KSL (AM-1160) has been named one of 44 U.S. radio stations that are finalists for the National Association of Broadcasters' Crystal Radio Awards.
Ten winners will be announced on April 16 in Las Vegas during the NAB convention.Since 1987, the Crystal Awards have recognized radio stations for excellence and outstanding community service in their communities.
KSL is the only Utah station to be named a finalist this year, and there are none from surrounding states either. Half of the 44 stations nominated are FM stations.
The nomination of KSL proves once again that AM radio is not dead in Utah. In this market, KSL remains one of the most prestigious stations.
- ADVANCE RATINGS - KSFI (alias "FM-100") continues to be the top Wasatch Front radio station, according to Arbitrends for November, January and February.
For ages 12-plus, KSFI has a 9.4 percent share, while KRSP is tied for second with KSL at 6.7. KUBL has increased its audience and is fourth at 6.3 percent, followed by KKAT at 6.2.
Rounding out the top 10 are: KISN-FM (5.3); KBEE (4.9); and KSOP (4.4).
In the adult, ages 25-54, ratings, KSFI is tops at 11.5 percent, followed by KRSP (8.1); KKAT (7.3), KISN-FM (5.8) and KSL and KODJ at 5.5 percent each.
- REBECCA'S LEAVING - The female member of the successful "Wakeup Club" on KBEE (FM-98.7) has left the station, effective March 15.
Station general manager Scott Mahalick confirmed that Rebecca Marshall has been off the air most of this week and that she has accepted a job with the morning radio team on Detroit's "Q-95" - a top 10 market station.
Mahalick said he's sorry to see Marshall leave, but since her dream was to work for a top 10 market station, he is happy for her.
He said "Q-95" searched this market for the best voice and Marshall came out the winner.
Mahalick said a replacement DJ for the "Wakeup Club" could be on the air as early as Monday, March 18.
- RELIGION ON THE RADIO SERIES - The LDS Radio Network offers 24-hour church programming - LDS music, devotionals, General Conference sessions, BYU sports, "Times and Seasons," news of the church, scripture readings, plus news from KSL radio and TV.
The network's number of subscribers is increasing quickly, according to manager/program director Andrew McQuinn, with new markets opening up. Estimates now place the network's audience at approximately 100,000.
The strongest part of the network's audience is outside Utah, and new markets have opened up this winter in Boise and San Diego. However, he said it is picking up steam in Utah, and TCI Cable-vi-sion is now offering the network locally.
The network airs selected LDS music overnight and at least 31/2 hours of music during the day.
McQuinn said these are the network's most popular programs:
1. Church Education System lectures, weekdays at 6 p.m.
2. KSL-TV news broadcast, 10 p.m. daily.
3. BYU devotionals at 5:30 and 9 p.m. weekdays, at 11 a.m. six times a week and also at 9 p.m. daily
The service is available only by satellite, through some cable TV systems or with specially adapted radio sets. The network is also joining a new satellite system that will make it accessible to the small digital satellite dish owners.
Call 575-7663 for more information about receiving the station. Call 800-316-9856 for information about a specially adapted radio set to receive the station (approximate cost: $100).
- KCNR (AM-1320) - If you enjoy investigations into the unexplained, UFOs, bigfoot, ghosts and the like, Sunday night radio listening on this station may be for you. KCNR has seven hours of Sunday programming about such subjects.
The lineup begins with a local show, hosted by Clyde Lewis, called "Ground Zero" (4-7 p.m.). Next up is a national show, "Paranet Continuum," with Michael Corbin, from 7-8 p.m.
The series concludes with another syndicated show, "Dreamland," by Art Bell, from 8-11 p.m., heard on almost 200 U.S. radio stations.
KCNR originally planned last week on making a $10 million offer to anyone who can land a UFO in the station's parking lot and have the craft certified as "not of this Earth." (See the Deseret News, March 9, B3, for more details.) However, a delay with final approval from the SCA Promotions Co. of Dallas to guarantee the cash award has delayed the offer.
Mahalick is hopeful the announcement will come soon on a future "Ground Zero" show with Lewis.
It should be noted too that KCNR morning host Todd Herman said he doesn't believe in UFOs.
- KBER (FM-101.1) - The station's morning radio team of "Mick and Allen" will be taking a bold leap on Friday, March 22, about 7 a.m. - they'll be skydiving in Las Vegas with a flying Elvis team. If you're a KBER and/or Mick Martin and Allen Handy fan, don't miss hearing this on-the-scene broadcast next Friday.
- KUER (FM-90.1) - "Whad' Ya Know?" a two-hour weekly com-edy/quiz show from National Public Radio, will air locally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Saturday, March 16.
The show, hosted by quiz master Michael Feldman, will air each Saturday.
- RADIO HAPPENINGS - "Kidd Cassidy" on KKAT gave advice on relationships Monday. He also staged a battle of the sexes, with a telephone answering system as a prize for the winner. On Tuesday, Kidd asked listeners about doing embarrassing things family members or friends won't let them forget . . .
Charlee Simons on KZHT accepted tales from Monday moaners this week . . . "Mick and Allen" on KBER interviewed Lee Phillips, the author of the book "Trust Me," on Monday. On Tuesday, the DJs had Libby Weaver of "Extra" and Shauna Parsons of Fox Ch. 13 in the studio . . . Tom Barberi on KALL discussed TV censorship Tuesday . . .
"Kerry and Bill" of KXRK plan another "Lounge Wednesday" event next week. To get tickets, listeners have to qualify through such things as trivia contests. On Tuesday, the DJs discussed legislative lobbying and the clash between skiers and snowboarders . . . "Fisher, Todd and Erin" on KISN-FM had another cat in the studio Monday from the Humane Society. On Tuesday, the DJs hosted another "Battle of the Sexes"; the males went up by five games . . .
Todd Herman on KCNR talked about multilevel marketing Monday and the problems that occupation can cause with friendships. On Tuesday, he talked about unions and labor rights . . . Len Allen and Arnie Wheeler of KLO discussed special kids' playhouses on sale now that go for several thousand dollars and up . . .
"Jon and Dan" on KUBL were on vacation this week. Darby and Simone as well as Richard Cano filled in for the DJs. Cano was hired last month by the station as a weekend DJ. KUBL reports that listeners really like Cano, who loves the country music format best of all. Robert Lund was also on the FM-93.3 morning show this week doing chicken music . . .
"Dain and Peggy" on KSFI talked about the year's most boring movies Tuesday. The station also has launched a new TV and billboard campaign . . . "The Wakeup Club" on KBEE had two in-studio guests Tuesday who work as investigators for women or men who think their spouses are cheating on them.