Dallasites: What radio station should we target for AAR?

[crispini]

I think we should pick one RW talk station and try to focus some energy on them. The argument's really easy to make: "Hey, the city of Dallas voted for Democrats. Now, there are, what, 4 RW talk stations in this market? So you can have one quarter of the RW market, or you can bring us AAR, corner the market, and have allllllll of the Democrats."

The question is, who would be a good station to target? Anyone know who's got piss-poor ratings? Anyone know if anyone is already doing anything like this?

[mhr]

1. This Might Help - I Don't Know How To Interpret The Data

http://www.radiodailynews.com/11-22dallas-fortworth.htm

It's called an arbitrend report.

[crispini]

2. Great!

I don't know how to interpret it either, but it's got the ranking, too. Anyone know which radio stations are devoted to RW talk? I don't pay any attention to them.

[BrightKnight]

26. You might be able to air a few AAR programs on KNON.

You might be able to air a few AAR programs on KNON. This is a well established progressive community radio station. People love this station and would not like to see it changed to fulltime AAR content.

Airing a few programs on sympathetic community radio stations might be a good way to break into new markets.


http://www.knon.org/

They are always holding pledge drives. AAR content might help them generate much needed ad revenue. "Pledge Drives always start on the first Sunday of the month and run for two weeks."

[crispini]

27. Do you know any of the volunteers or staff down there?

A connection would be instrumental in opening up a dialog with them.

[BrightKnight]

28. Going through a committed insider would be the best approach.

I do not know anyone at the station.

I agree with you. Going through known contacts at the station would be best. A committed insider would know if and how this might be done. I am certain that many of the volunteers working at the station are politically active. It shouldn't be too difficult to find people there that have worked with the party.

I think that they will need to be convinced that AAR is not taking over the station. The station is generally progressive but they don't make a big deal out of it. They are "the voice of the people." They give air to many different voices that would not otherwise be heard. I believe that AAR is an important other voice that would not otherwise be heard. If airing a few programs gives AAR the foothold necessary to establish a full presence in DFW they will have done the community a great service. There is no liberal voice in Dallas. The station does not have to agree with the content of the programming to agree that it is worth having.

I know that there are other community radio stations that are broadcasting some AAR programs. It might be helpful to talk to them. Perhaps a station manager form one of these stations could help pitch the idea to KNON.

[jackster]

3. we have two here in the Boston area.....

wish we could just give you one of ours! Even tho we're the bastion of liberal thought here, rw radio rules the airwave. Howie Carr one of our resident dittoheads complains constantly that the entire media is ruled by liberals while there was not one dissenting voice on the radio until this fall when Progressive Talk finally came to town!

just so typical rethug/regressive - give them a quarter and they STILL couldn't buy a clue!

[Liberal In Texas]

4. I think it would probably have to be AM radio...

...which is problematic right now, as the big guys are pretty much owned by RWers, Christians -church owned-, or Spanish speaking. The specialty stations like Disney, The Ticket are probably untouchable.

You don't want a "sun" station, only on the air during daylight.

Perhaps AAR could convert a Spanish station that is simulcasting already with another station. (Why do they need 2 frequencies?)

At the end of the day, I think someone rich lib is going to have to buy a station to get AAR on the air in DFW.

Other ideas?

Here's a list I found, the site is a mess, had to clean it up:
http://www.discoverdfw.com/radioguide.htm

AM STATIONS

KDFT (540) Sunrise-sunset: Spanish religious/gospel/talk
KLIF (570) 24 hrs.: Talk - extreme RW
KMKI (620) 24 hrs.: Radio Disney
KSKY (660) 24 hrs.: Christian talk/music
KKDA (730) 24 hrs.: Soul/gospel/talk
KAAM (770) 24 hrs.: Big band/standards
WBAP (820) 24 hrs.: News/talk/ABC
KFJZ (870) Sunrise-sunset: Spanish
KXEB (910) 24 hrs.: Multiethnic
KHVN (970) 24 hrs.: Black gospel
KXXL (990) 24 hrs.: Talk America - Very RW
KGGR (1040) 24 hrs.: Black Christian
KRLD (1080) 24 hrs.: Daytime all-news/talk/CBS
KBIS (1150) 24 hrs.: Multiethnic
KFXR (1190) 24 hrs.: Sports talk/Fox
KESS (1270) 24 hrs.: Regional Mexican
KTCK (1310) 24 hrs.: Sports talk
KAHZ (1360) 24 hrs.: Radio Unica -Spanish
KBEC (1390) 6 a.m.-11 p.m.: Classic country
KGVL (1400) 24 hrs.: Country
KTNO (1440) 24 hrs.: Spanish gospel
KHCK (1480) 24 hrs.: Tejano (KHCK-FM simulcast)
KZMP (1540) 24 hrs.: Regional Mexican (KZMP-FM simulcast)
KPYK (1570) 24 hrs.: Big band/easy listening/talk overnight
KNAX (1630) 24 hrs.: Spanish gospel (KTNO-AM simulcast)
KTBK (1700) 24 hrs: Sports talk (KTCK-AM simulcast)

[crispini]

5. Ok, here's the bottom of the barrel from the arbitrons.

Cross referenced with your list.

KESN-FM 28t
KDXX-FM 31
KHVN-AM 32t : Black gospel
KSKY-AM 32t : Christian talk/music
KKDL-FM 32t
KKDA-AM 35t : Soul/gospel/talk
KAAM-AM 35t : Big band/standards
KHYI-FM 37
KTFW-FM 38
KFLC-AM 39 : ??? Couldn't find this one.
KWRD-FM 40

I couldn't find some of the RW talk ones on your list.

[crispini]

6. We really need someone local who works in radio

to tell us which station is most vulnerable.

Then we just snow them with "101 Reasons Why It Would Be Financially Smart to Put On Some Liberal Talk" and BAM! we're in like Flynn.

Reasons 1-101: 565,000 people voting straight Dem / Kerry in the last election.

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Unfortunately

I just wound up over 30 years in broadcasting, but it wasn't radio.

Radio and TV people pretty much don't hang out together (although there are exceptions.) I've know a few radio guys over the years, none well anymore, they seem to come and go pretty quickly.

Anyhow, I really think, like you, that there is a huge audience to be had. If that 105 FM piece of fluff can be number 1, you know AAR could do well.

I know several people who are self-employed and listen to radio all day long in their shops/making calls etc. and although I hear them say they listen to NPR once in awhile, mostly they're practically captive audiences to the RW hate radio. I really think they would welcome an alternative.

I wish I knew who to talk to.

[crispini]

8. Ok, who, in local radio,

do we think is nice and/or left-leaning? If we can just get one person to give us some ideas about who to talk to, then we follow the trail from there.

I know someone who works at KERA-TV... wonder if he could give us a name on the radio side....

[GOPisEvil]

9. You might try to determine who owns certain under-performing stations.

And present them with any evidence of ratings increases with other AAR conversions. Maybe you could get that data from AAR. :shrug: Maybe AAR is working on Dallas, and has a few targets in mind already...

[Liberal In Texas]

10. I do know a well know person who is retired...

...but he may be so far out of the loop at this point, he may not know either.

But next time I see him, I'll ask.

[crispini]

11. Oo. Good idea. You do that, and

I'll follow up on GOPisEvil's idea and ping AAR. They've gotta be working on this already, (surely!) but we can offer to follow up with a letterwriting campaign or something.

[Lithos]

13. You might try Glenn Mitchell

Or Abby Goldstein, both of KERA

I think both might be open to chatting a bit about the market. Of the two, I would try Glenn Mitchell as he seems to have brought on board quite a few people who have been in the journalism industry.

The other one who comes to mind is to post an email to our wonderful Molly Ivins. She lives in Ft. Worth and might be able to drop a few leads.

L-

[MattNC]

12. ask Fighting Irish

he's DU's resident radio expert

[tonyraytx]

14. You might try Fox Sports 1190 AM

I thought since it getting it ass kick by "The Ticket",and Clear Channel been changing their sport stations to AAR around the country.It would've be prefect.

But it not meant to be when I heard this news.

CC, First Broadcasting Sign LMA For Dallas AM

http://www.billboardradiomonitor.com/radiomonitor/news/format/talk/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000778190


Clear Channel and Dallas-based First Broadcasting have signed an LMA for First Broadcasting to assume management of sports talk KFXR (Fox Sports 1190) Dallas, effective immediately.

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. I say we knock over the...

stupid Clear Channel station that they put on in place of the Eagle. Sunny 97.1. What a miserable fucking excuse for a station.

They play the generic crap you can hear on any of the "Lite" stations, and the 70s stuff you can hear on KEOM. What exactly is the point of having another one? Especially after dumping on of the more traditionally popular stations in town for that garbage.

They've got a good signal, and I don't think we should have to settle for AM. If that station that Russ Martin's on can be FM, why couldn't Air America?

Lithos has a good idea about Abby and Glenn. They've always seemed like two of the best to me. Also possibly Gabrielle West. She used to be on NPR, but switched to the classical station a few years ago. I still hear her there now and then.

FSC

[crispini]

16. Well, I pinged AAR with an email.

We'll see if they reply.

[Horse with no Name]

17. If this is the latest book

The radio market in DFW depends on Arbitron ratings, Arbitrends is a little different but probably at least show the market trends if nothing else. Arbitron is a market tool (book) and the stations buy it--I don't believe that it is accessible under any other circumstances. By this guide, the two popular stations in the most trouble are KVIL and KDMX.I understand that KVIL just had a mass firing, so it is pretty much assumed they already have plans on what they are doing. They did keep Terry King. KEGL showed horrible numbers and of course they converted to the SUNNY format--which from my source I understand are doing well in early reports( sorry FSC). I believe that KDMX is a clear channel station--from my recollection.
You basically aren't going to convert a station under a 2.5...but interesting trend is WBAP who picked up listeners for their rabid right wing stance, and if they continue to trend, will for the first time beat out an urban station in this market. Another funny curve is that the religious station fell? I guess they got their religion from Rush.
Regardless of the ratings though...if you brought an AAR station in I believe it would do extremely well and shake up the market.
I have a friend deep in the Dallas radio market and discussed this with him and he is to get back with me tomorrow on the most vulnerable station in the market to approach with this.
Will post tomorrow on my findings.
One thing to keep in mind, that if a petition could be circulated and enough signatures obtained, you could easily force a change.
One thing if people do not have enough to do and are serious about this, an effort could be coordinated to bombard the right wing stations. Each day you could go to these stations and request the public files (they are required to maintain these to satisfy that they are meeting the needs of their community). Fill out complaints that these stations are spewing propaganda and not giving equal time to each political view.
Approximately 3 companies govern radio in the DFW market, and if enough people were to do this, you might just might get one of the companies to put AAR on to avoid FCC investigations and just overall hassles and to appease the left.
Just my suggestions. Will get back to you when I find the other info out.

[crispini]

18. OMG.

:yourock:

If we get some real info here I'm totally going to get serious about it. Although I already have a zillion irons in the fire so if someone else wants to "captain" you should most certainly do so and I will be happy to support.

[Liberal In Texas]

22. crispini...I won't "captain" but I am curious

This isn't going to happen overnight. It's going to take months, if not years.

Yes, yes, I don't want years either.

We need to keep probing and checking stuff out.

The people at KERA are fine folks, they are just not into the commercial end of the industry. They may have heard rumors etc. but they are not insiders.

I will keep you posted for what I find out. It may take awhile.

This is a good forum for that.

:)

[derby378]

19. Remember the 2004 election results for Dallas County

Bush took Dallas County with only 50%, with Kerry pulling 49%. It shouldn't be that hard to find a station to convert to AAR in this market.

KLIF, KSKY, and WBAP are too well-entrenched. My suggestion is to put out a feeler for Mainstreet 990 AM - I think they're having trouble competing in the market glut. But we'll need some local voices so that the station doesn't just feel like a "New England librul" format.

[tonyraytx]

20. Are you sure you went 990 AM

The station got a weak reception, and you will get a big backlash from people who like these 570 KILF has-beens. Like I say, go for Fox Sports 1190.

As of right now First Broadcasting haven't decided on a format yet so there a chance.

[rainbow4321]

21. "Bush took Dallas County with only 50%"

Which is probably why the Dallas Whoring News can't GIVE their right wing newspaper away..I get a free one thrown in my drive at LEAST twice a month...their new promo is when you order a pizza on Saturday nights, you get a free early edition of the Sunday paper.
HEELLLOOOOO, Belo Corp, check the Dallas County demographics and adjust your paper accordingly...maybe then you won't have to inflate your circulation numbers?? Just a suggestion.

[anarchy1999]

34. The "Management" at Belo just aren't getting it yet. I can't wait to

see them go under. A very long time ago, boys and girls, the Dallas Morning News was top 10 in this country, (At least the western half, including Louisiana.)

Sad, sad, sad. The CEO, the chairman, "the family", they are all inept idgits.

Like I said, so sad to see you go.

We hardly ever buy you anymore.

Think about hiring some cutting edge reporters, do some real reporting, hire Jim Schutze from the Observer, then maybe I'll come back. Oh yeah, by the way I want the ink back you were using when the Dallas Times Herald was still around, you know the one that doesn't come off on your hands. Funny, as soon as they (The DTH) shut down the special ink went away. Go figure and ad rates went up how far?

[Liberal In Texas]

23. 990 is too RW.

They're never going to change under present ownership.

I am a former friend of Kevin McCarthy. He has had way too much of the Kool Aid, in my opinion. That whole operation is geared to RW. I don't see it ever changing.

Again, not under present ownership. If someone (like the guy who owns 990) gets into big financial trouble as he has in the past, the license can be had. But someone has to buy the thing. And there's the rub.

990 is not licensed in DFW actually. But they get the signal out. On AM. Which is why, in the long run for a station to broadcast AAR it's better off on AM.

(apologies for spelling/grammar--it's late, I'll try to clarify later)

[derby378]

25. The key word is "financial trouble"

We have a glut of RW talk-radio stations in Dallas. It's only a matter of time before a shakeout occurs. That's what happened to all those videogame designers in the mid-80s - too many competitors meant that Imagic and Apollo had to bite the dust.

[fudge stripe cookays]

30. Thanks Horse.

I stand corrected. But horrified.

Of course all the right-wing Bushbots are going to love lame-as-shit music over anything remotely harder.

As Moe Berg of the Pursuit of Happiness once accurately described it in the song "Whote Man":

"We like rap and funk and Marley and the Wailers
but when we hit thirty it's Kenny G and James Taylor."

If Q102 and the same old Bo Roberts BULLSHIT year after year was doing better than the Eagle, this town has become lamer than lame. I hate that idiot. He thinks he is so freaking entertaining and he's just NOT.

I'd like to check out the whole bombarding the stations with FCC complaints. That sounds like a heckuv an idea. If someone who knows the biz can tutor us newbies like crispini and I, this could work.

FSC

[derby378]

32. Gotta disagree - I grew up with Bo & Jim

Sure, there's times when Bo Roberts is a bit lame. But he's local. Homegrown Texan. None of this piped-in homogenized Clear Channel bullshit like Lex & Terry or that KZPS Bob & Tom nonsense.

You know our local smooth jazz station, "The Oasis?" Turns out Las Vegas has an "Oasis" station just like ours. Right down to the ads and the fillers. Nationwide corporate cookie-cutter radio. That's why I thank God for the Captain Midnights of the world.

[anarchy1999]

33. Thank you ever so much. What an incredible amount of ammunition

in such a short post and so needed. Thank you. Be sure to come and see Amy Goodman, of www.democracynow.org on Friday the 18th, she will be here in Dallas. Petitions are being circulated now.

[Frogtutor]

24. I think Clear Channel owns everything around here...

Well, at least the FM rock stations I usually listen to. Maybe some of the more liberal FM stations have "sister" stations on AM? I really have no idea how radio works.

Oh, and since Fort Worth is a major part of the listening area, you might want to consider that (Oh, it pains me to say this) 70% of Tarrant County votes went to Bush...:puke:

Just wanted you to have that information for your argument.

I would LOVE to see this happen; good luck! :)

[KharmaTrain]

29. Several Options...

Some suggestions...for what it's worth...from one whose worked in radio for 30 years and kinda knows his way around the place.

Demonstrating at the station or trying to contact ownership is a waste of time. Most of these stations are owned by Cheap Channel...who is controlled by Loewry & Mark Mayes...heavy Bushbots. They're now attempting to mainpulate Progressive Radio and AAR, but I'll leave that for another post at another time...that story is developing.

Here's some more realistic suggestions:

1.) Find a public or community radio station. Most of these stations run on donations and volunteers...and most are usually in very short supply at these stations. An ideal target is one that's owned by a Junior College. Here's a great place to set up shop to do a Progressive talk program that will gain one very valuable on-air experience...especially the major "wall" of what to say or do when no one is calling.

2.) If you want something bigger...there are stations in the area that will sell airtime...generally for about $100 a week for an hour (depending on the power of the station and the time the show is on). As a broker, as long as you don't violate basic FCC obscenity rules, the station can't prohibit what you say or is in breach of contract. 10 people at $10 a week and you're on the air.

3.) Approach a large media buyer in the market...a large car dealer or bank or some business that does a lot of advertising. You can either pitch them on supporting (either through direct advertising or as a "silent partner"...you'd be surprise how many will be interested in that route) a talk show. Or, if they advertise on hate radio, to organize some people and take your demonstrations there. Nothing worse for business than a showroom full of irate people scaring away customers.

Just some thoughts....best of luck.

While I'm in Chicago, I am able to tune around the Dallas radio dial and have heard KLIF, KSKY, WBAP & KRLD...and it re-affirms my desire never to want to travel or do any business in that state.

[calimary]

31. These are GREAT ideas, KharmaTrain.

I was in radio (mostly, although some TV) for 25 years before I retired. Just ran into an old friend who's transitioned from the liberal attitude all the way downward to the Dark Side. Sad. He's still a great guy, but his politics - OY! He works in Dallas, and he indicated Texas is a pretty solid block of what I'd call near-hopelessness, except, I think, for Austin. Maybe there's something in the water... left over from the bush governorship and all the nice, fresh pollutants he let his industrial friends spew out everywhere.

But hey, what do I know? I'm still in L.A.

[anarchy1999]

35. Man, did you ever nail it. "hopelessness, except, I think, for Austin."

Dallas is the toughest major market. At least in Houston they get Pacifica and Amy Goodman. Cut the state in half, on a east/west line. Austin and all points south are more blue. Give up on the north or that is what we fight. Please don't give up on the North half of the state, we just need lots of help.

on edit:
Heck, I'm sorry, I confess we even are giving up on the North half/ we just want to leave ASAP!

[crispini]

36. Never Give Up.

Dallas activists are stronger than ever.