Kudos To Saul Levine: Country Replaces Classical On 105.1

[Radioresearcher]

Great move by Saul Levine as KMZT becomes KKGO-FM (Go Country 105) on Monday.

This is one of the best decisions in a long time for the marketplace. Good for him and best of success.

Classical will still be served on 91.5, 1260, and KMZT HD.

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Nothing against country fans but...

In my opinion, this is a cultural black eye for Los Angeles.   KUSC while good, doesn't play enough of the classical hits. The LA schools are not providing adequate music education and music that has stood the test of time for centuries is going to get less exposure in Southern California.  Thank you Emmis for getting the ball rolling!
 

First WGMS, now KMZT what next KDFC?...This is REALLY SAD!

Thankfully LA has KUSC!

[Mediafrog+]

If true, not a surprise.  Been bad times for commercial Classical lately, with the final demise of WGMS in D.C., after having been kicked to a rimshot last year, along with WCRB Boston also relegated to rimshot status.  Looks like the days are numbered for KDFC up the coast in SF, as well.  Here in Houston we lost KRTS a couple of years ago.

Oh, well, I'm a classical lover but also a realist.  Times, tastes, demographics and economics change, and Classical's decline has been in the works for years--actually decades.  At least there are plently of alternatives, given the internet/satellite etc.

Having loved the Jazz incarnation of KKGO years ago (via cable FM) it seems strange to have the call connected with country--although I guess the Jazz format has been gone long enough (what--17 years now?) that listeners simply don't remember.
 

[leonardo10]

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/11096162/detail.html

Here is an article on the change.  I think this is a good move on his part.

[Beachdog]

I keep reading here there's not enough cume in LA for a country format yet I keep seeing these artist on TV.  There must be a good number of country fans in the market to support the station better them what classical captured. Is this a leap backwards for the froggy in Riverside? 

[SuperRadioFan]

K-FROG can't be thrilled with the change, especially since they've claimed they are upgrading their signal into Orange County (read spent $$$).  BUT they were NEVER considered by advertisers to be anything other than a station serving the Inland Empire.

The new Go Country 105 certainly will have a great signal ... better than KZLA ever had I believe.

EDIT:  I just looked at the coverage maps from Radio-Locator and they're almost identical.  The two signals 93.9 and 105.1 have around the same power, too (18kw).

Too bad that Classical music lovers now will be limited to KUSC.  But that's the trend.  You know Armageddon has arrived when WFMT and/or WQXR drops Classical 

[Mediafrog+]

You know Armageddon has arrived when WFMT and/or WQXR drops Classical 

You're only half-kidding.  Those will be the last two in the Classical Death Pool.  Final survivor will depend on whether the New York Times gets out of the radio biz.

[marko83]

Go Country? Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book.

[DavidEduardo]

K-FROG can't be thrilled with the change, especially since they've claimed they are upgrading their signal into Orange County (read spent $$$).  BUT they were NEVER considered by advertisers to be anything other than a station serving the Inland Empire.

Despite being mentioned here, I see no recent modifications or CPs

EDIT:  I just looked at the coverage maps from Radio-Locator and they're almost identical.  The two signals 93.9 and 105.1 have around the same power, too (18kw).

KMZT´s antenna is much closer to the ground on Wilson, resulting in some considerable shadowing. KZLA is the bbetter signal

[mostb1]

K-FROG can't be thrilled with the change, especially since they've claimed they are upgrading their signal into Orange County (read spent $$$).  BUT they were NEVER considered by advertisers to be anything other than a station serving the Inland Empire.

Despite being mentioned here, I see no recent modifications or CPs

EDIT:  I just looked at the coverage maps from Radio-Locator and they're almost identical.  The two signals 93.9 and 105.1 have around the same power, too (18kw).

KMZT´s antenna is much closer to the ground on Wilson, resulting in some considerable shadowing. KZLA is the bbetter signal

From the Frog's mouth itself: http://www.kfrogstations.com/frogboard/viewtopic.php?t=160&sid=869d5bc2991f81204023aa3d823887b4