Why did these stations disappear?

[OzzyStillbourne]

97.1 the Eagle
92.5 KZPS
99.1 Z-Rock
97.9 the Zoo
Q102?


I'm not in the biz and was too young to remember some of this stuff. you guys seem to know what you're talking about. i was just wanting a little insight. thank you..

 

[firstimelongtime]

According to Radio Truth, this question, like all others, can be answered:

"This is yet another example of the fact that there is no personality talent in this market"

 

[Robert Bass]

According to Radio Truth, this question, like all others, can be answered:

"This is yet another example of the fact that there is no personality talent in this market"

SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't encourage him!

R

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

"OzzyStillbourne:
97.1 the Eagle
92.5 KZPS
99.1 Z-Rock
97.9 the Zoo
Q102?


I'm not in the biz and was too young to remember some of this stuff. you guys seem to know what you're talking about. i was just wanting a little insight. thank you.."

Two words for ya: Cheap Channel. (with the exceptions of Z-Rock and the Zoo)

Sad but true.. They really know how to run good radio properties smooth into the ground.

 

[Kent]

97.1 the Eagle

Which incarnation of the Eagle?

92.5 KZPS

This one baffled me, too. I know it wasn't much of a ratings powerhouse, but it used to be consistent in its billing.

99.1 Z-Rock

Never made a dime. If I remember correctly, the owners were on the verge of bankruptcy when they sold it to Heftel, who immediately flipped it to Tejano.

97.9 the Zoo

Outside of middays, the Zoo suffered during its final years. I remember a lot of people blamed Anchor Media for not being willing to invest enough into the station after they acquired it (and 570) from Belo.

Q102?

Another case of a heritage station suffering for years before being put out of its misery. A lot of people were upset at the demise of Q-102, but most of them hadn't listened in years. By the way, it was actually AMFM, not Clear Channel, that blew the station up. Clear Channel didn't get its hands on the property until almost two years later.

 

[FOZZIE BEAR]

My opinion is that THE EAGLE ended up crashing becuz it was just badly programmed. Honeslty. I remember the last few years of the station and it just sounded like hell.

Same thing kinda with KZPS. At some point, it became the ZZ TOP station. I swear to you... they would play ZZ TOP all the time.

As for Q102, same thing happend to it as did THE EAGLE. The programming was ALL over the place. Toward the last few years of that station.. I just gave up listening. It was crap.

As for THE ZOO. I didnt live in the DFW area long enough before it was yank off the air. So, I can't really give an opinion on that one.

Out of ALL of these stations that I miss... it has to be THE EAGLE. It was a DAMN GOOD station during the 90's.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

Odd how every one of the aforementioned is a rock format, and the answer to said aforementioned is CASH.

EAGLE - When Kidd left for money, they lost their money.
ZPS - Billings, schmillings. There is something to be said about a station with a loyal following. But then again, I'm not a CONsultant.
Z-ROCK - You were serious with this question, right? I mean, I'm not Ron Chapman but even could have figured this one out.
ZOO - Admit it. All great, great things come to an end. And the lack of revenue on this wonderkin required hospice and some last rites.
THE Q - I agree with Kent on this one. When the Q flipped, it was like an old casino in Vegas. It hurts like crap for the sentimentalists to see the marquee fall, but you know it's time deep down.

 

[MikeShannon914]

I believe you nailed them all, Kent...good job! One other note about Z-Rock...putting it on a rimshot, and twice (94.5 and 99.1) didn't work either time. The sales staff figured that only head shops, topless bars and alcohol would appeal to the "headbanger" audience, so they never dug much deeper than that. And when KZRK was put on the air in 1987, the tower was still in Gainesville. 99.1's tower was buried deep in Denton County on the 2nd incarnation of Z-Rock. Tough to steal any audience from KZEW or KTXQ when most folks couldn't even pick up your station, or couldn't deal with the static. I remember KZRK being as hard to pick up in DFW as KMAD-102.5 is now.

Fozzie, the Zoo's problem was that they couldn't compete with Q102 anymore. By the fall of 1986, they gravitated towards classic rock, and when Anchor bought them in early 1987, that was about it. Over the next two years, Labella and Rody were split up, then fired, along with George Gimarc, Chaz Mixon and several other high-profile jocks. Oh, and don't forget when the F-4 plane hit their tower and they were on low power for six weeks in early 1987. Oh, and the bad press when Ken Baker broke into a song to report a tornado warning, and was ripped up by management for doing so...and quit the station over it. By 1989, there wasn't much of a Zoo left...Zoo World and all the promotions that made The Zoo a part of the community were all ancient history--Anchor dumped all of that, along with the elephant mascot Zoo Loo. And, to P.O. the last of their audience, they canned Dr. Demento in 1989 (but did bring the show back after listener pressure.)

 

[little1]

The demise of Q102 touches on what I was saying about segmentation a couple of days back. Their problem was that they were trying to be an AOR station, and play EVERYTHING, while their competitors could concentrate on their segment and beat them in their discrete area. KZPS, The Edge, Eagle etc all had their little slice of the pie that they were concentrating on, while Q102 was trying to have the whole pie.

And at some point, that catches up to you. Because if you're a classic rock fan, are you going to put up with the hard rock you don't like, and the alternative you don't like to get the classic rock you do, or are you going to spend more of your time with KZPS.

Same with alternative. If you're wanting to hear Nirvana, do you wantto sit through the old fogies like ZZ Top, or do you go to the Edge where you could get Nirvana in high rotation...

None of those stations were going to be able to beat Q102 head-to-head...But combined, no problem.

Imagine Q102 as a tripod- knock one leg out and it gets wobbly, knock 2 legs out and it's really wobbly...That's basically what happened- the multiple market segments they were trying to serve all got stations that superserved that segment, knocking the legs out from under them...

 

[Steve Eberhart]

Something that is new and exciting when it begins usually isn't so new and exciting ten years later. The true legendary stations find new ways of re-inventing themselves.
A large part of that kind of success also includes management and personnel who passionately buy into the mission.
When a station becomes succesful, there is a temptation to take the skills and recreate that success elsewhere, either for financial gains or sheer proof of worth.
Often management and programmers change, the second generation may not possess the passion for the original and true mission, thus dilluting the product and success, leading to a demise in revenue, which ultimately will kill any station regardless of its heritage.

Without sufficient revenue, the sun sets every time.

 

[txchipk]

Something that is new and exciting when it begins usually isn't so new and exciting ten years later. The true legendary stations find new ways of re-inventing themselves.
A large part of that kind of success also includes management and personnel who passionately buy into the mission.
When a station becomes succesful, there is a temptation to take the skills and recreate that success elsewhere, either for financial gains or sheer proof of worth.
Often management and programmers change, the second generation may not possess the passion for the original and true mission, thus dilluting the product and success, leading to a demise in revenue, which ultimately will kill any station regardless of its heritage.

Without sufficient revenue, the sun sets every time.

Also factor in outside forces...

Much like the post-disco years, CHR as a format nationally around 1991-1992 was in trouble. Most markets that had multiple CHRs in 1990 were down to one (KHYI and KEGL to just KEGL here; KNRJ, KKBQ, and KRBE to just KRBE in Houston; KITY, KSAQ, and KTFM San Antonio to just KTFM there; etc.). In many markets the lone CHR then shifted to something not quite CHR in 1991 or 1992. Some went to rock/CHR hybrids like KEGL did here in 1992 on the way to AOR in 1993. Same thing happened in Shreveport (KTUX), Little Rock (KKYK), and Tulsa (KMYZ). Most shifted to hot ACs or something close to that (WEZB New Orleans; WSSX Charleston; etc.). Here, KHKS debuted 11/1/1992...but heavily dayparted (virtually a hot AC during the daytime).

You also have to factor in more signals and niche formats. Q102 ultimately suffered from being flanked by classic rock KZPS, modern rock KDGE, and a more active rocker KEGL. In most of the '80s, it mostly just had to deal with just KZEW. KZPS wasn't really a factor until it shifted from classic hits (and jazz at night!) to classic rock in the late '80s. KDGE didn't come on until mid-1989.

 

[Slambang]

97.1 the Eagle
92.5 KZPS
99.1 Z-Rock
97.9 the Zoo
Q102?


I'm not in the biz and was too young to remember some of this stuff. you guys seem to know what you're talking about. i was just wanting a little insight. thank you..

KEGL was a series of idiotic mistakes, from both Nationwide and CC. When you get rid of Stern and let guys like RMS, Rich Berra, Kramer and Twitch have airtime, you have serious issues. The K&T stunt was the nail in the perverbial coffin.

KZPS is another fine example of the CC empire running a decent station into the ground, all in the name of money.

KZRK (Z-Rock) was a good example of a station that had a decent product for its time, but they couldnt bill properly to save their lives. I know one of their former sales guys who told me tales of how station managment turned a blind eye to nearly every aspect of daily operations.

KZEW is another example of decent product of its time which didnt keep up.

KTXQ (Q102) was a station that was caught up in the changing times. It was one part hard rock, the other half alternative and actually had great jocks who knew their game. When the late 90's rolled around, the new owners didnt care about keeping legacy around and threw it all out for a format which hasnt served them well on two frequencies.

 

[Lancer]

When I moved to Dallas in the mid 90's, I kept my office radio on the Eagle & it used to run the older people crazy in there.

The music was really good back then, but I would keep the volume low in the mornings so they couldn't hear Stern.

 

[TheRover]

97.1 the Eagle

Which incarnation of the Eagle?

92.5 KZPS

This one baffled me, too. I know it wasn't much of a ratings powerhouse, but it used to be consistent in its billing.

99.1 Z-Rock

Never made a dime. If I remember correctly, the owners were on the verge of bankruptcy when they sold it to Heftel, who immediately flipped it to Tejano.

97.9 the Zoo

Outside of middays, the Zoo suffered during its final years. I remember a lot of people blamed Anchor Media for not being willing to invest enough into the station after they acquired it (and 570) from Belo.

Q102?

Another case of a heritage station suffering for years before being put out of its misery. A lot of people were upset at the demise of Q-102, but most of them hadn't listened in years. By the way, it was actually AMFM, not Clear Channel, that blew the station up. Clear Channel didn't get its hands on the property until almost two years later.

Maybe.... it local radio had to be locally owned, regardless of anything else.... then maybe it wouldn't suck so..... that is ... usck for the conusmers like me...

 

[FOZZIE BEAR]

Odd how every one of the aforementioned is a rock format, and the answer to said aforementioned is CASH.

EAGLE - When Kidd left for money, they lost their money.
ZPS - Billings, schmillings. There is something to be said about a station with a loyal following. But then again, I'm not a CONsultant.
Z-ROCK - You were serious with this question, right? I mean, I'm not Ron Chapman but even could have figured this one out.
ZOO - Admit it. All great, great things come to an end. And the lack of revenue on this wonderkin required hospice and some last rites.
THE Q - I agree with Kent on this one. When the Q flipped, it was like an old casino in Vegas. It hurts like crap for the sentimentalists to see the marquee fall, but you know it's time deep down.

I am trying to remember back then, but KIDD sucked on THE EAGLE and it was only until he left that the EAGLE got good. So, I appologize I don't see how a station remains on the air with the ROCK FORMAT for over 10 yrs... if their money maker has been gone for even longer. Like I said, he was gone from that station for a long time... as far as I can remember. I don't remember him being on there when it was a ROCK station. Top 40, yes. Rock, No.

However, these are just my thoughts on it. However, like I said earlier... the EAGLE SUCKED in the last few years of it being in the market. Thats what I truly feel brought it down.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Kidd actually held his own during his 1984-92 tenure at KEGL. Starting off in evenings (catering to the "homework crowd," complete with boogie checks, dedications, make-it-or-break it, etc,) he went to mornings after Moby was fired, I believe...then we had "Burn Your Buns," etc. The Top 40 format got out of control when crossover country started invading the Pop charts, and KEGL obliged by playing Garth Brooks, if you can believe that. Once the format change was announced in 1992, Kidd was dumped. With Howard Stern, Madd Maxx Hammer and others coming on board, there was no room for the old guard that was so closely tied with the station's former bubblegum image. Now there were indeed tweaks along the way; around 1986, during the Moby era, KEGL started going a little harder-edged with their music, and even tossed in a few select oldies. By 1987, it was back to Top 40, and going head-to-head with Y-95 and Kiss-FM (until Kiss flipped to The Oasis in September.) Y-95 did an admirable job trying to compete, but Sonny Fox, Billy Burke, Trey and Bill and the gang couldn't hold much of a candle. Y-95 had the same problem establishing legitimacy and respect as Wild 100 and The Bone did years later (and still do, in one case.)

I remember that, with Kidd, it was a love-him-or-hate-him deal, particularly among the 12-24 male audience. The young girls had no problem with him. But remembering my high school days, you always told people you listened to Q-102 or The Zoo and NEVER The Eagle! (But most of us were still closet listeners.)

 

[Robert Bass]

I think the only time I remember listening to KEGL, was during it's early days. In fact, I don't even remember listening to KEGL all that much overall. I do remember listening a few Sunday Night Eagle Talk Shows with Russ and Jimmy, but that's about it.

Meanwhile KISS had me hooked, and I was a faithful listener, especially during portions of the morning show with Zippo, and late nights while drifting off to sleep. Basically I fell asleep at night and woke up in the morning with KISS FM playing. Ahh yes, the good ole' days!

R

 

[Kent]

Once the format change was announced in 1992, Kidd was dumped.

Actually, I seem to recall everyone getting dumped when that happened. In the summer of '92, KEGL was the station with no jocks! It did a stunt as "All Eagles Radio" for a few days.

Now there were indeed tweaks along the way; around 1986, during the Moby era, KEGL started going a little harder-edged with their music, and even tossed in a few select oldies. By 1987, it was back to Top 40, and going head-to-head with Y-95 and Kiss-FM (until Kiss flipped to The Oasis in September.)

I remember KEGL hardened its sound up a lot in 1989, too. The playlist was horribly repetitive, even for a CHR, but it hammered home that it didn't play rap, and it also didn't have the long stopsets Y-95 had between 25 hits in-a-row.

Y-95 did an admirable job trying to compete, but Sonny Fox, Billy Burke, Trey and Bill and the gang couldn't hold much of a candle. Y-95 had the same problem establishing legitimacy and respect as Wild 100 and The Bone did years later (and still do, in one case.)

Actually, Y-95 mopped the floor with KEGL during most of its existence. It was almost always the higher rated of the two CHR's. KEGL became so desperate it got in trouble with Arbitron for one of the promotions it did. The promotion bombed horrifically; after all that, KEGL went up but was still in a statistical dead heat with Y-95. Plus, it got listed below-the-line. The next book, it was off sharply while Y-95 held steady. In the end, that bitter rivalry was what led to the demise of both stations. When CHR was starting to suffer nationwide, both stations were so determined to be the only survivor, they became so focused on getting each other that their listeners just got ticked off and tuned out. Y-95 tried unsuccessfully to reimage as Power 95 before bowing out. KEGL emerged victorious but at a tremendous cost. After losing its only competitor, it still dropped in the ratings. A year later, the entire staff was chucked with the rest of the format following suit.

I remember that, with Kidd, it was a love-him-or-hate-him deal, particularly among the 12-24 male audience. The young girls had no problem with him. But remembering my high school days, you always told people you listened to Q-102 or The Zoo and NEVER The Eagle! (But most of us were still closet listeners.)

Until I got sick of all of the Y-95/KEGL bashing, that was definitely me. Q-102 sticker in the locker, but usually listening to KEGL in the daytime and Y-95 at night! However, by the time Y-95 became Power 95, I really was listening to Q-102 and KZPS!

 

[terdferguson]

Probably some good-old-days syndrome creeping in here, but the Zoo was the best radio station I have ever come across. LaBella and Rody were hilarious (although their reunion on KZPS was a train wreck). Rhyner's sarcasm and whining worked with the show. I still remember his DFW Airport parking spots. The noon feed woke me up during lunch so I could continue the rest of the day. George Gimarc's R&R Alternative on Sunday nights was radio gold. Charlie Jones was even fair to middlin' during the graveyard shift.

On the flip side, I could definitely have done without Tempe Lindsay.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

On the flip side, I could definitely have done without Tempe Lindsay.

Yeah, but I'll take her on SJ any day. She missed her calling