What's going on at KSL Radio (AM-1160)?
This is a question that KSL vice president/general manager Russ Wood reports being asked just about every day and his answer is:"We are positioning KSL Radio for the future . . . broadcasting is experiencing rapid change. More stations are competing for share of audience and advertising revenue. Discriminating listeners and advertisers want targeted, efficient, excellently programmed stations. You expect KSL to be competitive within that environment.
"Our research validated our thinking that KSL Radio has owned the news/information niche for years. I don't have to tell you that in today's marketplace many more FMers are targeting their music formats to specific audiences - oldies, county rock . . . .
"It has become obvious from a business and marketing perspective that no station can do news and information like KSL Radio - and that KSL Radio cannot get into the music battle with FMers.
"That's why we decided to do what we do best and evolve fully into news, sports, weather, traffic . . . information programming. We are going with our strength!
"Sure, this brought some temporary discomfort, change usually does. But how fun it is to be creating a vibrant station ready to serve this market into the 1990s and beyond.
"That's it! KSL Radio, `a proud history . . . an exciting future!' "
(KSL is also awaiting FCC approval on the purchase of a Wasatch Front FM radio station, KRPN (FM-107.9, alias `WKRP').
- In other KSL news, the station's G. Donald Gale received one of Sigma Delta Chi's Distinguished Service Awards for journalistic excellence last Saturday. The award recognized Gale's radio editorializing talent in commentaries opposing the three initiatives on the Utah ballot last year.
Gale is also vice president of news and public affairs at KSL's parent company, Bonneville International.
-KRSP (AM-1060) - The station's current personality lineup is:
5:30-10 a.m. - Steve Carlson.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. - Bob Jennings (with "Skinny" Johnny Mitchell doing a special "Top 12 at 12" program Mondays through Saturdays.)
3-8 p.m. - Jeff Emery.
8 p.m.-2 a.m. - Ron Jensen.
2-5:30 a.m. - Doug Michaels.
The two weekend deejays are Rick Fontaine and Sheryl Davis.
-KUER (FM-90) - Does modern man need myths in this high-technology atomic world?
According to the late Joseph Campbell, mythologist, teacher and author, the answer is yes.
Campbell died last fall at the age of 83, but for three years before his death, Bill Moyers helped record 23 hours of conversation with the mythlogist and six one-hour radio programs are the result.
The first of these six "Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth" programs will be broadcast April 8 at 7 p.m. on KUER.
The series will continue each Sunday evening at 7:00 through May 14.
- KUER will also begin a new hourlong weekly program starting April 11 at 9 p.m., "Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz XI."