K-EARTH is now, officially, legendary

Stations from such varied locations as Little Rock, Houston, Philadelphia and Miami won Marconi Awards this year, but it is our own hometown station KRTH (101.1 FM) that was named Legendary Station of the Year.

The Marconi Awards are presented each year by the National Association of Broadcasters, and are in recognition of excellence in radio by outstanding stations and air personalities. They were announced Thursday, September 26th at the 30th Annual NAB Marconi Radio Award Dinner in Dallas, Texas.

According to the NAB, the radio stations and personalities that were honored were selected by a special group of men and women who make up the Selection Academy. This includes “general managers, program directors, regional executives, owners, programming consultants and former radio executives from across the country.”

I know that many will say that KRTH hardly deserves the award, because they aren’t even an oldies station any more. But hear me out. KRTH started playing oldies in 1972, when “oldies” reached only as far back as 1955 … that’s only 17 years. KRTH today played music primarily in the 1980s, yes, but the first of 1980s were 39 years ago. Hit the 1970s at all and you’re going back at least 40. Imagine KRTH playing music from 1932 when they first went on the air …

The fact is, KRTH has had to move forward in order to stay relevant to today’s listeners and advertiser. And within the constraints of today’s radio economic reality, it does a darn good job The station is generally fun to listen to, has good personalities, local promotions, and is consistently ranked higher in the ratings today than in its entire history.

Also receiving a Marconi: Ryan Seacrest, KIIS-FM morning man who reportedly does his show from New York along with about 4000 other projects (exaggerating … a little) was named Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year.

More Hope

Hanz Laetz has been involved in broadcasting for years; he is currently the general manager of Malibu’s low power KBUU (99.1 FM) and KSRW-FM/Bishop. He read the story a few weeks ago about the time Bill Diehl’s pre-prepared obituary on Bob Hope was used by a station to announce Hope’s death … even though the comedian was still very much alive.

“I also killed Bob Hope,” he wrote. “We got a tip at KTLA Channel 5 that Hope had died, probably around 1991. So we sent the KTLA satellite truck to Palm Springs, and flew a reporter to the Palm Springs Airport to meet the truck below Hope’s mountaintop mansion.

“The truck is setting up, and a limo rolls up.

“’Whatcha doin?’ asks Bob Hope out the window.

‘Uh, setting up for a live shot. Mr. Hope’ says the startled engineer.

‘Oh. Am I dead again?’ asks Hope. ‘Let’s go play golf’ he says as he gets driven off.”

By the way, Laetz says that the KBUU signal — less than 100 watts — has made it as far as Camp Pendelton. It seems whenever the KGGI signal from the Inland Empire — also on 99.1 FM — is blocked by hills and the atmospheric conditions are just right, the KBUU signal jumps across the water and along the shoreline, a nice straight path from the transmitter in the hills over Malibu.

The New KTNQ

I had to cheat to get a “C” in Spanish in high school, so I can’t tell you first hand what the programming it like. But KTNQ (1020 AM) has changed to a Spanish-language talk format focussing on the local community. The following are the programs offered by KTNQ, as stated in an official statement announcement:

5am – 10am PST: Tu Voz en Los Angeles (Your Voice in Los Angeles) hosted by Gustavo Vargas, Juan Rodriguez and Gabriela Teissier

11am – 12pm PST: Tu Dinero (Your Money) with personal finance expert Julie Stav and entrepreneur Carlos Marquez

12pm – 1pm PST: A Toda Ley with attorney José Jordán

1pm – 2pm PST: El Show de Luz Maria Briseño with certified nutritionist Luz María Briseño

2pm – 3pm PST: En Privado (In Private) with Dr. Eduardo López Navarro

3pm – 4pm PST: El Show de Fernando Espuelas with political analyst Fernando Espuelas

4pm – 5pm PST: En Boca de León with journalist León Krauze

5pm – 6pm PST: Ni Con Ellas, Ni Sin Ellas (With or Without Them) with Dr. Myriam Balbela, psychologist Sandy Calderaand Estefanía Iglesias

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