June 5.cwk

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 O’Reilly’s 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 Harvey’s 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.”

It’s 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 don’t make this stuff up.

What’s Up With Jill?

I can’t get confirmation, but I’ve heard rumblings of some sort of management changes over at Jill-FM (92.7).

If there is some truth to the rumors, wouldn’t 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.

///

To subscribe to The Daily Breeze, call (310) 540-5511