News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)

Lana Huges and J.P. Pritchard

From a small, temporary newsroom and studio, News 92 FM KROI officially signed on this morning at 5am, replacing Praise 92.1. The News 92 FM Morning Report is anchored by former 740 KTRH notables J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes with "traffic and weather on the 9s." And speaking of traffic, former Rock 101 KLOL, 94.5 The Buzz KTBZ and Fox 26 KRIV traffic master Lanny Griffith is behind the microphone (I heard no whips though from his KLOL Traffic in Bondage days).

The first ever story on News 92 FM KROI was billed as an exclusive with former Fox 26 KRIV reporter Pattie Shieh and some problems with the Carnival Cruise Magic. Lana and J.P. read more stories followed by former KIAH 39 sports anchor Jorge Vargas with news on the Houston Dynamo's loss to the LA Galaxy for the MLS title. Laurie Kendrick (formerly of 740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) had a story about changes in Catholic Mass. Towards the bottom of the first hour was the business report with Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV). Former KIAH 39 reporter Dennis Spellman came later with the news of a shooting by a masked man in a southwest Houston home.

I recorded the first ever 40 minutes or so of News 92 FM, edited out commercials/ABC News breaks and embedded the audio below so you can get an idea of the broadcast's flavor (it runs around 28 minutes cut down - the quality is not so great at times, you might hear my cat crying in the background as I put an iPod and my EVO up to a radio speaker for the record)




News 92 FM KROI Houston first hour by mikemcguff

I did find it amusing that a familiar voice for Lana and J.P. was featured in the first hour. Former 740 KTRH reporter Aaron Katersky (now with ABC News Radio) covered the recent terrorism-related arrest in NYC.

Reviews of the show from mikemcguff.com readers started coming in (many of them named Michael strangely enough):

"Sounded as if they never left the airwaves," said Michael Galindo

"I like the longer format news," said Mike Holland. "It is nice not being told to go to a website for the 'rest of the story' while I am sitting in my car."

"Sounds like they took 740 and put it on 92.1," wrote Justin Sternberg. "Not that it's a bad thing, but I was expecting a little more, something different."

"I'm listening to News92 and while the plane sounds just a teeny wobbly taking off, I think they will run like a well-oiled machine before very long - too many seasoned veterans who know what they're doing," commented Michael Sheldon Reed on a related blog post of mine. He later added, "Listening right now (5:30 am). JP and Lana sound much more loose and "flowing" than they did at 5am. This station is gonna be awesome!!!!"

There were a few small flubs in the first hour, but overall it sounded like the Lana and J.P. broadcasts Houston radio listeners are used to.

I was invited to visit the station yesterday during the staff pre-launch rehearsals. The staff was pretty excited and hopeful about the new 24 hour news station. Part of that energy probably stems from the fact that this is a new station, not just for this group of journalists, but also an entire new format for Radio One which typically specializes in music formats (the company owns 97.9 The Box KBXX and Majic 102 KMJQ in Houston).

As I have blogged here, there have been some technical issues that delayed the launch, but that stuff is getting worked out. Any broadcaster who has worked at a start up operation (or infrastructure upgrade for an existing station) knows technical problems can be an issue.

If you tuned into 92.1 this past weekend, you heard as the industry calls it, stunting. That means doing alternative program from the previous format to grab attention for the new programming. In this case, the station ran construction noises mixed in with messages from the staff and ABC anchors like Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts...etc.

By the way, Houston radio's Maria Todd has joined the News 92 FM staff as a weekend anchor. Click here for a list of other News 92 staff members.

Here are some photos I snapped on my station tour Sunday during pre-launch rehearsals.




News 92 FM KROI's Lanny Griffith




News 92 FM KROI's Scott Braddock




News 92 FM KROI's Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard




News 92 FM KROI temporary newsroom (click for names)




News 92 FM KROI future work space

news92fm.com

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- News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
- New News92 FM, Houston's biggest radio secret emerges
- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

News 92 FM and Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 team up

News 92 FM KROI and Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 KGOW to Exchange News and Sports Updates

In a joint announcement today, Radio One Regional Vice President Doug Abernethy and David Gow, Chief Executive Officer of Gow Media, unveiled a “content exchange” agreement between News 92 FM (KROI-FM/Houston) and Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 (KGOWAM/Houston).

Beginning in early August of 2013, News 92 FM reporters will provide hourly, short form news updates to Yahoo Sports Radio 1560, initially for use on nights and weekends, and ramping up to a full broadcast schedule shortly thereafter. In like manner, Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 reporters will provide sports updates and actualities twice per hour for integration into the News 92 FM broadcast clock between 7:00 PM and midnight daily, and from 6:00 AM to noon on weekends.

The idea of shared content sprang from a discussion between Abernethy and Gow in June of this year, and the idea quickly took shape.

“Research suggests that news and sports stations have shared listener bases,” observes Abernethy, “so this makes sense for both stations. We have the best newsgathering and reporting resources in the city, and Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 enjoys an equivalent reputation in the world of sports. We’re leveraging our respective strengths so that the News 92 FM listener can get a quick sports update from Yahoo Radio 1560, and their listeners can get top flight news from News 92 FM.”

David Gow shares Abernethy’s enthusiasm for the new affiliation.

“News 92 FM has an excellent team of news reporters. We think this is a chance to offer a high quality, dependable news product to our listener base and keep them at our station longer,” says Gow. “We are also excited to offer our sports updates to listeners at News 92 FM. Our plan is to make Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 their destination when they want to hear more about what is going on in the world of sports. “

According to Doug Abernethy and David Gow, this new arrangement will not affect staffing levels at either station.

RELATED
KHOU and News 92 FM team up in coverage

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by News 92 FM)

Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard talk News 92 KROI with Mike McGuff

Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard courtesy of 
Brent Clanton

UPDATE: The News 92 KROI crew is saying the new 24 hour Houston news station debuts Monday 11/21/2011 at 5am.

It was recently reported by News 92 FM KROI staff members that November 17th would be the launch day of the new FM station. Well, I'm told now the launch of Houston's 24 hour radio news station has been pushed back to next week because of some final technical issues. That means Praise 92.1 listeners have a few more days of music.

In the meantime, Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees (watch their induction speech) J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, the new morning team for News 92 FM, talked with mikemcguff.com about their new home after almost 30 years with NewsRadio 740 KTRH.

"I am so ready to get back to what I love doing," Pritchard told mikemcguff.com. "This is a wonderful fresh start for me, as I know it is for all of my new colleagues."

"It is so exhilarating working with some of the finest and most talented people in this business," Hughes told mikemcguff.com. "The ideas brought to the table, the energy and the determination to give Houston and the surrounding areas the coverage they deserve are evident each and every day among staff members and Radio One management. The enthusiasm is palpable and we're having a blast doing what we love for a city we've called home for years."

There have been lots of reader questions in my blog's comments section trying to figure out just what type of news and features News 92 FM will air.

"Of course, our mission is to be first on the scene with news coverage 24/7 and to provide a voice for EVERY facet of the community," Hughes said. "And while we'll be maintaining a familiar, comprehensive news format, we're also planning some innovative and creative programming as well."

"Our plan is to bring Houston what it has long deserved -- an all news radio station that is committed to great journalism," Pritchard added. "And we hope to do it in a personable, friendly way without political agenda."

Last summer as this longtime morning duo were shown the door at their old station, Houstonians were unsure if they would ever hear from this longtime morning news team ever again. Would Lana and J.P. even want to start over again at a new radio station?

"As for moving from a place where I'd worked for so long, being part of this new FM venture with Radio One has been a wonderfully and remarkably easy transition," Hughes told me. "In fact, it was instantly comfortable, and I credit much of that to a talented, dedicated group of people with a common goal -- to make News 92 FM Houston's premiere news organization."

"And speaking personally, it is just great to be back with my old friends, and to be working with some new friends too," Pritchard said. "Radio One is being so supportive, renewing my faith that there is room for great local radio in an industry that seems to be obsessed with cost cutting."

Additional on air shifts will be filled by the likes of Dennis Spellman (formerly of KIAH 39), Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

Also just brought to my attention late Wednesday night, news92fm.com is actually a working WordPress page. Still being worked on though.

RELATED
- What does 740 KTRH think of News92 FM KROI?
- News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
- New News92 FM, Houston's biggest radio secret emerges
- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

KHOU and News 92 FM team up in coverage

KHOU 11 becomes exclusive weather provider for News 92 FM

KHOU 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, and News 92 FM, Houston’s 24-hour all news station, announced a new partnership today naming KHOU 11 the official weather service provider for News 92 FM beginning Monday, August 5.

“Why compete with the best when you can team up with the best? KHOU 11 has built a stellar reputation as a local weather leader in Houston and we are thrilled to welcome KHOU 11 and their outstanding meteorologists to join our 24-hour News 92 FM team to provide our audience the best, most accurate, up to the minute weather coverage,” said Doug Abernethy, Radio One Regional Vice President.

“Local weather has been a hallmark of the KHOU 11 brand for 60 years,” said Susan McEldoon, KHOU 11 President and General Manager. “The partnership with News 92 is another step forward in providing high quality weather coverage to consumers at times of the day when watching TV may not be convenient. We
recognize that consumers have many choices and this partnership gives them another opportunity to get weather news and information from Houston’s leading team of meteorologists.”

Through the partnership, KHOU 11 Chief Meteorologist David Paul and Meteorologists Brooks Garner, Mario Gomez and Chita Johnson will provide weather updates and forecasts throughout the day, continuing the News 92 FM “Weather on the Nines” format with updates every 10 minutes each hour.

Weather forecasts from KHOU 11 will also be updated on the News 92 FM website, and the KHOU 11 weather team will be available to News 92 FM listeners during severe weather events, when local updates and experience with Gulf Coast weather matter most.

“Houston is my hometown. I grew up watching this area’s weather and I know how important a day’s forecast is to my own family now,” said David Paul, KHOU 11 Chief Meteorologist. “Whether it’s soccer practice, the commute to work, or walking the dog, the weather dictates a lot in our daily lives. Our commitment is to provide the most accurate information to help people prepare for their day, every day.”

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KHOU)

740 KTRH remarks on News 92 FM KROI's first day

As I blogged earlier, I woke up at 4:30am to catch the first local broadcasts of News 92 FM KROI - listen here.

Clearly News 92 FM is challenging longtime Houston station NewsRadio 740 KTRH in its promos. AM Operations Manager and KTRH Program Director Bryan Erickson sent mikemcguff.com these comments about News 92's inaugural broadcast:

"From what I heard (it was tough to pick up north of the Loop), I was surprised to hear so little local news content. They do have slick promos; I actually heard more of those than I did local news coverage. I got a kick out of several of their promos, especially the “we cover more local news than other stations” promos. In one hour this morning I counted 8 local stories in their newscasts while in that same hour we did more than 20. I guess their “No Spin” phrase doesn’t apply to everything they’re doing.

I was also surprised to hear a talk show in the 9a hour after weeks of hearing this was going to be an all news station.

There’s obviously a clear difference between our two stations – We have a strong commitment to local news coverage and compelling talk and they’re still trying to figure out what they want to be."

RELATED
- News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)
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- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

News Director Denise Bishop exits News 92 FM KROI

News Director Denise Bishop, who helped sign on News 92 FM KROI, is gone

Multiple sources have told me that News92 FM KROI news director, Denise Bishop, was let go from the station and the position has been eliminated. I hear staffers found out this morning and are stunned.

"I really appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to help launch the Houston area's only all news radio station," Bishop told mikemcguff.com. "It was a pleasure to work with such a terrific staff of experienced journalists. I wish them and the station much success."

"I'm beyond stunned," one staffer who did not want to be named told mikemcguff.com. "I'm heartbroken. She's a fine woman and a pro."

Bishop, a known media player in Houston, helped sign News 92 on the air in 2011. In the journalism world, she was notably the news director of Fox 26 KRIV from July 1985 to October 2001. In that time, she was instrumental in building the station from its very early days to the way we know it today. Post-Fox, Bishop was the senior director of communications for the Greater Houston Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for seven years.

According to LinkedIn, Bishop joined KROI in October 2011. She helped launch the station by hiring the staff (many former Fox 26 employees) and supervising the operation.

Radio One would not comment on Bishop's departure or if a replacement will come.

News 92FM launched in a tough time for a new radio station to break through in the Houston market. In the last four Houston-Galveston ratings books, the all news station received either an 0.5 or 0.6 rating (total persons 6+, Mon-Sun, 6am-midnight). KROI owner Radio One otherwise dominates the Arbitron ratings with 97.9 The Box KBXX and Magic 102 KMJQ coming in the top and second spot.

Sources tell me that market research indicates KROI does a good job (SEE: News 92FM's Mike Barajas & Bonnie Petrie honored by Texas AP) , but listeners are having problems realizing the new station is there in the former Gospel station's frequency.

In August 2012, the station was seeing an upward trend in the ratings to a 1.0 rating. At that time, Regional Vice President of the Radio One Houston cluster, Doug Abernethy, told me the biggest challenge is getting the News 92 FM name out to Houston. In his experience, getting buzz after launching a new music format has been easier in the past. He added once people find News 92 FM on the dial, "they love us." He said the time they spend listening has been very good.

Radio One has put resources into the station. Just last year, it completed brand new KROI studios and facilities for the staff (TAKE A TOUR).

I contacted Bishop for comment and will update this post if I hear back from her.

RELATED
- KHOU and News 92 FM team up in coverage
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- News 92 KROI hires new leader

* updated

News 92 FM KROI expands and rises

No doubt the fortunes of the News 92 FM KROI staff has dramatically improved this week.

After launching in November 2011, the station's staff has worked in tight quarters. From a mail room converted into a newsroom, to an on air studio that was really a small production room for Radio One sister stations 97.9 The Box KBXX and Majic 102.1 KMJQ, the staff either knows each other really well or just plain knows too much.

That's all changed with the completion of a more than $900,000 expansion project that adds a brand new studio, newsroom, offices, green room and more. Five new news vehicles have been bought to boot. The new digs went online Wednesday morning in time for J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes' morning show.

Doug Abernethy, Regional Vice President of the Radio One clusters in Houston, Detroit and Indianapolis (he works from Houston), says this is one of the most challenging projects he's ever tackled in his long radio career.

"We had one shot to get it right and did not spare any expense," Abernethy told mikemcguff.com in his Greenway Plaza office. "We didn't want to be handicapped by lack of capital."

He says luck came his way as the tenant next to Radio One moved out as the radio company was planning to launch the new format. Otherwise, the station would have been offsite.

Commitment is one word Abernethy said over and over to me while giving me a tour of the FM news station's upgraded work space. This especially after other FM news stations that launched around the country during the same time period as KROI's flip, have already reverted back to music formats.

"Our vital signs are very good," Abernethy told me. "We knew it would be slow growth, but we are seeing good signs."

Abernethy says the biggest challenge is getting the News 92 FM name out to Houston. In his experience, getting buzz after launching a new music format has been easier. But he adds, once people find News 92 FM on the dial, "they love us." He says the time they spend listening has been very good.

The first and only Radio One news formatted station is currently ranked in the 20th plus range ratings wise according to Arbitron's 12+ numbers. A far cry from Radio One's other stations (KBXX and KMJQ) which are usually ranked in the top three group (battling with Clear Channel's KODA). But there is hope.

Radio-Info reports today that Radio One CEO Alfred Liggins says KROI's ratings are around a one share and is, "starting to increase its revenue quite nicely."

Abernethy is excited the ad rates for the news format are higher than what the sales department could charge for the former Praise 92 gospel format. The gospel format was cannibalizing ratings for Radio One's top rated Majic 102.1 KMJQ according to Abernethy, one reason it was flipped to a new format. Some of the gospel tunes have since shifted to Majic 102's playlist.

The company moved the gospel music online and to its HD sub channel. The Yolanda Adams Morning Show is still broadcast from Houston. Abernethy adds most of the Praise employees were moved to jobs at the company's other stations.

Not only is there an increase in revenue, but there is also an increase in resources and not just with the new facility. Reporter Steve Ottesen has joined the station from the NewsFix KIAH 39 newsroom (Ottesen also formerly anchored KNWS channel 51). Abernethy says traffic anchor Lanny Griffith will also be doing more general reporting as will sports anchor Jorge Vargas. He says the station is ready for long hurricane coverage too.

Naturally being a news station, people like to say KROI is in a radio war with Clear Channel's heritage station 740 KTRH (I've had posts about this in the past). However, Abernethy is not of the same thought. He says there was a clear opening in the Houston radio market for an all news format.

"KTRH is a powerhouse in the ratings and revenue arena, they do political talk better than anyone," Abernethy said. "People try to pin us against KTRH, but we don't want to limit taking from their audience. We want all the Houston stations' listeners."

And for any criticisms of KROI's FM signal, Abernethy simply told me, "it sounds better than AM."

RELATED
- News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)
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Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news

Radio One is jumping into the 24 hour news radio business for the first time anywhere, right here in Houston. Just announced today, the owner of 97.9 The Box KBXX and Magic 102 KMJQ, is flipping Praise 92.1 KROI to News 92 FM on November 14. This after 740 KTRH abandoned the News Radio slogan and fired longtime morning anchors J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes. Well now Pritchard and Hughes will reunite at the new station with a ton of other famous Houston broadcasting names (see below).

I've been alluding to an FM news station coming to Houston over the last few weeks. Rumors were flying, but no one was talking about it until now. Here is the official Radio One release about KROI:

Radio One Regional Vice-President Doug Abernethy announced today that KROI-FM/Houston (92.1 FM) will begin its programming as a full service news station the week of November 14, 2011. Using the on air moniker "News 92 FM," this 24 hour news and information station will be fortified by the world wide resources of ABC News Radio and Associated Press Platinum and will be populated with the voices of some of Houston's most well known and award-winning radio and television personalities.

The morning news will be anchored by Texas Radio Hall of Fame honorees J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, who served the Houston market as a broadcast duo for over 27 years. Additional duties throughout the day will be handled by other local notables including (listed alphabetically) Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

"Our review of Houston's broadcast landscape told us that those listeners interested in local news as well as national news were being poorly served," says Abernethy, "so we decided to make a commitment to delivering the news in a dependable fashion. People want to hear about news as it happens, and they shouldn't have to wait until their radio station 'catches up'. We'll deliver the news as it unfolds."

Ed Shane, founder and president of the Houston-based Shane Media Services, is serving as Project Manager on the format flip from gospel music to all news and predicts that Houstonians will find much to like about News 92 FM.

"We're going to give people the facts without the biased opinions that dominate so-called news stations," offers Shane. "We've assembled an A-list of broadcast journalists whose mission is to report the news and let people make up their own minds."

Shane says that the programming team, led by veteran news director Denise Bishop, will deliver an appealing blend of local, regional and national news along with topical information and the traffic and weather updates that are essential to Houston listeners.

Barry Mayo, President of the radio division for Radio One agrees. "The change that we announced today is a ground-breaking and necessary addition to the choices available to the residents of the Houston metro area," said Mayo. "The ability to realize a need and then take the appropriate action to satisfy it is what has sustained the popularity of our Houston radio stations."

The station will broadcast from recently expanded studios in the Radio One broadcast center that currently houses market leaders Majic 102 (KMJQ-FM) and 97.9 The Box (KBXX-FM). KROI-FM's current programming, Praise 92.1 will moved to Majic 102's HD channel and will stream online at www.PraiseHouston.com.

Praise 92.1 is home to the syndicated Yolanda Adams Morning Show, but I assume Adams will just keep broadcasting across the nation from the Radio One Houston studios (assuming she still broadcasts the show from here).

RELATED
- 740 KTRH anchors Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard being inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame
- Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard of 740 KTRH fame together again
- Houston radio changes = change in ratings? Plus news radio?

News 92 KROI releases Scott Braddock

News 92 KROI mid-morning talk show host Scott Braddock tweeted Tuesday that he had "parted ways" with the station.

Braddock later told me over the phone he was let go from the Radio One station.

Now free from his corporate bosses, Braddock said he felt that he and his show were at odds with members of the management team from the beginning - even though he was courted to come back to Houston from CBS Radio's Austin bureau (he previously worked at NewsRadio 1080 KRLD). He believes there is a lot of talent at the all news station, there is just no way to showcase it. Plus, he adds there is a lot of style over substance on air.

Ed Shane, the radio veteran who hired the staff and helped bring News 92 on air, could not comment on Braddock's charges, but did comment on his departure.

"I recruited Scott," Shane told mikemcguff.com. "I think he is a bright individual and good reporter. I'm sorry it came to this."

Braddock is from the Houston-area and wants to remain here. He previously worked at 740 KTRH. In a 2007 interview I conducted with Michael Berry, the then newly hired KTRH manager called Braddock, "one of our star reporters."

UPDATE
While hesitant to go on the record with me about this yesterday, Braddock talked today with The Houston Chronicle's David Barron about his recent appearance on Pacifica's 90.1 KPFT and how he believed it led to his termination:

Braddock said he was asked to be a guest host Friday on Geoff Berg's Partisan Gridlock show on KPFT (90.1 FM), a non-commercial station owned by the Pacifica Foundation. He said he did not ask permission to host the Pacifica show and does not believe he was obligated to do so.

During the KPFT show, Braddock said he played an interview, which previously appeared on KROI, with Carolyn Jones, an Austin freelance writer who wrote about her experience with the Texas sonogram law for the Texas Observer's website.

This week, Braddock said he was told by KROI management that his appearance on KPFT was a violation of his contract and that the interview he played was the station's intellectual property. Braddock said he has not signed his contract with the station and said he believed he had the right to use the interview, which he equated to a reporter's notes, in any manner that he wanted. READ THE REST

RELATED
- News 92 FM KROI is on the air (1st hour local audio included)
- 740 KTRH issues statement on its heritage and News 92FM KROI
- KTRK 13's Ed Brandon on 24 hour news radio in Houston
- News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details
- Houston getting News 92 FM - 24 hour radio news
- New News92 FM, Houston's biggest radio secret emerges
- Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

News 92 KROI hires new leader

I hear from the inside that News 92 KROI is about to get a new program director. I don't currently see that as a position on the station's website so I guess it is a new position.

Sounds like the gig is going to Alan Furst who currently works for Indianapolis FM news station 93.1 WIBC as program director. Furst has also worked as a Sr. VP of Programming for Clear Channel and as a radio consultant according to his LinkedIn profile.

Furst apparently starts in early January.

He'll be entering a competitive market here in Houston. You thought we had a lot of sports talk radio station...it's getting crowded in the news format too.

KROI has been on the air for a year now and just put in a million dollar expansion to its news facility. SEE THE PHOTOS. 88.7 KUHF has been a 24 hour NPR station for more than a year and of course there is heritage station 740 KTRH who has been around longer than you have probably been alive and just hired the legendary Shara Fryer.

I love a good radio war.

UPDATE 12/14/2012:
Here is the official release on Alan Furst's hiring:

Radio One Regional Vice President Doug Abernethy, market manager for the company’s stations in Houston and Dallas, announced today that Alan Furst will assume the duties of Program Director for News 92 FM (KROI-FM/Houston) beginning January 7, 2013. Since the station’s sign on just over a year ago, programming responsibilities have been covered by consultant Ed Shane in cooperation with Radio One’s corporate programming staff. Furst is a former consultant for Shane Media and has spent over twenty years working in Texas markets.

“Alan is exactly the programming pro we’ve been looking for,” says Abernethy, whose nationwide search has been underway for months. “He’s got the talent, the drive, the enthusiasm, and, most importantly, a track record of success. He knows the market, he knows the format, and we are confident Alan can deliver big results. “
Furst, currently the program director of News/Talk 93 WIBC-FM in Indianapolis, says he is ready for the challenge.

"I'm thrilled to return to Houston and join News 92 FM, “says Furst. “Radio One has put together a great team and the energy in the building is electric. We’re going to build something very big and very special that will become a force in the nation’s fourth largest city.”

Furst’s remarkable career has included service to broadcasters in both hemispheres and on three continents, and has earned him national as well as international acclaim.

As a student at Bethany College in West Virginia, Furst worked at WVBC-FM, a 10 watt radio station, alongside a wealth of burgeoning talent. Faith Daniels (formerly of The Today Show), Tory Tolley (CNN), Bob Orr (CBS News), Chris Moore (CBS Sports Network), Dave Sims (Seattle Mariners play- by-play announcer), and Kurt Franck (Pulitzer Prize winner) were all among the notable journalists and broadcasters who got their start at this tiny college radio station and were colleagues of Furst.
From this inauspicious beginning, Furst went on to programming stints for 700 WLW-AM in Cincinnati, KAJA-FM in San Antonio, WSYR-AM in Syracuse, and WEEP-AM in Pittsburgh. He later served as Vice-President of Programming for Capstar, Director of Country Programming for Cumulus, Senior Vice-President of Programming for Clear Channel, and National Program Director for New City Communications.

On the international front, Furst held the position of Group Program Director for the Australian Radio Network in Sydney, programmed 97.3 in Brisbane, and launched the first country radio station in the United Kingdom.
His professional accolades include multiple awards from the Indiana Broadcasters Association for his work at WIBC-FM (including Best Newscast/Large Market), and a Crystal Award for WSYR-AM in Syracuse.

An avid sports fan (baseball and hockey), train travel enthusiast, animal rescue advocate and ardent student of American history, Furst will now make his home in Houston with his wife Ann. His father lives in the neighboring community of Sugar Land and his son Andrew lives in Dallas. A second son, Jason Furst, is the program director of WBT-AM/FM in Charlotte.

RELATED
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News 92 KROI is dead

Houston's FM news station News92 KROI signs off; becomes all Beyonce Channel B92

A longtime radio broadcaster once told me that 24 hour news would never work in Houston. When News92 KROI debuted in 2011 I hoped this would prove him wrong.

UPDATE APRIL 2023
Praise 92.1 KROI Houston sold to Spanish Broadcasting System

UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2014
Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio

It did not.

"The whole staff has been FIRED," anchor Lanny Griffith said on Facebook. "We thank you for your support and I will be fine. We are heart broken cause we put everything into this station but it just wasn't meant to be. Thanks to Radio One for all you did for all of us and our families."

This morning was the station's last broadcast. I hear right in the middle of a story, B92, an all Beyonce station, debuted signaling the end of News92.

"We’re proud of the work we did with News92," said Doug Abernethy, Regional Vice President of Radio One. "We hired established and trusted Houstonian journalists from the radio, print and television news industries. We also invested in community relations, infrastructure, marketing, promotions and sales. Unfortunately after three years of a valiant effort, the difficult decision had to be made."

"I'm devastated that Radio One decided to change formats," reporter Adela Uchida told mikemcguff.com. "I'm proud of the work News92FM did in the months I was there. The only way we could have covered this city with such a small staff was with the talent, experience and passion we all brought every day."

News92, which was Radio One's first news station, barely reached above a one rating in its time as a station. It didn't help that the station's signal does not apparently cover the entire market strongly.

"This difficult decision is a result of sustained poor ratings performance and significant financial losses over the past three years despite the substantial financial and human resources we invested," a statement on News92's website read. "Unfortunately, the market hasn’t shown a sustainable appetite for news radio, but each of you motivated us daily to produce a high-quality news program." (SCROLL TO SEE FULL MESSAGE AT BOTTOM)

Radio One hired familiar radio and TV names like former 740 KTRH morning team J.P. Pritchard and Lana Hughes, Dennis Spellman (formerly of KIAH 39), Mike Barajas (formerly of Fox 26 KRIV), Scott Braddock (formerly of 740 KTRH, 1080 KLRD), Carolyn Campbell (KHOU 11), Kevin Charles (Metro Networks,700 KSEV), Brent Clanton (formerly of 650 KIKK, 700 KSEV), Lanny Griffith (formerly of 101 KLOL, 94.5 KTBZ, Fox 26 KRIV), Laurie Kendrick (740 KTRH, 101 KLOL, 97.5 KFNC) , Martha Martinez (101 KLOL), Bonnie Petrie (740 KTRH, 1080 KRLD), Matt Sampsell Fox 26 KRIV, KIAH 39), Pattie Shieh (Fox 26 KRIV), Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, Craig Roberts (KPRC 2, 101 KLOL, 55 KTBU), and Jorge Vargas (KIAH 39).

The station later spent $900,000 on an expansion project that added a brand new studio, newsroom, offices, green room and more. Five new news vehicles were also purchased.

In a cynical view, one thing that did not happen while News92 was on the air - a hurricane/tropical storm. Radio pundits will tell you that could have driven a lot of listeners to the station to hear it and hopefully stick around.

So now 47 people are out of work as a result of the station going off the air. And now, Houston has a 24 hour all Beyonce radio station called B92 in place of News92 (at least for now, this sounds like a stunt to me).

"We take the loss of employees seriously," said Chris Wegmann, President of the Radio Division. "We are working to ensure all of our impacted employees are transitioned with the dignity and respect they deserve."

As News 92 goes away, Houston still has radio news sources 88.7 KUHF and 740 KTRH.

"We always respected the work of our friends and colleagues at News 92 and truly wish them the best," KUHF news director Jack Williams told mikemcguff.com. "Houston Public Media News 88-7 believes there is still a strong desire for in-depth, multi-media journalism in Houston.”

b921fm.com
On Twitter @B921Houston.


UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2014
Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio

ORIGINAL POST:

Got a report this morning the News92 staff was going into a meeting. Then heard Beyonce was playing on the station 15 minutes later. The station has been rebranded B92, an all Beyonce radio station (for now at least I would imagine, sounds like a stunt).

I checked the News92 homepage and found this:

News92, Houston’s first FM all-news radio station aired its last broadcast Wednesday, October 8, 2014.
We’d like to thank the News92 staff for their outstanding service, our advertisers and each of you our listeners and web visitors for your support. This difficult decision is a result of sustained poor ratings performance and significant financial losses over the past three years despite the substantial financial and human resources we invested. Unfortunately, the market hasn’t shown a sustainable appetite for news radio, but each of you motivated us daily to produce a high-quality news program. Together, we made history.

Lanny Griffith posted on Facebook: "News92FM is GONE, off the air. The whole staff has been FIRED. We thank you for your support and I will be fine. We are heart broken cause we put everything into this station but it just wasn't meant to be. Thanks to Radio One for all you did for all of us and our families. Anyone need to hire me for some media work?"

Craig Roberts says on Facebook that 47 people are now out of work from the format change.

Stay tuned...

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- Adela Uchida joins News 92 FM KROI
- 740 KTRH issues statement on its heritage and News 92FM KROI

UPDATE OCTOBER 13, 2014
Boom 92.1 FM Classic Hip Hop Houston radio

KTRK 13's Ed Brandon on 24 hour news radio in Houston

Former KTRK 13 weathercaster Ed Brandon (now fill-in weatherman) wrote a nice historical piece on Houston's news radio landscape through the years. Brandon arrived to work at channel 13 in 1972 and has seen the news radio stations come and go. Nice to have Ed back as a mikemcguff.com guest blogger once again.

Here is more from Ed Brandon:

"The Bayou City will join the nation’s other major cities where you can hear a local, live all-news-radio station. It’s KROI, 92.1FM. News 92 FM.

New York has had 1010 WINS, and others, for years. There’s KCBS in San Francisco, WBBM in Chicago and Los Angeles’ KNX. In all of the nation’s other major cities, there has always been the opportunity to listen on the road or at home to a local radio station which provides constant news, weather and sports, some of it from networks but most of it live and local.

Houston has been without such a station since the very early 1980s. In 1975, KLYX-FM (formerly K”MSC” for Manned Spacecraft Center) was the local affiliate for an NBC radio experiment called the News and Information Service. Among its voices was Don Armstrong, later on KPRC radio and television. The NBC effort lasted until early 1977. (The KLYX frequency, 102.1 FM, became, and remains, home to the phenomenally successful music station KMJQ. That’s Majic 102 to the average listener).

For a brief period, KEYH provided news during daylight hours at 850AM. That frequency is now home to a Spanish language music station.

KTRH 740 AM and KPRC 950 AM came closest to the all news model over the years. When they were separately owned by local companies, each programmed lengthy drive-time news blocks. Since each station broadcast talk programs during non drive-time hours, however, neither was an ALL news radio station. Each has been absorbed by the Clear Channel conglomerate and has gradually shed most of its news broadcasts. KPRC even proudly promoted itself as a station where you WOULD NOT hear news or traffic reports. (Traffic reports are now appearing occasionally at 950 AM.)

That all changes... The new station promises continuous news broadcasts. Equally encouraging is the station’s hiring of some of Houston’s most prominent broadcast journalists, many of them shoved out of the Clear Channel [and other Houston] stations. The premiere attraction is the morning news block to be presented by J.P Pritchard and Lana Hughes. The team is a long-time fixture of Houston morning radio. J.P. and Lana have both been inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

For most broadcast journalists in the city and for news junkies, too, News 92 FM should fill a big hole in the radio dial. The owner, Radio One, is a newcomer to the all-news format, but with that staff and their experience, it’s hard to see how they could screw it up. The website went up on Wednesday. NEWS92FM.COM. The site will provide a live stream of the station."

-  Ed Brandon

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is Mike McGuff again.  As I mentioned Thursday, News 92 KROI debuts Monday 11/21/2011 at 5am.

I would like to add my two cents as well. Over the years of my talking to Houston radio professionals, I've learned it has been thought by radio companies that an all news format would not work here. The companies believed this town was too blue collar and not receptive to 24 hour news radio. They said it might work in New York, Chicago and other major cities where there was more of a white collar audience. Frankly, I don't buy into that belief. I think there is a hunger here for news. The only issue now is that the public is shifting away from broadcasting and using the Internet/mobile apps for news more and more. What a great experiment News 92 will be.

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WATCH ED BRANDON TALK ABOUT MARVIN ZINDLER
- Could there be another KTRK 13 Eyewitness News Marvin Zindler on TV news?
- What KTRK 13 staffers learned from Eyewitness News Action 13's Marvin Zindler
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News 92 FM KROI's launch delayed, plus more details

I told you yesterday how 740 KTRH has returned to the NewsRadio name and appears to be beefing up its staff. Later I learned the News 92 FM KROI launch date has been pushed back. Plus even more familiar names have been added to the roster such as Dennis Spellman (former KIAH 39 reporter), Norm Uhl (former HISD press secretary and KHOU 11 reporter) and Brian "Eddie The Boner" Shannon (former Rock 101 KLOL morning show host). More from the FM station's Laurie Kendrick:

Here's the latest update from the newsroom at News 92 FM. We will launch precisely at 5 AM, next Thursday, November 17th. Set your radio dials now for AWESOME.

Lana and JP start things off from 5 to 9. Lanny, Your Traffic Master will tackle traffic duties every morning and I'll do feature stories and cover all the TV zeitgeist. Scott Braddock hosts a news show from 9 to noon. The lovely and talented Martha Martinez will handle news cut ins at the top and bottom of the hour in that time span.

Then, Kevin "Mr. Smiles" Charles and the adorable, Carolyn Campbell will anchor the noon news, from 12-3pm and Bonnie Petrie and Mike Barajas, the long time nightly anchor at FOX 26 will handle afternoons from 3 to 7. Dennis "Ray of Sun" Spellman will handle evenings from 7-10.

Other famous names you might recognize offering their vast wealth of TV and radio experience is former KHOU 11 Reporter, Norm Uhl will produce the morning show. The groovy Alicia Alaniz produces noon and the legendary Brian "The Boner" Shannon will make sure everything is in order every afternoon.

The incredible Pattie Shieh is our morning reporter and [Matt Sampsell], who's as sweet as the day is long, will bring you news from the field every afternoon. The adorable Jorge Vargas handling morning sports and the irrascible Craig Roberts (who I adore) has afternoon sports handled. Denise Bishop is the News Director and [Brent Clanton] "Dr. Cool Daddy" is our Business Editor.

The vast support we've received from a newsradio hungry populace has been incredible. Thank you. Give us a listen. We feel certain you'll LOVE what you hear.

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Adela Uchida joins News 92 FM KROI

Former KTRK abc13 weekend anchor Adela Uchida dumps TV for radio at News 92 FM KROI

Adela Uchida

Adela Uchida is joining News 92 FM KROI as a reporter the station confirms to me.

This morning Uchida tweeted "It's official..." which I guess references the new gig. Her Twitter followers seemed to be confused by this.

As you probably know, Uchida was the weekend anchor at KTRK abc13 for nearly six years until early January.

She came to Houston from WILX (Channel 10) in Lansing, Michigan where she was the 6 and 11pm anchor. She also worked in Colorado and Arizona.

She starts for the all news Radio One station today.

UPDATE

From news92fm.com:

“We are thrilled to have Adela on our team, and believe she will add to our bench strength and social media presence,” News 92 FM Program Director Alan Furst said.

“I’m really excited to join a fast-growing news organization,” Adela said. “And I’m super excited to stay in Houston.”

“Adela’s hiring adds to our unwavering commitment to delivering Houstonians in-depth coverage,” Radio One Regional Vice President Doug Abernethy said.

740 KTRH issues statement on its heritage and News 92FM KROI

Earlier this month I posted What does 740 KTRH think of News92 FM KROI? Today we know the answer. AM Operations Manager and KTRH Program Director Bryan Erickson sent mikemcguff.com this statement:

"We’re focused on what we do – and what we’ve done for the past 80-plus years – and that’s provide our listeners with timely information and compelling content day in and day out. Our commitment to news, weather and traffic coverage is at the core of what we do. It’s why public officials have referred to KTRH as their official radio station.

We have an outstanding team of anchors, reporters, producers and support staff that work tirelessly to provide news, weather and traffic reports 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Every big story over the past eight decades has played out over the airwaves of KTRH. We’ve been there as storms roared ashore and hundreds of thousands of people were in the dark, their only lifeline a battery powered radio tuned to KTRH, and we’ve been there when terror attacks on our country’s soil struck fear in our the hearts of millions and a calming voice was needed in a time of despair and uncertainty. No matter the story, no matter the time of day, the one constant for Houstonians has been tuning to KTRH to be informed and that continues to be true today and will continue to be true for years to come.

Regarding the new station, it’s unfortunate for them that technical issues continue to delay their launch. It must be frustrating for them. I know we’d hate to be limited to talking about how we’re going to cover news while the heritage information station in the market continues to cover the events that shape our lives on a daily basis without missing a beat. On a personal note, it is good to see so many of our former colleagues who’ve been out of the business for so long getting another opportunity in our industry. We wish them the best.

We will continue to evolve to meet our listeners’ needs as technology changes how people get their news and we’re excited about our multiple platforms which reach far beyond traditional methods of delivering information. Whether it’s AM 740, www.ktrh.com or the free iHeartRadio app on your smart phone, KTRH is everywhere our listeners need us to be."

News 92FM KROI debuts Monday at 5am. This weekend on 92.1, there are construction noises with messages from the staff as well as ABC anchors like Diane Sawyer, George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts...etc.

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Why News 92 is taking over Praise 92.1 + backlash

I've been talking a lot about the new News 92 taking over Praise 92.1 KROI. Maybe some would say I've been giving too much coverage to the all news station.

But I wanted to share with you the reason owner Radio One is saying it is moving Praise to HD radio and going with the all news format. As you might have figured, it was all about money.

"What we did when we launched Praise was shifted Majic's (KMJQ 102.1) audience over to Praise, so you had a lot of duplication between the two," general manager of Radio One Houston Doug Abernethy told The Defender. "So you compress the ratings on Majic to grow the Praise station and for the past five years, its not really generated any kind of revenue. With Praise going away, Majic's audience will grow, leading to more ratings dominance, which leads to financial growth."

Abernethy says the company saw ratings declines for some of its stations after the Personal People Meter (PPM) was adopted as a method of tracking radio ratings too.

The Defender article also has interviews with Houston activist Quanell X and Rev. William A. Lawson (KTRK 13 anchor Melanie Lawson's father by the way) about what they think of the change. Here's a hint, they are not terribly happy.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Rock 101 KLOL back on air?
- Drew Shirley (KVUE, KXII) to KPLC Lake Charles
- The 2012 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductees
- KXAS 5' Jane McGarry apologizes for DWI; leaves station
- KTRK 13 scores Greg Bailey from WCNC
- KHOU 11 Promotes Miles Cathey to Director of Sales
- HCN duo want to become The Leader of community news