Bay Area Radio Rumor re: Air America

Updated Post Here!



ba.broadcast thread here



It seems pretty solid Air America is coming to town next week.



from the link above:



"Putting two and two together, the liberal Air America network will begin broadcasting in liberal San Francisco this Tuesday, September 28, according to a well-placed little birdie. It will be Clear Channel's KABL 960 making the switch from nostalgia to liberal talk, the eleventh Clear Channel station to make the switch so far. Air America lists 31 stations in 30 cities on its website, plus two satellite radio services. In addition, KXXT 1010 Phoenix switched from conservative to liberal talk this morning.



Update: Apparently, an ad in Thursday morning's Chronicle, page E8, says, "The sound of Bay Area radio is about to change forever. Be there. 960 AM this Tuesday September 28."



KSJO is kind of involved in this it seems.



KSJO is a rock station based in San Jose. Their ratings have been a little off. KABL AM is a "standards" station at 960 AM. They play of Sinatra and stuff.



KSJO uses a booster, a low power transmitter, "KFJO" at 92.1 FM to get into the Walnut Creek area. Well they were. The repeater now is broadcasting KABL AM. Both stations are owned by Clear Channel.



So is KABL going to change format (to Air America) and CC wants to boost them into Diablo valley? To have a KSJO booster at 92.1, very close to the big broadcast frequency, makes sense, but to put the KABL AM signal on an FM booster, hmm, then they would have to say "960 AM and in Walnut Creek at 92.1 FM" on the air to let people know how to hear it over the hill. Pretty confusing but hey you work with what you've got right?



A new talk format coming to KABL? Air America? I didn't think so but I guess it's true. How about this:



I also know Alex Bennett has been in San Francisco doing his Sirius radio show for satellite radio. The guy running the CC radio group here used to be the big boss at Live 105 (KITS) when Alex was there. Is Alex part of the new 960 AM mix?



When AA first started they were buying airtime on local stations to get their shows on. It was an all or nothing deal. A very expensive way to get your shows on the air. But now I think they are offering their shows to stations one by one. So you can take Al Franken without the other shows.



Has 960 done this? Is Alex part of it? Who else? Hmm...



Guess we find out Tuesady. Will 960 just go away? Will they switch the whole thing to another frequency?



If I hear more I'll post it. If you know anything leave a coment, or drop an email.