Radio Disney Selling 23 Of Its 24 Stations, Including KDDZ 1690 AM Denver

[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From All Access:

ADIO DISNEY GM PHIL GUERINI revealed in a in-house memo that the company will be selling off 23 of its 24 radio stations, effective SEPT. 26th, keeping KDIS-A/LOS ANGELES to originate its national network programming. This will result in a reduction in workforce, affecting the employees at the local stations and some in Ad Sales and Operations.

At the same time, RADIO DISNEY will increase investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming. It will continue the momentum built over the past few years with existing and new partnerships across multiple entertainment platforms, including its distribution partner, SIRIUSXM, and through new agreements with SHOWMOBILE, SLACKER, HARMAN's AHA RADIO and TUNEIN, among others.

It also has a RADIO DISNEY App for iPHONE, iPAD and ANDROID, which is available on the WATCH DISNEY CHANNEL app and via a syndication partnership with DEES ENTERTAINMENT. A RADIO DISNEY spokesperson noted, "RADIO DISNEY will increase its investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming to optimize the network for long-term growth and to better reflect the habits of its listeners, a national audience of kids and families."

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[Colorado Media Newsroom]

From Radio Insight:

Disney has revealed plans to sell all but one of its remaining Radio Disney stations as it moves the brand to digital delivery. Broadcasting & Cable reports the stations will go dark around September 26 with the exception of 1110 KDIS Los Angeles, which will remain with the Disney brand. “Radio Disney will increase its investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming to optimize the network for long-term growth and to better reflect the habits of its listeners, a national audience of kids and families.” B&C’s report states that Disney’s internal research finds among Radio Disney listeners six years old and up, 37% of the their listeners listen via SiriusXM, 35% via desktop streaming, 31% via mobile streaming, and 18% via over-the-air broadcasts.

The stations to be sold are:
98.3 WRDZ-FM Plainfield/Indianapolis
590 WDWD Atlanta
620 KMKI Plano/Dallas
640 WWJZ Mount Holly NJ/Philadelphia
910 WFDF Farmington Hills/Detroit
990 WMYM Miami
990 WDYZ Orlando
1250 KKDZ Seattle
1250 WDDZ Pittsburgh
1260 WWMK Cleveland
1260 WSDZ Belleville IL/St. Louis
1260 WMKI Boston
1300 WRDZ La Grange/Chicago
1310 KMKY San Francisco
1380 WWMI St. Petersburg
1440 KDIZ Golden Valley/Minneapolis
1470 KIID Sacramento
1480 WGFY Charlotte
1560 WQEW New York
1580 KMIK Tempe/Phoenix
1590 KMIC Houston
1640 KDZR Lake Oswego/Portland
1690 KDDZ Arvada/Denver

The follow letter was sent to Radio Disney staffers this morning from GM Phil Guerini:

Dear Colleagues, Across all forms of media, digital technology continues to dramatically change consumer habits – from the iPad, mobile devices and the push of connected devices into the home – and these changes compel us to evaluate and evolve our businesses. Today, we’re announcing meaningful changes to our Radio Disney business. Radio Disney will be increasing investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming. These decisions will optimize Radio Disney for long-term growth and better reflect the habits of the consumers we serve — a national audience of kids and families. We are partnering with the most popular digital radio services including our distribution partner of over 12 years, SiriusXM, and the newly forged agreements with ShowMobile, Slacker and Harman’s Aha Radio. We also have our fast growing Radio Disney App for iPhone, iPad and Android, our WATCH Disney Channel partnership and our Top 30 syndication partnership that’s building across the U.S. We will also be exploring new digital extensions of Radio Disney’s programming, including the Radio Disney Music Awards and Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing (N.B.T.). As part of this investment shift, at the end of September, we will be selling 23 of our 24 local radio stations, retaining KDIS-AM Los Angeles to originate Radio Disney’s national network programming. The operations of the Los Angeles station will be picked up by the national team. These changes will result in the elimination of some positions, adjustments to other roles and the addition of some new positions. Today and tomorrow, we will be talking individually to those directly affected. Please know that we approached this decision with care and rigor and will provide transition support to those who will be departing the organization. I have always been impressed with the dedication and camaraderie of the people at the Radio Disney network and local stations. Thanks to that teamwork, Radio Disney leads the radio industry in delivering age-appropriate music and entertainment for kids and families. As we wish our colleagues all the best, we remain committed to continuing the momentum.

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[radiodude]

I read that to from Allaccess.com, but where did it say it is selling KDDZ? I didn't see that anywhere in this post?
It seems like they want to get out of the radio business, not that anyone could pick up 1690 AM anyways. That is the worst frequency for any AM station to be put on.