Airwaves: December 1, 2006
Music in the Air
Since radio time began, music stations have spiced up their formats this time
of year by adding a holiday song here and there. KRTH (101.1 FM) is perhaps
one of the best at this, due primarily that almost any holiday song fits the
oldies format pretty well. Stations all across the dial have similarly followed
suit.
But by now I'm sure you're asking yourself, "where the heck can I hear Christmas/Holiday
music all day long?
Glad you asked. As it has for the past few years, KOST (103.5 FM) has
abandoned its normal sappy light rock format in favor of holiday music 24/7 ...
with the rare Love Song exception. I was listening recently as I put lights up
on the house, and it set the mood perfectly. No wonder KOST's ratings always
go up this time of year.
For the satellite radio fan, both XM and Sirius have dedicated holiday channels.
From light rock to country, they've got you covered.
Toys for Tots
KABC (790 AM) will be at the Holiday Spectacular performance of
the California Philharmonic tomorrow at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena,
collecting new unwrapped toys for needy children.
Working with the Assistance League of Southern California, KABC will take toys
at the door as well as through the mail at Community Relations, PO Box 790, Los
Angeles, CA 90016.
Tomorrow's concert will feature highlights from The Nutcracker and Hansel and
Gretel, as well as Handel's Hallelujah Chorus and a Christmas carol sing-along.
The Ambassador Auditorium is located at 131 South St. James Avenue in old Pasadena.
Endorsements
It appears that endorsements aren't what they are cracked up to be, at least
judging by the mail generated by this column two weeks ago.
From the internet, Craig During wrote, "I usually ignore most things advertised
on radio, whether by personalities or unknown voices."
"Does anyone really let star endorsements influence product choice," asks
Dorothea Jaster of Torrance. "Yikes! I hope not. Even when a celebrity I
respect praises something, I wouldn't let that affect my shopping or use. Never."
Carol Stack of Hawthorne was a bit more positive about the idea, stating "I
know that Dennis Prager (of KRLA, 870 AM) stands by everything
he endorses and personally uses. I believe him to be credible. Also Doug McIntyre on
KABC talks about a check ordering company and a termite company that he uses
-- I also believe him. Al Rantel and Larry Elder (both also of
KABC) advertise products I believe they really use."
But ... "So far I have not bought any of the products they endorse. Most
of the products are things I haven't been interested in ... yet," she concludes.
No wonder radio stocks are in trouble ...
///
Copyright © 2006 Richard Wagoner and The Copley Press.
To subscribe to The Daily Breeze, call (310) 540-5511