Radio AM to FM - November 27, 1998

Radio AM to FM: November 27, 1998

Tuna Returns

The rumor has become reality: Charlie Tuna, whose resume reads like a list of almost every radio station in Los Angeles, will mark his Los Angeles radio return November 30th when he signs onto KLAC (570 AM).

Tuna has spent the last few years behind the Orange Curtain at KIK-FM (KIKF, 94.3 FM) playing country hits. At KLAC, he'll wake up Southern California playing what is called "adult standards" a catch-all phrase that includes music from the 1940s through today.

It is the first move of many that are expected from KLAC both in front of and behind the microphone. Tuna is KLAC's first live announcer since the current format was adapted three years ago; more are expected as owner Chancellor shifts toward local programming and away from the current satellite format. Even the engineering department is working on improving the sound of the station, and KLAC is already one of the better-sounding (from a technical standpoint) stations in town.

A smart idea, actually, as KLAC has earned very respectable ratings as a music station and often meets or beats such trendy stations as KLSX (97.1 FM) in the Arbitron ratings. Localizing the programming if done correctly will do nothing but improve on the current success ... which mirrors what Jacor did with their own adult standards station down in San Diego, KPOP (1360 AM).

Going ... Going ... Gone

Minyard and Tilden are o-u-t at KABC (790 AM). The last show was November 13th. And, while longtime host Ken Minyard (he's been paired with three co-hosts during his long morning tenure) would like everyone to believe the move had absolutely nothing to do with ratings, he's being a bit misleading.

Yes, ratings were good. Depending on the survey and the demographic studied, Minyard and Tilden ranked as high as eighth in the Arbitrons. But that's not as high as they were a few years ago, and they have been on a steady decline since Minyard was paired with Peter Tilden two years ago. It was, according to Minyard, a mutual parting. And it does give the pair a chance to move on while their show was still performing well.

Don't be surprised if they soon turn up -- together or separate -- on another Los Angeles-area talk station. Both are far too good to just disappear.

Going ... Back

The ink had not even dried on a deal to get morning man Bob Coburn to KLOS (95.5 FM) when current employer Arrow 93 (KCBS-FM, 93.1) offered a better deal. That means he's staying ... for now.

Last Dance

The last song to be played on KRLA (1110 AM) has not been chosen, but it will air at approximately 4:57 am on Monday, November 30th.

Huggy Boy -- the only live personality on the station since November 11th -- will have his last live show this morning (sign-off at 10 am); his last taped program will be the syndicated "Back to the '50s" Sunday from 10 am to 12 noon.

Rumor has Huggy Boy moving to KRTH (101.1 FM). More on that as it develops.

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