WHO WILL DO THE CLASSIC HITS FORMAT NOW??

[airpab]

Now that the rocket-scientists that were programming KFRC are gone, there's a major format hole in The Bay. This is a viable format, but CBS was asleep at the switch from the very beginning.

KFRC was flat-out boring...Why they didn't emulate their counter-part in L.A. (KRTH) is mind-boggling??

But now, someone can come in to a huge market and do this format right!!

The question is, who? Who's ripe for a flip?

 

[1069_KIFR]

Maybe Entercom will flip Classical 102.1 KDFC to ( you know what I want to say here, but have vowed never to mention it again) And the first song will be 'Suzie Q'! Or stunt the station with 'Suzie Q' like WiLD 107 did with 'Wild Thing', Playing it over and over non-stop for 3 - 4 days in a row!

 

[kenrayc]

KNGY 92.7 should do the classic hit format.

 

[sfradio]

95.7 the wolf should flip to classic hits. country dose not work in the bay area and needs to be changed, the wolf is probably why entercom is in dire straits

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

KNGY 92.7 should do the classic hit format.

Signal is limited to San Francisco and parts of the east bay... It's very urban population. At least KNGY has a nitch right now.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Maybe Entercom will flip Classical 102.1 KDFC to ( you know what I want to say here, but have vowed never to mention it again) And the first song will be 'Suzie Q'! Or stunt the station with 'Suzie Q' like WiLD 107 did with 'Wild Thing', Playing it over and over non-stop for 3 - 4 days in a row!

Changing KDFC would be a sad thing. I would hate to see market that supports classical music and the arts more than just about any other city than say New York lose it's only classical music station. Remember, there aren't any viable signals on the Nn-com band other than KQED. All of the others are relatively weak and would be an inferior place to place classical.

The music on KDFC has been around for centuries and while it may not be as commercially viable these days, classical music will probably outlast most of the music that is on the air today.

Not to pick on you KIFR, but why have name yourself after a station that was a complete failure and has been off the air for nearly two years?

It not sure what would bill more, classic hits or the current KDFC. If they opted for Classic Hits, they would have to spend a bunch of money to promote it. KFRC had little cume, nobody went to that frequency.

 

[RadioStarOne]

San Francisco's cursed radio frequency 106.9 much like Chicago's 94.7

 

[LKellerIII]

San Francisco's cursed radio frequency 106.9 much like Chicago's 94.7

Actually, 106.9 has been fairly stable over the years. Of course, it was a religious station for about 30 years. Before that, it was free-form rock KMPX, which was a revolutionary station, though it had limited commercial success.

If you want to talk about cursed frequencies, consider 95.7 as a good candidate. Just in the last 12 years or so, it's had 6 formats: KPIX (news, talk, All OJ,All the Time); Z-95.7 (Top 40); The Drive (classic rock); The Bear (Country); Max-FM (a Jack clone); and now The Wolf (country again). And The Wolf ain't exactly setting the world on fire.

Even worse than 95.7, there have probably been more formats on 98.9 than any other frequency - but Estereo Sol has broken the "curse."

 

[BossRadioDJ]

Even worse than 95.7, there have probably been more formats on 98.9 than any other frequency - but Estereo Sol has broken the "curse."

Good point, Llew. I don't recall, though ... how did they break the forty-year curse on 98.9 FM?

Did they boost the power? Move to a new transmitter location? Move programming from the AM side? Bring in conservative talk? Get new-fangled automation equipment? Bring in a well-respected consultant with thirty years of experience to show them how they stayed on top in Topeka and Spokane?

I know it was one of these things. I just can't remember which one it was.

 

[davideduardo]

Good point, Llew. I don't recall, though ... how did they break the forty-year curse on 98.9 FM?

Did they boost the power? Move to a new transmitter location? Move programming from the AM side? Bring in conservative talk? Get new-fangled automation equipment? Bring in a well-respected consultant with thirty years of experience to show them how they stayed on top in Topeka and Spokane?

I know it was one of these things. I just can't remember which one it was.

It was several of those things, including bringing programming from AM, bringing in a consultant and bringing in programming from LA.

 

[LKellerIII]

Good point, Llew. I don't recall, though ... how did they break the forty-year curse on 98.9 FM?

Did they boost the power? Move to a new transmitter location? Move programming from the AM side? Bring in conservative talk? Get new-fangled automation equipment? Bring in a well-respected consultant with thirty years of experience to show them how they stayed on top in Topeka and Spokane?

I know it was one of these things. I just can't remember which one it was.

It was several of those things, including bringing programming from AM, bringing in a consultant and bringing in programming from LA.

Which "well respected consultant" would that be? I can't think of a single one that programs Spanish language stations. And if there were actually such a consultant with 30 years experience, he'd have to be an old guy that wouldn't be able to program for the desirable 25-49 demographic.

 

[DaveBayArea]

Which "well respected consultant" would that be? I can't think of a single one that programs Spanish language stations. And if there were actually such a consultant with 30 years experience, he'd have to be an old guy that wouldn't be able to program for the desirable 25-49 demographic.

Don't underestimate anyone. I know it's a cliche, but age is truly just a number. It's certainly not impossible for people to put their own tastes aside and recognize what is desirable for a particular demographic.

Oh - and another thing they did with 98.9 - they simulcasted on 99.1 in the South Bay. Previously that other frequency would splatter onto 98.9 pretty much anywhere south of Mountain View. That duopoly was in effect for a couple of the failed formats, (Since Viacom's "Double 99") but not many.

Dave B.

 

[DavidKaye]

Now that the rocket-scientists that were programming KFRC are gone, there's a major format hole in The Bay. This is a viable format, but CBS was asleep at the switch from the very beginning.

It is clearly NOT a viable format or else it would have worked. CBS tried it twice and it failed. They had the personalities you guys all wanted. And you folks said it was the personalities and not the music. But no, it's the music, and there isn't enough room for more oldies stations what with KOIT, KFOG, and KSAN all playing music from that era.

 

[LKellerIII]

Which "well respected consultant" would that be? I can't think of a single one that programs Spanish language stations. And if there were actually such a consultant with 30 years experience, he'd have to be an old guy that wouldn't be able to program for the desirable 25-49 demographic.

Don't underestimate anyone. I know it's a cliche, but age is truly just a number. It's certainly not impossible for people to put their own tastes aside and recognize what is desirable for a particular demographic.

Oh - and another thing they did with 98.9 - they simulcasted on 99.1 in the South Bay. Previously that other frequency would splatter onto 98.9 pretty much anywhere south of Mountain View. That duopoly was in effect for a couple of the failed formats, (Since Viacom's "Double 99") but not many.

Dave B.

I was kidding...and trying to get a rise out of another David, who has not taken the bait.

RE: the 98.9/99.1 simulcast, I believe both stations were sold and become Estereo Sol at the same time. As you said, the simulcast went as far back as "Double 99" in the 80s except for a year or two when 99.1 was a simulcast of Wild 107.7

 

[andreajesus]

Now that the rocket-scientists that were programming KFRC are gone, there's a major format hole in The Bay. This is a viable format, but CBS was asleep at the switch from the very beginning.

It is clearly NOT a viable format or else it would have worked. CBS tried it twice and it failed. They had the personalities you guys all wanted. And you folks said it was the personalities and not the music. But no, it's the music, and there isn't enough room for more oldies stations what with KOIT, KFOG, and KSAN all playing music from that era.

if the format was NOT viable, it would NOT have succeeded on KFRC for ALL the years it did - which proves that PERSONALITIES and GREAT HITS of the 60's, 70's, and 80's DO work!!

 

[DavidKaye]

if the format was NOT viable, it would NOT have succeeded on KFRC for ALL the years it did - which proves that PERSONALITIES and GREAT HITS of the 60's, 70's, and 80's DO work!!

People change and tastes change. The format that made KABL #1 for a number of years, "beautiful music" doesn't work anymore. People apparently don't want to listen to the 101 Strings, Montovani, lush orchestras, or Matt Monroe anymore.

There is still somewhat of an audience for oldies; I keep remarking that KOIT, KFOG, and KSAN play music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but you people ignore this. I don't think a single person has acknowledged this.

So, given your criteria, if there is any music format that needs to be revived, it's the music of the old original KABL of 1959.

 

[davideduardo]

It was several of those things, including bringing programming from AM, bringing in a consultant and bringing in programming from LA.

Which "well respected consultant" would that be? I can't think of a single one that programs Spanish language stations. And if there were actually such a consultant with 30 years experience, he'd have to be an old guy that wouldn't be able to program for the desirable 25-49 demographic.

Ah, the name of the consultant who worked with Eleazar seems to have slipped my mind... gosh, who could it have been?

In any case, I now have 49 years of experience and most of what I do involves 18-34 and 18-49 demos, not the unsalable upper demos. Listners tell you what they want, so it's not about relating or not to the music.

 

[kenrayc]

DavidKaye you make a good point KSAN, KFOG, KOIT and don't forget KUFX are great stations.Todays radio focuses on the genre,thats why a true Top 40 station doesn't work anymore.

if the format was NOT viable, it would NOT have succeeded on KFRC for ALL the years it did - which proves that PERSONALITIES and GREAT HITS of the 60's, 70's, and 80's DO work!!

People change and tastes change. The format that made KABL #1 for a number of years, "beautiful music" doesn't work anymore. People apparently don't want to listen to the 101 Strings, Montovani, lush orchestras, or Matt Monroe anymore.

There is still somewhat of an audience for oldies; I keep remarking that KOIT, KFOG, and KSAN play music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, but you people ignore this. I don't think a single person has acknowledged this.

So, given your criteria, if there is any music format that needs to be revived, it's the music of the old original KABL of 1959.

 

[LKellerIII]

It was several of those things, including bringing programming from AM, bringing in a consultant and bringing in programming from LA.

Which "well respected consultant" would that be? I can't think of a single one that programs Spanish language stations. And if there were actually such a consultant with 30 years experience, he'd have to be an old guy that wouldn't be able to program for the desirable 25-49 demographic.

Ah, the name of the consultant who worked with Eleazar seems to have slipped my mind... gosh, who could it have been?

In any case, I now have 49 years of experience and most of what I do involves 18-34 and 18-49 demos, not the unsalable upper demos. Listners tell you what they want, so it's not about relating or not to the music.

Gosh, David - you're not old, your ancient. ;D. I'm not feeling too young myself, but 49 years ago, I was in second grade.

 

[djj]

People change and tastes change. The format that made KABL #1 for a number of years, "beautiful music" doesn't work anymore. People apparently don't want to listen to the 101 Strings, Montovani, lush orchestras, or Matt Monroe anymore....

...So, given your criteria, if there is any music format that needs to be revived, it's the music of the old original KABL of 1959.

Interestingly, "lounge" music, as the old KABL fomat would probably be known as
these daze, seems to sell well at record stores like Amoeba and Rasputins, which
I visit frequently. Some younger people also dig the Hugo Montenegro and Matt
Monro-type music...

Whether it's enough to warrant a full-time radio format of that is uncertain...

BTW, WASN'T the 1996 Telecom act supposed to encourage variety and diversity
in music/entertainment programming for radio? If so, it never happened. Sales and
management appear to be stuck on getting that 18-49 demo, and could care less
about the 50-to-death crowd...
--jay