KBER (FM-106.5) has purchased KDAB radio (FM-101.1) for $1.6 million and will soon begin an unusual six-week transition period of using both broadcasting frequencies.
Chris Devine, owner of KBER (alias "The Bear," album rock format) said that the station's FM-106.5 signal is able to reach only about 70 percent of the Provo to Ogden market."We felt like we wanted to see if we could expand our coverage," Devine said "We don't get into Bountiful or Ogden. We feel we've reached our maximum potential with our signal."
Devine said that an opportunity to reach 100 percent of the broadcasting market came up when KDAB put out its "For Sale" sign. KDAB has a transmitter on Salt Lake's Farnsworth's Peak, though the station itself is licensed in Ogden.
The deal still requires FCC approval and hence the six week (approximate) transition period, during which KBER will send its programming and signal to KDAB. Thus, during this span (which will start sometime this month), KBER and KDAB will be an identical simulcast, except when each station must break away and use separate station identifications and public affairs messages.
The temporary broadcasting arrangement, rumored to likely last until December, will be a lot like a satellite-delivered network radio program, except that it will be sent out to the same radio market.
Devine said that he is selling the FM-106.5 frequency and is currently working with a potential buyer for it. That deal should be announced soon.
KBER will retain its familiar call letters and also its downtown Salt Lake office and studio atop the Walker Parking Terrace Building on 200 South. When the FCC has approved all the transactions, KBER will be operational solely on FM-101.1, while a new owner will be using FM-106.5.
"The Bear" has been steadily improving in the radio ratings since it started in 1986. The latest Birch Research ratings place KBER at sixth overall in the Wasatch Front market, only slightly behind KRSP-FM.
KDAB was started by Paul Droubay and Starley Bush (Bush now operates KTKK), who sold it to its present owner, Albimar Communications in 1985. The station has been rumored to have been losing money in recent years. KDAB's most recent format was New Age-jazz, but it wasn't able to attract a large audience and was most recently ranked 20th by Birch Research with only a 1.1 share of the market (KBER had a 6.0 share).
About a dozen employees at KDAB will lose their jobs.
The Wasatch Front is saturated with an overload of radio stations, so the market probably hasn't seen the last of changes like these. But, at least when one station dies, another is born to take its place.
-KRSP (FM-103.5, alias "Rock 103") has a new morning team with "Dean & Roger."
The duo made a surprise, unannounced debut recently at the station in the 5:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. spot.
DEAN Myers and ROGER Beaty came to Utah from Saginaw, Missouri where they were a highly rated morning team.
Myers and Beaty both have degrees in broadcasting and are known to have a unique personality chemistry both on and off the air.
"We are thrilled about their arrival on Salt Lake and feel that their type of humor and presentation will fit well in Salt Lake City," KRSP FM general manager Alan Hague said.
"We're on a really good station," Myers said. "People already love Rocky 103 and so the only way is up."
Beaty emphasized that it's important not to lose sight of the music, but that fun between songs is a must.
In addition to "Dean & Roger," veteran radio personality Steve Carlson provides frequent morning news and weather updates. There's even "Captain Sue," who provides current traffic conditions from SLC Aero Traffic.
"Dean & Roger" replace Jon Carter and Dan Bammes, who left the station last spring to move to KLZX (though they won't be on the air again there until Sept. 21).
- Sister KRSP-AM (1060) will broadcast the San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks game tonight (Sept. 1) at 7 p.m.
-KSL (AM-1160) recently appointed Maria Shilaos as its new morning news anchor. She will anchor the news with Rod Arquette (news and programming director) and will also be responsible for covering city hall and working on special projects.
Shilaos comes to KSL from KUER where she worked as news anchor, reporter and director. She has also previously worked for KSOP, KSL and KLUB.
She is a Salt Lake native and graduate of the University of Utah.
"Maria is an experienced journalist who is well-known in the market," Arquette said. "We are very excited to have Maria join the staff because of her knowledge and acceptance by the market."
- KSL has also announced the recent appointment of Wina Sturgeon as weekend host, public affairs liaison and news anchor. She previously worked at KFWB and KIBG in Los Angeles where she received two Emmys and three nominations.
Sturgeon has also written two books and has published more than fifty articles in various ski and outdoor magazines.
Duties at her new KSL job will include coordinating public affairs announcements and dealing with community public affairs.
"Wina is interested in all aspects of life, whether it be health, cooking or hard news," Arquette said. "She is very knowledgeable and well-known in the Los Angeles market and has been a broadcast journalist with KFWB. I am very excited to have Wina join the KSL team."
- KSL will air the Florida State and Southern Mississippi game Saturday at 10 a.m. and the BYU at New Mexico football game at 6:15 p.m. The Illinois at USC game airs Monday at 5:30 p.m. and Washington State football coach Mike Price will be the "Sportscentral" guest with Chris Tunis Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Washington State at BYU grid game airs Sept. 7 at 5:15 p.m.
- Chuck Cutler, former starting wide receiver for BYU is replacing Mark Lyons as the broadcast color analyst for Paul James this season.
Lyons is no longer able to broadcast with KSL because of an NCAA rule that prohibits prep coaches from being involved with collegiate teams. He had spent 12 years with BYU football broadcasts.
Cutler, who played for four seasons with the Cougars, is very familiar with the players, the coaches and the BYU football system.
-PREP FOOTBALL CORRECTION - It was stated in this column last week that high school football games have not been broadcast on local radio for many years. That statement is not correct as far as Utah County is concerned.
KOHS radio (Orem High School student station at FM-91.7) has been broadcasting the play-by-play action of Orem High grid games (and even basketball games) for several years now. KOHS aired all but two of the school's football games and one of its basketball contests last year.
This school year, because of budget restraints, KOHS will only be broadcasting six football games and 10 basketball games (plus any post-season play).
OHS senior Bruce Hansen is the assistant program director and he is anchoring coverage of the games. Another student, Shawn Carter, produces the games and arranges for the sponsors.
Radio advisor and general manager of the station is Ken Seastrand.
(Note: KOHS has 1750 watts of power and can only be heard to the Utah County line on the north and to just below Nephi on the south side - hence why I was not familiar with the station's sports coverage since I can't hear it from my northward location.)
-KISN (FM-97.1/AM-570) - The station recently discontinued traffic reports from "Officer Brett." According to station general manager Randy Rodgers, KISN is still providing traffic reports from that same traffic reporting service, only now it is coming by way of computer-generated information that is being broadcast by "Fisher and Todd," or news director Jane Snyder.