Star 102.7 Ties ZHT

Star 102.7(KQMB) was up 0.5 to tie with Clear Channel's 94-9 ZHT (KZHT), which dropped 0.4. KSL continued it's new lead over FM 100 for the second trend in recent memory. KENZ (107-5 The End) also jumped up 0.5. K102 (KKAT) was up 1.0 from the Winter ratings trend. KISN 97 dropped 1.0 from last summer, to a 2.6. KODJ (Superhits 94.1) dropped 1.1 from last fall.

Where's Waldo: Dan Bammas

Dan Bammas, formerly of Metro Traffic (news and weather on KBER, KBEE, etc.), and also formerly with Simmon's Media's KZN 1280, has now been reported to have joined up with "Morning Edition" on KUER (FM-90).

A Gold-Standard Split at KSOP?

The legendary KSOP 1370/104.3 AM-FM combo has split up, says one submission to Utah Radio Guide, breaking the last remaining AM-FM combo in Salt Lake City. It appears that the AM station has flipped classic country, likely to compete with Clear Channel's KWLW 700. More information is available on the KSOP website: www.ksopcountry.com.

Ratings Report

The latest Arbitron ratings trend, brings surprising changes to the Wasatch Front. KSL Newsradio 1160 jumps to number one, for the first time for nearly a year. FM 100 drops to number two. Country was also hit very hard, as both KUBL (K-Bull 93), and KSOP drop nearly a 1.0-share each. However, KKAT (K102) jumped to tie with KSOP, likely due to it's tweaking and "self-mercials" on other Clear Channel stations. KBEE (B98.7) which also swapped formats in January, and was joined by Todd and Erin from KISN, changed little in this latest trend. KCPX (Channel 105-7) fell to a nearly all-time low, despite it's new format last fall.

Morning Show = Free Evening Shift?

Morning shows, are now repeating at night too. KENZ "107-5 The End" is currently repeating it's morning show as a "best of" with what they call "the night shift." KISN 97 is also repeating the "80's Chain Reaction" part of it's morning show, "The Rockett Radio Experience", at night. Could this lead to other stations, pulling similar actions? Other stations that use the point-to-point or time-delay "voicetrack" technology also include KKAT (K102) and KSFI (FM 100). KKAT's morning show, "Tim and Willie," are from Pheonix, voicetracked to sound local. FM 100, Utah's #1 rated station, uses a "canned" (or recorded) Bob Nelson for the night shift, allowing his talent to be used twice, and cut costs of hiring an evening talent

Alan Handy to KFAN

According to a tipster, Alan Handy, formerly of Rock 99 and Kisn 97 has apparently joined the staff at Citadel Broadcasting's KFAN 1320. He co-hosts the morning drive with Jeff Rickard and Ron Boone, survivors from the KZN talent drain a few months back.

O'Reilly Debuts Show With Westwood One, KSL To Air Locally

KSL 1160 is scheduled to air the debut of cable talk-show Bill O'Reilly's new radio show, The Radio Factor. Although Bill's show is 9 AM to 12 PM EST, KSL has scheduled to air O'Reilly from 8 PM to 10 PM. This will mean that Clark Howard will be shortened to only one hour, and O'Reilly's show will be cut one hour short. O'Reilly's new show, with Westwood One, has the most affiliates at debut than any other show ever, according to R&R Online. My question is this: A Bill Riley and a Bill O'Reilly at KSL? Ouch, that's going to be confusing.

FM Talk?

According to www.martindavies.com and a tip to the Utah Radio Guide "hotline," there are plans in the work for a new FM talk radio station for Salt Lake City. There is also mention of it being a " 'start from scratch' situation. Eleven gazillion things to be done before it comes real." That leaves a question as to what company or station would pickup a new format. Martin couldn't answer when our assistant news editor e-mailed him, but Martin likely let the cat out of the bag by also stating that the reason this station may take a while to get off the ground was because "the FCC has only just granted the final approvals . . . I don't have to make a final commitment for a couple months yet." That sounds like KPKK 101.5? A new station, just received FCC approvals. If anything happens, it won't be very soon.

Tim Lewis to KOVO 960

Tim Lewis contacted Utah Radio Guide stating that he will be starting (started) a new morning show on sports radio KOVO 960, Monday April 29th. He used to work for KSL in the early-1990's.

1010 "The Q" - News

UPDATE - 04/23/02 - Joe Jackson said that there has been several offers to but KIQN over the past three years, but that's no surprise. As for the financial trouble of the LMA he said he had to "reserve comment," which is reasonable enough. He also stated that Lyle Morris was only doing fill-ins for traffic reporting since he's a temporary employee for Metro Traffic currently.

04/18/02 INTELLIQUEST - According to another tipster, KIQ's LMA company is now in financial trouble too. Lyle Morris (formerly with FM100) was also part of the lineup, but left after only two weeks to fill in for Michael Kavanagh at 97.9 The Breeze. Richard Linford has also apparently had an offer made by "one of the major players in the market," to sell the station.