Media Buzz | News/views about local media

New talk radio station to feature Strelzin

A newly-reflagged Univision-owned radio station will feature long-time radio talk show host Paul Strelzin begining on February 2, officials announced Tuesday. In a press release, officials revealed that station Talkback Radio KQBU (AM 920), which was formerly known as KBNA (AM 920), will carry a lineup of talk show hosts that up until recenly appeared on Entravision-owned KHRO (AM 1150). The arrangement was forged through a unique partnership between Univision and the El Paso Media Group which publishes El Paso Magazine, newspapertree.com, theelpasoan.com, and inthe915.com. The group is owned and operated by local publisher Keith Mahar. Here's the lineup of hosts on the new station:

6-8 a.m. - DavidK

8-10 a.m. - Paul Strelzin

10 a.m - 12 p.m. - Lisa D.

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Sito Negron

DTV Delay

It appears that Spanish-language TV stations along the border will get part of their wish soon to delay the transition from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting. The U.S. Senate approved a measure late Monday delaying the transition to June 12 - not for five years that some stations had wanted. The House is expected to take up the issue within a few days. Many general market station operators have been strongly opposed to the extension saying it will cost them tens of thousands of dollars to operate two separate transmitters. The industry has spent millions of dollars trying to prepare the public for the change. One columnist argued the delay is not needed. Read it here.

Other Media Notes

With sadness, we note the passing of Mary Ponce, a former part-owner of KINT-TV (Univision Ch.26). Mrs. Ponce provided a motherly influence over a sometimes gnarly group of local businessmen known collectively as Paso del Norte Broadcasting who founded the TV station in the 1980s. Mary Ponce was 94.

On a happier note, we welcome little Olivia Violet, born to KVIA-TV (ABC Ch.7) anchor-reporter Ashlie Hardway and her husband Nick last weekend.

And, former Ysleta ISD spokesman and long-time media and marketing consultant Larry Trejo has a new job: He's the new executive director at the El Paso Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. 

Clear Channel layoffs

It's official now. Clear Channel Communications, owners of El Paso radio station KTSM (FM 99.9), KTSM (AM 690), KHEY (FM 96.3), KHEY (AM 1380) and KPRR (FM 102.1), has announced it is cutting 1,850 jobs nationwide - 9 percent of its staff - including 8 in El Paso. "We are facing an unprecedented time of distress in the general economy -- the ripple effects have hit some of our largest customers hard," said Chief Executive Officer Mark Mayes in a memo to employees. In El Paso, there are indications that at least one veteran employee was among those let go - a KTSM radio sales and promotion manager who has been with the station since 1993. Also said to have been laid off are 4 account executives and a radio programmer. "Out of respect for our colleagues who are affected, we will not be discussing any of these changes with the media," wrote Clear Channel of El Paso radio manager Mike Ryan in a memo to employees Tuesday. Clear Channel was purchased by Bain Capital Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners last year who immediately began the process of trimming more than $400 million in costs to help reduce the size of its $20 billion debt, according to industry publications.

Clear Channel braces for layoffs, changes

A massive restructuring of Clear Channel Radio, the nation's largest radio company, is about to take place and it appears several El Paso radio stations could be affected. Employees of KTSM (FM 99.9), KTSM (AM 690), KHEY (FM 96.3), KHEY (AM 1380) and KPRR (FM 102.1) are all said to be bracing for some major changes that could include staff reductions. Industry reports including this article in the New York Post say the company, which owns more than 1,000 radio stations and employs 30,000 people nationwide, is about the publicly reveal its restructuring plan. Clear Channel officials are not commenting, but reports say the announcement could come as early as tomorrow. In El Paso, word on the street is that several on-air personalities will likely be affected. However, it is not yet known specifically who will get the ax. Stay tuned.

DTV Delay Bill Delayed

Senate Republicans on Friday succeeded in blocking the legislation that calls for a delay in the transition of analog TV to digital TV. The delay has the support of Spanish-language TV station operators along the border who say their viewers are not ready for the switch. Democrats say they intend to bring the issue back for a vote next week. Read the AP story here. 

Internet Rankings

Which El Paso Internet Web sites are the most-viewed? Take a look: Here are the latest rankings from Compete.com:

Rank    Site                   People      Web Rank 

1.        elpasotimes.com    199,331        8,970

2.        kvia.com                37,250        46,224

3.        kfoxtv.com            34,375         49,773

4.        kdbc.com                10,700        135,956

5.        newspapertree.com    10,472    138,450

6.        ktsm.com                8,599        162,857

7.        kprr.com                  5,071        250,798

8.        klaq.com                  3,814        317,362

9.        khey.com                  3,043        380,478

10.      ksii.com                    2,740        413,089

New World takes ownership of KDBC

Following final bankruptcy court approval earlier this week, El Paso's KDBC-TV (CBS ch.4) is officially under new management. According to sources, New World TV Group LLC took the reigns of the station on Wednesday under a Local Marketing Agreement. The new owners of the station are expected to pay a visit on Wednesday, January 21. KDBC was one of ten stations purchased by New World from Pappas Telecasting Companies under a bankruptcy order. Final closing and FCC license transfer is expected to take place within 90 to 180 days, said KDBC Interim News Director Scott Pickey. Station employees are expressing relief that their long period in limbo is finally coming to an end.

Radio changes

Spanish radio is considered to be the most competitive format in El Paso and changes at Entravision- owned KYSE (94.7 FM) reflect a new direction. Company officials introduced a new radio format known as "El Gato". It's described a newly-developed contemporary Mexican Regional format that is becoming popular in many of Entravision's markets. "This is a very exciting time for Hispanic radio, and our programming teams are leading the way with new, innovative Hispanic radio formats like 'El Gato'", said Entravision Radio Division head Jeffery Libermann in a press statement.

TV Moves

Word is that KFOX-TV (Fox Ch.14) morning reporter Angeeneh Adamian is out. The Colorado native told us earlier she didn't expect her contract to be renewed. A glance at KFOX's Web site shows no sign of her bio - a clear sign she's been let go. Adamian said she plans to kick back for a while in El Paso and await new opportunities.

Broadband live shots

Covering the opening session of theTexas Legislature has traditionally been a way for El Paso TV stations to earn some respect among viewers. But this year most local stations will likely pass due to extraordinarily tight budgets and ongoing concerns about the economy. Sending a reporter and photographer to Austin for a few days is never an inexpensive endeavor once the airfare, hotel, overtime, equipment and satellite costs are factored in. However, KVIA-TV (ABC Ch.7) has figured out a way to trim the cost of covering the Lege while utilizing some of the latest Internet technology. The station's in-house geek squad is using a Mac app known as iChat that allows a one-man band, in this case Reporter Martin Bartlett, to carry a small camera and a lap top to send a live signal via the Internet. "It's easy to get a wireless Internet connection in Austin," said KVIA Assignments Editor Carlos Rosales, who pointed out that getting a WiFi connection at the State Capitol is no problem. It's the first time an El Paso station has ever done it. Although the video quality is not nearly as good as a standard satellite live shot, "It's better than nothing," noted one staffer.

Strelz on the move

It is never wise to count El Paso talk show Paul Strelzin out. Strelzin was told a couple of weeks ago that unless he sold his own advertising on KHRO (AM 1150), he'd have to leave. So he left. But as everyone knows, Strelzin is a man who has to a lot to say and won't be off the air for long. A press statement from the thriving publishing house El Paso Media Group, which publishes El Paso Magazine, the popular Web site newspapertree.com and at least two other Web sites, announced Friday that Strelzin will be joining the group's team as part of its partnership arrangement with KAMA (AM 750) on January 12. The specific on-air time slot is yet to be determined, but many of Strelz's fans, including me, hope he can convince KAMA to go head to head against KHRO's right-wing morning show hosted by Greg Freyermuth. AM radio in El Paso is having a tough time right now but perhaps an old-fashioned street corner radio rivalry is what this town needs to breed at least a few more lisenters.

The decline of El Paso radio

The demise Monday of Paul Strelzin's talk show on KHRO (AM 1150) and the end of KROD's (AM 600) morning news program last week are two more signals that AM radio - and to a large extent FM radio - is in serious decline. It's a very simple dynamic that has taken hold: Radio has fallen victim to the world of digital communications. Radio listeners stopped listening when a myriad of other options became available. The Internet, IPods, iPhones, MP3 players, Blackberries and cell phones have all steadily worked to erode interest in anything that over-the-air broadcasters have to offer. Add to all of this misery is the worsening economy that has bled radio    stations dry. Broadcasters find themselves battling for meager crumbs from advertisers who can no longer justify paying for a radio ad (or TV ad for that matter) when their declining dollars can be spent more efficiently elsewhere. The El Paso Association of Radio Stations (EARS) still touts ARB numbers that show radio in El Paso reaches 89.7-percent of persons over the age of 18. But they don't mention the fact that those figures represent a huge decline over previous measurements. According to BIA Financial Report (see below), radio revenues will continue to slide precipitously in 2009 after a disastrous 2008. After making a bold effort to keep talk radio alive in El Paso, managers at KHRO have clearly given up. "Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of continuing (Strelzin's) employment because of corporate-mandated budget cuts," KHRO Manager David Candelaria told the El Paso Times.

According this BIA Financial graph, radio revenues in the U.S. will continue their downward slide during 2009.

 

Happy New(s) Year!

We've come to the end of another great year for Media Buzz. Here now is a look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2008, courtesy of Uncle Jay. Have a Happy New Year and a Prosperous 2009!