yeah, why *can't* KJZZ play indie rock?

[indieradioguy]

KAET Channel 8 and KJZZ are like the peanut butter and jelly of local media: Lawrence Welk and "Prairie Home Companion." Specialty programming for those who don't like Glenn Beck. (Yeah, sure they don't.) I know some of the suits have access to this board, so c'mon: when will KJZZ be cool again?

 

[KeithE4]

KAET Channel 8 and KJZZ are like the peanut butter and jelly of local media: Lawrence Welk and "Prairie Home Companion." Specialty programming for those who don't like Glenn Beck. (Yeah, sure they don't.) I know some of the suits have access to this board, so c'mon: when will KJZZ be cool again?

1. Why should they? Jazz fills a need (specifically, mine. ;D ). I'm no fan of NPR (too boring), but if it ain't broke...

2. When did they? Did they ever carry indie rock? At least since I've been here, they've been a jazz station - first as a KYOT-wannabe and now playing real jazz.

 

[indieradioguy]

KAET Channel 8 and KJZZ are like the peanut butter and jelly of local media: Lawrence Welk and "Prairie Home Companion." Specialty programming for those who don't like Glenn Beck. (Yeah, sure they don't.) I know some of the suits have access to this board, so c'mon: when will KJZZ be cool again?

1. Why should they? Jazz fills a need (specifically, mine. ;D ). I'm no fan of NPR (too boring), but if it ain't broke...

2. When did they? Did they ever carry indie rock? At least since I've been here, they've been a jazz station - first as a KYOT-wannabe and now playing real jazz.

1. Because there's a growing sentiment (evidenced by a Facebook group covered by New Times) that KJZZ needs to be more like KCRW, like KEXP, and other stations in other cities that help the economy more significantly by inspiring the formation of record labels, more support for locally-owned businesses, etc. KJZZ is seen as an impediment, as "toaster talk" in this town, whether people want to admit it or not. That's why.

2. They never did, and that's the whole point. They've got the frequency, and there are (evidently) people who live here who want some change to that frequency. KJZZ doesn't even play the same syndicated *music* shows other NPR affiliates do, which I, for one, am starting to find curious. Even that would be a step in the right direction.

 

[KeithE4]

1. Because there's a growing sentiment (evidenced by a Facebook group covered by New Times) that KJZZ needs to be more like KCRW, like KEXP, and other stations in other cities that help the economy more significantly by inspiring the formation of record labels, more support for locally-owned businesses, etc. KJZZ is seen as an impediment, as "toaster talk" in this town, whether people want to admit it or not. That's why.

Now THAT's what I call market research - an unnamed Facebook group covered by the New Times. Yeah. The folks at the Community College District are just quaking in their boots over that. :

2. They never did, and that's the whole point. They've got the frequency, and there are (evidently) people who live here who want some change to that frequency. KJZZ doesn't even play the same syndicated *music* shows other NPR affiliates do, which I, for one, am starting to find curious. Even that would be a step in the right direction.

You talk about KEXP. They're the second University of Washington station after KUOW, their big-stick NPR affilite. If we had a 3rd (after KJZZ and KBAQ) secular non-comm here, what you want might work. But not on the 100 kW main stick.

Maybe you should talk to the gang over at the Mighty 1330 about doing this kind of show, if they don't already. Or maybe you could one yourself, either by buying time on a station if you can afford it, or online.

Nothing inherently wrong with your idea, but it just won't happen on KJZZ.

 

[indieradioguy]

1. Because there's a growing sentiment (evidenced by a Facebook group covered by New Times) that KJZZ needs to be more like KCRW, like KEXP, and other stations in other cities that help the economy more significantly by inspiring the formation of record labels, more support for locally-owned businesses, etc. KJZZ is seen as an impediment, as "toaster talk" in this town, whether people want to admit it or not. That's why.

Now THAT's what I call market research - an unnamed Facebook group covered by the New Times. Yeah. The folks at the Community College District are just quaking in their boots over that. :

2. They never did, and that's the whole point. They've got the frequency, and there are (evidently) people who live here who want some change to that frequency. KJZZ doesn't even play the same syndicated *music* shows other NPR affiliates do, which I, for one, am starting to find curious. Even that would be a step in the right direction.

You talk about KEXP. They're the second University of Washington station after KUOW, their big-stick NPR affilite. If we had a 3rd (after KJZZ and KBAQ) secular non-comm here, what you want might work. But not on the 100 kW main stick.

Maybe you should talk to the gang over at the Mighty 1330 about doing this kind of show, if they don't already. Or maybe you could one yourself, either by buying time on a station if you can afford it, or online.

Nothing inherently wrong with your idea, but it just won't happen on KJZZ.

No, it's not credible market research, but it is anecdotal - which is where a market's reputation originates. If you think Phoenix is on par with LA and NY, that's great. The fact of the matter is a lot of things have changed in this town (stadiums, light rail, etc.) against the objections of those who felt they knew better. Which begs the question, since when has the Community College District had a say on programming? I'm pretty sure that's not their responsibility and even MORE pretty sure they wouldn't raise an eyebrow if someone gave the format a makeover.

 

[ironbear]

KJZZ is now off-air in Prescott and the Verde Valley, having been replaced by Drake/Flagstaff KJZA's very low powered, but full service Prescott station, KJZP on 90.1 mHz.

It's a vast improvement, mostly utilizing a feed from Yuma's KAWC. Under direction of Dave Reick, KAWC uses lots of PRI shows and prime time plays of "Undercurrents", which is an eclectic rock, Native American and Americana show which can be quite amazing. Traditional Jazz in the evenings, too. Hats off to all the people involved, with a note that KJZZ...the Phoenix station...could be just as relevant to this time and place if they only would.

 

[KeithE4]

No, it's not credible market research, but it is anecdotal - which is where a market's reputation originates.

My "anecdotal research" says we need a 24/7 blues station. The chances of it happening: Absolutely zero. In commercial radio, it would require ad support. With non-comms, it requires donations. Apparently there is enough donor support to have a Sunday night blues show (it was Saturdays and Sundays years ago), and that's it. If there was such support for an indie-rock program, it might be there. But money talks and BS walks.

If you think Phoenix is on par with LA and NY, that's great. The fact of the matter is a lot of things have changed in this town (stadiums, light rail, etc.) against the objections of those who felt they knew better.

Phoenix is Phoenix. LA is LA. Noo Yawk is Noo Yawk. A comparison is irrelevant, although I agree with what you're trying to say about Phoenix becoming a bit more progressive despite some serious hollering by some reactionaries - especially those that occupy the (ironically) far-left side of the AM dial. ;D

I'm not disagreeing with you that an indie-rock station wouldn't be popular or fill a need (it would), but if you think KJZZ will change anything because of a Facebook page or whining from the New Times, think again. Believe it or not, radio stations (even non-comms like KJZZ) do real market research before putting anything on the air. We both would like music formats that will probably never appear on Phoenix radio unless someone wants to buy the time (in which case, we're probably talking about one of the Colon Blow-blasters such as KFNX).

Which begs the question, since when has the Community College District had a say on programming? I'm pretty sure that's not their responsibility and even MORE pretty sure they wouldn't raise an eyebrow if someone gave the format a makeover.

They own the station. They can put on whatever they please. I don't know the management structure of KJZZ or who reports to whom, but I'll venture a guess that the district administration keeps as much of an eye on the radio station as they do the other areas of the colleges.

 

[indieradioguy]

"They" (if you want to go all the way up to the ABOR) also raise university tuition every year like clockwork. Sooner or later, the students getting their tuition raised will want something more in return for that increased tuition. I would not be surprised if, in 2011 or 2012, you see more students demanding "the mighty 1330" get a better radio tower and that KJZZ start diversifying their programming.

There's a reason you don't see anyone questioning why KBAQ doesn't play Eno and Kronos Quartet: unlike The Blaze and KJZZ, the cultural value KBAQ to the community is well-established. You can't say that about KJZZ. (What ever happened to that reggae show that used to be on before Lowdown Blues?) So, you're right: it is about the money, though we're not talking about for-profit corporations here, so both taxpayers and students' tuition entitle both parties a say on the matter.

 

[99KTKT]

"They" (if you want to go all the way up to the ABOR) also raise university tuition every year like clockwork. Sooner or later, the students getting their tuition raised will want something more in return for that increased tuition. I would not be surprised if, in 2011 or 2012, you see more students demanding "the mighty 1330" get a better radio tower and that KJZZ start diversifying their programming.

I think the average student response would be more along the lines of: "Radio? (long confused pause) Oh yeah, it's that thing my parents (or even worse "grandparents") listen to, right?"

 

[asugeorge1]

"They" (if you want to go all the way up to the ABOR) also raise university tuition every year like clockwork. Sooner or later, the students getting their tuition raised will want something more in return for that increased tuition. I would not be surprised if, in 2011 or 2012, you see more students demanding "the mighty 1330" get a better radio tower and that KJZZ start diversifying their programming.

I'm a recent graduate of the Harvard of the West and every time I hear that tuition is going up at ASU, the last thing on my mind is, "Oh boy, I hope the ASU radio stations start playing better music!" No, instead the average student (who doesn't want that tuition going up in the first place) wants the additional money to go toward paying the professors, lowering class sizes, remodeling the old, asbestos-filled buildings, improving student services, and having the administration offer more classes.

In all honesty, the average ASU student doesn't care about the Blaze or KJZZ. We care more about the restaurant offerings at the MU and finding a decent parking spot that is not out by Tempe Town Lake!

 

[KMGX]

"They" (if you want to go all the way up to the ABOR) also raise university tuition every year like clockwork. Sooner or later, the students getting their tuition raised will want something more in return for that increased tuition. I would not be surprised if, in 2011 or 2012, you see more students demanding "the mighty 1330" get a better radio tower and that KJZZ start diversifying their programming.

I'm a recent graduate of the Harvard of the West and every time I hear that tuition is going up at ASU, the last thing on my mind is, "Oh boy, I hope the ASU radio stations start playing better music!" No, instead the average student (who doesn't want that tuition going up in the first place) wants the additional money to go toward paying the professors, lowering class sizes, remodeling the old, asbestos-filled buildings, improving student services, and having the administration offer more classes.

In all honesty, the average ASU student doesn't care about the Blaze or KJZZ. We care more about the restaurant offerings at the MU and finding a decent parking spot that is not out by Tempe Town Lake!

...and to add to this further, the average ASU student doesn't listen to terrestrial radio, especially not an NPR station or a barely audible AM station. I'm pretty sure most ASU students aren't even aware that amplitude modulation exists for that matter.

There's a very small niche for "Indie rock" and it's on the net, terrestrial stations that do it generally fail. Regardless of what you may think of it, it's "indie" or "underground" for a reason. The reality of the situation is that not enough people really care to move a station or even a day part of a station in that direction.