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Updated October 22, 1999 98.5 FM Goes Native As speculated, the AM-FM Hawaii today changed the format of its classic rock station 98.5 FM (KKLV) to a mix of Hawaiian and Island music sounds. The new format known as "Island Rhythmn 98.5" will take on market leader KCCN FM 100 in the lucrative Hawaiian/island music format. The departure of classic rock from 98.5's airwaves leaves Honolulu without a traditional album/classic rock music station in more than 15 years. KKLV has been a classic rock outlet since the early 1990s when the station was under the ownership of Henry Hawaii Broadcasting. KIKI's "Lanai Boy" is the program director of the new format and will be introducing on-air personalities in the coming weeks to the new island music outlet.
Haleakala Broadcast Tower Site To Move The Honolulu Advertiser reported on Sunday that significant portions of the state could lose some or all TV coverage if an alternate transmitter site on Haleakala mountain is not found before 2002. The current site where broadcast TV towers are now located cannot be used when the FCC mandated change to digital signals take effect. According to the article, the digital TV signals will interfere with astronomical work being done nearby. Possible sites have been mentioned but rejected as being unsuitable by either the broadcasters, environmentalists or Hawaiian activists. The complete story can be found at the Advertiser's website: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/1999/Oct/17/localnews5.html
Pacific Business News' Erika Engle reports that the owners of KKLV, AM-FM Hawaii may be contemplating a change of programming. Hawaiian music has been mentioned as a possible format, which according to the article would replace the current classic rock music programming.
Details on this and more are at:
Several readers and visitors to this site have reported that Maui radio station KMVI 55 has switched from rock n roll oldies to an all sports-talk station. KMVI's new monicker is "Sports Zone 55."
Radio Disney Comes To KQMQ AM New Wave Broadcasting's KQMQ AM 690 changed its format today to a satellite delivered service called "Radio Disney." The new format is geared toward the youngest listeners... children ages 2 to 11. The Radio Disney format is broadcast in 45 other markets and is mostly music intensive, featuring hits by artists appealing to the demographic... InSync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and 98 Degrees.... mixed in with hits from Disney films and television programs. According to a report that appeared in yesterday's Honolulu Advertiser, the format will air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It signals a break from KQMQ's FM simulcast, which will continue solo playing a their familiar mix of contemporary hits. More information can be found at the Honolulu Advertiser's website.: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/1999/Oct/12/localnews5.html
As reported earlier, several radio stations in Honolulu have recently changed hands through corporate buyouts by large mainland corporations. A Pacific Business News article accounts for 4 radio stations being sold to Salem Communications. Chagel Broadcasting's KHNR 650 and KGU 760 are being sold to Salem, while religious broadcaster, KAIM AM & FM is being sold to Salem by current owners, the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. The report indicated that programming on those stations will probably remain unchanged. The same report also highlights AM-FM Broadcasting's sale to Clear Channel Inc., which effects 7 radio stations in Honolulu. Details can be found at the PBN website.
Major Format Changes on Big Island Radio Seven radio stations on the Big Island have gone through major programming changes and brand makeovers this week. The stations are all part of the Big Island Broadcasting radio group. KIPA 620 AM Hilo now simulcasts with Kealakekua's KKON 790 AM with the "Kool Oldies" format, which has combined with KIPA's "standards" format. Mel "Mynah Bird" Medeiros will continue in the 6:AM to 11:AM morning drive slot, Monday through Saturday. FM coverage of Mynah Bird's show on 92.7 has been dropped. The former oldies station, KAOE 92.7 in Hilo and KAOY 101.5 in Kealakekua now carry the "K-Hawaii" Rock & Roll format which has moved over from KHWI 100.3 FM in Hilo. The music mix on "K-Hawaii" will remain as "classic rock." KPVS 95.9 Hilo and Kona's KLUA 93.9 have dropped the "Kailua FM" monicker and now go by "Today's Top Hits, Island Style". They use the ID "KISS FM". Format appears to be a mix of adult contemporary and contemporary Hawaiian music. The biggest change comes to Hilo's KHWI FM at 100.3 on the dial. The station and its South Point repeater now carries Hawaiian Music 24 hours a day. The mix is made up of contemporary and some traditional styles. The station now calls itself "KAPA FM." The new monicker will more than likely become the station's official call letters. The FCC database has not been updated to reflect this change, though it is quite common for radio stations to use new calls while an application is being filed with the FCC.
Industry sources have announced that the debut episode of the revamped, filmed in the islands television series, "Baywatch Hawaii" has topped the Nielsen ratings for first-run syndicated series. The premiere episode has pulled a 3.5 share, which for syndication is very high. Officials are cautiously optimistic about the program's chances to bring in large numbers every week, especially through the critical November sweeps period, which can determine how much revenue the production can bring in. The show which cost about $900,000 to produce each episode, will need the revenues to continue its liberal use of the majestic island surroundings that grace many of the program's outdoor shots. "Baywatch Hawaii" premiered locally on KHON TV Channel 2 last month. It shows every Saturday at 5:PM. The next episode is to feature, among other things the new made-in-Hawaii racing yacht, "Abracadabra 2000" which will be competing for the America's Cup in New Zealand next year.
Dan Cooke Returning to KITV 4 News A major shake-up in the local news race is shaping up. KHNL anchor, Dan Cooke is reported to be in talks with KITV 4 on rejoining the station. The two Honolulu Dailies, Advertiser and Star-Bulletin noted this in separate reports yesterday. If things work out, Cooke could be at the anchor desk by January at KITV 4. The Star Bulletin reports that he will most likely be replacing current anchor Howard Dashefsky, who shares anchoring duties with Paula Akana. The last Neilsen ratings showed that KITV had the #2 newscast in the market, while KHNL's news has been a constant #4 since signing on in 1996. Details on this item can be found here: http://starbulletin.com/1999/10/05/features/story3.html
7 AM-FM Hawaii Stations Sold (Again) Seven Honolulu radio stations owned by the conglomerate AM-FM, Inc. were sold to another company which will form an even larger conglomerate. It was announced yesterday that Clear Channel Communications, Inc. acquired AM-FM in a deal valued at approximately $23.5 billion. AM-FM is a large corporation which owns more than 500 stations including 7 in Honolulu... KSSK AM & FM, KIKI FM & AM, KKLV FM, KUCD FM and KHVH AM. The 7 stations which are in the process of consolidating their operations at new facilities at Dole Cannery Square, will retain their current formats and personnel for the time being. In the past 5 years, the 7 station group has undergone several ownership changes on their way to consolidation. The sale which is pending FCC approval, will force Clear Channel to divest itself of some of their stations, though none in Honolulu. When approved, the conglomerate will own more than 800 radio stations and several TV stations throughout the U.S. and around the world.
In our first, on-going, non scientific poll, Hawaii Radio & Television Guide readers have given the nod to KGU AM 76 as the best talk radio station in town. While the poll was criticized for having KGU listed as a talk station, it does fall into the general category of talk, since a majority of its programming fit a talk radio format, though geared toward a sports audience. KGU received 33% of the vote. Conservative radio station KHVH 830 AM came in 2nd with 31%, followed by KCCN 1420 at 22%. The poll sample was very small, with only 72 people voting. Poll results will be posted through this link.
Hasselhoff Contemplates Baywatch Future Actor David Hasselhoff, star of the 10 year old series, Baywatch Hawaii, currently filming on Oahu's North Shore indicates that he wants a reduced role on the series. Meanwhile, the program will make its debut on KHON Channel 2 at 5:PM this coming Saturday, September 25.
Details can be found in this Star Bulletin article.
New Radio Station on Kauai Listeners on the Garden Island can add a new radio station to their dial. KSHK 103.3 FM recently signed on with a "rock n roll" format reports James R. Pilgram. KSHK is the newest radio station set up by Visionary Related Entertainment, who also own radio stations KQNG FM & AM on Kauai as well as 3 stations on Maui. The station broadcasts out of Kekaha at 100kw.
The latest issue of Pacific Business News contains an article written by Erika Engle reporting that two more radio stations in Honolulu will be sold to a mainland conglomerate. KUMU AM & FM will be sold to Emerald City Partners. She also reports that Christian radio station KAIM AM & FM is on the verge of being sold to Salem Communications. The sale of these radio stations will all but close the book on locally owned radio, as nearly all stations in the Honolulu market will be owned by a mainland based corporations. Details can be found at the Pacific Business News website: http://www.amcity.com/pacific/stories/1999/09/13/story2.html
Hawaii Viewers Shut Out of Millionaire Game Show Various media in Hawaii and on the mainland have recently reported about the Hawaii and Alaska market being shut out from participating in the highly successful ABC TV program "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" which completed its initial run early this month. Viewers in the 49th and 50th States were left out from calling into the 900 number in order to qualify for a slot on the program that is filemd in New York City. The major reason for this as noted by ABC TV spokespersons was that "qualifiers were expected to be in New York the next day for the program's taping." Hawaii and Alaska were left out of the loop due to the possibility that contestants from these areas would not be able to make the deadline. Management of Honolulu's ABC TV affiliate, KITV 4 are hoping that something can be worked out with the network in time for the show's second go-round during the fall November sweeps.
Jazz Show Debuts on KIPO FM Hawaii Public Radio's Production Director JP Muntal hosts the new "Jazz With JP" program which premiered on KIPO 89.3 FM last Tuesday, August 31. The show formerly called "The Real Deal With Seth Markow" is part of the new jazz line up on KIPO. Markow Continues Thursday Thru Saturday. "Jazz With JP" is Heard Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 8 to 10PM. The show focuses on bebop, post bop, contemporary and fusion. More information on JP's show and the rest of the KIPO line-up is available at Hawaii Public Radio's website: http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org
"Hawaii Recalls" will be a new half hour TV shopping show filmed in Hawaii and airing on the Pax TV network starting September 12. Hosted by John Noland and Trini Kaopuiki, the current Miss Hawaii, will focus on the sale of locally made products. "Hawaii Recalls" is the second made in Hawaii TV show to air on the Pax Network. "Destination Stardom" filmed and produced in Honolulu recently made its debut on Pax late last month. Pax TV airs on KPXO TV Channel 66 or Oceanic Cable 27. For more information on the Pax Network and their family oriented programming, visit thier website: http://www.pax.net/
Hawaii Public Television recently created a Saturday morning TV show block on their TV station, KHET Channel 11. The kids block known as "PBS Keiki Time" offers a lineup of venerable PBS childrens' television programs including "Sesame Street," "Mister Roger's Neighborhood" and "Barney" from the 7AM to 11AM hour. A complete report on this appeared in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin: http://starbulletin.com/1999/08/25/features/story2.html
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