• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

The LA Teapot

B

Bob E. Nelson

Long ago and far away, there was a column in one of the trades
(may have even been Claude Hall of Billboard) titled something
along the lines of ``The Teapot that ate Los Angleles''.

IIRC from that article, the station was KUTE/101.9, which had
an impressive showing way back when (and which is again showing
strong numbers as KSCA).

1). Does anyone recall such an article?

2). What was KUTE doing formatically back in the day? It
may have been disco during the height of that format's
popularity.

3). As to its ``teapot'' moniker, didn't it used to have
very low power (circa 600 watts, albeit from good HAAT)?

4). When was the power raised to its present level?
 
I don't remember the article, but it might have been in the mid-70s, when KUTE had switched from being "another beautiful music station" to what would today be called an Urban AC. "The Album World of KUTE 102" was very soft and soulful and, IIRC, had Bill Alexander (late of KRTH) as part of their airstaff.

KUTE did indeed have a very low ERP but, because there were fewer stations on the air in the fringe areas then, got as far north as Ventura and as far south as North San Diego County.

I believe they got their power increase to 4800 watts in 1989, after Univision acquired the station from Golden West. David?
<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
> I believe they got their power increase to 4800 watts in
> 1989, after Univision acquired the station from Golden West.
> David?
>

It was 4.8 kw in '97 when we LMA'ed it (Sale not effective until Gene Autrey died).

The magnificent AAA fomrat was getting a 1.1, and they all blamed it on the signal.
 
> 1). Does anyone recall such an article?

I really don't

> 2). What was KUTE doing formatically back in the day? It
> may have been disco during the height of that format's popularity.

I think you're Right, Disco might have had the highest KUTE ratings. However they did try a Modern Rock/ New Wave/Extended Mix 'White Disco' Format, with Lucky Pierre, Charlie Fox, Brian Roberts, Bill Stevens and Humble Harve in the early 80's. What a great Station, no one else apparently thought so it seems?

> 3). As to its ``teapot'' moniker, didn't it used to have
> very low power (circa 600 watts, albeit from good HAAT)?

Six Hundred and Forty Watts from Mt. Wilson. In the early 70's, Broadcasting Beautiful Music high above Los Angeles from the Occidental Towers.
>
> 4). When was the power raised to its present level?

I believe David covered that one!
 
> > I believe they got their power increase to 4800 watts in
> > 1989, after Univision acquired the station from Golden
> West.
> > David?
> >
>
> It was 4.8 kw in '97 when we LMA'ed it (Sale not effective
> until Gene Autrey died).
>
> The magnificent AAA fomrat was getting a 1.1, and they all
> blamed it on the signal.

Maybe I have the year right for the power increase, even though I was a decade off on the transfer?

(This is what happens when you try to make us think farther back than five years.)

<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
> > blamed it on the signal.
>
> Maybe I have the year right for the power increase, even
> though I was a decade off on the transfer?
>

I think you are right...

Now, back to defending Indie. First point... uh.... er... well... hmmm.... see you tomorrow.
 
1973 i was working in a small restaurant in Costa Mesa and they were beautiful music. One time
one of their turntables died. The dj was enjoying changing records fast with one turntable working!
"This is K-U-T-E 101.9 FM Glendale".
Still licensed to Glendale!
http://mysite.verizon.net/radio4u
 
A True KIQQ and KUTE 102 Story!

In 73, or 74, both KUTE 102 & KIQQ had these 'Space Aged' Homemade Slide Pot Boards. The Switches would even glow a different Color, depending on the Position it was In. KUTE's Board was so defective, and Bled so bad, that the D.J. in the Occidental Towers, just dropped the Needle on the Record, and cued it on the Air. I even asked him why, and that's when he told me the reason. One of those Stories you can never forget!

> 1973 i was working in a small restaurant in Costa Mesa and
> they were beautiful music. One time
> one of their turntables died. The dj was enjoying changing
> records fast with one turntable working!
> "This is K-U-T-E 101.9 FM Glendale".
> Still licensed to Glendale!
 
We know LA is not a AAA market

> It was 4.8 kw in '97 when we LMA'ed it (Sale not effective
> until Gene Autrey died).
>
> The magnificent AAA format was getting a 1.1, and they all
> blamed it on the signal.
>
We all know you don't care about the AAA format, when an opportunity arises for you can you please resist taking a potshot about it once in a while???
"They all blamed it on the signal" is hearsay, no???? Because you may have heard it from their mouths that doesn't mean it's whats in their heads.
My opinion is that they thought it wasn't the signal but to save face they blamed it on the signal, which BTW IIRC powered up from 2400 watts to 4800 watts in early 1996 so they had approximately a full year with double their previous power.
 
Re: We know LA is not a AAA market

> > It was 4.8 kw in '97 when we LMA'ed it (Sale not effective
>
> > until Gene Autrey died).
> >
> > The magnificent AAA format was getting a 1.1, and they all
>
> > blamed it on the signal.
> >
> We all know you don't care about the AAA format, when an
> opportunity arises for you can you please resist taking a
> potshot about it once in a while???

I am not taking a potshot at the format, per se, since it works in so few markets anyway. My intent was to point out that management thought they did not win due to signal, which, of course, in retrospect is silly.

> "They all blamed it on the signal" is hearsay, no????

No. It is not. I talked with most of the staff.

> Because you may have heard it from their mouths that doesn't
> mean it's whats in their heads.

It was their reason for doing an LMA several years before the acutal sale.

> My opinion is that they thought it wasn't the signal but to
> save face they blamed it on the signal, which BTW IIRC
> powered up from 2400 watts to 4800 watts in early 1996 so
> they had approximately a full year with double their
> previous power.

And double the power only pushed the 70 dbu out by a few miles. Doubling power does not double coverage, especially when the key factor of height was there all along.

Whatever the reason, they felt firmly that AAA on a bigger signal would have made a difference in ratings.
 
Re: We know LA is not a AAA market

> The magnificent AAA format was getting a 1.1, and they all blamed it on the signal.
>--------------------------------------->
> I am not taking a potshot at the format, per se, since it
> works in so few markets anyway.
------------------------------------------
Sigh.... Even an unbiased observer would have to think it was a potshot---
If you were true to your words, your post would have been stated thus-
The AAA format was getting a 1.1, and they all blamed it on the signal.
Gee, what's missing from your original sentence??


> No. It is not. I talked with most of the staff.

Hello David, that's what I said--
>
> > Because you may have heard it from their mouths that
> doesn't
> > mean it's whats in their heads.
>
 
Re: We know LA is not a AAA market

> > The magnificent AAA format was getting a 1.1, and they all
> blamed it on the signal.
> >--------------------------------------->
> > I am not taking a potshot at the format, per se, since it
> > works in so few markets anyway.
> ------------------------------------------
> Sigh.... Even an unbiased observer would have to think it
> was a potshot---
> If you were true to your words, your post would have been
> stated thus-
> The AAA format was getting a 1.1, and they all blamed it on
> the signal.
> Gee, what's missing from your original sentence??

I don't think David was taking a potshot at the AAA format itself, only that the "fm 101.9" version was not as successful as its staff would have liked. It is true that AAA is not a big ratings draw in most markets.

Personally, I think that if the late Bill Ward hadn't pulled the plug on "The Edge" in 1989, only to dump its replacement "K-Lite" a few years later for AAA, it might have been a different story. (But I may be expressing an opinion based on emotional memories as well ...)

I need to see if I have any ratings data around here for 1988-89 to see how 101.9 did as KEDG. (Unless David beats me to it.)
<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
Re: The Edge

> I don't think David was taking a potshot at the AAA format
> itself, only that the "fm 101.9" version was not as
> successful as its staff would have liked.


KM, I still think using the word "magnificent" as an adjective was used sarcastically, thus the slam. Why is this so hard to see????? That's my main beef with David, because it's a recurring point whenever the FM 101.9 format is mentioned.

> Personally, I think that if the late Bill Ward hadn't pulled
> the plug on "The Edge" in 1989, only to dump its replacement
> "K-Lite" a few years later for AAA, it might have been a
> different story. (But I may be expressing an opinion based
> on emotional memories as well ...)
>
> I need to see if I have any ratings data around here for
> 1988-89 to see how 101.9 did as KEDG. (Unless David beats
> me to it.)
>

I remember that station as it rates as one of my all time favorite stations.
IIRC they usually got a 0.9 or 0.8 and mayyyyybe got 1.0 or a little more.
BTW Jim Ladd fit in just fine on that station. Would be interesting to research that as at that time wasn't there an OC market as well?? If so would love to see the breakdown OC vs LA.
 
Re: We know LA is not a AAA market

> I don't think David was taking a potshot at the AAA format
> itself, only that the "fm 101.9" version was not as
> successful as its staff would have liked.

Any station with a 1 share or thereabouts in LA is fair game for criticism. I criticise the AAA format on KSCA because it did not work, not because it was AAA. I know close to nothing about AAA, so I could not have an opinion on it anyway.

Similarly, I do not criticise the Indie format. maybe a fresher approach to whatever we call that format is warranted. However, Indie is not cutting it, having peaked at a 1.1 in April, and being significantly off since then. Irrespective of the music, this is one underperforming station.

> It is true that
> AAA is not a big ratings draw in most markets.

Yet in a few cases, like Bob Greenlee's (sp?) KBCO, it does brilliantly. Lifestyle, heritage, or whatever the reason, it does work in a few places.
>
> Personally, I think that if the late Bill Ward hadn't pulled
> the plug on "The Edge" in 1989, only to dump its replacement
> "K-Lite" a few years later

Remember that the calls always have a hyphen after the K. Always.
>
> I need to see if I have any ratings data around here for
> 1988-89 to see how 101.9 did as KEDG. (Unless David beats
> me to it.)

I do not have it with me, but will have access to Duncan's book that goes back to 1975 for all rated markets.
>
 
Re: The Edge

>
> KM, I still think using the word "magnificent" as an
> adjective was used sarcastically, thus the slam. Why is
> this so hard to see????? That's my main beef with David,
> because it's a recurring point whenever the FM 101.9 format
> is mentioned.

Of course I am being sarcastic. The GWB people blamed signal for the numbers. Whatever the reason, a top of 1.1 in La from Mt Wilson sure is magnificent. Especially since the next format on the same signal came in over a 6 out of the box.
>
> I remember that station as it rates as one of my all time
> favorite stations.
> IIRC they usually got a 0.9 or 0.8 and mayyyyybe got 1.0 or
> a little more.
> BTW Jim Ladd fit in just fine on that station. Would be
> interesting to research that as at that time wasn't there an
> OC market as well?? If so would love to see the breakdown
> OC vs LA.

OC was an embedded market, part of the LA metro. At some time in the past, it was a separate market, but I believe this was long before the time of this discussion.
>
 
Re: The Edge

> OC was an embedded market, part of the LA metro. At some
> time in the past, it was a separate market, but I believe
> this was long before the time of this discussion.
> >
>
If you research for 1989 when the Edge went off the air in May, I think you will find that there were ratings just for the Orange County market.... I know because it was my business to be familiar with both sets of ratings LA and OC. The OC market stopped being separated maybe around '94 or '95.

As usual, you still are The Magnificent David
 
Re: The Edge

> > OC was an embedded market, part of the LA metro. At some
> > time in the past, it was a separate market, but I believe
> > this was long before the time of this discussion.
> > >
> >
> If you research for 1989 when the Edge went off the air in
> May, I think you will find that there were ratings just for
> the Orange County market.... I know because it was my
> business to be familiar with both sets of ratings LA and OC.
> The OC market stopped being separated maybe around '94 or
> '95.

From the time of my involvement with Liberman (consultant in 1989 to 1994), OC was an embedded market. That is, the OC book was pulled out of the LA book, just like San Jose is pulled out of the SF book and fully contained in it as well. In other words, the OC book was a convenience for staitons in the county who did not want to buy the LA book and pull the OC data out of it.

The embedded market report was cancelled in 1995.

I just can't remeber when OC was made part of the LA MSA... I want to think it was in the late 70's, but not sure. I asked our national Director of Research and he said it was over 25 years ago, but is checking. I will update when he finds out.
 
Re: Answer from Arbitron

> > OC was an embedded market, part of the LA metro. At some
> > time in the past, it was a separate market, but I believe
> > this was long before the time of this discussion.
> > >
> >
> If you research for 1989 when the Edge went off the air in
> May, I think you will find that there were ratings just for
> the Orange County market.... I know because it was my
> business to be familiar with both sets of ratings LA and OC.
> The OC market stopped being separated maybe around '94 or
> '95.



According to Arbitron, Orange county was always part of the LA metro. In Fall, 1989, they started breaking out a separate OC book, as an imbedded metro, but the whole metro was always two counties.
 
Re: A True KIQQ and KUTE 102 Story!

Re: A True KIQQ and KUTE 102 Story!
KUTE-102 Had a Gates board, round pots while located in Glendale. That was into at least 1979. I left when it sold in 1979 I believe it was. It was Jazz & funk the first time I worked there and that was about 1974. The KUTE-102 studio was built to be just like the old KKDJ studio. The KIQQ (K-100FM)studio did have one of the first slide pot boards and it was killer! loved it and it worked great.

Mike O'Neil







> In 73, or 74, both KUTE 102 & KIQQ had these 'Space Aged'
> Homemade Slide Pot Boards. The Switches would even glow a
> different Color, depending on the Position it was In. KUTE's
> Board was so defective, and Bled so bad, that the D.J. in
> the Occidental Towers, just dropped the Needle on the
> Record, and cued it on the Air. I even asked him why, and
> that's when he told me the reason. One of those Stories you
> can never forget!
>
> > 1973 i was working in a small restaurant in Costa Mesa
> and
> > they were beautiful music. One time
> > one of their turntables died. The dj was enjoying changing
>
> > records fast with one turntable working!
> > "This is K-U-T-E 101.9 FM Glendale".
> > Still licensed to Glendale!
>
 
Fine Memories from Ron Fineman at KUTE 102

*My first job was doing weekends at a now-defunct elevator music station, KUTE. While they were licensed to Glendale, their studios were on the 30th floor of the Occidental Tower in downtown L.A.

I did two eight-hour live shifts per weekend for the princely sum of $2.00 per hour. There was no lunch hour so I had to find the longest cuts I could in order to eat my lunch at the board in a single sitting. My personal favorite was "Cleopatra's Entrance Into Rome," from the Cleopatra soundtrack. It ran just over nine minutes in length and afforded me enough time to suck down a sandwich and make a bathroom run.

We were instructed to play the library in sequence, segue from one vapid cut to another -- back announce -- do the spot or PSA -- then segue another 15 minute block. It was the most mind-numbing job in the world -- but by God, I was in radio!
My dreams of radio groupies calling me and asking what time I got off the air were never realized at KUTE. But considering that the prime demo there was 80 through Dead, it's not really surprising.
Mercifully, my time there was short and it was only a few weeks until I got my next job*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike O, always great to hear from you! I visited the KUTE Studios in Downtown Los Angeles Weekly in 1973 to help deliver the Phil Blazer Show, and then we made our way back to 94.3 KVFM in Panorama City, where I helped Phil answer Phones. Met the Late Irv Rubin from the JDL there. I must admit, he was a little scary to a 14 Year old. Phil Blazer is the Publisher of Israel Today. And yes those 'homemade' Slide Boards used at KIQQ were also at the KUTE Los Angeles Studio. A question, why would the KUTE Studios be built like the KKDJ Studios? And did you ever feel like taking a Bow & Arrow, and honing your Skills on that Cosmic Communications Bulls Eye on the 6th Floor of 6430?
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom