• 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

When will we see 92.3 KFI-FM?

C

ChannelFlipper

I know we have discussed this in the past and I mentioned this in passing on another recent post, but the issue is getting bigger as time has gone on. Most recent example, Atlanta AM talk radio powerhouse WSB is now being simulcast on 95.5 on the FM dial, replacing a rhythmic station. Now Neal Boortz can be heard in clear FM stereo (Whoo hoo!).

http://www.radio-info.com/news/cox-blows-up-atlanta-market-rhythmic-beat-to-simulcast-talk-wsb-am


Quite simply, the wave of the future has now become the wave of the present, and CCLA is not immune from market realities. Even on other pages of this site there is a banner currently running that says "If your market does not have an FM talker, it soon will". I'm not sure what they are selling, but I do get their main point, and have subscribed to it for a few years now. I believe regardless of what CC says, KFI-FM is certain to exist in our future, it is just a matter of when.
 
Rhythmic AC is definitely a format that works in LA and has showed a lot of potential, but things are looking down at KHHT. Meanwhile KFI isn't cashing in on the possible value that their 25-54 demo can have on FM. I'll give my own opinion, John & Ken have a certain energy about them that would be an asset on the FM dial. I do not agree with their stance on issues, but it would certainly draw more attention to KFI, improve their ratings dramatically and make them more money. Do it before the presidental election in 2012 though, or don't do it at all.
 
radiojomo said:
Rhythmic AC is definitely a format that works in LA and has showed a lot of potential, but things are looking down at KHHT. Meanwhile KFI isn't cashing in on the possible value that their 25-54 demo can have on FM. I'll give my own opinion, John & Ken have a certain energy about them that would be an asset on the FM dial. I do not agree with their stance on issues, but it would certainly draw more attention to KFI, improve their ratings dramatically and make them more money. Do it before the presidental election in 2012 though, or don't do it at all.
Click to expand...

In the CCLA case, it is not a matter of whether rhythmic "works" in LA. I'm quite sure it does. It is simply a matter of replacing the station with the lowest cash flow of the FM-side cluster, and that is KHHT, which makes it by far the most likely choice when the move is made. As they say, "nothing personal, it's just business".
 
WCCO Minneapolis. and KNX and KABC here all have HD-2 channels. WCCO even ID's with an emphasis on the HD. It would cost KFI next to nothing to put the signal on a an HD-2 channel and edge their way in the direction of a full FM.
 
"WCCO Minneapolis. and KNX and KABC here all have HD-2 channels. WCCO even ID's with an emphasis on the HD. It would cost KFI next to nothing to put the signal on a an HD-2 channel and edge their way in the direction of a full FM."

Which might make sense if there were enough HD radios to create critical mass.
 
Do you simulcast all of the shows? Or a few and bring in some other talent? Or would you have a whole new list of talent? Enquiring minds and such ........
 
"Which might make sense if there were enough HD radios to create critical mass."

Like the early days of FM. No programs so nobody buys receivers. No receivers, so nobody invests in programs.
 
ChannelFlipper said:
I know we have discussed this in the past and I mentioned this in passing on another recent post, but the issue is getting bigger as time has gone on. Most recent example, Atlanta AM talk radio powerhouse WSB is now being simulcast on 95.5 on the FM dial, replacing a rhythmic station. Now Neal Boortz can be heard in clear FM stereo (Whoo hoo!).

http://www.radio-info.com/news/cox-blows-up-atlanta-market-rhythmic-beat-to-simulcast-talk-wsb-am


Quite simply, the wave of the future has now become the wave of the present, and CCLA is not immune from market realities. Even on other pages of this site there is a banner currently running that says "If your market does not have an FM talker, it soon will". I'm not sure what they are selling, but I do get their main point, and have subscribed to it for a few years now. I believe regardless of what CC says, KFI-FM is certain to exist in our future, it is just a matter of when.
Click to expand...

It's a strange situation because there are several AM talkers in Atlanta, and the highest rated of them all 750 WSB was the one to flush a music FM for a simulcast. Meanwhile Clear Channel has 640 WGST in Atlanta and several FM stations, and they haven't made the effort to simulcast to FM despite being in a DISTANT second place (3rd if you count sports talker WCNN).
 
K6JHU said:
"Which might make sense if there were enough HD radios to create critical mass."

Like the early days of FM. No programs so nobody buys receivers. No receivers, so nobody invests in programs.
Click to expand...

I suppose the area of The Miami Valley in Ohio was unique but I built an FM radio from schematics in Popular Electronics in 1958 or so because we had several FM stations on the air. I realize that it was kind of a hobby back then but by the time FM stereo came on we were ready and FM rock stations soon became dominant.

I think HD is different in that there is no hobbyist groups building receivers and the ones on the market are relatively expensive compared to conventional radios. We, back in Ohio, wanted to hear our music in high fidelity, later stereo and the fact that many stations were simulcast meant that we already were familiar with the content. So would make sense to put simulcasts on an HD channel and certainly cost less to run so that might be an idea for KFI to use one or more of the Clear Channel HD subchannels in and around LA.

Today there are other options such as satellite and over the internet and wi-fi that there is not much to drive people to get HD radios. On the other end without receivers there is not much being invested in programming. I still think it (HD) will become the Quadrophonic equivalent for the early 21st Century.

As for KFI, except for John and Ken there is not a lot to attract the younger demographics. I suspect that they will keep milking the AM-640 cash cow until it goes dry. By then Clear Channel may also be passe so who knows.
 
Yuck, I don't like the news/talk on FM (and yes I know someone will tell me talk on FM is a success). How about CC actually makes Hot sound like an ACTUAL rhythmic AC and rename it as "92.3 The Party" or "Mix 92.3".
 
There sure are a lot of commercials on KFI already so I gotta figure they are billing just fine despite their high demos. Is KHHT a good biller? FWIW, the Atlanta FM (WBTS) was ranked #15 (6+) before it flipped to a News/Talk simulcast of WSB. KHHT/LA is also #15. Hmmm....
 
I think simulcasting at 92.3 would be a wise move, their coverage is just right on FM, so don't be surprised if this
takes place sooner or later.
 
AM FM listener said:
There sure are a lot of commercials on KFI already so I gotta figure they are billing just fine despite their high demos.
Click to expand...

Stations price commercials in relation to the amount of audience delivered by each commercial. Stations with more listeners can charge more.

The number of commercials is not the determining factor, usually. On FM, all stations operate within a particular range of commercials per hour so the difference is in "how much" each costs.

Ads are not bought for the most part based on the 12+ numbers seen on the web; they are generally for some range of ages between 18 and 49 or 25 and 54. Since KFI has loads of over-55 listeners which make it look good 12+, what is not apparent is that it is not even in the top 15 in 25-54. So, like many AM talkers, they have a higher commercial load and make good money even if the rate-per-spot is a bit lower due to the age issue.

KFI is one of the very top billers in LA, and the preservation of that billing would be part of any decision to simulcast on an FM.

KHHT is not one of the highest billers, although it could be argued that the station is a nice fit with KBIG and KIIS. Since I don't sit in their conference room, I can't know what they will do but were it my decision, I'd want to be on FM before a competitor was.
 
musicman3355 said:
Yuck, I don't like the news/talk on FM (and yes I know someone will tell me talk on FM is a success). How about CC actually makes Hot sound like an ACTUAL rhythmic AC and rename it as "92.3 The Party" or "Mix 92.3".
Click to expand...

I'd guess the answer to be that doing anything that reduces the shares, and thus billing, of KIIS and KBIG would not be acceptable.
 
robnokshus06 said:
Meanwhile KFI isn't cashing in on the possible value that their 25-54 demo can have on FM
Click to expand...

Really? What is their 25-54 ranking? I'm guessing they're a powerhouse...
Click to expand...

25-54 for April May and June books in an average is 19th.

By contrast, KSL in Salt Lake City which has an AM FM simulcast of a comparable format is 3rd.
 
nmoore6676 said:
As for KFI, except for John and Ken there is not a lot to attract the younger demographics. I suspect that they will keep milking the AM-640 cash cow until it goes dry. By then Clear Channel may also be passe so who knows.
Click to expand...

We are not talking about 25-year-olds, but the high end of 25-54. As shown in major markets of all kinds, from Pittsburgh to Phoenix to Seattle, the 35-54 group will use the very same format on FM that they will not touch on AM. There are many examples of AMs that were not in the top 10 25-54 that went into the top 5 after going to FM or starting a simulcast.
 
My God! :mad: Can we please stop having the "Will KFI be on FM" discussion? It won't happen in Los Angeles! Are we seriously going on some floundering R & B station in Atlanta that flipped to News/Talk?! You guys think that flipping a decent rated FM will fix KFI's problems?! Anyone ever think it's just the PROGRAMMING on KFI? Heck at this rate, everyone on here is going to call for EVERY AM station in L.A. to simulcast on FM and there will barely be any stations for music!
 
musicfan101 said:
My God! :mad: Can we please stop having the "Will KFI be on FM" discussion? It won't happen in Los Angeles! Are we seriously going on some floundering R & B station in Atlanta that flipped to News/Talk?! You guys think that flipping a decent rated FM will fix KFI's problems?! Anyone ever think it's just the PROGRAMMING on KFI? Heck at this rate, everyone on here is going to call for EVERY AM station in L.A. to simulcast on FM and there will barely be any stations for music!
Click to expand...

Regarding KFI and News-Talk in Los Angeles, I offer the following constructive comment and observation.

As long as the "KFI on FM" topic is desirable and attracting comments, we'll continue to discuss it until we no longer find it to be of any further interest.

With that said, WSB Atlanta is being discussed in a compare/constrast with KFI because it directly relates to this topic regarding L. A. The Atlanta situation is BIG news regarding a major market "news-talk" FM simulcast, so people are going to take note.

Regarding news-talk on FM in Los Angeles, IT IS FORTHCOMING, like it or not. It is a fact of life, or in this case, it is a fact of radio. It is no longer a question of "if" it will happen in L. A.? It is now a question of "when" will it happen?

Lastly, and this comment and suggestion is intended to be constructive, if the "KFI on FM" topic bothers you, then you may want to consider reading another thread that is more in tune to your personal liking. That way our discussion here will not be an issue.
 
Funny that earlier this year, out of nowhere, KHHT was actually creeping into the top 10 and close to the top 5, but it seems now they're back to where they were last year. After all, Cox unexpectedly flipped 95.5 The Beat in ATL to news/talk, so its possible that they would suddenly flip 92.3 to KFI. Why 92.3 exactly? Lets look at the cluster.

98.7? They been beating KROQ recently, so probably not.
102.7? Not a chance!
103.5? Nope. Why get rid of a great-sounding AC?
104.3? Doing great, so not a chance.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom