This is from Oregon Media Insiders

KOPT radio in Eugene let all of its local staff go today. Brian Shaw, his producer, and the 3 news folks, Sarah Ferren, Sean Schoppe, and Rick Little. They couldn't sell the station. Their news department had just come off winning best news for the 2nd year in a row, and nabbed all kinds of other awards as well. Rick Little is probably the best news guy in the market too. But none of it mattered, proving that even in a liberal town like Eugene, you can't sell Air America. Too bad for those guys. Word is station will broadcast syndicated shows, and try and find someone to buy it. If they cant find any takers, kiss it good bye.

I'm really sorry to see this. I think Churchill Media really gave KOPT a good shot at success, with more local programming than most Air America affiliates deliver and a solid news team. It seems a bit simplistic to think it's just a matter of "liberal" vs "conservative" but it is puzzling. Any ideas?

There is nothing unique about the liberal viewpoint in Eugene. Or in the media in general.

When conservative radio first took off there was (and still is) a liberal dominance in the main stream media. the conservative view was unique and no matter what your opinion of him personally, Rush Limbaugh delivered a great radio show.

For Air America that means A: their position is not unique in the media and B: no "radio shows" delivered as well as Rush.

In Eugene specifically KLCC probably already has the lock on the liberal news market anyway.

I'm sorry to see it too. There's probably a combination of reasons. Business owners tend to be more conservative, and less likely to advertise on a "Liberal" station. Air America's/KOPT's marketing is mis-directed...they shouldn't be calling themselves a "progressive station", but a "news/talk" station with "fresh perspectives." And finally, I think I read it here several years ago, but it's right on... "Conservatives NEED people (like talk radio) to tell them how to think. Progressives can think for themselves and don't need a radio station to feed it to them."

>>"Conservatives NEED people (like talk radio) to tell them how to think. Progressives can think for themselves and don't need a radio station to feed it to them."

You've got to be kidding...you just left the house of reasoning...

Flip it to spanish!

"Conservatives NEED people (like talk radio) to tell them how to think. Progressives can think for themselves and don't need a radio station to feed it to them."

This is a laughable comment. There are plenty of places that one can find self-identified "conservative" and "liberal/progressive" talking points on a variety of issues. Talk radio is famous for providing the conservative talking points. However, many liberal talking points can be found on Pacifica radio and other volunteer run community stations, on a variety of websites (especially those designed to criticize or debunk popular talk show hosts), on some cable access TV shows, and in a variety of small independent newspapers.

The real question in this thread was stated early on: If KOPT had such great, critically acclaimed news coverage, why did the station fail financially?

A few more reasons explaining KOPT's financial failure rests on (1) a weak sales department; (2) owners are new to the radio industry and (3) the Eugene market had a hard time believing the "progressiveness" of the station being that the parent company was owned by very publicly outspoken Conservatives. Reason #3 was the biggest hurdle from the very beginning. I really wonder whether the station, the air staff and management were truly ever able to overcome that problem.

Phil, you win the "Best New Screename" award! Very nice.

I don't think they would switch to spanish. First of all they already have a spanish station in town. Classic country !

...Classic country !

With live personalities!!!!

(as long as we are dreaming)

Given the reasons 1 and 2 above, I'm not sure a content discussion makes any sense.

Did they try and get some help before making that decision?

I Agree with Itsvern.
Put Spanish Rock or Pop, or Oldies.
Afilliate it with Magia "Solo exitos". None of these compete with La X

One issue that might have doomed KOPT's local news format is that there is a lot of loyalty to KLCC. Also, Jefferson has a satellite AM station in Eugene. OPB's Corvallis signal can be heard well in Eugene. KOPT was not able to break loose any of those listeners. Just not enough pie to slice up and share.

Also, conservative sponsors ante up for right-wing radio. Progressives, what few sponsors there are, don't.

KOPT's local news people did a really fine job. It's too bad it didn't work.

I don't fault Churchill Media for wanting to make some money.

You may be right about KLCC but it always comes back to the fact that Progressive radio does not get enough support. If nothing else the liberal community should have supported it just to make sure its local voice would be heard. Libs stereotypically aren't business friendly. They are their own worst enemy. Yes they listen to KLCC but, KOPT was local and with decent talent. I have heard from various who said some of the staff were top notch. Apparently they prefer government sponsored radio. And your right you can't fault the company for wanting to make money. Its called the American way!

Warner: Thanks for the shout-out! I humbly accept the "New Screen Name" award.

Missing_kskd: "..Did they try and get some help before making that decision?"

I don't have an answer for you. I was offering some reasons that seem the most obvious to me. While I can't say that KOPT's morning show improved with Nancy's departure, the local news, as many have already noted, was really good, in fact, award winning. That being said, KOPT had great possibilities. However, if ownership doesn't have the experience to know how to make the necessary changes to make good programming, marketable, coupled with a sales department who can't figure out creative ways to sell the product, then you are doomed. I hate to say it, but successful radio is a team effort. Who gets left in the cold? The on-air talent. Sadly, it's the on-air talent that gets the beating for not having the "ratings" or whatever when in fact, no one had their back to begin with. I don't think that any of what I'm saying is new, it's just unfortunate.

Jay_zie quote

"Put Sapanish Rock or Pop, or Oldies..."

Hey Jay_zie what is Sapanish Rock? Is that smiliar Gereman Polka?

Jay_zie quote
-Put Spanish Rock or Pop, or Oldies.
Afilliate it with Magia "Solo exitos". None of these compete with La X-
Magia sucks, Churchill have a pop format in Yakima 101.7, actually is a lot better than Magia just listen: http://9520.broadcastmatrix.com/listen.php?type=asx

Great news people....multi award winners...and they get shown the door...... Another sad day for our industry when people do a great job and are let go, while tons of mediocre people stay employed

Early in KOPT's existence they had a local morning host who leaned a bit too conservative for the format, or at least that was the perception of some listeners (I never heard the guy myself). This coupled with #3 may have pushed some listeners away early on, never to return.

According to an article in today's Register-Guard, Churchill Media owner Susan Arlie is interested in selling KOPT, and if the station is not sold within three months the format may be flipped to Jazz.

Yeah, right, if a talk format didn't work, a niche music format on AM isn't likely to. I can't listen to their present Sunday morning jazz show for more than a few minutes due to their grungy signal. Eugene is a strong market for real Jazz, but KLCC has several evening blocks of it.

1600 may not be an easy one to sell. My understanding is that there is a deadline for moving the towers out of Alton Baker Park coming up in several years. A previous owner was given a final 20 years in that location, but I don't recall how many years ago it was. I think fewer than ten years remain.

Does 1450's "Deportes" format have a chance of surviving?

Randy_in_eugene:

I also agree that flipping KOPT to Jazz is certainly not going to work. If my memory serves me, Churchill already tried a Jazz format on KLZS 1450 ("Class" or something?)and it flopped. They then flipped 1450 to what's now 1450 "Deportes."

Whether 1450 "Deportes" will survive is anybody's guess. Simply based on demographics, the Eugene Hispanic market, although growing, is really small. To further segment that market and expect it will sustain a Spanish sports format is both, admirably risky and frankly, completely reckless.

"a Spanish sports format is both, admirably risky and frankly, completely reckless."

My thoughts, exactly.

"Class 1450" provided a fresh, enjoyable format, and did okay in the ratings, for an AM. It's really too bad, it didn't receive enough advertising support.

It sounds like there are some parallels between KOPT and KPAM in the 2000-02 period. A very good news department (IMHO) but not much to show for it in the way of numbers...

This is a comment posted on Oregon Media Insiders.

If the information in the comment below is accurate, then KOPT could have had Oscar winning staff and top ratings, however, the result would have been exactly the same.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"KOPT news top notch - station o[n]wers not progessive and not liked."

Submitted by Anonymous Source (not verified) on Thu, 08/02/2007 - 5:49pm.

...The majority of local businesses whom advertise on local Eugene area TV and radio are mostly owned by conservatives. With KOPT's owners connection to Gang of Nine (big property developers, timber barons, insurance companies, etc) background they could not persuade businesses owned by local progressives to advertise.

And at the same time they could not obtain ad deals from government and non-profits. No ads from the Oregon Lottery, U of O Football, City of Eugene or Lane County government, or even the Oregon Country Fair. The Eugene Register-Guard would not advertise on KOPT (after the blistering investigatory series about Arlie's husband several years back). PeaceHealth had a following out with the Arlie's over the land deal which brought a new hospital to Springfield.

Besides the station ownership not truly behind much of their stations programming content I suspect continued controversy surrounding the station owners background and business dealings kept advertisers and listeners away.

So the station's ownership lack of connection to many sides of the community jeopardized KOPT chances of survival, no matter what programming was aired.

If the Hispanic community's, where Churchill Media's other stations operate, upderstood some of this then those stations might be suffering the same plight. But in these communities, some with large hisplanic populations, there are few choices for Spanish language radio programming, so the history behind the stations owners is overlooked.

I listened to KOPT, but to do that I had to set aside my contempt for the station ownerships past actions/behaviors. It's hard to support progressive programming when the station is owned by conservative property developers. I don't think enough progressive listers and advertisers were able or willing to do that.

Article linked below states Arlie (station owner) plans to convert station to jazz format if unable to sell the station.

My hope is another business supporting "real" progressive values can re-introduce local news programming (with the former KOPT news team) along with AirAmerica on another frequency. Our community needs both. I'm certain with the right operators enough local small businesses and the local community can be convinced there is great value that comes from supporting a "true" progressive station...

Link: http://www.oregonmediainsiders.com/node/1275#comment

The previous post is not accurate. KOPT did air commercials for U of O football, Lane County and the Oregon Country Fair. Maybe the writer is trying to make a point, and so they just threw in the kitchen sink, but the examples are not correct. Just an FYI for the sake of not spreading info that isn't true.

One of (and maybe both)of the first morning drive co-hosts on KOPT, were registered Republicans. They also were NOT anti-Iraq war and seemed bewildered at the outrage from KOPT listeners over that fact. Rick Little ran a good news operation with resources and staff to cover news and public affairs issues. In early 2006 Cumulus cut off the AP service and substituted it with MetroSource (a bad joke unless you are doing news in Portland) and a few months later canned news guy Dan Nims (an icon in this market) without severance or unused vacation pay. KUGN also did not enter the AP awards contest for 2005 because Cumulus wouldn't pay the entry fee. The cost of gas, lodging, meals and registration for the AP Conference I attended in 2006 was paid for by me. Business cards? Was told when hired in late 2004 to buy my own (I never did).

Sparkewave:

That is precisely why I prefaced my post with, "If the information in the comment below is accurate..."

There is enough information here to set content off the table as a primary failure factor.

The worst aspect of KOPT going down is the question of where the news folks will land.
KUGN is a one man operation with sales folks voicing news items since I got blown out in a "budget cut"...KPNW is going to be owned by
Bi-Coastal Media which is not known for expanding staff sizes. Maybe some or all will land in TV.

Paul....when did this happen ? "Budget Cut" ??

I knew Cumulus was cheap but thats just crazy.

OMG ... what about Jeffrey??

Paul- When did you exit? Thought you were doing afternoon news...Who does that now?

So the progressive liberals were not tolerant of the diverse opinions expressed by the morning show and the ownership?

Would you program Randi Rhodes on a station that claims, "We always 'Rush' you to the conservative viewpoint"?

It's not that one group is less tolerant than another, but it's simple radio formatics 101.

Was informed on 6-18 that I was being blown out in a budget cut. Al Kline now ND and having a good time, I'd guess...............................................................

Sorry to hear that....The OAB site is showing a FT news job at CC in Portland....

btw does anyone know when Bi-Coastal takes over in Eugene...I am told it hasn't happened yet...

There's a paragraph on Bicoastal's website that says they took over June 1.

selling KOPT with a lousy dial position and lack of revenue might prove difficult. Always seems to be a buyer for overpriced properties though. Honestly who could make it work.

Paul, good hunting.

"a Spanish sports format is both, admirably risky and frankly, completely reckless."

Yes, once again, 1450 KLZS received a 0 share in the book. How about a new format?

Latest ratings (persons 12+) shows KOPT moving up from 1.9 to 2.1
KPNW went from 5.4 to 4.9
KUGN went from 5.2 to 3.6 (despite U-of-O's great basketball season)
KNRQ dropped from 5.4 to 4.0
KZEL dropped a bit from 4.1 to 4.0
Country KKNU dominates going from 9.8 to 10.6, KDUK 5.7 to 6.4
KEUG (Magic) 5.4 to 5.2

I started to mention that Magic is KMGE but then noticed the name of the poster: Hi Paul, it's Trivia!

Dang typos...

You can go back and edit your post.

1450 KLZS's (ESPN sports in Spanish) ratings paint a bleak picture for the future of that Churchill station, in particular.

I briefly glanced at the SP '07 book and thought I saw KXOR (La X) received a 1.2 this last book (please correct me if I'm wrong).

While the numbers or zero's don't say that KLZS had much audience to begin with, I wonder if dividing the audience between KXOR and KLZS may have impacted KXOR's ratings. I recall KXOR had received above a 3.0 rating at one point.

It's their boring Morning Show.
They should bring the guy in the afternoons from Washington and put him in the mornings.
They had a Baaad bok in Portland's La X as well, all the way to the bottom barely .4

the afternoon guy at La X is in Portland KXPD, from Yakima KMNA-FM, 7 pm to midnight they have a girl and the morning show is from Eugene.

KXOR could of lost some male listener's to 94.9 JAMZ.

Very true grasshopper.

please upload a aircheck