Idaho Radio News Etc.

What happened at Peak Broadcasting today? KCIX/Mix 106 was off the air for quite a while during AM drive – and Prophet glitches were all over KSAS. Gremlins again?

Ratings advances should hit the street… oh — any time now.

Morning Show Co-Host In Beautiful Twin Falls, Idaho

99.9 The Buzz/KZDX-FM is looking for it’s next morning show co-host. Do you have a comeback for everything anyone says? Are you tied into pop culture inside AND outside the radio station? Can you come to the table in the morning with every detail of last night’s Grey’s Anatomy? Will you have heard our promo CDs before they even show up in the mailbox? Then THIS IS THE GIG FOR YOU! One year fulltime on air experience required. If this is you, send your stuff to Broc Johnson, Operations Manager, Lee Family Broadcasting, 953 Blue Lakes Blvd. N., Twin Falls, ID, 83301 or e-mail to brocjohnson@leeradio.net. FEMALES STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY! Lee Family Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We are looking for our next night time superstar in beautiful Boise Idaho! We need team players with no egos! This job includes remotes, club appearances (we own the club scene here in Boise and it is a lot of fun) and production work! Please send your mp3 air check and resume with a production sample to PD scott.souhrada@citcomm.com and miggy.santos@citcomm.com or overnight your stuff to:

1419 W Bannock St
Boise Idaho 83702

Citadel Broadcasting Company is an equal opportunity employer. It is Citadel Broadcasting Company policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin or sex, in all personnel actions. Pursuant to rules of the Federal Communications Commission, Citadel specifically encourages referral of qualified applicants.

Memo to KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM: When you have your voice guy say the name of a town — make sure he gets it right before you mash it into your imaging and throw it on the air. The intro to the MySpace Eight at Eight mentions several cities by name… the grand ‘burb of “Kuna” is called “Coon-uh.” Nice.

The Boise Weekly’s Deana Darr has a fantastic piece on the race to land the radio rights to Boise State’s athletic events. I talked to Deana on background last week – and she did a great job chasing down all the players.

First, the headlines:

- Journal Broadcast Group did NOT bid on the rights
- Citadel GM Sandy Gamblin: “Certainly, it’s very important to maintain the rights”
- Tester Broadcast Group bid, and would put the games on KTMB/99.1 The Man.
- Peak Broadcasting submitted a bid, but declined to say where the games would go

Journal’s decision to not bid on the rights frankly isn’t a big surprise. They don’t really have a suitable station, and they have a lot of irons in the fire. If the radio rights and TV rights were tied together and Journal had both – that would be something – but the TV rights are not up until next year. Bob Rosenthal is clearly a big BSU backer, but JBG doesn’t seem to be focused on sports.

Citadel has the most to lose – and least to gain out of this. Sure, they’ll save a bundle if they don’t win the rights package, but all that ad revenue goes away. It also hurts KBOI, which has built its identity around BSU. Recent developments, like the rebranding (with less blue and orange) and the expnasion of afternoon news could be a hedge against losing the rights. KBOI also stands to lose Paul J. Schneider if they don’t keep the contract. After 35 years – Paul J. could either go to whomever grabs the rights – or retire. Paul J. is the best-known radio personality in this market, and KBOI doesn’t have an obvious successor. KBOI would also possibly face new competition. If KIDO/NewsRadio 580 pulls in the rights, it boosts them at KBOI’s success.

Peak is possibly the most-obvious second choice to many. The rights would boost KIDO instantly – and could have some benefit to KFXD. Why is Godwin declining to say what station he’d put the games on? This could signal that part of the package is a double pump with football games on both KIDO and an FM station. Of course, all four of Peak’s FM stations are female-oriented. As I’ve reported before, Peak CEO Todd Lawley told staffers last year that he would either get the rights for his group – or make Citadel pay dearly. I highly doubt he gave much thought to a third bidder.

Which brings us to Tester Broadcast. While Dave doesn’t own the stations – he’s a smart operator with the backing of an owner with pretty deep pockets. BSU might be turned off by the KTMB. The station has a very large signal pattern, but there are holes around Boise. Part of the plan may be to find ways to plug those gaps. I think everyone in this town just expects KBOI to take home the rights yet again. Perhaps. People think Peak is the number two choice. Don’t count out TB.

Frank Zang, Boise State spokesman, said the university is not forced to accept just any bid. The selection criteria will take into consideration things like the company’s history in the area, experience in sports broadcasting, creativity of proposal and opportunities for promotions, as well as financial terms and benefits.

Let’s break those things down, by bidder.

Company History
Peak – Brand new. Has established stations. Not locally owned.
Tester – New-ish (a rework of the FM Idaho group, same owners). Has new stations. Locally owned.
Citadel – Established. Established stations. Not locally owned.

Experience in sports broadcasting
Peak – As a company, none. Has some staff members with experience.
Tester – Some. Owns a sports station. Has a nightly sports show. Produced a slew of HS football games last fall
Citadel – Lots. Current BSU rightsholder. Paul J. on staff. Has a sports station.

Creativity of proposal
…we’ll see…

Opportunities for Promotion
Peak – Has a stable of stations with female appeal. Showed commitment to the school with efforts last fall. Tried to attach their brands to BSU without the actual rights – so I would expect this would only continue with the deal in hand.
Tester – Still a small group without a big ratings draw. Would probably have to look for partners and outside media
Citadel – They’d probably have to do better than what they currently offer, but they have experience

Financial Terms
Peak – Just spent a ton of money to just buy the stations – and has to keep them running.
Tester – FM Idaho’s Wendell Starke made a killing when he sold the stations and then bought them at the Horizon Broadcast Group fire sale. He’s been using that capital to add stations, build transmitters and acquire licenses.
Citadel – Just spent a fortune on ABC Radio. Pulled out of Spokane. Boise performs well, but paying up could be hard. The “rest” of the proposal may have to carry them.

I’ve teased the possibility that the school could take the rights in house. It’s still possible. Deana took the speculation around here and pitched it to Curt Apsey”: We’re considering everything and, at the end of the day, going a direction that’s best for all involved.”

Sounds cagey, doesn’t it?

By the way, I have a trick up my sleeve on this story – I should have more tomorrow.

Journal Broadcast Group picked up a second station in Palm Sprigns, CA – where it already owns NBC-affiliate KMIR. KSPE is a MyNetworkTV affiliate and gives the company a duopoly in the market.

JBG of course owns KRVB/KQXR/KJOT/KGEM-A/KCID-A/KTHI and KIVI-TV/KSAW-TV.

Citadel Broadcasting’s “Abominable Snowmen” and Peak Broadcasting’s unnamed team competed in the annual Media Ski Race at Bogus Basin Sunday. Paul Blaisdell with Peak took second place in the male snowboard division, and Citadel’s Casey Hiatt took third.

Justin Wilcomb and Dave Mangum with Citadel took first and second in the male skier division, and Carolyn Corr took first in the female division. Full results after the jump

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When Peak Broadcasting purchased the Boise Clear Channel group last year – one of their first moves was to flip KTMY/My Country 104.3 to KAWO/Wow Country 104.3

The My Country incarnation of the station was helmed by former CC OM Jeff Cochran – who now has the same title with Clear Channel in Salt Lake.

Cochran launched My Country 105.7 on the former KXRV — and even grabbed the “KTMY” call letters that Peak shed in 2007.

The tagline and logo are also similar (KTMY’s Boise version used Idaho’s Best Country)

(Thanks, Ben for the lead!)

EXCLUSIVE
Zions Bank has filed suit in the Fourth District Court of Ada County against KDJQ, Combs Advertising, Robert Combs, Floyde McCall et al.

In lawsuit documents obtained by Idaho Radio News, Zions charges that KDJQ and related entities defaulted on a loan agreement with the bank – starting in late 2006 and early 2007 – “by making late payments and failing to make the required monthly payments.”

Several items have been put up for collateral by KDJQ and Combs, including several pieces of property – including at Pleasant Valley and Kuna-Mora Road, on Clover Drive in Boise and at East Shaw Mountain Road in Boise. The Shaw Mountain address is listed in the phone book as they home of Robert Combs – the Clover Drive address is home to SavvyShopper and Floyde McCall, and the Kuna-Mora property is home to the KDJQ-AM transmitter.

Zions says it has not been able to take possession of the collateral.

In April of last year, Zions and the KDJQ entities came to a forbearance agreement for payment of interest on the loan. The agreement is signed by Combs. Zions says the KDJQ entities did not comply with the repayment terms set forth in the agreement.

In the lawsuit – filed in October – Zions said that as of October 25, 2007 the KDJQ entities owed $618,939.43. The total amount of the original loan was $650,000, according to the loan agreement obtained by Idaho Radio News.

Combs refused to make an on-the-record comment to Idaho Radio News.

Zions Bank notes in the lawsuit that the FCC License of KDJQ would be lost if the station goes dark for a period of 365 days. Zions notes that the station went silent in September of 2007 – and that the loss of the license would “greatly reduce the value of the Real Property (and) Personal Property Collateral.”

As Idaho Radio News previously reported, KDJQ-AM came on the air in December playing Christmas music. The station is again off the air.

The lawsuit is still winding its way through the court process. A Fourth District court clerk today said a motion for summary judgment was recently filed by Zions.

A prior agreement sale of KDJQ to Churchill Media of Salem fell through this summer – and Combs has been trying to sell the station, even listing it on craigslist.

This is the 2,000th post on Idaho Radio News. Yikes. This site started in late September of 2003… and like that annoying Energizer Bunny is still going.

The first item was about (shocker) a morning show change at KZMG. The item with the most impact was this – which seemed to snowball into an all out effort with more than 35 stations raising money for a single cause.

Thanks for reading, commenting and directing me to stories.

The Federal Communications Commission just approved a big rulemaking document that affects a raft of frequencies across Idaho. As part of the decision, KZDX/99.9 The Buzz will have to leave its current dial position behind for a new slot at 93.5 FM. KZBQ/Idaho Country 93.7 will shift to 93.9 FM – and KQEU/Arrow 107.1 will slide up to 107.9

Our FCC expert Oldtimer has the breakdown:

WINNERS in IDAHO

- Sand Hill Media’s KSNA 94.3 a C2 licensed to Rexburg Idaho swaps channels with co-owned KUPI at 99.1 thus giving it an improved signal over Idaho Falls.
- Sand Hill’s KUPI takes over the frequency of BYU-Idaho’s KBYI at 100.5 which will give it a transmitter site near Idaho Falls and thus coverage over both Idaho Falls & Pocatello.
- Sun Valley Radio’s KLZX 95.9 licensed to Weston ID upgrades to a C3 from an A and moves to 99.9.
- Simmons owned KOAX 107.3 C2 licensed to Kemmerer WY becomes a move-in to Shelley Idaho covering Idaho Falls & Blackfoot.
- College Creek, another Chris Devine entity, has their Ashton Idaho Fm construction permit changed from 96.5 class A to 104.5 which will allow it to move closer to Idaho Falls & Rexburg.

LOSERS in IDAHO

- The community of Soda Springs loses its only local FM as it moves to Wilson (Jackson) WY at 100.1 as a C3.
- BYU-Idaho’s KBYI is forced to change frequencies from 100.5 to 94.3 despite its objections to the FCC.
- KZBQ Pocatello changes frequency from 93.7 to 93.9 despites its objections to the FCC.
- KZDX Burley changes frequency from 99.9 to 93.5.
- KQEO Idaho Falls changes frequency from 107.1 to 107.9
- Vacant channel 105.1 class A at Dubois ID to 96.5 class A

KCHQ/Q-102 in Eastern Idaho finally jumped on the ol’ web bandwagon — with q102country.com. “We have been somewhat slow coming to the web because we wanted to develop a site that reflects the unique nature of our station and its coverage area,” GM Ted Austin told Idaho Radio News. “We are also the only east Idaho FM station with fresh local news updates provided to our listeners via the web on a daily basis.”

Austin also says he hopes to have audio streaming online by the end of the quarter.

Melissa Dawn is the only former Peak-er to land at KBOI/News-Talk 670. Greg Williamson id filling in on Idaho’s First Morning News and Idaho Talks Live for Paul J. Schneider. The “Voice of the Broncos” is on the road with the basketball team – and Citadel brought Williamson into pinch hit. Greg noted on the air this morning that he will be filling in quite a bit in coming weeks.

Peak Broadcasting’s loss is Citadel’s gain: Melissa Dawn is back on the air. Dawn is now the PM news anchor for KBOI/News-Talk 670, with news updates during the new “live and local” Nate Shelman show. Dawn & Greg Williamson were let go by Peak when they decided to turn KXLT/107.9 Lite FM jockless during the daytime hours.

Journal Boise is hunting for a part-time air talent for an unspecified station – “weekend and evening availability is frequently required.”

Full posting after the jump, as they say.
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Peak Broadcasting does not own radio stations in Boise – and doesn’t employ Kevin Godwin.

Instead, Peak Broadcasting of Boise, LLC owns radio stations in Boise, and employs Godwin. That’s the wonderfully convoluted legalese overflowing in the Citadel v. Peak lawsuit.

Peak today replied to Citadel’s earlier demand for a wide range of discovery Citadel asked for. Peak says the “overbroad” requests amount to “nothing more than a ‘fishing expedition.’” Peak says Citadel’s requests lack a time frame, and are an attempt to prove its charge of violation of the Idaho Trade Secrets Act — without actually stating what trade secret Peak violated.

In one particularly funny passage (intentionally or not), Peak notes Citadel’s request to look over computer equipment isn’t very specific.

“Citadel’s Request for Production Nos. 49 – 52 require the Peak Entities to produce all computer equipment in any way used or accessed by the individual defendants… These discovery requests contain no reference as to whose computer should be produced, as well as no time period restrictions. Furthermore, the requests do not limit the computer equipment to equipment used for work purposes only.

OK, boring so far. Right? Wait for it…

Also, “use” and “access” are not defined; so, if an individual defendant used another employee’s computer for a project or a day, is Citadel entitled to access to that computer?”

Attention all Peak employees: If any manager ever used your computer… it may be confiscated by the lawsuit police.

“If a defendant had access to a friend or family member’s computer for non-business purposes only, is Citadel entitled to that machine?

The mean man took my computer away daddy!

The breadth of these requests would potentially required production of computers owned and in the possession of people with no relation to this case, which contains vast amounts of private personal information, to which Citadel has absolutely no reasonable basis to claim entitlement.”

Note to self. Don’t let Peak’s management borrow my computer.

Today at 4pm, KBOI/News-Talk 670 will get back into the local game in the afternoon, with Nate Shelman. This weekend, Shelman answered a few questions about his philosophy and the new program. Talk about local news and issues will take center stage – with listener calls and even a smattering of sports.

What kind of a show do you hope to create?

I hope to create the kind of show you can’t wait to turn on at 4pm when something happened in Boise and the rest of the world, because you want to hear what I’m going to say and you want to hear what the audience is going to say. I hope to create the kind of show that is directly reflective of Boise. You know what’s going on in and around town and you know what the audience thinks.

Your primary competition for folks wanting local talk will be from KTIK/1350 AM – how will your counterprogram the sports audience?

My primary competition is 580AM (KIDO/NewsRadio 580) and 630AM (KFXD/All Talk 63)…period. Those are the news/talk stations. Those are the stations that are going to have to alter their programming to compete with KBOI. We are going to be more local, more entertaining, and more informative. KBOI is the home of BSU, so we are going to cover the Broncos. KTIK is all sports. They get to focus on it and go more in-depth with the details. I’ve heard a ton of sports talk stations in the country, and Boise is very lucky to have a show like Caves and Prater. I look forward to working with them.

Do you see your show as being political in nature?

I hope the “entire” show isn’t revolving around only politics. We are in a presidential election year and will be in a senatorial election year next year, so politics will be a part of the show. I hope to have the show revolve around more life sensitive issues. Gas, immigration, rights, taxes, growth and of course THE BRONCOS!

Do you think Michael Savage listeners will be upset at having their show leave afternoon drive?

Ummm…Savage listeners are upset, but most of them are relieved the show isn’t leaving the station. Savage has set the bar for me. He has a very loyal audience. I hope to create the same.

Will you focus more on news — or on talk?

Not to be difficult, but we will talk about the news. I’m a commentator first. Not a reporter.

Will there be a news anchor and other resources devoted to the show?

Yes, there will be a news anchor.

How would you describe your style?

Blunt, humorous, conversational, loud and a bit overdramatic. I have my views on life. I have supportive facts to back up my views. The audience has their views. Some of them have facts to back up their opinions. Every opinion and view is welcome on the show. Very few callers will be berated based on their contributions to the show. There will be news maker interviews, local activity interviews, visiting celebrity interviews and sports interviews. There will be comedic bits aimed at creating humor and poking fun at public figures…when they deserve it. Those public figures that do a good job will be congratulated and those public figures that are underperforming will hear about it from me and the audience.

What in your background helps you do a talk format?

I’m a regular guy. I have regular thoughts. I feel I can connect with the audience as good as or better that most. I’ve always excelled at public speaking and debate as well as performance… if you do your homework, you might find a musical performance on the web by me… but that’s my only hint. I’ve been around the country and have heard alot of great and not so great talkers…. wait… next question.

Editor’s note: I couldn’t find it. Bonus points to anyone who can…

How hard do you think it will be to conduct a local show being a newcomer?

I’ve been around the country and have heard a lot of great and not so great talkers. Even though I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, my family made it a point to expose me to as much of the country while I was growing up as possible. I’ve worked as a host in Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, San Antonio and Tucson. It’s my job to learn the city’s history. It’s my job to connect with the people. Most importantly, it’s my job to be a part of the community as a member, and I look forward to it.

Oh boy.

(Thanks Mike, via Gawker)

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits morning show co-host Margo Vaugh has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Vaughn made the announcement this morning. A blog entry on khits.fm says the diagnosis was made early during a regular screening. She will undergo surgery Monday – with an as-yet undetermined course of follow-up treatment.

Vaughn will blog the treatment and recovery at “Margo’s Road to Recovery.”

Our thoughts and prayers are of course with her – and I hope you’ll share warm words as well.

Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners have been given the green light to take the radio giant private by the FCC. CC is also working to sell its TV station group to Providence Equity Partners – and has sold or is selling all radio stations in markets smaller than 100 to a variety of buyers. The FCC approved the TV part of the transaction in November.

KBOI/670 AM is set to inch back into local territory starting Monday. Nate Shelman will host a live afternoon show on the news/talk station begining Monday.

The new program will run fron 4pm-7pm and replace Michael Savage in the slot. Savage will move back to 7pm-10pm, with Bill O’Reilly pushed back to 10pm-midnight.

Shelman came to Boise after working as program director at WERC in Birmingham, Ala. where he hosted “Alabama Mornings.”

Savage took the afternoon slot on KBOI in August of 2004 – after KBOI let Drew Harold go. Harold hosted the afternoon program for nearly 25 years before the station opted to cut his show.

Some news — news that I would consider surprising — is coming. And it won’t result in anyone being out of a job. Developing…

My dad the photographer (aka “donsdad,” aka David) took some really cool shoots and posted them on his blog. Check ‘em out…

KZMG/Magic 93.1 debuted new morning show “Dan Tooker in the Morning” today. During the 7am hour, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter joined Tooker, Matt Johnson and Casey Acevedo in studio. The group talked about things Tooker should do to become an official Boisean — riding the Tour Train, etc. He also talked about how he and his wife plan to retired in Boise.

Magic’s clearly trying to take an adult turn – emphasizing the play with “family friendly” sweepers. Overall, the show was engaging. Also, DanTooker.com got a “Magic” makeover.

Over on KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM – the other ‘ooker – Hooker in the Morning was giving away tickets to a Hannah Montana movie showing. The difference couldn’t have been more stark.

It looks like KZMG is trying to remake itself in the Hot AC mold. The station’s top 10 songs are more like KCIX than KSAS. But will Tooker be able to steal enough listeners from Mike & Kate, Hooker and the ether to be successful? Guess we’ll know in August…