Idaho Radio News Etc.

I just got finished reading the Boise Weekly’s Spuds & Duds feature. Only a very few media jabs — mostly at the Statesman. Shocked.

But there’s also this:

Mancow Ousting Big J on The X

From the omniscient chair of a high power media mogul, the numbers seem to indicate that no one can compete with Bob and Tom in the morning. And from that omnipotent position on high, a decision was made to scrap the local and loved Big J and trade him in for the uber-hyped Mancow’s Morning Madhouse (alliteration, no doubt, intentional). Voted Boise’s Best radio DJ in Boise Weekly’s 2005 Best of Boise by our readers, the proof is in the pudding. Sure, you can still catch Big J doing his thing with new rock and ’90s midday (and we do still love him just the same), but in a big brat fit, Boise Weekly sends out a big dud to the absence of Big J’s voice in the morning, which once so lovingly called us from our dreamworld and shoved us straight into the shower before a long day of wordsmithing.

And since apprantely NOTHING else happened in Idaho Radio over the past year – Michael Deeds’ year-end wrap-up took on the same subject.

There were no format changes at major radio stations. If there was a trend, it was a move toward syndication, as “Mancow” took over mornings at FM rock station “The X,” and KTIK-AM replaced “The Spud Brothers” with ESPN programming.

100.7 FM (formerly a light AC blend in the Treasure & Magic Valley areas) has dumped its former format — and gone country baby. It’s now playing a (from my ear) pretty upbeat country blend – and branding as “Canyon Country” with liners like “the best country, in the Country.”

The flip happened yesterday. Jocks & liners are already in place — FMIdaho/Locally Owned mainstay Jerre Fender is already slotted in at mid-days. Lots of changes over there…

Well here’s a big fat shock. KADQ has ditched the all-Christmas all the time.

Liners are promising a new format Jan. 1. Bet on AC. Also, since we are losing a “Sunny” in the state, wouldn’t it be an interesting twist to gain one right back…?

The Idaho Falls Post-Register newspaper reports in today’s editions that Melaluca owner Frank VanderSloot is negotiating with Bonneville International for the purchase of the company’s media assetts in the market. VanderSloot is CEO of Melaluca — and this would be his first venture in to media. The deal isn’t a done one yet — the two groups are still hammering out details.

Every time I turn around, I read or see another example of an Idaho station doing something amazing. This year – KIZN’s “Keep Kids Warm” promotion raised $42,000.

This story from the program’s website seems perfectly appropriate for Christmas weekend:

Keep Kids Warm started in December of 1996 with a single phone call from a young girl that was trying to win money from KIZN so she could order some heating oil for her family. The morning show at the time (Mark Rivers and Rich Summers), had been giving away cash with a “Song Of The Day” contest the previous few weeks. The contest had come to an end but Kissin’ listeners were still calling Mark & Rich, asking about the “song of day.” When they explained on the air that the contest was over the studio phone rang, and there was Christian, a young girl who asked Mark & Rich this question, “If I can’t win the money, can I win some heating oil for my family…our house is cold, and we just want to be warm for Christmas…” Mark and Rich were floored, and, as you might guess, so were the Kissin’ listeners. That call generated an outpouring of calls and donations, and before that morning was over, an account had been set-up, and Keep Kids Warm was born. That year around $17,000 was raised, and the money not only helped Christian’s family, but several others around the Treasure Valley as well. Last year, Keep Kids Warm raised over $33,000. To date, Keep Kids Warm has raised nearly $400,000 and helped over 600 Treasure Valley families make it through some tough times and cold winter months. Today, the Kissin’ staff carries on the tradition, and with your donations and contributions, will help more families around the Treasure Valley.

This year, the broadcasters in the Gem State have done so much for Idahoans – collecting toys, keeping kids warm, granting Christmas wishes, holding concerts for cause –helping hurricane victims hundreds of miles away and so much more. Few other industries do so much for so many.

Merry Christmas.

OK — so I’m having issues with the host of this (and several other sites). As much as I don’t want to deal with moving hosts — I’m looking for suggestions. I need a provider that supports PHP and MySQL – and isn’t going to cost me both arms and my legs for all the bandwith you all chew up every month. :)

idahoradio@gmail.com

Click and shake your head.

We’re used to Citadel competing with itself I guess (KIZN & KQFC slug it out every day).

But part of me is somewhat surprised that both KTIK & KBOI will provide coverage of the MPC Computers Bowl on Wednesday. For most games, the two radio teams merge to provide unified coverage on KBOI. This time, both stations will present pre-game shows, as well as the game itself. Caves & Prater will do Idaho Sports Talk before the game, then take the national network feed.

KBOI starts at 11:30am with the usual Bronco Game Day presentation — followed by Paul J. & Caves with the call.

KTPZ has slashed its staff. Out: JT Powers, Cali Brooks and Sierra.

Howard Mayhem is still around — not sure about contest-winner Johnny Bravo.

What’s up with FMI/Locally Owned? Just last week, the FM Idaho part of the business laid out $2.5 million for a pair of construction permits…

Greg Smith’s “No Bull Show” that aired Saturday morning on KIDO has been axed. The program is being replaced with “AM Idaho Saturday” with Doug McConaughey.

This is barely worth posting, but funny nonetheless.

KTSY is helping out the Great Idaho Toy Drive — they are broadcasting live from the mall Thursday. That’s awesome — I’m a big booster of that program.

I just think it’s funny they put up a link for directions. To the mall. Just in case you didn’t know where it was.

Citadel Communications’ stock got a punch to the gut when Merril Lynch downgrade five media stocks. The stock took a big hit at the opening of trading Thursday, and never recovered – but Clear Channel & Journal finished the week in positive territory.

(Disclosure: Belo Corp., the owner of my employer, was also one of the five media stocks downgraded )

Can you tell I don’t care? Most would say it’s the biggest radio story in years.

But, it has no bearing on Idaho radio (for the time being at least). His schtick won’t play here — and for the few that might want to hear it, they can shell out the big money to PAY for radio every month.

KTHI- KQXR – KRVB – KJOT.

Glenn Beck packed the Morrison Center’s main hall with a full house on Tuesday night — with a show filled with a little bit of everything.

Beck taped an interview that will air this Sunday morning on KTVB’s Viewpoint – 9am on 7, and several times throughout the day on 24/7.

Infinity radio is now “CBS Radio.”

No real Idaho tie – but I’m a sucker for cheesy headlines.

WIBA in Madison Wisconsin is the new home of the “Amcore Bank News Center,” in a sponsorship deal

From the AP:

Kelly McBride, an ethics specialist at the Poynter Institute, a journalism training center, called it a bad move.

“The idea is that a newsroom is an advocate for the public,” McBride said. “It’s Madison’s news, not Amcore’s news. If you have corporate branding, that is going to taint the whole product.”

WIBA is a Clear Channel station.

I hear KIDO is renaming it’s newsroom the “Taco Bel News Ar…” ah, never mind.

This is completely untrue, but completely funny. I borrowed it from the old idahoradionews.us message board.

The station formerly known as X94 will be flipping to all 70s Disco beginning on New Years Eve with their first annual ‘Disco Ball’ (Get it? DISCO BALL!) to be held in the station parking lot on Lindsey Blvd in IF. Be a good boy or girl and look for the K-Santa Claus around town to get your free pair of tickets (a $50 value) to the event.

The station will be known as ‘Groovy 94′

The morning show will consist of Dirk Diggler & Rollergirl, Brock Landers with the news updates, and Rock harder with Sports. The DJs are Disco Stu, Disco Diva, and The Disco Kid will be groovin’ out on the nights. They will be automated with the Commadore Vic-20 on the overnights.

Weekend specialty show with DJ Disco Donnie and the Solid Gold Dancers will be broadcast live on Saturday Nights 7-Midnight from the Shilo Inn.

Try that on for misinformation!

A pair of Twin Falls construction permits swapped hands earlier this week.

Both ar C3s, one on 94.3 FM licensed in Hazelton, the other at 102.1 in TF. Both signals hit Twin.

The buyer? Wendell Starke’s FM Idaho Company, which owns KSRV. Starke is also the chairman of the board of Locally Owned Radio, which owns KISY, KTPZ, KIKX, KMHI & KTFI.

Chicago’s College Creek Broadcasting bought the CPs last year at auction for about $2.5 million. FMI purchased them for $2.9 million.

The FCC accepted an application today requesting the transfer of 2 new FM construction permits. Both are class C3s, one licensed to Hazelton Idaho on 94.3 and the second on 102.1 and licensed to Twin Falls. Both proposed signals cover the Twin Falls market. The seller is Chris Devine based College Creek Broadcasting Inc headquartered in Chicago. The buyer is FM Idaho Company of Twin Falls. FM Idaho is controlled by Wendell Starke and is the licensee of KSRV AM & FM in Ontario Oregon (96.1 The Bull). Wendell Starke is also the Chairman of the Board of Locally Owned Radio which owns KISY-FM licensed to Gooding (Sunny 100.7), KTPZ-FM licensed to Mountain Home (Music Monster 99), KIKX-FM Ketchum and 2 AM stations; KMHI Mountain Home and KTFI in Twin Falls.

These 2 construction permits were auctioned in 2004 by the FCC (Auction ID # 37). College Creek won the auction with a combined bid of $2.55M. The purchase price filed with the FCC by FM Idaho Company is $2.9M. Listeners in the Twin Falls area should expect to hear these stations by next spring!

The Seattle-based owners of KBCI-TV purchased a slew of new stations across our region. The properties include KUNS-LP (channel 35) in Boise, a construction permit in Twin Falls, and four CPs in IF. (AP via KGW). Other than TF, Fisher already owns stations in all the markets where they acquired the new stations.

The deal is worth about $20 million. All the active stations are aimed at the Hispanic audience, and FSCI seems to be buying them for exactly that reason.

CHR Nights – KZMG Boise – Possible MD/Imaging
KZMG needs focused, relatable, entertaining personality for interactive Rhythmic Pop night show. If you have imaging skills and ideas to match, that’s a plus. Possible MD stripes for qualified candidate.

Those who do their homework know that Boise is one of America’s most liveable and fastest growing cities. This is a rare opportunity to join a motivated team on the move.

I need a pic, resume and mp3 no longer than 3 minutes in length. If I need more, I’ll let you know.

Email to kzmg.pd@citcomm.com

Regular mail packages/FedEx to:

Citadel Boise
1419 West Bannock Street
Boise, ID 83702
ATTN: Jim Allen

KRVB’s “Concert for Cause” promotion that I lauded last month is in the books, and the event raised $12,000 for “The Bridge.”

That organization is a partnership between Health & Welfare and Junior League that helps improve the way children enter Idaho’s Foster Care system.

Update:Typo’ed the amount raised – it’s $12k, not $18k

I’ve made just less than a thousand posts on this blog in the past two years — and just 3 of them covered KGEM in any detail (except for ratings notes). I don’t even have a category for the station.

The station doesn’t have a website of it’s own (the only frequency owned by a major group to grab that distinction).

And have you noticed that whenever Today’s News Idaho Channel Six On Your Side (sorry, couldn’t resist) mentions “our sister stations in the Journal Broadcast Group” they only show KRVB/KJOT/KTHI/KQXR?

So, here’s to you KGEM — keep pumping out the oldest music known to modern man!

Every few months or so I get a slew of e-mails on the latest DJ arrest. You’ll notice I usually don’t post them (with one exception).

Here’s why: folks are innocent until proven guilty. And just because someone is “charged� doesn’t mean they committed the crime.

There’s always an exception. If police are actively searching for someone (who also happens to be a radio person) — I may post it (which happened last spring).

At least 3 DJs have been charged with a DUI in the last 12 months (and one may have lost his/her job because of it). I want no part in helping further ruining someone’s life.

So now you know.