Idaho Radio News Etc.

Just about a month ago I started hearing lots of whispering about a big format change.

Now a very similar pattern is starting to develop. Could we see two format changes in one season?

KID-AM has cancelled the controversial Trish and Halli talk show. It aired afternoons on the IF/Poky CC-owned talker. Laura Ingraham will air instead.

Concert promoter Bravo Entertainment, which owns The Big Easy Concert House, has sold a majority interest to Knitting Factory Entertainment, which operates concert clubs in Hollywood and New York City.

Or maybe I’ll just call this “olds:”

On the same day another merger ate all my free time, Reuters reported that Citadel is close to a final deal to purchase the assets of Disney’s ABC Radio division. The deal would have ABCR actually spun off from Disney first, then merged in to Citadel — which would give Disney shareholders about a 50% ownership in the new company.

UPDATE: As pointed out in comments — the deal doesn’t include all of ABCR’s assets. But I’m sure the spam… er — press releases I get from them will continue either way

KQFC has launched an outdoor advertising campaign — I’ve seen a number of billboards urging people to listen and win cash instantly.

So I’ve discovered that if I don’t feed the beast, the beast feeds on itself. Strange comments of late…

Hey folks — day job is very hectic. I’ll get back to updating tomorrow hopefully.

Did a certain Boise-area pop station sorta-kinda accidentally let the f-word slip during the 9pm hour tonight?

Ted from KCHQ-FM writes to let us know of a position at “Q102″ – a hot country station based in Rexburg.

I will be in need of a morning man & pm driver in about 90 days. We are a hot country format, small market station with new studios being built in Rexburg, Idaho. I am the station owner. We own no other stations but we have to compete with CC, Bonneville & Sand Hill Media. If any of you or anyone you know is interested, please email to ted@q102fm.net. Anyone with sports play-by-play experience is welcome to apply also. Hope

Remember KTIK’s “Quest for a Million Pennies?” The stunt spearheaded by former Ticket-ers J Bates & Chris Brewer didn’t quite make it to its goal. But if they’d called it the “Quest for a hundred-thousand pennies” they so would have nailed it.

Final total: about $1,000. Perhaps the cause – summer scholarships for athletes — wasn’t compelling enough to raise the $10,000 needed to hit that million penny mark.

Looks like Clear Channel hopes to flip My Country 104.3’s call letters to KMYC. But pardon my ignorance – can they do that with the presence of an AM station with those same calls?

I traded e-mails with Jack Armstrong this week. I think it is safe to say that the Boise radio vet will have some news to share soon — I’ll keep you posted.

This is the 1000th post on Idaho Radio News.

I usually do a news recap on the site’s anniversary – each year in September, so I’ll skip that at this milestone. I started the site mostly on a whim – more because I wanted to start a blog than because I wanted to write about radio. I hardly expected it to last long — and here we are in month 29. Geesh.

I take a lot of pride in this site – and it’s in large part because this isn’t my effort – it’s a community project. Your comments (both snarky and insightful) actually seem to form a cohesive dialogue – not just random whining. You’ve debated everything: voicetracking, localism, technology, and how to say “Chinden.”

Of those thousand posts – I take pride in two topics in particular. First and foremost is Radio for Relief. You all helped raise more than $100,000 dollars – not for glory, not for ratings… but for people who needed it. Damn cool.

The other was the flurry of activity two weeks ago. I’m still frankly amazed at the reaction to the KLTB format change — and clearly that story hasn’t finished playing out. Who doesn’t look forward to that August day when the spring book is released…

To the folks that make this site happen by keeping their ear to the ground and cluing me in — thank you. And to all that read this, thank you as well – and thanks for putting up with my lame-pun headlines.

Have you heard the spot that talks about how “radio should be free” on behalf of the 13,000 free over-the-air radio stations. I don’t disagree with the sentiment of the spot — but certain radio groups are chucking this stone-of-an-ad out of their home made of glass.

You know, the one who programs a pair of channels on XM. The same group that owns a stake in that same sat-caster…

“We think radio should be free.” Yeah. Me too. So why are you working so hard to help bring that to an end? Hmmm.

• Syndie-talker Glenn Beck (heard locally on KIDO) has signed a deal with CNN Headline News, so says the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He’ll host an hour-long talker on the one-time news network.
• Google’s latest frontier: radio. The “search” (advertising) company purchased dMarc Broadcasting — a provider of automated ad delivery to radio stations.

The FCC’s auction process continues. The agency is auctioning off a pair of construction permits of interest to the area.

In round 4 of bidding, “United Booking Associates” has a provisional bid for a CP in Vale, OR — worth $266,000. Porter Hogan Company bid $223,000 for a permit in Hailey. Next round starts early next week.

It’s been pointed out that somehow I never actually linked to the new website for KTLB: www.mycountry.com.

Not a whole lot to see for now — except a promo for a cash giveaway and some generic CC news.

KIDK-TV has an item on its website that makes the VanderSloot/Bonneville deal sound like a done one:

Meanwhile, Frank VanderSloot and his wife agree to purchase stations owned by Bonneville Communications.

They don’t plan to change formats or air-staff.

“The reason we were interested in these stations is because of the great heritage that these stations have,” says Frank VanderSloot.

There’s a word or two missing in that first sentence — but that makes it sound like an agreement is in place. I can’t find any other evidence this is true — so take it with a grain of salt.

The KIDK piece also notes that Theresa Eaman and Arlis Tranmer are now doing mornings on Sunny 94.3.

Clear Channel Boise posted the opening for “Afternoon Country Jock” on the clearcareers.com site today.

Link here, or:

MY COUNTRY 104.3 AFTERNOON ANNOUNCER: My Country 104.3 has an opening for an afternoon air personality for this spectacular new station in Boise Idaho. If you are a beginner, this is probably not the job for you. If you know Country, movies and what’s going on – AND you have the sense of humor and showmanship to put it on the air, it’s time to show off. Great facility, great company and an incredible staff. General knowledge of digital studio gear is a must. Experience with Prophet’s NexGen even better. Send tapes and resumes to: Jeff Cochran 827 E. Park Blvd. Boise ID 83712 or email to JeffCochran@ClearChannel.com

Michael Deeds weekly column is dedicated to the swirl of change we’ve been monitoring for the past week.

Key points

• No job for Big Jack yet. Says Armstrong: “The support group that I’ve got around me is just absolutely phenomenal. I have had so many phone calls from political leaders, business leaders that are just shaking their heads in disbelief. But it’s the business. Anybody can be fired at any time.”
• Deeds corrected the misleading “My Country will feature local deejays” line from Sunday. He went back to Cochran — who says they are currently wading through “60 or 70 tapes.” CC has not posted ANY Boise position on its website, nor is there a posting in the Statesman’s classifieds.
• Cochran says the new DJ will work the 3 to 7 shift — Monday through Saturday. Cochran also hopes to hire a remote/street person to “be everywhere.”

Boise:
Home to six country stations, three CHR stations, two classic rock stations and two news/talk stations.

Boise:
Not home to a variety hits station, nor an FM talk station, nor an urban CHR station, nor an 80s music station, nor……

First an eastern Idaho station (KADQ) followed by a Magic Valley station (KISY) – then a southern Idaho station (KLTB) — now a station serving northern Idaho is changing formats.

Magic 104.5 KMJY/Newport, WA is dumping the superhits format to run for the Rhythmic border. New calls are KQQB. (via R&R)

In Nate Dogg’s absence — Valentine is holding down the afternoon and night forts at KZMG — presumably the second shift if voicetracked.

Nate’s still on the Magic website…

So KTHI — interest in your station is probably the highest it has been in months… now would be a good time to clear off the cobwebs on your website: (khits.fm).

• Toys for Tots? OVER!
• Name the Ride contest? OVER!
• Shake the tree contest? OVER!

Maybe posting a variation on KJ Mac’s note on this site wouldn’t be such a bad idea either…

The former KISY “Canyon Country 100.7″ has picked up a new set of calls — KAYN. I suppose that’s supposed to look/sound/smell/taste like “Canyon.”

I understand KLTB is also working on new calls… is “KMYB” about to supplant the 21-year-old “KLTB” call letters?

Update: It’s Canyon Country 100.7 — not 104.3. Too many country changes! Thanks, Dizzle.