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Chris Cantore and Hilary Chambers leave San Diego Clear Channel stations
Devorah you keep touting how viable shows like Ed Schultz are yet you have provided no substance to your argument. While 12+ shares are for show, not for sales, I think it's fair to say that both KTLK -Los Angeles and KKGN are simply not competitive in the 25-54 demographic. Name the markets besides Portland (which I offered) where Franken or any of your lineup has been so successful. Please...I'm waiting........... The real problem is politics are guiding your argument. I have no horse in this race, I am all about building audience, if I could program Hawaiian Reggae and win, I would. Because I love the music. But I know the format is limited. I wonder if you're actually associated with Jones Radio Networks? That would be my guess. I stand by my statements on NPR, I've had the opportunity to view their in-house research. I'm awaiting all those solid 25-54 numbers you keep touting. I don't have access to the numbers here at home, but I can quickly find out next week.— January 4, 2009 8:15 p.m.
Chris Cantore and Hilary Chambers leave San Diego Clear Channel stations
JV333: You still don't get it. I will also challenge to some degree Devorah's comments. True-shows like Stephanie Miller & Ed Schultz (delivered by Jones Networks) tend to do somewhat better than the Air-America shows. But simply having "clears", isn't enough. Show me the markets specifically where stations with these shows win or dominate their competition? The highest rated Air America type station is located in Portland Oregon. In Los Angeles and San Francisco for example the AA stations barely register a blip on the ratings, both coming in at a .9. There is no conspiracy against "liberal talk", it flat out doesn't get the numbers necessary to be self-sustaining in most cases. Show me the markets where a Stephanie Miller, Ed Schultz or Air America show beats Rush, Michael Savage, Hannity, or the local afternoon drive show? In fact NPR may be the real enemy of these stations, they have a strong audience base of liberal and left wingers, which apparently is not attracted to the personalities or style of Air America radio. The reason Al Franken left radio to run for the senate, is he was an abject failure in talk radio.— January 4, 2009 12:55 p.m.
Chris Cantore and Hilary Chambers leave San Diego Clear Channel stations
Oh, this is for Josh B's comment. I am wondering if you are the same Josh who crashes parties, if so and a writer for the Reader why in the hell are you posting under reader comments? That's weak. John and Ken is not horrible, maybe you don't like the show, I'm not a a big fan either. The point is they are rating leaders in the Los Angeles market. They generate huge ratings & millions of dollars a year for KFI. Understand how the business works, it's not just about your random opinion.— January 2, 2009 9:05 p.m.
Chris Cantore and Hilary Chambers leave San Diego Clear Channel stations
Some points 1) Cantore is considered somewhat of a "lightweight" in the business, not a bad talent-not anyone who is going to light up the ratings or revenue though. 2) The damage was done to the business when the 1996 Telecom act passed congress and was signed by President Clinton. This act enabled the bottom-feeders such as Clear Channel to xerox formats coast to coast, and own their former competition. Anti-trust violations? You betcha. 3)KPOP's Progressive Talk format failed due to lack of revenue. If it was successful, Clear Channel would have never pulled the plug. 4)KFMB used to be considered the tiffany of local stations. The general manager for years sought great talent--everyone from Charlie & Harrigan to Bobby Rich, Hudson & Bauer, Bill Ballance and others were part of a very localized radio station. It made a ton of money too. That is no longer the case, they import most of their programming on KFMB from satellite networks, while KFMB-FM is (outside of morning drive) a simple jukebox. 5) Radio is not all about music. Sorry. Playing the right mix of music is crucial,but it's more than that. Localization, community involvement,local-live personalities, and relevance are all required to create truly memorable radio stations. This has been true since Happy Hare woke up San Diego listeners on KCBQ in the 50's & 60's, to when the original 91X hit the air. KGB, KDEO, Q106 all subscribed to this philosophy. 6) Spoken Word Radio is here to stay. News-Sports-News-Talk-Hot Talk. It's one style that can't be replicated by I-Pods, in the near future less stations will play music. It's not unique anymore. 7) Being a DJ or even talk show host is not a life long career. It should lead to something else, otherwise it's a little sad to see 60 year old DJ's getting fired at local stations. Hey, a 35 year old can rebound, but what about someone who has done radio since they were 14 and are now 60.?— January 2, 2009 9:01 p.m.
From Beyond the Grave
The last frigging thing is for someone to mess anymore with Zappa/Mothers music. Frank screwed up some classic Mothers albums with his 80's re-mixing. It was a disgrace to the work the Mothers Of Invention dead. Frank didn't treat those guys very well at all.— December 17, 2008 8:56 p.m.
They Out-Draked Drake
Rich Brother Robin is one of a handful of classic Top 40 cookers. A legend, who should be on the air in San Diego. There was a time when local radio was exciting,these AM Top 40 stations were akin to a supercharged I-Pod, mixing Jimi Hendrix with Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye with Johnny Cash, and local DJ's who spoke with passion and energy. Remember how great 91 X was back in the day, KCBQ and KGB were epic stations. The full story is Bill Drake starting in 1964 took a stagnant KGB from 14th place to first in 60 days. KCBQ had owned the Top 40 market previously. KGB rode the Boss Radio format for years, with 15- 20 shares from 1964-1968. Finally KCBQ caught up, and left KGB flat-footed. The cash-call contest along with Q's new breed of talent such as Bobby Wayne, Jimmy Rabbit, & Lee Baby Simms overtook KGB. KCBQ also played a more liberal dose of counter culture rock along with the usual variety of Beatles and Stones. As the battle continued KGB doubled the amount in their cash calls & retook the lead. But by Christmas 1970 KCBQ had once again beaten KGB. However the new regime had already been hired at KCBQ and through very innovative promotion and tricks like sped up records, KCBQ in two rating periods had gained the number one position while KGB fell somewhat mysteriously. Dirty tricks have been alleged, I’m not sure about that, but at least from a psychological point the cultish Q program director Buzz Bennett had psyched out KGB. KGB had possibly the better overall jock lineup, but the Q with their sped-up music mix of bubblegum, pop, and rock imaged the station around street terms like "Rip Off" and "Keep on Trucking". By the end of 1971 KGB was losing revenue, and went in a direction which eventually would overtake KCBQ in revenue and industry acclaim if not ratings. But it was a pleasure to listen to both of these great stations. The only question is what happened to the mystery program director at KCBQ Buzz Bennett? Bill Drake's ultimate work of radio art was KHJ. It was classy and sleek with legendary jocks such as Robert W Morgan, The Real Don Steele, & later Machine Gun Kelly.— December 12, 2008 9:16 p.m.