PEAK GETS BSU RADIO RIGHTS
Don Day | April 3, 2008FIRST ON IDAHORADIONEWS.COM
Don Day / KTVB.COM
BOISE – Boise State’s football and basketball games will no longer be on 670 KBOI.
The University announced today that it will switch partners starting with the upcoming season – moving the games to Peak Broadcasting and its group of Boise stations. Football and men’s basketball broadcasts will move down the dial to NewsRadio 580 KIDO.
The school noted that the games will now be broadcast on a network of stations statewide. Peak Broadcasting General Manager Kevin Godwin said his company is working to build out that network of stations in other markets.
“We have a network that we’ve put in place that we’re going to be working on now that we’re Boise State’s choice for the broadcasts,” Godwin said. “We have some great relationships inside and outside the state of Idaho that have shown a lot of interest in airing the football product.”
He said he thinks the creativity of his company’s proposal helped it stand apart. Peak Broadcasting, Citadel Communications and Impact Radio Group each bid on the rights.
“We worked really hard on this proposal for Boise State,” Godwin said. “We’re really excited about representing Boise State and broadcasting their games. We put a lot of effort into our plan. We’re really happy today – I’m kind of speechless. I can’t believe it.”
Current play-by-play announcer Paul J. Schneider celebrated his 35th season doing the game broadcasts for KBOI.
Schneider said he found out about the change in a phone call Thursday afternoon from Boise State Athletic Director Gene Bleymaier.
“Gene Bleymaier called me early this afternoon and said ‘the new contract is out, and you guys didn’t get it.’ And I said ‘oh.’ And he said ‘you’ve been doing this a long time, and I thought you ought to know from me instead of hearing it from someone else.’ I said ‘who got it?’ And he said ‘it will be in the press release,’ and that was that. Business.”
Schneider says has been blessed to be a part of Boise State’s program for the past 35 years.
“I’ve probably been luckier than 99.7% of the people out there,” Schneider said. “I’ve had some success, I’ve won some awards. I’ve liked everything I’ve done. I’ve got to work at what I love. I have no regrets, none.”
He said he had heard over the last month that the situation for his employer Citadel Broadcasting was not good, and he had time to prepare.
“My daughter’s been with me all day. She’s been watching me like a hawk. She thinks I’m going to jump into traffic or something. But no, too many good memories. I still feel I’m a good broadcaster. Sometimes you’re not in control of what you do.”
Schneider said he may consider a run for political office in the future
“I’d often thought about this both on the city level and the state level, especially since I’ve done the talk show thing. I’ve thought about it – and I have think may make this place a better place to live.”
Godwin tells NewsChannel 7 that they are just beginning the process of finding a team to broadcast the games. He said he has great respect for the work done by Schneider and color analyst Jeff Caves. Godwin said it was too preliminary to say if his company would work to hire Schneider.
Schneider did not rule out working for Peak Broadcasting if the opportunity presented itself. He formerly worked for Godwin when they both worked at Citadel.
“This came at kind of a funny time for me,” Schneider said. “I had planned to stop doing the radio show this summer and continue doing the Broncos. I guess this changes that.”
He said he now may change course and continue doing the morning drive on KBOI – but hasn’t decided.
His radio partner Jeff Caves said this afternoon on the radio that the decision is all about business.
“When Peak put their deal together, they (had) a plan. I haven’t read it. Until they unveil it, we won’t know,” Caves said on KTIK this afternoon. “This is a better deal for that University, I can guarantee it or they wouldn’t do it.”
Peak will hold the radio rights through June of 2010. The company bought six Boise-area stations last April, including KIDO, All Talk 63 KFXD, 103.3 Kiss FM, Mix 106, 107.9 Lite FM and Wow Country 104.3.
The television rights are held separately, by the KTVB News Group – in a contract that runs through the 2008-09 season.
-NewsChannel 7’s Mark Johnson contributed to this report
News release after the jump
HERE IT IS:
BOISE, Idaho – Peak Broadcasting of Boise, LLC has been awarded the radio rights to broadcast Boise State University football and men’s basketball games for the next two years. Gene Bleymaier, Director of Athletics at Boise State, made the announcement today (April 3).
Bronco games will be broadcast locally on 580 NewsRadio KIDO.
Under the agreement, which runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010, Peak Broadcasting will produce the live radio broadcasts of all Bronco football and men’s basketball games. The games will be broadcast on a network of stations throughout the state of Idaho, and the agreement is pending Idaho State Board of Education approval.
Peak Broadcasting was formed in November, 2006 as a limited liability company. In December, 2006, it acquired the operations of seven radio stations in Fresno, California. One of the stations Peak Broadcasting owns in Fresno is KMJ580 which broadcasts Fresno State football, men’s basketball and baseball games. In April, 2007 it acquired six radios stations from Clear Channel Communications in Boise.
Those six Boise stations include 580 NewsRadio KIDO, All Talk 63 KFXD, Mix 106, 107.9 Lite FM, Wow Country 104.3 and 103.3 Kiss FM.
Citadel Broadcasting has held the radio rights for Boise State athletics the past 37 years, with games broadcast on KBOI (AM 670) radio.
Gee, that’s funny… I thought Peak didn’t have the resources to pull this off.. Apparently, most of you were wrong! Congrats, Peak!
Looking around the diehard Boise State boards the Bronco Nation is not happy about this move (even saw a petition demanding Paul J be brought to peak)… Should be interesting how this transition happens but only a 2 year deal really is not much. Methinks in 2 years Boise State will be bundling TV, Radio package to a major move to help their cause for the Mountain West Confrence. And then CSTV and their media affiliates will hold down Boise State for years to come. Congrats to Peak I am intrigued to see how this works out.
I hope they keep the team of Schneider & Caves together, and bring them aboard for the games at least.
The news kind of blew me away as well…. I am sad that this will result in a change in programming for evenings on KIDO as I HAVE been a loyal listener to their evening programing. I guess there is always the internet and such alternative sources. I am sure that I am not the only one out there in listenerland who will be so affected. For Paul J. I can only wish you my best. Although I am not a bsc fan I do have great respect for your talents and efforts!!!
RING! RING!
#1 “Good afternoon, Mayor’s Office. May I help you?”
#2 “Ah yes, good afternoon. May I speak to Mayor Schneider?”
#1 “Certainly, sir. Please hold.”
Paul J.: Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Libertarian?
I think he runs for City Council first and then considers a mayoral run.
State office?: My gut feeling is no because he cannot be an effective agent of change as quickly due to all the bureaucracy.
Paul J.: Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Libertarian?
I think he runs for City Council first and then considers a mayoral run.
State office?: My gut feeling is no because he cannot be an effective agent of change as quickly due to all the bureaucracy.
More predictions? Lemme guess…more inside info from a “senior administrative source”?
The cardinal sin of journalism is relying on information from a “senior administrative official speaking on a condition of anonymity”. There is a reason ehy these so-called “officials” are speaking on a condition of anonymity – they are normally wrong.
However, my question about Paul J.’s political ideology and future plans is solely my opinion and my predictions based on a gut feeling. As Sgt. Schults would say, “I know nothing.”
Here is the “real story” within the story: How much inside information did K. Godwin bring to the table in order to pull the deal off? Could this be a new element in the Citadel/Peak dispute? Only the man upstairs knows.
“inside information”??? Please define. Do we have another Martha Stewart insider trading type scandal taking place???
Conspiracy theorists want to know.
I don’t know that this is about Paul J, or KIDO or BSU. It seems to me to be that KBOI’s managment team got beat…badly. Is it a case of them being over confident, lazy or bad managment? If the fans want to be mad at someone…be mad at Citadel’s General Manager for losing the contract!
Paul J. said it was a “business decision”. That leads me to believe Al K.’s premise is correct. By the time Citadel corrects and/or fires all their mistakes, Paul J. could conceivably be a Boise city councilman.
What are the chances of Wayne Dzubak doing the play-by-play for Peak?
I think we have all missed the point of it all… IT’S JUST BUSINESS.
College athletics is just that a BUSINESS. We have now reached the point where the maximum return of money outways any loyalty, tradition or committment to principles. Welcome to corporate America, etc. Now that we have established this we can understand why so many folks are turned off by college and profesional athletics in the first place.
The thrill is gone after all its just BUSINESS.
Maybe someone will be making a phone call to Bleymaier someday saying something to the effect…”Well now Gene, we know you have been loyal to the college all these years and we really do appreciate your committment and hard work but please understand our decision to replace you is just business….”
I have received several angry e-mails regarding my prior comment. I had one going as far as accusing me of trying to taint someone’s reputation. That was not my intent, and slandering one’s name was not considered when I placed the above comment. Nor do I suggest there is some big conspiracy. Those who know me will vouch that I like irony and sarcasm. I frequently make outlandish statements for the sake of discussion. I have no knowledge in the case for or against anything. I don’t even work in your market. I apologize to whomever might have been offended (and apparently their handlers). The last thing I need is to be embroiled in that type of controversy!
Elchpacabras- For what its worth I thought you had a valid point, insight or whatever. I took it more that having been in the marketplace for so long a competitior could use any information that might be practical as a competitive advantage. Someone who moved from one group to the other would naturally know “things” that might be of value. Since there are rarely any new ideas….just adaptations of old ones it would make sense to use information of this nature in a bidding process. And on that point for all we know, PEAK got their idea for a network of stations or other “winning ideas” from one of US here on the blog….but who really knows….
As Donald Trump said “Nothing personal it’s just business”. In all actuality that’s what it is in this day and age. Forget about loyalty unless it’s not coming from you, forget about knowledge, experience and dedication. In this business outside of the PJ scenario you better get ratings but don’t piss off the advertisers! Why is it that it always boils down to the higher ups that have their head stuck in there ass for the most part. Not a fan of KG but kudos to him for putting together a package that got it for them. I heard the stories of how Ellis said Citadel will do what ever it takes to keep BSU. Again corporate and the wind they blow. Citadel-Boise has seemed to take a pretty hard fall in the last 6 months. Looking from the outside in, they seemed high and mighty to bring the “players” to justice when everybody jumped ship and took “secrets” over to the Peak. They got rid of some very good talent in the last 6 months, brought in new talent that get to start from scratch and “try” to build a relationship with the TV audience(Treasure Valley)AND I know of people that advertise and do business with Citadel that are not happy with them at all! Can’t help but think they are cutting their losses and looking to sell the cluster.
Honestly, why would “they” keep the original team together? Why would anyone offer them a “job” to broadcast Bronco sports on the new station? Seems to me as though that is akin to changing pins on a dirty diaper.
Gosh people! Each and every day you all are judged by the numbers you generate. I don’t care if you have been a good employee or “delivered audience numbers” in the past. If your performance drops, you are gone.
Frankly, I would bet the deal swung on, who would deliver the most REVENUE, coupled with the most exposure to Boise State University. The real question is this. Did KIDO price the thing so high, that they will have a tough time selling the package? Will they be charging “network” members for the rights to the game or will they end up giving it away. The big kicker will be, because of the geographic make up of this area, Which local station will be interested in carrying the Broncos? It seems to me that west of Ontario, east of Mt Home, north of McCall, and south of Jordan Valley, most peoples loyalties would be with colleges other than BSU. Of course there are plenty of Jack Rabbits and Sage Brush in those outlying areas.
Good Luck KIDO. Better start the sales effort NOW, and keep pushing hard. I would suspect that many will need to be convinced why they need to up their advertising budgets a significant amount. Perhaps fresh new talent will be one of the selling points.
“What are the chances of Wayne Dzubak doing the play-by-play for Peak?”
I’d guess somewhere between slim and none.
I really don’t understand the animosity towards Peak for pulling this deal off. A relatively small, privately owned group comes to town and knocks off a goliath like Citadel and sure as hell the peanut gallery cries “foul”. What’s up with that? The fact is Peak put together a proposal that BSU felt was a better deal for BSU athletics. Period. “Godwin had inside information”? Please. He, hell, we ALL knew what the existing contract was. It’s public information! But I’m positive there was no prior knowledge of what Citadel’s NEW proposal was going to be. And let’s all acknowledge the fact that BSU has publically stated they were NOT, under any circumstances, compelled to accept this highest bid.
“Bronco Nation is not happy about this move”. Bronco Nation or Citadel Nation? If it’s the former, they’ll get over it once the season gets underway and they realize Peak is doing just as good a job, and hopefully better, as Citadel. If it’s the latter they probably need to re-examine their loyalties.
David hath smote Goliath a mighty blow and made the bugger’s eyes water. Anybody that is truly an advocate of small, privately owned broadcasters taking down the corporate giants that took our industry to the verge of irrelevance should be doing back-flips over this.
I heard a discussion on KTIK this morning that went like this:
1) KTVB would replace Augusto on play-by-play with Paul J., who would return to television.
2) Augusto would still be the sports director at KTVB and Paul J. would remain on the KBOI Morning News.
Paul J.’s color analyst for football would be Tom Scott. Brian King, Brad Larrondo, or Todd Miles for hoops.
What say ye?
My guess: Doubtful, but possible.
Knows Dons Dad….great post!!!!
Peak came into this market wanting to make a statement. By landing the BSU contract, they did just that. Congrats to them. More radio companies need to follow their example and put forth some effort, rather than settling for mediocrity and complacency.