Changes in the Afternoon

I’ve preached in this space often about transparency.  I’m a firm believer that openness is about more than just providing an explanation of decisions.  It also includes making yourself available to criticism and question.

This post is about practicing rather than preaching.

Today we announced exciting changes to the FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR afternoon lineup.  I’ll review the developments, in case you missed them, and then provide the kind of casual explanation this blog allows me.

Effective September 17, 2007, KTAR-FM’s afternoon lineup will transition to The Glenn Beck Program 12-3pm, and The Mac Watson Show 3-7pm.  On that date, KTAR-FM will also no longer carry the commentaries and features of Paul Harvey.

Read official station press release here.

News/talk listeners in this market have asked for more opinionated talk show content on KTAR-FM, and now we’re able to provide it without sacrificing our unmatched commitment to breaking news coverage of local and national developments.  Building on the success of Darrell Ankarlo in the mornings, we will now offer listeners more of the talk content that’s unique to KTAR-FM.  We won’t give you politics 24/7, or talk shows that make a sport out of denigrating those who disagree with the host.  Instead, our hosts will passionately discuss the issues that matter to you most in an entertaining way.

For those of you who rely on us for traffic and weather together every ten minutes on the 9’s, you’ll still get it. And, as we did last Friday, we will update traffic even more than six times an hour when major traffic emergencies occur.  The same applies to a major storm.  The fact is no radio station has ever matched KTAR’s commitment to breaking news, traffic, and weather and that isn’t about to change.

Here’s what will change.  Beginning Sept 17th, we will air the nationally syndicated show hosted by Glenn Beck from 12-3pm.  Glenn is a perfect fit for 92.3.  He is a very outspoken talk show host who shares his strong views on the day’s major news stories each day.  He is a committed conservative, but not a Republican.  He believes Hillary Clinton is dangerous and President George Bush has major flaws.  His show is the third most-listened to radio talk show in the country.  He talks politics, but isn’t defined by it.  He is a young guy with a contemporary style.  He’ll be very successful on KTAR-FM.

Following Beck each day on 92.3 will be Mac Watson.  Mac comes to FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR from Richmond, Virginia.  He’s a very-opinionated guy whose show owns the major local and national stories of the day.  His job will be to inject strong, passionate views around the news, traffic, and weather during the afternoon commute.  Again, we will continue to deliver traffic and weather more frequently than any other valley radio station while also updating the news often from the state’s largest radio news team.

I’m confident both of these guys will be extremely successful on KTAR-FM.  They complement our morning news product and Ankarlo extremely well. 

Now, let me say a few words about the new role of radio legend and local icon Pat McMahon.  Nearly two years ago, Pat responded to the call of duty when he was asked to return to KTAR, full-time. KTAR was off it’s peak and had made some programming decisions that didn’t allow the station to do what it does best.  Previous station management had also mishandled some of the station’s legendary personalities.  We asked Pat to help KTAR reconnect with its listeners. 

Now, Pat takes a new role that he is uniquely and superbly qualified for.  He has been named the Director of Public Affairs for KTAR.  Since I joined KTAR 18 months ago, I’ve heard Pat preach about how KTAR could do more for this community.  Now, he will have a position that allows him to focus on that goal while at the same time remain on the air through his McMahon Group and God Show broadcasts.  He’ll also provide daily commentary and host regular special broadcasts.

It’s a new role Pat is thrilled to take over and we’re thrilled to utilize his talents and connections.

As part of the change to a more talk focused product from 3-7pm, Ted Simons will no longer be a part of KTAR.  Ted has been with the station for several years, and has fulfilled several roles from afternoon news anchor to talk show host.  Ted is a true professional who has been a pleasure to work with.  I’ve had the chance to see this guy up-close as he has been part of our anchor team covering townhall meetings held by police looking for the serial killers, the major pro-immigration rally of last year, and the tragic chopper collision of last month.  In those moments I’ve been so impressed by his talent.  We wish him the best in his future endeavors. 

Now to Paul Harvey.  As a broadcast news guy, Paul has always been one of my heroes.  He is a legend.  I happen to be a big fan, and enjoy listening to his unique perspective each day.  At the same time, the style and pace that today’s media consumer demands is quite different than what it used to be.  So, it’s become necessary for a change.

I am working closely with ABC, Paul’s syndication company, to find a new home for his reports each day on Phoenix radio.  We’re committed to a seamless transition for those people who listen to Paul each day.  I will make sure our website has information about Paul’s new station as soon as that is complete.

So, there you have it.    Hopefully, I have provided some insight into the decisions we have made regarding FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR’s lineup. Here’s what I know: some of you will be thrilled with these changes.  Others will be livid.  What’s important to me is that you, the listener, know in advance of the changes (no surprises here), read the reasons behind the changes, and have an opportunity to publicly comment on them. 

As always, I encourage you to share your view by clicking on the comments link below, or you can email me privately at the link on the top right, or call my office. 

Thanks!

Comments

[libertynjeopardy]

Wow you finally woke up. Now you can make some money from us right wingers who actually make the Country go. Hippies and old Saul Alinsky leftists don't have any unless they take it from us through big govt means.

[Trisha]

Does anybody know where I can hear Paul Harvey?

[gin]

The PM show is so much fun and interesting to listen to especially Mac Watson and the hour with Mac and Gaydos. They make my long drive home seem short. They are incredibly entertaining as well as very informative. I'll be listening to KTAR as long as you have these two on the air.

[Andrew Arden]

Things are stating to get redundant. Getting rid of Paul Harvey??? What a mistake! I can only listen until Ankarlo is over then onto some other station. Beck is bad and Watson is just awful. The problem is not their opinion it's their presentation! Just more Rush. KTAR's to much like KFYI now.

[Tim]

Ankarlo is a nice addition, once you get used to him. I miss the live, local part of KTAR. 2 minutes at the top of each hour doesn't quite cut it for local news. Beck greets us each day by calling his listeners "sick, twited freaks." Real nice. Mac rattles on and on without closing anything out. He rambles with that whiney voice of his until I can't take it! Even McMahon was better than this! Where is Preston? Maybe he can save this mess...

[GRANT STOKER]

I WENT ON THE INTERNET IN SEARCH OF GLENN BECK ON RADIO. GLAD THAT KTAR IS BROADCASTING HIS SHOW. HE HELPS GIVE CONSERVATIVE BALANCE TO THE MEDIA BIAS ON THE LEFT.

[Bob]

I have been an avid listener to KTAR for over 40 years. I grew up with the station and enjoyed it because I was able to get the NEWS , live and local, (and national). In addition intelligent commentary from Pat McMahon, Paul Harver, etc. With your recent changes you have changed KTAR into a station with a narrowly focused point of view. Basically KTAR has copied KFYI. How sad is that. Ankarlo's theme is basically anti immigrant. Beck is another Limbaugh. Watson is an immature kid who is a total waste of time. With KTAR and KFYI offering the same subjects and ploints of view the only intelligent talk radio is found on KJZZ / NPR. Unfortunately it's not local. I'm sorry to have lost "my" radio station. If you change format, please advertise it heavily in the newspaper so I can get back to KTAR

[tdc]

I can no longer listen to KTAR on my way home from work. Watson is a waste of time and brings nothing to the time slot. To drop Paul Harvey is another of your many recent mistakes. You have me in the morning for the news and traffic but Sirius has me for the rest of the day.

[DMT]

Your evening drive time is awful! Just awful! The last thing we need is a new, superficial, opinionated talker who is ignorant of Arizona, ignorant of the Valley and ignorant of Phoenix. Drive time is not the time for talk radio. We need and want news. I've listened to KTAR for nearly 40 years. I want to keep listening to KTAR, and I can still stand it in the mornign drive. But, I will not listen in the afternoon.

[matt]

keep beck@!

[Bob Mustari]

I hope you'll publicize the day you dump Glen Beck so that I can start listening again in the PM. If I wanted to hear what Rush Limbaugh has to say I'd just tune in to KFYI. Your station is headed in the wrong direction unless you aspire to be like KFYI.

[Carol Isacson]

I used to be an avid listener to your station but think that your changes are incredibly bad. I do like Ankarlo but the rest of your line up is annoying and I can't listen to them, especially Watson.
Also, can't they each find different topics to discuss. They all talk about the same thing, over and over and over again. I really am very disappointed with your new line up and even though I am a news talk junkie I find myself listening to music instead.

[Ann]

I used to listen to KTAR on my drive to and from work each day. However, since your recent change in personnel, your station has become completely unlistenable as far as I am concerned. Mac Watson has a very, very irratating voice and seems to go on and on and on. He just loves to hear himself talk and assumes (wrongly!!) that we all want to hear him as well. Glenn Beck? Same.... I will be listening elsewhere from now on.

[Steve]

What happened to live LOCAL first? Glen Beck is unlistenable. I'll go back to my Ipod during his show. Gimmie Gaydos in the afternoon. "Todays News Today" with Ted was one of the best segments done. I have to admit I'm a Gaydos peep

[sammykonga]

Wow...I love the new shows. Honestly, it took a while to get used to everything, I'm not big on change, but once I did; I love all the changes! Paul Harvey, honestly, sucks! I'm glad he is gone. By the way, I love how most of the time this station leans right, we're in Arizona, not Cali. We are REPUBLICANS!

[sammykonga]

Wow...I love the new shows. Honestly, it took a while to get used to everything, I'm not big on change, but once I did; I love all the changes! Paul Harvey, honestly, sucks! I'm glad he is gone. By the way, I love how most of the time this station leans right, we're in Arizona, not Cali. We are REPUBLICANS!

[jeff]

I think its the best change you guys could have made. All of your hosts are entertaining without being self serving. They will listen to and respond to any opinion, even when callers are being blatently rude. They bring up topics that mainstream media will not inform people about, let alone discuss. Kudos

[John Berto]

Just discovered Glenn, today and what awesome information about the ACLU. Years ago I thought they were for the 'little' guy and in recent decades could not understand where they were coming from in their position ... 180 degrees from what decent, everyday Americans stand for. Glenn explained that for me today. I'll be tuning in often. Thank you for that move. jb

[Lyndsey]

When I first moved here 9 yrs. ago, I just loved to listen to the local goings on & what was happening in the valley. I really miss Ted, Pat & Paul. Ankarlo is "listenable", but Mac Watson has got to go....don't like his presentation at all & think he is very abrasive. KTAR is just not the same anymore & I find myself listening to more & more CD's.

[ronnyg]

I enjoy the morning side of noon very much but can't stand the afternoon schedule, so I switch over to R&R. I miss Pat and Ted very much and would love to see them pair up in the future. Please don't try and be a KFYI clone.

[Dave]

I will continue to listen from 5:30am to 6:00am in the morning but not during the balance of the day. I'm sure you did some market research and sought to tailor your probramming to some demographic other then the one to which I belong. Paul was just a bit too conservatinve for you is seems, and Pat possibly too old school. The rest of the day is, in my opinion, just a rant not that different than KFYI, just not as Right.

[Kate]

I regret that KTAR no longer has live, local talk radio where we focus on the issues that are important to the community. Immigation is important but not the only problems we should be discussing. There was a day when the local elections, taxes, light rail, urban sprawl, and other pressing issues that confront this huge expanding city were discussed in depth. We need to be able to meet on the air and exchange views and listen to the people who have expertise on these subjects. KTAR use to be the community meeting place. Not interested in out of state programming I can get that on TV news programs. LOCAL programming with hosts that know our history and understand the problems that we all face in Phoenix. Also, it would be nice if we had reviews of the theater, music and arts in the valley. Movies are OK although I haven't actually been to a movie theater in years because it is to noisy. However, live theater in the valley is wonderful, the Phoenix Symphony and the Art Museums and art galleries are terrific. Michael Dixon would be marvelous and well qualified to cover all of these venues.

[Ivan Schaal]

I have been listening to Paul Harvey since I was 5 years old. My wife & I enjoyed hearing Paul first thin in the morning. I tried to time my radio to go off just before Paul because the lady that was on just before him was awful. Perhaps it is just as well that I find him on another station. I will need to reprogram my auto radios to a different station as well since KTAR was about the only station I ever listened to. good Bye KTAR.
Barbara & Ivan Schaal

[Annette]

In July, Paul Harvey told a story he apparenty thought was humerous, however, it was in very poor taste. Since that airing I have not been able to listen to the sound of his voice. I had been a Paul Harvey listener for many, many years. I have now been turning the station when ever he came on. I for one am happy he is gone.

[Jane Matthis]

I so miss the very entertaining and intelligent Pat MacMahon. Glen Beck is no substitute. In general, there is a lack of balance in KTAR's programming and way too much ranting. Let's tone down the stridency and engage in more reasoned conversations.