Airwaves: June 5, 2009
Ziegler to KGIL
Valley-based KGIL (1260 and 540 AM, 105.3 HD-3) announced this week
that it is bringing John Ziegler back to the local airwaves. Beginning
Monday, Ziegler will handle the 11 AM to 1 PM weekday shift on the station;
syndicated hosts Glenn Beck and Monica Crowley will each lose an hour of their
programs to make room. This will be the only local show on the station, which
could be considered a status symbol for the former KFI (640 AM) evening
host.
Ziegler left KFI in November, 2007 for what was then called mutual reasons. At
the time it was claimed that he was going to be busy with other projects. Soon,
however, word leaked out about ongoing problems between Ziegler and KFI afternoon
hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou. Ziegler countered with his
version of what happened on a website, therealkfi.com (since taken down, though
you may be able to find it on a cache site). After the site was launched, it
was fairly universally assumed that Ziegler would never return to the airwaves
again.
But as syndicated talker Don Imus proved, time heals all wounds. Ziegler
began doing commentaries on KGIL last year, and it will be interesting to hear
what changes, if any, he has in store for fans. More details as they develop.
In a parallel-universe sort of related move, Bill OReillys
commentaries, formerly heard on KABC (790 AM), will also be on KGIL
... weekdays at 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
More Classical
Classical music has returned to the Los Angeles digital airwaves, available
on an HD Radio at 105.1 HD-2. The format replaces classic country that
has been heard on that stream for just over a year.
The Beat Goes On
Steve Harveys syndicated morning show is out at The Beat (KDAY,
93.5 FM Los Angeles). Replacing him is The Morning Beat, a music-intensive
(read: no personalities) program that the station says will air until
further notice.
Its quite a change from the old days at The Beat. While just a year ago
The Beat was filled with syndicated shows with the exception of one shirt (mid-days),
the station has pulled a 180: now the only syndication comes from Keith Sweat
overnights and Michael Baisden in the afternoon. I like that trend.
This move does not seem to affect in any way the former KDAY simulcast at 93.5
FM in the Inland Empire, KWIE/Ontario. KWIE became The Flo last
August. Flo, you know, as in go with the flo.
No I dont make this stuff up.
Whats Up With Jill?
I cant get confirmation, but Ive heard rumblings of some sort of
management changes over at Jill-FM (92.7).
If there is some truth to the rumors, wouldnt it be great to see someone
like former Mix 95.9 (now The Fish) programmer Craig Carpenter take
the reigns and recreate some radio magic like he did at The Mix? That would
make my day.
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Copyright © 2009 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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