Who will be Tulsa's new official christmas station

[andrewduong77]

Back in 2010, Renda was running all their AC's including KMGL/OKC, WEJZ/Jacksonville, and WSHH/Pittsburgh really well. Looking at how well Steve O'Brien programmed KMGL in OKC at the time, I thought maybe Renda could have simulcasted KBEZ with KMGL from it's neighboring city or at least have KBEZ's programming synced with KMGL's programming. Now with Renda's Tulsa cluster acquired by Journal and Renda's OKC cluster acquired by Tyler, that idea of mine is impossible now.

Though I remembered that Journal has an AC KMXZ that's doing very well in Tucson. I thought maybe Journal could try AC on KBEZ again to fill up the AC hole in the Tulsa market that's quarterly covered by KRAV, perhaps they may do a better job with AC on KBEZ than Renda. They will have to find the right PD/MD.

 

[stan]

Or bring back the KAKC-FM calls to 92.9 and make it a classic hits station, bringing back some of old 97 jocks.

But that won't happen.

 

[kudzooter]

Not that my owner-cat or Sister would consider letting me move, Stan, but that could be a good idea if they wanted me: I once (well, 4 or 7 times) WAS a 97 jock, and now I mos' def' AM old.

 

[Kent]

One of the big problems with AC is that it's simply not the same format it was a few years ago. Music is cyclical, and AC has been in a real down cycle lately. Determining the difference between AC, hot AC and CHR can be tough these days. KBEZ essentially got caught up in being an AC that couldn't adjust to the new realities of being AC. It's a shame, too, because they had a really good staff there.

I'd love to see a return of KAKC-FM to Tulsa, but I agree that it won't likely happen. If we see another change at 92.9, it will, unfortunately, probably be to simulcast the talk programming on 1170.

 

[JohnDurkee]

I have always thought that clear channel would turn Chrome into KAKC Fm. They have the call letters parked on 1300. Switch Chrome to KAKC's hd 2 signal from the twister. You got at least a 2 share.

 

[GeneSavage]

I wish we had the option of a soft format of some kind on the radio dial in Tulsa: soft currents, soft AC, soft classic hits, classic MOR, New Age / Smooth Jazz.. I don't care, just something to turn to when you don't want THUMPthumpTHUMPthumpTHUMPthump.

Every format has gone more rhythmic, more uptempo, and more aggressive with their sound, and I'm sure that's because research indicates short clips of that attract listeners. I'm a fan of stations that know how to rock out or how to dance the night away, too... but sometimes I'd like something to listen to the morning after, or while I'm trying to wind down for the night.

Even the classical station can be hit and miss, with their most intense, dynamic pieces seemingly airing when I feel most in need of peaceful relaxation. The Oasis? Chances are they'll throw me a foot-stompin' gospel choir if I'm looking for elevator music.

I understand there's not a large market for soft AC... I understand the demo tends to skew older... but it seems like just ONE station providing a relaxing alternative (even totally automated) ought to be able to generate enough business to keep the lights on in the station.

...I thought about this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as I remembered KBEZ's "Festival Of Music" that they would air commercial-free starting at 6pm. Going over to my grandparents, it was tradition to have 92.9 on the stereo in the front room where the presents would eventually be opened after dinner. Percy Faith, Johnny Mathis, Neil Diamond, Barbra Mandrel... the Christmas music stayed very much in line with their regular programming, and really set the mood... and it was the music mix all ages could agree on (at least at Christmas).

(I'd like to see the Rockin' 97 resurrected, too, but as stated by Stan & Kent, that's as likely as a soft hits format coming back to Tulsa...)