Liberal Talk KKZN 760 AM To Change Format Soon. Gloria Neal Let Go. UPDATE: Will Switch to Money/Financial & Conservative/Advice Talk on Monday May 19th

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

A little birdy is telling us that Clear Channel is finally changing the format on Liberal Talker KKZN 760 AM in the next few days.

The station has been near or at the bottom of the Denver/Boulder ratings for a while now.

Rob had mentioned in this thread (http://www.coloradomedia.net/forums/showthread.php?35536-March-2014-Denver-Boulder-Radio-Ratings) that Clear Channel could move all of the syndicated stuff that is on KOA/KHOW (Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity) to KKZN (and rebranding the station like they did with their liberal talker in Los Angeles (http://www.patriot.la/main.html)), and then shuffling their local shows around where they would work the best on KOA and KHOW since their (KOA's & KHOW's) ratings have taken a hit since they were made to carry Rush and Hannity live.

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

Clear Channel Liberal Talker KKZN 760 AM morning host Gloria Neal has posted this on her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GloKnows):

"If you know me, you know my default is one of positivity. In other words, I make it "Glo." I take pride in that. So, it is with great sadness that I post this update. As many of you know I have splitting my time between hosting the Gloria Neal Show on AM760 Radio from 7am -10am and being a part of the 6pm News Team on CBS4, Mon-Fri.

As of this morning, The Gloria Neal on AM760 is no more. Clear Channel is completely changing the format. The official announcement has not been made as to what the format will be, but none of current hosts will be on the new station. However, you will still be able to find me on CBS4 in the evenings during the 6pm newscast (and sometimes during the 5pm newscast).

There are no regrets, no hard feelings and no animosity. Every listener has enriched my life-whether you agreed or disagreed with me; whether I introduced you to "Mr. Click" or gave you your first "Honey Hush" it was all worth it. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives.

Please do not be discouraged. I am fine. I want you to be fine. Don't give up and remember what I always said, "...get involved, stay involved and each one, reach one." And last ...but certainly not least, please PAY ATTENTION.

Until we meet again, I'll always be...Your Mornin' Glo."

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From The Denver Post:

423

Brace for big changes on the local radio scene. Specifically AM 760. Gloria Neal posted on Facebook:

As many of you know I have splitting my time between hosting the Gloria Neal Show on AM760 Radio from 7am -10am and being a part of the 6pm News Team on CBS4, Mon-Fri. As of this morning, The Gloria Neal on AM760 is no more. Clear Channel is completely changing the format. The official announcement has not been made as to what the format will be, but none of current hosts will be on the new station.

“Colorado’s Progressive Talk” may be unplugging. Stay tuned for official word out of KKZN and Clear Channel.


More... (http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/2014/05/07/gloria-neal-760-format-change-come/18604/)

[radiodude]

Maybe they should go back playing music again! And find a repeater or translator to put 760 on FM finally with music. That always seems to work a lot better then news or talk format. They cant do a sports format, Denver has enough sports station to last!

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From Radio Insight:

426


Yet another of Clear Channel’s Liberal Talk stations is dropping the format. “AM 760″ KKZN Thornton/Denver is next in line to shift to another Talk variation following similar moves in recent months at sister stations in Portland and Los Angeles. Morning host Gloria Neal posted on Facebook that she had been fired as the station would be changing formats. With Randi Rhodes ending her syndicated show next week the station is losing two of its shows. Greg Foster, VP/Programming for Clear Channel Denver confirmed to the Denver Post that Neal was let go. “I can confirm that Gloria Neal’s show is no longer on KKZN and she is no longer with our company. We will be announcing new programming for KKZN in the near future.” Clear Channel registered RealTalk760.com last December that could potentially be used for KKZN. With the company also owning News/Talk/Sports 850 KOA and Conservative Talk 630 KHOW perhaps the company will follow in the footsteps of its Los Angeles and San Francisco clusters and move Rush Limbaugh off of KOA to enable it to focus on all local programming. After KKZN drops the Liberal Talk format, Clear Channel will be left with three Liberal talkers in Albuquerque, Asheville, and Madison in their portfolio.

Read more at: http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88602/kkzn-denver-to-drop-liberal-talk/

more (http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88602/kkzn-denver-to-drop-liberal-talk/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kkzn-denver-to-drop-liberal-talk)

[radiodude]

I hope this works? Why do they think that TALK radio is going to work on 760? For this current format has not worked or pulled in the ratings, then what makes them think that another format of "TALK" is going to work?
It won't, real talk. They can call it whatever they want, it well never get the ratings! They need to think outside of the box, and think of something different. Something that would bring in the money and the ratings, and talk is not it!

[Rob]

I brought up this option in this thread (http://www.coloradomedia.net/forums/showthread.php?35536-March-2014-Denver-Boulder-Radio-Ratings) when KOA 850 AM dropped to 17th, from being in the top 5 in the ratings for many many years.

It is the best thing they can do by changing KKZN 760 AM to carry the conservative national shows.

If I was the Clear Channel OM here in Denver, I would have done it 6 months ago before they killed KOA. I'm still really surprised they stood by and let this happen since they will now have to work a lot harder to get back to where they were.

The fact is, liberal talk hasn't worked on KKZN 760 AM.
Most of that audience either listens to KCFR 90.1 FM or online and satellite radio (http://www.siriusxm.com/siriusxmprogress).
A lot of "liberals" just listen to music radio and talk isn't a format they are interested in, as much as conservative radio listeners.

No doubt, KKZN will do a little better in the ratings with the national conservative shows.

And more importantly to Clear Channel, KOA can move their local shows back to the timeslots that worked in the past that kept them in the top 5.

[droll]

I suppose I will have to subscribe to Satellite radio. Lamentations of lost ratings! Where has this been heard before? Just about every where in the traditional TV, print media.
I like the irony of the leading, highest ranked talkers(Rush, Hannity, Beck) pulling down stations ratings. Don’t (they the talkers), read their own revues?
According to Holland Cooke, a radio & media consultant, part of slide began with Rushbo’s 3 day tirade (cant do that unless some else is paying the bills read Politicos expose` of right wing pay offs by conservative think tanks) a tirade against a college student and her friends choice of birth control. Cooke says that spooked advertisers overall, (who left Rush in droves) & became “snake bit” in their approach to radio media in an already parched post 2008 depression mode that persists today. Radio’s recovery prospects (share of the pie) by upstart (read the future) social media, the mobile platform and evolving demographics. Kids, young people don’t subscribe to weird uncle talk radio. I still like radio as a companion, will miss KKZN if they go the way of other west coast markets

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

427

The DENVER POST is reporting that CLEAR CHANNEL Talk KKZN-A (AM760)/DENVER 7-10a (MT) host GLORIA NEAL has exited the station amidst talk that the station will pull the plug on its liberal Talk format.

The POST's JOANNE OSTROW notes that NEAL posted on FACEBOOK that "CLEAR CHANNEL is completely changing the format. The official announcement has not been made as to what the new format will be, but none of current hosts will be on the new station." CLEAR CHANNEL owns two other Talk stations in the market, KOA-A and KHOW-A. NEAL, a former KOA anchor and host at the old KDJM (JAMMIN' 92.5) and KSYY (SASSY 107), continues her TV work at crosstown CBS O&O KCNC-TV (CBS 4).

more (http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/129528/gloria-neal-exits-kkzn-denver-as-talk-of-switch-fr?ref=rss)

[Rob]

I suppose I will have to subscribe to Satellite radio. Lamentations of lost ratings! Where has this been heard before? Just about every where in the traditional TV, print media.
I like the irony of the leading, highest ranked talkers(Rush, Hannity, Beck) pulling down stations ratings. Don’t (they the talkers), read their own revues?
According to Holland Cooke, a radio & media consultant, part of slide began with Rushbo’s 3 day tirade (cant do that unless some else is paying the bills read Politicos expose` of right wing pay offs by conservative think tanks) a tirade against a college student and her friends choice of birth control. Cooke says that spooked advertisers overall, (who left Rush in droves) & became “snake bit” in their approach to radio media in an already parched post 2008 depression mode that persists today. Radio’s recovery prospects (share of the pie) by upstart (read the future) social media, the mobile platform and evolving demographics. Kids, young people don’t subscribe to weird uncle talk radio. I still like radio as a companion, will miss KKZN if they go the way of other west coast markets

As a person who leans left, I find that if I want to listen to politics that aren't totally from the right wing perspective, satellite radio is the best option in the car. I also listen to podcasts and other online sources since I can stream online stations in my car from my smartphone.

Once the baby-boomers get older and pass, I think over-the-air radio will have to do something very groundbreaking since the younger generations don't listen to them much right now unless it is music.

[droll]

[
A couple of things; let me assure that this boomer is not quite “shovel ready” in preparation for the next generation’s upheaval. I too, am waiting for a generation to croak, (passively) namely, the fact challenged audience demographic of Fox news. (mid seventies in age)

You assert that conservatives have a greater affinity from “talk” radio. Probably true, it’s a long story of why; centering on even physiological differences & offensive to some - details of differences between the two. Here is one http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/misinformation-psychological-science-shows-why-it-sticks-and-how-to-fix-it.html
From Westword maybe there's a better link to good summation of the station
http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2014/05/gloria_neals_firing_marks_impe.php (http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2014/05/gloria_neals_firing_marks_impe.php)

[Rob]

Interesting reads.
In the meantime, Public Radio Talker KCFR 90.1 FM sneaks into the top 10 in the 6+ radio ratings - I'm sure they are higher in the demos.
That's where a lot of that audience that listens to radio is.

Here's that Westword story so we have it here for future reference...

From Westword (http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2014/05/gloria_neals_firing_marks_impe.php):

Gloria Neal's firing marks impending death of progressive AM-760

436
Gloria Neal. More photos below.


At this writing, AM-760, Clear Channel Denver's progressive station, continues to exist -- but that's only because no one's bothered to pull its plug yet. The outlet, which has struggled to make an impact on the radio market for the better part of a decade, is on the way out, and morning-show staple Gloria Neal is the latest victim of the famed Best of Denver curse: We named her the city's top radio host in our 2014 edition, mere weeks before she and others at the outlet were shown the door.
Neal divulged the news on her Facebook page on May 7. "Clear Channel is completely changing the format," she wrote, adding, "The official announcement has not been made as to what the format will be, but none of the current hosts will be on the new station."

The specifics about what's coming next are still pending. Via e-mail, Greg Foster, who oversees programming for AM-760 and sister station KHOW, confirms the news even as he refers to the outlet by its call letters, KKZN, rather than the AM-760 brand. "Gloria Neal's show is no longer on KKZN and she is no longer with our company," he notes. "We will be announcing new programming for KKZN in the near future."

This death sentence shouldn't come as a surprise, given that AM-760 has struggled to turn liberal punditry into revenue for its entire existence.


435
Al Franken circa 2008.


In the beginning, many observers felt Clear Channel had decided to create a forum for liberal voices to counter the popular perception that the firm had a conservative bias. After all, founder/chairman Lowry Mays was a personal friend of both former presidents named Bush. But ex-Denver-based programmer Kris Olinger denied this strategy in a Westword interview.
"Our motives here had to do with us having three AMs -- and finding a format that works on the third AM can be somewhat challenging," she said, referring in passing to Clear Channel outlets KOA and KHOW. "You've got sports, you've got business, but we felt, after researching the market, that progressive talk would be a strong choice, especially when you look at the makeup of the population in Colorado politically. It's a third Democrat and a third Republican and a third independent. So it made sense to give people who are progressive, liberal, what have you, a radio product that reflected their values."

The station began as the local outlet for Air America, a nationally syndicated concept meant to undermine the conservative stranglehold on talk radio. Among its stars was former Saturday Night Live comic Al Franken, who belittled predictions of Air America's demise in a 2006 chat with Westword. "Bill O'Reilly goes on his show and says we'll be off the air in a couple of months -- and he started saying that when we had four stations," he told us at the time. "And then he said it when we had eight, and twelve, and twenty and thirty. He says it all the time, but we're still here."

By the following year, however, Air America was on life support, and in 2010, the last rites were finally read.

434
Jay Marvin recuperating from his 2009 health crisis.


Franken certainly landed on his feet -- he was elected to represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate in 2008. But efforts to develop locally based programming for the outlet were snake-bitten. In 2009, original morning show host Jay Marvin suffered a horrific health crisis that made it impossible for him to return to the show, and while his successor, columnist David Sirota, certainly delivered when it came to provocative commentary, he couldn't move the numbers to Clear Channel's satisfaction.

433
David Sirota in 2010.


Hence, in July 2012, the conglomerate reached out to Neal, who seemed ideally suited to expanding the station's audience. Her background was in mainstream radio, having worked at music-oriented radio stations such as Sassy and Jammin' and assorted TV signals, including Fox31 and CBS4, where she remains on the staff.
"I've said this to David -- and I'm very fond of him -- but his is a very professorial approach," Neal said in a Westword interview around the time she took over.. "He'll be talking and say things like, 'Back in 1860....' And mine is a very no-nonsense layman's approach: Here is the issue, here's what I think, tell me what you think."

Neal more than held up her end of the bargain. But terrestrial radio continues to struggle for revenue, and those for whom the station's politics would seem to appeal couldn't be lured to listen in sufficient numbers to make the enterprise profitable. As such, Neal was let go in favor of syndicated programming from the likes of Randi Rhoads that will run until the new path is chosen.

What's next for the station? Foster isn't saying quite yet, but Clear Channel has limited options. Of the two other formats mentioned above by Olinger, sports is already at a saturation point on the Denver dial and business hasn't been markedly successful in this market for decades. Perhaps the corporation will insert something apolitical in order to blunt claims that AM-760 was never more than a token, or else pivot 180 degrees and try to out-conservative KNUS, which has taken a dent out of KHOW's share, in particular, by way of three prominent hosts who once worked for Clear Channel: Peter Boyles, Dan Caplis and Steve Kelley.

Whatever happens, Clear Channel's great liberal experiment is over -- and if you try holding your breath until someone else gives it a try, you'll likely be gone before long, too.

[droll]

I will looking around the dial soon for a new listening experience, will definitely try FM KCFR, Listening to the various hosts in the waning days discuss the up coming changes, it seems The Norman Goldman Show is perhaps the most informed, claiming he had heard a month or so out, that changes would be forth coming, and that the new format would be Biz & financial talk. This coincides with what I heard in place of LA based Marshall show, in the wee hrs > tuning in late to the last hour, was sure I heard the Bloomberg Financial radio news program. & that’s my best guess.

"Socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." - John Steinbeck

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From The Denver Post:

439

In the latest purge of progressive political voices on the radio, Clear Channel’s 760 AM (KKZN) in Denver will switch to financial talk in the morning, conservative/advice in the afternoon, effective May 19. Part of the re-formatting includes a two-hour Tom Martino “Troubleshooter” simulcast with Clear Channel’s KHOW.

The new format embraces syndicated fare such as Jim Bohannon and Joy Browne and the morning show from the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Radio. Clear Channel has always argued that it has no politics, only an allegiance to ratings. In that sense, they are following the money to * money. (We’ve been through this before. Remember Air America?)

The weekday lineup:
Money in the Morning 3 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Troubleshooter Tom Martino 10 a.m. – noon
The Dave Ramsey Show noon – 3:00 p.m. (beginning June 2)
The Clark Howard Show 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Joy Browne 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. & midnight – 3 a.m.
Jim Bohannon 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
TMZ Live 11:00 p.m. – midnight

It remains to be seen how the syndicated “Money in the Morning” does against local talker Peter Boyles on KNUS 710 AM.

More... (http://blogs.denverpost.com/ostrow/2014/05/15/760-dumps-progressive-format-turns-money/18727/)

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From Radio Online:

440

Clear Channel/Denver will flip KKZN-AM to "Real Talk 760" with the slogan "Real Life, Real Solutions," beginning Monday, May 19. "Real Talk 760" will feature programming focused on financial news in the morning and talk shows that offer practical advice for life. "Money in the Morning" will wake up listeners with programming from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Radio.

"We're excited to bring a new genre of talk programming to Colorado," said Market President Pat Connor. "We're confident Real Talk 760 will be a trusted source of information and entertainment for our listeners."

Real Talk 760 will also feature non-political talk programming, including Troubleshooter Tom Martino that will simulcast from sister station KHOW-AM, as well as Dave Ramsey, Clark Howard and Dr. Joy Browne.

more (http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n28939)

[Dr Jam]

I actually like the line up. I used to think that Clark Howard would have been a good follow up for Dave Ramsey on KLZ. Speaking of, I wonder what KLZ will do to fill the Noon-3pm slot? I also wonder if KKZN will continue to carry CBS Radio News at the top of the hour.

[Rob]

I agree, the moves will probably help KKZN.
But I'm a little surprised they didn't move the programs that are dragging KOA and KHOW down since those are the big stations in their portfolio they try to sell to advertisers. KKZN is usually sold in a combo deal with their other stations. I guess it could be contract issues preventing any changes.

I haven't heard what KLZ will replace Ramsey with.

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

443

The retooled format for CLEAR CHANNEL Talk KKZN-A/DENVER will be an advice-heavy financial and lifestyle lineup under the slogan "REAL TALK 760- REAL LIFE, REAL SOLUTIONS."

The new format, starting MONDAY (5/19) and supplanting the "progressive talk" format airing on the station for the past several years, will feature a business and financial morning show, "MONEY IN THE MORNING," with programming from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL RADIO NETWORK and BLOOMBERG RADIO, a simulcast with sister Talk KHOW-A of DENVER-based "TROUBLESHOOTER TOM MARTINO," the syndicated DAVE RAMSEY show, WESTWOODONE's CLARK HOWARD, the syndicated DR. JOY BROWNE, WESTWOODONE's JIM BOHANNON, and "TMZ LIVE."

Market President PAT CONNOR said, “We’re excited to bring a new genre of talk programming to COLORADO. We’re confident REAL TALK 760 will be a trusted source of information and entertainment for our listeners.”


more (http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/129723/kkzn-denver-retools-as-real-talk-760?ref=rss)http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/allaccess/radio-news/~4/RQGlZS2CCV0

[droll]

Glad to see others getting in the spirit of things, is that a booking photo of Tom? Money and finances. Talk about sitting at the big people’s table! Perhaps they could elicit some in-house financial advice themselves, A little birdie(via Goldman) tells of a 20 billion dollar debt wall they are facing, in two short years, good luck with that in a down turn media market.., a 50 million dollar contract, like he was a free agent or something. Most probably why the Emperor has no clothes had to be carried live.http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/05/15/from-bad-to-worse-limbaughs-california-ratings/199329 yes, its armchair quarterbacking, Pass the popcorn, it goes good with sour grapes, Note: to those unfamiliar with the station, will the weekend line up remain? Theres Turk’s kraft beer, Dr Daddio, Sunday morning Meet the Press & Nat’l geographic, both w/o the pictures thing.

[Dr Jam]

It seems odd to me that CC would simulcast Tom Martino on both stations unless it's just a temporary measure. I'm thinking they might move Martino to 760 and then move Limbaugh to KHOW and move Rosen back to mornings on KOA.

[radiodude]

The site that you all thought of is wrong. They decided to keep am760.net and just used that site for the new station. They already modified it and they have all the shows listed under "ON AIR".
What a list of shows they are going to air on Real Talk 760! I never knew that TMZ had a live radio program for one hr?
If they do move Rush off of KOA, then that would mean more listeners for 600 KCOL, since that can be heard in Denver as well.

[Rob]

The site that you all thought of is wrong. They decided to keep am760.net and just used that site for the new station. They already modified it and they have all the shows listed under "ON AIR".
What a list of shows they are going to air on Real Talk 760! I never knew that TMZ had a live radio program for one hr?
If they do move Rush off of KOA, then that would mean more listeners for 600 KCOL, since that can be heard in Denver as well.

Wrong? They are using http://www.realtalk760.com (http://www.realtalk760.com/) for the new format's web site.

If they move Rush Limbaugh's show to KKZN, I'm not sure how that would help KCOL. Rush's show does not have many listeners these days in Denver and brings down KOA's overall ratings. So totally removing it in Denver (which probably won't happen - at least yet) will not make much of a difference anywhere.

[radiodude]

Wrong? They are using http://www.realtalk760.com (http://www.realtalk760.com/) for the new format's web site.

If they move Rush Limbaugh's show to KKZN, I'm not sure how that would help KCOL. Rush's show does not have many listeners these days in Denver and brings down KOA's overall ratings. So totally removing it in Denver (which probably won't happen - at least yet) will not make much of a difference anywhere.

Ok so they recently changed it to realtalk760.com.. over the weekend it was am760.net. So Rush is loosing it's listeners in Denver? Even though they decided to ditched the pre-recording and go with the 10 am Slot and broadcast it live. Which KCOL has been doing for well forever. So how would moving RUSH to another Sister station even help? Wouldn't it do the same exact thing to that other station that it has done to KOA?
As I head a bit in the morning it seems like that new money morning show is part British. At least the woman on it is British at least.
I sure hope this new format works.

[Rob]

So Rush is loosing it's listeners in Denver? Even though they decided to ditched the pre-recording and go with the 10 am Slot and broadcast it live. Which KCOL has been doing for well forever. So how would moving RUSH to another Sister station even help? Wouldn't it do the same exact thing to that other station that it has done to KOA?


KOA dropped out of the top 5 in the ratings (where they had been for many years) to 18th after they moved their local shows around to carry Rush live. Moving Rush's show to KKZN would allow KOA to move their local shows back to the old times. And possibly raise KKZN's ratings since they have been really bad.

[radiodude]

KOA dropped out of the top 5 in the ratings (where they had been for many years) to 18th after they moved their local shows around to carry Rush live. Moving Rush's show to KKZN would allow KOA to move their local shows back to the old times. And possibly raise KKZN's ratings since they have been really bad.

I noticed at night until 10 am they broadcast Bloomberg radio program until that time, but I am curious about TMZ Live on the radio?? I sure hope this new format idea works for KKZN and helps out their ratings. And btw it wasn't KOA's idea to have Rush Live, it was up to CC remember? They are the ones that put that into motion and it's not only on KOA, remember they wanted all of CC's stations to broadcast Rush LIVE for no on. I guess it works for some stations and others it doesn't. What can you do about it, when the main Corporation, gave the word that all CC's talk station is going to air Rush' s show live for no one? There isn't anything anyone can do about it. They can't move it over to KKZN, since (if you looked at the lineup) that station already has a full day's of talk already!