What is an AM Station Worth These Days?

Westword's Michael Roberts wonders what do to with the pre-sets on his radio tuner here? What I am wondering is what the hell is 1340-AM, former home to KCFR, worth to a buyer -- especially with the US economy in the crapper? I am guessing that the price will be cheap -- but not free. By the way, -CFR in KCFR used to stand for Colorado Free Radio, and it's free to you, unless you subscribe.

Rather than worry about what to do with my presets, I am thinking about how cool it would be to have internet radio in my car. Can you imagine listening to thousands of stations from all over the world -- unlimited by terrestrial AM or FM? Besides, AM news radio was so much more interesting when it was on TV. In case you forgot how much fun AM radio could be, you can watch NewsRadio episodes on Hulu.Com. My guess is that Colorado Public Radio isn't nearly as lost as the NewsRadio crowd, but certainly not as fun either.

Westword Weighs in with the Latest 'Word

Michael Roberts of Denver Westword gives us the latest about the Colorado Public Radio frequency changes (and, he give Colorado Public Radio Blog a plug in the process -- THANKS!). So, how come it feels like I have heard this one before -- the death of KVOD? Oh wait, I CAN'T actually hear this one, because 1200 watts of isn't powerful enough to reach my home? Well, never mind.

By the way, you can tune in to KUNC at 91.5-FM and listen online at KUNC.org for some classical music in Northern Colorado, or tune in to or KUSC-FM in Los Angeles, online at KUSC.org, if state or region is unimportant to your classical music listening. After all, so long as you are online, why should I be limited to just KVOD on 88.1-FM RADIO, right? Use the internets, like CPR says.

By the way, -VOD stands for Voice of Denver. So, too bad much of Denver cannot actually hear KVOD on 88.1-FM. Nice job, McWycisk! Gene Amole would be proud. Hey Wycisk, we have heard that you had only met Gene ONCE in your 35 years in public radio -- with much of that time spent broadcasting classical music. Is that true? If so, how is it that you and CPR are the heir to his legacy? Just because you own the call letters? C'mon Max, tell us a story! Isn't that what your classical music hosts on KVOD do? Tell stories? So, enlighten us -- please!

Westword's Best of 2008 -- Michael Roberts

Once again, Michael Roberts has the Latest 'Word regarding Colorado Public Radio. The Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post entertainment columnists and and media critics could sure could learn a lot from him. Well, once the two Denver dailies finally merge, maybe they can provid some competition for a hard-working Weekly like Westword. And who said that size (and number) matters!

As for Sean Nethery, Colorado Public Radio's Vice President of Programming, and current (and previous) Spinmeister, Roberts' article shows how coy and evasive he really is. Roberts has his facts, but Nethery has THE facts. Karl Rove (aka Turd Blossom) would be proud!

Westword's Michael Roberts with The Latest 'Word

Thanks to Michael Roberts of The Westword for picking up this story from Colorado Public Radio Blog. Read his blog entry on The Latest 'Word here.

Denver Westword on Mario Valdes.

Michael Roberts of Denver Westword reports the passing of longtime KRCC-FM General Manager, Mario Valdes. Read Roberts' article and some reader comments here.

Colorado Public Radio in Denver Westword.

Frances Koncilja, of Colorado Public Radio Blog, attempts--yet again--to put the public back into Colorado Public Radio. Read some of her latest comments about CPR's problems in Denver Westword News, by Michael Roberts. If you have any questions for Frances, you can email her at Colorado Public Radio Blog.

The link to the Denver Westword article is down, but here is the text, relevant to Koncilja's comments about Colorado Public Radio.

CPR for CPR: When last we heard from attorney Frances Koncilja ("Going Public," June 14), she had resigned from her position on the Colorado Public Radio board to protest what she saw as an attempt by CPR chieftain Max Wycisk and chair Barry Curtiss-Lusher to change organizational by-laws in order to ramrod through a host of dubious proposals. Since then, she's created a Colorado Public Radio Blog, which has quickly developed into the go-to site for news about the state's public radio stations, including CPR. Among other things, she's posted documents that shed more light on her concerns.

The next big day in Koncilja's battle to save CPR from itself is September 19, when the board is expected to meet for the first time since putting many of the plans she criticized on hold. Via e-mail, she writes that her preparations for the session will include contacting local officials who appear on the network to "ask them to inquire of management why there is no diversity on the board and on air." She's also requesting input from "previous board members" plus "current sponsors and underwriters." She adds, "Even though I was not asked to submit anything" for the meeting, "I have."

As she understands, silence isn't always golden.

-Michael Roberts

'the latest 'word," from Michael Roberts.

Michael Roberts of Denver Westword has more from Former Colorado Public Radio Board Member, Frances Koncilja. Read about CPR's plan for HD radio in Vail, Colorado here.

Colorado Public Radio to bring HD Radio to Vail?

On Thursday, July 26th, Frances Koncilja, a former Board Member at Colorado Public Radio, posted some of the general details for CPR's plan to introduce HD Radio in Vail, Colorado. Here you will find the actual CPR Communications Plan and the the proposed time line for HD implementation by CPR.

Koncilja is unsure; however, whether her Going Public in Denver Westword, on the Denver Westword Blog, or here with with Colorado Public Radio Blog has changed, postponed, or canceled these dates for the planned upgrade in the Vail Valley.

The latest information from Colorado Public Radio is that the Vail changes will be discussed at the September 2007 Board Meeting. Stay tuned!

"the latest 'word," by Michael Roberts.

Once again, Denver Westword writer Michael Roberts, picks up a story, about broadcast-coverage changes at KUNC; a story that both The Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News missed. And who says that great journalists can't also be terrific bloggers! Competition indeed! For public radio and for the press. Stay tuned!

*Also, read the Colorado Public Radio Blog entry posted here on Wednesday, July 25th.

"the latest word," by Westword's Michael Roberts.

Michael Roberts, of Denver Westword, mentions Frances Koncilja and Colorado Public Radio Blog today. Read the latest 'word about this former Colorado Public Radio Board Member. Thanks, MR!

Westword: Correct, Once Again!

Michael Roberts of Denver Westword is correct yet again.

Here is some additional reading (abstract only) regarding HD Radio coverage from National Public Radio (NPR), and here is a link to the entire HD Radio coverage study, provided by Engineer John Kean of NPR Labs.

What exactly is the coverage area for HD Radio in your area? Maybe you should contact your local public radio station to find out.

Charles Hanes: Louisville's Village Idiot.

Village idiot, Charles Hanes, shows his fundamental lack of knowledge about public radio here, as he completely misses the point (of course) of Michael Roberts' entire article in Westword.

You can give him a call or send him a letter here:

Charles M. Hanes
6899 Club Circle
Louisville, CO
(303) 665-8856

Name and city was provided by the village idiot himself. The remainder of the information was provided by DexOnline.