Why isn't there Gospel in Houston?

[j-michael]

With Houston being the 7th largest market in the nation I wonder why isn't there a decent 24hr Urban Gospel station that covers most of the metro. Chicago has an African American ethnic comp of 17% and still manage to have a gospel station (WGBR) holding it down in a respectable way. Dallas as well with only 13% African American Ethnic Comp has a full time gospel station (KHVN) brining in nice numbers… Have there been any prior attempts to bring such a format to Houston on a good signal? Who will be the first to cater to the gospel community in Houston?

 

[radiodial]

This isn't exactly the answer you are looking for but KTSU 90.9 plays gospel on Sunday from 6:00am to 5:00pm. And they play great jazz most of the other times.KTSU program guide:http://www.ktsufm.org/index.php?pageid=92

 

[a_and_m_king]

And there is always KSBJ when you need your G-O-D fix.

 

[Mediafrog+]

For the past couple of years many of us on this board have been pushing for Urban Gospel on 92.1. It is still a mystery why Radio One sticks with low-rated La Mera Mera when Gospel would fit their African-American core demographic perfectly, and would be a good combo with KMJQ and KBXX. Could still happen, if RO decides not to unload KROI. Some sort of change on 92.1 is probably going to happen in the not too distant future, whether under current ownership or someone new.

 

[Mike O]

There is Gospel on the radio 24/7 in the Houston area. From the stations you mentioned you are looking for Urban Gospel or Black Gospel which is on KWWJ 1360 24/7. KWWJ has a very good daytime signal over the metro area but vanishes at night to only cover the Baytown area. KWWJ does have streaming audio, so you can listen on the web 24/7. The website is www.KWWJ.org on the left side of the home page is a place where you can click to listen. I have the station on right now in Western New York State.There is also KYOK 1140 in Conroe a 5kW daytimer and KANI 1500 a 500 watt station that I believe signs off at 6pm nightly from Wharton. All are owned by Darrell Martin, I don't know if they simulcast or have separate programming.There is Southern/Country Gospel on KJIC 90.5 Santa Fe and they have a fairly decent signal into the Houston area. I haven't heard it, but KMKS 102.5 Bay City plays Southern Gospel at various times and has a fair signal on the far west side.Mike O

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I thought 88.1 had that format --- its been a while since I tuned down there so I don't know. But they traded frequencies with KSBJ many years ago because they were low power and wouldn't jam channel 6 in Beaumont.

 

[Mediafrog+]

I thought 88.1 had that format --- its been a while since I tuned down there so I don't know.

KJIC used to be on 88.1. The format moved to 90.5 in the mid 90's.

 

[j-michael]

Didn't know about a KWWJ-AM and it may be that they sound good, I've not had a chance to listen, but I'm wondering if there has been a station (urban Gospel) that has put up a fight as far as the numbers go. If KWWJ-AM makes a dent or bring in some decent numbers I'm sure other companies (Citadel, Clear Channel, Radio-One) will put the money behind the format and make it work but if they don't see the need and or the demand for such a format I'm afraid we will never see the birth of an FM-Gospel in Houston? With so many Gospel artists living in and around Houston it would be soooo easy to market and bring a different type of competition to the market place.... Personally I think it’s time for a gospel leader that will pack a punch and stand in the market’s top 10.

 

[Mediafrog+]

If KWWJ-AM makes a dent or bring in some decent numbers I'm sure other companies (Citadel, Clear Channel, Radio-One) will put the money behind the format and make it work but if they don't see the need and or the demand for such a format I'm afraid we will never see the birth of an FM-Gospel in Houston?

KWWJ has been around since 1988. I rarely check it out any more, but in the past it has seemed they are too heavy on preacher content as opposed to music. From time to time it makes a little bit of noise at the bottom of the ratings, but the signal is too limited for it to have any big impact. Similarly formatted KANI 1500 and KYOK 1140 are pretty much non-factors. A more music intensive Urban Gospel format only lasted a few years on the original KYOK 1590 in the mid-to-late 90's, but I think the fact that it was on AM probably sealed its fate.

With so many Gospel artists living in and around Houston it would be soooo easy to market and bring a different type of competition to the market place.... Personally I think it’s time for a gospel leader that will pack a punch and stand in the market’s top 10.

Don't know if a FM Urban Gospel would make it to the Top 10, but it would do well as a complement to other co-owned African-American targeted stations--hence the idea that Radio One's KROI would be a perfect place for the format. It just makes too much sense.

 

[j-michael]

I hope Radio-One, Clear Channel or Citadel gives the idea a shot... If you look at WPPZ in Philly who's operating without Jocks and are in top swing of things (9th in market). I think they can do the same in Houston, but they would have to hit the ground swinging with an attitude to win inclusive of slamming promotions and a great marketing campaign. I think top 10 isn't impossible for Gospel in Houston, it’ll require work but what new station/format wouldn’t?

 

[Mike O]

I am a strong believer that a well run music intensive Urban Gospel station would do very well on FM. KWWJ would do better if they had more than just a daytime presence in most all of the Houston Market and the station is as Mediafrog stated a little heavy on the preaching and not enough music for many peoples taste.If Radio One flipped 92.1 to Urban Gospel with a similiar format as KSBJ does in the CCM format, I think the ratings would be around a 3.0 within three months with the proper billboards and advertising to let the public know the station exists.I really don't understand why R.O. hasn't flipped KROI to Urban Gospel. It would not take away from their ratings on KMJQ or KBXX and would be a complimentary station to the cluster. Radio One's other new format of Urban Talk would probably not do too well with KCOH 1430 having a daytime lineup of Urban Talk-News-Sports that has a loyal audience that is not likely to change to another station.Mike O