Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Sac Frequency

Is "The Buzz" Real? How "Classic" is Radio?

2009-07-03T01:32:23Z

Sacramento radio severely suffered two more steps back in the last six weeks. First KWOD-FM (106.5) stopped playing Alternative music, held on to Nirvana and Green Day, then re-birthed as 106.5 The Buzz -- "Totally 90s."

Anyone Else Puking?

Many former KWOD listeners did their marketing for The Buzz by publicly complaining about the new format. This has put The Buzz in a situation that every radio station would love to be in -- Everyone knows they exist. But do they care? No.

Will it last?

No.

It might adjust to add 80's and/or early 2000's music -- which, I might add, it already plays a little bit of. With time it might adjust to sound more like a KGBY-FM (My 92.5) or even KZZO-FM (100.5 The Zone). But it will not last more than 18 months with an all-90's playlist. The 90s lacked as a decade musically. It was great for those in their teens, but the decade only has approximately 300 songs to choose from. That will get old very fast.

Consider that in the last week The Buzz played 57 of those 300 songs at least 10 times. That's two full days of music. See why this will get old fast? When you can't play new music, you are bound to bury yourself. Hence why I do not think "all 90s" will last more than 18 months.

Classic Clear Channel

Clear Channel did it again. They started up a "radio station in a box" on their new 93.1 FM frequency. Touting "70's and 80's Classic Hits" they decided to start playing music already heard on multiple Sacramento-area radio stations. Many of those of which have local on-air hosts.

"Classic 93.1" does have DJs, and they are pre-recorded from markets around the country, including San Diego and New York. This was blatantly obvious when Michael Jackson passed away last week. Almost every radio station in Sacramento was conducting on-air tributes of some sort. Two of those even received TV coverage for their tributes (KCCL-FM 92.1, KHYL-FM 101.1). But, 93.1 was oblivious.

And this is how Clear Channel is paving the way for the radio industry. Thanks guys!

Feedback Time: Here's a question I'd love to have you post your answer to:

If someone handed you the keys to an FM radio station in Sacramento, what type of programming would you offer? Why?

What Happens In Vegas Happens in Sacramento Simultaneously

2009-02-13T06:01:31Z

Dare I type this article using the Courier font; I wouldn't want Mercedes to not read my article about her new-to-Sacramento morning show. I also wouldn't want her to karate chop me.

The half Hungarian, half Spanish co-host of Mark & Mercedes in the Morning on KZZO-FM (100.5 The Zone) has been married for nearly nine years, has two kids, and her radio career is going in a direction that many radio folk would love to duplicate. She has been co-hosting a morning show in Las Vegas for the last 12 years, and now she has expanded to two markets.

Mark and Mercedes have a new challenge, and that is to remain relevant with radio listeners in Sacramento and Las Vegas. Is that possible? Mark seems to think so: "What we can do is discuss news stories of national interest and pop culture items that will appeal to both markets." He continues, "We also strive to create compelling content based on the events of our daily lives and the lives of our listeners."

M&M (as I like to call them) aren't the only ones facing this challenge. Sacramento has many radio shows on the air that originate in far away lands, like Rush Limbaugh on KFBK-AM (News Talk 1530) who originates from New York and sometimes Florida, Sean Hannity on KSTE-AM (Talk 650) from New York, Mark and Brian on KSEG-FM (96.9 The Eagle) from Los Angeles, Ryan Seacrest on KGBY-FM (My 92.5) also from LA, among many others.

Not all KZZO listeners have embraced M&M just yet.

"Some of the negative e-mails have indicated a desire for more music," Mark tells me. "Not surprising, given the fact that KZZO was extremely music intensive during (the) morning [commute] prior to the launch of our show."

Mark & Mercedes can be heard weekday mornings from 5:00am until 10:00am. But the question is, do M&M like the type of music they play on KZZO? Well, their favorite performance from Sunday's Grammy award show was Coldplay, if that means anything.

And if you're still wondering about the Courier font and karate talk at the beginning of this article, those are things Mercedes is very vocal about. She hates Courier, and knows karate.

I, too, know karate; and nine other Chinese words.

I Have Bragging Rights

Two stories I reported last week as rumors have happened, so I brag.

KCCL-FM (92.1 K-HITS) is bringing back the Sacramento River Cats this year. The season starts April 9th, and expect away games to be tape delayed as they were in 2008.

Armstrong & Getty, mornings on KSTE, are now also heard from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on sister station KFBK. No, they are not live. Most of the content is re-packaged from their morning show. In all honesty, I like the evening version better. All of the hot air has been taken out and it is nothing but pure news talk and entertaining content.

Talk To Me

I decided to start something new this week to make sure I am delivering information about Sacramento radio that you actually want to know. Each week I will ask a question in the Talk To Me portion of my column. Answer the question simply by posting a comment to this article below.

This week's question: Who is your single favorite radio personality in Sacramento radio? Why?

2009 Starts At The End For Some

2009-02-02T15:27:04Z

Hope was in the air across the nation on January 20th as Barack Obama was being sworn in as our 44th President. Fear, anxiety, and panic was in the minds and hearts of many of those working in the Sacramento Clear Channel building that very same day.

It wasn't an ordinary day for those driving to the Ethan Way broadcast facility. You see, Clear Channel, owner and operator of over 1,000 radio stations nationwide, had previously announced a massive restructuring that would cut their work force by 9%, or 1,850 employees. But who would be shown the door? Sales staff; on-air personalities; management? How about a mix of everything.

Bruce Maiman, the popular host of "Sacramento's Only Local Talk At Night", as KFBK-AM (News Talk 1530) branded it, was one of the casualties. Bruce is a great broadcaster, and probably one of the few genuine hosts that Sacramento talk radio has seen in a long time. You could hear his passion every night as he made his listeners really think with phone call-in topics such as: What is one thing the government would have to do to cause you to go up in arms against your country?

If that doesn't make you think, there may not be much hope for you.

Insiders tell me Maiman's slot is going to be filled by a "best of" Armstrong & Getty from sister station KSTE-AM (Talk 650). (Edit : This report has been confirmed by industry trade magazine, AllAccess)

News Director Drew Sandsor was another victim that will be restructuring his life. As the News Director he oversaw the news staff of anchors and reporters. KFBK has been a market leader for many years so it is safe to say that Sandsor was a valuable asset to the team.

With Clear Channel also owning the 2nd highest-rated News/Talk station in the market, KSTE-AM, there isn't a lot of hope for Maiman or Sandsor, unless they seek another role in the radio industry in Sacramento.

In addition to these two talented staffers it is estimated that approximately half a dozen Account Executives (sales people) were also released; Yes, commission-only employees even saw the boot.

Clear Channel Gets Jacked

On December 15th of last year Clear Channel announced a trade deal with CBS radio (locally owns KSFM-FM 102.5, KYMX-FM Mix 96.1, KZZO-FM 100.5 The Zone, KNCI-FM Country 105.1, KQJK-FM 93.7 Jack FM and KHTK-AM Sports 1140). This agreement would give CBS two of Clear Channel's Houston, TX stations, and would give Clear Channel five of CBS' stations, including KQJK-FM.

This swap is still awaiting regulatory approval, but is expected to be allowed.

It has raised question about whether or not Clear Channel will keep the current "Jack FM" branded format of "Playing What We Want." Clear Channel is not a company that usually licenses brands and formats (which is how CBS uses the JACK-FM name and likeness), but this deal could make KQJK one of the most profitable in the Clear Channel Sacramento cluster.

Whoever Invented Baseball On Oldies Radio Should Be Ashamed Of Themselves

It has been long-rumored, but is now expected, that Oldies KCCL-FM (92.1 K-Hits) would be signing for another year as the flagship station for the Sacramento Rivercats. A source from within the Rivercats organization told me, "It is very likely that our team will be heard on 92.1 again, and management is very excited about it."

A phone call to KCCL's offices for confirmation went unreturned.

Ratings For Fall 2008

Radio ratings for Fall 2008 (October-December) were released two weeks ago. The top ten stations with persons ages 12 and older are as follows:

KFBK-AM, KSTE-AM, KDND-FM (107.9 The End), KRXQ-FM (98 Rock), KSFM-FM, KSSJ-FM (Smooth Jazz 94.7), KNCI-FM, KYMX-FM, KSEG-FM (96.9 The Eagle), KHYL-FM (V101.1).