iHeart Media is preparing to launch a new network of talk programming on 15 of it’s lower performing stations including Tacoma’s “South Sound Talk 850” KHHO. Currently, these stations are all stunting with speeches targeting African American audiences, including Malcom X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” and a speech by Michelle Obama plus messages like, “Our side of the story is about to be told”. The fifteen stations have previously been operating with a variety of formats. Most recently 850 KHHO has been airing Conservative talk & before that a simulcast of KJR-AM‘s sports talk. The stations are promoting “Our Voices Will Be Heard” and an announcement of the new format is to take place on Tuesday, June 30 at 9 am PDT. Radio Insight has discovered that iHeart Media registered the domains BlackInformationNetwork.com, BlackInformation.net, and BlackInformation.network on Friday, hinting that the new format will be News-Talk for the Black community. The KHHO website is gone & temporarily replaced with the 950 KJR-AM sports website.
retired broadcaster: on-air, MD, PD, asst PD, Prod Mgr, IT, station technician/engineer, pioneer Internet webcaster, station installation/maintenance; 12 years in commercial radio, 17 years volunteer in campus/community radio in B.C., Alberta & Wash. Amateur radio operator & “DXer” specializing in AM night-time DX, short-wave DX/listening & remote SDR DXing/listening
This venture promises to be as successful as Air America!
Which failed, another example of second self segregation I don’t approve of.
Very one-sided missing information and fans the fire and builds a wall between black Americans and other Americans I don’t agree with it.
Well said!
Mike,
Darn! My sarcasm is slipping!
Since the new format is going on iHarmRadio’s least successful, lowest rated stations, my cynical old mind suspects that money might be the driver and not a sudden twinge of social conscience.
Dick – would you be expecting anything more noble from iHurt Radio? They see an opportunity & want to ca$$$h in on the momentum. Meanwhile, we already have some good talk programming aimed at our African-American community via 1620 KYIZ which carries not only syndicated national talk, but a long-running morning local talk show on our region’s public affairs & hosted by 50+ year local radio veteran Frank Barrow.
So Tony Coles is not a good African-American broadcaster? He may not be focused on just the Puget Sound anymore, but…he’s damned good.
Dick,
If I Harm wants ratings and $$$ The stunt should be THE DAN BONGINO SHOW, in the old RUSH TIME SLOT. THAT’S where the RATINGS ARE.