Word is that Entercom wanted to block Cumulus from buying KBLX which would have allowed them to simulcast one of their AM's on 102.9
Could that AM have been KGO? It's no secret that Cumulus has been looking for an FM outlet here to supplant KGO's new entry into the all-news biz, (however ridiculous that new format has become).
KCBS, which has been at the forefront of all-news for decades here, has the advantage of being simulcast on 106.9 FM and help contributed to CBS' dominance in the market. It makes sense that Cumulus would want to go after some property to beef up KGO's news offerings, however trivial it seems at this point. A "KGO-FM" could conceivably give KCBS some competition.
KBLX and Entercom? Another blow for Bay Area broadcasting. And those of you that remember "The Quiet Storm" have to feel bummed. I don't know what Entercom has in store for KBLX, but it can't be good news.
We'll wait and see and give Entercom the benefit of the doubt.
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I'm not a fan of KBLX's current programming. Their version of "Grown and Sexy" programming sounds too much like KISQ. KBLX back in the 70s and 80s used to play a mix of fusion jazz (think Hiroshima, George Howard) mixed in with smooth R & B (think Luther, Anita Baker). Then KKSF kinda became the flagship for smooth jazz in the country and KBLX played more vocals (while still mixing in some smooth jazz). Point is instead of competing with the geezers down at KISQ, they should have taken up and played more smooth jazz when Clear Channel killed KKSF and the other smooth jazz stations. KBLX is cool at night but during the day is blah. That being said, I don't want to see KBLX go away to become a simulcast of a news talk station. There's potential at KBLX music wise and to lose it in a format blocking war would suck.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with Anthony about the current programming, its loss would be one more reason to never turn on FM, and rely only on satellite, Spotify and TuneRadio.
ReplyDeleteKBLX was one of the stations I first listened to when I moved here from the midwest in the late 80's - I had never heard anything like it and I wish it were back.
For a good mix of smooth jazz and R &B (like the OLD KBLX), try WVAS out of Alabama State University in Montgomery on tunein. I've been listening to it since the early 90's when I attended Tuskegee and Auburn. They havea good mix of smooth jazz, smooth R & B and even a little straight jazz (ala KCSM) thrown in. I listen to this in my car via phone and bluetooth rigged to audio in on the stereo. A good example, they were playing Esperalda Spalding smooth jazz for YEARS before she beat Bieber for her Grammy last year.
DeleteThe thing with KBLX is that it is one of only two true R&B/Soul stations in the West Coast left (including LA's KJLH). The Quiet Storm programming has evolved a lot from its eclectic R&B and Jazz days but it's music selection sounds nothing like KISQ since it still plays newer R&B and neosoul music. So it's better compared to WBLS New York (its sister), WHUR DC and WDAS Philadelphia when it comes to its heritage. Not to mention it complements KMEL based on the Bay Area urban radio audience. Radio hasn't been the same in a decade but unless one of its AM sisters pick up the format (it was simulcast on 1400 once) that would leave the region without a significant station.
DeleteCumulus wanted to put the Giants on KBLX. This would have finished The Game and eliminated their reason for being as the Bay Area's FM Sports station
ReplyDeleteF the Giants. They are greedy bastards and they aren't that powerful
ReplyDeleteRemember KKSF, I'm "still" PO'ed that the powers that be took them off the air! The Bay Area has absolutely NO Jazz Radio Stations, and that my friends is a shame!
ReplyDeleteUhh... while I too miss smooth jazz on KKSF, there is a stallworth of a "real" jazz station at 91.1 KCSM... All jazz all day. Considered one of the best if not THE best in the country for it's jazz programming.
Delete@Anthony
ReplyDeleteThanx Anthony...I know about KCSM, but their air wave strength is not very strong...Even here in SF. :(
I came to the bay area, back in 1957, fresh from Navy boot camp and tech schooling in Memphis...at that time, I had just been introduced to jazz and the abundance of jazz clubs and radio stations, playing jazz and solid R & B, was plentiful...over the years, all of those fine jazz stations have disappeared...KBLX began as a smooth jazz station, years ago and has since come to be a classic ol' school, soul station...now, it appears that it too, will be dumped by the wayside...pathetic...thankfully, I have a satellite radio...a choice...
ReplyDeleteIf KBLX is gone who will represent the urban sound, those of us(no matter the race) who like soul music? Do those in charge think that the black community(and soul music lovers) only deserve 1 station 106(hip hop),to reflect the kind of music we get to listen to on the air. Power to all the people that we get a reflection of music that refect our communities.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear. I liked KBLX when it was a JAZZ station. Once their format which to mostly R&B, my interest dwindle to almost naught. I will miss Kevin Brown's morning show for the "Believe It or Not stories" and the "Hollywood Minute." We must realize that there are so many avenues to listen to music today, whatever your preference is. This is why we're losing good radio stations.
ReplyDelete