Simulcast or not? AM or not? And other short takes

 

When is a simulcast not a simulcast?: It began with a story on the NewsBreak app and quoted on Reddit, claiming that all-news KNX was no longer simulcast on both 97.1 FM and AM 1070. This triggered several responses mourning the loss of the 50,000 watt non-directional AM signal, allowing the station to reach a wide area up and down the Pacific Coast and helping cover areas where their FM signal is lacking.

The posting prompted a quick response from Alex Silverman, the station’s Director of News and Programming. He corrected the posting, stating the simulcast continues except for weekend mornings where the station runs “paid and specialty programs. “

KNX towers off Hawthorne Bl in Torrance dailybreeze.com

We did get a lot of response when KNX surprised their listeners with an FM simulcast and a new handle (“KNX News 97-1 FM”) over two years ago. Still, it’s estimated 40 percent of their listeners, generally an older audience, will continue listening to the AM option of a simulcast, particularly in those “fringe” areas which can’t get a clear FM signal on 97.1. Plus, KNX is the backup emergency broadcast signal for KFI, a 50,000 watt clear channel facility.

The infomercials and bartered programs are a distraction from their all-news coverage, though it’s limited to the AM for seven hours every weekend and has been instituted for over a year. Still, listeners did notice and shared their opinions on social media. Somebody’s obviously listening.

One more note: Apparently the original article on NewsBreak was written by a robot. More material for my future column on radio and artificial intelligence.

Right on, AM: There is currently a bill receiving bipartisan Senate support which will require automakers to continue to keep AM as an option in the dashboards of new vehicles. But that doesn’t reduce the chatter about the demise of AM.

Specifically, there is a belief among some that banning AM radio is on the agenda of progressives to limit the choice to hear of hearing conservative talk programming. Here in L.A., Salem’s “The Answer” (KRLA) and iHeart’s “The Patriot” (KEIB) facilitate right-wing friendly hosts (think Sean Hannity, Dennis Praeger, Glenn Beck, Mark Levin, Hugh Hewitt, among many others), arguably KABC skews conservative (Dan Bongino, Ben Shapiro, the solo live-and-local John Phillips), all AM signals.

There are numerous conservative talk stations on the FM dial across the country, but somewhat uncommon in major markets. At least locally, talk programming on commercial FM was eventually deemed unsuccessful (interestingly, KNX’s FM home was once “97.1 FM Talk”). Also missing on the SoCal FM dial but heard in New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, etc. is sports talk, a format that’s been successful, but not dominant, in L.A.

Is there an agenda to silence conservative voices by eliminating AM from new cars? The aforementioned bipartisan Senate bill would argue against this view. More on AM in the days to come.

FM no static: Of course, there's this guide to FM my son found somewhere on social media.

Some very short takes: It was interesting to hear the Ting Tings on KROQ the other day, I hear the attempt to create an inclusive playlist. I still think Kevin Weatherly has one of the more difficult jobs in town… KKGO HD-3 was all Taylor Swift, coinciding with her L.A. performances. Their target audience is likely unaware of HD radio, let alone radio. Most believe this is stunting before a format flip, but if it’s not being streamed, sadly few will notice…

Kevin Weatherly, Clay Travis, Buck Sexton

It’s often said the ratings for sports radio don’t look great in LA, but they rate significantly with the M 25-54 audience. I wonder if that’s true for Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM (KWKW) or for KTNQ’s Dodgers coverage… It appears Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, who now occupy Rush Limbaugh’s former slot on The Patriot 1150 (KEIB), are quite successful with their podcast, averaging just below 10 million downloads…

Chris Morales, John Ireland, Steve Mason

I’ve been told Chris Morales and his “billboarding” of shows on 710 / ESPN (KSPN) after commercial breaks gives the station a “distinctive” sound, but I personally think he makes Mason & Ireland and other shows sound cluttered. Morales obviously knows sports, just give him his own show...

Heavenly happy birthday to Art Laboe, he would have been 98 years of age this week. Over the weekend there was a tribute at Grand Performances, plus the Art Laboe Connection shows continue next month in L.A. and in Inglewood.

Re-accessing AllAccess: Some breaking news: Originally scheduled to sign off on August 15, AllAccess.com will continue, albeit in an abbreviated format, starting on August 16. Publisher Joel Denver posted on social media the music downloads of current hits in different formats will continue, as well as the Jobs / Situations Wanted, Industry Directory, Nielsen Audio ratings, and archived 10 Questions interviews among other features.  “We hope that this gives all our readers, clients and partners some welcome news,” said Denver. “Many thanks to our wonderful readers, clients and partners for your amazing support that allows us to continue to publish this limited set of services on ALLACCESS.COM.”

Get on the Pod: We’re going to start highlighting podcasts offered by local broadcast veterans. If you’ve a podcast you’d like us to feature, please drop us a line at ayodaradio@gmail.com. You can also use the same email to subscribe for blog updates.