KBIG 104.3 change, Charlie Tuna off air

[RStar]

For those of you who have heard Charlie Tuna on the radio in Southern California for the last 40 years (I'm one of them) his last show is today, until 10am, at which time KBIG will be no more. It will change format and become MyFM. I don't know what they will offer yet, the web site is not clear on that.

Here is what Charlie is saying on his web page:

09/17/2007 @ 5:00am PDT
Today, Monday Morning-September 17th, is my last day and last show on KBIG (No April Fool joke this time)!


Clear Channel management has new plans for this dial position at 104.3FM and I’m not part of that plan. What I have been told is that Clear Channel wants to talk to me about the future with them and explore a number of new ideas they are still in the process of developing. As a result, I’m still maintaining my office, key card, parking space and coffee cup that I’ve had the past 7 years at KBIG. I just won’t be on the air at KBIG anymore.

Read whole page

It's a sad day in radio, as Charlie has been on more stations and formats than anyone in radio history. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, I think we will hear him on the radio again some day.

[Kevy Baby]

He'll find a new place to be on the air. He is a personality, not management.

KBIG couldn't seem to find an identity - I'm not surprised to see them go.

[Morrigoon]

WOW, I am. KBIG is changing? They should have stuck with the "upbeat version of KOST" format, that worked for them for years.

Quelle surprise.

[Kevy Baby]

When you hear a station start messing with the format and trying all sorts of odd tweaks, it is usually a sign of grasping at straws as the end is near.

[RStar]

So far today they sem to be playing the same musical format, just DJ-less. I think the new format starts tomorrow.

At this point they have asked Charlie to stay on, but he doesn't know how that will pan out yet. But yes, he feels he will be back on the air at some point as it is his passion.

[Kevy Baby]

The music format has changed slightly - it is toned down a bit. If this "MyFM" thing is the new format, I would best describe it as "Jack Lite" (as in Jack FM).

For now, the call sign is still KBIG-FM, but that is just semantics. Jack-FM is still KCBS-FM

[Morrigoon]

Wouldn't mind if they brought in the Fabulous Radio format, but I doubt they're that imaginitive.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

If this "MyFM" thing is the new format, I would best describe it as "Jack Lite" (as in Jack FM).

99% of the time when a radio station is changing format, they revert to this "format" (i.e., playing a bunch of different stuff with no DJ) while they sort things out. I've heard it a million times, and usually it's only a matter of time before they get an actual format up and running. I've always wondered if they do it to test the waters and see what kind of music seems to be attracting listeners, but that's just a guess. Jack was somewhat of an anomaly that it more or less stayed in the "throw spaghetti at the wall" format, although I guess the company that's running it has done it successfully in a few markets. I suppose 104.3 might be trying the same thing, but I somehow doubt it'll work twice in the same market.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

99% of the time when a radio station is changing format, they revert to this "format" (i.e., playing a bunch of different stuff with no DJ) while they sort things out. I've heard it a million times, and usually it's only a matter of time before they get an actual format up and running. I've always wondered if they do it to test the waters and see what kind of music seems to be attracting listeners, but that's just a guess. Jack was somewhat of an anomaly that it more or less stayed in the "throw spaghetti at the wall" format, although I guess the company that's running it has done it successfully in a few markets. I suppose 104.3 might be trying the same thing, but I somehow doubt it'll work twice in the same market.

Actually, Jack is a highly formulated format and there are several stations using the same moniker across the country. There are also a few "Dave-FM" stations, but I do not know how they differ. The Jack in LA was not the first - it was already a proven format before it arrive here.

Since LA is such a huge and lucrative market, you will not see much stalling here in the highly competitive commercial segment. Since they have the MyFM moniker, I believe this will be their new MO.

[RStar]

It was quite a mix, on the sfter side. I even heard some country on there. We will see what happends tomorrow, it's my impression the new format will start then.

The last radio station I listened to changed to Korean talk radio! And before that it was when KMET that went to "The Wave". Both caused full and complete alienation to their listeners.