Save Ferris
Yes, I admit it; I stayed up late to hear the rollover from ESPN Deportes to The Spy.
Which didn’t happen.
On the Web site yesterday: “We are currently undergoing unforeseen circumstances. We are working to get them resolved as soon as possible and re-launch.” Ferris O’Brien put up a MySpace bulletin around four this morning, although without an explanation.
I have my own belief as to what happened, but not wishing to spread rumors, I will keep it to myself.
Scooby214 »
24 November 2009 · 6:47 pm
I stayed up late as well, waiting for the switch. It happened a day late, at 12:01 AM Monday night/Tuesday morning. It has been on all day, and is streaming as well. I’ve been listening when I can through the day, and have been surprised at how many songs I have recognized. It is still broadcasting in mono, which is probably best for listening to such a weak signal.
It’s great to see the station become locally owned again. I wish Ferris the best.
CGHill »
24 November 2009 · 7:27 pm
I saw an occasional stereo pilot while wandering around the northside antenna farm, though I suspect it may have been accidental, since reception was often problematic.
The station comes in pretty well near my house, though not so well in my garage.
And I have to wonder: how many stations, once part of a chain, ever wound up with local ownership?
Scooby214 »
24 November 2009 · 8:02 pm
I think your stereo pilot was accidental, as I was getting a strong mono signal near NW Highway and Council.
I’m glad you get a good signal near your house. I live near Windsor Hills, and get good reception until I pull into my neighborhood. Between the trees and the power lines, reception is quite spotty. Fortunately, my good Sangean receiver with the outdoor yagi antenna do a fine job with just about any station I throw at it. I broadcast it to my other radios with my SSTran transmitter.
In regards to the “local ownership” aspect of Okla. City radio, there aren’t many of them around. I suppose that the Tyler cluster could be considered locally owned. The Perry stations would probably be considered local as well. Then we have the tiny KTLV 1220 that is locally owned. Do you know of any others here in town?
I don’t know of any other stations (beside KINB) in our fair city that used to be part of clusters and are now locally owned. I venture to guess that Citadel either broke even or lost money on the KINB deal. With its weak city grade signal, I think 105.3 will do its best with a niche format.
CGHill »
24 November 2009 · 8:26 pm
KZUE (1460) is still locally owned. And KREF (1400) is owned by Fox Broadcasting, but not that Fox Broadcasting.
Bob FM (KQOB 96.9) is programmed by Citadel, but owned by Hiram Champlin out of Enid. (Champlin is also the man behind the curtain at KZLS 99.7, albeit with a different corporate identity. FCC documents indicate he owns them both.)
Perry is indeed based here, but they have stations in other areas as well: Tulsa, Lawton, and lately Augusta, Georgia.
Scooby214 »
24 November 2009 · 9:11 pm
I forgot about KZLS and KQOB. Sure would be nice to see something useful done with KZLS. Reception is a little weak in N. Okla. City, but good enough to be a decent station (given a good format). I guess I’ll never get my wish for another Smooth Jazz station in Okla. City. It would be a good location for a simulcast of KOCD, but that is just wishful thinking.
CGHill »
25 November 2009 · 7:42 pm
George Lang explains what happened during those 24 hours, and I was, to put it mildly, in error.