KTKK (AM-630, alias "K-Talk" radio) continues to beef up its weekend programming and has now added three more shows to its lineup. The syndicated "Adult Comedy Hour" airs on Saturdays from 8 to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 7 to 8 p.m.According to KTKK's Joe Redburn, contrary to what the program's title may indicate, it is not an adults-only show with off-color humor. Actually, the show is hosted by Roy Firestone from ESPN and contains excerpts from the likes of Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and even "M*A*S*H." Each program has a different comedy subject theme.
Another new program on KTKK is "Homes for You," a chance to buy and sell local homes, Saturday mornings from 9 to 10.
KTKK's other new show that started last week is "Football Sunday," airing Sunday nights from 5 to 7.
-MORE ON KALL/KLCY CHANGES - Hans Petersen is now back on KALL (AM-910). As a result of listener demand, he has moved over from the morning shift on sister station KLCY (FM-94.1) to afternoon duties at his previous station, KALL (2-6 p.m.).
"We expected some protests over Hans moving last year," Jan Bagley, general manager of KALL/KLCY said. "But we didn't expect the volume of calls and mail that we received. We're still getting letters."
Petersen's return is tied in with a shuffle this past week in the KALL/KLCY lineup, and, as reported in the Deseret News Wednesday, these changes surprisingly do not include the continued presence of midday personality Danny Kramer.
"Danny's five-year contract expires this year, and we've decided not to renew it," Bagley said. "Danny is a great guy, but at this time we feel that it would be best for the station to bring Hans back and change the schedule somewhat."
Bagley also said that extensive research by KALL this past summer revealed that the station should go in a new direction and that Kramer just doesn't fit into that plan.
Some officials at competing radio stations have speculated that KALL could no longer afford to keep Kramer because of his high salary and the fact the AM listening audience (and thus revenues) continues to dwindle.
Kramer could not be reached for comment earlier this week despite several calls to his home. Although his last on-air day was Oct. 20, Kramer remains under contract to be paid by KALL through Dec. 31.
Where might Kramer go now?
Comments made by Kramer several years ago indicated a strong preference for the Salt Lake radio market and so he may just wait around for a reasonable offer from another local station, but his non-competition contract clause will rule that out until 1990.
Veteran KALL morning man Tom Barberi will continue from 6 to 10 a.m. at KALL, while Peter B. fills the 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. spot. KALL'S news and public affairs show, "Utah Tonight," airs each weekday, 6-7 p.m. The Talk Net Radio Network provides overnight programming on KALL.
On KLCY, Chuck Christensen is filling the morning drive-time spot left by Petersen.
- The Colorado State at Utah game airs Saturday, Oct. 28, on KALL with pregame at 11:10 a.m. The Washington at Los Angeles Raiders NFL game, will be broadcast Sunday, Oct. 29, at 1:33 p.m.
-RATINGS FOLLOWUP - The two different summer radio ratings, published the past several weeks in this column, may have caused some confusion among readers.
The only ratings published were for listeners age 12 and older, while the rest of the demographics (like separate age group breakdowns) were not published (and usually aren't because of space limitations and lack of availability).
Since the Arbitron ratings report for each quarter is literally hundreds of pages long and the Birch ratings books are more than 50 pages thick, there is simply no way for a newspaper to publish all the necessary demographics to provide the entire view of the Wasatch Front radio market.
However, the bottom line to remember is this: Every radio station can be rated No. 1according to a specific age group or audience. After all, radio stations use formats that target specific audiences.
For example, KALL's target audience is adults, ages 35-55, and while the station doesn't even crack the top 14 in last summer's age 12 and older category, it is ranked in the top five for its target audience, and that's what really counts.
The 12-plus numbers should be considered as just "gee-whiz" figures that don't do justice to target audiences. Also, remember that radio ratings are not comparable in precision to the Nielsen Ratings in the TV world.
The radio ratings by both Arbitron and Birch are simply estimates and should be regarded as such. The more I examine the radio ratings and their sampling methods, the more skeptical I become of their accuracy as well as their relevance to radio listeners outside of an advertiser's viewpoint.
-KOHS (FM-91.7) - For those in Utah County, Orem High's student radio station is operating from about 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. daily with a modern-progressive format.
-RUMORS - KBER is attempting to sell its FM-106.5 frequency in favor of taking the old KDAB, FM-101.1 spot on the dial (pending FCC approval). Rumor has it that one interested buyer for FM-106.5 is KSRR (AM-1400), Utah County's LDS music station.
The buy would be a great one for KSRR since its AM-1400 signal can't reach north of the Point of the Mountain, and KBER's old frequency has a Utah County-based transmitter. But, this power boost would put KSRR in direct competiion with KUTR (AM-1320) since it uses a similar LDS music format.
- Another rumor circulating that KISN (FM-97.1/AM-570) is for sale isn't true, according to Randy Rogers, KISN's general manager. Also, KISN-AM is not switching from a simulcast of the KISN-FM (excluding sports) to become another talk radio station. Rogers said current KISN formats are going to stay the same.
-CHARITY FUND-RAISER - The Salt Lake Market Broadcasters Association has helped raise more than $63,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation with its recent Rubber Duck Derby.
-KSL (AM-1160) - will air three college football games Saturday, Oct. 28: Colorado at Oklahoma (noon); Washington State at Arizona State (6:30 p.m.) and BYU at Hawaii (10:45 p.m.)
- The Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos game will be broadcast Sunday, Oct. 29, at 1:50 p.m.