Have you noticed the glitzy advertisements for Utah radio stations that are airing on local television stations? It seems radio stations are at war on TV. Perhaps there's never been a time when more stations have been promoting themselves on the tube, a medium that is also ironically radio's main competitor for listener time. For example:
- There's a KSFI (FM-100.3) news ad, which has brought back actress "Deborah" (Shelton) again for another round of enticing encouragement to listen to "FM-100."- There's KLCY's (FM-94.1) ad telling people to forget heading to Idaho and listen for FM-94.1 for their "Utah Lottery" instead that could be worth up to $94,000 in cash and prizes. (Free "lottery" tickets can be picked up at several locations, as announced on KLCY.)
- There's actor Robert Urich ("Spenser for Hire") who does the newest ad promoting KMGR-FM ("Magic-107.5") as one of the really great radio stations.
- There's KSL's (AM-1160) ad that highlights "when you want to know first" as a good reason to listen to "the news authority."
- There's KZHT's (FM-94.9) flashy TV ad that encourages listeners to enjoy the station's dance music.
- There's KRSP's (FM-103.5) entertaining ad that boasts of the station's vast music library and 20-plus years experience at rock 'n' roll.
- Finally, there's the new KLZX (FM-93.3/AM-860) TV ad that explains where "Jon & Dan" have gone.
- Plenty of billboard advertising is also being done by radio stations. For instance, KLZX has a poster that also answers where "Jon and Dan" have gone, and KCPX (FM-98.7) has an attention-getting billboard with a play on words - "Hits Happen."
-KRSP (FM-103.5 and AM-1060) has named Ronald A. Bowen as the program director for the FM station, replacing Randy Rose (Ellison). Rose is leaving to manage a radio station in San Luis Obispo, Calif., after 11 years at KRSP.
Bowen will assume his KRSP duties in mid-October. He is currently program director at KZBH in Ocean City, Md., and has worked for radio stations in Florida and New York. He has a broadcast degree from New York College at Buffalo.
"Ron is a seasoned professional in album-rock radio," KRSP AM/FM General Manager Alan D. Hague said. "We look forward to him leading KRSP-FM back to the top and building a new team for this heritage rock station."
In other KRSP news, Steve Carlson, alias "Steve-O" on KRSP-AM has been appointed to the newly created position of operations manager for both stations.
Carlson has been at KRSP for 17 years and has been the AM program director of "Utah's Oldies Station" since 1981. He will also continue to do the news on KRSP-FM's morning show with "Dean & Roger," in addition to his new duties.
-PRIVATE SHORTWAVE RADIO BROADCASTING got its first real recognition by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) last month at the annual radio convention in New Orleans.
Utah's Ralph Carlson, president of shortwave station KUSW of Salt Lake, was instrumental in the efforts for that recognition and chaired some seminars at the convention.
-KISN (FM-97.1/AM-570) - The "Fisher and Todd" show has gotten better lately. Not that the popular morning program wasn't already one of the best in the Intermountain area, but with the recent addition of news anchor Jan Snyder, it's even better.
Snyder has an excellent professional style of gathering and delivering the news, and she should boost the already high ratings of KISN's morning show.
-KUER (FM-90.1) - Liane Hansen, current host of National Public Radio's "Performance Today" program, will succeed Susan Stamberg as the anchor of "Weekend Edition" starting Nov. 5.
Stamberg's farewell show will be Oct. 29.
-KZOL (FM-96.1/AM-960) - The station is helping to sponsor "The Young Artist Expo '89" during the entire month of October and part of November. There will be two divisions - performing arts and fine arts. The three age categories range from 6 to 30.
Registration will be at Provo's Town Square Theatre from 10 a.m. until noon. The cost is $10. For more information, call KZOL At 373-8550, or 521-9696.
-KKAT (FM-101.9) is giving away a new, fully loaded red Corvette convertible (worth $40,000) in its new "Key to the Wheels" contest. Station listeners win keys that may start the car on Nov. 18.
Three different methods qualify listeners for the contest: KKAT "Instant Song" (played daily at 7:15 a.m.); registration at future KKAT appearances all along the Wasatch Front; and post card mail-ins.
-KUTR (AM-1320) begins a special evening of family programming for "Family Home Evening " starting Monday, Oct. 9. Special children's programming will begin at 7:30 p.m., and at 8:30, an LDS Church production, "Times and Seasons," will air. At 9:00, a regular five-minute Book of Mormon reading is broadcast, followed by a special public affairs program that targets parental concerns. This show is hosted by Chris Maathuis and Ray Freis. Regular "Reflections" programming returns at 10 p.m.
-KSL (AM-1160) will air the Wyoming at BYU game Saturday, with coverage beginning at 11:15 a.m.
The San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos game airs Sunday at 1:50 p.m., and the Los Angeles Raiders at New York Jets game will be broadcast Monday at 6:45 p.m.
-KALL (AM-910) will also air the Los Angeles at New York NFL game Monday at 6:33 p.m.
-NEXT WEEK - Watch for the summer Birch Radio Ratings in this column and be prepared for some surprising results!