Idaho Radio News Etc.

Local radio groups are jumping on the expo bandwagon in a bigger way – either by putting them on or partnering up.

- KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River and Boise State Radio are the radio sponsors of the “Idaho Green Expo” set for May 17th & 18th. The first-time event will gather together green experts and exhibitors for the two day event
- The Citadel stations are building on the success of decade-old Kid’s Fair with the Today’s Women’s Expo. The May 31st event will follow the Kid’s Fair blueprint with exhibits and demonstrations for women – as well as a number of keynote speakers.
- Peak is dipping its toe in the water with Idaho’s Largest Garage Sale – which will bring together countless folks with stuff to sell and (they hope) lots of buyers as well. The first-time event launches May 17th & 18th at Expo Idaho.
- KWEI Spanish Radio put on the Hispanic Health Fair at the Hispanic Cultural Center earlier this month. It’s another new event that targeted the Valley’s Hispanic population with health information and resources.

KTIK/ESPN Radio 1350 KTIK The Ticket has launched another season of its weekly golf show. Tee Time on The Ticket is hosted by KBOI’s Brett Reckamp and airs each Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

The show has a series of remote broadcasts lined up – starting with this past weekend’s show from Shadow Valley Golf Course.

The spring ratings period is underway, and the usual array of promotions has started to unroll. A sampling:

- KQXR is giving away tickets/air/hotel to a music festival in Columbus in May.
- KTHI/107.1 K-Hits is helping the Warm Springs Counseling Center bring Tony Bennett to town – and is giving away tickets to the show next month.
- KZMG/Magic 93.1 is doing a flyaway to see Jordin Sparks and Alicia Keys in Las Vegas.
- KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3 has several irons in the fire. The station is giving away a trip to see Niagra Falls to see James Otto. It is also doing a “word of the day” contest that ties into its new online rewards program – giving away a share of more than $20k in prizes.
- KQFC/97.9 FM is giving away tickets and backstage passes to see Carrie Underwood when she hits town in May.
- KAWO/WOW Country 104.3 is also giving away tickets to see the hot Ms. Underwood – saying it is “giving away the most tickets.”
- KJOT/J-105 is blowing out tickets to this month’s Def Leppard show at the Idaho Center. It is also doing it’s annual Extreme Garage Makeover.

KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3’s Steve Shannon was on CMT a few weeks ago — here’s that YouTube clip..

I’ll be at the National Association of Broadcasters (and RTNDA) conference in Las Vegas from Sunday-Wednesday. I’ll be blogging lots for Lost Remote – but also plan to be on the lookout for radio topics as well.

My requests for you:
- If you’re going to be there – let me know!
- If there’s something you want me to check out and blog about — tell me that too

Hit me up at idahoradio@gmail.com

The Idaho Daily Statesman reported today that Paul J. Schenider will stay with KBOI’s “First Morning News” — but will get a little more time to rest each day. He’ll now start at 6am.

And there’s this odd note:

He said he anticipates participating in pre- and post-game coverage of Boise State.

KQXR’s Big J

Speaking of KGEM – have you gone to their website lately? The “new” (1140kgem.com) site disappeared… and has been replaced by a generic splash page.

All the other JBG sites are registered to “Journal Broadcast Group Technology Services.” 1140kgem.com is registered to “Tate McColly Applied Marketing.”

The Boise Burn’s second season is underway – and the games are again on the radio – partnering with KGEM-AM again this year.

The topic I get the most e-mail about is “how is Margo Vaughn doing?”

Her latest blog post notes that she is working to slow down – and learning how to be healthier by not overloading her life. It includes these words of wisdom:

“It’s not my youth I wasted,….it’s my old age that wasted me.”
- Margaret Margo Rose Vaughn Nelson Churchwell, circa 2057

Just about a month ago – she gave a bit longer update:

Still hanging in there, although my poor husband must be at the end of his rope. Somebody should take him out. I mean somebody should take him out for a drink or something….not “out”. Not like a Soprano thing.

The problem is all these drugs and toxins we’re pumping in the body to kill any cancer that thought about hanging around after we cut it out, is now affecting my typically spunky mood. ( i.e. I’m crying all the time.) And I add for no good reason. An ant might have crossed my path, probably didn’t see it, but I break out in a big ol’ tear fest. The sun rises and there I go again, the dam bursting.

KIVI’s Michelle Edmunds has traditionally put together a team for the Race for the Cure – and this year that team will be walking for Margo

Media stocks are getting killed lately — especially stocks of companies that are tied to newspapers.

Journal Broadcast Group is no exception — with its stock trading very near its 52-week low of $6.37/share. The stock traded as high as $14 last year.

But… they aren’t alone. Citadel Communications is seeing a similar pattern – with a high of $10, now trading at less than $2. Talk about two buck chuck

For reasons not fully understood, Journal Broadcast Group Boise didn’t bid on the BSU sports rights. But Journal’s flagship AM station 620 WTMJ did get to play ball this spring – and extended an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Remember the KKGL/96.9 The Eagle March Madness tournament of bands? AC/DC won…

Now here’s something.

Steve Kicklighter was recognized by the US Congress this morning.

Representative Mike Simpson entered a proclamation into the Congressional Record honoring Steve — aka KeKe Luv.

Simpson read this speech (PDF) on the floor of the House this morning.

ALSO: The live webcam of the stunt was viewed about 50,000 times over the week. That’s an enormous number. 1,000 were watching live at the end of the stunt.

AND: The final moments were simulcast on KFXD/All Talk 63 – and a station in Charlotte, NC as well.

MORE: During his ambulance ride – Kicklighter said that the webcam meant he couldn’t ignore his mother any more. She’d call, he’d hit ignore on his phone… and she’d text and say “why are you ignoring me? I can see you on the webcam. Yikes.

PLUS: Kicklighter says he’ll do something next year – but it won’t be staying awake. He doubts it will be as big as this was.

I just put together the post below on KSAS’ KeKe Luv stunt. Then a little boy about 10 years old was given the chance to do a shout out. He was in the Kiss FM studio – the latest in a parade of people on the webcam all night. Several kids had gone before him with the usual stuff. Then the little boy said he wanted to give a shout out to a female family member who has had lots of problems because of the “things done to her” by a male in her life. This is amazing stuff folks…

KSAS-FM afternoon/evening/overnight/morning/midday jock-of-all-shifts Keke Luv is in the home stretch – with less than 21 hours left until he reaches the 175 hour mark.

His story has been pretty hard to miss – with splashy profiles by both of the Valley’s news organizations — KTVB did a Sunday night feature, as well as shorter stories on Friday and Monday. The Idaho Statesman featured Luv (aka Steve Kicklighter) in today’s edition as well. Oh yeah… and Fox News Channel spent 3:30 interviewing Luv and talking about the charity he’s rooting for – Idaho’s Heart (video below).

I can’t tell you how many random people have been asking me questions about the stunt… and it’s a serious water-cooler topic around town. I have seen nothing like it in my five years covering the local industry.

The buzz continues to build, and with each passing hour, the radio gets a little better. At one point, Luv couldn’t remember what floor of the Peak building the studio was on. (It’s the first floor…) Hooker later said he “almost peed his pants” at the question.

Other notes:

- Listeners are invited to show up in the Peak Broadcasting parking lot to help support KeKe through the home stretch. He’ll be outside starting with hour 174 at 4pm tomorrow
- Get this: Luv will have one day to sleep before getting on A PLANE Friday… He’ll fly to the midwest for his sister’s wedding – where he’ll give her away. Then he will drive to Memphis – and from Memphis to Boise.
- Luv says he plans to keep his usual engagement at Hannah’s tomorrow…
- In the past week – Luv has sat through Miley Cirus’ See You Again at least 86 times. This doesn’t include a promo for Live for 175 that uses that same song as a music bed.
- The Idaho Daily Statesman thinks Peak Boise SVP Kevin Godwin’s name is Steve I guess. It’s not like the guy’s been in the news lately or anything…

(He) intends to continue the celebration of the station’s effort to call attention to child abuse prevention, said Steve Godwin, senior vice president of the station, part of Peak Broadcasting.

Check out this news release from Tribune (a company that owns TV stations and newspapers in top markets nationwide).

CHICAGO Apr. 7, 2008 — Another freaking Clear Channel Communications executive on the payroll and this one’s been named President of Tribune Interactive.

Tribune Broadcasting’s Randy Michaels’ past finally caught up with him when Marc Chase obviously blackmailed his way into a position he is not remotely qualified to hold. Insiders are irate. Chase is a fraud. A source inside Tribune HR, who wished to remain anonymous, pointed out that Marc Chase’s resume (below) was obviously fabricated. First of all, his name isn’t even Marc Chase–it’s Mark Thompson. The whole thing is a sham.

Broadcasting & Cable talked to folks at Tribune — who say the news release is straight up, and that they have in fact hired Chase. Wow.

Ada County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Andrea Dearden tells Idaho Radio News that “two to three people” called Ada County Dispatch with tips or information regarding the “stolen” Black Kia. They were told that there was no stolen car, and to contact the radio station.

Boise Police spokesperson Lynn Hightower said she was warned by someone with KCIX – and let dispatch supervisors know about the stunt Thursday morning shortly after the stunt began. She says very minimal staff time was spent. “Other than a couple more follow up conversations involving myself, I’m not aware of any time spent by this department on this subject,” she said.

UPDATE:Hightower wanted to note that her department often gets a heads up from radio stations doing promotions that could have some public impact – including gas giveaways, downtown events, etc. “I really do appreciate when stations think of those potential public impacts and call the department.”

It’s been a prolific weekend here at Idaho Radio News. Don’t miss:
- Exclusive look at the bids for the BSU radio rights
- What stations the BSU radio network could consist of, including Spanish
- How the KCIX car stunt unrolled, and what it may mean
- Why the KSAS KeKe Luv stunt is making positive waves
- Former KQXR host Mat Diablo has a new home
- KISU could enter Idaho Falls
- KZDX and others about to shift dial positions
- New station sign on in E. Idaho

EXCLUSIVE

© 2008 Idaho Radio News

Idaho Radio News has obtained a large packet of documents relating to the radio rights process for Boise State University’s football and basketball games – including proposals by Peak Broadcasting, Citadel Broadcasting and Impact Radio (formerly Tester Broadcasting).

The documents outline three very different proposals — and show that only two were seen as viable options by a committee evaluating the bids.

The school scored a package submitted by Peak Broadcasting highest, ultimately granting the rights to the upstart company based in Fresno, CA. Peak will air the games on 580 KIDO, one of the state’s oldest radio stations. The Peak proposal scored 665 points out of a possible 700, while a pitch from Citadel Broadcasting scored 651.4. Two proposals from Impact Radio – an original pitch and a second try scored 458 and 454.

The package of documents contain a variety of surprises and information the station groups have not publicly disclosed.

If Citadel were to win the contract, it would have only kept legendary host Paul J. Schneider for one year of the two year agreement, and has hired Dan Karcher, who is scheduled to start work for KBOI in September. Karcher is a member of the Carl Karcher family – owner of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant chain. If Citadel had won the agreement, Karcher would have been involved with pre and post game shows “to become acclimated.”

According to notes of a March 7th meeting, BSU athletic director Gene Bleymaier asked Citadel executives “If we want to make a change immediately, is that an option?” Citadel bosses said they “would do it,” and said that they would have to have someone hired in two to three months.

Citadel would have extended its pre and post game shows in a deal with the Idaho Statesman, and would have put staffers Nick Jezierny, Mike Prater, Chad Dryden and Brian Murphy on the air during the shows. Citadel said the Statesman would “bring a whole new level of improvement to the terms of coverage.” IdahoStatesman.com was mentioned as the “best in the state for updated news.” The meeting notes that they planned to include “websites and blogs” with the agreement.

Citadel’s proposal was nine pages long. Peak Broadcasting’s proposal totaled 39 pages and delved into areas Citadel did not touch. Peak committed to purchasing the naming rights to the Bronco Stadium radio booth – paying a total of $25,000 over the two year agreement for the privilege. Peak also committed to a large scale “Bronco Sports Network,” that not only would expand Boise State’s geographic reach – but would bring the broadcasts to Spanish-language listeners. Peak has contacted stations in Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, La Grande, OR and Lewiston/Clarkston, WA (see separate post here).

Peak SVP Kevin Godwin told Dave Burnett on KIDO Friday morning that the hiring of current KBOI host Paul J. Schneider had not been discussed. “We haven’t talked about it one time, even during the presentation.” In the proposal to BSU, Peak said they are “familiar” with the current team and “would make every effort to hire them to continue broadcasting BSU athletics.”

But Peak indicates their preference is to go in a different direction “We would propose a national search for a play-by-play announcer and commentary announcer.” Peak says it will launch a four week recruitment process that would identify the top three candidates – then seek input from Boise State in making a final decision. Peak says it received interest in the position even before the proposal

Impact Radio’s proposal was the leanest of the tree – but did identify its proposed broadcast team: Wayne Dzuback and Chris Wing. Dzuback currently hosts an hour-long radio show on KTMB/99.1 The Man, as well as working in sales. He used to work with Schneider as color commentator for KBOI-AM. Wing is a former Boise State player. Boise State alumn Brian King was proposed as color analyst for basketball games. King currently handles these duties for KTVB-TV.

Impact would have put the games on KTMB/99.1 The Man, as well as KIKX/104.7 in the Magic Valley – and a station currently owned by Blue Sky Broadcasting in N. Idaho. Impact says it has a pending purchase agreement in place for the N. Idaho station. It also would have worked to buy an E. Idaho station or contracted for airtime.

While Boise State took meetings with representatives for Citadel and Peak – they did not meet with Impact Radio.

Why Peak Won
Boise State’s letter of justification for awarding the rights to Peak hits a number of points.

• Peak bid $20,000 more than Citadel – and much higher than Impact
• Peak’s promotional bid component was $5,000 higher
• Peak committed to the naming rights for the radio booth and the school’s “Destination Distinction” program.
• Peak provided more coaches show airtime
• Peak committed to creating a network of stations across the region, something “Boise State sees as extremely important in growing the radio listenership statewide and regionally.”
• Peak’s proposal “demonstrated a true enthusiasm for having these broadcast rights”
• SVP Kevin Godwin and his team are former Citadel employees – and the “affiliation and already existing relationship played into the decision making and made it easier when it came to choosing a new radio rights partner.”

Bottom line
Cash value over two years

• Citadel: $655,000
• Peak: $670,132 (assumes BSU football bowl games both years)
• Impact: $493,200

Value of promotional air time

• Citadel: $200,000
• Peak: $205,000
• Impact: $110,000

Sweeteners

• Citadel: Letter of Intent broadcast, Final Four package giveaway, Homecoming week events, Fall scrimmage event
• Peak: Airing of three women’s basketball games
• Impact: Airing of ten women’s sporting events, creation of two fundraisers

Coach Shows

• Citadel: One hour weekly during FB season, four BBall shows; Bronco Notebook each weekday; Coach call-in each Tuesday
• Peak: One hour weekly from Sept. 1 through April 30; Monday coach call-in; Tuesday wrap-up feature
• Impact: One hour weekly during FB season, one hour weekly during WAC basketball season

Athletic Dept. show
(This would be a weekly show produced in-house by the athletic dept., and is separate from the coach shows)

• Citadel: One hour weekly Sept-April, Sat AM
• Peak: One hour weekly, 6pm Wednesday
• Impact: One Hour weekly Sept-April, Sat AM

Currently, the Bronco Sports Network consists of just two stations: KBOI/News Talk 670 and KGA/Spokane.

Under the new agreement, the network could swell to nine stations in seven markets. Peak Broadcasting worked behind the scenes to secure the network, and is “98% confident” in closing the deals now that it has secured the radio rights.

Potential network partners:

• KID/Idaho Falls (GAP West)
• KWIK/Pocatello (GAP West)
• KLIX/Twin Falls (GAP West)
• KALE/Tri Cities (New Northwest)
• KGA-KEYF-KJRB/Spokane (Mapleton)
• KBJX/Idaho Falls-Pocatello (Pacific Empire)
• KBKR/Baker City (Pacific Empire)
• KLBM/La Grande (Pacific Empire)
• KCLK/Lewiston-Clarkston (Pacific Empire)

But there could be one more partner: KWEI AM/FM. Peak would extend its rights to KWEI – which would produce a Spanish-language broadcast of football games.

KBJX/Hot 106.3 changed its name and adjusted its playlist (less “slow stuff”) – switching to B-106. Here’s the audio of the flip.

Is Paul J. Schneider’s tenure as Voice of the Broncos over? Perhaps. His current employer, KBOI-AM lost the right to broadcast the games after nearly four decades as Boise State’s partner.

Neither Schneider nor Peak Broadcasting SVP Kevin Godwin would say that it’s the end. Both said they hadn’t discussed the possibility, though Schneider mulled a number of future career possibilities with KTVB’s Mark Johnson – including a run for political office, or the option of staying on his morning gig.

On KIDO Friday morning, Godwin seemed to leave a glimmer of hope for all those Paul J. fans:

“We haven’t discussed it at all. We haven’t talked about it one time, even during the presentation,” Godwin said. “We want to put the best product on the radio for their fans and their listeners. When they hear Boise State broadcasts, they don’t realize it’s the radio station putting it on. I have a lot of respect for Paul J., I’ve known him since 99, he’s a tremendous broadcaster and a class act. We’ve got to get to that next week and make some decisions on that.”

Schneider shared a stage with Coach Chris Petersen and Gene Bleymaier Saturday morning for the Beat Coach Pete event. While the three interacted, you wouldn’t know about the week’s events except for fellow emcee Dan Tooker asking the crowd to “give a hand for your Voice of the Broncos for 35 years.”

FMQB notes that XTRA/91X in San Diego has a teaser on its website: “Who is Mat Diablo?” Diablo left his post as program director and morning co-host at KQXR/100.3 the X in Boise last June for a post at Slacker.com, an Internet company also based in San Diego.