KTAR Programmer's Posts

The Forums Are Open

As you have likely noticed, we have devoted a considerable amount of resources towards KTAR.com in 2007.  We've made no secret of our intent to make KTAR.com one of the biggest online destinations in Arizona.  We've accomplished that and have an extremely aggressive plan for the coming months. 

KTAR.com is the leader in breaking news coverage in Arizona through our online and text messaging products and we intend to grow that lead in the coming months.

But, much of our focus right now is making KTAR.com extremely interactive.  Much of the current content is produced by our staff.  In the coming months, we envision that changing.  Long before the Internet exploded with growth, talk radio owned the forum of community discussion.  So, it's extremely natural for us to be the leader in debate and discussion online as well. 

Months ago we opened up our stories to your comments and debate.  Now, we are introducing the KTAR Forums.  These message boards allow you to start conversations, share your opinion, rant, rave, and see what others are saying.  I invite you to take a sneak peek at the forums and begin sharing your opinions.

You can find the KTAR Forums by clicking here.

I love the rawness of the Internet.  The free exchange of ideas is very positive.  Yes, much of what people post under hidden identities is crap, but there's something tremendous about opening up the discussion to allow anyone to say anything (that's not obscene).  I am often asked by people about why I allow people to be so critical of me on this blog.  I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I love the openness.  I love people being able to read comments from individuals who absolutely despise the decisions we are making at KTAR-AM and KTAR-FM.  So, whether it's on this blog or on the new KTAR Forums I invite you to share your thoughts. 

And, I encourage those at other radio stations, tv stations, newspapers, and any other media companies to open themselves up to criticism, debate, and dialogue.

Illegal Immigration, Does Anyone Care?

We had a very interesting debate in one of the KTAR talk studios today.  After every show the host, producer, and anyone else involved in the show gather for 30-60 minutes to dissect the show.  We do this for both the news/talk and sports stations.  Each show's team talks about whether they hit the right topics today and whether they spent the right amount of time on each issue.  They discuss what issues they didn't cover but should have or which caller they left on for too long or what twist or turn the show should have taken but didn't. 

It's a very interesting process to watch happen.  To the listener, it's just a show.  To us, it's so much more.  We analyze everything.  We want to be the best everyday.  We spend a tremendous amount of time and resources working to make that happen.  Our audience (some of whom have been lighting up this blog's comments section these last few weeks) expects tremendous and unique things from us.

So, today, one of the questions that one of our hosts asked in the "after-the-show" meeting was something to the effect of "is illegal immigration the biggest form of entertainment in the valley, or do people really care about making a difference?"  I thought it was such a great question.

Here's my take.  Most people love to complain about the problems that our open border produces but they could care less about solving the problem.  Since you can't talk about the weather in Phoenix (it never changes) everyone talks about immigration instead. 

I've finally lived here long enough to realize that the same people who say to me "we've got to do something about illegal immigration" are the same people who hire illegal aliens to mow their lawn or tile their house.  People in the valley love to complain about the immigration problem but they have absolutely no motivation to do anything about the problem.

We spend a tremendous amount of time each month talking about illegal immigration on FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR, but I would argue that the vast majority of people who listen to our hosts rant about the problem have never gone out of their way to solve the problem. 

Am I wrong? 

Maybe I am.  If so, I'd be interested in your feedback.  Post a comment below.  When we talk about illegals on 92.3 I think most people find it entertaining but not motivating.  Even when the story line takes a tragic turn to include a murdered police officer.  We like to play like we're upset when we call the radio station to talk with Ankarlo, Beck, Mac, or Gaydos.  But, we really don't care.  At least not enough to do anything about it.

Agree?

Listen to Paul Harvey Right Now

Several listeners have emailed me to point out that all of Paul Harvey's broadcasts are available on his website.  If you're looking for his Noon News or any of his other daily commentary you can listen to it anytime you want to.   Click here to listen to Paul Harvey audio reports.

The Scoop on the Slump

What a difference a year makes. 

I'm sitting in my living room right now as my wife and her scrapbooking friends work in the other room.  The topic of the moment at Scrapbook Night is the housing market.  And, more specifically how much it sucks.

Less than two years ago, when our family moved to Arizona, it seems every conversation I was involved in, or listened in on, involved discussion of real estate.  Back then, it was how incredibly hot the market was.  Now, it's about who can't afford their mortgage anymore and which family is downsizing to a smaller home.  What a difference a year makes.

This week, on FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR, we're taking an in-depth look at the rocky real estate market.  One of our reporters, Doug Ramsey has spent some time digging into the problems, finding out which areas of the valley have been hit hardest, and giving us a closer look at how bad it really is. 

I'm late in giving you a heads up on his reports.  They began today, Tuesday.  Listen for the rest of the series Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 5:20 and 7:20. 

Media Executives, Please Listen!

Thank you for all the emails and phone calls about this week's lineup changes at FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR.  I'll continue to address your questions and post any necessary updates here.  For now, another topic... 

(If you're looking for information on the lineup change on 92.3 please scroll down)

A few weeks ago CNN made a dramatic move.  They decided to no longer charge for access to video on their website.  The move came after CNN spent a tremendous amount of money to develop a very hot software program called CNN Pipeline.  Pipeline allowed users to pay less than $3 a month and have access to many of the live, raw news feeds that go into CNN in Atlanta.  It was pretty darn cool.

But, consumers wouldn't pay.  They wanted the content for free.

Now, this week, comes word from another one of the world's largest news organizations that they are throwing in the towel on their pay-for-usage content plan.  The New York Times has dropped its Times Select program.  This was the idea the Times came up with a few years ago to collect new sources of revenue from users who were willing to pay for online access to the Times' archives, columnists, and special features. 

The problem?

Not enough people signed up. 

I have sat in many meetings, conferences, and brainstorm sessions over the years where the idea of payment for online content has come up.  I've argued that my generation and those younger than us will simply not pay.  This is the lesson the recording industry can't get through their heads.  Until now, the world's largest journalism organizations resisted too.  I'm sorry to say, but the huge group of media consumers that are starting to make up more and more of the most coveted demographic groups want access to as much raw information as possible and they are unwilling to pay for it.

In a letter to NY Times.com readers the company's general manager made this stunning and profound statement:

Since we launched TimesSelect in 2005, the online landscape has altered significantly. Readers increasingly find news through search, as well as through social networks, blogs and other online sources. In light of this shift, we believe offering unfettered access to New York Times reporting and analysis best serves the interest of our readers, our brand and the long-term vitality of our journalism. We encourage everyone to read our news and opinion – as well as share it, link to it and comment on it.

I'm pleased to see CNN and now, the New York Times, acknowledge this fact.  I hope many media executives (especially the recording industry) are paying attention.

Paul Harvey Update...

An update on Paul Harvey...

ABC has had some difficulty finding a new home in Phoenix for his daily commentaries.  So, we are making some adjustments to the transition schedule.  FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR will continue to run most of Paul's reports for another week.  His Rest of the Story will be at 5:50am.  News & Commentary will run at 6:50am.  We will be unable to run Paul's Noon News & Commentary after the lineup change on Monday due to no time in the programming schedule. 

ABC is confident it will have a new home for Paul within the next couple of weeks.  I'll keep you posted.

For more on Paul Harvey moving to a new station, please read the posts below.

Lineup Changes Part II

My previous blog post about the upcoming lineup changes to FM News/Talk 92.3 KTAR has generated a tremendous amount of email.

If you have not read the previous post, please scroll down below and read it first so you know what I'm talking about here.

I'd like to address some of your comments, concerns, and questions.

Let me begin by acknowledging the dozens of emails I've gotten from those of you who have written to express your appreciation for advance notice of the changes and a full explanation of the reasons behind it.  I simply can't respond to every note, so I'll do it here.  Thanks for your messages.

I've received many notes about our addition of a talk show host in the afternoon commute hours.  The most common question has been from people wondering if Mac is similar to Ankarlo.  The answer is that he is similar when it comes to owning local issues, having strong opinions, leaning conservative, and hosting a show that is not exclusively about politics.  He's different in the same way all people are unique.  I am convinced people who like Ankarlo will enjoy Glenn Beck and Mac Watson.

I need to also make it clear that Mac is relocating to Phoenix.  He has worked in Richmond, Virginia the last three years, but is moving to the Valley to host this show. It will be local.  His show from 3-7pm weekdays will originate from the KTAR studios.

Some of you have expressed concern about KTAR-FM being less local with the addition of syndicated host Glenn Beck from 12-3pm.  I understand your concern.  The fact of the matter is KTAR-FM is adding 3 hours of syndicated programming in this move. 

I can assure you KTAR-FM will continue being the dominant station in the Valley when it comes to locally produced programming focused on issues important to those of us who live here. 

A comparison might be helpful.  After the lineup changes, KTAR-FM will have 14 hours of local programming each week day.  The news/talk station in town with the nearest amount of local content to us has only 50% of that amount.  I don't say that to brag.  In fact, I have lamented on this blog before the lack of local broadcast content on most radio and TV stations across this country. 

Like the vast majority of you, I have no problem with a syndicated show here or there, but most of a station's content should be local.  I am grateful to be able to program such a station.  I talk daily with many people in my same position at stations around the country that are not able to maintain local programing levels due to changing economics.

Let me also comment about the issue of what stations do during the hours they run syndicated content.  We have structured our agreement with the syndicators of Glenn Beck to leave no confusion about our intent to break in anytime breaking news happens locally.  It was important to us to not have a syndication deal, like most of them are structured, that limits the ability to provide breaking news coverage during network shows. 

Another concern about syndication that only a couple of you have addressed, but may be shared by some who aren't speaking up.  You've wondered why we are not running Glenn Beck live.  That's because his program is fed down during the morning hours at a time when we would not be willing to air it on KTAR-FM. 

So, we will be delaying the broadcast, just as most stations in this market do with any network programming they air.  It's common knowledge that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Clark Howard, & even Glenn Beck are aired tape delayed in Phoenix right now.  None of them are aired live right now.

Let's see, what else have I been asked.

Oh, yes, Detour Dan will continue to fly in the afternoons.  There's no change to his traffic reports in afternoons.

And, some of you have sought an update on progress in finding Paul Harvey a new home.  I called ABC today to ask about progress in finding a new station for his reports in Phoenix.  They informed me they're working hard on it, but haven't yet been able to firm anything up.  I'm absolutely confident they will be able to find him a new home.  I'll let you know when there's news to report.

And, finally, to those of you who have written in to ask if Glenn Beck's show is anything like his TV program on CNN each night, my answer is no.  I think is radio show is much better.  Not that the TV show is bad, it's just he's a fantastic radio talk show host and television just doesn't allow him to be as personable and funny as his radio show does.  Just my opinion.

That's it for now.  More updates to come.  Keep the emails coming.  I appreciate hearing your complaints, questions, praise, etc. 

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!