Radio Waves Podcast #292

 Radio: April 2, 2021

It’s been a while since I wrote about (Ted) Stryker and (Kevin) Klein, who made a name for themselves working together in the afternoon on KROQ (106.7 FM) only to be thrown into the hyper-competitive morning slot … replacing the remnants of the Kevin and Bean Show that ran for over a quarter century.

Not only were they replacing a legendary show, though an injured version since Gene “Bean” Baxter had left Kevin Ryder to do it alone until he and the rest of the team was let go. They also had to launch the morning version of the show during a pandemic in which they had to do it from their individual homes in individual studios - hardly the easiest way to get a vibe going.

The early days of Stryker and Klein mornings were not good. In spite of having a chemistry built up over time in the afternoon, the combined pressure of mornings and the challenges of the pandemic made for a show that sounded overly rehearsed. For all I know it was rehearsed with segments pre-recorded. But over time, they have settled into once again being the great team they are.

The chemistry between the two is perfect. They sound like — and I assume are — good friends. In fact, listening to them is like listening to your own friends talk. Crude? No. Well, usually no. Fun? Yes. And with music thrown in as well.

How does it differ from Alt 98.7 FM’s Woody Show? Much like the days when Kevin and Bean on KROQ were compared with Mark and Brian on KLOS (95.5 FM) , they are very similar. Perhaps fewer regular bits. Slightly different music. Both are tremendously entertaining, and choosing the best can perhaps best be decided by the topics of conversation for the day.

Not that everything is perfect. One bit they do run weekly (Fridays)  is The Stryker Awards, in which they highlight the bloopers of the week as made by the team. What should be one of the best bits of the show turns out to be as grating as fingernails on a chalkboard due to a sound bite played about 100 times too often, ending with “Strikeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.” It is an absolute tune-out; the program director truly should destroy the recording and forbid it from ever being played on the station again. It is that annoying. That awful. And it plays about every five seconds during the segment.

That being said, outside of the segment that should be good, it’s among the best morning shows in town right now, one that for the most part you wouldn’t mind your kids overhearing. Give it a shot.

Speaking of KROQ

I want your opinion. For years, I have railed against long commercial breaks. My thinking is that long sets of commercials are a huge tune-out, running long sets lowers the value to advertisers as their ads are lost in a cluster, and if done right, short breaks with well-produced ads won’t (necessarily) be a tune-out. As commercials get more notice, ad rates can go up, bringing in more revenue due to the ads being more effective. Essentially, a win-win-win for the station, advertisers and listeners alike.

KROQ is basically trying my plan. Commercial breaks are no more than two minutes (still 30 seconds to one minute longer than my ideal, but better than the 5-7 minutes often run elsewhere). But one observer told me that the two-minute promise, as it is called, is actually hurting the station.

Why? People are just used to long breaks, so they tune out as soon as ads start. Essentially, listeners need to be retrained, and KROQ is wasting valuable air time promoting the commercial promise rather than other elements of the station: music, personalities, whatever.

While they may be using too much time promoting the promise (you could go with a simple announcement like “now up to 56 minutes of music an hour” or “back to the music faster” as done by stations of the past) but I still believe the idea to be sound. When I listen to KROQ lately, I am not included to hit the button any more … by the time I think of it, the break is over.

What do you think? Do you like longer breaks allowing for more uninterrupted music sets, or are 15-minute music sets with just two minutes of commercials better? Let me know … good thoughts will appear here.

King Concert

Online mellow rocker KNXFM93.com — available on-line or via smart speakers and phone apps — is featuring another in its continuing series of concerts as originally heard on the old KNX-FM (now Jack-FM).

This time it’s Carole King and friends “recorded live over space and time.” According to the station announcement, “you’ll hear Carole in her prime doing many of her classic songs … just like a front row seat.” It will air on the internet station Saturday, April 10th at 5 p.m. and repeat on Sunday, April 11 at 12 noon. For more information, visit the station website.

Radio Waves Podcast #291

 Radio: March 26, 2021

Is it fair to compare podcasting with broadcast radio? In a word, no. The two are totally different animals, with broadcasting by definition attempting to reach a broad audience and the podcast designed to appeal — at least as is usually done currently — to a very narrow, specialized audience.

There are exceptions, and sometimes the lines do blur. Ben Shapiro’s radio show heard from 3-5 p.m. on KABC (790 AM)? That’s actually a rebroadcast of his podcast you can hear every morning on line. And that is but one example.

But in general, as radio has abandoned much of its local focus, and with so many stations not even running public affairs programming at all any more, podcasting has come in to fill the gap.

You can listen to podcasts produced by Trader Joes, talking about products the store carries. Mike Stark and I do a weekly podcast talking about radio, usually promoting this very column. There are podcasts about music, concerts, business … just about anything.

Paul Roberts saw the potential of podcasting years ago. Struck by the fact that Orange County no longer has a local mass appeal radio station, he launched OC Talk Radio in 2010, available at octalkradio.biz.

At its launch, it was basically an experiment in a new form of media. Indeed, the term podcasting had only been in use for about six years, and podcasts were often far from professional. Roberts wanted to change that, and he realized that he could provide — via his network — a voice for Orange County.

He calls it a community radio station, though it is not “on” the radio. Or at least regular radio. But many feel the future of radio is on the internet, and podcasting may drive the move. More on that a little later.

Unlike other podcast distributors, not only does OC Talk Radio stream programming on demand, but Tuesdays through Fridays the online station broadcasts programming live from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Shows range from business, to religion to Women in Electronics. And everything in between and around, such as Impact OC, hosted by Dawn Kamber, which highlights people, businesses and organizations making a positive impact on the County.

In some ways it is like the very early days of radio in which programs were sponsored by individuals or companies trying to promote their ideas or products. You can hear the programs online at the website, or through such apps and services as iTunes, and you can subscribe so that you’re notified when a new show you’re interested in becomes available.

Check it out and tell me what you think.

The Next Limbaugh

He’s not really a replacement, as you can’t truly find a new host for The Rush Limbaugh Show. But with stations facing a hole in programming following Limbaugh’s death last month, and his former distributor lacking a clear plan moving forward, the rush is on, so to speak, to find programming that will fill the void.

With that in mind, podcaster and Fox News contributor Dan Bongino, who’s podcast has been carried on KABC (790 AM) from 5-6 p.m. weekdays, has been selected to host a show in Limbaugh;s time slot of 9 a.m. to 12 noon weekdays. 

To be clear, the program is not a replacement for Limbaugh’s. It’s actually a competing show designed to strike while opportunity is knocking. It will launch on May 24th, and will be carried in a handful of markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington D.C.

In Los Angeles, the good money is that it will be carried on KABC, seeing that the show is being distributed by Westwood One … which is owned by Cumulus Media, the same company that owns KABC.

In the meantime, Limbaugh’s show is still airing with guest hosts and “best of” recordings of “Rushbo” himself. This will continue while distributor Premiere Networks figures out a plan.

Online Rocks

I mentioned earlier that some people think online radio may just be the future of radio. And they may be right. Considering that it is almost impossible to find new rock music on the local airwaves, I’ve been using my iPhone and my HomePod to listen to various stations such as Rock 108 out of Waterloo, Iowa. It’s an Active Rock station not limited to a particular genre, and to my ears quite good.

I’ve mentioned this station before … it is among my favorites. I seem to always catch the Hard Drive XL show as I walk at night, which I find well worth the listen. I’m not sure how they do it, but ads heard in the stream include at least one local business based in Torrance, California.

Anyway, as apps and smart speakers get easier and easier to use, it is very possible that radio will indeed make its way onto the internet. And not just as a repeat of the broadcast radio signal. Is it possible that upcoming technologies will allow internet radio to reach the same potential audience as a standard broadcast? Meaning millions of potential listeners, not just a few thousand as currently thought?

I posed that question to master radio and audio engineer Greg Ogonowski, said to be the guy who could make an AM signal sound as good as FM and the man behind the fantastic app Streams HiFi Audio, perhaps the best-sounding streaming audio app in existence. He said it is indeed possible, And not in the future … now. New programs and standards are already in place that would allow this, and I’ll have full details in a future column. Stay tuned.

Radio Waves Podcast #290

 Radio: March 19, 2021

Several local radio stations were big winners in the annual Golden Mike competition, presented by the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California. This includes Best Newscast awards for KNX (1070 AM) and KFI (640 AM), with the former winning in the category for newscasts over 15 Minutes in length, and the latter winning the award for newscasts under 15 Minutes.

But that’s not all for the two popular stations. KNX also won in the categories of Best Traffic Report, Best Live Coverage of a News Story (Division A), Best Business and Consumer Reporting, KFI, meanwhile, won for Best Continuing News Coverage, Best Documentary, Best News Reporting (Division A), Best Light Feature Reporting (Less than One Minute), Best News Special, Best Internet News Reporting, and Best Podcast.

KLAC (570 AM) took two awards in Best Sports Segment and Best Sports Reporting; KCRW (89.9 FM) claimed two in Best Hard News Series Reporting and Best Use of Sound (Division A); KPCC (89.3 FM) also won two in Best News Public Affairs Program and Best Government and Political Reporting (Division A).

KCLU (88.3 FM) in Thousand Oaks took three awards: Best Live Coverage of a News Story (Division B) , Best News Reporting (Division B), Best Light Feature Reporting (One Minute or Longer), Best Entertainment Reporting, Best Government and Political Reporting (Division B), and Best Use of Sound (Division B).

The two divisions, A and B, relate to the size of the station, with Division B referring to stations or podcasts with five or fewer full-time news staff members.

The category of Best Medical and Science Reporting (Division A) was won by a podcast, inewsource.

Golden Mikes are the longest-running broadcast news awards in the country, and are quite distinguished as judges include some of the top journalists in the country. Due to the pandemic, the awards were presented in a live-stream show on March 13th; you can watch the presentation ceremony and get more information on the awards and categories by visiting RTNA.org.

Helping Hand

KLOS (95.5 FM) and the station’s loyal listeners united to raise money benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital during a two-day on-air radiation held March 11th and 12th. In its 4th Annual St. Jude Rocks radiation, the station raised more than $880,000.

The two-day radio broadcast featured the participation of rock celebrities like Gene Simmons, Metallica, Dirty Honey and Daughtry. Sister stations to KLOS even got involved, with  Power 106 FM, KDAY (93.5 FM), and the new KALI (93.9 FM) rallying their listeners for the radiothon.

“Everyone stepped up in a huge way,” KLOS programmer Keith Cunningham told me, including the entire Meruelo Media stations in Los Angeles. Personalities encouraged fans to make a monthly commitment to St. Jude as a Partner in Hope to receive a “We Won’t Stop” t-shirt, a custom KLOS “St. Jude Rocks” t-shirt, and then snap photos wearing them using #StJudeWontStop on social media. 

Still At It

For over 30 years, Royal Oakes has provided commentary on America's most talked about legal cases to national and local broadcast media. He's appeared nationally on the syndicated programs "Inside Edition," "Extra" and "Access Hollywood." He’s also served as Legal Analyst for Los Angeles television station KNBC Channel 4, KABC (790 AM) and KFWB  (980 AM) All-News Radio. As an ABC News Legal Analyst, he contributes to network radio news broadcasts, and to ABC's Good Morning America.

Now he’s doing a new feature, and can be heard on affiliates to Benztown, a radio imaging and production company. Called "It's the Law," the one-minute short form feature provides Oakes' topical daily legal analysis and insights about laws -- controversial and otherwise -- that affect Americans. The feature presents Oakes' legal analysis and updates in an information-packed format, and is available to all Benztown News Library users for airing Monday through Friday.

This new segment is in addition to his work with “Bunker Diaries,” a 60-second spot airing locally on KABC, as well as KOMO/Seattle and KTRS/St. Louis. “It’s a labor of love,” Oakes told me “It takes me back to the 20-year run I had on KFWB with the one-minute spot, “KFWB Legal Adviser.”

Oakes is a Capital Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Los Angeles.

Radio Waves Podcast #289

 Radio: March 12, 2021

Remember when KLSX (now KAMP, 97.1 FM) was running a talk format? AKA The FM Talk Station? Well, it’s back …kind of…

Coming to you via the magic of digital HD Radio on KLOS (95.5 FM) HD2, various phone apps, smart speakers and online at KLOS2.com is … KLOS-2, Southern California’s Talk Station.

KLOS programmer Keith Cunningham broke the news last week, though he is not the programmer of this new venture. Instead, Frank Kramer of Heidi and Frank fame will run the talk station. Kramer will continue to wake KLOS listeners along with Heidi Hamilton on the main channel, while curating and cultivating talent for the talk channel.

At its launch March 4th, the new talk station is nothing more than a 24-hour Best Of Heidi and Frank station. But Cunningham explained that this is only the beginning. “Frank has big plans for the the station, and in he next few months new programming will be added,” he told me.

In a press release, Kramer confirmed by explaining, “The 24-hour loop (of Heidi and Frank) is just phase one. In the coming months my team and I will be adding original programming, special features and even more surprises. KLOS-2 will ultimately become a full-fledged talk radio station, courting new advertisers and personalities.” 

His team? Yes, didn’t you know? Kramer is the man behind Toad Hop Entertainment, which is the parent company of the Toad Hop Podcast network. Kramer had launched it after KLSX dropped the talk format in 2009, allowing the Heidi and Frank show to continue as a podcast itself until being picked up by KLOS shortly later. I would assume that podcasts could easily become program material as the station evolves.

In a sense, having Heidi and Frank 24-hours per day is a smart launch. It brings in dedicated listeners who may be willing to listen to other hosts as they are added. And it keeps costs down until the programs find their grooves.

Will it be successful? Don’t be silly… KLSX wasn’t even successful as a talk station. You think a station that can only be heard on a special radio, an app or online will do better? But this misses the point.

But that misses the point. In the end, it doesn’t have to be successful in the traditional sense. KLOS is already sending the signal out anyway … running the extra HD channel costs essentially nothing, and the online streams are not that expensive either; in total it is far less money-wise than a full-power standalone station. If it can just cover the costs, and potentially bring in new listeners (and maybe sell a few HD Radios along the way), it’s done its job.

I commend KLOS owner Meruelo Media for giving this a shot, and I wish Kramer the best in getting compelling content on the air. Outside of Saul Levine — owner of Go Country 105 and his various HD signals —  this is one of the very few cases  locally of trying to really market and sell HD Radio.

I wonder who will be the first new host to join?

Engineered Problems

Jerry Del Colliano reported in his Inside Music Media column last week that just three days after iHeart Radio’s nationwide cutback of engineers, eight stations went off the air.

It happened in the Savannah-Hilton area of Georgia, where two AM stations, four FMs and two translators  — all in the same head studio complex — were cut off for over two hours due to the failure of a universal supply. Engineers from a neighboring area were sent to repair the UPC … from 700 miles away.

iHeart — owner of eight stations locally including KFI (640 AM), KIIS-FM (102.7), KOST (103.5 FM) and My FM (104.3) cut the engineers after running out of other things to cut. They already cut talent, advertising executives, promotions, and more. The fact that they cannot even afford engineers seems to indicate they are unfit to own even one station, let alone the 860 that it does. It is time to put iHeart, and the other large group owners, out of their misery. 

As documented here and elsewhere, the large group model has been a failure in all measures. It is long past the time for Congress and the FCC to break up these groups and limit ownership to a more reasonable 50 stations nationwide. Competition will bring creativity and listeners back. And I can’t wait to read how the corporate-radio apologists will spin this one.

What happens in Vegas…

The economic downturn has hurt radio badly. In Las Vegas one station is actually going off the air “for a few months,” according to AllAccess.Com.  KJUL-FM turned off the transmitter and ceased streaming online at 12 midnight this past Sunday/Monday.  General Manager Scott Gentry says they will be back once the economy rebounds.

Radio Waves Podcast #288

Radio: March 5, 2021

It’s not happening locally — yet — but there is something happening to radio that could benefit both stations and listeners: more music on the AM band. And it’s from an unlikely source: FM.

Confused? I understand. Let me explain. As part of a dubiously-named AM Revitalization Effort launched by the Federal Communications Commission back in 2015, owners of AM stations were given an opportunity to apply for an FM translator license.  An FM translator is a low-powered FM transmitter that is required to carry the programming of the connected AM radio station.

How that helps AM I will never know. If anything, it would seem to give people even less reason to tune in to AM if they can hear the same programming on FM. Besides, the low power of the translators limits the coverage area, so essentially only a relative few listeners benefit. I do know the original plan was that the translators would fill a void in coverage area that the AM signal had trouble reaching.

There are a few translators locally, including one for KRDC (1110 AM) that sends the signal into Beaumont and Arcadia using 250 watts on 99.1 FM. K-Mozart has one as well, covering part of the San Fernando Valley with 100 watts. But none of them seems to really make a dent in listenership numbers. Part of the problem is that the FM band in Los Angeles is already crowded, and our weather and geography allows signals from other areas to enter as well. Both 98.1 and 99.1 are strong signals that basically make the translators impotent.

But outside of  Los Angeles — indeed outside of big cities where the FM band is less crowded — having a translator with even as few as 100 watts can catch quite a decent potential audience. And that is where the action is … just not in the way intended by the FCC, if indeed there was any real intent by the FCC.

What is happening, in cities like Merced, California and others nationwide, is AM owners using the FM translator to run innovative music formats. But due to the required simulcast, it automatically puts the signal on AM as well. Thus, when people in such cities scan the band, instead of hearing the same stale political talk, sports, or syndicated fare, they hear Active Rock (KBRE/Merced). Or Hip-Hop (KGA/Spokane, Washington). Or alternative rock (WGMP/Montgomery, Alabama).

Often the stations make little mention of the AM signal, which is unfortunate and frankly, stupid on the part of owners. The translator has just a fraction of the power of the AM signal, and if you hook listeners they will listen on AM if the FM drops out. But I digress.

Add those to the list of stations that never gave up on music (KCJJ/Iowa City, Iowa; WION/Ionia, Michigan and our own K-Mozart as but some examples) and the future of AM radio gets just a little brighter.

For it is music, and particularly music formats that attract an audience that is currently underserved — those who can’t get their music anywhere else on the dial — that will bring people back to the band. And back to radio. Done right, and it will attract kids and young adults, who have shunned radio totally for the past decade.

So if the FCC’s plan accidentally saves AM? I’m OK with that. If these stations can succeed in even just a small way, it opens the window to do what I’ve been preaching for years. My message to owners: just do it. What have you got to lose?

Strange Days

It is well known that Rush Limbaugh got his start in radio playing top-40 music. Did you know that Larry King wanted to do stand up comedy? And apparently actually did in his pre-radio days?

When he was honored a few years ago by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters (Now known as the Hollywood Media Professionals), I am told, he had the crowd rolling. After he retired, he had planned to start a traveling comedy group. That never got going, but it got me thinking - if he did any stand-up shows in his younger days, perhaps there are recordings of it as well. So my new search is to find early comedy routines from Larry King. Know of any? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Grammy Channel

SiriusXM satellite radio is launching the Grammy Channel in anticipation of this year’s Grammy Awards. Starting at 12 noon on March 2nd and running through my 29th anniversary (and Grammy Awards night) on March 14th, Channel 104 will present music from all of the Grammy nominees as well as interviews with the performers and special behind the scenes information.