [EDIT*]damn?

Just food for thought. I'd like to think that there are bigger fish to fry for such a person and MUCH safer investments to throw away money on. Years ago, BizRadio was paying in the neighborhood of $65K a month to lease JUST the daytime hours on KMNY.

[EDIT*=profanity]

I had a scare this week when BizRadio used a KMNY promo instead of a KFCD promo one day. My first thought was that they were planning to go back to KMNY and jumped the gun.

...but...what I want is all news...I'm probably the only person that listened to KEWS continuously right up to the end when it had 3 stories over and over and 25 public service announcements/hour for smokey the bear.

In 1975 or so, WNNS in Louisville went 24-hour news with NBCs news and information service...I listened to it from start to finish (~75-78) also

 

[MikeShannon914]

It's fun to think about that, but the person in question is a stingy dude when it comes to anything not police/fire related.

But when he's been scorned, he stops at nothing and spares no expense in making sure he evens the score and then some. I got the brunt of that once, and I was a complete, inconsequential nobody. And his listeners heard what JD and Dan Lewis endured (and others, I'm sure.) Just sayin', I wouldn't put it past this person to do such a thing, buying out the time just to shut some mouths and keep his name in the spotlight. His biggest enemy right now is TIME--as more of it passes, the more people forget, and the less relevant he becomes. (And with one year passing now, no offers to pay off his last employer and put him back on the local airwaves ASAP have surfaced.) And radio as we know it has a date with the grim reaper. Could be that, when the non-compete's over, internet radio will be a factory option in all cars...and there won't be any need for "local" radio anymore.

 

[billyg]

It's a big gamble for MRBI for letting Rational Radio go (if they are paying the bills) and let this DJ run (or screw up) 1360.

If said person now has his act (and humility) together and can put together a good lineup of local talkers, run it well and really promote it, Hot Talk may work. Nights could be syndicated or local niche programming. Otherwise it could be a disaster.

 

[Albert19X]

If your scenario were to come to pass for the reasons given would it not indicate said person was certifiably insane? Not in the fun way insane, but hide-the-steak-knives-and-firearms insane?

 

[MikeShannon914]

MRBI = You Pay, You Play. End of story. At one time, MRBI took a stand against any potential programming that might be anti-religious, anti-government, etc, and forbade cursing. Apparently it's on a case-by-case method now. Beggars can't be choosers these days.

In a large market, talk's about the only thing that can really survive on AM, and, if promoted right, it could succeed somewhat. I happen to like Rational Radio and its mission, but I think some of the syndie talkers swing TOO far left (using the same patented method that Limbaugh does to the right. But with Limbaugh, going against him is [in his mind] taking on God and liberty and capitalism. Going against the left doesn't seem to have the same repercussions.) I think a MODERATE station could succeed, but it would depend on listeners who wanted to THINK for themselves, instead of being told what to think. It's hard to "shock" like Limbaugh when you're not fingerpointing or spewing hate or letting closed-minded listeners live vicariously through you...but I think it's time we all grew up and quit reacting to sensationalism and get down to brass tacks when discussing (yes, DISCUSSING) issues. I know a few that listen to NPR, as that's about as close as it gets. Now, off my soapbox.

Point is, if you could somehow pull people in, let listeners drive some of the issues, have educated and knowledgeable hosts, etc, who knows? In reality, no, I don't think it could make a big dent. If the survey's correct that I saw several months back in Radio World, the average age/sex of the typical AM listener today is 55/male. It's not a coveted audience anymore, and WBAP seems to have most of them reeled in already. Getting a younger, more open-minded group to listen to AM, let alone to something NEW and DIFFERENT you might be offering, well, look at KRLD's and KLIF's sucky numbers, let alone KMNY, which made nary a blip until Richard Hunter came on board. It's more about creating a mindset and using new media to promote, and tying in streaming and podcasting and basically making the AM part of it secondary.

Nights could be syndicated or local niche programming.

I think nights are part of what's killing KMNY right now, with the early signoff affecting the last 30 mins of Richard Hunter. He's got a great slot in afternoon drive, but the last 1-1.5 hours of that drive (until March) can't be heard by 80% of listeners. Now one day when we all have internet radio in our cars, sure, flip over to the stream. Problem is, there's 35,000 other radio programs to flip over to as well.

 

[billyg]

Nights could be syndicated or local niche programming.

I think nights are part of what's killing KMNY right now, with the early signoff affecting the last 30 mins of Richard Hunter. He's got a great slot in afternoon drive, but the last 1-1.5 hours of that drive (until March) can't be heard by 80% of listeners. Now one day when we all have internet radio in our cars, sure, flip over to the stream. Problem is, there's 35,000 other radio programs to flip over to as well.

It's a big mess, thats why Rational is dying. 1360 (like 1160 and 1190) is basically a 50K daytimer and having a couple of FM translators won't help much.

I'm amazed that anyone is wanting to sink big money into a AM station now, even if they run it on the cheap to serve a small audience. That's why I said give nights to anyone who wants it.

 

[MrDeath]

Remember the "last supper" they had? Not cool.

IIRC, that information came third person - Richie Witt was told by someone who wasn't even there.

Dallas Observer is a tabloid, let's be honest here.

But I will tell you second peerson, the this part of the tale is true. I spoke with a member of the RMS last year and can tell you for a fact that Russ invited them to a lunch in which everyone showed up but JD and at the end of the lunch Russ ordered seperate checks. I was also informed JD was very angry when he heard the story.

These are facts that may or may not have anything to do with Russ' legacy. But that is fact, I can assure you.

My opinion is that it is foolish to look at one lunch meeting and seek to derive anything for the legacy of a great Dallas broadcaster.

 

[MrDeath]

Another opinion: Russ Martin has absolutely no prospect of owning a small dopey radio station. Anyone who has ever been affiliated with or has been a long-time listener of the program knows that fact. On internet forums where people discuss the myth of Russ rather than the actual person, oh sure, it makes sense for this mythical person to single-handedly save "hot talk". But you think the real life Russ Martin would do such a thing? Shit, you boys have never listened to the guy once in your life, have you?

The Russ Martin the Dallas Observer says he is - sure, he'd buy 1360. The real guy, ---- no, he is much more sensible than that.

 

[dfwrunner]

It's a big gamble for MRBI for letting Rational Radio go (if they are paying the bills) and let this DJ run (or screw up) 1360.

If said person now has his act (and humility) together and can put together a good lineup of local talkers, run it well and really promote it, Hot Talk may work. Nights could be syndicated or local niche programming. Otherwise it could be a disaster.

What you describe (local talkers/hot talk) sounds pretty much like what rational radio already is. It is reasonably professionally done, hard to think that someone would do it much better. I think some of it would work on FM. But even as a liberal, I can't stand extremist viewpoints left or right and so turn it off if it goes off the deep end. I prefer some thought process and understanding that the world is shades of gray and not black and white. That doesn't exist anywhere on the radio (not NPR either). I focus more on NPR because they at least have somewhat in-depth discussion and analysis even if it is clear that they leave out the middle and right view mostly.

But i still say we need to chuck AM altogether and expand the FM band and give the AMs a new FM assignment. Simulcast for 1-2 years and turn the AMs off. Why are we dragging this pain out?

 

[billyg]

What you describe (local talkers/hot talk) sounds pretty much like what rational radio already is. It is reasonably professionally done, hard to think that someone would do it much better. I think some of it would work on FM. But even as a liberal, I can't stand extremist viewpoints left or right and so turn it off if it goes off the deep end. I prefer some thought process and understanding that the world is shades of gray and not black and white. That doesn't exist anywhere on the radio (not NPR either). I focus more on NPR because they at least have somewhat in-depth discussion and analysis even if it is clear that they leave out the middle and right view mostly.

But i still say we need to chuck AM altogether and expand the FM band and give the AMs a new FM assignment. Simulcast for 1-2 years and turn the AMs off. Why are we dragging this pain out?

I agree, expand the FM band somehow and move the AM's over.. if the govt will chip in and help the mom & pop AM's pay for new transmitters, towers and land. It's a huge undertaking thats going to kill off a lot of stations.

If Rational wants to survive it needs to dump most of the extreme liberal talkers and replace them with hot or lifestyle talkers. Or just blow the whole thing up and start again with a new image. And move Richard Hunter into mid afternoons.

 

[Nik]

What you describe (local talkers/hot talk) sounds pretty much like what rational radio already is. It is reasonably professionally done, hard to think that someone would do it much better. I think some of it would work on FM. But even as a liberal, I can't stand extremist viewpoints left or right and so turn it off if it goes off the deep end. I prefer some thought process and understanding that the world is shades of gray and not black and white. That doesn't exist anywhere on the radio (not NPR either). I focus more on NPR because they at least have somewhat in-depth discussion and analysis even if it is clear that they leave out the middle and right view mostly.

But i still say we need to chuck AM altogether and expand the FM band and give the AMs a new FM assignment. Simulcast for 1-2 years and turn the AMs off. Why are we dragging this pain out?

I agree, expand the FM band somehow and move the AM's over.. if the govt will chip in and help the mom & pop AM's pay for new transmitters, towers and land. It's a huge undertaking thats going to kill off a lot of stations.

If Rational wants to survive it needs to dump most of the extreme liberal talkers and replace them with hot or lifestyle talkers. Or just blow the whole thing up and start again with a new image. And move Richard Hunter into mid afternoons.

Or use frequency modulation on the current AM frequencies... that's possible, right?

 

[dfwrunner]

What you describe (local talkers/hot talk) sounds pretty much like what rational radio already is. It is reasonably professionally done, hard to think that someone would do it much better. I think some of it would work on FM. But even as a liberal, I can't stand extremist viewpoints left or right and so turn it off if it goes off the deep end. I prefer some thought process and understanding that the world is shades of gray and not black and white. That doesn't exist anywhere on the radio (not NPR either). I focus more on NPR because they at least have somewhat in-depth discussion and analysis even if it is clear that they leave out the middle and right view mostly.

But i still say we need to chuck AM altogether and expand the FM band and give the AMs a new FM assignment. Simulcast for 1-2 years and turn the AMs off. Why are we dragging this pain out?

I agree, expand the FM band somehow and move the AM's over.. if the govt will chip in and help the mom & pop AM's pay for new transmitters, towers and land. It's a huge undertaking thats going to kill off a lot of stations.

If Rational wants to survive it needs to dump most of the extreme liberal talkers and replace them with hot or lifestyle talkers. Or just blow the whole thing up and start again with a new image. And move Richard Hunter into mid afternoons.

I'm curious, I see many many used transmitters for very reasonable prices. If the same modulation technique was used (truly just a band expansion), mom and pops should be able to buy entry level systems pretty cheap (just an oscillator freq change for some I assume). I understand there are reliability concerns, installation, new antenna towers, probably land purchases/leasing. Also, couldnt alot of these be done communally? In Dallas, huge number of stations all broadcast from the same "hill" (hard to really call anything a hill in Dallas). (neophyte here obviously)

 

[dfwrunner]

What you describe (local talkers/hot talk) sounds pretty much like what rational radio already is. It is reasonably professionally done, hard to think that someone would do it much better. I think some of it would work on FM. But even as a liberal, I can't stand extremist viewpoints left or right and so turn it off if it goes off the deep end. I prefer some thought process and understanding that the world is shades of gray and not black and white. That doesn't exist anywhere on the radio (not NPR either). I focus more on NPR because they at least have somewhat in-depth discussion and analysis even if it is clear that they leave out the middle and right view mostly.

But i still say we need to chuck AM altogether and expand the FM band and give the AMs a new FM assignment. Simulcast for 1-2 years and turn the AMs off. Why are we dragging this pain out?

I agree, expand the FM band somehow and move the AM's over.. if the govt will chip in and help the mom & pop AM's pay for new transmitters, towers and land. It's a huge undertaking thats going to kill off a lot of stations.

If Rational wants to survive it needs to dump most of the extreme liberal talkers and replace them with hot or lifestyle talkers. Or just blow the whole thing up and start again with a new image. And move Richard Hunter into mid afternoons.

Or use frequency modulation on the current AM frequencies... that's possible, right?

That doesn't address the horrendous problem of interference which forces stations to drastically curtail output power at night to the point where you can't hear them 2 blocks from the transmitter...protected clear channel stations limit local frequency choices, Mexican stations broadcasting overpower, etc. It is a system that needs to go. Also, the bandwidth for audio will always be too limited unless they substantially increase the width of each channel.

 

[dfwrunner]

What you describe (local talkers/hot talk) sounds pretty much like what rational radio already is. It is reasonably professionally done, hard to think that someone would do it much better. I think some of it would work on FM. But even as a liberal, I can't stand extremist viewpoints left or right and so turn it off if it goes off the deep end. I prefer some thought process and understanding that the world is shades of gray and not black and white. That doesn't exist anywhere on the radio (not NPR either). I focus more on NPR because they at least have somewhat in-depth discussion and analysis even if it is clear that they leave out the middle and right view mostly.

But i still say we need to chuck AM altogether and expand the FM band and give the AMs a new FM assignment. Simulcast for 1-2 years and turn the AMs off. Why are we dragging this pain out?

I agree, expand the FM band somehow and move the AM's over.. if the govt will chip in and help the mom & pop AM's pay for new transmitters, towers and land. It's a huge undertaking thats going to kill off a lot of stations.

If Rational wants to survive it needs to dump most of the extreme liberal talkers and replace them with hot or lifestyle talkers. Or just blow the whole thing up and start again with a new image. And move Richard Hunter into mid afternoons.

I think the only one that really needs to be chucked entirely is cindy sheehan (sp?, didn't bother to look it up).

 

[little1]

]I think nights are part of what's killing KMNY right now, with the early signoff affecting the last 30 mins of Richard Hunter. He's got a great slot in afternoon drive, but the last 1-1.5 hours of that drive (until March) can't be heard by 80% of listeners.

Killing KMNY? How do you kill something already dead? They didn't make the top FIFTY in persons 25-54. If his show can't be heard by 80% of the listeners he has, and he can't register in the ratings, I think that means 80%=you and 3 other people.

 

[txchipk]

Years ago, BizRadio was paying in the neighborhood of $65K a month to lease JUST the daytime hours on KMNY.

Assuming Rational Radio is leasing KMNY for around that, how does it continue to operate?

The few times I've tried listening to it the afternoon, it seems like the commercial breaks are a bunch of PSAs, teases for other shows on KMNY, and advertisements from the same 3 advertisers over and over (mortgage company, car dealership, and a strip club). With KMNY a no-show in the ratings and advertising down, surely it can't be charging those companies much. It would seem amazing those few ads can support an income for the people working there (hosts, producer, behind the scenes staff), some sort of return for the people that have a stake in Rational Radio, and pay MRBI for the airtime.

 

[Nik]

Years ago, BizRadio was paying in the neighborhood of $65K a month to lease JUST the daytime hours on KMNY.

Assuming Rational Radio is leasing KMNY for around that, how does it continue to operate?

The few times I've tried listening to it the afternoon, it seems like the commercial breaks are a bunch of PSAs, teases for other shows on KMNY, and advertisements from the same 3 advertisers over and over (mortgage company, car dealership, and a strip club). With KMNY a no-show in the ratings and advertising down, surely it can't be charging those companies much. It would seem amazing those few ads can support an income for the people working there (hosts, producer, behind the scenes staff), some sort of return for the people that have a stake in Rational Radio, and pay MRBI for the airtime.

You'd be surprised how many people are willing to do it "for the experience". Besides, it's a lot like owning commercial property. Even if you lose money on it month after month, you still get a nice tax write-off plus some good old-fashioned depreciation (equipment)... That is IF you have other business interests keeping you afloat. A perennial loser like KMNY is a gold mine to the right owners.