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Top 10 Radio Biz Moves in Sea-Tac Market

C

CleverUsernameHere

Guest
Like most, I find it incredibly easy to identify and hammer away at the colossal gaffes in the industry. I'm just as intrigued by those decisions that created positive tipping points in the history of stations in this area.

Wonder if anyone has opinion about the top moves in the history of Sea-Tac market. Talent signing, format switch, equipment/signal, management, etc. that saved a station, completely turned it around, set it up for market dominance, etc.

Anyone have a Top 10 or even Top 5?
 
I think it might be tough to come up with a list like that given the landscape of radio over the past few years. Most of the recent decisions by upper management have ruined many stations that were once awesome or had the potential to be successful.
 
Only two come to mind.

1. Sending the best talent from the Buzz to the Rock and KIRO, then the Buzz Cut, becoming the Wolf seems to have paid off.

2. Takin MIX 92.5 and making it the Movement station has seemed have served up Sandusky a golden Loaf! Also has made MAMA the mother of all that smells on this board!
 
As history records, these were the stations which only made only minor changes in format, yet still kept the same call letters in Puget Sound:

3) KPLZ - Started off as all-disco K-Plus 101 Plus in 1978, then changed to AC "The Music Magazine 101.5 KPLZ" in 1981, then to CHR "K-PLUS 101.5" in 1983, in 1986 it was Z-101.5, in 1992 it was "101.5 KPLZ" in 1994, it became Hot AC "Star 101.5", where it is today.....

2) KZOK - Started off as AOR "OK 102" (1974), then "102 1/2 KZOK-FM, Your Mother Won't Like It" (1979)...then "102.5 KZOK, NO BS, Just Great Rock-N-Roll (1984)...then AOR/AC "Quality Rock 102.5 FM" (1985)....then "Classic Rock 102.5 KZOK (1987)

1) KING-FM 98.1 - Since 1949, all Classical (they did experiment with jazz and movie/TV soundtracks), but always KING-FM in the end. People here LOVE a timeless stickler. Time for bed actually.....it's the station my wife goes to sleep to.......
 
CleverUsernameHere said:
Like most, I find it incredibly easy to identify and hammer away at the colossal gaffes in the industry. I'm just as intrigued by those decisions that created positive tipping points in the history of stations in this area.
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I'd say Dorothy Bullitt made a helluva impact:

In 1947, Mrs. Bullitt embarked on a new venture and purchased a failing radio station. Two years later, she purchased an FM station, so that she could feature classical music. During 1949, she acquired Seattle's only television station.

Also remember that KVI & KPLZ-FM were once part of one of America's finest radio chains; Golden West Broadcasting owned by Gene Autry (yeah the same guy with the nasal voice who sang Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer).
 
1. The sign-on of "The End, 107.7 FM."
2. KING-FM, in so many ways.
3. KJR Seattle, Channel 95
4. KUBE switching format in 1992 to Churban.
5. KIRO putting Wayne Cody on Sportsline at night.
6. KIRO prying the Mariners away from KVI in 1985.
7. KBSG sign-on in 1987.
8. KPLZ and KVI's rights to the Seafair Hydros in the 1980s.
9. KNHC and KEXP, embracing a worldwide revenue model via the internet
10. KCMS being one of the pioneering Christian music stations.
 
Many of AQH would be on my list too...these in no order, but I think of them as market milestones:

KEXP rebrand from 10W educational to high-impact publicly-supported station that created a niche
KNHC worldwide focus - one of first to leverage dance niche + web

KVI relaunch as oldies - did it right initially as deep-library, nicely imaged Oldies meets top 40. Eventually dethroned when KBSG launched; but I think KVI's effort more notable than KBSG because all Viacom did was "put it on FM".

Consistency of KVI, KOMO to be full-service in their "best" years. These stations owned the market, high-profile talent, great news teams, and special programming (including Sports, radio dramas, etc.). (Special shout-out to KING-AM's Irving Clark & other special programming in 60's where they TRIED to make a splash, but never kept up with KOMO/KVI -- but at least they experimented)

KVI relaunch as conservative talk. Helped create that niche nation-wide...redefined how talk radio is perceived. Not just people calling in and talking about Metro bus schedules.

KUBE recognizing FM, canibalizing talent to finalize coffin nail for KING/KJR.
(offset by their format switch in 1992 -- have never listened since)

KCMS propelling Christian branded music to one of market leaders.

Bonnevile launch of KIRO-AM/KIRO-FM/KIRO-TV as combined news/talk operation (market will say this failed...I think it was most innovative risk taken and could have been broadcasting at its best if tuned over time)

KJR-AM's legacy and others' attempts to dethrone (KOL, KING, KTAC, KNBQ).
(and in a negative way, KJR-FM's inability to recapture the legacy through inconsistent attempts. None of the attempts given what was needed to make it work ... which would be radio that ain't just station liners and tightly wound formatics; not to mention management inability to let it grow for more than 6 months at a crack)

KUOW, KPLU's efforts to keep news and public affairs going DESPITE what it costs. Outstanding examples of investment in local radio. Honorable mentions to the legacies of KIRO-AM and KOMO in this effort too ... especially if KOMO keeps the commitment to the news mantle and stays with the local news brand in tandem with KOMO-TV.
 
Of course these are subjective opinions, but here a few that have intrigued me as genius, near-genius, or smart moves that had significant impact.


Fisher acquiring KVI and KPLZ from Gene Autry estate in the early 90’s to add to KOMO.

KOL installs Lan Roberts and Robert O Smith as drive time talent to go head-to-head with Pat O’Day and dominant powerhouse KJR AM (1960’s)

Kaye-Smith purchase of classical musical station and flip of format on KISW (1969)

As others pointed out, Dorothy Bullitt’s legacy to Seattle broadcasting KING-FM (1940’s)

KIRO AM approval to become a 50k watt blowtorch (1941)

KISW signs BJ Shea as Howard Stern departs to satellite radio (2005)*

KIRO AM acquires rights to NFL expansion Seattle Seahawks and never lets go (1976)

(KOMO could have been at the top of the heap with their coup of M’s broadcast rights from KIRO, but alas we know how that fared for the fine folks at Fisher.)

Tony Bollen helps KCMS-FM become true ratings competitor (2005)


*These two are fairly recent events, but are proving to be significant on the radio landscape and would not appear to be flukes

I had forgotten about (and would agree) the move by KIRO to get the M’s from KVI and the launch of KUBE which did solidify the power shift to the FM side. KVi launch of oldies and then conservative talk definitely.
 
Even though he's not my cup of tea, KUBE putting T-Man on in AM drive was a ballsy, brilliant move. They took a young guy doing a nighttime sports show on their sister station and let him take over for a legendary morning show (Charlie and Ty) that wasn't a good fit anymore for the station. Kudos to Michael O'Shea and Bob Case for seeing Rob Tepper's talent and potential.
 
1. Launch of KISW in 70's. Still Seattle's best Rock
2. Launch of KZOK in 70's. Still Seattle's Classic Rock
3. Launch of KUBE in 80's. Still Seattle's 18-34 leader
4. Launch of KMPS as Country in 80's. Still Seattle's Country Leader
5. Launch of KIRO as spoken word. Still Seattle's News/Talk Leader
6. Larry Nelson for 35 plus years of great radio from 60's to the mid-nineties
7. Bob Rivers come to Seattle from Baltimore in late 80's. Two decades and going winning male numbers
8. Kent and Alan come to Seattle in mid-80's. Two decades and going winning female numbers
9. Charlie Brown came to Seattle in late 60's. Two decades of great radio ending in the mid nineties
10. Ichabod came to Country radio in the early nineties and almost two decades at KMPS, with a break I believe.


The decade of the END, the decade of T-Man all would make the list if they last beyond two decades. Not at this point either will. T-Man is showing signs of fading and THE END needs to be rebuilt. There is something special about twenty years plus as a format or personality in a market.
 
Some of you are much more familiar that I with the engineering talent in Seattle. But I believe that engineers deserve some recognition here. Any nominations??
 
djdan said:
1. Launch of KISW in 70's. Still Seattle's best Rock
2. Launch of KZOK in 70's. Still Seattle's Classic Rock
3. Launch of KUBE in 80's. Still Seattle's 18-34 leader
4. Launch of KMPS as Country in 80's. Still Seattle's Country Leader
5. Launch of KIRO as spoken word. Still Seattle's News/Talk Leader
6. Larry Nelson for 35 plus years of great radio from 60's to the mid-nineties
7. Bob Rivers come to Seattle from Baltimore in late 80's. Two decades and going winning male numbers
8. Kent and Alan come to Seattle in mid-80's. Two decades and going winning female numbers
9. Charlie Brown came to Seattle in late 60's. Two decades of great radio ending in the mid nineties
10. Ichabod came to Country radio in the early nineties and almost two decades at KMPS, with a break I believe.


The decade of the END, the decade of T-Man all would make the list if they last beyond two decades. Not at this point either will. T-Man is showing signs of fading and THE END needs to be rebuilt. There is something special about twenty years plus as a format or personality in a market.
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Good analysis. Especially agree with your points on KUBE (sounded great in the 80's), and KIRO (first station to be a major player with talk).

One note on Charlie Brown...he did come to Seattle in the late 60's, but went back to Spokane until he replaced the late, great Emporer Smith in '74. Then he went to KLIF Dallas in '75, replaced by the above-mentioned Ichabod Caine, only to get homesick and return to KJR.
 
fremont said:
I'm surprised no one gave props to KYYX for bringing New Wave to the FM band.
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Actually, that would have to be given to KCMU on 90.5 back in the day. They were the first, KRAB 107.7 also played it before KYYX, though KRAB never made it a regular format. Between all the obscure classical, bluegrass, Lao and other off the wall stuff they played. It's hard to not have a soft spot for KRAB....

It was interesting hearing Norman B. (who hosted a show on KRAB called "Life Elsewhere", which was later on KCMU) returning to a full blown commercial 107.7 as KNDD in it's early years....KYYX however was the station that made it POPULAR.....

Come to think of it...Where IS Norman B. these days?
 
Just a quick question.....Wasn't KUBE KBLE before they switch to kube? Also wasn't KBLE a Christian station like kcms? Even after the format change they kept the call letters didn't they?(kble) also back in that day Kube would not even consider the music their playing today
 
You are correct. It was KBLE-FM, "BLE" standing for biBLE from what I understand. KBLE-AM still exists at 1050 AM. When the FM was purchased, the calls were supposed to be KLFM, but a station in Glendive MT grabbed those first. SO they signed on the Musicradio format temporarily with the old calls. The rest is definitely history.
 
...and it took awhile for the new calls to land because many stations contested them. Never knew exactly why, but one concern I was aware of was the "Bon" (now Macy's) was a heavy market advertiser and their primary youth department was called "the Cube". So many competing stations freaking that every ad they ran for the Bon would be a reminder of their competition. But I think there were other issues too...

KBLE AM & FM were at same bldg where KUBE launched (Lakeside in Leschi)...today that same office is used by 1540AM. KUBE built out upstairs and put the FM up there while AM stayed down below.
 
gr229 said:
also back in that day Kube would not even consider the music their playing today
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KUBE launched as mainstream top-40 because that format was still extremely viable in early 80's (esp. since FM was starting to gain momentum and AM losing it, and no one really capitalized on the FM Top-40 market here -- surprisingly enough. KJR's FM had serious traction as KISW, and KING's FM was Classical and NO WAY was that ever going to change as long as Dorothy Bullitt in the building). Only other contender at the time was KVI-FM, and they had already gone to "KPLZ" (as K-Plus) by the time KUBE launched ... and always nervous about stepping TOO far out of the "adult contemporary" positioning. KYYX had tried and failed (mostly due to $$ issues more than programming) to take the Top-40 FM position.

So mid-80's KPLZ stepped up to be a full-blown CHR and take on KUBE. Some good battles for awhile, and like the AM battles, others stepped in to play too (KNBQ changed from wimpy-automated Top 40 under Drake reel-to-reels to live, in-your-face tOP 40), and later K-Hit. KNBQ eventually bowed out to be KBSG as oldies ... KHIT had died long before that as KNUA (playing whale new age music) .... and it left KPLZ and KUBE. But the MUSIC PRODUCT killed that whole thing because it was, how you say, CRAP in early 90's. The Top 40's began to run like the wind from the garbage record companies released....KUBE took a gamble on Rhythmic to re-invent the station, and KPLZ stayed with the mainstream. Both gained momentum from that ... KUBE because they took on a niche that was never well commercially served in this market, and KPLZ because when KUBE abandoned the format there was enough audience for one decent music station. but eventually KPLZ gave it up too (about 2-3 years later, in 1994) by shifting from 18+ to the 25+ as adult contemporary as "STAR".

So today, of course, whole new game as the mass-appeal "top 40" format KUBE had really no longer exists. The niche thing is what broadcasters seem to covet ... and so you end up with Wolf being one kind of country going against KMPS which is different kind of country -- same music, but one designed to appeal young and one to appeal older. Top 40's are either Rhythmic (KUBE) or Teen (KISS) and we've seen the advertiser's reaction to the teen-oriented formats (as well as the loyalty on part of teens to stay with radio vs. other).

All this a long-winded answer to your question to say ... they wouldn't have considered today's playlist because the Top 40 was more mass appeal at the time and was "getting the job done for a lot of people". Now the tastes are so niched that no one willing to risk the "all flavors to all people", although that was STAR's big adjustment a couple years ago ... rolling in more pop, country, etc. to try to get a little bit in the mix to serve multiple audiences just as Top 40 was originally designed to do.
 
Minor correction on KMPS. It launched in the 70s not 80s. KMPS AM 1300 came first, in 1975 or 76, followed by KMPS FM 94.1 maybe 1977 or 78.
 
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