Canzano said it will happen Wednesday, May 25th.
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:11 PM
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The Game to 750 am
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Seriously?
AM 750 is about as much of a fixture as we ever get. Huge change!
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:16 PM # -
Just when you think radio cant get any worse they go and prove ya wrong.
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:36 PM # -
The Game's Facebook page confirms the switch will occur at 6p on Wednesday. Brian Jennings had said on Canzano's show that it would be a surprise.. He didn't have a comment on 95.5's programming after the switch.
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:48 PM # -
So . . . what's going to happen to 95.5 FM?
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:49 PM # -
Learn Spanish if you want to listen to 95.5
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:50 PM # -
Oh wow, really? Source?
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 06:54 PM # -
Hell if I know. It was just a stupid guess but don't put it past them..
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 07:02 PM # -
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This from The Oregonian:
Canzano: 95.5 The Game Sports Radio Station Will Move To 750 AM (audio)
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 08:47 PM # -
I heard a quick announcement on the KXL evening news today that (as others have mentioned) effective Wednesday, the news/talk format heard on KXL will only be carried on 101.1 FM, and The Game will be on 750. Nothing was said about what will happen to the 95.5 frequency (presumably it will simulcast 750 for at least a few weeks).
Posted on May 20, 2011 - 09:33 PM # -
If they simulcast, it'll be for the rest of next week. If not, it'll either be some kind of stunting or format tease until the following Monday. It won't be a long simulcast because they don't have to retrain listener habits from the last 85 years.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 12:32 AM # -
On the 95.5 The Game website, there is a countdown that leads to the move for the Game to be exclusively on 750 and it's counting down to 6PM Wednesday, so that suggests there be no simulcast time.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 01:40 AM # -
I hope that 750 keeps it's heritage KXL call letters, and doesn't become KXTG.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 02:09 AM # -
Too late radio guy....
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 03:21 PM # -
I hope that 750 keeps it's heritage KXL call letters, and doesn't become KXTG.
Too late radio guy....
Dang!
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 04:06 PM # -
Somebody will regret that. It won't be right away either.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 04:37 PM # -
Man, you gotta hang onto those calls!
They've got some smart people in that building. Listen to the interview posted on their page...Brian Jennings has a lot on the ball. They're building something with 101.1. Interesting to see what other shoes drop. Sooner or later, they'll have to make a move on morning drive.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 06:25 PM # -
This from the "95.5 The Game" website:
--------------------------------------------Alpha Broadcasting Shuffles The Deck----------------------------------
In a move that follows KXL’s migration to FM last March, KXTG will take over the 750 dial position on the AM band starting next Wednesday, May 25th, changing it's name to SportsRadio 750AM The Game. Listen to Program Director Brian Jennings with Jay Allen on "The Daily Wrap" talking about the move.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 08:06 PM # -
On the 95.5 The Game website, there is a countdown that leads to the move for the Game to be exclusively on 750 and it's counting down to 6PM Wednesday, so that suggests there [will] be no simulcast time.
Wow! The Alpha people like to live dangerously. I will bet that there will be (former) game listeners who are going to think that the station went away altogether when they hear music on 95.5 and that won't think to check the station's Website.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 08:15 PM # -
You can easily call it "The Game" without changing calls. Hopefully, that's what will happen. There are enough stations that start will a "K" or "W", followed by their former call letters. We don't need more!
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 08:17 PM # -
Just curious but do radio stations get all new phone numbers when changing like this?
Right now its 417 9595. Obviously that wouldn't make anysense on the new station.
Posted on May 21, 2011 - 09:34 PM # -
On the 95.5 The Game website, there is a countdown that leads to the move for the Game to be exclusively on 750 and it's counting down to 6PM Wednesday, so that suggests there [will] be no simulcast time.
WHERE???? The ONLY countdown I see if for the NBA draft.....
Posted on May 22, 2011 - 01:33 PM # -
It's huge at the top of the page. Can't miss it.
Posted on May 22, 2011 - 02:12 PM # -
Apparently, the Alpha people aren't bothering with phone number changes for their stations. The KXL phone number still ends in 0750.
Posted on May 22, 2011 - 02:15 PM # -
My old computer in the garage doesn't cycle it's cache and it didn't bring up their redo on the website.
Posted on May 22, 2011 - 03:01 PM # -
Smoochie: That's Alpha's flagship station, they won't change the call. 101.1 will just become KXL-FM on the legal id and 750 will still be KXL. Don't know about 95.5 though.
Posted on May 22, 2011 - 04:37 PM # -
http://www.facebook.com/750TheGame
Posted on May 22, 2011 - 11:38 PM # -
"Smoochie: That's Alpha's flagship station, they won't change the call. 101.1 will just become KXL-FM on the legal id and 750 will still be KXL. Don't know about 95.5 though." ...hopefully but not necessarily. Lots of 3 letter calls have moved to FM or TV and others are just gone completely. Usually, what happens is the next owner wants them back and has to be satisfied with a "K" or "W" added to the front, as was alluded to, in my last post. The worst example has to be when KMO switched to KAMT for "AM Tacoma". What seems like a very short time later, they wanted the original calls back but could only manage KKMO and there they remain to this day.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 01:45 AM # -
Here's what North America is reading from All Access:
--------------------Alpha Broadcasting Moving 95.5 The Game's Sports Format To 750 AM--------------------
As widely rumored in the past months, ALPHA BROADCASTING is moving the Sports format of KXTG (95.5 THE GAME) to the AM dial on the 750 frequency long occupied by Talk KXL-A, which will continue in its recently-launched 101.1 FM slot. The switch for THE GAME will occur WEDNESDAY (5/25) at 5p (PT), with the 95.5 FM frequency launching a new format on that time.
"Both our local and national research has shown us that News/Talk stations with strong brands and talent like KXL have performed very well on FM across the country," said ALPHA President/COO BOB PROFITT. "Since MARCH 15th, we have been broadcasting NEWSRADIO on both 101.1 FM and 750 AM. We have been extremely happy with the response of our listeners on the migration from 750 to FM. In fact, we remain the #1 News/Talk radio station in PORTLAND.... Concurrently, that same research has shown that sports programming across America does better on AM. People grew up listening to their favorite sports team on AM... we look forward to much sports success on AM 750. Additionally, we plan to run many of our play-by-play on both 750 AM THE GAME, and NEWSRADIO 101.1."
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 06:44 AM # -
It's a shame that Alpha is resorting to using the same old tired consultants that the rest of the radio industry uses.
Whatever 95.5 becomes, it will sound outdated immediately.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 09:11 AM # -
Let me try to follow the logic behind Alpha's marketing announcement:
1) KXL was the #1 News/Talk radio station while it was on 750. It hasn't fallen from the #1 slot by simulcasting on both bands. Wooo-hoo! We didn't break anything!
2) We think that sports, another spoken word format, will actually improve its ratings by moving to AM.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 10:28 AM # -
They are not really moving the Game to AM because they want to improve ratings or coverage. While it's true that 750 gets wider coverage than 95.5, they are really just saying this to put a positive spin on the change.
The Game belongs on AM. They have been given several years on an FM stick to prove themselves, and they have fallen short. They have had luke-warm ratings at best since the launch on 95.5. They have earned the banishment to AM. It's a shame to waste a good-sounding FM class C signal on a talk format that doesn't pull a large audience. At least the Game isn't being totally killed off, which was probably a consideration Alpha made.
Bottom line - when you look at the big picture, it makes much more sense for the low-rated talk station to AM so that Alpha can make a new effort with a music station on FM.
Another note - for years I've watched this board, and all the whining about how big companies have done nothing but outsource content and cutting back local staff. Now, a company comes to town that it committed to local staff and on-air talent, and yet you can't stop griping about them, either. What's the deal? Can anyone to radio right in this market, in your opinion?
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 11:06 AM # -
I was being a bit sarcastic in that I do recognize that Alpha's announcement is spin. Profitt doesn't want to make it sound as if The Game is being "demoted" to the AM band (and much of the general public probably will perceive the change in that way, unfortunately).
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 11:16 AM # -
The Game is consistently at or near the bottom(at least in total audience)of the competing FMs. It makes perfect sense for it to move to AM, where a 2 share would be considered a success. I think that what will eventually happen is that KEX, having moved to FM, will take 1190 in a Sports direction, thus taking The Fan out of the equation, at which point, the latter will have to find a new format, if there are any left.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 12:17 PM # -
"Profitt doesn't want to make it sound as if The Game is being "demoted" to the AM band (and much of the general public probably will perceive the change in that way, unfortunately). "
You're right about that, for sure! Just take a look at the comments on the Game's Facebook page (unless the've all been deleted). There's a lot of angry listeners there! It makes for some good entertainment. I always get a good laugh out of people saying things like "Well, I'm NEVER listening again!" Now, THAT's a serious threat that'll get the management's attention! =) Besides, you know that 95% of people that say that WILL continue listening, anyways.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 12:21 PM # -
Demoted? The signal increases by over 20%.....
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 12:37 PM # -
+1, Alfredo!
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 12:52 PM # -
I have a picture of one of these angry Game listeners...
That's one of the 8 Rome listeners in the Metro area
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 04:10 PM # -
Feh. I really don't care what the audio is on 750 AM, 95.5 FM or any other station. If on Wednesday morning the call letters of 750 AM in Portland are NOT KXL, I will remove ALL Alpha stations from my radio presets. Taking the historic legacy calls off an AM station and pasting them on FM is just plain WRONG, a slap in the face to Portland radio history and makes no sense. Others have posted here that the station can be branded "750 The Game" without changing its calls. If Alpha chooses to move the KXL call off AM, they've lost this listener. (Are you listening, KEX?)
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 05:42 PM # -
lol, I don't know what's worse the 8 Jim Rome listeners or the 1 "call letter" guy... Who cares if the call letters are "historic"?
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 05:49 PM # -
...because once they're gone, they're gone forever! No one can ever have them again. Let's say that someone knocks over the Washington Monument and the NIMBYs won't allow it to be rebuilt. I'm not saying that call letters are on the same plain of importance as a national treasure but a loss is a loss.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 06:27 PM # -
If on Wednesday morning the call letters of 750 AM in Portland are NOT KXL, I will remove ALL Alpha stations from my radio presets.
They haven't filed papers with the FCC to change those calls yet. But AM970 will probably get the KXL calls as soon as the papers go through in D.C.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 11:44 PM # -
NoParty: Why would 970 get the KXL call letters? 101.1 has the KXL call letters.
Posted on May 23, 2011 - 11:57 PM # -
970 can't have the KXL calls, only 750.
Posted on May 24, 2011 - 12:21 AM # -
750 will be removed from my car radio presets this week simply because I do not care for the format of "The Game."
I expect that Alpha will change the callsign on 750 to KXTG after it goes to sports because they want the KXL calls to be associated with the format on 101.1.
Apparently, changing call letters is so easy that owners do it almost on a whim (for instance, why did 95.5's previous owners decide to jettison KXL-FM in favor of KXJM when that station became "Jammin'," given that the station was marketed as "Jammin' 95.5," not by its call letters?
Posted on May 24, 2011 - 01:18 AM # -
Let's hope that the Alpha people have some respect for Portland radio history. 750 needs to keep the historic KXL call letters, as 710 KIRO did when they flipped to Sports.
Posted on May 24, 2011 - 01:33 AM # -
"If on Wednesday morning the call letters of 750 AM in Portland are NOT KXL, I will remove ALL Alpha stations from my radio presets."
Yeah, and what's the deal with these new fangled cell phone things? People walking around talking on the phone? That's not right!
Posted on May 24, 2011 - 12:56 PM # -
Seriously, no one besides us radio geeks pays any attention to the call letters any longer.
Posted on May 24, 2011 - 12:57 PM #
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