Radio and TV are "Two Together" on the radio this week, following an exclusive deal by two radio stations - KNRS (AM-570) and KALL (AM-910) - with KUTV, Ch. 2.
As of last Monday, KUTV's news team and its weather forecasting staff are heard during morning and afternoon drive times on the two stations.Jacor Communications, the owner of the two radio stations, believes it will greatly benefit from the arrangement.
"Jacor is very happy with our agreement with KUTV News," Rick Porter, vice president and general manager of Salt Lake's Jacor office. "Not only does this strengthen our exposure in radio and television, but the promotional opportunities are endless."
Jacor will rebroadcast KUTV news programming and wher-ev-er possible, talk to its reporters live.
"We are delighted to partner with an aggressive and powerful station group such as Jacor," Dave Phillips, vice president and general manager of KUTV said. "This will only enhance our capabilities and enable us to reach a larger audience. We are excited."
According to Larry Crandall, Jacor's director of AM programming for Salt Lake, the agreement with Ch. 2 will enhance his nine-person radio news team. He also said it will work both ways and Ch. 2 can also utilize radio reporters, where needed.
The all-news operation of KNRS is the most expensive of all radio formats.
Obviously, the agreement will allow Jacor to cut some operating costs, while enhancing its news reporting.
The familiar KUTV news personality voices will also be a big plus to the two radio stations.
KSL, the other all-news radio station in the Salt Lake market, is already bolstered by its agreement with KSL-TV, Ch. 5 for similar, cooperative news coverage.
The KUTV and Jacor agreement puts KALL and KNRS in a much more competitive position against KSL.
Over the past two decades, several stations have tried to challenge KSL radio for all-news reporting supremacy but never had the resources or the staying power.
Jacor is committed to AM stations and their accompanying extensive news reporting, as its national reputation confirms.
The company is moving all six of its radio stations into a brand new broadcasting building in West Valley City this spring. Currently, KALL and sister station KKAT are on South Temple, while its other four stations are scattered around the valley, too.
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