Radio Waves Podcast #237

Radio: October 19, 2018

It still seems odd for me to say, but KBIG (104.3 FM) — aka My FM — earned the top spot once again in the Nielsen Ratings released earlier this month. My FM has led the ratings race for five of the last six months and was a full half-point (is that an oxymoron?) above second-place KRTH (101.1 FM): 5.5 vs. 5.0.

The regulars rounded out the top-five: KOST (103.5 FM) at 4.7; KTWV The Wave (94.7 FM) at 4.6, and KIIS-FM (102.7 FM) at 4.4.

Complicating matters just a little bit is a new rule from Intercom that their stations are now to be sold separately from the on-line streams, such that advertising differs. Since the programming is not 100 percent duplicative, the streams register separately from the stations.

While this makes little difference in the scheme of things, had streams been combined with the station’s main signal, The Wave would have had 0.1 more, and would have been tied with KOST. According to one programmer, the change could meant the difference between a financial bonus … or more likely not getting one … which is probably why it was done.

After going head to head for most of the past year, Power 106 (105.9 FM) pulled away from direct competitor KRRL - Real 92.3 FM, with a 3.2 share compared with Real’s 2.9. Likewise, KROQ (106.7 FM) pulled ahead of Alt 98.7, 2.8 to 2.3. Considering the lead Alt had for a long time, it is interesting to see the reversal. Add in the KROQ stream rating of 0.1 and the difference is more than a half point.

Speaking of KROQ, the rejuvenation of KROQ HD2 — the digital stream playing Roq of the Eighties on HD Radio — seems to be paying off. The HD2 earned a 0.1 share, the first time I’ve seen this in Los Angeles.

Go Country KKGO (105.1 FM) held stead with a 2.4 share — not bad for a format that can’t survive in los Angeles.

Poor KABC (790 AM). The originator of full-time talk programming in Los Angeles just cannot break out of the doldrums, and is being beaten by just about every talk station in town outside of the Communists at KPFK (90.7 FM). KFI (640 AM) was 6th at 3.7, KPCC (89.3 FM) was 16th at 2.5, KRLA (870 AM) was tied with sports-talk KLAC (570 AM) for 227th at 1.2, and KEIB (1150 AM) tied with sports talker KSPN (710 AM) for 32nd at 0.9. Where was KABC? Tied with regional Mexican music station KDLD (103.1 FM) for 41st at 0.4.

For its part, KPFK was tied with a group of others (including streams) at 47th with a 0.1 share of the listening audience.

The full story: Each rating is an estimate of the percentage of listeners aged 6 and over tuned to a station between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight.

1. KBIG (5.5) 2. KRTH (5.0) 3. KOST (4.7) 4. KTWV (4.6) 5. KIIS-FM (4.4) 6. KFI (3.7) 7. KCBS-FM, KLVE (3.6) 9. KPWR (3.2) 10. KXOL (3.1)

11. KNX (3.0) 12. KLOS, KRRL (2.9) 14. KROQ (2.8) 15. KRCD (2.6) 16. KPCC (2.5) 17. KBUE, KKGO, KLAX (2.4) 20. KAMP, KYSR (2.3)

22. KSCA (2.0) 23. KUSC (1.8) 24. KCRW, KDAY (1.5) 26. KXOS (1.3) 27. KLAC, KRLA, KSSE (1.2) 30. KJLH (1.1)

31. KLYY (1.1) 32. KEIB, KSPN (0.9) 34. KFSH, KFWB, KKJZ, KKLQ (0.8) 38. KKLA (0.7) 39. KWIZ, KYLA (0.6)

41. KABC, KDLD (0.4) 43. KIRN, KSUR, KTNQ, KWKW (0.3) 47. KAMP stream, KHJ, KPFK, KROQ HD2, KROQ Stream, KTWV Stream (0.1)

Contested contest

When is a contest not a contest? I would argue when it's Stay or Go on KLOS.

As a disclaimer, I have a personal stake in this item. Stay or Go is a segment on KLOS’ (95.5 FM) Frosty, Heidi and Frank morning show. It's an opportunity for local unsigned bands to get played on the air and critiqued by both the morning team and listeners. In addition to the on-air exposure, there's a chance to play at the show's Birthday Bash in October.

So here's where my role as a radio columnist and father collide: My son’s band, Divine Intervention, entered the contest, held weekly Fridays on the morning show. But in spite on-air announcements that the band with the highest Stay vs. Go rating would play the show’s annual Birthday Bash later this month, the bands chosen were both ranked below Divine Intervention and in one case below about several others as well.

I am told that programmer Keith Cunningham will make good. That would be nice. Every one of the bands involved is talented, and I’d hate to see a controversy like this overshadow the segment, which airs every Friday morning at 9 a.m. It's one of the best things on local radio.

Radio: October 12, 2018

Two weeks ago I wrote of Bob Goodman’s great Whole ‘Nuther Thing program on KCSN/KSBR’s (88.5 FM) HD2 signal. I used it as an example of programming you can find on the extra channels sent along with the main format of a station if you have an HD Radio tuner to pick up and decode those extra channels.

“I’m not sure why KCSN’s Sky Daniels hasn’t put it on the main signal for 88.5 FM,” I wrote, “but for now, it’s worth the trouble to find.”

Daniels — KCSN’s programmer — apparently read the column and thought the same thing. As of last weekend, Whole ‘Nuther Thing is available on the main signal of 88.5 FM, available on any FM tuner you own, every Sunday from 3:00-5:00 p.m., following Mimi Chen’s “Peace, Love & Sundays” show.

"I had been considering the move with Bob and your article closed the deal,” Daniels told me. Perhaps he’s stretching the truth, but I am running with it … I like to think that I had an influence on making Los Angeles radio just a little better. Makes the column worthwhile. But I digress.

Goodman told me that the program will continue to air in the 88.5 HD2 stream as well. “Both versions will have original content,” he explained, and the recordings will still be available as before on TuneIn, MixCloud, and podomatic.Com.

Shocking Talent Raid

That’s not the only new program on KCSN. Daniels announced that he was able to convince Gary Calamar to move down the dial from KCRW (89.9 FM) to host the Sunday 5-7 p.m. slot. Calamar had been with KCRW for 25 years.

“Gary established a singular reputation at KCRW (and as a music supervisor) with this keen sensibility curating a powerful blend of new artists with critically acclaimed legends, Daniels said through a press release and an email. “His instincts for melody make him a wonderful addition to the 88.5 FM staff.”

Calamar said he is excited to be a part of his new station with its passion for music. “I am also thrilled to work with Sky Daniels and share the airwaves with my former colleague Nic Harcourt and the amazing music people at 88.5 FM,” he added.

Coffee With Wink

It may be too late to get tickets, but Saturday, October 13th, longtime radio and television personality Wink Martindale will sit down for a couple hours with Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters President Shotgun Tom Kelly for coffee and a chat.

Martindale will talk about his long career including hosting television’s Tic Tac Dough, High Rollers, Gambit, and Trivial Pursuit; his radio shows on such stations as KHJ, KRLA, KGIL and the Station of the Stars: the original KMPC; his friendship with Elvis Presley; and much more. Rumor has it that he will even explain how he got the name Wink…

Martindale is genuinely one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and the program should be a good one. He’ll have on hand copies of his book, Winking at Life, which I hope to review here soon.

The coffee will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Avenue in Van Nuys. Tickets are $20 and include coffee and a danish; seating is limited to 50 people. For information, call the PPB at 323-461-2121.


Radio: October 5, 2018
KRTH (101.1 FM) got some good news last Thursday (9/27) when the members of the National Association of Broadcasters got together for their annual Marconi Radio Awards dinner gala in Orlando. The celebration for broadcasting excellence singled out the station as the Classic Hits Station of the Year.

Classic hits? Yes, as the term “oldies” has taken on a negative connotation in the radio world even though the entire non-broadcast world still calls the music they play “oldies.” Purists of course say that oldies has to come from the 1950s, ‘60s, or perhaps even ‘70s … and of course KRTH plays music from as recently as the ‘90s.

But consider: KRTH in 1972 played music only as old as 1955, or a maximum of 17 years old. Today, 17 years ago would be 2001. Kind of makes you feel old, doesn’t it? That movement of music into the 1980s and (gasp!) 1990s on the KRTH playlist has allowed the station to remain relevant as well as extremely popular. Indeed, KRTH has been toward the top of the ratings for years.

New Face

That's not all the KRTH news … local boy Kevin Schatz - formerly heard on sister station Amp Radio (97.1 FM) - has moved down the hall to handle weekends at the classic rock station. He can be heard Saturdays from 6 - 11 p.m. and Sundays 3 - 8 p.m.

Schatz is a South Bay native who has been working at the Entercom - formerly CBS - cluster of stations for a few years. Previous experience includes background work at KROQ (106.7 FM) as well as his on-air work at Amp.

“It’s surreal to join a station as historic and beloved as this one, Schatz wrote on his Facebook page. “K-Earth is the first station I can remember listening to as a kid; my mom always had it on when she drove me and my siblings to school in the morning. It was also the favorite station of my late Uncle George who I know would’ve been beyond thrilled for me.”

PPB Luncheon

Patrick Duffy will be the guest of honor at the next Pacific Pioneer Broadcaster Luncheon October 5 at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City. On the dais will be Linda Gray, Suzanne Summers, James Duff, Conor Duffy, Pedraic Duffy, Mike Robin and Bill Bickley.

None of those are radio guys, of course. Patrick Duffy is best known for his portrayal of Bobby Ewing on the popular 1980s CBS television program Dallas. What makes this luncheon special is that it marks the first luncheon under the direction of new PPB president Shotgun Tom Kelly.

Kelly is radio. He was heard locally on KRTH (what … is this KRTH Day?) for over 20 years, spent much of his career in San Diego at legendary stations such as KCBQ, KGB and B-100, and is currently hosting afternoons (3 - 7 p.m.) on SiriusXM satellite radio’s Sixties on Six, Channel 6. He knows radio’s history and is personal friends with numerous personalities and managers. Consider him a walking radio encyclopedia.

“We’re making a lot of changes,” Kelly told me about the luncheons. I want the program to move faster and put increased focus on the guests of honor.” This will be a good year.

Have ten years experience in the broadcasting industry (radio, television, or an allied field)? You should join. Hey, they let me in due to this very column and of course my extensive on-air experience at UCLA’s campus station, KLA … as well as the amazing announcing I do in my car. 47 new members joined the PPB as Summer began.