Post by pluggedinradio on Aug 25, 2006 14:33:48 GMT -5
KTAR to Separate and Expand News and Sports Programming
August 24th, 2006 @ 2:27pm
by KTAR Press Release
Arizona's heritage news/talk station KTAR announces plans to separate news and sports programming to create the state's first local FM news/talk station on 92.3 and the market's first major league sports station at 620 AM.
For decades, KTAR has been the state's leader in providing news and sports programming on the radio. In order to accommodate a dramatically growing and changing market, KTAR announces that it is strengthening its commitment to providing the Phoenix area with the best news, talk shows, and sports programming by putting KTAR on both AM and FM.
Beginning in September, KTAR will simulcast all of its programming on 92.3 FM and 620 AM. During the simulcast period, KTAR will prepare for the launch of the news/talk station on FM and will build the first major league sports station on the state's strongest AM signal. That process will be complete and the two stations will take the air January 2007. The move will allow KTAR provide 48 hours of programming every day,
This change will allow KTAR to give its audience of nearly half a million listeners uninterrupted news, traffic, weather, and talk on 92.3 FM. The new frequency will provide news/talk listeners with a higher quality signal that will be easier to pick up in offices and buildings.
The change will also allow KTAR to fully maximize its long relationship with the biggest sports teams in Arizona. Now, 620 AM will not only be the home of play-by-play for the Diamondbacks, Suns, Cardinals, and Arizona State University, but it will also have affiliation with ESPN, breaking sports news, and the best local sports talk shows.
"KTAR always has delivered great news talk and sports programming to our listeners," said Erik Hellum, vice president and market manager of KTAR. "However, news talk listeners told us they did not want their news interrupted by play-by-play sports, and sports fans told us we did not give them enough sports coverage. With an all-sports format at 620AM and News/Talk at 92.3 FM, we can give them what they want when they want it."
The state's major sports teams have been involved in the discussions about the change, and have expressed enthusiasm about the decision.
"We believe Arizona has the most loyal and educated sports fans in the entire country," said Jeff Moorad, Arizona Diamondbacks owner and general partner. "An all-sports format on 620 AM will now provide those fans with a platform that can further feed their passion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The bundling of sports news, sports updates and intelligent sports talk to go along with the ancillary Diamondbacks programming that we will now receive makes this the ideal flagship station for our franchise."
Rick Welts, president and chief operating officer of the Phoenix Suns, echoed the sentiment. "I have been fortunate to live in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, and they all have great sports talk radio," said Welts. "Our sports fans deserve high-quality entertainment programs, too. Thanks to KTAR, it is going to be a great day for all of us."
Michael Bidwill, vice president and general counsel for the Arizona Cardinals, said that Valley sports fans have a lot to look forward to. "Given the opening of the new Cardinals' stadium, I can't think of a better time for another grand opening - KTAR's launch of an all-sports station on 620 AM," he said.
Lisa Love, vice president for athletics at Arizona State University, added, "KTAR and Arizona State University have had an incredibly deep and successful partnership." Love continued, "How this sets up on 620 Sports is exciting."
Hellum invites Arizonans to visit KTAR.COM to learn more about the station's transformation and contribute ideas. "Listener input has been and will continue to be valuable in shaping what KTAR delivers," he said.
About KTAR
KTAR was Arizona's first radio station and continues to have the state's largest radio audience. The station was founded more than 80 years ago, and it has been an indelible part of the Arizona landscape ever since. KTAR is considered a trusted source for local, national, business and breaking news, along with traffic and weather. The station also is the place for sports, serving as the radio home of the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the Phoenix Suns and Arizona State University.
About Bonneville
Bonneville International is a dynamic and diversified media company with television, radio, broadcasting, advertising, and satellite operations in the top markets across the U.S., including Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, St. Louis and Salt Lake City, where it is headquartered.
Known not only as a leader in the industry but also as a values-driven company, Bonneville's mission is to "Make a Difference" in the communities where it operates. Bonneville has become a national leader in providing quality, values-oriented media products.
August 24th, 2006 @ 2:27pm
by KTAR Press Release
Arizona's heritage news/talk station KTAR announces plans to separate news and sports programming to create the state's first local FM news/talk station on 92.3 and the market's first major league sports station at 620 AM.
For decades, KTAR has been the state's leader in providing news and sports programming on the radio. In order to accommodate a dramatically growing and changing market, KTAR announces that it is strengthening its commitment to providing the Phoenix area with the best news, talk shows, and sports programming by putting KTAR on both AM and FM.
Beginning in September, KTAR will simulcast all of its programming on 92.3 FM and 620 AM. During the simulcast period, KTAR will prepare for the launch of the news/talk station on FM and will build the first major league sports station on the state's strongest AM signal. That process will be complete and the two stations will take the air January 2007. The move will allow KTAR provide 48 hours of programming every day,
This change will allow KTAR to give its audience of nearly half a million listeners uninterrupted news, traffic, weather, and talk on 92.3 FM. The new frequency will provide news/talk listeners with a higher quality signal that will be easier to pick up in offices and buildings.
The change will also allow KTAR to fully maximize its long relationship with the biggest sports teams in Arizona. Now, 620 AM will not only be the home of play-by-play for the Diamondbacks, Suns, Cardinals, and Arizona State University, but it will also have affiliation with ESPN, breaking sports news, and the best local sports talk shows.
"KTAR always has delivered great news talk and sports programming to our listeners," said Erik Hellum, vice president and market manager of KTAR. "However, news talk listeners told us they did not want their news interrupted by play-by-play sports, and sports fans told us we did not give them enough sports coverage. With an all-sports format at 620AM and News/Talk at 92.3 FM, we can give them what they want when they want it."
The state's major sports teams have been involved in the discussions about the change, and have expressed enthusiasm about the decision.
"We believe Arizona has the most loyal and educated sports fans in the entire country," said Jeff Moorad, Arizona Diamondbacks owner and general partner. "An all-sports format on 620 AM will now provide those fans with a platform that can further feed their passion 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The bundling of sports news, sports updates and intelligent sports talk to go along with the ancillary Diamondbacks programming that we will now receive makes this the ideal flagship station for our franchise."
Rick Welts, president and chief operating officer of the Phoenix Suns, echoed the sentiment. "I have been fortunate to live in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle, and they all have great sports talk radio," said Welts. "Our sports fans deserve high-quality entertainment programs, too. Thanks to KTAR, it is going to be a great day for all of us."
Michael Bidwill, vice president and general counsel for the Arizona Cardinals, said that Valley sports fans have a lot to look forward to. "Given the opening of the new Cardinals' stadium, I can't think of a better time for another grand opening - KTAR's launch of an all-sports station on 620 AM," he said.
Lisa Love, vice president for athletics at Arizona State University, added, "KTAR and Arizona State University have had an incredibly deep and successful partnership." Love continued, "How this sets up on 620 Sports is exciting."
Hellum invites Arizonans to visit KTAR.COM to learn more about the station's transformation and contribute ideas. "Listener input has been and will continue to be valuable in shaping what KTAR delivers," he said.
About KTAR
KTAR was Arizona's first radio station and continues to have the state's largest radio audience. The station was founded more than 80 years ago, and it has been an indelible part of the Arizona landscape ever since. KTAR is considered a trusted source for local, national, business and breaking news, along with traffic and weather. The station also is the place for sports, serving as the radio home of the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the Phoenix Suns and Arizona State University.
About Bonneville
Bonneville International is a dynamic and diversified media company with television, radio, broadcasting, advertising, and satellite operations in the top markets across the U.S., including Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, St. Louis and Salt Lake City, where it is headquartered.
Known not only as a leader in the industry but also as a values-driven company, Bonneville's mission is to "Make a Difference" in the communities where it operates. Bonneville has become a national leader in providing quality, values-oriented media products.
