At 93.3 FM, Cumulus Has Gone Off a KLIF

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Sep. 3 2009 at 9:33 AM

Categories: Media

Yes, but will we see the return of these klassic kollections?

Late yesterday, a Friend of Unfair Park suggested that Cumulus Media's going to rebrand 93.3 on Your FM Dial as a pop-40 station -- as in, Justin Timberlake and the Black Eyed Peas. Maybe so. But this much is (almost) certain: Sooner than later, KDBN-FM will most likely be known as ... KLIF-FM, shades of Gordon McLendon. So suggests Cumulus's request to the Federal Communications Commission filed on Monday, which would resurrect a call sign that hasn't been around since 1966 and has radio boards speculating about all kinds of possibilities for the frequency.

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@ Spectator Huzzah! Weird Beard reporting in. Still above room temperature and above ground, baby. Living in Connecticut, but KLIF and KILT remain near and dear to my heart. Catch me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Weird-Beard/353832829130 Stay groovy!
Just switch the Ticket over to it and be done with it. No one over 25 listens to top 40 unless they are a mini-van driving, "Failure is not an option" t-shirt wearing, 6 kids having soccer mom WHORE. No one besides backwards-ass, retarded hippies listen to "classic rock", and I have no idea who listens to Merge 99.3 the Zone (college kids maybe?).
Let's not get so bogged down in the past.. and keeping personal wants or musical desires aside. The most likely possibilities: 1. TOP 40 - yes, its not your demo. No, you may not like it. Yes it is STILL a profitable format. And NO ONE has been able to compete with KISS FM in about 10-12 years at least. (unless you consider Hot 100.3 competition - now Jack FM) 2. CLASSIC COUNTRY - Again, its a matter of lack of competition and choice here. 99.5 is in a constant battle with KSCS, and Cumulus could do a one-two punch on the "Country Leader" with a tweak of twang. Get the older and younger listening to both. 3. TICKET - Even though they mentioned the change on the Musers this morning, they acted like they weren't informed of the change. I believe with the Stars joining KTCK this season, this would also be a likely switch from 104.1... very weak signal. Of course, they could always just re-package the same old crap they've done (Bone, Merge, Quality, etc.) but last time I checked, the AutoPlay, Rock Band, iTunes station, JACK FM was already covering considerable ground with that run of the mill format, without the cost of Talent, production, or promotion.
So what are the letters on Ed Wallace's station over at 570? Cracker Daddy, the mid-80 KZEW was absolute greatness. That is the most expansive playlist I've ever heard on commercial radio.
Actually KLIF 1190 had a ban in effect for all country & western music. They would not play it. as for the ticket. they do have an FM already 104.1 KLIF-FM is still in existence however, but as KLUV! KLIF-FM used to be on 98.7 i93.3 could happen. but It could be KLIF 93.3 as an oldies Station. Mighty 93.3 anyone?
I think they may be considering recreating the KLIF of the 60's which played everything in any charts. One could hear the Beatles followed by Sinatra, followed by Gorge Jones, followed by the Temptations. I don't know what they are going to do, but I am waiting for the new KERA music station.
FUCK KLIF and FUCK KNUS! Although, Cracker Daddy will admit that Cuzzin Lenny was kinda cool back in the day. Resurrect the Rock n Roll Zoo -- KZEW! C'mon everyone -- break out those old Zoo Freak t-shirts.
@Spectator I found this on Weird Beard.. ------------------------- There must be more than one Weird Beard in radio, because this is not the same Weird Beard who gained fame at KLIF-1190 in Dallas. When I was still in Dallas high school until graduation in 1962, RUSS KNIGHT, was a very popular DJ and KLIF-1190 held almost total domination over Big D's radio listeners. Never dreamed that I not only would be on the air with the Weird Beard from 1971-72 at KBOX-1480, but also be behind the mic at KLIF-1190 in 1972. Later on, with more ownership changes came a call letter switch-a-roo. WFAA-570 is now known as KLIF-570. It has been all news for years. Ironically, WFAA-570 and WFAA-820 are on my resume from 1967-68, too. RUSS KNIGHT was one of the best radio talents and amigos that I ever had the pleasure of being around. We certainly had a lot fun on the air. Sometimes radio takes us to far away places. Last I heard about RUSS is that he was in Michegan or somewhere in the northeast but that was several years ago. Here is what is found when I searched the Internet for RUSS KNIGHT: Russ Knight began in Texas as a pioneering rock and roll DJ, earning great fame and respect in the business. Also known as "The Weird Beard," Russ came to host a talk shown on WICC in the mid 1990's called "In The Heat Of The Night." He is without headphones as is his custom in the WICC Talk Studio. Contributed by WICC News Director Tim Quinn. WICC AM 600 Radio Offices: 2 Lafayette Square, Bridgeport, CT. 06604-6000 Bus. Office: 203-366-6000 Bus. Fax: 203-384-6000. http://home.earthlink.net/~rosekkkj/id114.html ---------------- However, there's still an old KLIF jock in Dallas.... none other than Cuzzin Lenny.. Can be heard Wed. 9a to 12n on 89.3 KNON www.knon.org Wonder what he thinks about this?? WW
The Ticket's signal in the west/southwest part of the metroplex is horrible after sundown, which happens earlier in the evening after daylight savings time changes. 104.1 is not an option either. Now The Ticket carries Dallas Stars games.....and after listening to WBAP hockey games for years, it's a real drag to have to fight with such a weak signal. 93.3's signal is not what you would call a powerhouse, but it would make WAY more sense for them to simulcast The Ticket. Re: J The fanbase is already there, it's not something you would have to grow.
Um yeah, they already have sports radio on the FM dial and it's doing crappy. The Fan anyone?
@cactusflinthead Yeah, they kill now. Imagine there numbers if all of DFW and surrounding areas could hear The Ticket. Imagine the ad revenue that would generate.It doesn't seem as if Cumulus is interested in revenue. Take a look at their financial statements in the last 6 quarters.
Wasn't McLendon's KNUS a de facto KLIF-FM? Does anybody know is Russ "Weird Beard" Knight is still with us? Lord knows this town could use a deejay worthy of those call letters.
@Investor What?! You mean take a line-up that regularly kills in the ratings and give them a strong signal? Why that would never work! Please excuse the random Ticket reference and carry on with the previously scheduled Top-40 drivel.
Yeah, the Abu Ghraib wall-of-sound vibe is sooo 2006... dare I say Teeerrible...
Mr.Wilonsky, I believe that it is our president trying to brainwash the people of our great country. People, this is what this man is about.
Lakewooder, I tried yesterday to listen for more than a minute, and it was not a pleasant experience. Interesting, absolutely, but not pleasant. One person in the car compared it to "torture techniques."
or was I really hearing what sounded like dial-changing-static between the random blurbs? (like someone was changing stations by manually turning a dial on an old radio)
Maybe they should move the KLIF line-up to 93.3 and move The Ticket line-up to KLIF. That should have been done the first day those stations became property of the same owner..
As an avid listener the last 3 days, I gotta tell ya... I like it. Good beat, easy to dance to... I give it a 7. The new slogan's sorta' catchy too - Rockin' your ADD on 93.3...