Radio Waves Podcast #162

Radio: Feb 24, 2017

Entercom and The Sound have agreed to a “multi-year” contract extension for legendary mid-day personality “Uncle” Joe Benson, meaning that Benson -- and for that matter The Sound itself -- will hopefully be around for a long time to come.

Benson “is the best known and most loved classic rock DJ in Los Angeles, said Sound programmer Dave Beasing. “He’s literally written the book on classic rock and he’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”

He really has written the book ... Uncle Joe’s Record Guides are a series of informative books covering everything from The Beatles to The Who, and more. He is also an avid amateur race car driver and as the voice of NASCAR at the Auto Club Speedway in Pomona is an announcer for every motorsports event in Southern California.

With Entercom merging with CBS Radio in the near future and the combined company being one over the local FM station ownership limit, The Sound is potentially vulnerable to be sold off once the merger is complete. I asked Beasing if this agreement means he and The Sound will be hanging around. “Probably a good sign,” he quipped, though in reality I am sure no one really knows yet. Heck, with the new FCC the chances are ownership limits will be repealed.

Regardless, it’s nice to know that a good guy is getting treated well. Since he arrived in town back in 1980, Benson has indeed proven himself an expert on music and really is one of the nicest guys in radio.

Moore March Madness

Kip Moore has been chosen as the guest host of Go Country (KKGO, 105.1 FM) mid-days for the month of March. His on-air gig starts Monday and runs through March 24th.

The MCA Nashville and multi-platinum recording artist will share personal stories and give his perspective on country music as he plays the hits weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Don’t live locally? Go Country has you covered. Just go to gocountry105.com or use the Go Country 105 mobile phone app; the station streams its on-air signal live.

Little Bit of Heaven

It was 30 years ago this month -- Valentine’s Day -- when the legendary KMET (now KTWV, 94.7 FM) ceased to exist, becoming at the time the radio equivalent of a lava lamp ... also known as The Wave. And while Valentine’s Day was the day of the change, the air staff had been fired the week prior.

What went wrong? Success. KMET became a force when programmer Sam Bellamy put together a staff of great jocks ... and supported them in their craft. Success led to management feeling they could do it even better, forcing Bellamy out and leading to a revolving door of programmers who didn’t understand the magic of the station. Some DJs will also admit that they missed the boat on some new music just as KROQ (106.7 FM) was gaining traction.

The Mighty Met has been remembered recently in numerous Facebook postings; I still believe the format -- playing current music -- would work today. There are so many good local band not being played on the radio that could drive a resurgence of rock radio ... if only given the chance.

Waggy Nominations

In preparation for the upcoming radio achievement awards, also known as The Waggies, I am accepting nominations for anything in any category ... once all are in, I’ll compile the list based upon my opinion and your input. So far, open nominations include:

• Best AM station: KNX

• Best FM station: KOST

• Best morning show: Kevin and Bean, KROQ

• Best morning show: The Woody Show, Alt 98.7

• Best morning show: McIntyre in the Morning, KABC

• Best afternoon show: The Drive Home, KABC

• Best newscaster: Terri-Rae Elmer

What are your thoughts? Send them in today. Email and traditional US Mail are equally accepted!

Feb.7

CBS Trademarks and Entercom

A side-effect of the merger of CBS’ radio division with Entercom, reported here last week, is licensing, considering that CBS plans to keep it’s television division in-house. Namely: what happens to the CBS Radio name and the stations once owned by CBS that carried the CBS name in some way?

Turns out its already been settled. According to Inside Radio (InsideRadio.Com), the terms of the deal spell out “in explicit detail” what will happen with the “CBS Brands,” meaning everything related to the famous eye to the names of stations and programming suppliers themselves. Anything related to trademarks and CBS-centric broadcasting as a whole.

Considering the detail involved, it would appear that this deal has been in the making longer than one would realize.

Here are the basics: The merged company will be called Entercom. Entercom can continue to use some of the CBS brands for a limited time after the date of the merger. CBS Radio, Inc is good for one year, upon which the division that launched CBS as a broadcast company will cease to exist. CBS Sports Radio can be used for the sports radio network until December 31, 2020.

Stations that use the CBS letters in the callsigns – KCBS-FM here in Los Angeles, KCBS in San Francisco and WCBS and WCBS-FM in New York can keep using the identities for the next 20 years.

Radio stations that share common call letters with CBS television stations in various markets will be allowed to keep the calls “perpetually,” according to Inside Radio and other sources. This would include legendary call letters such as KDKA/Pittsburgh, WBBM/Chicago, KYW/Philadelphia, WWJ/Detroit, WBZ/Boston, WCCO/Minneapolis, and WJZ/Baltimore; these stations harken back to the earliest days of radio broadcasting.

Interestingly, the KCBS-FM calls are considered “storied” by some reports; I would argue that longtime Angelenos would more likely consider KNX and KNX-FM to be the storied calls. No one outside of the CBS executive tower ever gave a hoot about using CBS in the call-signs here. Now KNX? There you have something. KNX, by the way, will be allowed to stay forever since it is not tied with any CBS branding or common television call letters. In fact, if I were involved with Entercom, due to the fact that I live in the past I would change KCBS-FM back to KNX-FM.

Now on to the Eye … there is no way CBS will allow that to stay with stations not owned by the remaining CBS corporation. That iconic graphic is so associated with CBS that it may be among the most recognized logos ever produced. Entercom thus has 12 months from the closing of the merger to totally remove the famous eye “from all goods, services, and materials in the Licensee’s possession or control.”

Truly the end of a broadcasting era.

Tweeden Joins McIntyre

Don Barret reports on LARadio.Com (retired? Sure…) that Leeann Tweeden is joining Doug McIntyre on KABC(790 AM) as news anchor, replacing Terri Rae Elmer who was recently let go. Her local experience includes co-hosting LA Today with Fred Roggin on KLAC (570 AM) and co-anchoring Good Day L.A.; national experience includes co-hosting duties on UFC Tonight and being a part of  FSN’s The Best Damn Sports Show Period. She also does social and political commentating on various television and cable programs.

Accepting Nominations

Awards shows are all over television right now; let’s take some time to recognize radio. I am now accepting nominations for your favorite stations and shows; send a note via email or US Mail and let me know what you consider the best of local radio. I’ll compile and we’ll set up time for a future awards column, The Waggies.

Radio: February 10, 2017

Just when you thought things were looking up -- Cumulus Media stock price sinking like the Titanic, both Cumulus and iHeart laden with so much debt that bankruptcy is all but inevitable, and CBS unable to figure out a way to sell its group of stations -- the bottom fell out.

Instead of getting closer to breaking up radio monopolies and returning radio to smaller owners who want to compete and create, we are getting another mega-group.

CBS announced last week that it will merge its 117 radio station group with Entercom’s 127 in a special tax-free deal, creating another huge group of 244 stations, far less than iHeart’s 850 or Cumulus’ 460 but still another too-large effective monopoly. This can’t be good.

The problem is that as the companies have gotten larger, they have been far less successful financially as the lack of innovation has driven active listeners away in droves. While CBS was once known as a well-run company, that descriptor was lost over the past two years as it, like its competitors did prior, cut costs instead of innovating programming. I can see little positive with combining it with Entercom, at least at the outset.

Radio needs smaller ownership limits and smaller companies, not larger. The current model never brought promised efficiencies, so instead of trying to grow revenue, managers cut costs. Promotions, programming, anything that would attract listeners and make them active, loyal participants in the station’s identity was lost. Today over much of the FM band, stale formatting has led to radio becoming a background entertainment service. Much like the Muzak service once heard in department stores years ago. Ad revenue has declined as much as 40 percent over the past decade.

And AM is even worse, with so little reason to listen, one ownership group is actively investigating the idea shutting the entire band down for good.

The one thing that the deal has going for it is that many consider Entercom a decent company that may -- if it still allows its local managers to actually do their jobs -- continue to be well-run. Entercom will control the operations of the merged company, and the deal doesn’t encumber the company with the huge debt load that is facing iHeart and Cumulus. Perhaps now that CBS station group isn’t trying to look good to a potential buyer, constant cuts as seen at the company over the past two years can cease. I don’t believe it, but it is a possibility.

Local Effect

The merger will put a few markets where the companies overlap in a position of being over the current ownership limits. In Los Angeles, Entercom owns only once station: KSWD The Sound (100.3 FM), but CBS owns KROQ (106.7 FM), KRTH (101.1 FM), KAMP (98.7 FM), KTWV (94.7 FM), KCBS-FM (Jack, 93.1), and KNX (1070 AM) along with television stations KCBS-TV Channel 2 and KCAL-TV Channel 9.

This puts the new Entercom one over the local ownership limit of five total FMs. Which one would go? Tough call, as the company has to consider revenue, costs, signal strength and more. KROQ has the worst signal even if it brings in tons of revenue. One thought has KROQ moving to another frequency.

But your favorite station may be in jeopardy not only due to the required selloff, Entercom may actually be stupid enough to put an all-sports format such as the horrible CBS-Sports once heard on KFWB (980 AM) on a local FM. They’ve done similar moves in other cities.

All sports is bad enough: sports talk in Los Angeles has never even come close to earning what one might consider respectable ratings ... and it is one reason for the mass exodus of AM radio listeners to FM. But CBS Sportsradio is the bottom of the barrel, and the idea of putting it on an L.A. FM is being thrown around by industry observers. Yet even just carrying Rams football lowered ratings on The Sound, so perhaps common sense will prevail.

Even so, up to two of your favorite stations may be in jeopardy as this moves forward. RadioInsight.Com mentioned a possible swap involving The Sound to Cumulus, owner of KLOS (95.5 FM) ... effectively removing KLOS’ main (and usually higher-rated) competitor. Other observers say that The Wave is vulnerable, as it is reportedly the lowest revenue-generating station of  the CBS cluster. In the end, anything can happen as the company balances revenue, costs, and sale profits.

As I said from the start of this column, this merger can’t be good, at least for listeners

I’ll reverse myself if Bonneville takes back ownership of The Sound. One of the best companies in the industry, Bonneville owned The Sound until a swap two years ago put it under the Entercom brand.

Radio Waves Podcast #161

Radio February 3, 2017

In what is the strangest ratings period of the year due to changes in listening habits brought on by the holiday season, KOST (103.5 FM) once again dominated the City of Angels, coming in with a 10.7 share of the audience ... more than twice the 4.7 ratings share earned by KBIG (104.3 FM) and KTWV (94.7 FM) which tied for second. Right behind was KIIS (102.7 FM) with 4.6; rounding out the top-5 was KRTH (101.1 FM) with 4.1.

The holidays have been good to KOST for many years. The station started playing holiday music during the season years ago and is now known as the place to hear holiday tunes. This year country formatted KKGO (105.1 FM) got into the fray and, while not nearly as high as KOST, managed to earn its highest rating in at least six months: 2.8. 

Indeed, Go Country may have hurt KOST’s holiday party just a bit ... last year KOST had a 12.3 rating -- still more than twice the 4.7 KBIG had during the holiday, 2015 ratings period. A 1.6 drop from 2015 is significant.

The season was not as kind to a few local stations. Alt 98.7 (KYSR) was down just slightly more than half a point to 2.8 from a 3.4 share the month before. The Sound (KSWD 100.3 FM) moved below a 2 share to 1.9 from 2.2 (and 2.4 the month prior). KLOS (95.5 FM) even declined slightly to 2.0 from 2.2. 

But while I am sure the staffers are disappointed, there is little reason to worry ... one month does not make a trend, and as I said before, the weeks leading up to Christmas make for ratings anomalies that don’t necessarily carry over to the rest of the year. In the case of The Sound, they are done with the holidays and the Rams, so things should be looking up.

Old news: KFI (640 AM) dominated talk. Seems like I’ve written that for most of the past 30 years. 20 at least. This time KFI was in 10th place overall with a 3.1 share; the next highest AM station was as usual, KNX (1070 AM) in a two-way tie with Power 106 (KPWR) for 15th and a 2.7 share. KFI’s closest competitor? KPCC (89.3 FM) tied for 24th with KBUE and KLYY with a 1.5 rating. Closest commercial competitor? KRLA (870 AM) at 33rd with a 0.8 share, or KABC (790 AM) a couple slots below at 0.6.

And even though they don’t care about ratings directly, being a listener-funded station, it’s still fun to type the legendary call-letters KHJ (930 AM), which earned a 0.2 share ... low, but still on the list.

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, as determined by Nielsen:

1. KOST (10.7) 2. KBIG, KTWV (4.7) 4. KIIS (4.6) 5. KRTH (4.1) 6. KLVE (3.6) 7. KCBS-FM (Jack), KRCD, KSCA (3.2) 10. KFI (3.1)

11. KAMP, KRRL (2.9) 13. KKGO, KYSR (2.8) 15. KNX, KPWR (2.7) 17. KLAX, KXOS (2.1) 19. KLOS (2.0) 20. KJLH, KSWD (1.9)

22. KROQ, KXOL (1.8) 24. KBUE, KLYY, KPCC (1.5) 27. KDAY (1.4) 28. KCRW (1.3) 29. KUSC (1.2) 30. KSPN, KSSE, KWIZ (1.0)

33. KRLA (0.8) 34. KFSH, KLAC (0.7) 36. KABC, KEIB, KKJZ (0.6) 39. KTNQ, KWKW (0.4) 41. KFWB (0.3) 42. KHJ (0.2) 43. KKLA, KLAA (0.1)

Radio Waves Podcast #160

Radio: January 27, 2017

Simon Sinek is an author, motivational speaker and a business/marketing consultant. In an interview from an episode of Inside Quest (InsideQuest.Com), Sinek spoke of “Millennials” -- those born roughly after 1984 -- and their attitudes toward life and work.

Part of the interview got into technology, specifically cell phones. The short version (which I think applies to people from other generations just as much as Millennials): some people get addicted to their cell phones and social media. “Engagement in social media and our cell phones releases a chemical called dopamine,” he explained. It feels good when you get a text, when you get a “like” ... and when you get those you get a hit of dopamine ... “the same chemical that makes us feel good when we smoke, when we drink, and when we gamble.”

“It’s highly, highly addictive,” he said.

What does this have to do with radio? In my case it explains why I so much enjoy hearing old radio airchecks, such as found on ReelRadio.Com, Airchexx.com and more, as well as my general love of all things radio.

When I was young, my Aunt Ina gave me a 10-transistor Realtone radio. I was hooked. Through the years I collected, repaired -- and listened -- to many different radios. Most of them in the early days AM, through which I listened to the powerhouse top-40 stations and competitors KHJ (930 AM), KRLA (now KDIS, 1110 AM), KCBQ/San Diego (1170 AM), KEZY (now KGBN, 1190 AM) and KFI (640 AM). 

I took an old Citation III tuner out of my brother’s closet and connected it to a guitar amplifier so I could hear KKDJ (now KIIS-FM, 102.7), K-100 (now KSWD, 100.3 FM) and B-100 (KFMB-FM/ San Diego, 100.7 FM). I would listen to the top-10 on KCBQ and post it to the chalkboard in my garage.

Through the years and stations I formed a bond with stations and personalities. I truly think this was my dopamine source growing up. When I first heard the “jock logos” -- jingles that sang the DJ’s name -- when  K-WEST went to top-40 in 1981, I was on a high the entire night while working at the local Sears catalog surplus store in San Pedro.

Radio was my life and it still is, which is why this column exists. I still listen to radio more than any other entertainment source ... I wonder if any stations or personalities today elicit the same response to kids growing up as they did to me? Thoughts?

More Ratings Problems

The Portable People Meter (PPM) from Nielsen sounds like an amazing way to collect ratings data. At least on paper. Have stations send a signal that can be decoded by an electronic box worn by those chosen to help determine the popularity of various radio stations. Automatic listening determination. Much better than the old system of relying on memory ... in which those elected to represent various demographics write down in a diary the stations and times they listened during the week.

Or is it actually better? There are already known problems: problems with decoding the electronic signal during quiet passages or spoken voice (talk) programming, problems decoding in noisy environments such as when a PPM holder is in a car with the windows down, too much credit if the PPM holder is in a business playing a station as background music, and problems with connections to the data collection system that rendered the ratings for December all but useless.

Now another problem is cropping up: headphones. Listen to radio with headphones? Then the PPM box cannot hear the signal at all so no ratings credit is given.

Jacobs Media reported on this recently, noting that the “headphone problem is glaring - yet ignored.” Jacobs claims that 17 percent of their respondents listen to radio using headphones at least half of the time they listen to radio, often while working out or walking, jogging or running. That’s huge.

Jacobs is pushing for a solution to make the PPM better. I wonder if we’d be better off going back to diaries.

Cumulus Bonuses

Three top executives at Cumulus Media (owner of KABC, 790 AM and KLOS, 95.5 FM) received bonuses at the end of 2016, including President/CEO Mary Berner, who took home a whopping $1.087 million extra. What did she and the others do to earn that? You tell me ... as of press time the stock price of Cumulus was at its lowest ever, closing at 97 cents per share on January 20.

Radio Waves Podcast #159

Radio: January 20, 2017

HD Radio has been available to the consumer in the United States since 2002 when it was selected by the FCC as the standard for digital in-band on-channel broadcasts on the AM and FM bands

Unlike some parts of the world which decided to go with an entirely separate digital broadcasting band with the ultimate goal of shutting down traditional AM and FM stations, the FCC in the United States decided to select a system that allowed traditional broadcasts on AM and FM. This under an assumption that someday -- perhaps -- digital broadcasts would take over and analog shut off, though no mandate was given and no timetable ever suggested. 

HD Radio -- the HD is a marketing term and has no meaning -- was developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation. In its current form, a station tuned in on an HD Radio is first heard in analog, and after a few seconds to allow for buffering, switches to digital.

On AM stations, the change in sound quality is dramatic. Hearing AM with no background noise and increased fidelity is somewhat startling the first time you hear it, though between limitations of the system and poor encoding by some stations, digital artifacts can make the signal sound unpleasant to some listeners. When done right as with KNX (1070 AM) the results are stunning.

On FM the change is less dramatic due to FM’s natural high fidelity, but done right the station will sound fuller and with more high frequencies than analog FM. HD FM stations can also receive sub-channels, meaning that a station can broadcast more than one channel of programming on the same frequency much like digital television stations.

For listeners, the main problem with HD has been the availability of radios capable of receiving HD signals. In the early years, Sangean, Sony and a few others had home tuners, there were no portables, and radios for cars were hit and miss.

More recently, automakers have been adding HD radio to their offerings, aftermarket stereos with HD tuners have improved and become more readily available ... but home tuners became almost nonexistent as Sangean, Sony and the others discontinued all of their HD radio offerings. And portables? Few and far between.

 

Well Sangean is back in the game with three models introduced in the second half of 2016, and all available by late year. And while I have not reviewed or tested -- or even seen in person -- any of these models, the release of the models may mean that HD Radio is on the upswing.

The HDR-16 is a portable radio that can be used as a clock radio as well. It runs on four C-size batteries or an AC adapter. Sound quality is said to be good, and reception for both analog and digital is said to be excellent. Street price: $100.

The HDR-18 is a table radio/clock radio that runs on AC power only. It features dual alarms, a nice acoustically-tuned wood cabinet, and a manual dimmer for the display. Sound quality and reception are said to be excellent; the one drawback this radio seems to have is the lack of any type of backup for the clock or alarm settings. Sangean dropped the ball on that.

The HDT-20 is a component tuner to be added to a home stereo system, the replacement for the long discontinued but excellent HDT-1 series. As with the HDT-1 and 1X, the HDT-20 features an optical output for direct digital connection to a receiver or similar.

My understanding is that the current chipsets for HD radios are even more selective than even the best of the old, so my hunch is that digital reception on any of these tuners is impressive. Sangean tends to make excellent analog tuners as well ... my HDT-1 and 1X can pick up stations clearly that some tuners can barely receive.

My only problem ... I already own more than my share of HD Radios, so I’ll have to leave it to you for any real reviews. If you happen to own one of these radios or the tuner, please drop me a line and tell me what you think.

And together we can pressure KFI (640 AM) and KABC (790 AM) to bring their HD signals back to the AM band. The HD FM simulcast is just not the same magical experience as when they broadcast HD on AM.

Radio: January 13, 2017

The Project Yellow Light website (projctyellowlight.com) explains: “Hunter Garner had a dry wit, a wicked sense of humor and a creative mind. He loved music, running, and had many friends from all walks of life.”

On June 10, 2007, Garner died in a car crash that killed both him and the driver of the car, his good friend. The cause of the accident? Distracted driving, or driving while using a cell phone.

The Project Yellow Light/Hunter Garner Scholarship was founded as a legacy to Garner by his parents. The goal of the organization is to encourage safe driving habits, and one of the ways it does so is an annual competition open to high school juniors and seniors who plan to attend college as well as college and university undergraduates; high school and college level submissions will be judged and winners selected separately. Entries can be done by teams.

This year Project Yellow Light has added a new category - Radio. There will be one first place prize to be awarded in the High School Contest and the College Contest for a total of two prizes. The winning entrants from each level will each receive a $2,000 scholarship and have the opportunity to be considered for use as the basis for a public service message by the Ad Council, which means the winning entry has the potential to be aired on iHeart radio stations across the nation (iHeart is one of the sponsors of Project Yellow Light).

Interested? Here’s how it works: Create a radio recording that lasts exactly 20 seconds to be heard by young drivers who are new to the road. You have full creative license, though the recording must be in good taste. The website has links for inspiration (invalid as of this writing; hopefully fixed soon) as well as tips for effective radio advertising. The clearer the audio the better ... this is intended for broadcast, after all. Professional grade recording equipment and processing is recommended.

You can also submit entries in the video and billboard divisions as well. Winning entries in those divisions will be featured on billboards and television stations nationwide as well. In addition, all first place winners will receive moving expense gifts valid for 12 months courtesy of U-Haul.

Check out the PYL website for more information and official rules. Entries for the radio contest are due on or before April 1st, finalists will be notified in May, and winners will be chosen by June.

Rams Ratings

Was it due to just being a bad team, was it due to my theory of most fans bypassing radio and just watching games on television, or was it both?

Probably both, as it seems ratings for the Rams were dismal on radio as well as being down on television, One source told me that Sunday game-time ratings on The Sound (KSWD, 100.3 FM) were down as much as 25 percent compared with pre-Rams ratings; on television ratings were down to an average of 8.0 from 8.3 in 2015. Yes, that means ratings were lower with a local team. Reportedly ratings were up on KSPN (710 AM), though that’s not hard to do when you start so low.

For at least twenty years I’ve been told that professional sports on radio (and all-sports formats) garner ratings. I’m still waiting for proof.

Levine Debut

Known as Beaver Cleaver during the 1970s on Ten-Q as well as a premiere television writer, producer and director, Ken Levine made his podcast debut on January 6th. Go to kenlevine.blogspot.com and scroll down to Podcast Episode 1: Hollywood & Levine's Maiden Voyage.

Radio Waves Podcast #158

Radio: January 6, 2017

 

 Joey Reynolds thinks he has the answer. For one hour a week, on both coasts -- the program is simulcast on WABC/New York and on KABC (790 AM) Sunday nights at 6:00 Pacific -- the former top-40 DJ-turned-talk-host has a program that is the opposite of political. Just a guy talking with friends about whatever they want to discuss. Jokes ... cigars ... cities ... anything. Except politics, unless the political topic is humorous.

 

Reynolds normally broadcasts his program from the WABC studios, but he was in town for a special “Dream Lunch” of current and former people connected with the radio and records industries. Thus he did the show from KABC’s new studios in Culver City on January 1st, and brought along a few of his friends: Shotgun Tom Kelly (ex-KRTH, 101.1 FM), Ken Levine (television writer and ex-KTNQ, 1020 AM), Freddie Snakeskin (ex-KROQ 106.7 FM), Kerri Kasem (KABC; daughter of Casey); “Magic” Matt Alan (SiriusXM ‘70s channel, podcast, and ex-KIIS-FM) Randy West (voiceover talent and game show host) and more.

 

That’s a lot of guests for an hour show (you might liken it to a phone booth stuffing as done in the 1950s), so most -- including me on my own KABC “debut” -- were only allowed to say a line or two. Kasem was allowed more time to tell and hear stories about her father; overall, though, it was a fun-filled fast-moving hour.

 

Beginning this week (December 8th), the program will also stream video, so you can see the action as it happens, and determine for yourself if the guests truly have a face for radio ...

 

Being that the program, officially called The Late Joey Reynolds Show, is new to the local airwaves, I cannot pass judgement yet. But I do think the idea is sound. Check it out and let me know what you think.

 

Podcast Mania

 

As it turned out, the KABC studio was filled with people connected with podcasting of some sort, in addition to the online availability of Reynolds show. Alan hosts the tremendously politically incorrect Outlaw Radio, available online (outlawradiousa.com) or via iTunes, RealAudio and the VLC media player) which airs live every Saturday afternoon at 3:00. Unfortunately at press time none of the show links were working; I’ve sent a note to Alan to see what’s wrong.

 

I host a (usually) weekly podcast with Michael Stark from the LA Radio Studios in San Pedro. Focus? Radio, of course. Generally talking about this very column. Find it at https://www.facebook.com/LARadioWaves.

 

Levine told me he is ready to launch his own podcast as well, coming soon to a computer or smart phone near you. He says it will be an extension of his online blog (kenlevine.blogspot.com). 

 

Considering that Levine has been connected with -- as writer or producer -- some amazing television shows (M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons, and Wings, to name a few) as well as his experience with some amazing radio stations (Ten-Q and San Diego’s B-100), he has a lot to say. And he says it intelligently and humorously. I can’t wait; I’ll have details when the launch is official.

 

New Station Coming to Town?

 

Word on the street is that a construction permit has been issued for long dormant AM frequency 1500 ... address of the old “Super 15” KBLA and the original location of what would become KROQ ... yes, KROQ was originally an AM station.

 

No word on format plans, but hopefully it will be a music-intensive format in order to attract people back to the AM band. The frequency went “dark” in 1984.

 

Radio: December 30, 2016

 

Most people wouldn’t necessarily know the name Art Astor, one of the last independent radio broadcasters in Southern California. But those who knew him knew a man who not only successfully ran a small number of radio stations in the area but at one time had one of the largest private collections of automobiles and auto-related memorabilia in the country. Astor passed away December 7th at the age of 91.

 

Born Nubar Arthur Astor on April 26, 1925 in Fresno, Astor was General Sales Manager of KHJ (930 AM) from 1965-1970, some of the most profitable years ever for one of the most profitable stations ever. 

 

In 1970 he left KHJ to become General manager of KDAY (now KBLA, 1580 AM); in 1972 to moved to Drake-Chenault Enterprises as executive Vice President and General Manager. By 1979 he was able -- with two other investors -- to purchase KORJ/Garden  (which he changed to KIKF/Garden Grove and is now KBUE, 94.3 FM), the station that would become the Flagship for what would become Astor Broadcasting.

 

Other station were added to the group including stations that are still part of Astor Broadcast Group today: KSPA (1510 AM) and KCEO (1000 AM) in the Inland Empire, and KFSD (1540 AM) in North San Diego County. KIKF was sold in 2004.

 

Astor was a car fanatic, and started what would eventually become a collection of over 250 collectable automobiles when he purchased a 1967 Jaguar sedan. Additionally, he collected and restored a huge number of vintage radios and telephones. Much of the collection was sold at auction in 2008, though he still held on to a substantial number of his favorites.

 

Astor passed away after a long battle with cancer, and services were held December 23rd. He was the inspiration for many young broadcasters and behind-the-scenes people who knew him; the phrase “class act” seems to fit him. He is survived by three children and nine grandchildren; his wife of over 50 years passes away in 2014.

 

Saving AM by Killing It

 

There are periodic attempts to “save” AM radio, America’s oldest broadcast band. Some ideas are dubious at best, such as the use of FM translators -- low-powered FM transmitters designed to simulcast the AM signal on the FM band. I personally feel that moving kore people to FM is hardly the best way to save AM.

 

Now comes word that some people and organizations, including a group called the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC), are lobbying President-Elect Trump and the FCC to consider just shutting the band down. Few listen to AM anyway, they say, so why not move the existing stations to FM or a new band and use the AM frequencies for something else such as telecommunications.

 

Sure. Just as cutting off your arm will help make your and feel better.

 

The problem with AM has little to do with the band itself. Yes, AM has some problems such as man-made and atmospheric interference. Not to mention cheaply-made receivers that cannot do justice to the band. But the primary problem is programming ... there are few reasons to listen. 

 

Shutting down AM? That’s just a way to convince Trump and the FCC to give free FM frequencies to companies that already cannot program well. Not the best idea.

Radio Waves Podcast #157

Radio December 23, 2016

Tributes have been pouring into the KLOS (95.5 FM) website after the news that longtime rock radio personality Bob Coburn had passed away December 17th at the age of 68. KLOS is, of course, the station where Coburn spent most of his career, though he had been heard on five other local stations including KMET (now KTWV, 94.7 FM), KLSX (now KAMP, 97.1 FM), KZLA (now KXOS, 93.9 FM), KPPC (now KROQ, 106.7 FM), and KCBS-FM (93.1). He also was host and later owner of the popular syndicated program Rockline.

Coburn had been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier this year and had dedicated himself to fighting it as best he could. Unfortunately when it was diagnosed it was already at Stage 4; he died surrounded by family and friends.

Coburn’s radio career started slightly illegally ... using a five-watt transmitter that he and a friend used to broadcast music to their local Dallas, Texas neighborhood. They even took requests ... for a time, at least. After about three months, officials from the FCC tracked them down, presented a cease-and-desist order, and left with their transmitter. 

Not that the incident dampened his desire to DJ ... he used that as his “experience” to land a job at KAND/Corsicana, Texas, which lasted for two weeks until he quit so he could attend his girlfriend’s prom. Next was KPLT/ Paris, Texas; eventually he worked his way to KPPC in 1969, then down to San Diego’s KGB (now KLSD, 1360 AM) when legendary programmer Ron Jacobs launched the station’s AOR format in 1972.

In Los Angeles he worked for another legendary programmer,  Sam Bellamy, at KMET from 1975 - 1979 where he did afternoons and worked as music director, before moving on to others. He hosted Rockline from 1981 to 1994, and again from 1997 to 2014 when it ended it’s syndicated run.

Sam Bellamy told me of Coburn’s contributions to KMET and more: “Bob had a big hand in formulating the sound and success of KMET. He broke new bands, new artists ... his ear was unbelievable ... truly golden.

“He was always out listening to new bands and helping artists. He was a  mentor to bands, artists and even aspiring DJs, and was a gift to us all. His energy was amazing.

“His passion directed his path. A passion for music -- he discovered some great rock and roll -- a passion for radio and a passion for life. He loved radio, loved his life in radio, and his passion propelled him to his success. He left a real mark in the industry and will never be forgotten.”

KLOS is where he spent that majority of his career, working at the station three different times, most recently as the late morning host 9:30 to noon. He’d been running “Rockline Replay” -- best of segments from the popular interview show -- for the past two years.

The station opened up its website to listener and artist tributes, which can he heard and read at 955KLOS.Com. In addition, the regular programming was dropped for most of the weekend in favor of recordings from Rockline.

Even competitor The Sound (100.3 FM) paid tribute on air and on the station website. This demonstrates the community that is or can be local radio.

Michael Stark, who runs the LA Radio Studio in San Pedro, told me, “I was never real close to BC, but having worked at KLOS during the "golden era" (as characterized by the great Michael Benner in his tribute to him), I did know him, conversed with him occasionally and found he was one of the most musically knowledgeable jocks I ever worked with. He LOVED the music.”

Absolutely.

Cuts at KNX

Just when you thought radio was already cut to the bone, CBS -- once the crown jewel of local and national radio quickly turning into coal -- fires three from KNX (1070 AM): Linda Nunez, Steve Grad and Ed Mertz. Loyalty has no rewards in radio, especially when the owner is trying to make the stations look more profitable -- if far less listenable -- to potential suckers, er, buyers. Shame on CBS.

Radio Waves Podcast #156

Radio December 16, 2016

After more than eight decades broadcasting from studios on La Cienega, KABC (790 AM) and sister station KLOS (95.5 FM) moved to new studios that were the former location of Westwood One Radio Networks a short drive away in Culver City, South of Washington Boulevard.

The La Cienega location at one time was home to Hearst’s KEHE (named after the Evening Herald Express newspaper) which broadcast at 780 on the AM dial. Earle C. Anthony -- owner of KFI (640 AM) and KECA -- bought the property from Hearst and moved KECA from 1430 on the dial to 790 in the 1930s. When Anthony sold the station in the 1940s, it remained on the property and would later become KABC.

The current studios are not that old, and are such a model of good planning that the set designers of Frazier used KABC as the model for the studios shown on the popular television show. They include spacious rooms with adjoining booths for news reporting and call screening. Scott Fybush of Fybush.Com uses the word “majestic” to describe the studios and the small details that are often left out of more modern construction projects. Of course when the just-vacated studios were built in 1989 -- replacing the original 1930s studios -- KABC and KLOS were flying high, so no expense was spared in the design. Station manager George Green made sure of that.

So why move? Money. The current owner of KABC and KLOS is Cumulus, and the value of the property -- Cumulus reportedly sold it for $90 million -- will help pay down some of its massive debt. The site will soon be a mixture of homes and retail space.

According to KABC morning man Doug McIntyre, the new facility is a bit smaller, but the old location actually had more space than they needed. And though he has actually been part of the La Cienega facility since 1982 when he was a guest on the Ray Breim Show, he’s excited about the move.

“It’s brand new with a very modern vibe,” he explained in an interview the Sunday before his first broadcast from the new studios. While weekend shows originated from the new studios as of 6 p.m. on Saturday December 10, McIntyre’s was the first of the major weekday shows to broadcast there beginning at 5 a.m. Monday.

“I spent almost a quarter century at the La Cienega studios, so it is a bit strange to be moving, but it’s a good time. There is a positive vibe with the station, and a positive vibe with the move.”

And as if nature agreed with the move, McIntyre told a story of cats. “At one time we had 23 cats on the property. As time went on, just one was left, an old cat we named Toupé. Well, Toupé died last week, so we buried  him using the same shovel that was used to break ground on the new studios that were competed in 1989. It was a silver shovel with George Green’s name on the handle; we buried the cat in the back. It’s as if everything has gone full-circle”

Elmer Gone

Terri-Rae Elmer, who did news on McIntyre’s KABC morning show for the past five years after a longtime stint on KFI, was let go from the station. No reason was given, but it is known that her contract was not renewed.

Hopefully Elmer will return to the air soon; she is an accomplished reporter with a sharp wit. Will she return to KFI or perhaps move to KNX (1070 AM)? Time will tell.