The debut of KNX 97.1 FM News
It became "the" featured story on the station's daily "In Depth" Monday afternoon program. All-news KNX, which celebrated their centennial in 2020, was adding an FM simulcast and rebranding the station.
A recent "KNX In Depth" program interviewing Dan Akroyd.
From L to R: Akroyd, Charles Feldman, Mike Simpson
Audacy Chair, President and CEO David Field was on the phone. In studio was Jeff Federman, Audacy Southern California Regional President, and Ken Charles, Brand Manager and Program Director, joining hosts Mike Simpson and Charles Feldman. Indeed, the VIPs were present to launch "KNX News 97-1 FM."
Ken Charles, KNX Brand Manager and Program Director
“This is a project that is years in the making, not just days or weeks in the making, to get to the right point and the right time to do it…listen, it’s like birthing a baby," said Charles. "I feel like I’m a father and at 3:01 I’m going to pull out the cigars and the champagne,” to which Simpson replied “now you have twins.”
Jeff Federman, Audacy Southern California Regional President
Federman explained how simulcasting KNX on FM was important to the future of providing news to their audience. "It just so happens in a market like Southern California more people are on the FM dial…and so that’s where we want to be. It’s the mall that everybody’s going to, and so we have to have our store in that mall…that’s one of the main drivers of simulcasting KNX on the FM band.”
“Consumption, right now, (of) the spoken word – a lot driven by podcasts as well and streaming and ability to access spoken word is up, is at an all-time high…somewhere around 22 million (listeners) across the country in just the last five or six years. That’s a staggering number. And that’s why we have to be where people are going," said Federman.
Audacy Chair, President and CEO David Field
(photo: hollywoodreporter.com)
Field said the decision to reformat 97.1 FM reflected Audacy's commitment to the all-news outlet. “These are very, very valuable channels…I think it makes a huge statement about the value that we as a company and that our leadership team in Los Angeles places on KNX and the value that it serves for the community in so many important ways."
“Primarily (FM) being a clear signal, really we’re introducing the station to people quite frankly probably don’t know it exists on the AM band," said Federman. "And for me, personally, that’s what’s so exciting about this is that we do a really good job here, you guys (with) ‘In Depth,’ all the reporters doing an incredible job for 100 years. The next generation, the next hundred years are going to be filled on the FM side.”
Charles noted AM is not an option in some of the newer cars. “If you bought a new Tesla, or a new BMW, there’s not even an AM radio in it. So by the way, at 3 o’clock today we’re giving all of you permission to go out and buy a new BMW or Tesla.” He later clarified “we’re not giving you one, we’re giving you permission (to buy one).”
The FM simulcast also introduced new sounders and local news at the top of the hour during drive time (The hourly CBS network news continues the rest of the day). “Our commitment to Southern California isn’t going to change," said Charles. "Our commitment to covering the big stories every day isn’t going to change, but we always have to remember that the things that people care about most are what affects their families, their pocketbooks, their jobs, their neighborhoods and we really need to run everything we cover through that filter. It is so crucial…we need to think with our hearts, not with our heads, what affects the most people.”
Field said expanding KNX to the FM dial reflects Audacy's commitment to news and information at all of their news and information properties. “In addition to the adding (KNX) to the FM dial, we’re continuing to increase our investment in quality journalism across the country." He said Audacy is "continuing to invest more" in KNX and their other stations "to provide great reporters and great resources so that the quality of the information we provide continues to maintain the same standards that won the station so many awards over the years and even grow it from there. He added "I think that’s a really important part of this at a time when you see so many news organizations across the country cutting corners and pulling back in ways that frankly are detrimental to our democracy.”
Tomorrow we'll review a bit of the history that resulted in this notable change to the local airwaves, plus some hypotheses on what may happen next here in L.A.
ayodaradio@gmail.com
I wonder how the ratings companies with show the simulcast in the next book. Will it show KNX as one of two stations two stations?
ReplyDeleteSterrett Harper
Burbank
Oops, it should read "Will it show KNX as one or two stations?"
DeleteNielsen follows what Arbitron used to do, simulcast numbers are combined. The same holds true when a station uses a FM repeater. Thanks for the question!
Delete