Idaho Radio News Etc.

Idaho Daily Statesman entertainer Mike Deeds says that BCRP will cover Boise. So there… it’s solved then.

He quotes the BCRP engineer – Michael Brown with Brown Broadcast Services – and says that if you can get KQTA/Ke Buena 106.3 in Boise – you’ll get BCRP’s forthcoming station.

If you can tune in 106.3 FM right now, you’ll most likely be able to hear BCR, according to Brown, who’s performed radio engineering since 1974 and FCC application work since 1987. Brown says that comparing a 100,000-watt station and a 7,900-watt station isn’t “apples and apples, but it’s apples and green apples.” The biggest factor for FM stations, by far, is intervening terrain. “The power is important,” Brown says, “but it’s not nearly as important as the terrain.”

Brown favors this map – which he says is more accurate. Also – remember how IRN was the first to note that BCRP would probably have to use a translator to get good Boise coverage? That translator has been secured – and would broadcast at 93.5 FM. Here’s the map of the translator’s signal pattern, according to Brown again.

Our “own” RDS echoes what Brown says in a previous comment

KQTA is 100 kw, and BCRP is only 7.9 kw. More important than power with FM signals is height and line of site. BCRP will do better than you think.

Then there’s this:

“My point is, why would we have spent all this time and effort working on this thing if we didn’t have damn good reasonable assurance that this thing was going to send a beautiful signal into town here?” Abrams says. “I wouldn’t have tried to bring the entire community along if I thought there was going to be marginal reception here.”

KCIX/Mix 106’s stunt to give away a Kia has ended:

AllAccess notes – and FCC filings confirm that GAP Broadcasting has made a deal to buy KSNQ/98.3 The Snake in Twin Falls and KEGE/92.1 The Edge in Pocatello. Intermart Broadcasting currently owns both stations, but GAP controls them via LMA the dates back to the Clear Channel days.

For the second time in a year – KDJQ-AM has a sale in place, according to FCC records. Current owner Robert E. Combs hopes to sell the silent 50kw station to Salt and Light Radio. Last year the station had a deal in place to sell to Churchill Media of Oregon – but that deal fell apart, leading Combs to list the station for sale on craigslist. Zions Bank later sued to recover the assets of the station because Combs had repeatedly failed to pay back money owed to the bank.

Salt and Light radio lists Keith Pettyjohn as its president – and all the board members have Boise addresses. Salt and Light Radio, Inc. filed for a business license from the State of Idaho on March 4th. The filing says the businesses purpose is to “operate a Catholic radio station.”

There’s also a Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation that operates a TV network in Canada – but it does not appear the entities are related.

“You’ve got a body for feeling earthquakes”

– Heard by the Boise Weekly in an unamed Boise radio studio April 16th – and published as “Real dialogue from the naked city” this week

Boise State will honor long-time football and basketball play-by-play announcers Paul J. Schneider.

The school and the Bronco Athletic Association will contribute $10,000 to set up a scholarship in his name for a football or men’s basketball player.

The school will also give Schneider and his family lifetime seats in the press area of the new skybox. The press area will be named the “Paul J. Schneider Press Area.” The press box itself will carry a name to be determined as rights have been sold to Peak Broadcasting.

Paul J. will also be recognized at halftime of the 2008 season opener with a Distinguished Service Award – and be nominated for membership in the Boise State Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Boise Community Radio Project has the FCC’s go ahead to light up a transmitter in Oregon – with Caldwell as a city of license.

The big question in many minds: This is the Boise Community Radio station… right?

Here’s the service area plot for the proposed station – which will share the tower used by KQTA/Ke Buena 106.3:

You’ll notice Boise is not on this map.

BCRP executive director Jeff Abrams seemed to dance around the subject with the Boise Weekly.

“We fully intend to have our studios remain downtown,” he said.

Not only will the station not have the City of Trees in its service area — the station is hemmed in by KAWZ in Twin Falls, KBSK in McCall and a pending FM application in Baker City. All of those stations are operating on 89.9 FM – which would make an expansion of the proposed BCRP station’s signal area difficult. Plus – they have to protect next door neighbor KBSU at 90.3 FM.

So how is this dog going to hunt without coverage in the Valley’s major population center?

Our resident FCC expert thinks that getting the 89.9 FM station on the air is just a first step — and that the Boise/Meridian/Nampa et al area could actually be served by translators. There are five translators licensed in the Boise area – with two more pending. Since BCRP is a non-comm, it would have the opportunity to buy or lease a translator to rebroadcast the Malheur Co. signal.

Tax dollars to fund BCRP?
The project’s news release says it is seeking $400,000 in construction funds from the Department of Commerce for the Oregon-based station. The organization is also planning to launch a capital campaign to raise an additional $250,000. By contrast, that $250k figure is exactly the same as the Log Cabin Literary Center’s annual budget. The Boise Weekly says the project has applied for a federal grant as well.

Past coverage
- BCRP’s FCC application
- Why BCRP is going after an already well-served niche
- BCRP launches webcast

UPDATE: Boise Weekly readers: more here

The Boise Community Radio Project has been given its big chance by the FCC. In a public notice filed on April 16th, BCRP was granted the construction permit for 89.9 FM – with a city of license in Caldwell (Caldwell Community Radio?). The period for petitions to deny runs through May 15th. The permit itself is valid for 36 months.

BCRP, headed by Jeff Abrams, has been grinding toward its goal of a community-based radio station for more than six years. If the station successfully builds a transmitter and gets on the air – it would be sandwiched between KTSY at 89.5 FM and KBSU at 90.3 FM.

Here’s the original application.

The BCRP tower would have a non-directional antenna in Malheur Co., OR – map here. The signal pattern would reach Caldwell — but it’s hard to tell if Boise would be served by the transmitter.

So when KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3 host Steve Shannon was on CMT Insider a few weeks ago – did KAWO/WOW Country 104.3 go ahead and run its radio simulcast on Sunday morning at 6am?

Company-wide, the Journal Broadcast Group has been trimming staff in the radio and TV division by about 5%. The cuts began last fall, according to Inside Radio – citing CEO Doug Kiel. The cuts will save $3 million per year – and also include a hiring slowdown.

Former Lee Family Broadcasting sales manager and on-air talent Logan Tusow has joined the KTVB News Group as sales manager for KTFT in Twin Falls. Tusow worked for Lee from 2005-2008 – after spending 13 years with the Clear Channel group in the market.

(Disclosure: I am also employed by the KTVB News Group)

One more note about the BSU radio rights. Last fall, BSU hosted a big alumni homecoming party at Bodo. Portions of it were broadcast live on KBOI and 24/7 – and two national acts entertained the crowd: Reliant K & Blue Country.

Guess who paid to bring in the bands? Citadel. The company paid more than $35,000 to pay the bands — a fact it proudly touted on page two of the company’s failed pitch to BSU to retain radio broadcast rights.

Also: KBOI told the school it plans to unveil the “Idaho News Network” this summer – comprised (potentially) of stations in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Twin Falls and Osborn.

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits co-host Margo Vaughn updated her blog – with a letter she wrote to her mom recently:

I’m up this morning aching thru every pore, I’m not sure why. Today (Wednesday) was my best day. I didn’t have to take nausea medicine (last week I couldn’t spell naousea). But I woke up about midnight and felt like I’d been hit by a Mac truck. And restless.

Read the full entry here.

KQXR/100.3 The X will leave the cozy comfort of B-town to broadcast its morning show live on the road next month.

Its not a trip down the road to Guitar Center – or even out to some car dealership on the boulevard. Instead – The Morning After with Nic & Big J will broadcast from Rock on the Range in Columbus, OH on May 17th. The show will originate from Columbus Friday – then will the pair will pop up several times an hour Sat & Sun with updates, interviews and more.

As I noted earlier – KQXR is also giving away a pair of flyaways to the concert. Stone Temple Pilots, Finger Eleven, Kid Rock, Seether, Flyleaf and Papa Roach are at the top of the bill — with a slew of secondary acts.

Journal Communications’ first quarter income fell a whopping 91%. While that headline screams “what the…” it really isn’t that bad. JC had net income of $73.3 million in the first quarter last year, and just $6.7 million this year – but the company benefited from a sale of assets in the period in 2007.

The decline was within analysts’ expectations. The breakout:

• Publishing revenue dropped 6.7%
• Broadcasting revenue fell 4.6%
• Radio fell dropped 6.8%
• TV went down 3.4%

JC did not make any notation of how the Boise operations fared.

My neighbors at the Plaza Seven building will throw caution — and panties — to the wind Monday morning, as Pete & Joe from KJOT/J-105 host a panty toss contest to win front row Def Leppard tickets.

Filled out your bracket yet? KRVB/94.9 The River has a hot, topical poll on its website looking for your opinion:

KKGL/96.9 The Eagle isn’t just “the rock station” — but “thee rock station” — so says its website.

KCIX/Mix 106 finally weaned itself from the Clear Channel out-of-market voicetrackers — a year after the station moved from CC to Peak Broadcasting. Former afternoon host Joe Boxer has been VT’ing — but he’s been replaced by APD “Lucas.” The show is live from 7p-12a.

The History of Idaho Broadcasting Foundation will have its next meeting at the Impact Radio Group this Thursday at 7 p.m.

Art’s note after the jump
Read the rest of this entry »

Peak Broadcasting started its national search for a play-by-play announcer for Boise State Football games — and one of our regulars found this:

Boise State University Play-by-Play
Boise State University has a football and basketball radio
play-by-play opening.

This could be either a part or full-time opportunity based
in part upon the preference of the successful candidate.
Similarly, potential additional responsibilities will be
determined based upon the strengths and desires of the
successful candidate.

Sportscasters Talent Agency of America is screening for this position.
Email applications are preferred but not mandatory. Please
do not include more than two mp3 attachments with your
submission.

Send T&R to:
Jon Chelesnik
Sportscasters Talent Agency of America
26101 Del Rey, Ste. A
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
jon@staatalent.com
No phone calls please

Applications will be accepted thru April 28, 2008.

Speaking of polls, as part of our “10 questions: your 2008 predictions” poll, we asked “Which group will end up with the BSU Football contract?”

119 people voted – and 64 got it wrong, guessing that Citadel would keep the rights. Peak – the ultimate winner – got 25 votes.

Is KQFC/97.9 Idaho Country tinkering? This weekend, the station played nothing but gold cuts – chucking the Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts tunes for a heaping helping of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Willie Nelson and Clint Black. For now – the normal rotation is back in place.

KQFC has been the lost soul in the Citadel country coop in past years – sometimes mirroring big brother KIZN, and other times flipping back to an older appeal. With the former KFXD/Classic Country 630 out of the way – and new kid KAWO/Wow Country 104.3 muscling in on its turf, will KQFC try to skew even older than its current appeal?

The station is website users “Did you like the Solid Gold Weekend? Would you like us to do it again?” — right now the “yes” vote has 86% of the tally, but there’s no indication how many have voted in the poll.

So I’ve got a poll of my own…

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The former KAYN/Boomer 100.7 is getting a little face lift. The oldies music and Big Jack & Bryan morning show will stay – but now the station will use Scott Shannon’s True Oldies, and pick up the brand and new call letters – flipping to KQLZ/True Oldies 100.7, according to R&R.

Now we’ll have three KQ’s in the market – all bunched up. KQFC, KQXR and KQLZ.

Here in Las Vegas, one-time Boise broadcaster Larry Lujack is being inducted into the NAB hall of fame (as we speak in fact). As we noted last year, the legendary radio broadcaster has several ties to the area – including stops at KCID and KGEM – and family still in Boise.

Also – check out our NAB RTNDA coverage over at Lost Remote