Airwaves: November 13
Devine Intervention
My car stereo is possessed.
For some reason, at seemingly random times it will change radio stations while
I am parked. Actually it changes bands, but it tends to change from whatever
I am listening to on AM (usually KFI) to some random station on my FM
presets (usually Go Country 105). It’s happened enough times when
I get back in my truck after surfing, that I just assumed it was telling me
that I’ve already heard enough of Bill Handel and that it’s time
for me to get on with my life.
More recently it did something that surprised even me: on a Sunday morning
when I stopped for coffee, it changed from American Top-40 on KOLA (99.9
FM) to the Jesus Christ Show on KFI. That’s the first time it has
EVER changed from FM to AM. And it did it twice on the same morning.
Devine intervention, or just the German engineers at Blaupunkt playing tricks
on me?
Citadel Troubles
Citadel, owner of KABC (790 AM) and KLOS (95.5 FM) disclosed
in its recent quarterly filing with the SEC that it is talking with its creditors
about the possibility of declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The company saw net revenue fall lost 10 percent in the third quarter and says
it may not be able to meet its credit obligations in January. This doesn’t
mean the days of the company are numbered, but it may mean some stations will
be sold in the coming months ... IF they can get enough cash for them.
It’s a tough time for radio -- and all media, for that matter. With a
down economy companies are reluctant to spend advertising dollars, and those
that do are trying to get better rates. In the case of radio, though, many
companies over spent on properties as they bought their way up the ladder of
consolidation, and they are finding themselves in a pickle.
Citadel has over $2 billion in debt; As of Monday, the company’s stock
was trading for as low as five cents per share due to the bankruptcy fears,
a decrease of 60 percent from an already low value seen last week.
KABC Followup
I said last week I am not a betting man. I should be: KABC’s new afternoon
financial “show” hosted by Moe Ansari turns out to be an informercial
just as Don Barrett of LARadio.com said it was. According to Barrett:
“So what happened Monday? Following the 6 PM newscast yesterday afternoon,
KABC aired the following intro to the new financial show: ‘The following
program is a paid commercial announcement. The sponsor is responsible for its
content, which KABC does not necessarily endorse or support.’”
Van Hook Passes
Longtime sports reporter Rod Van Hook, heard for over three decades
on such stations as KFWB (980 AM), KSPN (710 AM) and the original KMPC (also
710 AM) passed away Saturday from complications related to pancreatic cancer.
He was 61.
A graduate of Santa Monica High School, Van Hook earned a B.S. degree
in English and U. S. History from UCLA. He was considered a true gentleman
and a first-rate announcer ... a real pro. Services are pending.
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Copyright © 2009 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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