What's happening to KIRO-AM 7/14?

[installLSC]

Listening to tonight's Mariner game, I noticed multiple announcements on KIRO-AM that something big was coming. No mention what the big thing is. Format change? High profile host? Can't think of any teams they could sign up for broadcast rights.
EDIT: The full announcement is just "7/14. Get ready." Couldn't give you any less information.

 

[fordranger797]

I think the most important development is the fact that you were able to sit through a Mariners game! Kudos

As for the actual radio topic, I would guarantee that there is no format change. This is the only successful sports station in town.

 

[Bongwater]

Maybe a frequency drift to 714 kHz?

 

[crainbebo]

Maybe they will have an FM simulcast of some kind? 102.9 or 104.5?

-crainbebo

 

[Lightingnut]

Maybe they will have an FM simulcast of some kind? 102.9 or 104.5?

-crainbebo

I think you might be on the right track. KMCQ was been on the market ever sense they moved here from The Dalles. I also don't think CC would sell KYNW to Bonneville to simulcast KIRO, but I could be wrong.

 

[fordranger797]

I think you might be on the right track. KMCQ was been on the market ever sense they moved here from The Dalles. I also don't think CC would sell KYNW to Bonneville to simulcast KIRO, but I could be wrong.

My question: Why is a simulcast of KIRO necessary anyway? We're back to where we started with the News/Talk simulcast game. 710 is one of the most, if not THE most powerful AM signal in town. I don't see the point unless this is just to entertain people while they are in a parking garage.

 

[KXRX]

I'm not getting my hopes up for some exciting Seattle radio news. I'll tune in (like yesterday) only to hear that KIRO AM is doing a '2 minute promise'. Haha.

 

[CTListener]

My question: Why is a simulcast of KIRO necessary anyway? We're back to where we started with the News/Talk simulcast game. 710 is one of the most, if not THE most powerful AM signal in town. I don't see the point unless this is just to entertain people while they are in a parking garage.

Isn't it conventional wisdom that you'll get an influx of younger listeners the moment you put your programming between 92.1 and 107.9 mHz?

 

[Bongwater]

Isn't it conventional wisdom that you'll get an influx of younger listeners the moment you put your programming between 92.1 and 107.9 mHz?

Many stations put Rush Limbaugh on FM. And still got an AM audience share. Or worse.

 

[Lightingnut]

Many stations put Rush Limbaugh on FM. And still got an AM audience share. Or worse.

You're right...except sports is different and works on FM. Most major markets have sports on FM (WFAN etc.) and Bonneville believes in spoken word/sports should be on FM.

 

[fordranger797]

Bonneville believes in spoken word/sports should be on FM.

That's all well and fine. However, it just means that we have more talk programming on FM at the expense of music programming. As we all know, the CHR and country stations are never the ones to be cut from the picture.

 

[Lightingnut]

My question: Why is a simulcast of KIRO necessary anyway? We're back to where we started with the News/Talk simulcast game. 710 is one of the most, if not THE most powerful AM signal in town. I don't see the point unless this is just to entertain people while they are in a parking garage.

Younger demographics, better listening in the office, and being that most listeners are on FM, you should be able to acquire more listeners overall.

 

[Lightingnut]

That's all well and fine. However, it just means that we have more talk programming on FM at the expense of music programming. As we all know, the CHR and country stations are never the ones to be cut from the picture.

My suggestion would be to listen to KINK, your I-Pod or MP3. I for one have given up on music radio in the Seattle market. I also would listen to NPR on KUOW...but they have become as stale as right wing talk on KVI or KTTH. Most of the time when I'm on the road, the radio is off...there is just nothing worth listening to.

 

[fordranger797]

My suggestion would be to listen to KINK, your I-Pod or MP3.

Yup. The terrestrial signal works here in the south sound. When I am out of range I usually listen to KIRO-FM or KVI.

I am certainly not going to venture the argument that radio is dead, because that could not be farther from the truth. However, radio stations that are available in Seattle are certainly directed to young people. Thats why we only have 5 radio stations that broadcast older music.

 

[crainbebo]

I hardly listen to NPR news programming besides snippets of All Things Considered, and my favorite - Wait Wait Don't Tell Me with Peter Sagal. My goodness that show is hilarious! It's on at 11AM Saturdays on KYVT-88.5 in Yakima, which is // to KMWS 89.7 Mt. Vernon and 89.7 KWWS Walla Walla.

-crainbebo

 

[Unregistered]

Maybe Salk

Maybe the big change is that Mike Salk, the new PD and former co host with Brock Huard before he left last year for Boston, is coming back on the air on 710ESPN. The original Press Release when he came back said that he was going to take an air shift again. The only question is--when? and whose spot? Possibly they could be blowing out the Mike & Mike national program that is replayed from 6a-9a and have a live local host or hosts?

 

[Blatherwatch]

I used to listed to C/C AM on KIRO when George Snorry was more interesting and John Wells was still on Saturday nights, although too Alex Jones for me, he still had something to say. Now it's more ancient prophecy or the children who bleed strange blood, or...

NWPR works for me from 9-1p I think Steve Reeder is one of the best classical music hosts in the business. Sometimes I don't even have the radio on or turned down anymore. Usually it's KOMO then skip to KGHO, then to something else. Most of my listening occurs at home with more online choices.

 

[crainbebo]

I miss John B. Wells! A great Saturday night host - I could always recognized his low-toned voice easily even in a graveyard/DX jumble on AM at night. I also don't really mind George Knapp either when he is hosting on Sunday nights.

-crainbebo

 

[Blatherwatch]

My question: Why is a simulcast of KIRO necessary anyway? We're back to where we started with the News/Talk simulcast game. 710 is one of the most, if not THE most powerful AM signal in town. I don't see the point unless this is just to entertain people while they are in a parking garage.

Shows like Coast to Coast belong on the AM band for some reason. I tune around to hear what stations rebroadcast after 2am and just a few show up, 980 in Vancouver, 1120 and 1190 in Eugene and Portland. Sometimes KONA come in but that is about it. Speaking of KONA, Dave Ross appears on air occasionally doing analysis with the 2 hosts.

 

[Roddybob]

I think the change coming may be that Mike Salk will be back on the air. He left the Brock & Salk show over a year ago and went back to Boston. But he came back a couple of months ago as PD and "future" on air talent. I would think he wouldn't be replacing anybody currently on the air, but maybe they have decided it is time to dump the syndicated Mike & Mike show in the morning slot - 6a-9a to run local talent up against Mitch in the Morning over on KJR.