Idaho Radio News Etc.

KWEI/1260 AM is now full-time sports, with ESPN Deportes radio. The station already carries Spanish-language broadcasts of Boise State sports on 99.5 FM as part of a partnership agreement with Peak Broadcasting – and has expanded ESPN programming to all dayparts on its AM station. The FM signal continues to pump out its “La Ley” format of Mexican Regional music.

Imapct Radio Group OM/PD Mikey Fuentes has decided his new station – KPDA/La Poderosa 100.7 is one of a kind. Check out this fancy footwork, as told to R&R:

“There’s only one other local station in town and they do more of a variety format, so as far as being regional and local, we’re the only one that fills those shoes.”

The Boise market has five Spanish stations of course.  His line to R&R slices out KQTA, KDBI and KWEI-AM – trying to refer to just KWEI-FM.

There are two other “local” Spanish-language stations – KWEI-AM and KWEI-FM.  Bustos Media fields two stations – KDBQI runs a Spanish AC format and KQTA runs Regional Mexican.  Sure, KPDA is local (except in the mornings), and yes it’s a Regional Mexican format – but it’s about as misleading as a presidential campaign ad to characterize it the way Fuentes did to R&R.

Here’s the entire posting:

Account Executive (Boise)

must have radio sales experience,reliable transportation and must be bilingual
Contact Debra for more information 2083671859

That phone number is for KWEI Spanish Radio…

Peak Broadcasting and KWEI will work together to broadcast all the BSU Football home games this year in Spanish. A full team is in place: Steve Ramirez and Marcos Magallon on play-by-play, color commentary by former defensive lineman Alex Guerrero and Edgar Uriostegui on the sideline. Guerrero will also contribute to KIDO’s pre-game.

News release after the jump (UPDATE: the Fight Fight BSU blog broke this yesterday!)

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

We’ve been closely watching the Spanish-language stations in the Treasure Valley – which collectively had a strong spring book. With the fall numbers, the stations fell back to earth:

- KWEI-FM fell from 1.1 to 0.7.
- KDBI-FM fell from a 3.8 to 0.9
- KQTA charted for the first time at 0.7.

The radio dial is sounding quite festive this Christmas eve. As I headed to services this evening – I was pleasantly surprised at the number of stations that dropped their normal formats to get in the spirit – with 100% Christmas music:

KTSY/89.5 FM
KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3
KZMG/Magic 93.1
KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River
KAYN/Boomer 100.7
KAWO/WOW Country 104.3
KBOI/News-Talk 670
KTHI/107.1 K-Hits

These stations join KXLT/107.9 Lite FM which went all-Holiday on Thanksgiving, and KDJQ-AM which went all Christmas last week.

KKGL, KCIX, KJOT, KQFC, KWEI, KDBI, KSAS are all playing some Christmas cuts along with their normal format. That’s 17 total stations from ‘AWO to ‘ZMG. They should all conspire to play Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer at the same time. Now THAT would be funny.

About the only stations I could find that hadn’t adjusted formats were KSRV/96.1 Bob FM and The X.

Here’s a look at what Boise-area stations are doing to help the community this year. The Idaho State Broadcasters Association notes that in 2005 (the most recent year available), Idaho radio stations took in $2.1 in fundraising donations (along with $20 million in PSA value).

KTSY – The station is holding a Christmas concert at the Nampa Civic Center on December 19th, featuring local artists. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy which will go to Nampa’s Salvation Army. Details

KIZN – The annual Keep Kids Warm event is taking several approaches to help pay for heating costs for area families. Schools are competing to raise funds – with the school that raises the most getting a concert with American Idol star Bucky Covington. The station is also teaming with Intermountain Gas, to make it easy for folks to add money to their bill to donate to those in need. The station will also host an on-air auction that will start December 17th. Last year, Keep Kids Warm raised $50,000. Details

KZMG – Magic 93.1 is taking part in Christmas in the Nighttime Sky (see KBOI)

KRVB – The River’s annual Concert for Cause was held Wednesday night, and featured an all-local bill headed by Curtis Stigers. The event moved to the Morrison Center and benefited the new Interfaith Sanctuary. Details. KRVB is also joining other Journal stations, KIVI, KTVB, KBCI and others in collecting toys for Toys for Tots.

KKGL – 96.9 The Eagle is helping collect gifts for children at the Idaho Youth Ranch. Details

KQFC – All this week, 97.9 KQFC’s Q Wakin’ Crew is helping collect donations for five families. Morning co-host Debi is on location at Wal-Mart and Albertsons locations around the Valley helping collect items for the families selected. Details

KWEI – The Spanish AM/FM combo is helping collect needed items for the Ronald McDonald House. The House – located near St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital – gives families of sick kids a place to stay. Details

KQXR – The X is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KSAS – Hooker in the Morning is taking Christmas wishes during the morning show and helping to fill the needs for a variety of listeners.

KAWO – WOW Country 104.3 is taking suggestions for folks who should get a free Christmas tree this holiday. Details. Also, the station is in the midst of its St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital drive.

KJOT – J-105 is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KCIX – Mix 106 is featuring twelve cute puppies and 12 kittens in need of a home for its “12 Strays of Christmas” promotion. Each of the animals is from the Canyon County Animal Shelter – and two of the ten animals featured so far have found a new home. Details

KTHI – 107.1 K-Hits is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KXLT – 107.9 Lite FM continues a tradition started long ago by KCIX/K-106 with the Home Federal Christmas Wish. Folks can stop into any Home Federal location, nominate a deserving family for a variety of needs – and Home Federal and KXLT will work to fill wishes each day through the holidays. Details

KBOI – KBOI is teaming up with several other Citadel stations for Christmas in the Nighttime Sky. The station is taking toy donations for Toys for Tots during the event this Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Garden City. The event will feature a fireworks show, hot foods for sale and more. Santa Claus will be on hand – and donations will go to the American Heart Association.

KTIK – KTIK is taking part in Christmas in the Nighttime Sky (see KBOI).

Others? Let me know…