KIDO ADDS LOCAL TALKER, MOVES BECK & D. MILLER
Don Day | September 21, 2009
KIDO/580 AM is adding a new afternoon drive talk show. Starting Thursday, Austin Hill will join the station for a 3pm-6pm local talk show — and is doubling down on syndicated personality Glenn Beck.
More on Hill in a second — but first, KIDO said in a news release today that it plans to revamp its daytime lineup, and will move Glenn Beck to the 9am-noon timeslot. That change will put Beck’s popular show up against Rush Limbaugh on KBOI from 10am-noon.
Dennis Miller, which is currently heard from 9am-noon on KIDO/580 will move the KFXD/63 KIDO. “First Team with Steve Czaban” finds itself without a Boise home in the moves.
Hill has worked in DC, Chicago, LA — and comes to Boise from Phoenix where he was last heard in the afternoon on KTAR-FM.
“KIDO will continue to lead in the acquisition and development of premium LOCAL programming to our area,” Peak SVP Kevin Godwin said in a prepared statement (which you can red in full after the jump).
KIDO Radio (580AM and www.KIDOAM.COM) announced today the
appointment of Austin Hill as the host of a newly created LOCAL afternoon drive time show beginning on
September 24th from 3 to 6 pm (MT). This new program will feature live and local interactive conversation
about news and events that affect the lives of people throughout the Treasure Valley, the nation, and the
world. In addition to Hill, KIDO will feature all the latest news, dependable traffic, Bronco sports, and
accurate weather services listeners have come to expect from 580 KIDO for the last eight decades. The
program will also be available live on line worldwide at www.kidoam.com.
Austin Hill is a popular expert-host on radio from stations in Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles and
most recently from Phoenix where he developed a market leading afternoon drive show on KTAR-FM. Hill
is an editorial contributor to national publications such as U.S. News & World Report, a columnist with
TownHall.com, and appears nationally on The Fox News Channel and Fox Talk Radio. His recent books
“White House Confidential” and the forthcoming title “The Virtues of Capitalism” help to make the complex
seem simple when exploring capitalism, socialism, and other “Isms.” Hill holds a Bachelor’s Degree in
English Literature from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, and a Master’s Degree
in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Biola University.
Commenting on the appointment, Kevin Godwin, SVP/Market Manager of privately owned Peak
Broadcasting said, “The addition of Austin to the already strong local programming offered by KIDO
serves to underscore our investment in quality live and local information and entertainment for the
Treasure Valley.” “The extraordinary current political and financial events of the time demand a greater
commitment to our listeners, advertisers, and the business community at large. KIDO will continue to lead
in the acquisition and development of premium LOCAL programming to our area.”
Jason Wilmot, Director of Programming for 580 KIDO, KIDO AM 63 and KIDOAM.COM said; “Over the
past year, Bob Behler and our play by play team have brought an incredible new energy to listeners
hearing the Boise State games now on KIDO.” “In the past month, our new morning drive talent Kevin
Miller has created a compelling local radio show to rave reviews from advertisers and listeners alike.”
“Now with the addition of Austin Hill to 580 KIDO, no other radio station in the Treasure Valley will offer
more live and local news/talk/sports programming “
Hill will relocate to Boise with his family as soon as possible.
580 KIDO and KIDOAM.COM is part of Peak Broadcasting. Formed in 2006 to super serve local, growing
communities throughout the western US, Peak develops market leading, creative, quality audio
programming, breakthrough marketing, focused advertiser solutions, and innovative media technology. In
addition to 580 KIDO, Peak Broadcasting operates Boise radio stations News/Talk 630 KIDO, Lite 107.9
(KXLT), 103.3 KISS-FM (KSAS) Mix 106 (KCIX), and WOW Country 104.3 (KAWO). KIDO is the flagship
station of the Peak/BSU Sports Radio Network.
…..Lambs to the slaughter…………..
When in doubt, throw money at the situation to see what happens..
Just remember, this isn't LOCAL money, it's NBC-Universal's money.
What happened to hiring LOCAL talent to fill the void of a talentless market in the News/Talk genre?
What do you want to bet they are beefing up KIDO so that they can move it over to Lite's signal on the FM dial? Why else would they be bringing in expensive talent during an economic meltdown?
Now we know where the money for the morning show went. He has some excellent credentials and may be able to pull this off, but as the Zen Master said, “We'll see.” I'm going to be a skeptic until I get to listen to a few of his shows.
I'm happy to hear Austin is coming to Boise! He's been doing mornings down here in Phoenix on an interim basis for about 5 months and runs a really tight show.
I'll have to start streaming KIDO now. :)
Am I the only one, after perusing this fellow's resume, to think that calling him “local” may be a bit of a stretch? The way their news release reads, he won't even be living here when he starts. Will he move here with his family before or after he sees the numbers from his first rating periods?
I'm pretty sure that – at least in the beginning – he'll demonstrate a level of knowledge and understanding of local issues and culture comparable to that of their new morning guy, another import from outside the region (somebody buy him an Idaho Place Names Guide).
But hey, Nate Shelman seems to have adapted. Maybe these guys will also.
I caught just a little bit of his show today… and what I heard was decent and hopeful…cannot say more until I have listened more…
I did get a kick out of the comment….”the area code for Idaho is 208″
Sure glad he had to tell me and anyone else here that….Must have been a little embrassin' for him too when he realized what it sounded like on this end of the radio dial….
I will say this, The afternoon guy sounds a heck of a lot better than the new morning dude… I tried to listen this morning and could not stand it… If I took him hunting for deer, I am convinced he would shoot at everything in his path neither hitting it nor the deer that might pass by…. Seems to need some serious focus and direction in his thought process and presentation.
Good luck Austin! Phoenix's loss, but why move there! Do a Joe crummey, work from Phoenix! they will not know the difference.
Hi Kevin,
Can you get Troy Jackson’s story to Rush, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck? This is ANOTHER story of how Government REWARDS EVIL and PUNISHES RIGHTEOUSNESS. All three men love dogs. And, perhaps flagging Caesar Millan to help Troy might be helpful too.
I’m so ashamed of IDAHO in this situation.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!