Black Radio Station in the Valley? How Would You Like the Sound of That?

A long time ago, I wrote a blog about having an "African American TV Show in the Phoenix Area." I wasn't necessarily saying that I was going to start it up, I was more or less thinking out loud about the possibilities. I still think it can be done. I just don't have the capital to make it happen. Well, not yet ...

In the meantime, I've seen and heard a lot of people complaining about our lack of a REAL black radio station here in the Phoenix area.

I admit it's a damn shame we don't have one. Well, I shouldn't say we don't have one because Gospel 860 AM and several Internet radio programs (including magic108.com, Life Matters Today and Atypical Sports Show) are based in the Phoenix area.

However, when I think of a black radio station, I envision an FM radio station, with entertaining, knowledgeable, respectable black DJs and hosts who talk about issues of the day and play R&B, soul, neosoul, hip-hop music. The station also provides news and other information that the community needs to know.

We clearly don't have a mainstream radio station like that - well, not yet ... I've been told from several sources that black radio and TV programming is on the way!

Phoenix has been the home to black radio stations in the past (remember KUKQ 1060 AM? remember KMJK 107.3 FM?), but inadequate financial support forced them to move on.

In order for a black radio station to survive here, it would have to establish a SOLID business plan and work constantly to find out what Phoenix listeners want! We all know that Phoenix's black market is really fickle! If the black radio station can't find a happy medium here ... ohhhh man!

Moreover, a black radio station would need BANKABLE community support! We can't take it for granted this time. We would have to treat this radio station like WE ALL own it - after all, radio is BIG BUSINESS!

We can't just lend our ears to the radio station ... each of us would have to contribute actual DOLLARS to keep it going!

I look forward to your feedback on this blog! What's your vision of the ideal black radio station in Phoenix? How would you support the radio station? Is a black radio station the key to unifying our people?

Share your thoughts in the COMMENTS area below!

Comments

[Patrick]

KYOT-FM has adjusted its format in the past month and a half and they are starting to sound more Urban Adult. They have officially changed their format from Smooth Jazz/Soft AC to Rhythmic AC (a variation of the Urban AC format to appeal to a mainstream audience).
African-Americans in the valley really need to support this station!!! KYOT is starting to play more black artists like: Maxwell, Al B. Sure, more Anita Baker (besides "Same Old Love"). I heard "No One In The World" on KYOT. They have even played Silk, "Freak Me", can you believe that!!!!
African-Americans in the valley are getting a chance for an Urban Adult station (with a great signal) and we shouldn't waste it.
Contact the Program Director of KYOT, Smokey Rivers and tell him that you support the format. Say you want to hear more new neo-soul artists and more R&B Old School.
African-American need not sit back on this opportunity. Because if it goes away, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

[Gerald Anthony]

I'm Gerald Anthony Ceo of World Vibe Radio One here in Chicago. I was reading the comments about black radio in Phoenix and I find it very interesting. I've made plans to relocate my internet radio station there sometime in August 2011. It's not F.M. but we are more popular than a lot of F.M. stations here in Chicago. We have apps you can use on your phone, car, and many more possibilities. A lot of cars will have internet radio installed right in the dashboard come 2012! Honestly internet radio is taking over. A lot of people will agree F.M. radio won't touch Neo Soul. I'd like everyone to tune in time to time to World Vibe Radio One. I hope to be that change you all are looking for. I know the history about radio there your city, and I can promise to give you my all with your support. Tune in! www.wvrvibe.com

[Patrick]

Wasn't aware of the Facebook page, in my defense. Besides, who knows what Magic Johnson might do with one of those properties. I am not saying Phoenix is going to have a station that has Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner or Michael Baisden, but at least try to be optimistic.

For now, Phoenix may have to settle for an Urban AC format that is "dayparted." Meaning certain crossover Urban is programmed during the day, and more neo-soul late at night. I think the closest thing Phoenix has to an adult Urban format is 95.5, KYOT (which is playing more Urban music, but again it is mass-appeal) and Mega 104.3. Just my two cents.

[PhxSoul]

Patrick, if you visited our PhxSoul.com Facebook page, you'd see that we have been talking about Magic Johnson's three radio stations in Phoenix.

I ask you ... why should we get excited? Magic hasn't built a strong relationship with Phoenix's community. Plus, we don't know Magic's plans and to our knowledge, he hasn't consulted anyone in Phoenix's Black community about his plans. If Magic Johnson decides to host a focus group or even a community forum to get our input, then we might get excited.

Conversely, you have very valid points about the viability a Black/Urban radio station in Phoenix. I've done my research and come to the conclusion that it would not be a wise business move. The Black population is just too small to justify establishing a radio station that only caters to us. Advertisers are not willing to pay big dollars to reach a market that makes up 4-5 percent of Arizona's population.

The Black radio station might survive if were to operate as a nonprofit that solicits donations from the community but that's a big risk too.

[Patrick]

Okay, does anyone read the radio news??? Magic Johnson just recently purchased three radio stations in the valley. 95.1, Latino Vibe, Power 98.3 and X 103.9. I am surprised there isn't more buzz about this. There is a possibility that one of these stations could be flipped to Urban AC. Hopefully it will be X 103.9 since it has the best signal. But I dont know Magic's plans.
I also read Rudie's comment concerning Radio One (Cathy Hughes) starting up a Urban formatted station in Phoenix and I have to tell you, I don't think Radio One could cut it. Radio One has problems adapting to anything outside of an African-American market. When they tried to compete in Los Angeles, it was a disaster. They flipped a legendary hip-hop station (The Beat) to Urban AC (V-100). V-100 had a good Urban AC sound, just not for Los Angeles. If this station were in Atlanta, Houston, even Kansas City, Missouri, the formula would have worked. But not in a city were African-Americans in the metro LA area are barely seven percent of the population. We just weren't enough to sustain an Urban AC format to make money in L.A. You have to cater to other groups (hispanics and whites) in order for your station to make advertising dollars. Radio One didn't know how to do that, that is why they didn't survive in Los Angeles. The same thing would happen to them in Phoenix. I even wrote Radio One (and other radio companies, i.e, Clear Channel, Emmis and CBS radio) about starting an Urban AC in Phoenix and no one was interested. A lot of these companies don't see any money to be made by an straight-ahead Urban in Phoenix. That is why CBS Radio has 101.5 Jamz (which is rhythmic contemporary), a mass-appeal format. Power 98.3 (another rhythmic contemporary), which is also mass-appeal.
Unless more African-Americans move to the valley, the situation is going to stay the same in valley media. If media companies don't see mass numbers, they will not be inclined to cater to certain groups.

[Rudie]

I'm a new resident of Phoenix from DC, and I am used to turning on the radio and listening to "Black" radio/music. There are many people moving here from the east coast that would welcome and support a black radio station. As someone else stated, Kathy Hughes would be an ideal person to contact about this type of venture. There is a need for more listening diversity in this area.

[Zibah Bethel]

We talk about it, but what about putting it into action? How about all of us getting together and networking on how this will be done? Let's do it!!! Wishing, hoping and remembering will not do it! The Secret says we have to put it into motion. LET'S GO! Contact me! I'm willing to give it a go. Are you all?

[Sheila El-Hilaly]

What about the the MANY BLACK MILLIONAIRES out here in the sports field for financeing??,or being employee owned and operated?? be in touch with KATHY HUGHES C.E.O. OF TV ONE she started in radio. call DJ LENNY GREEN on the east coast( New York listeners) 98.7 KISS radio( see the web site) my brother is a close friend of his and he is a very good and knowledgeable man who will give you ideas and help if he can with a business plan??. OPRAH maybe?? ..you need a GOOD pitch man.. some of the business owners where we spend our $$$ the theaters, clubs,eateries, hair shops, etc,, because coming from the east coast used listing to current music on a few black stations, you are in a time warp here of oldies.and we need a current station. PS RUSSELL SIMMONS, or some of the hip hop, or rappers as JAY Z , DIDDY who are also BUSINESS MEN are always looking for a new business venture. of supply and demand.ask MAGIC JOHNSON.

[S!ick]

For many, many years I've spoken and met with other broadcasters (in Tucson) about trying to put another radio station on the air that will try to service black/urban communities. Like you, we have found that funding is the problem. We still network, and maybe the environment is about to change...

Radio stations don't make as much money for their greedy corporate owners as they are accustomed to having. Some of us a just waiting for the entire business to completely implode so maybe we broadcasters can return to doing that which we love: having fun, and serving our audiences.

(I remember applying for a gig at KUKQ. I also remember we, "Power 1450"/Tucson, we still on the air when they had changed format. THAT was weird...)

[Lorin F. Akers]

Re: Black Radio Station in Phx. I agree wtih your assessment. I feel it would take an exploratory committee to look into the possibility of this surviving. I'd be interested in becoming a part of such a venture (as stated before on fb). With monthly meetings or so, I believe it would take about 1 year gain ground (minus those interested in a quick start), and then however long for the dedicated-interested to "move the chain" and gain ground on obtaining the proper licensure, talent, production equipment, and investors.